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New iPad gifts for dads
Here are a few new ideas for dads who just got an iPad or have one coming.
1.Handstand iPad holder - This isn’t really a stand, though it will allow you to prop up the iPad at about a 15 degree angle. It’s really a way for dad to hold his iPad and feel confident he’s not going to lose it. Perfect for the dad on the go, who carries the iPad without a case, or uses the iPad to take notes while walking in an office situation. Myself, I find it indispensable when I’m at a trade show or conference and need my right hand free to shake hands, but also need to take notes and make blog entries while standing.
The ABS housing won’t break easily and the elastic band wraps just firmly enough around the back of the hand, so the fingers rest comfortably on an upraised area for stability. The handle revolves for vertical or horizontal viewing. $49 on Amazon.
2. The RingO Mounting System – If Dad complains that the iPad is great but it’s always hogging valuable counter space, or thrown around the car, Vogel’s makes a system called the Ringo that can be used as a protective holder, a wall mount (for the kitchen, gym, or workroom), a table stand like a photo frame, and for the back of the seat for backseat viewing. The key here is a hole in the back of the protective casing that then allows for different modular attachments, whether to a semi-permanent attachment that screws into the wall or a special vice-like grip that holds onto the bars of the car headrest.
The RingO is a simple idea that really fits a lot of the way the iPad is actually used when it’s not in your lap. $119 on Amazon, or less for fewer functions.
3. MountMe Freedom II – Another good mounting device is the MountMe II, which uses 4 extra-strength suction cups, but also has screws for more permanent attachments.
This set is less expensive at $49.99 and available at www.mountme.com.
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Great product demo – bowling ball dropped on iPad case (video)
I have never seen or tried this product (G-Form iPad sleeve), nor can I vouch for the veracity of this video, but I love the way the construct this contraption to drop a 12lb bowling ball directly on to an iPad, destroying one test iPad in the process.
This iPad case is butt ugly in screaming yellow (also comes in other colors) and uses some sort of foam technology that expands back when compressed. In another video, they drop 2 iPads out of an airplane. Pretty cool. I just wish they had saved themselves the trouble and sent me an iPad directly.
500 ft airplane drop (YouTube video link)
Popularity: 1%
Dispose-it-Guard saves fingers from disposal
Dispose-It-Guard Disposal Guard is the best thing ever and it’s one of those items you can’t believe no one has invented before. Simple, simple tool, blocks disposal drain for everyday use, and when you want to throw stuff down the disposal, you lift it out or move it to the side. You can use the long part to push food into the disposal, rather than getting your fingers into it, or to push down long pieces of melon rind or grapefruits. Other disposal covers we’ve used meant you had to stick your fingers on some gooey handle; this one, though it could be longer, is raised about an inch so it’s not always covered with slime. With other covers, too, you’d have to move them aside to let water in, and inevitably water filled with debris would spray up out of the drain. This tool has holes in the cover, so water doesn’t spray up.
I don’t know if this qualifies as a Fathers Day gift idea or not, but it would sure top my list if I didn’t have one.
Dispose-it-Guard is $13.95 on Amazon.
GreatDad.com Review Policy: The featured product for this review was provided to us, at no cost, by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. We do not accept monetary compensation for reviewing or writing about products. We only review products that we have personally tested and used in our own homes, and all opinions expressed are our own.
Popularity: 1%
Review: IDAPT i4 Universal Power Charger
The IDAPT universal power charger sets out to provide the convenience of one power charging station that does it all. Imagine being able to plug in four devices simply on a nice organized pad without needing four separate brick chargers hogging all the outlet or power strip space. The IDAPT i4 does that for four devices at a time, but, as with many all-in-one ideas, there are trade-offs.
The IDAPT itself is a nicely designed square that comes in black, red, white, blue, pink and lime green. It comes with six chargers covering major formats, some of which are likely to be useless to the individual user. Mine came with adaptors for Sony Erickson, Samsung, and Nokia phones, as well as plugs for an iPhone/iPad, mini and micro USB. Many people will have one of the three phones, but likely not use at least a few of the included adaptors.
Power tip adaptors for the IDAPT, compatible to over 4000 devices, are available on Amazon for about $10 each.
The adaptor is simple to plug in and out of the IDAPT with a simple click. In testing, however, with our point and shoot camera, a Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FX9,, the power port is set up in a way that the mini-USB adaptor won’t fit. Another Sony camera had a unique power socket that would have required ordering another adaptor.
We like the concept of a dock to organize all of our gear and cables, where gadgets sit charging peacefully until they are used, and precious wall sockets aren’t monopolized by clumsy power bricks. The IDAPT is a good, clean solution to this, but our advice to get maximum value is to check whether your devices are covered by those already in the starter set of six adaptors. Otherwise, the MSRP will be increased $10 for each additional plug you’ll need.
The IDAPT 4 is $59.99 on Amazon.
Product specs
AC Input: 85-240 VAC – 0.2A; 50/60 Hz worldwide compatible
4 independent chargers with self-regulating power supply
DC Output: Up to 13 W
Cord length: 1,6 m
Dimensions: 169 x 135 x 32 mm
Weight: 300 g
SIMULTANEOUS – Charge up to 4 devices at the same time
ECOLOGICAL – LEDS indicate the charging status of your device. Save energy and switch off IDAPT when not in use
FUTURE PROOF – IDAPT is commited to constantly update the range of adapter tips as new devices are launched.
UNIVERSAL – Charge all your electronic devices with complete compatibility.
SAFE & ERGONOMIC – The articulated tips make IDAPT a sturdy adaptable product for everyday use
EASY AND SIMPLE – Simple connection and disconnection of electronic devices.
Popularity: 1%
Hot Mother’s Day gifts for tech-savvy mamas
What a difference a generation makes. Twenty years ago, the home stereo was usually an area dominated by the man of the house. Now, women, especially blogging moms know as much about HTML, APIs, and JPGs as the guys. New toys for adults like internet-ready TV sets and iPads are what moms always were looking for in technology; ways to actually make your life simpler and easier.
Here are a few hot new products that mom will quickly see the value of and available now in time for Mothers Day.
1. The iPad 2 – well, sorry. Unless, you want to camp out at the Apple store every day until you’re lucky enough to get one of the ten delivered that day, it’s almost too late to order one. Apple is still 1-2 weeks out, a condition not helped by the Japanese tsunami. If you live in a major metro area, call or visit the Apple store to get the lowdown on how to get one in their daily shipments. I know from experience that for a very special mom, you can get in line at 6:30, get a reservation ticket, and come back to get your pick of iPads. Handy if you really really must have this for mom’s day.
2.These CrossFade LPs are one hot set of ‘phones in a sexy package. All black with chrome sides and a red velvet-lined case, these headphones shout that you know what you’re doing. These are big honking earphones that completely cover the ear, perfect when you want to bliss out, or at least tune out your daughter’s violin practice. At $199, you’d expect good sound and they deliver. But what we really like is replaceable (included) cable which includes microphone and remote, compatible with iPad, iPhone 3GS and latest iPod (though not for my old iPhone 3G sadly). They are still lightweight and super-comfortable.
3. For the mom who has bouts of carpal tunnel, or who just needs a new mouse, this is a nice touch. The Whirl Mini is small in the hand, but moves easily on a desk surface. A scroll wheel makes it super easy to use, but what sets this mouse apart is the way it pivots under your hand so you find the best, most natural position for your hand. The only drawback we found was that it uses a USB plugin for its wireless capabilities (rather than bluetooth), eating up one of our precious USB laptop ports.
You might want to pair this with the AViiQ portable laptop stand. At only 5.5 ounces and 1/4″ thick when stowed, this angled laptop stand really can go anywhere. These two items aren’t the sexiest thing on the block, but they do say you care.
4. Simple, simple gift, but sure to be appreciated by anyone with an iPhone, the Scosche charging cable is a tiny fold-up cord that is key size so it’s always around when you need it, which is all the time if you use the phone’s functions at all. You can get sillier keychains for mom, but this is one she’ll really use if she has an iPhone. It folds up nice and neat, a tad larger than the black rubber end of a car key.
5. For the dual iPhone/iPad user, mom will love the sleekness and simplicity of the XtremeMac dual charging dock. It holds either iPhone and iPod or iPhone/iPod and iPad and holds them straight up, decreasing desk clutter and saving precious seconds for docking. And you know your device is charging thanks to two glowing LEDs even if you missed the distinctive chime on the iPhone.
We’ve tested the XtremeMac dual charging station on iPad 1 and iPad 2, and it docks beautifully with both. However, the dock works best for an unprotected iPad out of the sleeve in all it’s naked glory. My iPad 1 uses a notebook-style folder as a case and I’d have to take it out to use the charging dock which really isn’t practical. On the other hand, the lucky dog with the iPad 2, otherwise known as my wife, uses the new iPad folding cover. In tests, I found that you can put the iPad 2 with cover into the dock IF you push the over down about 1/8 of an inch. It’s not hard to do and virtually indetectable once on, but it is an extra step.
Note that this charger costs about about $100 on Amazon and doesn’t do anything else other than sit there and charge. It will not sync, but syncing is now overrated since MobileMe takes care of address and datebook syncing. Most of the time, you don’t want to hassle with the interruption of a sync (usually stopping a movie or other app), and just get on with the charging. The XtremeMac dual charger does just that with two Apple devices and does so elegantly.
Review Policy: The featured product for this review was provided to us, at no cost, by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. We do not accept monetary compensation for reviewing or writing about products. We only review products that we have personally tested and used in our own homes, and all opinions expressed are our own.
Popularity: 2%
