Of late, I’ve had the opportunity to add a few chapters to my continuing saga for the “perfect” gear bag (for me at least), the most recent being an evaluation of the Tom Bihn Cadet. Being mainly a messenger bag fan(atic), I’d been wondering if there was one out there that could supplant my venerable Timbuk2 Commute from its daily carry status. One bags that kept resurfacing in my searches was the Rickshaw Commuter 2.0 Laptop Bag. I had the chance to check one out, as well asa Rickshaw MacBook Pro Sleeve. Onward, Gadgeteers!
As I’ve described in previous reviews, I’ve been on a quest to find the perfect bag to haul my gear. What does “perfect” mean? It’s a bit of a moving target for me— a mix of style, organizational features and capacity that seems right for my needs and tastes. I’ve been partial to messenger style bags, with their cavernous interiors and buckle-down flaps. I can’t say that I’ve found the perfect bag for me yet, but my Timbuk 2 Commute comes pretty darn close. But I’m still open to trying out others!Rickshaw Bagworks, also known as Rickshaw Bags, also known as simply Rickshaw, is a small, urban San Fran-based company that is best known for producing bike messenger-style bags and backpacks, many of them custom made-to-order in their shop. Though they may not yet have the name recognition of some of the bigger boys, their product offering has grown steadily over the past several years.
Rickshaw’s Commuter product line of bags includes four versions: the Commuter 2.0 Laptop Bag (reviewed here), the Skinny Commuter 2.0 Laptop Bag, the Commuter 2.0 Backpack and the Skinny Commuter 2.0 Backpack. Reviews of the other Commuter 2.0 products may come another day, but for now we’ll focus on the Commuter 2.0 Laptop Bag. After selecting the version and materials, you can select from several stock color combinations for each material. Alternatively, you can also choose to customize your own Commuter 2.0 by selecting from a growing list of materials and colors, and your personally-designed bag will be hand-assembled to order in Rickshaw’s San Francisco shop.
Since, as the expression goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the customizability of the Commuter 2.0 means you can make it beautiful to your own liking. The front of the bag has one of features that is obiigatory of messenger-style bags, a large flap. For this particular bag, the flap was covered with Rickshaw’s Performance Tweed material in a reddish-pink color, with camouflage nylon binding along the flap’s edge and a red-lettered Rickshaw logo patch. Probably not the colors I would have selected, but I do like the Performance Tweed—it’s a different fabric from what you’ll find on most messengers.
Wednesday 29 February 2012
Monday 27 February 2012
Apple to Make Your Docking Accessories Obsolete
Back in May 2011, word came down that Apple (AAPL) would be finally joining the likes of Android (GOOG) and BlackBerry (RIMM) and offer over-the-air updates in iOS 5, thus negating the antiquated need to tether one's iPhone to their computer with a USB cable to upgrade their software. Much to our pleasure, Apple drove another nail into the cable's coffin with iCloud, allowing users to wirelessly stream and access files from one device to another, without the need of a cord. And then came a rumor from the Wall Street Journal that said Apple was developing "a new way of charging the phone." Although expectations naturally migrated to a wireless charging similar to HP's (HPQ) TouchPad station, anyone holding an iPhone 4S in their hand knows it still requires that damn proprietary cable to recharge the battery.
While it's fantastic Apple -- along with Google, RIM, and Microsoft (MSFT) -- are making headway in OTA updates, wireless syncing, and cloud technology, freeing us from cord inundation, we still need those blasted things to charge our devices. And unfortunately, with its proprietary dock connector standard, Apple is the odd man out -- a powerful one, at that -- from establishing a unified USB standard. Micro USB works with Motorola (MMI), Nokia (NOK), HTC, Samsung, HP, RIM, LG, almost every type of mobile device except those coming out of Cupertino -- which is sticking with its 30-pin dock connector.
Apple blog iMore reported that Apple may be ditching the 30-pin dock connector in its next generation of mobile devices in favor of... another standard incompatible to competitors.Silva Bamboo MacBook Pro Case: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Laptop.The chief reason, iMore explained, is to clear some room that the old dock connector took up inside the devices -- presumably to free up some space for larger batteries. (More validity for 4G networking, perhaps?)
iMore claimed Apple won't be choosing the ubiquitous Micro USB standard because it's too slow, even though USB 3.0 achieves data transfers up to 5Gbps -- far quicker than Apple's internal flash memory can process. And Apple's Thunderbolt -- which boasts speeds of 700MBps -- can't be implemented because iPhones and iPads don't operate the PCI Express architecture necessary to run that standard.But if data transfers and syncing are being shifted to the cloud, then speed shouldn't be the issue. Space is one thing, and there's something to do be said for improving upon design, but if most manufacturers can make do with Micro USB, what's the problem with going 3.0?
While it's fantastic Apple -- along with Google, RIM, and Microsoft (MSFT) -- are making headway in OTA updates, wireless syncing, and cloud technology, freeing us from cord inundation, we still need those blasted things to charge our devices. And unfortunately, with its proprietary dock connector standard, Apple is the odd man out -- a powerful one, at that -- from establishing a unified USB standard. Micro USB works with Motorola (MMI), Nokia (NOK), HTC, Samsung, HP, RIM, LG, almost every type of mobile device except those coming out of Cupertino -- which is sticking with its 30-pin dock connector.
Apple blog iMore reported that Apple may be ditching the 30-pin dock connector in its next generation of mobile devices in favor of... another standard incompatible to competitors.Silva Bamboo MacBook Pro Case: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Laptop.The chief reason, iMore explained, is to clear some room that the old dock connector took up inside the devices -- presumably to free up some space for larger batteries. (More validity for 4G networking, perhaps?)
iMore claimed Apple won't be choosing the ubiquitous Micro USB standard because it's too slow, even though USB 3.0 achieves data transfers up to 5Gbps -- far quicker than Apple's internal flash memory can process. And Apple's Thunderbolt -- which boasts speeds of 700MBps -- can't be implemented because iPhones and iPads don't operate the PCI Express architecture necessary to run that standard.But if data transfers and syncing are being shifted to the cloud, then speed shouldn't be the issue. Space is one thing, and there's something to do be said for improving upon design, but if most manufacturers can make do with Micro USB, what's the problem with going 3.0?
Wednesday 22 February 2012
Tablets Get In the Game at Toy Fair 2012
If the colorful iPad add-ons shown at Toy Fair 2012 were any indication, your well-worn work companion will never get a moment’s rest again. Game makers have surrendered: If they can’t beat the iPad, they can join it with nifty add-ons and just have some fun.For example, the $60 Game Changer for iPad from Identity Games (see photo above) uses an iPad as the centerpiece of a game board which changes as you place plastic game overlays on it. The board has 24 pressure points on either side of the iPad, which slides into a cradle in the center.The Game Changer works with free games that can be downloaded from the iTunes Store. Once installed, users place the appropriate overlays onto the Game Changer and slide the iPad, which provides the necessary power, into place. Included are two Scholastic games: The Magic School Bus and Animal Mania. More titles from Scholastic and other game publishers are expected soon.
Those old enough to have played Version One of classic Atari video games such as Asteroids, Centipede or Missile Command can share them with their children with Atari Arcade from Discovery Bay Games.The $60 shiny white iPad dock has a large old-style gaming joystick and four programmable buttons, a design which saves wear and tear on the iPad screen while providing a similar gaming experience to the big-box, coin-operated video games which graced pizza parlors and bowling alleys in the 1980s. Downloading the free Atari's Greatest Hits app from the iTunes Store provides access to up to 100 classic Atari games.
The United States Playing Card Co., which makes the familiar Bicycle-brand playing cards, showed off Jacked Up, a series of card games which put a high-tech twist on the classic games of War, Solitaire and Hearts. Some of the cards in the Jacked Up decks have QR codes which can be scanned by smartphones. The rules of the games change abruptly based on the instructions revealed when a QR code is scanned. Thus a losing hand can instantly turn into a strong one if the QR code changes the wild card while a game is in progress.The Jacked Up games require free iOS and Android apps. Aside from the cards themselves, each game comes with a small smartphone stand. Jacked Up games will launch in April, reach stores in June and will retail for about $8.Lexibook, a French company that aims to provide budget-priced Android devices for every age group, showed off a prototype of the Lexibook Laptab, a convertible Android laptop/tablet which it hopes to sell for about $150. A swiveling screen allows the lightweight Laptab it to be used as a standard Android OS 2.3 touchscreen tablet or as a netbook with a full-size keyboard and touchpad.
Those old enough to have played Version One of classic Atari video games such as Asteroids, Centipede or Missile Command can share them with their children with Atari Arcade from Discovery Bay Games.The $60 shiny white iPad dock has a large old-style gaming joystick and four programmable buttons, a design which saves wear and tear on the iPad screen while providing a similar gaming experience to the big-box, coin-operated video games which graced pizza parlors and bowling alleys in the 1980s. Downloading the free Atari's Greatest Hits app from the iTunes Store provides access to up to 100 classic Atari games.
The United States Playing Card Co., which makes the familiar Bicycle-brand playing cards, showed off Jacked Up, a series of card games which put a high-tech twist on the classic games of War, Solitaire and Hearts. Some of the cards in the Jacked Up decks have QR codes which can be scanned by smartphones. The rules of the games change abruptly based on the instructions revealed when a QR code is scanned. Thus a losing hand can instantly turn into a strong one if the QR code changes the wild card while a game is in progress.The Jacked Up games require free iOS and Android apps. Aside from the cards themselves, each game comes with a small smartphone stand. Jacked Up games will launch in April, reach stores in June and will retail for about $8.Lexibook, a French company that aims to provide budget-priced Android devices for every age group, showed off a prototype of the Lexibook Laptab, a convertible Android laptop/tablet which it hopes to sell for about $150. A swiveling screen allows the lightweight Laptab it to be used as a standard Android OS 2.3 touchscreen tablet or as a netbook with a full-size keyboard and touchpad.
Monday 20 February 2012
Silva Bamboo MacBook Pro Case: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Laptop
Bamboo has become a nice, sustainable alternative to modern-day plastics. These days you can even find it on some computer accessories like laptop and cell phone cases, keyboards and mice. Silva’s Bamboo MacBook Case is a nice option if you’re looking for a case for your MacBook Pro. The entire case is crafted out of a solid sheet of bamboo.The case features a hand-cut strap made from a full hide, which has been hand-burnished and oiled. The interior of the case is lined with soft wood felt. The bamboo has been hand-rubbed so its finish is as hard and as smooth as possible.Silva uses 100% solid Carmel bamboo that has been CNC machined and hand assembled. It’s definitely an attractive case, and since it’s made out of bamboo, it shouldn’t weigh too much.
While it may be natural and made from sustainable wood, it’s not cheap. The Silva MacBook Case for the MacBook Pro costs $179.99(USD) over on their website. It’s also available in an iPad 2 version for $129.99.The keyboard is held into the case with more magnets, and it can be lifted completely out of the case. You can use the keyboard up to 10 meters away from the iPad 2, or you can just take the keyboard out to lighten the load if you know you won’t be needing the keyboard for a while.
The keyboard is smaller than a standard keyboard. Most of the keys are where you’d expect them, but a couple are in unexpected places. The keys are low-profile and fit flush with the wrist rest. They are flat, with no dimple for your fingers to fit in.GBK Will Host Its Annual Celebrity Gift Lounge In Honor of the 2012 Academy Awards.The nubs on the home keys (f and j), are so small and flat as to be nearly useless to touch-typers. I couldn’t tell easily by touch when my hands were in the correct position. The smaller keyboard meant my wrists were more bent than normal, and I did have a bit of trouble typing on this small keyboard. That’s true of all these under-sized keyboard cases, though.The keys don’t click when depressed, but you can hear them as you type. Once your fingers get used to the size and placement, the keys operate well and quietly.
There are some iPad-specific keys that control media playback, volume, and screen brightness. Other keys perform edit functions: select, copy, cut, and paste. There’s also a home key, spotlight search key, and a lock (sleep) key. There’s even a key to launch a photo slideshow and one to bring up the on-screen keyboard when you’re in an app that can use the keyboard. These keys worked well for me.
While it may be natural and made from sustainable wood, it’s not cheap. The Silva MacBook Case for the MacBook Pro costs $179.99(USD) over on their website. It’s also available in an iPad 2 version for $129.99.The keyboard is held into the case with more magnets, and it can be lifted completely out of the case. You can use the keyboard up to 10 meters away from the iPad 2, or you can just take the keyboard out to lighten the load if you know you won’t be needing the keyboard for a while.
The keyboard is smaller than a standard keyboard. Most of the keys are where you’d expect them, but a couple are in unexpected places. The keys are low-profile and fit flush with the wrist rest. They are flat, with no dimple for your fingers to fit in.GBK Will Host Its Annual Celebrity Gift Lounge In Honor of the 2012 Academy Awards.The nubs on the home keys (f and j), are so small and flat as to be nearly useless to touch-typers. I couldn’t tell easily by touch when my hands were in the correct position. The smaller keyboard meant my wrists were more bent than normal, and I did have a bit of trouble typing on this small keyboard. That’s true of all these under-sized keyboard cases, though.The keys don’t click when depressed, but you can hear them as you type. Once your fingers get used to the size and placement, the keys operate well and quietly.
There are some iPad-specific keys that control media playback, volume, and screen brightness. Other keys perform edit functions: select, copy, cut, and paste. There’s also a home key, spotlight search key, and a lock (sleep) key. There’s even a key to launch a photo slideshow and one to bring up the on-screen keyboard when you’re in an app that can use the keyboard. These keys worked well for me.
Wednesday 15 February 2012
GBK Will Host Its Annual Celebrity Gift Lounge In Honor of the 2012 Academy Awards
This Season's GBKs Event will Benefit Diverse Charitable Cases , the luxury lifestyle gift lounge and special events company, will honor the 2012 Academy Awards Nominees and Presenters with its Annual Gift Lounge on February 24th and 25th. GBK will offer its exclusive list of invited celebrities, VIPs, and media an opportunity to enjoy an elite environment with gifts, diverse services and hors d'oerves while tending to its charitable causes.GBK, the luxury lifestyle gift lounge and special events company, will honor the 2012 Academy Awards Nominees and Presenters with its Annual Gift Lounge on February 24th and 25th. GBK will offer its exclusive list of invited celebrities, VIPs, and media an opportunity to enjoy an elite environment with gifts, diverse services and hors d'oerves while tending to its charitable causes.
Honored guests include Nominees and Presenters of the Academy Awards as well as notable Hollywood celebrities, prominent media outlets and select charities, which continue to be the anchor of GBK’s efforts and purpose. This year’s charities include:The Worldteam Foundation - Rick and Sue Clark started the Worldteam Foundation in 2006 to combat human trafficking, starting with Thailand and the United States; HollyRod Foundation - The HollyRod foundation is dedicated to providing compassionate cave to those living with autism and Parkinson’s disease; Drawing for Hope - "Pushing the limits of art, compassion, and healing." Drawing Hope International uses visual art to join thousands of sexual assault survivors from every state in the US and 150 other countries into a healing community which supports survivors to connect with their own strength, see their beauty and embrace their freedom and lastly; The Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation- The mission is to raise funds for research and awareness towards a cure for Juvenile diabetes.
One of GBK’s supporting initiatives this week included the purchase of laptop computers which are being donated to the HollyRod Foundation in the name of each nominee or presenter who attends the upcoming annual GBK celebrity lounge.Holly Robinson, Founder of HollyRod Foundation stated the following; "At HollyRod we have known for years that technology has literally given non-verbal children with autism the 'Gift of Voice'. Laptops, tablets along with revolutionary applications have made it possible for these children to communicate their feelings and needs like never before. Please give ‘The Gift of Voice’ to a child with autism today, compliments of GBK!"
Honored guests include Nominees and Presenters of the Academy Awards as well as notable Hollywood celebrities, prominent media outlets and select charities, which continue to be the anchor of GBK’s efforts and purpose. This year’s charities include:The Worldteam Foundation - Rick and Sue Clark started the Worldteam Foundation in 2006 to combat human trafficking, starting with Thailand and the United States; HollyRod Foundation - The HollyRod foundation is dedicated to providing compassionate cave to those living with autism and Parkinson’s disease; Drawing for Hope - "Pushing the limits of art, compassion, and healing." Drawing Hope International uses visual art to join thousands of sexual assault survivors from every state in the US and 150 other countries into a healing community which supports survivors to connect with their own strength, see their beauty and embrace their freedom and lastly; The Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation- The mission is to raise funds for research and awareness towards a cure for Juvenile diabetes.
One of GBK’s supporting initiatives this week included the purchase of laptop computers which are being donated to the HollyRod Foundation in the name of each nominee or presenter who attends the upcoming annual GBK celebrity lounge.Holly Robinson, Founder of HollyRod Foundation stated the following; "At HollyRod we have known for years that technology has literally given non-verbal children with autism the 'Gift of Voice'. Laptops, tablets along with revolutionary applications have made it possible for these children to communicate their feelings and needs like never before. Please give ‘The Gift of Voice’ to a child with autism today, compliments of GBK!"
Monday 13 February 2012
Best 5 laptop insurance websites of interest
Many of us would be lost without our laptops and some of us spend more money than we probably should on getting exactly the kit of our dreams. However when we’ve spent quite a bit on getting our new laptops it could be wise to pay a little extra for insurance, just in case anything goes wrong. We thought we’d round up 5 of the best laptop insurers that may interest our readers.First off there’s My Laptop Insurance where prices start from only ￡2.99 a month. Worldwide global cover includes theft, accidental damage and liquid damage. If you’ve purchased a laptop in the UK within the last six months you’re able to get cover and it’s also available for individual or business users.Would you want a smart house filled with touchscreen devices?For laptops worth up to ￡600 the cost is ￡2.99 monthly over the insurance period or for laptops worth up to ￡1200 the monthly rate is ￡5.24. At the moment there’s also a special offer giving you 25% off or 3 months free on ‘Pay Once’ policies.
You may want to take a look at Student Insurance Partners if you’re in the US and either a student, teacher or staff at K-12 schools. It can cover laptops that are personally owned or school issued for students, or laptops that are school issued for teachers or staff. All kinds of computers are covered by Student Insurance Partners including MacBooks, Tablets, Netbooks and more and cover includes accidental damage, liquid damage and drops, theft, fire, vandalism and even natural disasters. Check out the link above for the cost of insurance for your device.
Our next choice is JS Laptop Insurance where the price for covering your device begins at ￡30 per year. For that you’ll be covered for unlimited trips worldwide for theft, accidental damage and water damage and you’ll also receive free accessories cover up to ￡150. The company claims that under this cover they will replace your laptop within 72 hours of your claim, or send you a cheque. Most brands are covered including Dell, Samsung, Toshiba, Sony, Fujitsu and more. To find out the cost of insuring your device, use the laptop insurance calculator at the site link above. Simply enter your make, model and value to receive your quote.There’s also Protect Your Bubble with coverage for laptops and ultrabooks starting at ￡3.99 a month. You can insure any laptop that is less than 12 months old, up to a value of ￡2500 and cover includes theft, accidental and liquid damage and also mechanical breakdown after the expiration of the manufacturer’s warranty. Discounts are available for multi-gadget policies and if your laptop can be repaired it should be done within 5 days or if you need a replacement that should come in 48 hours. Again, you need to enter the details of the device that you want to insure to get a quote.
You may want to take a look at Student Insurance Partners if you’re in the US and either a student, teacher or staff at K-12 schools. It can cover laptops that are personally owned or school issued for students, or laptops that are school issued for teachers or staff. All kinds of computers are covered by Student Insurance Partners including MacBooks, Tablets, Netbooks and more and cover includes accidental damage, liquid damage and drops, theft, fire, vandalism and even natural disasters. Check out the link above for the cost of insurance for your device.
Our next choice is JS Laptop Insurance where the price for covering your device begins at ￡30 per year. For that you’ll be covered for unlimited trips worldwide for theft, accidental damage and water damage and you’ll also receive free accessories cover up to ￡150. The company claims that under this cover they will replace your laptop within 72 hours of your claim, or send you a cheque. Most brands are covered including Dell, Samsung, Toshiba, Sony, Fujitsu and more. To find out the cost of insuring your device, use the laptop insurance calculator at the site link above. Simply enter your make, model and value to receive your quote.There’s also Protect Your Bubble with coverage for laptops and ultrabooks starting at ￡3.99 a month. You can insure any laptop that is less than 12 months old, up to a value of ￡2500 and cover includes theft, accidental and liquid damage and also mechanical breakdown after the expiration of the manufacturer’s warranty. Discounts are available for multi-gadget policies and if your laptop can be repaired it should be done within 5 days or if you need a replacement that should come in 48 hours. Again, you need to enter the details of the device that you want to insure to get a quote.
Wednesday 8 February 2012
Would you want a smart house filled with touchscreen devices?
Over the years, the concept of a "smart house" hasn't been completely forgotten. But, while our smartphones and other gadgets have managed to get smarter each year, our houses have taken a backseat to the action. Sure, our appliances are certainly getting smarter and more advanced (and ridiculously expensive because of it), but the house itself seems to be keeping a steady pace in incremental updates. We see smart thermostats, and a few other "smart" pieces throughout a household, but for the most part if we want to make a house smart it needs an accessory of some kind.
Recently I saw a video from Corning called "A Day Made of Glass... Made possible by Corning." This video was about the future, but aiming for "not too far" into the future. It's a world that is filled with glass, and interactive glass to boot. It is a new and unique way to make a house "smart," but using the technology that we incorporate in our everyday lives in one way or another. Touchscreens aren't new, and they've managed to become far more advanced than some people ever imagined. If companies like Corning can figure out a way to make it a realistic proposition for most homes to have a glass touchscreen wall in their bedroom, then the future looks like a pretty bright place.
But, while Corning is adamant that their glass wall, and windows, and everything else displayed in the video are durable, I would have to imagine that most people would be pretty skeptical about incorporating so much glass into their home. And, let's face it, we all know this stuff is going to be expensive. So, putting that much touch-based glass, with smart technology encapsulated inside, just seems like it would be aiming to have a massive insurance policy in place.
It's the idea that has me captivated. If you aren't excited about the possibilities from this video, even if it is steeped in science-fiction at the moment, then I'm not sure what to tell you. A day made of glass is a great idea, and it's one that I would love to see utilized in our everyday world. And yes, I'm more than willing to wait for it. I've been waiting long enough, after all.What's captivating to me is that some of the technology shown in the video is technology we've seen recently, or even in the past. For example, they put the glass phone down on the counter top, and the countertop is aware of what's going on in the device. They take it a step further by removing the video image from the device and putting it "onto" the counter, but the same idea that we've seen in the past is right there. With Microsoft's Surface technology, a table can certainly be made aware of what is placed upon it, whether it's a credit card or phone.
Recently I saw a video from Corning called "A Day Made of Glass... Made possible by Corning." This video was about the future, but aiming for "not too far" into the future. It's a world that is filled with glass, and interactive glass to boot. It is a new and unique way to make a house "smart," but using the technology that we incorporate in our everyday lives in one way or another. Touchscreens aren't new, and they've managed to become far more advanced than some people ever imagined. If companies like Corning can figure out a way to make it a realistic proposition for most homes to have a glass touchscreen wall in their bedroom, then the future looks like a pretty bright place.
But, while Corning is adamant that their glass wall, and windows, and everything else displayed in the video are durable, I would have to imagine that most people would be pretty skeptical about incorporating so much glass into their home. And, let's face it, we all know this stuff is going to be expensive. So, putting that much touch-based glass, with smart technology encapsulated inside, just seems like it would be aiming to have a massive insurance policy in place.
It's the idea that has me captivated. If you aren't excited about the possibilities from this video, even if it is steeped in science-fiction at the moment, then I'm not sure what to tell you. A day made of glass is a great idea, and it's one that I would love to see utilized in our everyday world. And yes, I'm more than willing to wait for it. I've been waiting long enough, after all.What's captivating to me is that some of the technology shown in the video is technology we've seen recently, or even in the past. For example, they put the glass phone down on the counter top, and the countertop is aware of what's going on in the device. They take it a step further by removing the video image from the device and putting it "onto" the counter, but the same idea that we've seen in the past is right there. With Microsoft's Surface technology, a table can certainly be made aware of what is placed upon it, whether it's a credit card or phone.
Monday 6 February 2012
Some refurbished Motorola XOOM tablets not totally wiped, sold with old user data in tow
Did you buy a refurbished Motorola XOOM from Woot.com between late September and early December last year? Then you may want to check your inbox, as Woot has been sending emails out to buyers letting them know that a small batch of the XOOMs sold were not properly refurbished by Motorola. According to the official press release from Motorola, around 100 XOOMs of the total group of 6,200 may not have had all of the information related to the previous owner completely erased.
In response, Motorola's looking to make things up to both the refurb XOOM buyers as well as the people whose data may have not been properly erased. For the buyers, Moto is asking that you visit this site or give them a call to determine if your XOOM is indeed one of the affected devices.Ergonomic iPad Accessories to Save Your Neck.If it is, Motorola will pay to have the XOOM shipped to it to be erased and get it back to you in 3-4 business days, and the company will toss you a $100 American Express gift card for your trouble. And for the folks that originally bought a XOOM and then returned it? Motorola says it'll offer a free two-year membership to Experian’s ProtectMyID service to anyone that bought a XOOM and then returned it between March and October 2011 at a number of different retailers, including Amazon.com, Best Buy, BJ’s Wholesale, eBay, Office Max, Radio Shack, Sam’s Club, or Staples as well as a few other independent retailers.
It's always kind of a bummer to hear when folks' data could be at risk, but it's good to see Motorola and Woot working to get the situation fixed, especially with Moto offering gift cards and identity protection service to those affected. If you think this situation might concern you, or you just want to read into it a little further, you can find Motorola's full press release down below.The information that may be accessible to the purchasers of the impacted refurbished tablets may include any information that the original user elected to store on the tablet. It is possible that users might have stored photographs and documents. They may have also stored user names and passwords for email and social media accounts, as well as other password-protected sites and applications.
The affected tablets were resold by Woot.com between October and December 2011. While this matter likely affects only a small number of refurbished units, Motorola has a strong commitment to its consumers, and is proactively responding to mitigate any risk to its customers. Motorola has confirmed that any refurbished units sold outside the time period in question were properly refurbished.
In response, Motorola's looking to make things up to both the refurb XOOM buyers as well as the people whose data may have not been properly erased. For the buyers, Moto is asking that you visit this site or give them a call to determine if your XOOM is indeed one of the affected devices.Ergonomic iPad Accessories to Save Your Neck.If it is, Motorola will pay to have the XOOM shipped to it to be erased and get it back to you in 3-4 business days, and the company will toss you a $100 American Express gift card for your trouble. And for the folks that originally bought a XOOM and then returned it? Motorola says it'll offer a free two-year membership to Experian’s ProtectMyID service to anyone that bought a XOOM and then returned it between March and October 2011 at a number of different retailers, including Amazon.com, Best Buy, BJ’s Wholesale, eBay, Office Max, Radio Shack, Sam’s Club, or Staples as well as a few other independent retailers.
It's always kind of a bummer to hear when folks' data could be at risk, but it's good to see Motorola and Woot working to get the situation fixed, especially with Moto offering gift cards and identity protection service to those affected. If you think this situation might concern you, or you just want to read into it a little further, you can find Motorola's full press release down below.The information that may be accessible to the purchasers of the impacted refurbished tablets may include any information that the original user elected to store on the tablet. It is possible that users might have stored photographs and documents. They may have also stored user names and passwords for email and social media accounts, as well as other password-protected sites and applications.
The affected tablets were resold by Woot.com between October and December 2011. While this matter likely affects only a small number of refurbished units, Motorola has a strong commitment to its consumers, and is proactively responding to mitigate any risk to its customers. Motorola has confirmed that any refurbished units sold outside the time period in question were properly refurbished.
Wednesday 1 February 2012
Ergonomic iPad Accessories to Save Your Neck
Recently, a Harvard study revealed that tablet users are more likely to experience a a strain on their shoulders, necks and backs–even more so than laptop and PC users. Thus, the slightly ridiculous-sounding neologisms “iPad Shoulder” and “iPad Neck” were coined to describe the condition. But while the terminology initially sounds bizarre, these ailments are actually real.According to the study, the worst way to use your iPad is on your lap, which causes you to hunch over and place more stress than usual on your neck and shoulders. This inevitably leads to soreness and the possibility of messing up your posture. To help you avoid Android Neck, we’ve rounded up seven ergonomic accessories for the iPad.The Joby GorillaMobile Ori is nice because it's not your typical, triangle-folding iPad buttress. It lets you prop up your tablet to an ergonomic height and offers highly adjustable viewing angles. A painless rotate option lets you swivel quickly between portrait and landscape orientation, and the folio case also makes use of the iPad 2's auto-wake magnets.
Leading electronics travel retailer Capi has entered into an exclusive partnership with Hugo Boss to sell the brand’s mobile accessories for smart phones and tablet computers at Capi’s stores in European airports.Fashion and lifestyle brand Hugo Boss developed a range of accessories for smart phones and tablet computers, noting that users wanted to protect and individualise their devices. The range went on sale through Capi this month. The results to date have “exceeded expectations”, claimed Capi and Hugo Boss.
“We have chosen Capi as our exclusive partner because Capi’s distinctive store concept is a great platform to showcase our products to an international audience,” said Frank Hackmann, European director of STRAX, distributor of Hugo Boss. “Smartphones and tablet computers have become status symbols. Protection for these products must be both functional and fashionable. We created a luxury line of protective cases and bags that match the well-known style and image of Hugo Boss. Normally we sell these products through our own channels so when it came to airport retail, where we reach an important segment of our target audience, we wanted a partner with a comparable appearance. We have found this in Capi.”
Leading electronics travel retailer Capi has entered into an exclusive partnership with Hugo Boss to sell the brand’s mobile accessories for smart phones and tablet computers at Capi’s stores in European airports.Fashion and lifestyle brand Hugo Boss developed a range of accessories for smart phones and tablet computers, noting that users wanted to protect and individualise their devices. The range went on sale through Capi this month. The results to date have “exceeded expectations”, claimed Capi and Hugo Boss.
“We have chosen Capi as our exclusive partner because Capi’s distinctive store concept is a great platform to showcase our products to an international audience,” said Frank Hackmann, European director of STRAX, distributor of Hugo Boss. “Smartphones and tablet computers have become status symbols. Protection for these products must be both functional and fashionable. We created a luxury line of protective cases and bags that match the well-known style and image of Hugo Boss. Normally we sell these products through our own channels so when it came to airport retail, where we reach an important segment of our target audience, we wanted a partner with a comparable appearance. We have found this in Capi.”
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