iPad accessories | ariane c design

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Mar6

ZAGG Sparq6000 Dual USB Charger

Posted in: Electronic Accessories, Gadgets, Product Reviews, Technology, Vancouver

I was on the hunt for a universal USB charger that would work with all my devices, to charge on the go as well as having an extra charge supply on hand. The ZAGG Sparq6000 will hold four charges when its battery is at 100%.

The ZAGG Sparq6000 is part of a series of three USB chargers that differ in size, amount of charges they’ll hold, and price. The 1220 holds one charge, the 3100, two charges, and the 6000 can keep four charges on its two-USB port device.

All three Sparqs: 1220, 3100, and 6000 are named for their capacity. The 6000 ($99.99) has 6000 mAh and up to 2.1A at 5 volts. The other two, while smaller and with one USB port, each carry less charges, but are slightly smaller and are priced at $39.99 and $69.99 respectively.

The Sparq charges smartphones and tablets four times faster than a standard USB charger, and in the case of the 6000, can charge more than one USB device at a time.
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Feb25

ZAGG Gadget Pack Giveaway

Posted in: Contests, Gadgets, Vancouver

Looking for a spiffy new case for your iPhone 5? A Bluetooth keyboard case to take on the road with your iPad? A handy stylus to keep your screen fingerprint-free?

I’ve teamed up with ZAGG to give one lucky gadget-loving reader a prize pack valued at $180. The package consists of an Ultra Lean Deluxe iPhone 5 case in black, a stylus pen (with refillable ink cartridge) in black, and a silver PROplus illuminated iPad keyboard case.

The sleek Ultra Lean Deluxe is made from a thin polycarbonate shell, with a soft touch finish and access to all ports, inputs, and sensors.

The stylus pen has a handy ball point pen combined with a touch stylus. It works with the Kindle Fire, iPad, iPad Mini, and other touch screens.

ZAGG’s PROplus keyboard case features Bluetooth 3.0 pairing, and is compatible with the iPad 2, 3, and 4. The backlit keyboard can be customized with seven different colours.

The integrated stand keeps your iPad at the perfect viewing angle, in either landscape or portrait orientation. The rechargeable built-in keyboard battery will last months between charges. Auto on/off magnet feature enables quick start up and shut down. A cable is included in the box.

So how do you win all of these fine gadgets? Simple. Follow both @ZAGGdaily and @arianecdesign and either:

1) Leave a comment mentioning your favourite/handiest gadget

2) RT the following: I’ve entered to win a gadget prize pack from @ZAGGdaily and @arianecdesign http://ow.ly/hWn8p

I’ll draw a winner at random on Wednesday, March 13 at 2 pm.

Congrats to @DimitryMorales on Twitter for winning the prize pack today!

The winner must be able to meet me in Vancouver to claim the prize pack.
Dec11

Logitech’s Ultrathin Keyboard Cover

Posted in: Gadgets, Product Reviews, Technology

Perhaps you’ve got an iPad on your holiday wish list. Maybe like me, you’ve owned one for awhile and have a need for typing on the road (without the virtual keyboard). Either way, I decided it was time to check out an integrated keyboard cover and case.

Through research (and looking for the nicely-designed ones), I came across Logitech’s Ultrathin Keyboard Cover in white. And while this product’s been on the market for awhile now, it’s been recently launched in white – and even more recently, in red. As well, I wanted to wait for the latest unveiling in the iPad series to make sure that any case I’d be reviewing would fit the most current iPad on the market.
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May8

Wacom’s Bamboo Stylus Duo for iPad

Posted in: Gadgets, Product Reviews, Technology

Wacom, pioneers in the digital tablet market (and recent interactive displays) for creatives, also carries a range of Bamboo tablets and stylus pens for the iPad. There’s two stylus versions available: the Solo and the Duo. The $10 price difference between the two includes the Duo’s additional built-in ink tip on the opposite end of the stylus. I was sent the Stylus Duo for review (currently only available in black).

As a comparison point, the Solo is only slightly longer at 120 mm than Griffin’s stylus at 110 mm. The Duo is 131 mm (I chose not to include a photo with the Griffin, as I’m only comparing the Solo’s length with their model).

From a design perspective, the Bamboo is both sleek and modern, with a minimalistic thin Bamboo logo emblazoned on the pen cap. The tip is more pointed than others I’ve seen, and on the iPad, very responsive to movement. The cap can be placed on either end depending on your needs. The ink is black (my personal preference over blue), with a fine point.

It would be great to see the Duo offered in a few colours, perhaps in a more refined colour palette than the Solo’s current range.

Overall, I preferred this slightly longer stylus for added control when using the iPad. The stylus also responds well to pressure, perfect for drawing and adding textured lines to your work. It’s also easy to jot down notes using SketchPad Pro HD.

Speaking of sketch apps, I’ve also been playing with the Bamboo Paper iPad app (free limited version; $1.99 full version includes 20 notebooks as well as cloud archiving and notebook sharing). The app’s a fun way to create journals with doodles, photos (from your iPad’s camera rolls), and text.

I’m not sure what the full version offers in the way of colour choices, however the free app has a limited range of brush and pen colours to choose from. Wacom is also working on a future version of the app for Android devices.

The Stylus Duo weighs 20 grams and its nibs are both replaceable and compatible with the Bamboo Stylus solo (the version without a built-in pen).

The Bamboo Stylus Duo retails for US $39.95. London Drugs sells the Solo for $29.99, as does Staples. In Canada, the Stylus Duo is available online; local retailers will be added in the near future.

Disclosure note: I was sent the Bamboo Stylus Duo for the purpose of writing this review: cmply.2

May1

PixelSkin HD Wrap for iPad3

Posted in: Product Reviews, Technology

Speck has recently launched their PixelSkin HD Wrap for the 3rd generation iPad. This case follows the same design as the rest of the PixelSkin series. Speck offers two PixelSkin patterns: the HD pattern as well as the iPhone4/4S and iPod Touch “low res” version, incorporating a larger pixel pattern.

The PixelSkin HD Wrap has a semi-flexible shell with four sturdy panels that bend both ways.

The headphone, rear camera, side switch, speaker, and dock connector are all precisely cut and are well protected by the beveled edges. However, the sleep/wake button and volume buttons are fully covered. I tested both sets of buttons and discovered no decrease in their functionality by their being covered.

The back of the PixelSkin HD Wrap is soft and pliable with a glossy finish, coupled with a matte grid pattern for both style and feel.

The raised Speck logo is centered vertically along the middle. The photo below depicts the Peacock Blue colour most accurately.

The front of the case matches the back, with a hard plastic clip to both secure and put the iPad to sleep.

I’d read several online reviews mentioning occasional failure for the iPad to wake up (or go to sleep) with this case, but I’ve been testing this all afternoon and so far, it does what it’s cut out to do. As long as the clasp is clicked into place, the iPad3 will sleep; when unclasped, it awakens.

This feature can definitely make or break a case, as the last thing an iPad owner would want is the battery to be drained by a malfunctioning case.

The next important PixelSkin HD Wrap feature is the viewing and typing angles offered. I tried my iPad with both, on a solid surface.

Both work fine, but once off a tabletop or other sturdy surface, the panels have a tendency to unravel.

Pros
Magnetic sleep/awake feature
Protective case with beveled edges and well-designed iPad port cut-outs
Available in pretty colours as well as in black
Beautiful design carried across several Speck electronic accessory case lines

Cons
Viewing stand (high position) tugs on case if not properly fitted and falls off if moved too much
Both viewing and typing angles work better on a stable surface
Would be more convenient if both viewing angles could be used without unfolding panels first (e.g. Apple’s Smart Cover)

The PixelSkin HD Wrap retails for US $49.95 and is available in Cobalt, Pomodoro, Peacock, Bubblegum, Grape, and Black. I also found the case at Amazon Canada that includes the free Super Saver shipping option.

Disclosure note: I was sent the PixelSkin HD Wrap for the purpose of writing this review: cmply.2

Apr12

jill-e Everywear Gadget Bag + Promo

Posted in: Bags, Fashion, Gadgets, Product Reviews

As gadgets keep churning out of the tech world, so do bags that can carry them all securely and comfortably. Case in point, jill-e’s Everywear Gadget Bag. I was just sent the black version (also available in Nougat) for review.

Part of their Classic Collection line, the Everywear Gadget Bag is small yet fits a variety of gadgets for women on the go.

DSLR and lens compartments, a padded, removable iPad/digital e-reader sleeve, point and shoot cameras, cables, smart phones, everything and anything can pretty much fit inside.

I tested it with a DSLR, 18-200mm zoom lens, Nikon Speedlight SB-700, and the new iPad. All fit well with room to spare.

The two front outer pockets snap shut and can hold smart phones, point and shoot cameras, chargers, etc. There’s an external zippered pocket in back for more notes, an MP3 player, etc.

There’s also an interior organizer that will fit pens, digital stylus, keys, business cards, credit cards, a notepad, etc. This is something I look for in all my bags, as it’s the only way I can keep track of certain items such as a bus pass, pens, receipts and business cards!

The leather handles have a 9.5″ drop and can be worn over the shoulder as well as hand-carried. I love the compact size and the fact that I can go out without looking like the photographer in the room.

The exterior is made with weather-resistant nylon and top quality leather trim (handles, zipper pulls, both front pocket flaps). The bottom contains four tiny metal feet to protect the surface.

Pros
Great for carrying a number of electronic items as well as personal items
Doesn’t look like a conventional camera bag
Padded, removable iPad/digital reader case
Weighs only 1.5 lbs (.68 kg)
Modern compact design

Cons
I couldn’t find any, but it would be great to see this offered in a few more colours

The Everywear Gadget Bag’s Dimensions
12″ (30.48 cm) L x 7″ (17.78 cm) W x 10″ (25.40 cm) H

As a promotional tie-in with jill-e, I’m offering my readers a 20% coupon code on the Everywear Gadget Bag. All you have to do is 1) “Like” their Facebook page, 2) mention this review in a comment on the jill-e Facebook page, and 3) send an email to info [at] jill-e [dot] com.

Jill-e will then send you a coupon code for the Everywear Gadget Bag via email, to use on their website.

The jill-e Everywear Gadget Bag retails for US $99.99 and is available online. Standard shipping service to BC will cost US $24.50.

Disclosure note: I was sent the Everywear Gadget Bag for the purpose of writing this review as well as the Facebook partnership promotion: cmply.2

Apr3

Griffin Stylus for Touchscreens

Posted in: Gadgets, Product Reviews, Technology

With both Sketchpad Pro HD and Autodesk’s SketchBook Pro installed on my new iPad3, it was time to test drive a stylus. Griffin sent me a stylus in Poppy to check out, along with an IntelliCase.

I realize that Steve Jobs was opposed to a stylus being married to any Apple digital tablet, however I view sketching apps as the exception.

The Griffin stylus is meant for both left and right handed writers and artists. As a southpaw, the stylus felt very comfortable in my left hand as I proceeded to work within both sketch apps.

I haven’t worked with photography or game apps yet, but the stylus is ideal for any situation that requires more precision and control than your finger. It can be used on any iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, or onscreen device.

The stylus also comes in a range of bright and fun colours: White, Desert Pink, Blazin’ Yellow, Pool Blue, Leaf, Poppy, Peacock, Violet, and Black.

The stylus and its soft rubber tip are solidly constructed, with an integrated clip for attaching it to a bag pocket’s pencil loop, which many laptop and accessory bags currently have.

Would it benefit from a cover or small sleeve to carry it around? I will have to take it out and see how well it wears in order to know the answer to that one. For now, it’s a small, easily portable stylus that will be great for what I got it for: sketching and taking notes.

Griffin’s stylus retails for US $19.99.

Disclosure note: I was sent the Griffin stylus for the purpose of writing this review: cmply.2

Apr2

Griffin IntelliCase for iPad3

Posted in: Product Reviews, Technology

While waiting for the delivery of my new iPad3, I hunted around for new cases both online and at shops around Vancouver. I was looking for something that would incorporate Apple’s smart cover concept as well as functional protection for the back.

It was tough finding a case that had both, until I remembered how well-designed the Griffin Outfit Ice for the iPhone4 is, with its two-part case construction.

I reviewed the Outfit Ice awhile back and decided that the IntelliCase would be worth a closer look. Last week, Griffin Technology sent me a red model for review.

The IntelliCase is designed for both the new iPad and the iPad2. The case can be positioned for typing at a slightly elevated height as well as for viewing content in the upright position. In other words, it’s got the same two positions going for it as with the smart cover.

The nice thing about this case though is that both come in one package, avoiding the need to purchase and match a smart cover to a separate case back.

As with the similarly-designed smart cover, the flexible thermoplastic polyurethane (aka TPU) cover wakes up the iPad from sleep mode when you open the two-fold front panel.

The back is made of polycarbonate and has sturdy snaps to keep it in place. I had no difficulty taking the iPad out of this case either. The back also contains a built-in lip used to tuck the front of the case into.

I tested the IntelliCase in the lower angle and found it sturdy enough to type using Apple’s touch keyboard.

Pros
Integrated front and back system for complete protection of the new iPad or iPad2
Sturdy construction
Ease of use in setting up for both positions

Cons
I would love to see the IntelliCase offered in a wider/more interesting range of colours to match their stylus collection.

The IntelliCase retails for US $59.99 and is available in pink, dark red, peacock (dark green), midnight (deep blue), black, and white. It’s available in Canada via Best Buy at CDN $49.99.

Disclosure note: I was sent the IntelliCase for the purpose of writing this review: cmply.2

Feb15

Speck’s DustJacket for iPad

Posted in: Gadgets, Product Reviews

My husband had picked up an iPad just before the holidays. My thought/secret wish was that he’d spend a few months with it and (as in the case of *some* things around here), grow bored and it would wind up in my hands. That scenario never played out! He took to it about as hungrily as I did to my iPhone 4 on its release day. I’ve been relegated to playing the occasional game on it. I figured I could spend my time more productively by finding a case instead.

Cases seem to break down into one of three design categories: Sleeve, fitted case, or folded case. While Apple’s simple iPad Case offers a compact, simple form of protection for the iPad, my husband owned one for a while and found it flimsy and its surface easily marked with fingerprints (much like handling the iPad itself, ironically enough).

One thing that the Apple case does offer is the ability to use the iPad as a stand for typing or viewing videos. The goal of finding a case that combines quality, good design, and durability wasn’t going to be an easy one.

Until that is, I came across Speck’s DustJacket for iPad. The red version had been out of stock for awhile, but it’s now back and available online. The other colour choice is black leatherette.
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