Right alongside the fire sale for the HP TouchPad is a fire sale for one of the sweetest bits of protection on the market – did you know StealthArmor made a full protection kit for the TouchPad? Of course you didn’t! You didn’t buy a TouchPad in the first place! They did though, they made a whole stack of protection kits and they want to sell them to you right this second.

This fire sale makes use of the coupon code HPFIRESALE which you’ve just got to enter into the coupon code section on the Stealth Armor website. This coupon will get you $15 off a full body kit for the HP TouchPad, this kit normally priced at $35 total. This full body kit includes a front protective screen and a custom back film made with the finish of your choice.

Lucky you, we just happen to have a video of Vincent’s application process of a StealthArmor adhesive case from our original HP TouchPad review here:

These skins are thick, protecting your device from essentially anything, including a key to the face. Included in each package is a front and a back skin, this demo including the back in its entirety, plus the four little nubbins around the corners. What the nubbins consist of is a little extra corner cut off where the skin doesn’t quite bend correctly otherwise. You’ve got to apply each of these extra bits of skin on after your biggest piece is fully applied.

To make these final bits stick correctly, you’ll need a bit of heat. To get heat, probably you’ll want to grab a blowdryer from your closet and get to blasting. This will have no ill effect on your iPad 2, mind you, it’s just a bit of heat. Once you’ve got your corners on, you’re done! Such a simple process, and now you’ve got a hardcore protective armor on your iPad 2 with no worries for the future!

A couple of notes: the only thing we don’t really like about this whole process is the corners. Applying heat isn’t our favorite thing to do in any process, much less something like technology like this where heat is generally a bad sign. That said, we love the strength of the skin, and the ability to take the skin off and re-apply, even after a length of time, that’s just fabulous.

You can purchase your very own iPad 2 StealthArmor kit now from Fusion of Ideas. They cost right around $35 now for a limited time, going up to $45 once they’re fully available. Currently you’ll have to [pre-order]

This is the first time I’ve personally opened a package from StealthArmor, our entire past going to people like Vince. We’ve had a look at the original iPad StealthArmor but as you know, iPad 2 is a whole different bag. Lots more cuts are needed, a much more delicate touch required to apply! And here inside each bag comes not just a back, but a thin clear protective front with cuts for the home button and camera as well – plus a cleaning kit!

Once we’ve got this all unpacked and prepared, we’ll be grabbing our hair dryer just incase we need it to apply the skin around some corners, then it’s straight along our way! Stay tuned for an application of the Orange skin (both apply the same way) unto your humble narrator’s brand new iPad 2 – can you even contain yourself with the excitement you’re feeling waiting to see me mess it up?! No worries, you’re talking to a craftsman.

Before we go any further, note, just so we’re clear, that this is a guide for people who have just purchased the iPad 2 and want to know what we’d suggest you look into as far as both peripherals and super fun applications. You’ve already got your iPad 2 which you purchased from one of several sources, Apple, AT&T, Verizon, or Best Buy or Walmart and you’re pumped up enough to check us out to work it out! Well played, Apple owner, let’s make a nutshell of it.

Oh you’ve got a crappy ol’ iPad 1? Weigh your choices!

First you’re gonna want to order two things if you don’t have them already, one of them to protect the front of your device, the other to protect the back. To protect the back, you’ll want to take a look at the StealthArmor iPad 2 skin. Then for the front, Apple’s pretty much made the case for you NEEDING the most awesome thing they’ve ever made in the history of the world that didn’t have a chip in it: the iPad 2 Smart Cover. Also you should take a peek at Scosche’s accessory lineup. Then of course there’s the fabulous Wrapsol, a group who also already has a fabulous skin for the iPad that’ll protect that crap out of your tablet from your hand all the way down to your kitchen floor.

Not just a whole lot of new apps have been released lately (or at least in honor of the iPad 2,) but we’ve got the inside lane on the idea that a lot WILL be coming out (and we’ll be here to tell you about them when the time comes) but for now, here are a couple that have JUST been released by Apple so that you can make the most of your iPad experience:
• iMovie for iPad
• Photo Booth on iOS 4.3
• Camera+ [YOU HAVE A CAMERA NOW!]
• Jenga [Seriously, if you've not tried this, you've not yet Jenga'd]
• Tiny Wings [the new KING!]
• Pulse News [NOW FEATURING ANDROID COMMUNITY, YAY!]
• Netflix [SUPER NICE LOOKING]
• SlashGear [GREATEST APP OF ALL TIME!]
and
• 65,000 others [see, we covered all the bases]

Of course, there’s always the chance that you’re not quite at the point where you’ve got a notebook or a tablet yet: Tablet vs Notebook: The Consumer Decision. Then once you’ve decided to pick up an iPad 2, but you’ve gotta go to SXSW, you’re going to find that you’re still in luck.

Oh and if you put your Smart Cover by your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro and it falls asleep, [don't worry about it].

What this new skin for the second iteration of the iPad consists of is a similar skin to what StealthArmor has been offering for a while now, a protective film to block scratches from your most precious of beautifully designed tech objects. Starting today, the group that makes StealthArmor, Fusion of Ideas, is taking pre-orders for StealthArmor for iPad 2 at a totally cheaper price than normal, selling them for $35 for a full-body kit rather than the usual $45. And there’s more than one kind!

There’s a whole “wide range” of finishes that you’re able to choose from, black carbon fiber, polished wood grain, brushes aluminum, all of it made of an extremely thin layer of material meant to keep the loveliness of your device intact right along with the actual physical state. The skin is made of a thin layer of damage-resistant polymer made from the same material used to protect paint jobs on race cars. Hardcore!

Not only all this, but StealthArmor is no normal sticker – to apply, you’ll need a heat source (such as a hairdryer) which activates the adhesive. This means, basically, a perfect application every time. Take a peek at the press release for the iPad 2 version below:

Stylish StealthArmor Protection from Fusion of Ideas Now Available for iPad 2

03.09.2011– StealthArmor protective film, the perfect complement to the world’s most beautiful handheld devices, is now available for Apple’s revolutionary iPad 2. Beginning today, Fusion of Ideas is taking pre-orders for StealthArmor for iPad 2 at the discounted price of $35.00 for a full-body kit, normally retailing at $45.00.

“We live, breathe and worship Apple’s unparalleled product design,” said Russ Taylor, President and Founder of Fusion of Ideas. “As a result, we’ve become experts at ensuring our products are just as sleek and just as stylish with each new generation of product that enters the marketplace.”

StealthArmor for iPad 2 is available in a wide range of finishes sure to please any palette, from black carbon fiber to bright purple, polished wood grain to brushed aluminum. Unlike other protective cases that are made of bulky plastic, rubber or other kind of mystery material that all too often hides the beauty of the device, StealthArmor exudes a premium look that works to enhance the beauty of the device. StealthArmor is made from a thin layer of damage-resistant polymer developed from the same material used to protect the paint jobs on race cars. The end result is a beautifully wrapped device that offers quality protection from scratches and dings.

StealthArmor is quick and easy to install. For the iPad 2, installation will require the use of a heat source (such as from a hairdryer) to activate StealthArmor’s adhesive technology which, when applied properly, will result in a perfectly smooth finish, even around curves and corners. Tips and tricks to install StealthArmor can be found here. StealthArmor can also be easily removed leaving behind zero residue for those who enjoy customizing their device frequently.

Customers may pre-order and purchase StealthArmor for iPad 2 by visiting www.fusionofideas.com and enjoy the $10 savings off regular price of a full-body kit, which includes a clear front protective screen and custom back finish, through March 31, 2011.

Now remember, these are hand-picked by our staff, and almost certainly are the best deals you’re going to find on the products (or similar products) sold on Black Friday. If you’ve got any additions or suggestions you’d like to make, feel free to comment below and we’ll more than likely add them to the big lists. This list is centered around electronics, but isn’t limited to them, as we know you love accessories and wacky weirdness as well.

Online
One Year of Eye-Fi Premium [DISCOUNT REVEALED DAY OF]
StealthArmor full-body kits for $15 [$45 DISCOUNT]
$89 Kindle 2 for Amazon’s Black Friday sale
M&M’s All Orders Over $30 [20% OFF]
Clear Spot® 4G for $20 at Clear [SAVING $80]
17.3″ Sony VAIO VPCEC3AFX/BJ Core i5 Laptop w/1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD5650 & Blu-ray for $1,099.99 with free shipping at Sony Style [SAVING $100]
Vannen Artist Watches for HALF OFF at VannenWatches Online Store [SAVING $42]

In the Streets
Panasonic TC-P50U2 1080p 50-inch HDTV for $700 at Best Buy [SAVING $150]
Vizio XVT553SV 1080p 55-inch LCD HDTV for $1,498 at Sam’s Club [SAVING $149.99]
Sony 15.5″ VAIO Laptop with 3GB Memory, 320GB Hard Drive and Intel Pentium Dual-Core Processor Blu-ray player and Karate Kid Blu-ray Disk for $499 at Best Buy [SAVING $239.97]
HP Pavilion p6624y with a quad-core AMD processor, 8GB of memory, and a 1TB hard drive with 23-inch monitor and wireless printer for $600 at Best Buy [NORMALLY $100 MORE WITH NO ACCESSORIES]
Olympus Stylus Tough-3000 for $150 at Staples [SAVING $60]
Magellan Maestro 3100 GPS Navigation System for $129.99 at Radio Shack [SAVING $85]
Klipsch Synergy III 8″ 2-Way Dual-Woofer Floorstanding Speaker for $222.99 at Best Buy [SAVING $160]
PlayStation 3 80GB with 15 Blu-ray movies for $499 at Wal-mart [SAVING $200] — NOTE, this is SATURDAY ONLY
10.1″ Acer Aspire AOD255-2331 netbook for $179.99 at RadioShack [SAVING $100]
Nintendo Wii Console (Black) w/ Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort and Wii Remote Plus for $169.99 at Best Buy [SAVING $30]
Gowalla/Amazon.com $50 Gift Code for FREE at Hidden Locations (SCAVENGER HUNT) [SAVING 100%]
HTC HD7 for FREE at T-Mobile [SAVING $199] – WHEN YOU BUY ONE AT FULL PRICE W/2-YEAR CONTRACT

Now REMEMBER, as you go out (or stay at home, for that matter) on this day of massive buyings and sellings, be safe, and remember that NO DEAL is worth getting punched in the face over.

Update: We’ve now tested the strips, and things aren’t as clear cut as Fusion of Ideas might suggest. More after the cut.

We’ve covered StealthArmor before, reviewing the company’s protective films for the iPad, and if you’ve seen our iPhone 4 unboxing then you’ll have already spotted the custom panels they’ve done for the new smartphone.  The important bit for the signal issue is the side-edging strips, which bridge the gap between the two antennas and mean holding the iPhone 4 with slightly damp or sweaty hands won’t see your calls dropped.

Fusion of Ideas are sending us some edge strips for us to try out, but they’re already available as part of a full iPhone 4 protection pack (that includes the rear protector and the edges) starting from $25.  A screen protector sheet is $15.  As well as various more eye-catching finishes – including customs – which kick off at $45, the company has clear and brushed aluminum StealthArmor options if you want to keep your iPhone 4 looking pretty much stock.

Video demo by Fusion of Ideas for StealthAmor

UPDATE 1: We got to work early this evening to test Fusion of Idea’s claim but it’s still inconclusive. A quick test of holding iPhone 4 with our left hand DOES NOT yield a better reception with the applied material, as you can see for your self from the pictures below. This is a pretty BOLD claim by Fusion Of Ideas. -Vincent

UPDATE 2: Results of our test of Fusion of Idea’s claim = Doesn’t work

Holding iPhone 4 with on the left hand-side with Carbon Fiber material from Fusion of Ideas does not yield more bars as claimed by the company.

Not holding the iPhone 4 on the left hand side resulted in full bars.

Press Release:

STEALTHARMOR BY FUSION OF IDEAS VIRTUALLY ELIMINATES* “APPLE® DEATH GRIP” ISSUE ON IPHONE® 4

06.24.2010 – As Apple enthusiasts test out the new iPhone 4, it’s been noted that there have been problems with cellular reception. Whether the issue lies with mobile carrier, AT&T, with the device itself or possibly a combination of both, today a Fusion of Ideas customer and new iPhone 4 owner pointed out that when wrapped in custom StealthArmor protection, his iPhone 4 reception issues were significantly reduced and, after repeated tests, even eliminated completely.

StealthArmor for iPhone 4 by Fusion of Ideas offers full body device protection, including a front screen protector, a custom back available in nine sleek finishes and custom side pieces that not only preserve the stainless steel material but also provide a unique buffer between the iPhone 4’s sensitive built-in antennae and the user’s hand, which may result in minimal, if any, interruption or interference of cell reception.

Starting at $25, StealthArmor for iPhone 4 is available for purchase online at www.fusionofideas.com/stealtharmor. For customers in Southern California, they are welcome to visit the Fusion of Ideas retail store located within Orange County’s premier shopping destination, The Irvine Spectrum Center.

Please stay tuned for more information about StealthArmor for iPhone 4 and other exciting products from Fusion of Ideas. And don’t forget to visit the newly re-designed Fusion of Ideas website at www.fusionofideas.com.

Compared to the first batch of StealthArmor skins, the new StealthArmor METAL series comes in glossy gold, bronze, tungsten and brushed aluminum finishes. Each back panel is paired with a clear front protective screen, and the two are priced at $75. That’s more expensive than Fusion of Ideas’ clear version, at $45, and their regular designs, at $65.

While the name – and finishes – might suggest it, in actual fact the new METAL skins aren’t actually made of metal. Instead Fusion of Ideas use their own carbon fiber film technology with a different aesthetic and tactile finish. That also means it won’t impair the WiFi or 3G reception of your iPad. You can also have them laser-engraved with an off-the-shelf pattern or one of your own, for $45, using the company’s DigitalTechToo service. Interestingly, DTT now offers direct iPad engraving using the same system (though obviously it’s non-reversible, unlike a removable skin) and priced as follows:

• Standard finish (silver): 8 sq. inch design $45 or full-body for $70
• Custom finish (black): 8 sq. inch design $60 or full-body for $90

Fusion of Ideas DigitalTechToo direct iPad engraving:

As you’d perhaps expect, the metallic finish of the new skins is more realistic than their cheaper counterparts. Even better, however, is the fact that the METAL series are much less slippery than the cheaper range, which makes for an iPad you’re less likely to drop. As before, application straightforward; Fusion of Ideas recommend using heat to “activate” the glue, but we didn’t need to until we wanted to peel the sheets off. While they may not be cheap – certainly in comparison to some other brands of adhesive protector – the good thing about the StealthArmor sheets is that with a little care you can re-apply them so you’re not just getting a single use.

That’s the saving grace for the StealthArmor METAL series, along with the improved texture. At $75 we’d opt for the newer skins over the $65 regular versions, though we also wish Fusion of Ideas would release a clear version with the new texture (and, preferably, the same $45 price tag). Still, we’ve still no complaints about the degree of protection on offer, and the customization options allow you to really differentiate your iPad from the crowd.

That’s right, SlashGear readership. We’ve got two custom StealthArmor for iPads to give away, and we’re hoping that you’ll follow the rules laid out here in this post, so you could be one of those lucky winners. What you’ll win is a custom-finish, SlashGear-engraved StealthArmor protective skin. You can choose one of four finishes: wood grain, matte black, brushed aluminum, or carbon fiber. And if you need to see what they look like, check out the gallery below.

So, here’s the deal:

1. Leave us a comment down below, and tell us why you think your iPad needs a custom StealthArmor protective skin. Your comment should be first and foremost creative, but if you have a legitimate, nonsensical reason why you need one, we’ll take that, too.
2. You are only allowed one comment, so make it noteworthy. If you get us talking around the office, you’re chances are much better.
3. Be respectful. No cursing, slander, or any other ridiculousness. Not that we’re worried about that from our readers, but we have to put it here. You understand.
4. We’re going to announce the winner in one week. Exactly one week. So stay frosty.

So, that’s it. Pretty simple, yes? So remember, one comment per person, and we’ll announce the winner in one week. You don’t need to put your favorite finish in the comment, because the winners will get to tell us what they want once we contact them. So, just focus on your entry. We look forward to hearing what you’ve got to say!

The Best of R3 Media:

HTC Incredible Slated for April 29th Release Date, Courtesy of Best Buy: This device is definitely one of the most anticipated devices coming to Verizon Wireless, and we’re pretty sure that someone out there is excited about this little bit of news. According to a leaked internal screenshot from Best Buy, the HTC Incredible is going to hit store shelves on April 29th. The big question: will it hit Verizon Wireless store shelves the same day? [via Android Community]

Fusion of Ideas Gives Away Two StealthArmor Protective Skins: This doesn’t count, because it’s not about Cupertino, Apple, or about what the iPad can do. This is just a friendly reminder that Fusion of Ideas has provided Everything iPad with two StealthArmor protective skins for the new tablet, and they’re giving them away. You just have to head over to the site, follow the rules clearly placed there, and try not to hold your breath as we wait to hear who the winners are. [via Everything iPad]

Samsung Moment Gets Upgrade to 2.1 Thanks to Devs: The truth is, the wait for the prodigal upgrade from Google is one hard task for many people. Especially when everyone else seems to be getting them, right? Well, that’s why there’s a bunch of hard working individuals out there, slaving away to make sure the most recent builds of those updated firmwares get released well in advance of any kind of official release. So, that’s exactly what happened with the Moment. Two builds, one of which seems to work better than the other, but at least it exists, and it’s able to hook you up right now. Download at your own risk, of course. [via SlashPhone]

The Dredge Net

Home Security Gets Upgraded Cordlessly, Sexy-Like: We understand that protecting your home, especially at night when the shadows encroach, is a very important part of life. And, we also know that some of those motion-based lights out there are just so ridiculous, big, and obtrusive that making that happen can be a lot harder than it looks. Thanks to highly efficient LEDs, the light can provide up to 150 hours of illumination on four C batteries. That’s a lot of light. You can place the light practically anywhere, thanks to the mount, so sticking it on random sections of your house shouldn’t be that big of a deal at all. Besides, it looks really nice. [via DVIC]

Rescue Balloon Will Help Rescuers Find You, Once They Start Looking: So, you’re lost. You’re in the woods. Your GPS is broken or not working. And, sure enough, you don’t have your satellite phone on you for whatever reason. So, what do you do? Well, the only thing you can do: pop your rescue balloon. That’s right. Just fill it with some helium (that comes in the whole “rescue package”), seal it up, and then send it skyward. You’ll then have a big ol’ red arrow pointing down at you, for when the search party starts looking for you. Of course, you’ll have to survive on your own until a search party starts looking, but hey, at least you’ve got an arrow to find your body. One way or another. [via Yanko Design]

BlackBerry Bold 9650 and LG Fathom Hit Verizon Wireless Systems: Well, looks like the BlackBerry Bold 9650 just got a bit more official, if these screens of an internal Verizon Wireless system are to be believed. It’s interesting to see that it’s listed as a global device, too, if you look at the top right of the screenshot. Also a world phone, is the LG Fathom VS750, which is a Windows Mobile-based device, has a QWERTY slider, and a 3.2-inch WVGA screen. Oh, and it has a 3.2MP camera on the back, too. Sounds like a great mid-range device to us, even if it is packing Windows Mobile (or maybe that’s why it’s a great mid-range device). [via Boy Genius Report]