A really useable iPad case from ZooGue
I love my iPad, but using it presents some challenges. It's uncomfortable to hold because it's heavy. On a lap, it's too flat. You can stand it up against something, but the iPad is pretty slippery and eventually it will fall over.I've looked at a lot of cases. Not finding one I liked for use in the home, I bought an InCase for travel, and it has worked really well. Unfortunately, you can't use the iPad when it's in the case.. Using the iPad around the house was a bit of a pain. I tried some little picture frame stands from discount stores, but the iPad is heavy so the stands I found were not very trustworthy.
ZooGue sent me a sample of their Smart Case to try, and I've been very pleased with it. It is a full leather folio case that will protect your iPad, and when it opens up you flip the screen cover around and pull out a kickstand that will let the iPad sit at any angle of elevation you like. There are two Velcro straps that can let you hook the iPad to a car seat headrest (for viewing in the back of the car) and those same straps reverse to secure the iPad when you travel.
There are holes for the home button, power/sleep switch, speakers, charging cable and the volume control and orientation switch.
Without a doubt this is the most useful iPad case I've seen. It is very nice around the house, and you can move the iPad with the kickstand out and place it anywhere. It's a great solution for reading in bed, or even on your lap. Unlike many cases, when the iPad and case are on a table and you press the home button, the case does not slide back. It's all very solid and businesslike.
Nothing is perfect, and here are a couple of caveats. The leather case should show just a bit more of the screen. When deleting emails the selection buttons are right up against the frame of the case. I can do it, but it's a tight fit. I also noticed some slight curving or warping of the base of the case. It's the same part that flips around to become the cover when you travel. It flattens out fine when you tighten the Velcro straps, but I don't think it should do that.
Finally, the case will double the thickness of your iPad. There is no getting around it, but that thickness is also protection. With the iPad in the case and the lid in place, it's just under 1 inch thick.
I liked the case so much I decided to buy one. If you've been frustrated with iPad cases, I urge you to get a look at the ZooGue. There is a video of the case in action on the ZooGue website. It's been a great solution for me, both around the house and when I travel. In some ways it has unlocked all the potential of the iPad making it easier to use anywhere. It's surely not the only iPad case out there, but it's one of the most useful.
The ZooGue case is US$49.99 with free shipping in the United States. It's $54.99 for Canadian buyers, and $64.99 for everyone else. The case has a 15-day money back guarantee and a one year warranty.
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Source: http://www.zoogue.com/index.html
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I love my iPad, but using it presents some challenges. It's uncomfortable to hold because it's heavy. On a lap, it's too flat. You can...
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Find this on eBay selling for $29.99 check this out.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=390247472850&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT#ht_1313wt_922
I know I'm late with my comment but I thought it might be useful for someone who'e searching for a stand and I have not seen it mentioning before.
A couple of months ago I bought this versatile stand, the BookGem at Amazon. The iPad wasn't listed back than but the iPhone was and I thought if it would work for the iPhone it could work for the iPad as well and it did wonderful. Now they have added the iPad as one of the devices it works for.
It's a versatile little gadget can be used for many other things as well such as cook book in the kitchen, music books and for other gadgets. It can be used in a variety of ways for the iPad. The spring loaded holders are really strong but do not damage your iPad and are not in the way. It's a sturdy stand, turned upside down it is the perfect angle for typing.
I bought 2 of them, figuring it would be useful for many other stuff as well and I'm glad I did. It folds very flat and fits into any purse, laptop bag, shirt pocket etc. For $14.95 you can't go wrong! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006J323C/ref=oss_product
I agree with HB. Seems like the author of this article has issues with the ergonomics of the iPad. How is it that the author can love a product that's not even fit to be used for what it was designed for?
It seriously makes me beg the question as to who the majority of apple users are. Honestly is everyone just buying the next iproduct because steve jobs said it'd be cool to own? Or is there some actual merit behind all these purchases?
This article makes me not want to buy an iPad and that's coming from someone who owns almost exclusively Apple hardware. To paraphrase the article, the iPad has poor ergonomics and is not fit for purpose unless you augment its design in some way. It's hardly a cheap product so, tbh, I'd expect an awful lot more!
August 16 2010 at 5:19 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWhatever happened to that Targus Truss case that TUAW mentioned about a month ago? Still can't buy it from Targus' website. Argh!
August 16 2010 at 5:04 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWhile the following case doesn't have the elastic seat headrest strap, it's pretty close in design and it's less than $8 on Amazon. I've been using it for a while and it's fine for protection and propping up at different angles w/ the built in stand:
Leather Carrying Case Cover/Folio With Built-in Stand for Apple iPad 3G tablet by Fosmon Technology http://amzn.to/c7phol
The ultimate case may be great for a particular iProduct, but Apple doesn't design their products to protect your investment in cases so a case just adds cost each time.
I prefer cases that are inexpensive but well made, slightly loose and forgiving of small changes in size from year to year with pockets for the necessary accessories.
Both my iPhone and iPad have had a protective sleeve, and are carried in an inexpensive case. I ditched the protective sleeve on the iPhone after the first one, and I'll likely do the same with subsequent iPads.
For iPhone, I've been using a $7 microfiber drawstring pouch (for sunglasses) as a case for all 4 generations, all it needs is an earbud/headset pocket to be perfect.
For the iPad, I have the USA Gear neoprene 10" netbook case for around $12.
It zips up to keep random stuff from getting into the ports or screen when it's in my bag. It has an internal stretchable pocket to hold it in even if the zipper is open for faster access. More importantly, It has an outside zip pocket that holds earbuds, dock connector, power supply, and camera kit. Chances are, it'll work with the next gen iPad also.
I would've bought this case if it were made in Italy instead of China, was made of high quality Italian leather with extreme attention to detail in the design and stitching, and had a magnet lock system for adjusting angle instead of velcro. This case isn't tempting at all. I really don't understand why people are so crazy about all these horrible made in China cases.
August 16 2010 at 11:06 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplySo... You'd be interested in this case if it was a completely different case?
Thanks for the insight...
I'd be interested in a better case with the same kind of functionality. A different case in looks and quality, but pretty much the same in functionality.
August 17 2010 at 3:10 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI have the quirky Cloak case, and the only thing this case has is the headrest strap, otherwise the Cloak kicks this things A$$ in every way.
August 16 2010 at 11:03 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI am thinking of buying one, I like it's versatility and the look. iPodlounge calls it a 'dust-attracting case' is that your experience as well?
August 19 2010 at 5:35 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHow much does it weigh? Weight is just as important as protection, usability or build quality. No reviews for cases mention the weight it adds to the device.
August 16 2010 at 10:46 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDeals of the Day
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TUAW (or The Unofficial Apple Weblog) is a website devoted to tips, reviews, news, analysis and opinion on everything Apple.
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