A "plastic bag" or "an iPad case"? You be the judge.
I was surfing on Amazon over the weekend and decided to see what would come up when I searched for "iPad". One of the first results was: TrendyDigital WaterGuard Waterproof Case/Cover for Apple iPad, Blue Border and what caught my attention was that it only had one star. That seemed pretty severe, given that the iPad was only available for pre-order on Friday. How could an accessory already be getting bad reviews?!
The answer? Amazon reviewer ffass from Brooklyn, NY United States gave it a one-star review because "This appears to be a $20 plastic bag. Very trendy, indeed." ffass went on to say: "Wow. 'TrendyDigital' hopes that hyperventilating iPad users will be crazed enough to by [sic] this $20 bag for their spiffy new gadgets. Give me a break."
Sure enough, that's what it looks like, although to be fair it also has a strap to "wear around neck or shoulder." The product description says it is a "Great companion when you use your Ipad [sic] at the beach, near the pool side, in the bathtub or at the kitchen table."
One man's "plastic bag" is another man's "custom-made form fitting transparent case" and these are the distinctions which make marketing the multi-billion dollar industry that it is. I learned from Neven Mrgan than you can, in fact, use an iPhone in a plastic bag (useful for checking recipes on your iPhone while cooking), so it is possible that this "WaterGuard" case would work just fine. What strikes me as odd is that when I went back to look today, the review no longer appears on the product page.
If I go to fass' profile page, the review and rating still appear, but if you click through to the product page it says "No customer reviews yet."
I can't offer any explanation for this, and I wouldn't want to jump right into conspiracy theories when some sort of technical glitch seems much more likely, but I suspect that we will start to see a wide range of random iPad accessories of debatable merit start to show up. Have you spotted any? Let us know in the comments.
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I was surfing on Amazon over the weekend and decided to see what would come up when I searched for "iPad". One of the first results was:...
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haha this is a bag for sure but i guess if it works then i guess.
but for a case thats for everyday use im going to definetly buy a ZooGue Smart Case it adjusts to any angle you want its pretty cool
If this product had an Apple logo on it you guys would be salivating and calling it an elegant solution to keeping your iPad safe.
March 19 2010 at 12:25 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThis case should be very usefull when being on a sunny but sandy beach with your pals, gf or family or like i will use it on the side of a dirt bike track.
Using an iPad on a boat would also almost force you to have protection like this. I once lost a cell phone into a river from a boat. Even diving immediately after the phone didn't help - i saw it ring while going down... :-(
Looks a lot like the DiCaPak bags for digital cameras. Basically heavy duty/glorified ziplock bags, but worth every penny. Worked great for snorkeling, even diving down to 15 feet or so. It seems silly, but it's straightforward and it works.
March 16 2010 at 9:07 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThis isn't such a bad idea actually.
When I run during rain, I actually just use a small freezing bag made for food. Works brilliantly, but isn't very durable or stylish. Keeps my iPhone dry though, in a very low tech way.
If I could have something like that in a more durable way, I would probably buy one. Will have to look for the iPhone version :)
This reminds me of the Aquapac I bought years ago for my Nokia N800. I still use it with my iPhone, although it's a little too spacious.
It's sturdier than a plastic bag, doesn't interfere with touch nor block heat, and has proper seals. That reviewer guy was (as someone else said) a moran.
As someone who has spent time in the desert and on lakes and rivers with photographic and computing equipment, $20 is a mere pittance to protect electronic equipment.
March 15 2010 at 8:07 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDo they have one that is 8.5x11"?
I need one for my new yPad! ^L^
- Thomas
I'll just use ma foodsaver.
March 15 2010 at 7:49 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWhile I have no need for an iPad, my wife is all over it and has mentioned many times that she hopes it's ok to read in the bath...
also-
I bought a waterproof case (possibly from the same company) just to hold our stuff (wallet, phones, keys) while we went snorkeling in Hawaii. It was fantastic to not have to worry about thieves and sort of makes you think about how the places you go often dictate what you should or shouldn't bring with you... a $20 plastic bag, maybe; but if there's a leak-proof guarantee behind it, than it's actually well worth it to have just in case.
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