The Week in iOS Accessories: Now hear this

There are always more ways to listen to music on your iPhone or iPad. This week's roundup of recently announced iOS accessories includes a few. Here's what's new this week.
Adonit: Maybe you need a pen for some situations and a capacitative stylus for others. Adont's $40 Jot Flip can help you out. On one end it's a refillable pen; on the other is a touchscreen stylus with a precision disk for detailed drawing and writing on your iPad or iPhone. Twist the barrel to open it up and replace the ink cartridge; a clip helps ensure the Flip never gets lost.
G-Project: We all love to take our music poolside, but getting our electronics wet isn't exactly desirable. One option is the $69 G-Go series of water-resistant Bluetooth speakers, which lets you play music wirelessly from your iPhone, iPad, or other Bluetooth device.Online shopping will let you Choose the Best Computer Accessories.Each 10-inch-tall speaker runs eight hours on four AA batteries and is designed to withstand big splashes from all angles—though not, the manufacturer says, for prolonged exposure to or submersion under water. The speakers come in three colors—black, white, or metallic blue—and are available at Target.
Griffin Technology: Seems like hardly a week goes by these days that there's not a new iOS-controlled helicopter on the market. The $60 Helo TC Assault Touch is a bit different—it's weaponized. It comes with twin missile launchers and six Redeye missiles, which you can fire while flying the craft using an app on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. We don't believe that actual explosions occur with this device, but you nevertheless might want to play Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries" while flying.
Logitech: The new $400 Logitech UE Air Speaker is designed specifically to take advantage of Apple's AirPlay technology, letting you stream music wirelessly from your iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, or Mac, using Logitech's free music app to remotely control the tunes. (You can also use any AirPlay-enabled app, or iTunes.) The speaker also includes an Apple dock connector so you can charge your iPhone or iPod device while playing music. The UE Air Speaker goes on sale in April.
Native Union: If you find your phone, tablet, or laptop an occasionally unwieldy device for making phone calls, Native Union wants you to check out its $60 Curve Twin phone. You can plug any of these devices (or both your iPhone and iPad at the same time) in to make cellular or VoIP calls while relaxing with an old-fashioned handset wired into the base. Unlike many devices of this sort, the Curve Twin isn't being pitched as retro fun—instead, Native Union suggests its product will greatly reduce "absorbed cell phone radiation."

Online shopping will let you Choose the Best Computer Accessories

While buying a desktop computer, you take the brand seriously and consider buying a well known and accepted brand. Isn't it so? But what about the time when you are about to buy one of those computer accessories? You just go on buying anything that serve the purpose as you don't want to waste time selecting the best. The process of buying accessories for your computer should be given due importance. With the emerging new-age online shopping trend, you can select the best computer accessories at reasonable prices and that too in shortest possible time.
A computer accessory is referred to as a device, which is attached to a computer but is not a part of it. A computer has to be equipped with all the necessary accessories in order to carry out tasks in a resourceful way. Some of the important and ever-in-demand accessories for computers are the speakers, cleaning, repair kits etc, webcam, microphones, gaming equipments, printers, scanners, network accessories ,headsets cases, covers, portable storage devices, UPS, surge protector, CD and DVD recordable drives.
Before buying computer accessories there are a lot of factors you need to consider other than just a price. When you buy computer accessories you should mull over your needs, computer compatibility and the fast processing of your system. With the range of computer accessories available in the market today you should be aware of all the tips required to pick the best computer accessories.If music is important to you, one of the important accessories would be speakers. It is significant to make right choice among speakers. The one, which produce high-quality sound are considered the best one. If in any case you lack space for speakers the accessory that you can give importance to is headsets with built-in microphones. There are two types of headsets the analog and USB headsets. Analog headsets require a sound card where as USB headsets on the other hand don't require a sound card as all you need is a USB hub.
USB is also one of the vital accessories for a PC. Before buying one, consider speed of the USB. The speed of USB is up to 2.0, which is the highest and if you are planning to purchase it, make sure your PC can support high-speed USB. In order to avoid any data loss due to blackouts a battery backup is required. Purchasing an UPS system is a wise deal as it gives battery back-up that keeps your system running in the event of power disturbances. You can also buy pen drive that is another important accessory for computer. With the help of it you can easily transfer the data from one PC to another as it has a large storage capacity.

Wrapsol New iPad Screen Protector Review: Easy to Apply, No Bubbles Within a Day

Wrapsol claims to make the "easiest to apply and strongest protective film technology for mobile devices." The claim that got my attention was this one. Their protector "…actively releases air bubbles." I hate screen protectors because it's impossible to apply one without getting bubbles and fingerprints under the protector. This ruins the experience.Wrapsol sent me a screen protector and grip pad for my new iPad and call me impressed. I can confirm the "easiest to apply" claim. The protective film went on my new iPad screen with little difficulty.Wrapsol promises that your screen protector may have bubbles when you first apply it, but within 24 hours they will go away thanks to a special design that releases the air through the film. That's what I wanted to test!
If you've done this once, you know how it works. You normally have to remove a protective sheet from one side of the screen protector.Utah companies update products for new iPad.The adhesive makes it hard to deal with a large sheet the size of an iPad screen, so you only take a corner or edge off and apply that corner or edge to the screen. Then you pull the plastic sheet away from the screen protector as you squeegee the protective film to the screen to push out all the bubbles, hopefully. You have to keep pulling the screen protector up and reapply it due to those frustrating bubbles. This usually leads to fingerprints that you can't get off the adhesive.
The whole process is annoying and I'm not patient enough to get it right so I don't bother. I hate all screen protectors. You usually have a ton of air bubbles unless you're really careful. You also usually have a ton of fingerprints. Your device's screen will look terrible and embarrassing.The Wrapsol protector doesn't require the same methodical approach. Remove the backing and throw it away. Apply the thick polyurethane Wrapsol screen protector to the long edge of your iPad first. Once it looks straight, you just flatten it onto the iPad screen. Now use the included thick piece of white cardboard to squeegee the bubbles out as best you can. Doing it this way leaves some bubbles trapped under the film.See the second image below and you'll notice a few. I was worried. They were all over my iPad screen.Before applying the screen protector, I didn't wash my hands first or wear special gloves like some screen protectors require. Still I didn't get a lot of finger prints under the film.I used my iPad during the day, certain I'd be writing that the company over-promised and under-delivered. After an hour I forgot about the film and just used my iPad.I applied the film about 10:00 am and by 6:00 pm most of the bubbles were gone. After about 26 hours I can't see a single bubble. Incredible!

Utah companies update products for new iPad

A new year and a new iPad also means new accessories for the popular Apple tablet, and Utah companies already have existing products updated specifically for it.Salt Lake County-based ZAGG, one of the largest manufacturers of accessories for mobile devices is now selling versions of its popular invisibleSHIELD screen protector for the new iPad.The plastic sheet, which protects devices from scratches, is available for just the screen ($29.99) or for the entire body ($39.99).
ZAGG also has updated its ZAGGfolio for the new iPad, a combination case and portable wireless keyboard that when folded turns the tablet into a functioning computer.The case, which sells for $100, comes in seven different colors in polyurethane and and three colors in leather. The company also sells the wireless keyboard separately for $69.99.Logan-based iFrogz, another accessory maker, now has new iPad versions of its own screen protector as well as two of its cases. The Neofirm Burst ($24.99) is a foam-backed case while the Summit ($59.99) if a folio-styled case that includes a business card holder and a loop for a stylus.
Accessories aren't the only updates made for the new Apple tablet. Salt Lake City-based Chair Entertainment, which makes one of the most popular games for the iPhone, iPod and iPad called "Infinity Blade 2," has now put out a free patch to their sword-and-sorcery game that takes advantage of the new iPad's processing power and high-resolution screen. The upgrade is available through the iTunes App Store.The new update includes high-res textures that produce more detail in the game. The action-based game pits the player against a number of monsters and involves swiping the screen with your finger to swing your sword and cast spells.
Several of M-Edge's bestselling products are offered in bold neon colors for Spring 2012. The Trip Jacket for the new iPad incorporates a variety of bright twill exteriors and contrasting neon elastic closure straps.  Color ways include orange/aqua, black /lime green, gray/neon yellow, and pomegranate/cobalt blue.  The Trip Jacket combines fashion and function with multiple stand positions in both landscape and portrait modes via M-Edge's versatile new uView Mounting System (patent pending).M-Edge is also adding six seasonal colors to their popular iPhone skin, the Alter Ego.  New bright hues include tangerine, lemon, teal, purple, cobalt, and fuchsia.  Existing colors currently include pastels like Mint and Sherbet, with some glow-in-the-dark colors.

With many of these products, the case held the new iPad just fine

Where it starts to get dicey is with form-fitting accessories that were designed to fit the iPad 2 precisely. We've tested dozens of form-fitting iPad 2 cases, keyboard cases, stands, and mounts today, and a few didn't accomodate the new iPad at all, while others worked but didn't fit quite right.We encountered frequent fit problems with folio-style cases. With many of these products, the case held the new iPad just fine, but the case's openings for accessing the iPad's controls, cameras, and ports didn't line up perfectly. And on a few others, the front cover wouldn't properly activate the iPad's magnetic sleep/wake feature. The reason here is that these cases require you to slide the iPad into the side of a leather, rubber, or fabric frame, and the new iPad's extra thickness often kept it from sliding all the way in.iPod Nano Accessory Review: iWatchz Timepiece Collection .The result is that the iPad didn't quite line up with cutouts for the camera, side switch, buttons, or ports, or the cover didn't close properly. If you've got an ill-fitting folio case, it will likely suffice until you can get one that fits better, but it's not a great option.
Similarly, most the book-binding-style cases we tested, such as those from Portenzo, Dodocase, and Pad & Quill, had fit problems. These cases are made with internal wood or plastic frames that grip the corners of the iPad with precision, and those corner grips just can't get all the way around the new, thicker iPad. If you're interested in this type of case, you'll want to wait for a version made specifically for the new iPad—all three companies, as well as a number of other vendors of this type of case, have announced such models. (One exception here was Xhibt's iPad 2 Flip Case, which fit fine.)
On the other hand, we expected to have problems with shells and skins, which tend to be form-fitting, but many of the ones we tested—especially those made of silicone or other materials that stretch a little—fit the new iPad well. For example, iLuv's Flex-Gel Case fit the iPad 2 like a glove, but it's just flexible enough that it also works with the new iPad, if a bit tighter. For some others, such as Speck's rigid Smart Shell for iPad 2, the case fit, but once it wrapped around all of the new iPad's edges, it was obvious the case was made for something slightly thinner—there were a few gaps between the iPad's body and the case where the case was being stretched a bit too much. In general, the shells that didn't fit tended to be those made of especially rigid material, those that barely extended around the sides of the iPad, and, of course, those that had little to no wiggle room with the iPad 2—these often couldn't firmly attach to the new iPad.

PlayBook Accessory To Turn Tablet Into Laptop

Canadian manufacturer Research In Motion have announced a new accessory for their BlackBerry PlayBook tablet which provides a touch pad and physical keyboard for the device, and a case into which the tablet and accessory can be snapped to simulate the basic form factor of a laptop. The touch pad can presumably be used just like a regular laptop's cursor in the same way as the "remote control" function in BlackBerry Bridge.
While keyboard and mouse accessories for the PlayBook already exist, this is the first official one from RIM themselves, likely intended to highlight the viability of the PlayBook as a productivity device. The company are currently making a second marketing push for the tablet following the release of the PlayBook OS 2.0 software update on February 21st, which brought with it a number of long-anticipated upgrades and features.The "BlackBerry PlayBook Bluetooth Keyboard and Case", as it is being referred to, will become available exclusively from Canadian retailer The Source from March 23rd for $99 CAD (roughly ￡64 GBP). Its retail availability in Europe is currently unclear. The ipad screen protector is your iPad’s best friend. If you are looking for the ultimate iPad screen protector, then the iPad screen protector would be it. This kind of screen protector will fit your iPad to a T because it is custom designed for iPad and iPad alone. If you own an expensive device such as the iPad, then you will need a screen protector that is also made from the best materials. A quality protection is what you and your iPad deserve.
The iPad screen protector is easy to attach and detach without causing any dent or scratches to your iPad. These screen protectors are known for their durability and for their slim screen. An iPad is an expensive device and not all people have the luxury to have one. If you are one of the lucky few, you better take good care of your iPad by using screen protectors.The PhoneSuit Elite may not be the thinnest iPhone case, but it matches the longest battery life of any case we've tested, and does so in a relatively slim and classy package. The makers of the PhoneSuit Elite also included a thoughtful replacement for the top part of the case and some screen protectors in the package. The Juice Pack Plus is a solid case, with great battery life, but the PhoneSuit Elite delivers equal battery life, a more compact design, and costs $20 less, making it the better option and our new Editors' Choice for iPhone battery cases.

iPod Nano Accessory Review: iWatchz Timepiece Collection

This is the typical introduction to a conversation that I have been having with many friends, students, and strangers over the past week as I have been trying out the dark brown leather wristband from iWatchz. I must say that I have gotten even more glances, questions, and compliments with this band than any other watch I have worn (granted, I wasn't wrapping Movados around my wrist). Still, it is worth noting that the iPod Nano watch accessory market is alive and active, and iWatchz has created several product lines to appeal to nearly anyone's diverse tastes. Read on for more thoughts about a sample from their Timepiece Collection.
Similar to the HEX Vision that I reviewed recently, the outer packaging was sleek and minimalist, keeping up with high tech trendy items. Other than a nice presentation box, there were no additional papers, instructions, or accessories included.Accessory makers planning for similarly sized iPad 3.I wouldn't have minded an instruction guide as I had some difficulty configuring the band initially, though a quick trip to the manufacturer's website provided the support I needed and answered all the questions that I had (sure enough in the F.A.Q. section).
As mentioned above, I had some trouble figuring out 1) how to open the band, 2) how to slide in the iPod Nano, and 3) how to adjust the size of the band. Again, some included instructions would have saved me a few minutes and a trip to the laptop, though I support making the eco-friendly decision of saving the paper. Without the instructions, I was able to unclasp the band and slide in the Nano. Once I learned how the clip was designed, I had no trouble sliding the music player in and out of the wristband. As I've noted before, it's important for me to be able to clip and unclip with ease as I tend to take my Nano out for runs. When placed in the wristband, the Nano is extremely secure, and one can barely notice that it's actually two pieces of hardware. To most, it will appear to be a single watch on one's wrist.
Following up my first experience wearing an iPod as a watch, I was a bit more confident in how the look would be received by others. The iWatchz Timepiece Collection certainly did not disappoint. Numerous compliments and questions on where I got the watch came from those I knew along with complete strangers. The stitching, color, and clasp mechanism are all solidly constructed, and the clip in system is much different from the other watch band I reviewed, but just as well designed. iWatchz has a wide variety of styles ranging from a new metal band to leather straps to rugged nylon bands. The company provides the perfect range of designs to match those 18 (currently) clock faces and the unlimited number of personalities out there in the world.

Accessory makers planning for similarly sized iPad 3

In preparation for Wednesday's launch of Apple's next-generation iPad, CNET's been contacted by a few accessory manufacturers gearing up to release "new" products that will work with the iPad 3--or whatever it's called.Those quotation marks around "new" are there because it appears that while all the new accessories announced out of the gate will be billed as iPad 3 accessories, they'll also work just fine with the iPad 2.Three different company reps said they expected the next iPad to be similarly sized and that there would be only minor changes to the thickness of the device. While no one was 100 percent certain of that (one rep said, "We've been told there will be some minor changes in the thickness, but we don't have any specifics.") these companies have enough confidence in their belief--and perhaps their sources--to stick with the iPad 2 as a stand-in for the next iPad.
In other words, most of the accessories you see announced Wednesday will probably be iPad 2 cases that aren't totally form-fitting and have a little play to them. Think of cases that have leather or faux leather frames (or cases made of other pliable materials). Also, you'll see some sleeves that are designed to fit any of the larger tablets.Of course, Apple could always move a button, speaker, camera, or light sensor slightly, and create a big problem for case manufacturers. This happened with the iPhone 4S when Apple moved the ambient light sensor a few millimeters and many tough cases (that covered the front of the iPhone) had to be altered slightly to account for the change.
I suspect Apple will release some sort of new case or cases at launch (rumor has it that a new Smart Case is in the works but that the old one will work with the next iPad), but few, if any, true third-party iPad 3 cases will be available. Either way, we'll know soon enough.For a preview of some cases that should work with the next iPad, you can always have a look at our roundup of iPad 2 cases below.
It's called the "Wallee Hand Strap'. Apparently it cost $19.95 and is made from 100% Japanese Wool Felt. Whoop-di-doo!"Our designs are not your run of the mill iPad accessories,” said Alon Tamir, the lead designer of this… thing. "They're all about enhancing the use of technology, and letting you enjoy it in different ways."The latest Hand Strap is extremely versatile and can be used in a number of ways. Using it to turn your iPad into a wristwatch is just one of them.

I think I slept through the discussion on wood in my Materials Science engineering class

But you know what? I have to admit… my music does sound better with these earbuds. I tried all kinds of comparisons — listening to the same song with the Apple earbuds, followed by the Sony headphones (an improvement) and then the CW31s. And, yes, the sound quality is that noticeable, especially on those songs with some heavy bass guitar. Even the high notes that hurt my ears with the Apple earbuds seem to sound smoother and less tinny with the CW31s.
But even though I’m loving the improved sound quality with the lightweight CW31s, especially when I’m listening to music, there’s still that issue of whether they’ll stay in my ear.Apple to Make Your Docking Accessories Obsolete.Fortunately, the package comes with a variety of small rubber pads in a number of shapes and sizes. At first I didn’t like the look of the one that had a series of 3 large-to-small ribbed edges that made it look like a hand-drawn Christmas tree, so I tried the simple rounded pads on the ends of the speakers. But I suffered the same issue here — moving my head around or lightly tugging on the cord would inevitably pull them out of my ear. So, I pulled those off, stuck on the Christmas tree rubber pads and shoved them into my ear. And what do you know? They stuck. I had a feeling they would, given the increased surface area and the fact that they look like they’ll give some resistance when pulled on, but I was surprised at how well they fit and that they didn’t feel at all strange (my biggest concern).
So, I swapped out the Sony headphones for the CW31s and headed out to the gym. Now, I tend to run the cable under my shirt, up through my collar and into my ears when I work out or run. These are more than long enough, so much so that I actually had to wrap the cable around the iPad twice because the cable would form a loop coming out of the bottom of my shirt (not tucked in, of course) and got caught once or twice while I was squeezing through the machine area. No big deal, really.But the sound… wow. Most of the time I actually tune out the music anyway, but even in the noisy gym, I could definitely tell a difference. And given that they’re basically the same price as the Apple earbuds, they’re not going to break the bank should those of you who got a pair with an iPod decide to ditch the white pennies (it feels like I’m trying to keep a penny wedged in my ear) for something else.
All in all… very impressed. I can’t honestly say it’s the wood housing that makes the CW31s sound so good, but I think there may be something to it. These are definitely my new gym earbuds.