TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog

Control-Alt-Grrrrrr: A look at Penclic's Mini Keyboard K2

Steven Sande — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:00:00 EST

Tired of the same old keyboard design and looking for something a bit different? The Penclic Mini Keyboard K2 (US$69.95) definitely fits the bill in terms of not being the typical keyboard, and as you'll see in this review that's not necessarily a good thing.

Design and Functionality

When I think of Scandinavian design, I usually think of sleek minimalist wooden furniture. The Swedish-designed Penclic Mini Keyboard K2 comes in black (unless you're looking at the company's website, where the keyboard is white), and definitely has a different look to it. It's about the same width and depth of the Apple Wireless Keyboard, but with a top end that swoops up. It's striking but difficult to describe; if that description makes no sense to you, just take a look at the photos. That thick top end is where the batteries -- a pair of rechargeable NiMH AAAs -- reside. The keyboard comes with a retractable USB to micro-USB cable that can be used to recharge the batteries, which are supposed to last about two months on a charge.

Getting to the batteries is pretty easy -- you flip the keyboard over and there's a little door that you open to pop them in. Of course, the door isn't attached to anything, so in my case it promptly went flying across the room and ended up on the floor. Unlike most every other battery-powered device that I've used in the past half-century, there's no little indicator to tell you which direction the batteries need to be facing. As luck would have it, the first time I installed the batteries they were put in backward.

Not that you get all that much of an indication that the batteries are installed properly and are charged up... You're supposed to see a red LED on the strange little "Wireless" sign on the top end of the keyboard flash once if everything's hunky-dory. It did just after I installed the batteries, but then didn't flash on subsequent flicks of the power switch on the bottom of the keyboard. I took this as an indication that the batteries were discharged, so I took the opportunity to look into how the charging works.

To plug in the charger, there's a little red silicone door (image below) that needs to be opened. I poked and prodded at the door with my fingernail and couldn't get it to budge. Finally -- wanting to get this review written sometime in the current century -- I resorted to using the corner of a SIM card to pry open the door. Plugging in the USB cable resulted in repeated green flashes on the keyboard LED, which the owner's manual said was a sign that the batteries were charging. Note to the Penclic designers: just leave the frickin' cable door off! It's not needed, and it's certainly a pain to get open.

Also on the bottom side of the keyboard are two flip-up feet that raise the angle of typing a bit. They're plastic, and I would hope that they contain a bit of metal as I can see them snapping off if you bang on your keyboard in frustration like I'm doing writing this review.

The key layout is pretty standard and may actually be attractive to our European readers as it has the ever-popular Alt Gr key -- although it's spelled (appropriately enough) on the Mini Keyboard K2 as "Alt Grr". That angry-sounding "Grr" is appropriate, since this is definintely not an Apple-friendly keyboard -- as the standard Command keys are nowhere to be found. The return key on the board is a bright orange for no apparent reason other than to be different, and there's an orange numeric keypad overlaying the 789-uio-jkl-m? keys. There's no indication how that keypad is supposed to be accessed; the function keys use a blue theme, but if I followed the color cues here, it seems like I should depress the Return key to activate the numeric keys. There's also an oddly-labeled key located between the Fn and Alt keys on the left side of the lower row of keys, and the owner's manual provides no clue as to what it does.

I have to admit I smiled at the F2 key, which is also labeled in blue with "Silence!" Rather than using the typical international symbol for mute that you see on just about every other keyboard in the world, Penclic's designers chose to use the English word "Silence!" and promptly alienate and confuse non-English speakers.

One thing I really don't understand about the Penclic Mini Keyboard is why the designers chose to go with a proprietary wireless mode rather than use the widely-accepted Bluetooth standard. Bluetooth works with almost everything today, from iPhones and iPads to Macs and PCs. You're not going to be able to use the Penclic with an iPhone or iPad, and when you choose to use it with your Mac or PC, you'll have to give up a USB port to house a minuscule wireless receiver. That receiver has a maximum range of 5 meters (about 15 feet) compared to Bluetooth's usual range of about 10 meters. Knowing how widespread Bluetooth keyboards are, it probably cost Penclic more to produce this proprietary model.

Let's get into the pricing while I'm thinking about it, shall we? For $69.95 you're getting a keyboard that has a non-standard key layout and even specifically states in the owner's manual "MAC (sic) operating systems do not support all the special functions." A quick search on Amazon for cheap Bluetooth keyboards that are Mac- and iPad-friendly finds them for as little as $13.96 with free Amazon Prime shipping! Even top-brand names are less expensive -- Logitech's awesome solar-powered Bluetooth keyboard (K760) sells for about $60 and doesn't need a dongle, a cheap retractable USB cable, or AAA rechargeable batteries behind a flyaway plastic door.

As for typing -- the main reason you'd want a keyboard -- this is nothing spectacular. The keys have a decent amount of feedback that's common to just about any keyboard that uses the same type of scissor keys. When those little legs are propping up the Mini Keyboard K2, it tends to be quite a bit noisier than most other keyboards.

Conclusion

The Penclic Mini Keyboard K2 has nothing to recommend it, unless you're so wound up in "Scandinavian design" that you just have to get this keyboard to match your IKEA furniture.

Pros

It has an Alt Grr key that should make some European buyers dance with glee
What a lovely box!

Cons

Just about everything else, including the choice of AAA batteries, the lack of a battery direction indicator in the battery compartment, the idiotic idea of putting a silicone door over the micro-USB charging port, the lack of Bluetooth support, the lack of any semblance of support for Apple devices, strange and unexplained keyboard markings, noise, ad infinitum

Who is it for?

This guy, that's who...

Control-Alt-Grrrrrr: A look at Penclic's Mini Keyboard K2 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 20 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oyen Digital MiniPro enclosure dresses your hard drive like a Mac Pro

Michael Grothaus — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:00:00 EST

A few months ago I reviewed an external hard drive enclosure I was pretty fond of -- the Mercury On-The-Go-Pro. Today I want to tell you about one I like even more: The Oyen Digital MiniPro enclosure. The two enclosures actually are very similar in functionality. They both allow you to take your old laptop hard drives, insert them into the enclosure, and turn those old drives into useful spare external drives. They also both offer one USB 3.0 port and two Firewire 800 ports. The reason I like the Oyen Digital MiniPro more, however, is because its design mirrors the Mac Pro. It's made from a solid aluminum housing that Mac Pro users know and love. Because of this, it actually looks like it was designed by Apple. The enclosure is also bus-powered, so no power cord is required.

The Oyen Digital MiniPro enclosure comes in black or silver aluminum and is US$69.95. It's available on Amazon and at the company's store.

Oyen Digital MiniPro enclosure dresses your hard drive like a Mac Pro originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 20 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Happy Owl Studio Cashbox: a beautiful hand-crafted iPad cash register

Steven Sande — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:30:00 EST

The last time I talked to the guys from Happy Owl Studio, they were busy cranking out great-looking leather bags for Apple devices. Now the company is producing the Cashbox (starts at US$750 - $1,500, depending on the payment solution selected for the register), a product that was still in planning back in early '12 and is now ready to give your iPad cash register a solid and sustainable home.

As you'll see in the video at the bottom of this post, Happy Owl uses sustainably grown and harvested bamboo wood that is then cut to precise measurements with a CNC milling machine, laser-etched with a logo of your choice and hand-finished. The guts of the Cashbox are all industry-standard -- an iPad, of course, as well as a Star receipt printer and a Vasario cash drawer.

The Cashbox can not only accept credit and debit cards through Square, PayPal or any of the other common iPad payment solutions, but also has a cash drawer for taking the old legal tender as well. One unique feature is the tilting iPad holder that flips from letting a clerk enter an order to a customer's view of the transaction for signature.

The Cashbox certainly appears to be a lot more sturdy and usable than the upcoming "Stand" or the existing Business in a Box solutions from Square. If you're looking at an iPad-based register solution for your business, the Cashbox is definitely worth a look for a solid custom register.

Happy Owl Studio Cashbox: a beautiful hand-crafted iPad cash register originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 20 May 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kenu Airframe: An ingenious car mount for your iPhone

Steven Sande — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:00:00 EST

One thing that seems to be a common attribute of hard-core Apple fans is that they are connoisseurs of great design. It doesn't matter if it's the sleek curves of a new iMac or the minimalist slab of the iPhone 5, we love how the devices are designed with pleasing dimensions and an enjoyable tactile sensation. That's why I was instantly attracted to the Kenu Airframe (US$24.95), a simple and lightweight smartphone car mount that's perfect for present and future iPhones.

Design

Some of the car mounts I've received for review over the years have been expensive overkill. They often use a suction cup mount to stick to the front window of the car, which doesn't work very well in hot dry environments as they tend to pop off when they sit in the sun for a while, dropping your expensive phone to the floor of the car. There's usually a long arm designed to bring the iPhone closer to your hand, which has the undesirable effect of making the phone sway or bounce.

The Kenu Airframe is simplicity defined: it uses a soft plastic clip to attach to an air vent in your car. That clip rotates 90 degrees to properly fit thick or thin grilles on your vent. The idea of mounting the iPhone to your air vent is pure genius as well, as in hot conditions you'll most likely have air conditioning turned on, which will cool the phone and keep it from overheating.

Gallery: Kenu Airframe

An expandable jaw on the Airframe can hold most phones regardless of their width, giving you some semblance of insurance against needing to purchase another car mount should a future iteration of iPhone be a different width.

One other fun thing: if you need an impromptu stand for your iPhone, just grab your Airframe and a business or credit card from your wallet, then pop that card into the clip on the back. Voila! Your iPhone is standing up on its own.

Functionality

Installing the Airframe is quite simple. Find a spot in your car with a vent where you'd like to hang your iPhone, and push the clip onto the plastic grille. That's it. Next, grab your iPhone and push it into the jaws of the Airframe, and you're done. One note: if you have a thick iPhone case like the Mophie Juice Pack, the Airframe won't be able to grab onto your phone. It works swimmingly with a lot of the thinner cases.

The way the clip is designed virtually guarantees that the Airframe is not going to fall out of the vent grille. There's a lot of road construction going on near my home right now and it's practically "four-wheeling" territory on one of the main drags with a lot of bumps and dips. Even at the maximum speed allowed in the construction zone, the jarring and swerving didn't move the Airframe or my iPhone a bit.

The travel stand idea with the credit card is also brilliant. It's a perfect way to use a car mount anywhere -- something that you can't do with a "normal" suction-cup equipped mount.

If there are any negatives I can think of, it's that this might not be a good idea in the winter if you have the clips inserted into a vent blowing hot air onto your iPhone. I don't know for sure if this would cause your iPhone to shut off due to high temperatures, but it's worth thinking about.

Conclusion

Whether you use your iPhone in the car for entertainment, directions, or just to have your phone at arm's reach when you're driving, the Airframe is a simple, sturdy, and functional car mount that takes up very little room.

Pros

Very compact design and light (less than 1 oz.) enough to carry anywhere
Doesn't rely on suction cups to mount your phone in your vehicle
Using the Airframe with a credit card as a travel stand for your phone is sheer genius
Soft rubber material on the jaws and clips ensures a tight grip to phone and vent without scratching either

Cons

Doesn't work with thicker cases like the Mophie Juice Packs
Rather expensive when some car mounts are available for as little as $3.57

Who is it for?

Anyone looking for an unobtrusive and functional car mount for their iPhone

Kenu Airframe: An ingenious car mount for your iPhone originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 17 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Mophie Juice Pack Plus gives your iPhone 5 extra oomph

Steven Sande — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:00:00 EST

Today, iPhone 5 users have another way to keep their phone charged up for those times when the battery is getting sucked dry. Mophie, which previously brought us the Juice Pack Helium and Juice Pack Air for iPhone 5, today announced the Juice Pack Plus (US$119.95).

The case comes in hues of black, white and PRODUCT(RED), and differs from its siblings in thickness, weight, and capacity. The battery in the Plus is a whopping 2,100 mAh, while the Air has 1,700 mAh of extra power and the Helium provides 1,500 mAh. Weight for the Plus and Air is 2.68 oz., while the Helium weighs in at a svelte 2.44 oz. The Plus is 0.70 inch thick, the Air is 0.63 inch thick and the Helium is just 0.59 inch thick.

The battery of the Juice Pack Plus is enough to give your iPhone 5 120 percent of a charge -- enough to top it off completely once and then have enough juice left over to make some emergency calls.

Mophie says that the black model will ship within one or two days; the white model ships next week on May 22nd, and the special PRODUCT(RED) model will be available on May 31st. We hope to have a full review of the Juice Pack Plus soon.

New Mophie Juice Pack Plus gives your iPhone 5 extra oomph originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 16 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DODONotes: The perfect marriage of paper and iPhone

Steven Sande — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

DODOcase just announced the perfect accompaniment to Victor's post earlier this week about when and how to use paper versus software. DODONotes (US$13.95) weds a high-quality paper notebook to your iPhone.

Gallery: DODONotes

It's a simple idea, really -- the DODONotes notebook has a cutout on the front of it that is just perfectly sized for an iPhone 5, 4S or 4. There's an elastic band that holds the notebook securely to the iPhone. With a quick pull, you take the notebook off of your iPhone, jot a few quick notes or sketch an idea and then reattach DODONotes to your phone. There's enough play in the elastic that you can probably attach a small pen or pencil without too much of a strain.

The notebook is made of a beautiful 24 lb. text Mohawk Superfine paper in a Soft White Eggshell finish. I am absolutely sure that TUAW editor and notebook connoisseur Dave Caolo is going to order a ton of these to feed his paper habit...

DODONotes: The perfect marriage of paper and iPhone originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 16 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Belkin releases Dyle receivers for iPhone and iPad

Megan Lavey-Heaton — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:00:00 EST

With ABC adding live streaming to its iPad app and the growth of live TV services via iOS in the past few months, the time is right for Belkin to announce Dyle mobile TV receivers for the iPhone and iPad. The US$129.99 device is about the size of a half a deck of cards, weighs around six ounces and includes a carrying case. It's only compatible with devices with 30-pin dock connectors at the moment. It'll bring live TV to an iOS device without the need for an internet connection.

However, as Victor pointed out in his review of the Dyle receiver created by Elgato, is still pretty limiting. If you're in an area where the service is pretty strong, the receiver might be of use to you. But, it could be worth it to wait a few more months for Dyle to get stronger.

The Belkin receiver is available through its website and is up for pre-order on Amazon.

[via 9to5Mac]

Belkin releases Dyle receivers for iPhone and iPad originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 15 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ClamCase Pro for iPad: Solid protection, amazing keyboard

Steven Sande — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:00:00 EST

With this review, I think that we're just about through the Spring 2013 crop of iPad Bluetooth keyboard folio cases, and it appears that I've saved the best for last. The ClamCase Pro for iPad (US$169, currently available for $20 off with coupon code SPRING20) was a pleasant surprise, providing the best keyboard I've ever used on an iPad along with some of the best protection to be found on any of the new keyboard folios.

Design

The ClamCase Pro is designed to look like a little laptop computer. The area around the keyboard is solid aluminum, and the keyboard itself uses black keys with white lettering. The top and bottom of the case are encased in white polycarbonate, which lends a very clean look and provides excellent protection. The iPad is held securely into place with two barely visible clips on either side of the device, and that design makes it simple to remove the iPad when necessary.

On the back of the case is a perforated "grille" so that sound isn't muffled, and there's a lower opening that accommodates either a Lightning or 30-pin Dock connector. As you'd expect, there are openings for the camera and headphone port, as well as the a small one for the iPad microphone. The on/off/sleep/wake button and volume toggle have their own pass-through switches; there is not a pass through for the seldom-used mute/rotation lock switch.

The big difference with this case from all of the rest is the hinge mechanism that connects the bottom (keyboard and battery) section with the top (iPad) section. This hinge can actually rotate through a full 360 degrees, meaning that you can swivel the keyboard around to the back of the case when you want to just use your iPad as a tablet, or put it into a literally infinite number of angles for typing.

Gallery: ClamCase Pro for iPad

There's one button on the ClamCase Pro, a small power switch on the left side as you look at the keyboard. The battery, like those on most of the other cases we've tested, is recharged via a USB to micro-USB cable that is included. One charge should get you through about 100 hours of typing; that, of course, is longer than your iPad battery is going to last. The ClamCase folks say that the device will fully charge in about 2 hours, and that a case has a battery standby time of six months.

When you want to check the battery life, there's a small "battery" key on the keyboard located near the arrow keys. Push and hold that button, and the white power light located in the upper right corner of the keyboard flashes up to 4 times (meaning fully charged) or just once to indicate that you'd better plug it in.

The keyboard itself has a standard QWERTY layout, which is nice to see. Unlike the new Logitech cases with their EasyType keyboards, there's no need to type "Fn-Q" to hit the Tab key or "Fn-A" to go into Caps Lock. The keys are just there. There's also a separate top row of keys so that you don't need to use a function key to perform tasks like changing the volume on your iPad or cut/copy/paste.

Functionality

The ClamCase Pro had one interesting effect on me; I kept thinking that I was typing on an 11" MacBook Air and continually tried to use the non-existent trackpad. It has that solid feeling of one of Apple's diminutive laptops. I never once had the feeling that the screen was going to flop over, and although I'm not going to try it out, I think this case could protect your iPad from a drop quite well.

Previously, my favorite iPad keyboard was the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover. Well, move over Logitech. The keyboard on the ClamCase Pro actually feels better to me than my favorite Mac keyboard -- Apple's Wireless Keyboard. Since I spend my life sitting at a keyboard, I can tell almost immediately if I'm going to love or hate a keyboard, and my first impression of the ClamCase Pro was very positive. Writing this post on a third-generation iPad using Daedalus cemented that impression -- this keyboard has wonderful positive feedback, quiet keys, and a touch that encourages typing.

ClamCase's website cites an ABC News test that shows that the keyboard can result in a higher number of words per minute typed, and I can entirely believe that. My fingers didn't need to search for certain keys like they did on the latest crop of Logitech cases; everything was exactly where I expected it to be.

If there's one downside to the ClamCase Pro, it's the weight. This thing weighs 1.5 pounds, which means with the iPad added in you're looking at a total weight of just about 3 pounds. That's almost identical to the weight of a 13" MacBook Air and almost .6 pounds more than an 11" MBA. The ClamCase Pro, like any other keyboard folio case, is going to add thickness to your iPad as well. It's .85 inches thick, which is .17" thicker than a MacBook Air.

This brings up the old debate about whether one should buy a light MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, or just use an iPad with something like a ClamCase. There's certainly no lack of applications in the iPad world now, and with a top-notch keyboard like that in the ClamCase Pro you can definitely get your work done efficiently. Price-wise, someone could buy a 64 GB Wi-Fi iPad with Retina display and ClamCase Pro for $868, less than the $999 cost of a 64 GB 11" non-Retina MacBook Air.

The ClamCase Pro pairs with your iPad with the press of a Bluetooth button that's on the keyboard and a tap on the ClamCase Pro name in the Bluetooth settings on the iPad. It has magnets to shut off your iPad when closed, and turn it back on when you pop the top open again. However, this doesn't help you when you flip the keyboard over into "tablet mode," as you can end up knee-typing. So, when using your iPad as Steve Jobs intended, be sure to hit the power switch.

There's one little quirk I noticed with the case design. There are four little rubber feet on the bottom of the case that are probably designed to keep it from sliding on a desktop. That works fine, provided that the case is closed. When you open it, the hinge extends down onto the surface you have the case on and pushes two of the feet off of the surface, making it susceptible to sliding.

Conclusion

Pros

Excellent keyboard, one of the best I've used on Mac, PC or iPad
Completely unique 360-degree hinge holds the "screen" in place regardless of how you have the case configured
Probably the sturdiest iPad keyboard case TUAW has ever tested
Very fast pairing process, built-in battery level capability
Good battery life; much longer than your iPad battery is going to last
Power button is easy to find and shut off, making it easy to power down the keyboard when using the iPad as a tablet

Cons

Fairly heavy; with the iPad installed, it's about the same weight of a 13" MacBook Air
One of the most expensive iPad keyboard cases we've tested; however, it's worth every dime

Who is it for?

Professionals who are thinking about using an iPad and keyboard case as a replacement for a traditional laptop or anyone who wants the best possible experience with a keyboard case.

ClamCase Pro for iPad: Solid protection, amazing keyboard originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 14 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Inteliscope connects your iPhone to an actual firearm

Mike Schramm — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:00:00 EST

We've talked before about how the iPhone can do a lot of things for you, but can it serve as a scope on a tactical rifle? That's the idea behind the Inteliscope, a new accessory that connects your iPhone to an actual tactical firearm. You just clip your iPhone 5 (or 4S or iPod touch) to the accessory, connect that to your rifle and you've got a heads-up scope that allows for custom crosshairs, video recording, a built-in compass and GPS, a timer and a few more handy functions.

The idea is pretty ingenious -- it seems like using the iPhone's camera would offset the view, but maybe the accessory actually uses mirror to line up your shot. At any rate, the Inteliscope and its associated app will be available in June of this year, with each model costing US$69.99. You can pre-order the attachment right now.

The Inteliscope connects your iPhone to an actual firearm originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 14 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Belkin Ultimate Keyboard Case for iPad: Review and giveaway

Steven Sande — Mon, 13 May 2013 20:00:00 EST

The next entry in our seemingly endless parade of new iPad keyboard cases is the Belkin Ultimate Keyboard Case for iPad (US$129.99). This case, which works with the second- through fourth-generation iPads, has some new features that make it attractive as a full-time companion for your tablet.

Design

Like the the recently-reviewed iPad Keyboard Folios from Logitech, the Ultimate Keyboard Case is designed for full-time use on your iPad, protecting the back of the device while providing a flip-out keyboard for easy data entry.

The keyboard in this case is backed with a nicely-designed aluminum shell, and uses black keys with white lettering. The iPad cover is kind of an odd affair -- it's made of what feels like hard polyurethane around the sides, but the "hinge" that connects it to the keyboard and allows the iPad to be placed into three different positions is made of a much thinner flexible plastic with a faux leather look.

That thin plastic makes it possible for this keyboard to be only 6.4 mm thick. That's pretty incredible, beating the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover at 9.96 mm.

There are generous openings around the camera, switches and ports, and a nice touch for those who want to be able to hear sound from their iPad while typing -- a small channel for directing sound from the speaker to the ears of the typist.

Like the Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio, the Ultimate Keyboard Case automatically senses when the iPad is flipped into typing position and turns on the keyboard. When the iPad is moved to a "tablet" position or closed, the keyboard turns off. This helps the battery run for up to 160 hours between charges and stay viable for up to 1,900 hours (6 months) in standby mode. It uses a USB to microUSB cable for charging.

As mentioned earlier, the iPad can be magnetically "locked" into three different positions (all in landscape mode) for typing, so getting the screen adjusted to resolve a reflection is a piece of cake.

Functionality

Weight-wise, the Ultimate Keyboard Case tops the scales at 14.7 ounces. That means the iPad/case combo is almost exactly the same weight as an 11" MacBook Air -- 2.39 pounds versus 2.38 pounds. That's quite a bit lighter than the Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio (2.69 pounds) and the needs-to-go-on-a-diet Logitech Keyboard Folio for iPad (2.82 pounds). If the amount of weight you lug around is important to you, the Ultimate Keyboard Case might make your day.

When using the Ultimate Keyboard Case on a table or desktop, I found it to work just fine. The keys seem to be spaced almost identically to the ones on my Apple Wireless Keyboard, and unlike the keys on the Logitech keyboard folios they are much more standard. In other words, I don't need to type a fn-Q to hit the tab key, nor does going into Caps Lock require a fn-A.

Using the Ultimate Keyboard Case in my lap was a different matter. I found that even the slightest jar made the iPad flop down into my lap. The magnets that hold the iPad in place just don't seem to be as strong as those on the Logitech cases. That, coupled with the rather flimsy plastic "hinge", seems to be a strong warning to users to keep this thing on a table or desk.

One feature I did like a lot was the addition of three keys to the bottom row -- a microphone key for use with Siri dictation on the iPad, an @ key next to the space bar (perfect for typing internet URLs), and a key to change to an alternative virtual keyboard like the popular Emoji keyboard.

I was very impressed with the SoundFlow design of the iPad holder. At the same volume level, the perceived volume was noticeably louder with the case installed than when it was off. That's a real plus if you like listening to music while working on your iPad.

Conclusion

While the support of the Belkin Ultimate Keyboard Case seems a bit wobbly for laptop use, this is a strong competitor to Logitech's recent product launches. The slightly lower price tag, ability to prop the screen in three different positions, SoundFlow design and keyboard layout are all points in favor of Belkin's latest keyboard folio.

Pros

Lighter than the Logitech Keyboard Folios recently reviewed by TUAW
Ultrathin; it's hard to believe it's a keyboard case
Excellent feel to the keyboard, with no function key required to use tab or caps lock functions
Helpful keys for Siri dictation and changing keyboards
Less expensive than the Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio
Can be "locked" into any one of three positions while typing
Auto on/off feature works very well

Cons

Thin plastic prop on the back of the iPad case doesn't work well when using the case in a lap
Does not offer as much protection as the Logitech folios we recently reviewed

Who is it for?

Anyone who wants a fairly lightweight iPad keyboard folio case with good keyboard feel, automatic on/off features and a standard keyboard layout.

Giveaway

We're giving away our review Ultimate Keyboard Case to a lucky TUAW reader. Here are the rules for the giveaway:

Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.
To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button.
The entry must be made before May 17, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time.
You may enter only once.
One winner will be selected and will receive a Belkin Ultimate Keyboard Case for iPad valued at $129.99.
Click Here for complete Official Rules.

Belkin Ultimate Keyboard Case for iPad: Review and giveaway originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 13 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: Phonesuit's Flex Pocket Lightning Charger

Michael Grothaus — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:00:00 EST

I use my iPhone 5 so much throughout the day that its battery is often nearly drained by 4 PM. That's why I'm constantly carrying around and trying out new external battery packs to keep my iPhone charged. The latest battery pack I've tried is the Phonesuit Flex Pocket Charger. I've reviewed Phonesuit's products in the past (and the one I reviewed is now my external battery pack of choice), so I was excited to try out their new Lightning connector battery pack.

The Phonesuit Flex Pocket Charger is slightly thicker and longer than two AA batteries in size, to give you an idea about how big it is. It fits easily into a jeans pocket but it's just a bit wider than my iPhone 5. When plugged into the phone, the Flex overruns the length of it on either end. Still, just given how small the Flex Pocket is in the first place, the fact that it's just slightly wider than the iPhone 5 can be forgiven -- especially considering when my iPhone is running out of battery, the last thing I care about is how good my battery pack looks.

Inside the Flex Pocket you'll find a 2,600 mAh battery that gives you iPhone an extra 125 percent charge. Externally, the Flex Pocket offers a built-in Lightning port and plugs directly into your iPhone 5. There are no cables to attach. When you plug the Flex Pocket into your iPhone, tap the electrostatic power button on the side to turn it on. To recharge your Flex Pocket, simply connect it to any computer via the included USB cable.

The Phonesuit Flex Pocket Charger is US$69 in a choice of colors: metallic red, blue or black. It works on the iPhone 5, the fifth-generation iPod touch and the seventh-generation iPod nano.

Review: Phonesuit's Flex Pocket Lightning Charger originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 13 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kensington USB 3.0 Multi-Display Adapter adds video options to your Mac (giveaway!)

Steven Sande — Sat, 11 May 2013 17:30:00 EST

Have a need to attach more monitors to your USB 3.0-equipped Mac, but don't want to use a Thunderbolt, Mini DisplayPort, or HDMI port? Kensington may have just the thing for you -- the Universal Multi-Display Adapter (US$79.99 MSRP), AKA the USB 3.0 Multi-Display Adapter. We previewed this device last month, and now we've had some hands-on time.

Previously this device was available only for PCs, but new drivers available from DisplayLink make the adapter compatible with any Mac running OS X Snow Leopard, Lion, or Mountain Lion. Essentially what the adapter does is makes one of your USB 3.0 ports available to drive a monitor or projector. It's a small (2" x 3.5" x .68") black box with a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 input on one end and a female DVI connector on the other end.

That cabling arrangement is a little unfortunate. Many monitors are also equipped with a female DVI connector, so chances are you'll need to buy another adapter. LIkewise, the included DVI to VGA adapter is relatively useless -- although it plugs right into the Multi-Display Adapter, it has a female connector on the open end, once again requiring a male to male adapter cable to connect to many VGA ports.

Since the Mac software is relatively new, you need to download and install it prior to running the device. It takes up only about 16 MB of storage, and requires a reboot. After installing the software, I was able to find a male-to-male VGA cable, so I plugged one end into the 17-inch ViewSonic monitor I use with my MacBook Pro with Retina display, the other into the DVI to VGA adapter, and then plugged that into the Multi-Display Adapter. Next, the USB cable was plugged into the MacBook Pro, and the screen came right up at a resolution of 1920 x 1080 (also known as 1080p). The adapter will support resolutions on an external device of up to 2048 x 1152. As you'd expect, the Adapter is bus-powered and requires no external power.

I previously had some issues when testing a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter when connecting a MacBook Air to a PC projector, so I thought I'd try the projector with this adapter (in most cases, I'll actually just use an HDMI cable to go straight from the MBP to the projector). Once again, the adapter worked like a champ, allowing me to drive the projector flawlessly from the MacBook Pro.

Considering the variety of video output modes that are available on most modern Macs -- HDMI, Thunderbolt, and Mini DisplayPort -- you might not need to have a USB 3.0-based adapter to add a monitor to your setup. However, it's nice to know that the option exists, and that the price tag on this adapter isn't too bad -- it was selling on Amazon today for $20 off the MSRP.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a way to hook up a DVI or VGA monitor to a Mac through USB 3.0, the Kensington Universal Multi-Display Adapter is a bus-powered alternative that may fit your needs.

Pros

Provides a way to connect a monitor, projector, or other display to your USB 3.0-equipped Mac without using a Thunderbolt, Mini DIsplay Port, or HDMI port
Can also be used with Windows PCs
DVI / VGA out works with a lot of monitors and projectors
Price isn't too high at retail, although generic adapters (Monoprice, etc...) might be available for less

Cons

Female out on both adapter and the DVI/VGA adapter is annoying; need to use a male by male cable (not included) to plug into most monitors and projectors

Who is it for?

Anyone with a Mac with USB 3.0 who needs to keep other ports empty or in use with other devices but who wants to drive another monitor or projector

Giveaway

We're giving away our review device! Here are the rules for the giveaway:

Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.
To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button.
The entry must be made before May 15, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time.
You may enter only once.
One winner will be selected and will receive a Kensington Universal USB 3.0 Multi-Display Adapter valued at $79.95
Click Here for complete Official Rules.

Kensington USB 3.0 Multi-Display Adapter adds video options to your Mac (giveaway!) originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Sat, 11 May 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Three great new iPad keyboard folios from Logitech

Steven Sande — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:00:00 EST

If there's one accessory manufacturer that seems to be doing everything correctly at this point in time, it's Logitech. The company apparently realizes that not only is the future pointing away from PCs and toward more portable devices like the iPad, but it's also creating many new accessories specifically for Apple products. The new FabricSkin Keyboard Folio for iPad (US$149.99), Keyboard Folio for iPad mini ($89.99) and the full-sized Keyboard Folio for iPad ($99.99) are recent additions to the Logitech line that have just started to appear in stores in the US, and today I'm taking a look at all three of these attractive and useful Bluetooth keyboards.

FabricSkin Keyboard Folio for iPad: Design and Functionality

I'm going to start with the FabricSkin Keyboard Folio for iPad first, since it's probably the iPad keyboard that has garnered the most interest lately. You know those odd looking cloth-like keyboards that you see on ads for Microsoft Surface? Yea, that's what this keyboard looks like.

Gallery: Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio for iPad

From the feel of the keyboard, it appears that Logitech is using the same key mechanism found on the other keyboards. The difference lies in the material that covers the keys.

For those who like to sip on coffee or other beverages while typing on an iPad keyboard, you're going to love the FabricSkin. It's water resistant, so spills just wipe right off.

The exterior of the case is either a matte finish plastic material or cotton fabric that has a bit of grip to it. Your iPad is held into place by a plastic frame that completely encases the back and sides. There are holes for the ports and speakers, pass-through switches protect those on the iPad from damage. The rear-facing camera is exposed through a small hole on the back of the case.

How about typing on this keyboard? Well, strangely enough I felt that the keys were too far apart! The Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover is still my favorite iPad keyboard as the spacing and size of the keys are similar to those on the Apple Wireless Keyboard. Here I just felt like there was too much room between the keys, which is not what I expect from an iPad keyboard. As such, my fingers occasionally hit the wrong keys -- especially when I was trying to type a "1", in which case I usually hit the Home key ans was bumped out of my current app. Logitech refers to this new keyboard layout as EasyType, and it may take a little getting used to.

The keys require a bit more pressure than those on the Ultrathin keyboard and many other "standard" keyboard designs, but are much more normal than the dreaded "chiclet" keyboards that some companies have released.

There's one thing I was absolutely thrilled about with this keyboard: it automatically turns itself on and connects to your iPad when you snap the device into typing position. If you decide to use your iPad as a tablet and fold the keyboard underneath, the keyboard turns off by itself. That not only saves you from accidentally typing as you mash the iPad against a leg or desk, but it saves power as well. The company says that the battery should last for about 3 months of use at 2 hours per day -- that's equivalent to about 182 hours.

The FabricSkin Keyboard Folio comes in four colors and finishes in the US. First, there's Carbon Black, which uses a matte leather finish with a white keyboard. There's also Mystic Blue, which also has a matte leather surface and a blue keyboard with white letters -- red accents really make the design pop. If you're a fan of red, Mars Red Orange is going to be your favorite for the FabricSkin -- it has a white keyboard. Finally, the Sunflower Yellow case uses a fine-weave cotton exterior and khaki keyboard. Other markets will also get Electric Blue and Urban Gray color options.

Now here's a quandary... With the FabricSkin Keyboard Folio installed on your iPad, the total weight of the unit is 2.69 pounds. An 11" MacBook Air weighs less at 2.38 pounds, while a 13" MBA is just a tad heavier at 2.96 pounds. In other words, if you're thinking about using an iPad and one of these keyboards as a lightweight laptop replacement, think again.

The FabricSkin Keyboard Folio for iPad is extremely well-designed and constructed, and is worth the premium price that Logitech has given it. If you can adjust your typing to the slightly wider key spacing, it may end up being your favorite keyboard for any device.

Pros:

Keyboard is splash-resistant
An extremely stylish and protective case
Automatically turns on and off based on iPad positioning
Can be flipped completely for "tablet-only" use
Excellent battery life
Fast initial pairing with iPad

Cons:

Installed on an iPad, it's heavier than an 11" MacBook Air
EasyType key spacing may not be to the liking of all potential users; like any iPad keyboard, try before you buy

Keyboard Folio for iPad mini: Design and Functionality

A few years back I made the grave error of purchasing a PC netbook and converting it to a Hackintosh. Why was it such a mistake? Because of the keyboard! I spent most of a trip to Africa cursing at the thing simply because my muscle memory was looking for keys in certain places where they actually weren't.

No such problem with the Keyboard Folio for iPad mini. The keys are all pretty much in the correct places, although some of them have been scaled down in size to allow the keyboard to be exactly as wide as an iPad mini is tall -- a tad under 8 inches. By comparison, the standard Apple Wireless Keyboard I use most of the time is a full 3 inches wider.

Gallery: Logitech Keyboard Folio for iPad mini

So it was with a great deal of surprise that I found that I could easily touch type on this tiny keyboard at my usual fast rate of speed. My fingers got used to the spacing and location of the keys in minutes, and I actually wrote the complete draft of this post on the iPad mini with little fuss. On occasion my little finger on my right hand hit the Return key instead of the half-sized apostrophe/quote key, but the placement of the keys in general made it easy to recover from those mistakes.

The case is wrapped in a dark blue (a light blue is also available) cloth-like material that gives it a smart book appearance. The iPad mini is slipped into a plastic frame that gives just enough to make inserting or removing the tablet a piece of cake. On the back of the case, there's a hole for the mini's camera. A powerful magnet holds the mini in place in a typing configuration, and there are other magnets in the cover to turn the device on and off. Unlike the FabricSkin, this keyboard doesn't automatically turn itself on when you move the iPad mini into typing position, but a simple tap on any key will wake it up.

All of the new folio type cases from Logitech feature a little cloth "tab" that sticks out from under the keyboard, and it didn't make sense to me until I went to open up the case. That tab helps you get a good grip on the cover to open it up and turn on the iPad mini. That tab took a little getting used to when I started typing, as it bumped up against my hand. I got used to the tab fairly quickly, but some people may decide to take the scissors to it.

In case you're curious about how much typing you could do on a single charge, Logitech says that a full charge will take you through 3 months at two hours average use per day. There's a USB to micro-USB charger cable included for those rare occasions where you need to top off the battery.

When you just want to play a game or browse sites on your mini with the Keyboard Folio attached, the keyboard portion folds underneath the body of the tablet. With the Keyboard Folio, you're going to want to shut the keyboard off before folding it under or you may find that you're accidentally typing.

I measured the Keyboard Folio's weight to be 0.86 lb; that's actually more than the weight of the iPad mini (at 0.68 lb) and puts the entire package at a little over 1.5 lbs. While that sounds "heavy", it's still less than the weight of an 11" MacBook Air at 2.38 lb. The 11" MacBook Air gives you the full notebook computer experience, but anyone looking at the ultimate lightweight computing experience should give the Keyboard Folio/iPad mini combo a try.

Pros

Excellent key spacing and feel for an iPad mini keyboard
Stylish and protective
Long battery life
Fast initial pairing with iPad

Cons

Doesn't have that wonderful auto-shutoff feature of the FabricSkin Keyboard Folio
EasyType key spacing may not be to the liking of all potential users; like any iPad keyboard, try before you buy

Keyboard Folio for iPad: Design and Functionality

Take the size of the FabricSkin Keyboard Folio, remove the "fabric" covering on the keyboard, and you have the Logitech Keyboard Folio for iPad. It's basically the same as the Keyboard Folio for iPad mini, all grown up into the full iPad size. It comes with a correspondingly higher price tag: $99.99 compared with $89.99 for the mini version.

There are some major differences between the FabricSkin and the Keyboard Folio for iPad. First, the Keyboard Folio doesn't have that wonderful auto-off feature that is so useful on the FabricSkin. Next, without the fabric covering on the keyboard, the Keyboard Folio loses the splash resistance of the more expensive model.

Gallery: Logitech Keyboard Folio for iPad

One real negative: the weight of the Keyboard Folio is actually heavier than that of the FabricSkin. The Keyboard Folio weighs in at 639 grams (22.5 ounces or 1.4 pounds); the FabricSkin alone weighs 2 ounces less at 565 grams.

I won't belabor the features of the Keyboard Folio for iPad, as it is virtually the same as its little brother except for the larger size and colors. The full-size version is the CMYK of iPad keyboards, coming in the famous subtractive color model hues of cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Battery life is listed as the same, and all three keyboards in this review come with a USB to micro-USB cable for recharging when necessary.

Pros:

An extremely stylish and protective case
Can be flipped completely for "tablet-only" use
Excellent battery life
Fast initial pairing with iPad

Cons:

Even heavier than the FabricSkin Keyboard Folio
Key spacing may not be to the liking of all potential users; like any iPad keyboard, try before you buy
It's also missing the auto-shutoff feature of the FabricSkin Keyboard Folio

Conclusion

Logitech has produced three protective, flexible, and eminently usable keyboards with the FabricSkin Keyboard Folio for iPad, the Keyboard Folio for iPad, and the Keyboard Folio for iPad mini. Without a doubt, the auto on/off feature of the FabricSkin is the winner here -- this is a feature that every iPad keyboard should have, and strangely enough Logitech doesn't even mention it on its website.

As for iPad mini keyboards, the Keyboard Folio for iPad mini is tops in its class. It truly turns the diminutive iPad mini into a typing powerhouse and the lightest "notebook" in the Apple family.

Giveaway

We have both versions of the Keyboard Folio (iPad and iPad mini) available for a giveaway!

Here are the rules for the giveaway:

Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.
To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button.
The entry must be made before May 13, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time.
You may enter only once.
Two winners will be selected. One will receive a Logitech Keyboard Folio for iPad valued at $99.99 and the other will receive a Logitech Keyboard Folio for iPad mini valued at $89.99.
Click Here for complete Official Rules.

Three great new iPad keyboard folios from Logitech originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 09 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Belkin's Thunderbolt dock delivers plug-and-play flexibility

Michael Rose — Thu, 09 May 2013 09:00:00 EST

It's dock o'clock, thank goodness, as Belkin's long incubation period of the Thunderbolt Express Dock closed out last month. The US$299 expansion peripheral is now shipping to customers; is it worth your attention? We've had a week to put it through its paces.

The most direct product comparison for the Express Dock is Matrox's $249 DS1, which we reviewed a few weeks ago. Like the Matrox unit, the Belkin dock requires but does not include a Thunderbolt cable -- so you should mentally add at least $30 to the price of each unit if you don't already have one. (Kanex sells Thunderbolt cables in lengths ranging from three meters down to one-half meter.)

Design

The Express Dock's industrial design went through several iterations after its original "stapler-style" preview first appeared in January of 2012. Since then the unit has gained a passthrough Thunderbolt port, lost its HDMI port, and seen an eSATA port added, then dropped, from the configuration. The unit comes with an external power brick that uses a standard three-prong plug, rather than an outlet-hogging adapter.

With the Express Dock you get all the ports you need, and more. Dual Thunderbolt ports (one in, one out) line up with three super-speed USB 3 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, analog audio in and out, and a Firewire 800 port. Compared to the Matrox DS1, Belkin has delivered quite a bit more flexibility and speed, particularly for Firewire users; being able to chain several FW800 drives off the dock means one less adapter to manage, and one less Thunderbolt port on the computer tied up.

I'd tag maxing out the USB 3 ports versus the Matrox unit "nice but not a blockbuster," as there's always the option of attaching a USB 3 hub to the DS1's single superspeed port if you need that expandability; I would expect that users with a lot of USB 3 devices have probably already invested in a hub to cover that need.

The passthrough Thunderbolt port, on the other hand, is a big deal, and good on Belkin for sticking with this design choice through the process. Yes, you're most likely going to terminate the chain with a Mini DisplayPort adapter or connecting to a Thunderbolt monitor; still, if you have other Thunderbolt devices that can sit mid-chain (like LaCie's eSATA hub) you are going to get more mileage out of Belkin's dock than you will from the DS1.

The final shipping instance of the Express Dock is low and lean, with a convenient cable passthrough that lets you run your Thunderbolt cable through the front of the device to the ports in the back. This may reduce wire clutter compared to the DS1, where the only TB connection is in the front.

The rounded, unobtrusive case design on the Express Dock would be at home on most desks. It's noticeably lower-profile than the Matrox, and quite a bit less boxy and industrial-looking. I do miss Matrox's front-facing USB port a bit, as it's convenient for plugging in flash drives and other quick-use devices.

Performance

The best thing that can be said about a Thunderbolt dock is that you don't really have to think about it once you plug it in; that's certainly true of the Express Dock. It's completely plug-and-play, with no device issues that I could see. File transfer performance on Firewire, USB 3 and Thunderbolt was pretty much indistinguishable from directly-connected devices; I tested with a Buffalo TB/USB3 drive, an Elgato SSD and a LaCie Firewire 800 drive and didn't see any substantive differences between docked and directly-connected performance. Macworld's lab testing showed similar performance parity on file transfers.

Display performance was also remarkably unremarkable, with the dock immediately syncing up to my external display via my mDP to DVI adapter. Although the Matrox DS1 dock has shown some rare loss-of-sync issues where external displays needed to be reset or reconnected to show up, I haven't seen that at all in a week of testing the "pure Thunderbolt" path on the Belkin.

The Ethernet port on the dock requires no additional software or driver install to be recognized; it just shows up, as you'd expect. Since it's recognized as a new network adapter, if you want your Mac to use it as the primary connection rather than WiFi or USB Ethernet you should make sure to move it to the top of the network connection priority list. The dock does require OS X 10.8.3, so if you don't get every port behaving properly at first you might check your system version.

Wrap-up

Thunderbolt docks may not be the sexiest peripheral sector, but Belkin's done a solid job delivering the Express Dock to the market with enough standout features to make it worth a look. With Firewire, plenty of USB 3 ports and the flexibility of passthrough Thunderbolt, it's packing plenty of value to cover that $50 premium versus the competition.

Pros

Plug and play performance
Thunderbolt passthrough port for flexibility
Firewire 800, 3x USB 3

Cons

Not inexpensive
No front-facing convenience USB port

Who is it for?

Thunderbolt Mac owners starved for expansion ports, especially those with investments in Firewire or USB 3 devices.

Here's a quick promo video from the Belkin team:

Belkin's Thunderbolt dock delivers plug-and-play flexibility originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 09 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Kevo lock uses your iPhone for keyless entry

Mike Schramm — Wed, 08 May 2013 21:00:00 EST

Kwikset has made a new lock it's calling Kevo that makes use of your iPhone to lose your keys for good. The idea on this one seems great, and apparently the company picked up some money from a pitch on the Shark Tank TV show. The lock has both standard key-based and wireless mechanisms, so instead of using your key, you can simply put your smartphone or a branded fob up to the lock, and it'll open up for you.

You can also send a key to someone else's smartphone, so if they need to get in your house for some reason, you can send them a temporary key that only works for a given amount of time. That's great, and because the lock is still a standard mechanical lock, it'll work like a traditional lock as well if all else fails.

The Kevo lock runs on two AA batteries for about a year, at which point those need to be replaced. Still, I'd love to have one on my apartment door. It's set to be available this summer.

New Kevo lock uses your iPhone for keyless entry originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 08 May 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reality Absorption Field: Backups Capsule

Ross Rubin — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:00:00 EST

Despite the great success and momentum of the iPad, the iPhone is still probably Apple's product that continues to receive the most attention by the broadest number of consumers as well as by investors. The smartphone slips easily into a pocket, accesses cloud from virtually anywhere, has a slick and engaging user interface, and supports hundreds of thousands of apps. It has been updated every year since its introduction and makes billions for the company. Microsoft covets its success.

But Apple has another product that in many ways is the anti-iPhone. It usually never leaves the home, doesn't access any cloud services and has no apps or even local user interface. Its rare updates often consist of little more than a capacity increase. And if Microsoft, which keeps chasing the idea of a cohesive user experience, wouldn't gain much from the revenue it drives, it would still do well to offer its benefits.

That product is Time Capsule, Apple's router/backup appliance that sits quietly on a home network, seamlessly and reliably sucking in incremental backups of every Mac it can find. In an era where the best-selling version of Apple's once straightforward iPod music player is an iPhone-like software chameleon, where hard drives are considered the dinosaurs of consumer storage, and the cloud is the place where shared files are stored, Time Capsule is a throwback. It is the hardworking Morlock to Apple's converged device iLoi.

Like any tech product, Time Capsule has its share of compromises. Backups can get corrupted, causing Time Machine to falter at the beginning or end of a backup. Time Capsule's doesn't provide a ton of status information on what's going on. And if the unfortunate circumstances require that you use it to restore, it can take hours as is the case for any network backup product.

And when it comes to features, Time Capsule's name is more than just a clever play on words. Unlike with cross-platform "shared storage" products from storage and networking companies including Netgear, Seagate and WD, there's no access to Time Capsule storage from outside the home network. It can't send video to most TVs or Blu-ray players due to a lack of native DLNA. You can't add capacity to Time Capsule or back up the backup.

Other companies have created slick iOS apps for accessing photos and other data on home networks from across the Internet. In an ironic contrast, though, Apple hasn't created one for Time Capsule, which could serve as a personal cloud alternative to or extension to iCloud much as Pogoplug has married its home storage and cloud storage products. Instead, only Mac-owning iOS device users can take advantage of Apple's network backup device, and even then only indirectly by having their Mac-based backups backed up.

Ah, but in conjunction with Time Machine, Time Capsule remains the best integrated home network backup experience on the market. It may never be the kind of thing that convinces someone to buy a Mac, but anyone who has ever been saved by it will consider it a reason to stay with the platform.

In contrast, while Windows had an integrated backup app before Apple did, its network backup strategy has been divided between a feature found only in the Professional version of Windows and the sputtering path of Windows Home Server that came closest to Time Capsule's automation and integration, but couldn't approach its simplicity. Windows 8 has added a file history feature that's network-drive agnostic, but that's only part of the solution. If Microsoft would offer a simple backup appliance that works with software built into Windows, it would instantly strengthen the case for all Windows PCs, including tablets such as Surface for which a key marketing point is the robustness of the Windows ecosystem.

Of course, it would also be great to see Time Capsule expand to back up Windows PCs, or even iPads and iPhones, or enable remote access, but one has to wonder how much more attention Apple -- fighting Google with its head in the cloud -- will give to its reliable relic.

Ross Rubin is principal analyst at Reticle Research, a research and advisory firm focusing on consumer technology adoption. He shares commentary at Techspressive and on Twitter at @rossrubin.

Reality Absorption Field: Backups Capsule originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 08 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Adobe demos smart stylus and ruler for creative professionals

Steven Sande — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:00:00 EST

Fresh on the heels of the announcement of the Adobe Creative Suite turning subscription-only, the company also showed off two hardware projects: the Project Mighty stylus and Napoleon ruler.

Both hardware offerings use low-energy Bluetooth to communicate with an iPad or iPhone, and work with the new Creative Cloud software. The Project Mighty stylus is not a normal stylus -- Adobe has done an amazing job of integrating the software and hardware. The stylus has one button on board; when pressed, the software displays a menu of design options and content. If a user has drawings and files in his or her Creative Cloud clipboard, those items can be selected with a tap. If a user is drawing with the stylus, a finger can be used as an eraser.

The Project Mighty stylus holds user information, so it's a "smart stylus." One example in the video below shows a drawing of a wine glass on an iPad being copied and then pasted into the same Creative Cloud app running on an iPhone.

The Napoleon ruler got its name from the French emperor -- "a short ruler." Placed on a mobile device screen, the ruler works in concert with the stylus to make the creation of sharp lines and curves a snap. There is no word on when Project Mighty and Napoleon will make it to market, but Adobe says that these two hardware projects are "just the beginning" and that more paired hardware and software may be in the works.

Adobe demos smart stylus and ruler for creative professionals originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 07 May 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mobile device power shines with Etón's new BoostSolar

Michael Rose — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:05:00 EST

It may rank closer to the "inconvenience" end on the post-disaster scale of challenges, but a lack of power for mobile devices certainly didn't help matters in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy last year. Innovative devices like the BioLite camp stove made appearances on the streets of New York as residents scoured darkened neighborhoods for a chance to plug in.

For accessory manufacturer Etón, which partners with the American Red Cross to co-brand emergency-use chargers, radios and flashlights, flexible charging is a key component of the company's product line. Many Etón products include a handcrank option for quick charging when you're off the grid.

The latest member of the Etón family draws its joules from a new, old source: the sun. The $US99.99 BoostSolar charger includes both a conventional, replaceable 5000mAh lithium battery and a solar panel for walkabout charging. You can plug the battery in to any USB port to charge the night before your hike (7 hours to full charge) and then march on with solar charging to top off during the day (16 hours from zero to full on solar alone).

With a nod towards outdoor and camping use, the BoostSolar includes corner fastening loops for a carabiner or backpack strap. It's also rated IPX-4 for splash and rain resistance -- it might not survive being dropped in a puddle, but short of that it should be good to go.

The BoostSolar can charge both 1A and 2.1A USB devices, so the iPad will fast-charge when connected. A micro-USB input port allows the use of most non-iPhone device chargers to top off the battery, or you can connect a micro-USB cable to almost any iOS device charger and be good to go.

If you're shopping for the BoostSolar, it's available -- in black or green -- starting today from Amazon, buygreen.com and REI. Additional lithium battery packs will be available separately.

Mobile device power shines with Etón's new BoostSolar originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 07 May 2013 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Targus announces line of Mac-compatible docking stations

Megan Lavey-Heaton — Tue, 07 May 2013 08:31:00 EST

Following on the heels of Kensington, Targus announced this morning that it has made its USB 3.0 docking stations Mac-compatible.

Targus' docking stations have four USB 2.0 ports and two USB 3.0 ports. The stations can handle resolutions of up to 2,048 x 1,152, deliver 1080p video and graphics through DisplayLink and support up to four displays. The stations also come with a DVI to VGA and HDMI to DVI adapters as well as a 2-foot USB 3.0 cable.

The Targus docking stations are US$169.99 and $219.99 and are available now. For those who already own a Targus 3.0 docking station, there are drivers that make the new docks compatible with the Mac and are backwards-compatible.

If you are looking beyond Targus for your hardware needs, you should look at Kensington, which upgraded its docking stations to be Mac-compatible in April, thanks to the same DisplayLink support update that's in the Targus models. Note some of the issues with the DisplayLink tools in Mountain Lion. Henge also had its horizontal dock, which boasts an impressive six USB 3.0 ports, on display at Macworld/iWorld 2013.

Targus announces line of Mac-compatible docking stations originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 07 May 2013 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Denon AV receivers support Apple AirPlay

Steven Sande — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:00:00 EST

Now here are some Apple accessories I'd love to review: Denon has added some new networked AV receivers to its INCOMMAND line, all of which support Apple's AirPlay wireless standard.

With that AirPlay support, owners of any Apple iOS device or Mac running a current or recent version of the appropriate operating system can stream lossless music to the receivers from their devices. The pricing for the receivers begins at a very reasonable US$449 for the AVR-X1000, which includes support for 5.1 surround sound and supplies 80 watts of output per channel. Next up is the AVR-X2000 at $649, providing 7.1 surround support, support for the 4K Ultra HD standard and 95 watts of power per channel.

The AVR-X3000 ($899) supports 7.1 channels and 105 watt per channel (it also supports the 4K Ultra HD standard). But it's the Ferrari of the line -- the AVR-X4000 ($1299) -- that you'll really drool over: 7.2 channels, seven discrete output stages and each channel is rated at 125 watts. Do you need HDMI inputs and outputs? It comes with seven inputs and three outputs. Sound processing includes Audyssey DSX, Dolby Pro Logic IIz and a DTS Neo:X decoder. With the AVR-X4000, your SD video content can be converted to HD, while 1080p video can be upscaled to 4K Ultra HD.

New Denon AV receivers support Apple AirPlay originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 06 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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