There are two different versions of the lens, one built for the full-size iPad and the other built specifically for the iPad mini. The full-size iPad version sports a 10x zoom, while the iPad mini lens has a 12x zoom. The lens also comes with a minimalistic case for your iPad that allows you to attach the lens to the tablet.

The two lenses also have manual focus rings on them so that way you can adjust the photos to your liking, offering you a bit of manual control over the iPad’s camera app, which leaves a lot to be desired in that respect. The lens is about the size of a small handheld flashlight, and it quickly screws on and off the iPad shell for easy storage when you’re not using it.

As for price, you’re looking at $25 for one of these lenses, which isn’t too terrible, considering that a smartphone lens from the same company is around the same price. As far as compatibility, Photojojo says that the full-size iPad lens will only work with the 3rd- and 4th-gen iPads, although you may be able to squeeze it on the iPad 2 if you really wanted to.

A ton of the new products announced at CES were built for the iPhone or iPad — mostly accessories, mind you, but there were a ton of accessories lining the halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center, and while we covered a crap-ton of new accessories here at CES, there were still a truckload that we never got to. Company after company had new iPhone and iPad cases, like OtterBox, who unveiled new additions to their Armor and Defender series of cases, and Pelican, who introduced the ProGear Vault series. Olloclip showed off a new lens for the iPhone 5, Lifeproof had new cases and mounts, Cygnett had some custom cases for the iPhone 5, Belkin had a nifty speaker case for the iPad, and ONGUARD had fancy origami stands for Apple devices.

That doesn’t even begin to touch the surface, folks. Griffin introduced the StudioConnect iPad dock, as well as the Crayola Light Marker, which was made specifically for…you got it…the iPad. However, companies who didn’t have accessories to announce or sell were still showing off the Apple brand. Many companies demoed their new products with none other than iPhones and iPads, including Parrot with their AR.Drone 2.0, Liquipel with their water-resistant coatings, Harman with their Aha integration with Porsche, Tethercell with their smartphone-controlled batteries, SilverLit with their Mercedes RC cars, Martian with their Passport smartwatch, Belkin with their NetCam HD, and Ford with their in-car Sync technology. And finally, we also saw Corning release new Thunderbolt cables, Ion unveiled Scratch 2 Go for the iPad, and Behringer released a new line of speakers and audio equipment with AirPlay.

*Takes gasp of fresh air*

Other than all the companies showing off new products for Apple devices, and using iOS devices to demo various products, we also noticed the abundance of MacBooks being used in the press rooms at CES. Our team alone consisted of all MacBooks except for one team member, and we had an iMac back at our temporary headquarters that took care of any heavy video work.

Is all this Apple swag a bad thing? Of course it’s not — I think it goes to show just how much of an impact Apple products have had on a lot of people, and will continue to have. And while Apple isn’t directly participating in all of the CES festivities here in Sin City, their logo is plastered everywhere, and they’re not paying a dime for it. Companies want to spend money on things that are worthwhile and that have the biggest audience — the Samsung Galaxy S III was up there, but it was ultimately the iPhones and iPads that stood out in the end.

The company has come up with a small set of suction cup-equipped accessories that turn the iPad itself into a pair of decks and a mixer on the cheap. The unit that we took a look at consists of a slider control, two round discs for scratching, and two banks of three knobs each for all the fine tuning.

The suction cups feel pretty solid. Underneath, the spinners have what looks to be like the tip of a touchscreen stylus. It’s certainly nothing fancy, but it works. I ended up playing around with the knobs and controls, essentially proving to myself why I would be a terrible DJ, but they were fun to use, and were way more handy than just using the flat touchscreen.

Serious turntablists will probably want to steer clear, since it would be best to get an actual deck and mixer, but for those just wanting to have fun and need a little more tactile control, you may want to check these out. They work with a variety of DJ apps, such as Djay, Deej, and iDJ2GO. Ion Audio will sell the kit for only $40 starting in May.

This new stylus boasts a magnetic tip system, which allows the tip to be easily removed, while also keeping it securely fastened. The company says that this special magnetic system leaves the door wide open for the possibility of releasing new interchangeable tips in the future. There’s also Bluetooth 4.0 on board, which allows for quick and easy pairing directly with an iPad in order to take advantage of some pretty slick features like pressure sensitivity and palm rejection capabilities.

Ten One Design says that the Pogo Connect is the first of its kind and includes new patent-pending technology called Crescendo Sensor, which makes the tip extremely responsive to pressure and recognizing the slightest touch. They say that Crescendo Sensor works at all angles and provides hundreds of different pressure levels.

The stylus is fully compatible with 16 iPad apps so far with more to come in the future. Some notable ones that the Pogo Connects works with are Brushes, Zen Brush, FlipBook HD, and SketchBook Pro. The stylus is powered by a single AAA battery and said to last “for months.” The Pogo Connect is available for pre-order now for $79.95.

The spiderArm system comes with two base units, essentially a SurfaceMount that is padded and can be secured to a table or desk or a VersaMount that allows it to be attached to walls, under cabinets, or near work stations. Then you can choose from three modular extension arms that offer 270-degree joints that lead to the secureSnap casing for the iPad itself that features a 360-degree adjustable connection.

The arm extensions themselves aren’t clunky and are rather versatile in that they should blend nicely into your home or office. They are made of polycarbonate for strength and durability. The spiderArm comes in piano-key white or in a soft, anodized aluminum finish. It retails for $79.99 and is available at spiderArm.com or on Amazon.

Gleaning from FCC docs, Phillips reveals that the iPad 2 with 3G features a proximity sensor that dials down the power of the 3G radio when it detects that a user is close to the sensor. It can dial down the power by as much as 75 percent, which means a much weaker 3G signal strength and slower data speeds if something is close to the sensor, especially when the sensor is covered up by a case.

This use of the proximity sensor in tandem with 3G power is to protect users from the electromagnetic radiation emanating from the 3G antenna. Hence, users may notice that when they have their iPad 2 Smart Covers or other casing over their iPads that their 3G connection weakens.

Pong’s iPad 2 case tackles this problem by placing a small hole in the case right above where it would cover the iPad’s proximity sensor. This allows the 3G data to continue running at full speed. And to reduce the radiation that comes with the full tilt 3G radio, Pong has utilized a special circuit board design to take and redistribute the radiation away from the user’s body.

[via TUAW]

The two cases in G-Form’s lineup; the Extreme Portfolio and Extreme Edge, are mostly made using proprietary G-Form technology, along with composite PORON material. The proprietary technology has the ability to absorb an astounding 90% or more of the impact of the collision, and simultaneously stiffen instantaneously to protect your beloved iPad from becoming, well, a pile of metal. If you think about the mere physics of it, it’s really not bad. Not bad at all.

If that’s not impressive enough, check out G-Form protecting iPads thrown out of sports cars speeding at 113 miles per hour down below. And all that toughness for $89.95 for the Extreme Portfolio or $59.95 for the Extreme Sleeve. So the next time you go for extreme sports, feel free to bring your iPad along. It can probably handle whatever you throw it at, literally. Or if you’re a normal, everyday person, then you most likely will never have to worry about dropping your iPad again.

So readers, which test would you consider to be more hardcore? How about more realistic? Tell us in the comment section below.

Hardware

The Verbatim Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard is designed to work with your iPhone and iPad (iOS 4 or higher) but can also work with Bluetooth-enabled Android 3.0 tablets and the BlackBerry PlayBook. It comes in a nice leather carrying case and measures roughly 6.25″ x 4″ x 0.75″ when folded closed. Its plastic body feels relatively solid and has some weight to it that’s not as ideal but also not enough to be a problem.

The keyboard clicks open nicely upon pressing a latch and sits in place thanks to four small rubbery feet. The standard style keyboard, as opposed to a chiclet style keyboard, has some non-standard key sizes to fit into a smaller footprint. For instance, the “G” and “B” keys are a bit smaller to fit on either side of the center hinge while the “V” key is larger and all the top-row number keys are much smaller. The space bar is also split into two keys. For touch-typers this may slow you down a bit, but should be quick to get used to.

There are also some additional media controls and keyboard shortcuts that work especially well with the iPhone and iPad. There are the usual play/pause, fast-forward, rewind, and volume up/down buttons on the left side along with some dedicated keys including Control, Function, Alt, Alt Gr, @, and Menu, which works with other keys to replace hot keys or shortcuts such as “Ctrl+V” for pasting. Two dedicated Home keys are also available with square symbols as is a key for toggling on/off the on-screen soft keyboard.

It uses two AAA batteries that fit into a compartment on the left side next to a battery life status indicator LED, the Bluetooth connection status LED, the on/off switch, and a recessed pairing button. Additionally, on the top left side of the keyboard there’s a latch for locking the keyboard in the open position while on the top right side there’s a hidden iPhone stand that pulls out to spring open.

Performance

Pairing of the keyboard with an iPhone and iPad worked smoothly although it requires you to use a paper clip or a pen to press the recessed pairing button. This would have been better if designed differently. The blue LED indicator is very bright, a little irritating on the eyes and it blinks rapidly when you first turn on the keyboard. Once paired, however, it blinks every couple of seconds and would be alright if it wasn’t so darn bright. Thankfully the battery indicator LED doesn’t light up unless you’re getting low on power.

The unusual key sizes did take a bit of getting used to and the typical “Ctrl+C” and “Ctrl+V” copy and pasting required replacing the Control key with the Menu key. There are also a host of other hot key combinations for Android-specific functions such as for quickly bringing up Gmail, Browser, Calendar, Maps, and YouTube.

The included stand works nicely for your iPhone sitting in the landscape orientation, not so well in portrait mode, and forget about trying to keep an iPad on it.

Wrap-Up

Overall the Verbatim Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard is a good choice if you’ll require heavy typing on your iPhone or iPad. It’s a step up from the more flimsy alternatives and is just as portable in size. Although it’s a bit heavier, it provides a much more solid typing experience. The Verbatim Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard is a bit pricey at $104, but a quick search shows that it can be had for under $60 on Amazon, which makes it an excellent new accessory to help you stay productive while on the go.

The ZAGGfolio’s space-saving keyboard is ultra thin and has a built-in rechargeable battery rated for weeks of use between charges. The keyboard can also be removed from the case and since it uses Bluetooth it ca stay connected to the iPad 2 even at a distance. It also works with the iPad 2 in both landscape and portrait orientations.

Additionally, there are iPad 2 specific keyboard shortcuts such as volume control, music control, home, search, and copy and paste. The ZAGGfolio is priced at $99.99 and is available now for pre-orders. Shipping will be free and is estimated for July 21.

[via ZAGG]

The AViiQ Smart Case for iPad 2 is designed to protect without being bulky. It’s made of a durable plastic encased in a solid anodized aluminum plate. The case is tough yet lightweight, measuring only 1.5mm thick. The of multitude of colors it comes in are selected to match those of Apple’s Smart Covers, but the case can work with the iPad 2 with or without the Smart Covers.

The case is offered in Black, Silver, Blue, Green, Orange, Pink, and Red. It’s available now from AViiQ’s online store for $49.99. The company also promises a 30-day money back 100% satisfaction guarantee. Some other iPad 2 accessories you might also want to take a look at is the Crux Loaded Case and the iFrogz iPad 2 Summit Case.

Waterfield Designs alredy makes bags and accessory cases for laptops, cameras, tablets, and other devices like the Nintendo DS. The Keyboard Travel Express appears to have the same quality of their other products, however we will reserve our final word on the Travel Express for a hands-on. It is probably a little large for carrying in a purse, but not everyone carries a purse so the Travel Express could conveniently carry all the accessories for your tablet in one place.

It might have been nice to have the iPad or tablet carried with the accessories, but there are already lots of tablet cases and covers on the market. The case has a bit of a bulgy look to it. It doesn’t look quite as clean and presentable as we would have wanted. It seems to look better, more square and modular, with only the keyboard inside and not all the other accessories. The retail is set at $49, available now.

[via WaterField]

The Crux Loaded allows you to navigate the iPad 2 via a remote-Bluetooth trackpad. You will be able to control the iPad’s screen using all of the same multi-touch functions currently on iOS, such as page scrolling, picture resizing, and game play. You can do all this without ever having to lift your hand to the iPad’s touchscreen.

The extra external battery within the base of the Crux Loaded adds another 7.5 hours of battery life. The battery is connected to your iPad 2 using Apple’s 30-pin cord. The case is currently listed on the CruxCase website as available Fall 2011 for a price of $249.

The iKeyboard was designed by Cliff Thier and it is a cool device that isn’t a keyboard like The externals that you see. An overlay clips on the bottom of your iPad and has little key cutouts that fit right over the virtual keys. The idea is that you can feel the spaces and the film between your fingers and the on screen keyboard and touch type for real. It’s actually a very neat idea. The iKeyboard needs no batteries or anything like that.

It is also very thin and should be as easy to transport as your iPad is. The iKeyboard has a cool arched plastic material inside that sits over the keys and allows the touchscreen to work since you aren’t touching it directly. The arched material feels like real keys when you press it down so you get the little click that goes along with typing. The designer is seeking $4,000 and has $1,255 of that amount at the time I wrote this. The project has $47 days to go before it makes or not.

[via Kickstarter]

A new card reader that will work with the iPad and the iPad 2 has surfaced called the 3-in-1 Camera Connection Kit. You can use the adapter to transfer the images from your digital camera to the iPad as well. The adapter is a bit larger than the official Apple Camera Connection Kit, but it does have a USB port.

The adapter will support all UDMA and non-UDMA CF cards and offers write speeds of up to 133MB/s. You can buy the adapter at MIC Gadget for $29.90 right now. You can see it in action in the video below.

One geek has discovered that the magnets inside are so strong that you can flip that lid up and the said magnets will hold the iPad 2 to your fridge. That is a bit too much for me. Stuff is always randomly falling off my fridge and the last thing I would want is to see my shiny new tablet fall to the ground.

I guess if you are brave and really want a fridge mount for your iPad 2 this might be a route to go. If you crush your shiny new tablet doing this, send us pics so we can mock you openly.

[via 9to5Mac]

The new line will include several products including the Tuffwrap Shine made from soft and durable material in several colors that gives access to all controls and ports. The Microshield for iPad 2 is another of the offerings in the line and is a thin hard plastic case. It is designed to protect your iPad from scratches, dust, and dirt.

The Thin Sleeve is a full coverage case that will also work with the original iPad. It has a durable exterior and micro-suede inside to protect from scratches, dust and dirt. It uses a magnet closure. XtremeMac also has the Tuffshield screen protection film that will be available in glossy and anti-glare finishes.

This case is called the 360 Shield and it is made entirely of real carbon fiber. The case is cool looking and considering how strong carbon fiber is it should provide for some strong protection. The case leaves the user access to all the ports and buttons of the iPad 2.

The side hinge of the case allows the lid to swivel 360 degrees so the user can get to the screen of the iPad quickly. The lid on the screen also means that the screen can be protected from scratches and impacts from drops. The case is up for pre-order right now and will ship on March 21 for $99.99.

The back of the case has a ring called the TwistGrip that can turn in any direction and has a fold down section that can be used as a prop. That prop will allow the iPad to stand in portrait or landscape modes. The ring will also rotate to allow the user to hang the iPad on the wall. That might be the perfect way to keep the iPad away from little ones when you don’t want them messing with it.

The ring can also be used as a handle for carrying the iPad with you on the go. When the TwistGrip ring is folded flat, it can be used as a grip when you are standing up with the iPad. The Twist360 will ship “soon” for $59.95.

The company has announced that it was working on new cases just for the iPad 2 as well. I would be surprised if some of the cases didn’t launch at the end of the week along with the tablet. You can find out more about the iPad 2 gear from the company on the Facebook page or sign up to be notified via email when new iPad 2 cases are unveiled.

I would bet we will see the same types of cases that iSkin has for the iPad right now for the iPad 2. I particularly like the iSkin aura with its multiple positions and adjustability. The iSkin cases also come in thinner and slim fitting styles we are sure to see for the iPad 2 as well.

You can get a solid block of bling if you want to cover every single bit of your pad in the non-slip Swarovski elements. If you are looking for a more understated look, you can get a custom design. An artisan will attach the gems one-by-one according to your exacting wishes.

“All cases are not only limited, but also unique!! That is, your own style on the Earth only!!”

Distinctive Styles offers a wide range of non-blinged products as well. They have cases made from wood to leather to cloth. They support a variety of devices. We don’t think we care for anything that doesn’t contain Swarovski elements though. Watch this. You’ll understand.

[via Distinctive Styles]

The line includes gear for the pro users with an Executive Jacket with a stand for propping the tablet up. A new case that is aimed at the business user called the Method Portfolio. It has more storage space than the typical iPad 2 case offers. M-Edge will also offer the Latitude Jacket that zips around the tablet to protect it from dust and drops.

The most interesting of the offerings is the Latitude Jacket with TheaterStand. It has a stand that will hold the iPad up at 16 different viewing angles in portrait or landscape modes. That stand will make watching video a snap for most users. The firm will also offer the Touring Sleeve made from neoprene and the Cambridge Jacket. The Touring Sleeve is the only item in the line available right now.

The new bags are offered in several styles and to fit notebooks from 15-inches to 17-inches. The line also has a bag that is made for netbooks or the iPad too. The line includes the Harmony 15-inch tote for $149.99, the 17-inch tote for $159.99, and the iPad/netbook satchel is $99.95. The lowest cost things in the Harmony line are the 15-inch sleeve at $24.95 and the 17-inch sleeve at $27.95.

The bags are black and have a mix of shiny cloth material and faux leather with quilted fabric thrown in. My wife tells me they are “cute” which I guess means the Hamrony line has hit its target market. Inside the bags have pockets and storage for all that junk my wife carries around with her including her smartphone and 624 tubes of lip gloss. The bags in the Harmony line are available right now.

Scosche is also offering a handful of new solutions for charging your Apple device. On the top of the pile, you can choose from the powerPLUG low profile car charger, or the goBATT II portable charger that comes with two USB ports so you can charge multiple devices simultaneously. The reVIVE II series of chargers also has two usb charging ports, they come in separate wall-socket and car-charger versions. You’re covered. Scosche is also releasing a line of iPad2 screen protectors. On the low end they have the scratch resistant klearCOAT p2. On the high end they brought out the privaSEE p2, a polarized privacy guard for your iPad2. The satinSHIELD p2 offers glare reduction. For more product details visit Scosche Industries, and the rest of our iPad 2 coverage from today.

[via Scosche Industries, Consumer-Tech Division]

Oxnard, CA, – March 02, 2011 – Scosche Industries, award-winning innovator of consumer technology, is excited to announce its complete iPad 2 accessories line-up will be available this month. The Scosche iPad 2 product line-up is highlighted by three new cases, a waterproof Bluetooth mini keyboard and a variety of new charging options.

“We take pride in consistently being one of the first accessory manufacturers to market following a new Apple product announcement,” said Kas Alves, Executive Vice President of Scosche Industries. “This time we are taking our commitment to being a market leader to a new level by delivering all our new iPad 2 products in the same month as Apple’s announcement.”

iPad 2 users looking to protect their new tablet will have no shortage of options from Scosche. Inspired by the popular foldIO for the original iPad, the foldIO p2 is a stylish folio case. Available in black and white leather options, as well as black and white carbon fiber textured models, the foldIO p2 adds an element of sophistication to Scosche’s iPad 2 case line. Priced at $49.99, the foldIO p2 features three landscape viewing positions and a suede interior for enhanced protection.

The Scosche glosSEE p2 is a translucent, flexible rubber case for the new tablet that provides an enhanced grip and superior protection. Priced at $39.99, iPad 2 owners can choose from Crystal Clear, Smoke, Deep Purple, Rocker Pink and Blue options.

Available in the same fun colors, the Scosche snapSHIELD p2 is a low profile polycarbonate case for iPad 2. The shatterproof snapSHIELD protects the iPad and features an open design, providing access to all the tablet’s connections and controls for just $29.99.

Scosche has also put together an offering of screen protectors for the iPad 2. Models include the klearCOAT p2, satinSHIELD p2 and privaSEE p2 and they are priced at $19.99, $24.99 and $49.99 respectively.

The $59.99 Scosche freeKEY is a water resistant, Bluetooth keyboard, perfect for working on the go. The rugged, high quality silicone keyboard has a wireless range of up to 30 feet, a retractable USB cable for charging, and rolls up for easy storage.
iPad 2 customers worried about running down the new tablet’s battery can pick up a 2.1A powerPLUG for charging in the car for just $17.99, or the Scosche goBAT II dual USB battery back-up and charger for $79.99. Scosche’s dual USB reVIVE II chargers are perfect for simultaneously charging an iPad 2 and another USB powered device at home or in the car and are available for $24.99 and $29.99 respectively.
All of Scosche’s tapLINE II earphones are also compatible with the second-generation iPad. In addition, to volume and track control, these earphones provide iPad 2 users with a high quality mic for FaceTime and voice memos. The Scosche sneakPEEK II, HD audio video output solution, also works with the iPad 2 and is perfect for sharing media on the iPad 2 with friends and family and is also available at www.scosche.com for $59.99.

Follow Scosche at twitter.com/scosche or facebook.com/scosche for the latest news on the company’s complete line of of iPad 2 accessories and all of Scosche’s award-winning products.

About Scosche Industries:

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2010, Scosche Industries is an award-winning innovator of iPad, iPhone and iPod accessories. Scosche is founded on its commitment to quality, value and customer service. With over 55 patents and countless industry awards it is easy to see that Scosche is consistently at the forefront of technology and innovation. Scosche Industries is the parent company of several distinct brands including: Scosche, REALM, EFX, BlueFusion and Accumat. Founded in 1980, Scosche is still 100% family owned and operated with over 120 great people alongside them. For more information visit our website at www.scosche.com.

Media Contact:

Mark Olson
Max Borges Agency for Scosche
Account Supervisor
305-576-1171 x17
markolson@maxborgesagency.com

The Portable Laptop Stand was originally only offered in silver. You can now get it in satin silver, satin titanium, satin black, and satin white colors. It has the same folding design and quarter inch thickness making it very portable. New gear includes the Aviiq Portable Quick Stand that looks a lot like that laptop stand. The Quick Stand weighs 3.5 ounces and is 3/8 of an inch thick when folded. It will support notebooks up to 17-inches.

The Aviiq Portable Case Stand for iPad is a four-position case for the iPad that has two stands that will hold the iPad in landscape or portrait mode for watching video and at a much lower angle for typing on the screen. Aviiq also has a new Portable USB Charging station that allows three USB devices to charge from a single wall outlet. The devices can also be synced to a computer with a single data connection. Pricing is as follows; Portable Quick Stand ($39.99), Portable Case Stand for iPad ($59.99), USB Charging Station ($99.99), Original Portable Laptop Stand ($59.99) and the new shades of the Portable Laptop Stand ($79.99). All of the new gear will ship this month.

The company also states that the keyboard is available at Fry’s, but it is not listed on their website yet.

The material the case is made from is recycled and recyclable cork material, the same stuff your bulletin board at home or the office is probably made from. The case leaves all of the buttons and ports of the iPad uncovered and it has an angled audio output area to shoot the sound out to the listener’s ear.

The case is lightweight and designed to grip the iPad snugly when installed. The non-abrasive cork material should prevent scratches as well. You can get the case for €49.95 and you can see the kork in action below.

The iPad 2 is believed to hit Apple Stores no later than April, although no official announcements have been made yet. However, with the clearance going on so early, it’s possible that the iPad 2 may make its appearance even earlier than speculated.

This clearance also suggests that current accessories likely will not work with the next-generation iPad and makes us wonder just what form factor changes the iPad 2 will bring about. For current iPad owners with no plans to make the switch anytime soon, this is a good time to go shopping.

[Via Cult of Mac]

After using the case, you can simply give the case back to nature as it seems to be biodegradable.  The design is stylish and clean and would make the Professor from Gilligan’s Island quite proud.

The video indicates the case will come in five stylish colors; white, yellow, green, red, and black.  So if the designers ever do get the case into production, expect plenty of Prius drivers to be carrying them around.

[Via Yanko Designs]

Now, it’s unclear where the company has got the details for the case from – this could all be speculative, it could be based on leaked information or rumor, or it might be relying on more official measurements – so as with all these leaks we’re grabbing a fistful of salt. Still, it’s not the first case to look like this, and as we’ve seen with previous accessories for Apple devices the Shenzhen industry do seem to have an uncanny knack for narrowing in on the official design.

According to TopAppo, manufacturing of the iPad 2 case is ready to begin now, while iPhone 5 accessory manufacture is also expected to start imminently. Apple is tipped to announce the iPad 2 later this quarter, while the fifth-generation iPhone isn’t expected until midway through the year.

Other features include a detachable shoulder strap and a flexible rubber border. The Coffee Clutch also has a fold out stand to prop the iPad up. The company also has a Universal Charging Dock that connects to your PC to charge and sync the iPad. It has a wide base, LED power indicator, and will charge the iPhone or iPod.

The final new accessory is the Portable Stand for iPad. The thing has a slide in design that you slip your iPad into and the stand will prop the iPad up in two angles. It will work in portrait or landscape modes and can be purchased in gray or glossy white finishes. Pricing and availability on the new products is unannounced at this time.

SlashPIRACY
I’ll just leave this here and you tell me what you think about it. This is a quote from a spokesperson from the BPI (essentially England’s music industry, similar to USA’s RIAA) responding to Google’s recent tweaks to its search service like removing words associated with piracy from appearing on autocomplete: “It is encouraging that Google is beginning to respond to our calls to act more responsibly with regard to illegal content, … However, this package of measures, while welcome, still ignores the heart of the problem – that Google search overwhelmingly directs consumers looking for music and other digital entertainment to illegal sites” – these words basically repeated by Richard Mollet of the Publishers Association: “We hope that the measures announced today take effect quickly and that Google could then consider going further, so that illegal sites don’t appear in general free search results.”

[Via BBC]

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Advent Vega unboxing & hands-on [Video] [FEATURED]
4G Motorola devices in early 2011; tablets imminent & Verizon iPhone tipped for Q1

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The Grip 360 + Stand is an all in one solution that has three different ways to be used. It can be used as a carrying case, a handheld case, and as a stand. It has a flexible hand strap on the back of the case making it easy to hold. That strap rotates 360-degrees, it can be removed, and a stand attached to the back allowing for multiple viewing angles.

The FlipBlade is a compact support with a cool design that reminds me of the official keyboard accessory minus the keyboard. It can be used to hold the iPad in portrait or landscape modes. The Grip 360 + Stand sells for $69.99, the Grip 360 only is $59.99, and the FlipBlade sells for $29.99.

Apparently, the thing is also aimed at pilots so they can use apps while flying their own aircraft as well. The back of the AppStation is made from polycarbonate and has a curve to it to fit the leg comfortably. The leg strap uses Velcro-style closures for a snug fit and the top of the kneeboard is angled up to tilt the iPad toward the user without having to lift your leg up.

The accessory also has a storage area for a stylus and a Mini Mag Light flashlight. The front of the kneeboard has raised areas to keep your screen from getting scratched if you set the iPad face down while in the holder. You can order the AppStation right now for $69.95.

The adjustability of the Workbook is infinite and it can be had in several colors. The five combinations for the Workbook include black on black, white with grey strap, orange with black strap, chocolate with cyan strap, and cement with yellow strap. The outside of the case is fake leather and the inside has a soft fabric to prevent scratches.

The case is made to allow access to all of the controls and ports of the iPad. That means you can charge and adjust anything you want on the tablet without having to take it out of the case. The Workbook will sell for $59.95 and is available right now.

Griffin has unveiled a new mount for the iPad called the Cabinet Mount for iPad that is designed to hide the tablet away under a cabinet for you to use in the kitchen or anywhere else you have a cabinet. The mount swivels and has bracket grips specifically design to keep the iPad safe and secure.

The mount can be placed on the front, side, or under a cabinet and the installation is easy with all the hardware and instructions for installation included. The arm rotates 360-degrees around and front to back 90-degrees. You can pick one up from Griffin now for $69.99. This would be a great mount for a desk with a hutch if you use the iPad as a second monitor for your notebook or desktop.

Considering most companies are at pains to highlight how polished their offerings are, it’s a surprise to hear Aligata point out that their iPad cases neither fit perfectly nor have perfect surface finishes. In fact, the minor flaws – glitches, scars and small imperfections – are part of the allure; you can even see creases where the cow bent its neck and tiny holes where horseflies bit them. That might be off-putting to those who prefer not to consider where leather actually comes from.

If you can cope with its bovine origins, however, there’s something deeply appealing about a product that revels in its naturalness. The Nippon case is slightly oxidized and died yet still pale, whereas the Perfect Black is obviously much darker. Unfortunately, because of manufacturing issues with sourcing the dyed leather, Aligata are no longer manufacturing the Perfect Black case; we received our review sample before they made that decision. Over time, the natural patina of the leather will change and the color – on the Nippon at least – darken, making sure every case remains unique.

The physical design of the cases is pretty straightforward. The iPad slides into the stitched leather frame where it hinges, and is held in place with a central rubber dot . It’s not quite the tight grip of, say, Apple’s official iPad case, but nor is it a slip-sleeve. You’d have to shake it at just the right angle to accidentally drop the tablet, certainly. It’s worth noting that there’s no clasp, strap, Velcro or magnet to keep it closed; Aligata reckons magnets have an adverse affect on Apple’s mobile devices. Whether or not that’s true, we do wish there was some simple way of keeping the folio closed when you drop it into your bag.

Cut-outs at the top allow access to the sleep/power button and the headphone socket, on the side for the volume rocker and screen orientation switch, and at the bottom for the dock connector and speaker. Either a hole is punched in the bezel at the top, or a notch, for the ambient light sensor, while the lower edge scallops to accommodate the home button. Aligato use 3/16-inch thick leather, which is on the thick side for cases we’ve seen but also surprisingly supple. It certainly feels capable of withstanding a knock or drop, even if it landed on one of the corners.

What it won’t do is act as a stand to prop your iPad up in landscape orientation for watching video; unless there’s something to wedge up against, it just slides open and flat. To be fair, Aligata also warn in advance that’s the case, but it’s still worth bearing in mind if that’s one duty you expect a folio to fulfil. Finally, there’s some upkeep involved if you want the Aligata to stay looking its best: glycerine soap if you want to clean it, oil or leather grease if you want to treat the surface. You could leave it to age naturally, of course, though it might pick up some stains along the way.

At $69 the Aligata Nippon is obviously more expensive than Apple’s basic case, but it’s less than half the price of leather rivals from Vaja. We also prefer the more natural appearance of the Aligata materials to the somewhat over-refined Vaja cases, though that’s of course personal preference. What we can say with a fair degree of confidence is that the Aligata Nippon should have no trouble protecting your iPad and, indeed, outlasting it, and will probably only get more handsome along the way.

You can get cases based on the red super mushroom for the iPhone and iPad, the Goomba for the iPad and iPhone, or the green 1-up Mushroom for iPad and iPhone. The iPhone 3G/3GS case measures about 5.25″ x 3.125″ and is handmade when purchased. That means that you will have to wait while it is made.

The seller says that will take 1-3 business days before the things ship. The iPad has a case that measures 10.5″ x 8″ and is handmade. The iPad case is $39.95 and the iPhone cases are $19.95.

Meanwhile there’s also the Kensington Folio Case for iPad, a faux-leather flip case that has an adjustable stand to prop up the Apple slate whether you want to enter text or watch videos.  It’s priced at $39.99, while the Kensington KeyFolio is $99.99.

There’s not much in the box: the case itself, a short USB to microUSB to charge it, and a poorly translated user guide. Made from reasonably convincing black imitation leather, the KeyCase has a strong dual-magnet clasp and a snuggly fitting section for the iPad to slot into. Cutouts leave the home button, power/sleep, microphone and headphone socket, volume rocker, orientation lock and dock connector accessible, and there are holes punched through to line up with the speaker on the bottom edge.

The keyboard itself is decidedly rubbery, the keys more Spectrum ZX than a regular Bluetooth ‘board. Layout is a mixture of Apple’s regular keys and and iPad-specific buttons, including Home, volume up/down/mute, play/pause, skip-forward, skip-back and search. There’s also a keyboard button which can show or hide the on-screen keyboard (which, when the KeyCase is paired, automatically stays hidden during text entry).

On the top right of the keyboard is a large Connect button, which puts the KeyCase into pairing mode (or resumes the Bluetooth connection should either iPad or keyboard go into sleep mode), and on the side a microUSB port for charging and a tiny power switch. The latter is the one particularly cheap-feeling part of the KeyCase, and we wish they’d gone for a sturdier toggle. Three blue LEDs show Bluetooth, charging and power status.

Pairing proved straightforward, a matter of powering on the keyboard, holding down the Connect button and then choosing the “Keyboard” entry from the iPad’s Bluetooth menu in the settings page. After typing in a passcode on the KeyCase we were ready to go; subsequently all we needed to do was turn the KeyCase on and it would reconnect (though you can also force that by tapping the Connect button briefly).

With rubbery keys you can’t expect the best typing experience, and sure enough the KeyCase isn’t going to replace a proper hardware ‘board. Travel is relatively shallow, and there isn’t enough clicky responsiveness to each button to feel entirely confident. At 8.25 x 3.5 inches it’s obviously considerably smaller than a a full-sized keyboard, too.

That’s not to say it’s unusable, however. Once we learned to trust the KeyCase and ignore the lack of feel, we were able to pick up a decent rate that exceeded by a minor margin what we could regularly manage with the on-screen keyboard. Being able to use shortcuts like cmd+left/right to jump to the start or end of a line, option+left/right to jump a word at a time, and ctrl+up/down to page up or down is particularly handy, as is highlighting text using the shift and arrow keys. You can then copy/paste with the regular Mac shortcuts too.

Unfortunately there’s no easy way to use the iPad’s spelling correction from the keyboard – you have to actually tap the underlined word to see the alternatives – and sometimes iOS’ touchscreen-centricity still shows through. While you can trigger a search using the KeyCase, you then can’t move down through and select the results with the arrow keys; only tapping the screen works. Similarly you can’t dismiss pop-up notifications with the enter key, only with a finger.

You’re limited in screen angle, too; there are various rubber ridges above the QWERTY layout, but we found ourselves wishing we could tilt the iPad back a few more degrees. It’s fine if you’re working at a desk, less so if you were trying to make the most of an airline tray-table.

Battery life is estimated at up to 90hrs continuous use or 100 days standby; we’re still yet to reach the end of our first charge. While the original KeyCase design had an Apple dock connector for recharging, it was replaced with microUSB for legal reasons. That means you’ll have to carry both a microUSB and Apple power cord to charge both KeyCase and iPad, which is frustrating.

The cynics will probably ask why, if you’re looking for a hardware keyboard, you opted for the iPad in the first place rather than a (likely cheaper) netbook. There’s plenty to be said for having the option to type or simply to rely on the touchscreen, and the KeyCase also does a reasonable job of propping up the iPad for media consumption. At roughly 9.75 x 8 x 1.25 inches it’s pretty much in line with a bare netbook, and remember you’re also getting sturdy protection for your iPad as well.

At £59.95 from GearZap (roughly $99.99 in the US) that puts it on the expensive side for an iPad case and more expensive than Apple’s own iPad Keyboard Dock or regular Bluetooth keyboard. Nonetheless, with the latter you’d still have to buy a case for mobile use. The rubber keys won’t be to everybody’s taste, but with some practice they’re more usable than the on-screen version; text editing is also quicker thanks to the shortcut support. This is unlikely to be the last keyboard case for the iPad we see reach the market, however, and a hard keys version would likely be significantly more productive.

Headcase has unveiled a cool new case for the iPad that makes the tablet look like the old school red Etch A Sketch. The case is complete with the little white knobs on the bottom corners of the case. Those little knobs are just images and aren’t functional at all.

The case protects the iPad from drops and scratches and has a pair of flip down stands on the back that are every similar to what you see on the bottom of most keyboards to lift the iPad up a bit. The case sells for $39 and leaves all buttons, sensors, and ports uncovered.