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Tidy Tilt Review

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Send to KindleTweetA few months ago when the Tidy Tilt was just an idea on Kickstarter, everyone thought it would be a neat little Smart Cover for iPhone. I got mine a few days ago, and I have to say, it pretty much is. Today I’ll be taking a look at the fabled iPhone Smart Cover. One of the things that really pops about the Tidy Tilt is the design. The “snakeskin” like texture just doesn’t fit with the design of the product in my opinion. The original texture used in the prototype of Tidy Tilt resembled what is used in the iPad smart cover, and I think it would have worked quite nicely, although I’m not a product designer and it just might not have worked out on such a small scale. That being said, the Tidy Tilt is pretty much flawless. It works for standing your phone up, and for keeping your headphones tidy. I wish the magnets could be a bit stronger, as sometimes the cover sometimes can’t attach quite right, but it’s strong enough to do the job most of the time. The Tidy Tilt also includes a small opening for the camera, which so far has worked out with no issues. Video after the break. Read more »

The Apple iPhone Bumper isn’t that bad

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The Apple Bumper in Black

Send to KindleTweet I’ve recently been in need of a new iPhone case. Here’s the thing, I didn’t want a bulky case like the Otter Box and other lines of cases. I also didn’t want a case that completely covered my iPhone and didn’t actually show it off. I then though that Apple’s bumper case just might fit my needs. I wasn’t sure if it was going to offer all the protection in the world but I knew it would show off my iPhone and that’s what I wanted. As it turns out, this case protects your iPhone quite well. I’ve had a few drops and there hasn’t been a scratch on my iPhone. Another plus to this case is that you have full access to the side buttons on your phone and you don’t have to go to through the hassle of accessing a button. This bumper does come in 6 different colors; black, blue, white, green, orange, and pink. A negative about this case is that it is a little on the “pricey” side, retailing a $29.00, given it’s only a rubber band. My final thoughts on this case are that if your looking for a case that shows off your iPhone and offers minor protection for up to 6-foot drops then defiantly go with it. If not, and you’re looking for a case that offer awesome protection and you don’t care about showing off your phone then go with another case. As always thanks for reading this review and I will be bringing you more content on OTN in the near future. Read more »

Otterbox Reflex Series Case for iPhone 4/4S

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Send to KindleTweetFor the last month, my iPhone has been sporting the Reflex Series case from Otterbox. The case is designed to give the signification protection Otterbox provides, while not being as bulky as say the Impact or Defender Series cases. The Reflex is a two-part case; one half having the cutout for the camera, 3.5mm headphone jack, and silent/vibrate toggle; with the other half having a single huge cutout for the 30-pin dock connector, speaker, and microphone. The back side of the case is composed out of a hard plastic and rubber. The rubber, theoretically, is to make the case react as if when you drop it, it’s a car crash, and your iPhone is the person inside being protected. The rubber absorbs the shock from the drop, and releases it at different points in the case. There is a large-enough cutout for the camera, lined in rubber. Also, Otterbox placed a logo on the rear-bottom of the case. The volume button covers have a rubber coating, which take a bit of force to press. This is the same case for the sleep/wake button. The silent/vibrate switch is left completely open, and is large enough to accommodate the AT&T or Verizon iPhone 4. This case is also compatible with all models of the iPhone 4S. The Reflex Series is available in five different colors: black plastic with black rubber (as pictured above), grey plastic with black rubber, turquoise plastic with black rubber, hot pink with black rubber, and dark green plastic with black rubber. The first four colors will run you $34.95, and the dark green with be $29.95. Coming with a front screen shield, the case is defiantly a good buy. It was a little bulkier than I expected, though not too bulky. The plastic is also a lot harder than I imagined, but again, it wasn’t a big deal. I think my only gripe about this case is that the headphone jack is too thick to accommodate my headphones. However, with the top portion of the case easy to slide off, it isn’t really a big deal. Read more »

The TidyTilt is a Smart Cover for iPhone 4

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Send to KindleTweetThe Smart Cover for iPad 2, is undoubtedly one of the more successful Apple accessories ever made. Zahra Tashakorinia & Derek Tarnow are trying to bring the simplicity, and usability of the Smart Cover to iPhone, with an added twist. Enter TidyTilt. It’s designed to keep your headphones organized, and for propping your iPhone up, just like it would an iPad with a Smart Cover. The TidyTilt itself attaches to the iPhone with a magnetic band, which does not affect you memory or give your phone antenna problems. As the designers put it, the TidyTilt tidies, tilts, and mounts your iPhone. This project is already funded, and ready to go on Kickstarter, but you can still snag one up on their Kickstarter page. Paying just a small $19 will snag you one of these awesome iPhone accessories. Updated: Check out our full review. Read more »

MacBook Air Travel Express by WaterField – Review

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Send to KindleTweetI’ve been using my MacBook a lot more recently, but most cases these days aren’t designed for the sleek design of the MacBook Air. It was relieved to see that WaterField offers a reasonable solution: the Travel Express. This case has done everything you could ever want from a protective case, and more. Today I’ll be diving in to why that is. There is one reason to me, why the Travel Express beats a lot of cases I’ve used; the case has space for things other than just the laptop itself. Like a lot of other kids these days, I take my laptop to school, to take notes and other write documents. The thing is, I don’t use my computer for absolutely everything, and I’m sure that is true for a lot of other people. Luckily, there is a whole compartment for holding various items, such as documents, chargers, cables, and anything you might need to take with you on a day-to-day basis. Unfortunately, it doesn’t include a pen/pencil holder,  which was a little frustrating to me as I do carry several around with me during school. The Travel Express isn’t just limited to school use though, as I have been using it on my trip to Mexico, and it does exceedingly well at carrying around all the necessary cables that I use on my trip. As far as protection goes, the Travel Express does a fine job at protecting your MacBook Air for drops, scratches, and other damage to the device to your expensive investment. The laptop itself is separated from the rest of the bag in a more protective compartment, so your other accessories don’t get in the way. The only complaint I have is that the zipper gets quite close to the computer on the case corners, and I’m always worried about getting the corners of my computer scratched on it. That being said, for the most part this case will do nicely to keep your laptop safe. On the outside of the Travel Express, WaterField has used a slightly bumpy texture, which is actually quite stiff, and doesn’t provide much movement in the case. I’m sure this adds to the protection aspect of the case, which is definitely a good thing. The only other notable design aspect is the colorful band leading around the entire outside shell. I think WaterField could have done a slightly better job at adding to the design, but a necessary sacrifice to keep the cost down. This case is still very eye-catching, and showcases your MacBook Air for it’s sleek design. The MacBook Air Travel Express by WaterField costs $89 for the 13″ version, and $79 for the 11″, which is quite an investment for a laptop case, but is sure to last the entire duration of your laptop’s life, and most likely longer. It is very protective, good for school, trips, vacations and everywhere else you need to take your MacBook Air. It would make a great gift for anyone expecting [...] Read more »

Quiksilver Hard Back Shell Cover for iPad 2 – Review

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Send to KindleTweet The Quiksilver Hard Back Shell Cover for iPad 2 case is simple and extremely effective. Though with a few faults, its design allows your iPad 2 to be protected without limiting any of its capabilities, and even allows for the usage of an Apple Smart Cover. Let’s take a quick overview of it, shall we? The case is easily attached to the iPad 2′s backside, just push it on and it clicks in place securely. All of the ports and buttons are not blocked, allowing for you to charge, change the volume, lock, take pictures, and mute your iPad without difficulty. It provides ample protection to dents and scratches on the back, but leaves a small portion of the top of the iPad (the area between the audio port and the lock button) vulnerable. To users who don’t own a Smart Cover, you face the same problem with the exposed edge on the left side of the iPad. A Smart Cover is a worthy investment to accompany the Quiksilver Hard Shell Back Cover to protect your iPad. This case compliments my white iPad 2 with its stark contrast, but it would easily blend in with a black iPad 2 as well. The Quicksilver logo also makes it clear that I’ve got class After using the case for a few days, I found that the case’s matte surface gets oily quite easily, and proves somewhat of a challenge to clean. It also doesn’t have much friction as a result of the smooth surface, and can slip off of angled surfaces. In contrast, the case’s smoothness makes it easy to pull out of bags and sleeves. To sum it up: Pros: Very sleek and bulk-free Protection to most of the iPad Reasonable price for quality of case ($47.95) Works beautifully with the Smart Cover Cons: Slick, and sometimes hard to grip High maintenance, becomes greasy easily Very expensive at almost $50 I really enjoy using this case, and find that the protection it provides for my iPad 2 is worth the time I put into cleaning it. It is a very expensive case, priced at $47.95, but makes a good Christmas gift. You can get the Quicksilver Hard Back Shell Cover for iPad on Proporta’s website here. Read more »

iPhone 4 / 4S Jett Metal Case Review

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Send to KindleTweetCrack Thud Thud: That’s the sound your iPhone 4 makes when it hits the ground with no case on. Fortunately for you, Case Mate was a line of great line of cases to keep your iPhone safe and crack-free. Today I’ll be taking a look at the higher-end Jett Metal case for iPhone 4 and 4S. Design This case consists of an aluminum band which is attached to the phone with two small screws at the bottom of the device. This is undoubtedly one of the sexiest cases you can get for your iPhone, even if it is $50. The curves on the case feel just fit, and fit into your pocket with ease, unlike those horrible $10 silicon cases that I hate so much. At the bottom and top of the case, there are several grooves mainly for looks, but provide more accessibility to the various ports and buttons. Accessibility The Jett Metal covers up all the switches on the side of the device, so it substitutes it’s own little buttons which match the case itself. The dock connector is covered, which actually makes iPhone docks unusable. Even third-party docks just don’t fit which is an unfortunate aspect of the phone. I actually don’t like the external buttons, because they’re tiny, and a bugger to find if you drop them. That being said, it’s nice knowing that the entire phone is being protected, even if you have to make some small sacrifices. Protection The thick aluminum band on the Jett Metal will provide your phone protection from pretty much all drops, as well as scratches to the band. As the front and back glass are quite exposed, the guys over at Case Mate were nice enough to throw in a front and back screen protector, to provide protection from scratches. These aren’t really needed though, as the Jett Metal as a lip both on front and back to protection from scratches on any flat surface. It’s always nice to have more protection though. Accessibility The Jett is actually a two-part case, in other words you have to assemble it. You have to get all the little buttons into place, then sandwich the whole thing together to get a clean cut iPhone case. The steps to set up the case are minimal, and Case Mate provides everything you need to get it fitted in no time. They even include extra screws in case you lose some. The Jett works with both the 4 and 4S models, so you don’t need to worry about getting the right one. Value For $50, this is one expensive case for your iPhone 4S. You can get other cases for less than half that, but you are really paying for quality and design with the Jett Metal. I don’t like how a lot of accessories don’t work with the Jett Metal, but there’s not really much you can do in that department. If you enjoy a good-looking phone, with protection that goes all [...] Read more »

Speck iPhone, MacBook and iPad 2 Case Reviews

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Send to KindleTweetToday my Mac Laptop Case, IPhone four case and IPad 2 arrived. Below I will go through what I like and don’t like about the products and if they do what they are meant to. Speck MacBook Case Design The design of the case is pretty simple and has the see through plastic that most apple products originally did. This is not a bad thing as it matches the theme of the product. The plastic is a turquoise colour and has the Spek logo on the front. On the back of the product there are holes for the fan of the computer which provides air vents for the Air. This helps so that there is a air flow around the laptop and the product doesn’t become too hot or the laptop doesn’t become too hot. Build The product has a fairly strong build and the plastic has a flimsy feel to it, it also bends when you handle it but doesn’t show any sign on breaking. The case is actually pretty strong would defiantly protect the laptop in little drops or scuffs. However this would not prevent damage from huge disasters for example a drop from a building. We wouldn’t really work out if the case was meant for design or for protection as it doesn’t a pretty good job at both considering the price tag. Overall and Other Details In a nutshell the product does what it is meant to it protect the product and looks good. It provides comfort when using it on your lap and doesn’t mark surfaces when on the table. The pads on the bottom of the Mac case are non-stick so they don’t apply themselves to the table after a long period of time. As for fitting the case actually fits snug around the Mac without slipping or gaps. The case provides a smooth touch and doesn’t have rough corners as they are smoothed off. iPhone 4 Case Design Again the design is pretty simple but still provides the things needed for a iPhone 4 case. On the front of the case is the main gap for the touch screen which Is big enough for the whole screen. There are not separate covers for the home button or the front camera. On the bottom is the charger hole for the standard Apple charger. At the top of the case is a small indentation for the lock button and a hole for the standard 3mm audio jack. The left hand side of the case has 2 indentations for the volume and space for the silent switch. There are also holes on the back for the front main camera. There is also a hole for the microphone to stop any noise muffling. The main theme for the case is black and the pattern is a brick type tile arrangement. This again provides surface drip when holding or in bags, coats etc. Build The case has a strong build to it and although it doesn’t [...] Read more »

Psyclops iPod Touch Case Reviews

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Send to KindleTweetPsyclops iPod Touch Case Reviews Today I received two iPod Touch cases from www.psyclopshq.com.The two I received where a iPod touch 4th generation hard back case and IPod touch second generation rubber case. Design In terms of design both the cases had exceptional detail even if it was in the simplest form. The hard back case has an amazing animated character design of a alien of some sort on. It is made from bright colors which gives it a childlike but fun and cool look about it. The case’s inside has a plain white back which is acceptable as you don’t see this because the iPod covers it up. In terms on indents and holes the case has room for the camera hole on the 4th generation. It also features accessible room for the iPod charger and 2 volume buttons. The case doesn’t not have a sealed top and a small space for the lock button but a whole open top. This matches the design of the and I probably wouldn’t suit as much with the top covered. Build The case has a “strong-ish” feel but is not one of the cases that would protect the iPod from a huge drop. It would however stop it from damaging the iPod from a small distance or from being scratched against keys or similar. The plastic may seen a little flimsy and not touch but as we tested it through carious used there still seemed to be no damage to the iPod or the case. This however is only throughout everyday use and not in extreme measures. Packaging The packaging reflects the case really as they are both characteristic and fun things to look at. The use of colors and characters make you feel like you’re holding a child’s toy and something to have fun with. In the case it’s the truth as the iPod is something to have fun with. Again as you can see from the pictures the case has a see through front so you can see the product and some various information on the back about the characters of Psyclops. The sides of the case also tell you about characters and what series the case is in. Having problems with your hard drive? Consider data recovery. Other Details and Overall Overall the case is bright fun and cool looking it suits any age range. I can see why the cases are so popular as they really are some of the best designed and manufactured we have seen. Even they are simple. The characters are well thought out and have similar appearances and can be related to each other. We would suggest a screen protector to go along with the case. The second case I received is the iPod touch second generation rubber case. I will again go through the same information about the case. Design The case has an interesting look to it based around the idea of one eye and Psyclops. The eyes are all multi-colored and [...] Read more »

Quiksilver Neoprene Laptop Sleeve Review

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Send to KindleTweetProtecting your computer is key. If you drop your computer without a case on, it’s most likely not going to survive the fall. The problem is, as there are so many computers out there, you can’t always get a hard shell for your exact computer (unless you got a Mac). The only really good alternative to a hard shell is a bag, but they are big a bulky. You’re best option if you want to maintain the great mobility of your computer, is to get a sleeve. Getting something like the Quicksilver Neoprene sleeve might be the answer. All computers sleeves are quite similar, so you want good design. The main reason I like the Quicksilver Neoprene Sleeve, is that it looks really cool. The Quicksilver Neoprene Sleeve comes in both 13 and 15″ flavors. The design is quite subtle, but easy on the eyes as well. It actually goes really well with any aluminum MacBook, but I tried it with a Dell Xps 15 and it also looked good with that as well. The checkered look is definitely suited to computers. I really like the alternation of black and colored squares. The material used for this sleeve is obviously neoprene which isn’t the most protective material but doesn’t add much weight to the computer, which is quite important. I wouldn’t trust this case with a full on drop, but it will do the job to keep your computer safe from scratches and dings. A small thing to note about this sleeve is the zipper. This is one of the more durable zippers I’ve used on a case before, maybe even better than my laptop case. This is nice because even in several years time, I can feel that this zipper won’t just drop off. This really increases the life of the case, which adds value for money. It features the Quicksilver logo which is a nice addition. Overall, if you’re in the market for a sleeve for your 13, or 15″ computer, I would definitely recommend the Quicksilver Neoprene. This product is $34, which is on the more expensive side for a sleeve but is worth it for the design, compared to a more bland black case. It has some nice features like a durable zipper, which makes it a competitive option for a MacBook sleeve. You can get the Quicksilver Neoprene Sleeve at Proporta.com for $34. [review pros="Works with pretty much any 13 or 15 inch laptop, nice design, durable zipper" cons="Relatively expensive compared to other sleeves" score=75 verdict='A nice looking case for any 13 or 15" laptop'] Read more »

Android 3.0 for only $349?

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Some Popular Tablets and Their Prices

Send to KindleTweetTablets are huge at the moment, but they aren’t always easy on the wallet. But, if you are currently looking for a cheap tablet, Amazon has one that may just be for you. The merchant on Amazon is selling Android Honeycomb powered Vizio tablets for only $349! First shipments for this device will be on July 18th. If you feel more comfortable purchasing from Vizio themselves, you can get if for $400. While that may be a little more money, it comes with a 16GB MicroSD card and a “folio case” that can be used as a stand. If you are in the market for a low-price tablet, you may want to check this out! Click here to go to the Amazon page . Read more »

Scosche kickBACK t4 Review

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Send to KindleTweet Many iPhone and iPod Touch users are on the search for the perfect case. And many are disappointed once they find all the flaws with their newly purchased product. The Scosche kickBACK t4 for the iPod Touch 4th Generation is definitely a contender for that “Perfect Case” title. Let’s start with the price. This case is going to run you $39.99 if you would like the silicone accessory with it, $29.99 for the kickBACK case alone. For 30 dollars, this case offers a lot. The case is called the kickBACK because of the integrated kickstand in the back of the case. With a simple click, you can stand your iPod horizontally with a great video viewing angle. The case also has four rubber feet to prevent the camera cut-out from collecting any dust. The Cutout for the camera is perfectly aligned. As for the Sleep/Wake button and the volume rockers, they are covered with a silicone cover that is a little hard to click. All the bottom components are exposed. The case features a rubber “ring” around the edge of the device for advanced drop protection. In the box you will receive the case along with a screen protector and a cleaning cloth with squeegee. The screen protector’s design is not the best as it leaves two giant cutouts for the home button and front facing camera. This case deserves a solid 9/10 because its pro’s certainly outweigh the few con’s such as the poor screen protector and hard-to-click covers for the volume rockers and Sleep/Wake button. To see a video review of this product, please click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cftKVMIXF5o To Purchase this product, click here: http://www.scosche.com/consumer-tech/product/2039 Read more »

The Hardware Difference in the Verizon and AT&T iPhone Bumper Case Revealed

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Send to KindleTweet A reader of Engadget recently went to the Apple Store and picked up one the new iPhone bumper cases (for the Verizon iPhone). Apple are selling this case as the “universal iPhone Case”. The only real difference is that the mute bottom takes up a little more space. So if you’re moving over to Verizon, you may want to sell your old case before making the jump. Read more »

Protect your valuables underwater with the Morfica Beach Buoy

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Send to KindleTweet Summer is coming up fast, before you know it, you’ll be relaxing on the beach. Make sure your valuables are protected from the water and sand with the Morfica Beach Buoy. The Beach Buoy is basically a watertight bag that allows you to protect as well as use your gadgets underwater up to 16ft. In this review, I will be doing a test on the Vado HD pocket camera. First of all I made sure the Vado was sitting in a comfortable position for shooting video. I have to admit that the pouch felt like it could hold a lot with no trouble. The camera doesn’t weight that much and the Beach Buoy doesn’t add that much weight to the overall package. The one thing that I had trouble with was closing the bag securely. To seal the connects, I actually had to step on them before they went into place. The first test I did was put the pouch under a faucet and thoroughly wet the bag. This test was designed to put pressure on the watertight tabs which simulates the bag being washed around under lots of water. After taking the camera out of the pouch to see the camera, there was no water at all that had got into the Beach Buoy. When I examined the video footage that was taken from the Vado, the video was absolutely fine but the audio was unusable. There was way too much background noise but this was probably because the sound was magnified through the case. I’m sure if you wanted to take some video of a coral for example, the audio would be a lot better. One thing to mention, although the audio was bad, my other waterproof camera (an Optio) didn’t have much better audio in the same test. The next day I did was a standard submerging test. Although the water was only about 3 inches deep, I did viciously shake the Beach Buoy around underwater. I took the camera out, and again, the camera was absolutely fine. After taking the camera out, it was stone dry. Overall, the Morfica Beach Buoy is a cheap solution for keeping you items dry underwater, and recording video underwater. I give it a 9/10 and at $14, it is a must have for the Summer holidays.       The Morfica Beach Buoy can be purchased from Proporta here: http://www.proporta.com/F02/PPF02P05.php?t_id=4154&t_mode=des&affiliate=OmniTechNews Read more »