GadgetUniversity

Otterbox Defender Series for iPad 2 and 3rd Generation Review

Matthew — Fri, 04 May 2012 13:01:31 +0000

The iPad has been king of the hill when it comes to tablets for years now. It only makes sense that the other king of their respective hill, Otterbox, would make an accessory for it. The iPad is a beautiful device but it is also expensive. One of the best ways to protect your tech is to cover it with the Otterbox Defender Series. I have reviewed several Otterbox cases on Gadget University and the Defender Series is always a favorite. Read more of the review after the jump.

Features and Design

The Otterbox Defender features several layers of protection for yout beloved iPad. There is a screen protector, a polycarbonate shell, silicone wrap and a hard plastic shield/stand. The integrated shield stand acts as a protective cover on the front or the back and doubles as a stand for typing or viewing. Magnets on the shield stand activate the device’s sleep mode when the cover is snapped on the front of the screen. The shield stand also allows for viewing in landscape and portrait mode. Each layer over laps to form a tank case that could double as a weapon of mass destruction. This case will protect your iPad from any bumps, shocks, drops. However, it will not protect your iPad from water. Trust me.

Overall Performance

The entire suite of protection layers work great together. Silicone cases have always been a problem for me. Either they attract dust or they lose durability over time. In the past, Otterbox cases have had this problem. The last two generation of cases have improved dramatically. One thing that I do not care for it the screen protector. It is a little on the thick side and there is a noticable gap between the screen and the protector. It creates this akward feeling when touching the screen. You will get used to it but it is something to note. The iPad is not hindered at all by the case. All wireless radios work well (WiFi, 3G, GPS) and the speaker and screen quality are not sacrificed. My favorite part of the case is the stand/screen shield. It is a great way to use the iPad in portrait and landscape.

Bottom Line

Do you remember the saying, “You get what you pay for?” The Otterbox Defender is the best of the best when it comes to complete protection for your iPad. The Otterbox Defender is available for $89 and as this review is being written they have just announced more colors. If you didn’t like the black then you will be happy to know that you will have more options soon.

Check out the photos in the gallery and review video for a more in depth look at the Otterbox Defender Series for iPad 2 and 3rd Generation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAIQEXXv1sE

Otterbox

Path Users Get Exclusive Theme on Clear

Matthew — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:43:09 +0000

Probably two of my favorite apps on the iPhone have join forces to give their users something special. If you are currently a user of Path and Clear. For more info, check out the rest of the post after the jump

Path is currently a social networking application for Android and iOS. It uses the same timeline format from facebook and allows you to share your pictures, movies, location with other social networks like Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Foursquare. Think of it like a one stop shop for everything social. The UI is beautiful and it even allows you to add Instagram like filters to your photos. Here is what Path has to say about their app.

Path is the Smart Journal that helps you share life with the ones you love.

Path is the smart journal that helps you share life with family and close friends.

Download for Android Download for iOS

Clear is easily one of the most satisfying task applications out there. It features an intuitive multitouch interface and provides sound and haptic feedback for completed tasks. Completed a task? Just swipe to the right. Want to delete a task? Just swipe to the left. It’s that simple. I find myself making lists out of everything just so I can complete it. Sounds crazy right? Well, for some reason it works.

Life is messy. Keep it together with Clear, an amazing new app for list-keeping that is unbelievably simple, quick and satisfying to use.

Download for iOS

Clear and Path came together and gave Clear users a unique theme that is simliar to the Path UI. It features a red and tan task panels. I do have some bad news for Android users. Clear is not available for Android devices so this theme is not for you. However, be sure to try out Path and let me know what you think in the comments below. Be sure check out the screen shots below.

The X-9 Nighthawk Bicycle

Matthew — Tue, 01 May 2012 04:08:58 +0000

Everyone now and then I find something on the internet that I geek out too. This time its a bicycle. I haven’t owned a bike since I was a child so and haven’t had a desire to own one until now. Not only does the design scream minimalism and class. It looks like a stealth fighter jet. Read more after the jump

The X-9 Nighthawk was just revealed in Berliner Fahrradshau in Berlin on March 2012. The X-9 has a frame made out water cut honeycombed panels which are then laminated over by carbon fiber. The handlebars with the stem were made out of carbon fiber, and the carbon fork was shaped to fit the frame design. The final product is what you see in the gallery below. Worried about someone stealing your super cool bike? Don’t worry it comes equipped with an infiniti3D bicycle component security system developed by Atomic22

Source

Mophie Workbook for iPad 2 and iPad 3rd Generation Review

Matthew — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:58:05 +0000

When it comes to iPad cases, Mophie typically isn’t on my list of places to shop. However, they do make the best external batteries money can buy. Over the last couple years, I have come to expect a certain level of quality from Mophie. Needless to say, I was excited to try out one of their iPad cases. Does the Workbook live up to the Mophie reputation? Find out in the review.

The Mophie Workbook for iPad 2 and 3rd Generation is a faux leather folio case that doubles as a stand in different viewing angles. The case has a soft cloth/cotton interior that keeps the iPad clean and protected. Placing the iPad in different positions is pretty easy. Mophie has conveniently placed strips of velcro on the edges of the folio to create an infinite number of viewing angles.

Each Workbook comes with four straps. Black, pink, blue, and yellow. It’s an odd decision to include these with every case but it is a nice add it for those of you who like to switch things up a bit.

The Workbook comes in White, black, brown and gray. All the ports are exposed well and should work with third party accessories.

The Mophie Workbook isn’t without it’s flaws. The iPad has a tendency to move out of place and the buttons and cameras end up covered. Also, I found that the case loosens over time and the fit isn’t so tight around the iPad. Since there is no corner protection, dropping your iPad in this case is a scary thought. Cases exist for many different functions and this case is obviously performs as it was described. The Mophie Workbook for iPad 2 and 3rd Generation sells for $49.99 and is well worth the price.

Check out the Mophie Workbook for iPad 2 and iPad 3rd Generation here.

Video review below. Be sure to check out my YouTube channel for more case reviews

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfE2tR7hrHs

Procreate 1.6 Update Now Available in iTunes Store

Roly — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 01:43:14 +0000

The long awaited 1.6 update for the iPad painting app, Procreate and while the developers Savage Interactive have remained mum to the new updates until today, the enigmatic allure has made the wait worthwhile. The current feature set is great for users of the new iPad with Retina Display, but Savage Interactive has assured me that none of the features will make owners of the previous iPad feel inferior benefiting them as well.

The features included in Procreate 1.6 are as follows:

48-Bit Painting – allowing up to 65,000 colors per channel (other apps offer only 256 per color channel)

Glaze Brush – brush similar to those in Photoshop and one heavily requested feature

Mega Brush – the name is self explanatory, it lets brushes take up to ¼ of the canvas real estate when set to maximum. This could be keen for textured backgrounds being made in a few strokes.

Extremely detailed/ Retina-ready brushes – As stated on the SI website the brushes on Procreate 1.5 were created with two images (at maximum detail of 512 px) the current set is now composed of two 1028 px images, creating brushes with double the detail. This will translate well for charcoals which tend to leave many fine details in their artistic path.

Procreate Artery – one of the features I (and I’m sure thousands of other users) I’ve been clamoring for since I’ve begun using this app a few months back. The artery provides a wide selection of professional made brushes and effects to purchase.

Alongside these main features are new brushes of varying type (sketching, inking, painting, etc.), gallery organization now including grouping of artworks and other “behind the scenes” additions to improve overall functionality.

The team at Savage Interactive have constructed a fine update to their already stellar art app and focused on community first when creating the new details for the 1.6 update.

Zagg Folio Review (iPad 2 and iPad 3rd Generation)

Matthew — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 02:57:28 +0000

Created with a stylish design and a durable microfiber lining, the ZAGGfolio is an impressively thin multi-function iPad keyboard case for the new Apple® iPad®. The folio is complete with a removable Bluetooth keyboard and a built-in stand system, ideal for on-the-go use. The Zaggfolio iPad keyboard folio doesn’t disappoint, with an attractive, flexible design and a surprisingly comfortable chiclet-style keyboard. Check out the video for the full review.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JcXf11nV_U

www.zagg.com

Incipio Slim Kickstand Review (iPad 2 & New iPad)

Matthew — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 23:13:01 +0000

The Kickstand case from Incipio is a folio-style design with the added feature of supporting the iPad in one of two standing positions. The case is made of nylon with a soft suede lining. It also features a nice magnetic closure to keep the case closed during handling and transport. The case offers protection of the iPad’s glass while closed, and full access to the iPad when the folio is opened. For the stand part, the case will sit open on its own for viewing, ideally it would seem of photos and video. Review video after the jump

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O53GZDgBOy4

Henge Docks Clique Review

Matthew — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 23:11:57 +0000

I wanted to clean up my desk a bit and organize my setup. To my surprise Henge Dock had the perfect product. The clique essentially just unifies Apple’s Wireless Keyboard and Magic Trackpad into a single unit. At $24.99 it’s a good deal. Check out the video after the break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3Pa-Eq8gQU

Henge Docks Unboxing (Macbook Pro 13″)

Matthew — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 05:37:56 +0000

The Henge dock is the perfect way to clean up any desk setup. The easy part picking out the dock that fits your Macbook and then comes the hard part. The installation process is fairly straight forward, However I ran into an issue when trying to plug in my Thunderbolt adapter. The adapter did not fit properly. Luckily, it had a rubber tip, and after an hour of filing down my adapter, I was finally able to fit the adapter into the Henge dock. However, I still ran into an issue with the adapter being a little long. FYI, the adapter used was the Moshi min display to HDMI adapter. Was the Henge dock worth it? Click the read more link for the rest

I decided to pick up a Belkin adapter which had absolutely not chance of fitting. The adapter was plastic so I didn’t dare try to file it down. In the end, I decided to take it back to the store. The dock is great, don’t get me wrong, but It seems that it will only work with Apple Thunderbolt cables or the ones sold on the Henge dock website. I am very disappointed; however, I will be getting the Bookarc from Twelve South to aid in my quest to clean up my desk.

Check out the Unboxing below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ciYz642I0c

Pros

Secure/Tight fit
Great cable management
Good build quality

Cons

Difficult Setup
Thunderbolt (Mini Display) adapter port is picky
Won’t work with cases or skins

Motorola Droid RAZR Maxx Review

Matthew — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 22:18:09 +0000

Droid RAZR MAXX 4G LTE Android smartphone on Verizon. The RAZR MAXX is identical to the Motorola Droid RAZR released a few months earlier except for the MAXX’s super-capacity 3,300 mAh battery. It’s a tiny bit thicker and just over a half ounce heavier thanks to the bigger battery. It runs Android 2.3 on a 1.2GHz dual core TI processor with a gig of RAM and 16 gigs storage. Check out the full review in the read more link.

Pros

Motocast, Motoprint, Smart Actions
Great Battery Life
Exceptional build quality and design
Large and crisp display

Cons

Motorola Application Portfolio aka Motoblur
Camera quality
Application optimization

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EGEfBQXCIE