Griffin CinemaSeat & PowerJolt for iPad

This summer's best iPad accessories for your road trip!


If you have small children, then you should be able to relate that road trips now takes more time to prepare and endure.  For a long time, I've opted for a tablet-styled portable DVD player system such as this Philips dual screen system.  As you know, taking a portable DVD player would require you to carry DVDs with you, again adding more inconvenience to the process.  This is where your iPad with CinemaSeat + PowerJolt car charger comes in.

CinemaSeat (MSRP: $39.99)
The CinemaSeat is a horizontal faux-leather case that comes with velcro-adjustable strap for the back of your car's headrest.  The case is elegant and has a finish that will blend quite nicely with the interior of any car (so long as your car's interior is lighter color).  The velcro is designed to wrap in between the headrest and the car seat so it will not bother the driver or passenger headrests.  There are no adjustments that can be made so if the position of the iPad is not at an ideal viewing angle, there isn't too much you can do.  In my recent road trip, using the iPad to playback a movie for my child proved to be a very good thing.  The iPad's screen lights up beautifully while the speakers provided ample sounds for the car ride.  My only gripe (and its to no fault of Griffin's) is that I wished there was a way to remotely control the iPad so to restart a movie wouldn't require us to pull the iPad out of the CinemaSeat.  I also wished the CinemaSeat would come with a black finish to blend into my car's interior.  Note: CinemaSeat has a pretty tight fitment so you can't use a case with your iPad, the way I do it is to use the Griffin Elan Passport to transport the iPad so that it can be easily taken out for the car ride while providing ample protection for the rest of the trip.

Griffin PowerJolt car charger for the iPad (MSRP:

The PowerJolt for iPad is the other essential road trip accessory for your iPad.  Unlike your typical charger which runs at 5V DC output at 0.5 or 1.0A, this bad boy pumps out the juice at 2.1A.  In basic terms, this charger will charge your iPad at a much faster rate than the lower amperage chargers.  The package also comes with a USB cable since that is the plug type at the back end of the charger.  In theory, this charger would work and charge all USB devices as Griffin pretty much suggests it to work with most of the iPhones and iPods up to date. The PowerJolt makes a great companion for your upcoming road trip for obvious reasons.  Note: Personally, I don't like to mix the chargers amongst my device when they have different amperage rating even if the output are all at 5V DC, I am not sure if the extra amperage/increased charge rate will do any negative impact to the battery of those devices.

Review: Griffin Stylus for iPad

If you are one of those people that brings the iPad to every function you tend to, then I think this little gem might be the perfect accessory for you.  Griffin's Stylus for iPad is a 4.5" extension between your greasy fingers and that gorgeous iPad screen.  I was a bit skeptical at first when I start to notice the number of stylus products coming to market, but once I received this stylus, I immediately understood and appreciated its function.  Here are some of the benefits I noticed:

Better Typing:  having this light weight stylus offers better control when typing on the iPad, I noticed an increase typing speed with a nice and soft feedback since this stylus has a cushy air-pocket at the end made of rubber.  The action of scrolling the page up or down took me a while to get used to with the stylus but it didn't take long before I was browsing the web like a champ.

Better visibility:  I noticed an improved visibility to the screen while typing or navigating using the stylus since the rest of your palm is no longer blocking your view.  I would almost preferred if the stylus was another half inch to one inch longer but it works just fine as is.

Greasy Reduction:  If you are obsessive-compulsive like me, then you'll know how much finger smudge bugs.  With the Stylus, you will be able reduce that problem.  Although the grease reduction is only good until you have to use your fingers for the pinching (zooming) actions. I'd say this cuts down the unnecessary wiping down to 1 time per day instead of my usual 10 times a day.

Griffin Stylus for iPad is $19.99 and is available for sale at GriffinTechnology.com.

Review: Griffin AutoPilot Charger for iPhone/iPod

Simple, Intuitive and Functional.  These are the three little words I would use to describe Griffin Autopilot car charger for iPhone (original, 3G, 3GS) and iPods (w/ dock connector).  I've been searching high and low for a cord based charger that offers an aux-out and for whatever reason, I had a hard time finding one.  That is until Griffin released the AutoPilot.  The AutoPilot is very similar to the iTrip AutoPilot that I reviewed some times ago in that it differs by the way it handles sound output (FM Modulation from the iTrip AutoPilot).  If your car comes with an Aux-In port, get the AutoPilot for the best and un-interrupted sound.

The AutoPilot is intuitive to use, simply plug in the car charger into any 12V cigarette lighter socket in a vehicle.  Plus the dock connector to your iPhone or iPod.  Use the supplied 3.5mm audio cable to connect between the charger's aux-out to your vehicle's aux in.  When you turn the car on, it will power up the AutoPilot with a glowing red LED ring. On the back of the charger, there are basic controls acting like a wired remote navigate your song choices (FF, RW, Play/Pause), this is especially helpful for touchscreen devices and far cheaper than the OEM integration solutions but comparable in performance. The only thing you should play with is the high and low aux-output setting to match your audio systems sound output; I leave it on high setting for my car.

The AutoPilot in concept is simple but it just pulls everything together in a perfect way.  It provides 3 solutions in 1 (charging, line-level audio output and controls the iPhone all at once). As is with any car accessories, obviously if you have limited number12V outlets, the AutoPilot will compete with your existing devices such as a GPS unit for power. Also, the location of your 12V plug will also determine how useful the control will be (ie. some aux-ports and 12V ports are designed to be within the arm-rest storage area). As far as I'm concerned, the AutoPilot is the best $49.99 MSRP (Amazon $32 shipped) solution you can invest for your car.

The Search for an ideal iPad Case

If you bought an iPad and would like to get some protection for your $500 investment, whats the most ideal case for you? Do you want a sleeve, case or portfolio version? I'm trying to figure that out myself.  I've round up a short list cases from a few manufacturers for a review and will give you my honest opinion for each.  Here are the ones I've arranged thus far and will work on getting more for a complete coverage.  Over the next few days, I"ll be working on reviewing each one and post the my reviews below  Once a review has been put up, I"ll link it to the product below:

Griffin Elan Sleeve for iPad - ($49.99 Griffin)
Griffin FlexGrip for iPad - ($34.99 Griffin)
Griffin Elan Passport for iPad - ($49.99 Griffin)
colcasac for iPad - ($34.95 colcasac)
Apple iPad Case MC361ZM/A - ($39.99 Apple)

Protect Your Mobile Experience w/ 3M

When I am at a public space, I am always aware of my surroundings especially if I have to key in my login and password to important websites on my smartphone. Usually on a my commute, if I see someone stand over me, I'd rather not sign in to a secure site just incase by chance this person is trying to get a look at my information. If I must, I will try to key in the password first and purposely make a few errors which requires me to erase a couple of key strokes and re-enter just to manage the paranoia. Well, I am happy to see 3M stepping up to the plate and offering a sound solution.

3M's Mobile Privacy Film works just like the desktop privacy filters which protects your information from peeping Toms. From an angle, the information is blurred or blacked out minimizing the chances of your private information being picked up by people next to you. We still recommend mobile users to watch their surroundings and avoid viewing sensitive information if people are within super close proxmity.

3M's Platnium Mirror Film (coming soon) takes it up another notch turning your screen into a mirror like finish when your screen isn't lit. If anything, the ladies probably would like this which doubles as a mirror.

For those just looking for basic LCD protection, 3M also offers a Glossy LCD screen protector for your needs. Both products are available with various handsets with pre-cut sizes or you can purchase a generic sheet and trim to size. Even though the iPhones are known to have pretty strong glass LCD, I still use a screen protector out of habit, just to minimize the chances of scratches. Cost is about $10 for most sizes.

Top Accessories for your Palm Pre

The market for 3rd party accessories is still a bit early for the Palm Pre ($199 from Amazon), below is a guide of some of the hottest accessories for your hot new smartphone available today; with these accessories, you'll be rocking the Palm Pre in style.

1. Touchstone Charger: This requires both the charging dock as well as a new back cover for your Palm Pre which can be purchased together or separately. This nifty little charging solution is wirelessly, simply by laying your Pre on top of the Touchstone dock and watch it magically charge your favorite smartphone back alive. Palm's website sells them in two variations: Touchstone Charging Kit ($69) includes both the dock and the backcover whereas the Touchstone Charging Expansion Kit ($79) includes dock, backcover and international power adaptor.

The best prices I've found was on Amazon which has the Touchstone Dock for $39 and the Touchstone backcover for $23, both are elgible for free shipping after $25. Check out this review for more info.

2. Leather Slip Case for Pre by Palm, with a slider phone, its going to be tough to find a case, therefore I would recommend this beautiful leather case designed and made by Palm. This leather case uses top quality leather with a contrasting cross stitching for a sporty look. Street price is about $40, but I found it on Amazon for a bit less at $25 w/ free shipping. If you are more active, you might want to consider this alternative side case with a cover for added protection.

3. USB Auto Charger, for those driving to and back from work, this is probably your best friend. Since the Pre can be charged via USB, I would pick up any reputable USB car charger at your disposal, such as this one from Kensington for merely $14. I would recommend to pack an extra Palm Pre USB cable with you in your vehicle for convenience.

4. Altec Lansing Backbeat Titanium Headphones - Since your Palm Pre comes with a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack (which is, a feature often missing from other smartphones), take advantage of it by pairing it up with a good set of stereo headphones. Few of my pals are loving this premium stereo headphones by Altec Lansing (UHP326). It features ample noise blockage with strong bass and sharp highs. MSRP is $70 but you can often find them for half as much online.

5. Aliph Jawbone II Bluetooth Headset for all of your wireless communication needs. This industrial looking headset features a light weight design and famous Noise Assasin technology. Get it for cheaper in the bulk package for only $54 shipped here (MSRP: $99)

Homemade Gameboy iPhone Case DIY Guide

Remember the cool iPhone 3G Gameboy Case and my follow-up post to a cool cat named Morgan with his homemade version using a clear case from Agent18 . Well, Morgan was nice enough to let us in on the action. He has put up an iPhone Gameboy page with instructions as well as link to Instructables.

Guess what I'll be doing this weekend?

[Thanks GeekMorgan]

Update: I've made my own iPhone 3G GameBoy case!

Making a Business out of Apple Product Accessories

It kind of dawned on me what a phenomenon it is with the Apple business. Whenever a new product comes out, on top of all that product buzz, the accessories community is also up in arms with their latest peripherals around said product. This blog alone has reviewed almost two dozen accessories for the iPods and iPhones. That doesn't include the massive accessories available for MacBooks and/or their desktop units. We are talking sleeves, skins, cases, headphones, chargers and more...

Obviously, the accessories market for iPods and iPhone is a lucrative business but can you think of any other brand with the same firepower when it comes to such a strong brand loyalty that protecting and accessorising the actual product is a sustainable business model? When shopping for a new iPod, the default next step is to walk over to the accessories aisle to pickout a little something to protect your investment.

What defines this phenomenon? Why are there far less accessories buzz around the HTC Diamond or T-Mobile G1. Aside from the basic cases and bluetooth headsets, BlackBerry and Nokia phones barely has a fraction of iPod/iPhone's accessories variety. Could it be Apple's roots in graphics and designer or the iPod/iPhone's musical connection which creates a canvas for personalization and creativity in accessorising these products?

I don't know the answer to that. Its just a phenonom I guess.

Macro Lens for Camera Phones (iPhone, HTC, G1)

I covered a popular story on a $9 solution from Radio Shack to take Macro photos from an iPhone as well as my favorite iPhone 3G case, Clarifi, which also enhances iPhone's Macro photo shots. USBFever.com has a similar solution for all camera phones: their Magnetic/Wide Angle Macro Lens kit ($16.99) can be used to utilizing a 0.67x wide angle lens that can be attached to any camera phone through a built-in magnet. This is perfect if your camera phone has metal around its lens. Otherwise, an included adhesive metal ring can be attached to any camera phone to help secure the Macro Lens.

MacBook Air Envelope Neoprene Envelope Sleeve

The folks at DesignerSleeves.com has a clever and cool looking neoprene case for MacBook Air owners. Driven by the popular Apple commercial, this is one of the most creative/good looking envelope case I've seen. At $39 (available at Amazon.com), its a bit steep, but nothing is better than pulling this "inter-office" envelope out and set it next to a "red" stapler.

Review: V MODA Vibe II Headset with Mic

V MODA has been known for producing high quality headphones catered towards the iPhone and iPod crowd. My buddy Yasir has always sworn by their amazing sound quality of his original Vibe Duo. Personally, I have always wanted to get a pair of V Moda headphones for my iPhone, until now, I have been using a moderately good pair of Griffin's Tune Buds Mobile. When the good folks at Formula PR offered a pair of V MODA Vibe II for review, I gladly accepted.
Before we get started, I have some basic requirements for headsets: 1). Must have a built-in mic, 2). Must have good sound quality [good highs and deep bass], 3). Must have some sort of in-ear buds that blocks outside noise. You'd be surprised to find how little choices are available if you require all of the above.
The Vibe II is beautifully crafted in stainless steel alloy and comes with an Italian designed leather protective case. My review unit is black with a soft fabric cable and includes a set of sport earhooks which is optional if you need to secure your headphones for more active environment. In addition to including an inline mic, it also includes inline control to play/pause/answer call. This headset will work with other smartphones, media players as well as VOIP laptop applications (ie. BlackBerry Bold, Curve, Storm, Laptops/MacBooks) so long as they support the 24K gold plated 3.5mm plug.
Hands on with Vibe II
"Only the finest materials are used to create..." as claimed by V MODA's press kit. And finest material they are! I am amazed at the quality and craftsmanship that went into this headset. Even down to its packaging, protective case and Kevlar-infused cord fabric for added durability. When other headphones supply 3 different silicon ear buds for sizing, V MODA gives you a wider range of selection with the four sizing options.
Audio Clarity and Quality is Superb!
The sound quality on the Vibe II is sharp and clear. "Precision" is a word I would use to describe this headset, from the sounds to the fitment. The music sounds very tight and concise; I tried out a variety of songs from Classical to R&B and every note is reproduced accurately. The bass from the 8mm driver is especially great with the in-ear design which is nice and deep (hence is 12- 22Hz range). Even when I cranked up the volume (which is not recommended), the audio is still precise and clear. I placed a couple of test calls and I can hear the other party just fine as they have no problem with hearing me either. In fact, the mic is so sensitive it was picking up the HVAC vent sound to my receipient.
Overall, I am very pleased with V MODA Vibe II and I would recommend this set to any hardcore audio phile with or without an Apple product. At $128 MSRP, it is demanding, however, when compared to the super expensive Shure or Bose headphones, this is actually a great price offer excellent performance and build quality. I'd be very interested in comparing the VIBE II to Apple's In-Ear Buds in the upcoming future. (Special thanks to Jamie C. at Formula PR)

Griffin iPhone 3G Accessories Ready to Go

Looks like the folks at Griffin is lining up their cases for the iPhone 3G in preparation for Friday's big launch day. Wave for iPhone 3G, Nu Form with EasyDock, Elan Form with EasyDock, and Elan Clip for iPhone 3G will be available at AT&T and Apple store by 7/11.

One thing that stood out for me is the fact that Nu Form and Elan Form have designed with EasyDock in mind, this allows you to charge and sync your iPod in the OEM dock without removing the case. I think this is going to be convenient over standard case design.