iPhone Coasters are now available for purchase! Wouldn’t you want to geek out your dining room with these amazing coasters? They currently come in three sets — The Core, Home, and Media sets. Each set depicts 6 of Apple’s default iPhone apps and may be purchase for £19.99.

For more information, see iPhoneAppsCoasters.com

At first glance, the Griffin A-Frame may look like a mini easle, but upon closer examination, it’s a well-thought out iPad stand with multiple uses!

The stand is made of a heavy aluminum — heavy, more as in sturdiness than weight — and has soft non-slip rubber around the hinges and where the stand meets the table/desktop, as well as where it may touch the iPad.

The attention to detail on this accessory is really nice. Any part of that may touch the iPad is lined with a soft rubber so the iPad would not scratch. The metal used is cleanly cut, leaving no sharp edges on the stand. The stand also folds neatly into a flat position, making it easier to pack in your luggage/gadget bags.

There are a few ways of using the Griffin A-Frame. You can it stand upright and put your iPad on it in either landscape or portrait mode. That’s one thing that works very well with this stand — the ability to have your iPad in landscape mode. Pair it with a bluetooth keyboard and you have a mini workstation.

Another way to use the stand is to have it flat on the desk and have your iPad sit in landscape mode on top of it. This provides a slight angle that’s perfect for typing onscreen. Your wrists rests on the bottom of the stand and you can comfortably type on the iPad for a while.

Having a thin case on the iPad or none at all is optional. The stand will hold the iPad either way. Some examples of how you can use the stand are:

• When syncing or charging your device. Just have the device lay on the stand in landscape mode and connect.
• Set up the stand and iPad in the kitchen and watch your favorite shows as you do dishes.
• Set it up on your desk to quickly and easily view your calendar and notes.
• Connect a keyboard and you have a mini and portable workstation.
• Use it as a stand for your iPad photo frame.

There are many more situations where you would want to use a stand, but I’ll leave that up to you to discover.

The Griffin A-Frame stand unclutters your workspace, while making it a little more sophisticated. Having the stand on your desk makes you iPad take up less room as well as make the content on your iPad more accessible and easier to read.

Overall, the Griffin A-Frame gets an A+ in my book. It’s solid, durable, and versatile. The Griffin A-Frame iPad stand is available for $49.99 at GriffinTechnology.com.

The exterior is waterproof, keeping your precious toy away from accidental spills. The interior is lined with a soft ultra suede that not only keeps your iPad safe from any impact, but also cleans your device as you take it in and out of the case. Protecting your iPad is as simple as slipping your device in. Be sure to have the glass side of the iPad face the heavier padded side of the case. To take it out, hold onto the tab at the end and shake.

Due to the fitted size, this slipcase is best used without any other cases on the iPad. Overall, this case takes simplicity and elegance to a whole new level. If you want to wrap your iPad in a little luxury, this may be the sleeve for you.

The Waterfield iPad Slip Case is available for $29 an comes in a variety of colors — black, blue, green, brown, red, and silver. You may purchase it online at SFBags.com

Disclosure: This product was sent by Waterfield Designs for review purposes. This is part of Beatweek Magazine’s coverage of iPad products. Opinions expressed in this article are my own.

Video Demo

The wait is finally over! Speck’s Designer Fitted iPad cases have arrived. Don’t just protect your iPad, dress it up! With a variety of fun new colors and patterns, you’re iPad can become more than just an entertainment tool; it could become a conversational piece!

This case is made of two hardshell pieces – the back side is made of a Specky fabric design and a front side that lines the edges of the iPad. Put the iPad into the back side of the case first. Make sure the cutouts for the iPad are all properly aligned. Then snap on the top of the case, again, making sure the cutouts for the buttons are aligned. Snap on and you’re done. It’s as simple as that.

One drawback to the case is that there’s no easy way to clean the design side if it got dirty. It is made of fabric, so you have to be careful where you put the iPad. I recommend putting it on top of an iPad sleeve or napkin when you use it. You may want to avoid using it at restaurants or where food is close by.

Unlike it’s iPhone counterpart, the iPad case is much easier to remove. Simply find the bottom opening where the charger cutout is, and start removing it slowly. It shouldn’t take you more than a minute to take the case off.

This case protects the back of the iPad as well as the edges of it. The front part is beveled a bit, so if the iPad was to fall flat face down, it wouldn’t touch the floor. The case is also light and adds more style than weight to your iPad.

The Speck Fitted iPad cases are currently available in the following colors/patterns: Houndstooth Gray, Fadeaway Gray/Black/Green, Fadeaway Gray/Black/Pink, ClassicPlaid Pink & Gray, Black & White Plaid. You can purchase it for $49.95 at SpeckProducts.com

Disclosure: This product was sent by Speck for review purposes. This is part of Beatweek Magazine’s coverage of iPad products. Opinions expressed in this article are my own.

The front of the Leisure Jacket case has a clear vinyl cover that allows you to fully access all of the iPad’s touch screen. Tap, swipe, and zoom as you normally would on the iPad. The backside of the case made of a strong fabric and has a pocket built in. Within this pocket are three mesh compartments for your other accessories and devices like your iPhone, headset, and charger. There’s also a deeper pocket that you put paper as well. I don’t recommend stuffing this pocket too much since it’ll make the case uneven.

Both sides of the case are held together with a dual zipper. This is especially useful for times when you want to open part of the case to charge the iPad or plug in your headset. Removing the iPad from the case is not necessary at all. For example, you can charge the iPad just by unzipping part of the bottom.

The interior of the case is made of a high density foam frame that fits the iPad very nicely. Have the iPad face-up when you want to use it. The foam interior has cutouts for all of the iPad’s buttons and ports. All you have to do is press on the vinyl to toggle the buttons. You can do this with the convenience of not having to remove it from the case! When the iPad is not in use, you can put it upside-down in the case for extra protection.

Although this case looks water-proof, it’s not at all, and there’s a big warning for that. It does however protects your iPad from any moisture that might enter. If you’re brave enough to take your iPad to the beach, the park, or even the gym, this may be an ideal case for those kinds of trips. The case is great for keeping sticky sand off your iPad, not to mention sweaty fingers. Simply wipe the case clean with a cloth before removing your iPad.

One downside to this case is when you use it indoors, there is extra glare on the iPad due to the room’s lights. But this case is not made to be used indoors anyhow.

Another downside is that case is not a tight fit. It’s made in a way so you can move and squish the vinyl cover around easily. This works well for its outdoor use, however this design may not look as clean and sleek as some cases. For what it’s used for, it works well.

Overall, it’s a one-of-a-kind case that works well if you’re near any kind of moisture or the outdoors. The M-Edge Leisure Jacket iPad Case comes in a big variety of colors — red, lime green, orange, blue, and black. You can purchase it at MEdgeStore.com for $39.99.

Disclosure: This product was sent by M-Edge for review purposes. This is part of Beatweek Magazine’s coverage of iPad products. Opinions expressed in this article are my own.

The pocketbar was specifically designed for geeks on the go. As you know, the iPad is not the only gadget geeks are carrying with them at any one time. We got our cameras, our iPhones, sd cards, and don’t forget the keys and wallet! The PocketBar solves this problem by making pockets for all of our necessities and putting it in a nice and organized way.

The bag comes with one main zipper pocket where you can safely slip your iPad (or a small netbook) into. There’s enough wiggle-room in this pocket to fit an iPad with a hard-shell case on. This is convenient because you want protection on your iPad when you do take it out to use as well. The interior is soft, however, it may be thinner than most iPad sleeves and bags. If you’re worried about the iPad, you may want to put your iPad in a case with a front side protection as well.

On the front of bag are four individual pockets, all of various sizes, which are perfect for your digital camera, cellphone, and other gadgets. The top pocket has a key yo-yo that you can hang your keys on. When you need to use your keys, simply pull and use. No need to take your keys off. I do recommend only hanging a few keys on it so it’s not too heavy that it’ll pull down on the yo-yo. Each of these four pockets have flaps over them to keep any rain or water out. The flaps for the pockets are deep enough that things won’t fall out of it, yet easy enough for you to get your digital camera out when you need to take a quick photo. The exterior of the front side is also made of a waterproof material that reminds me of a diver’s wetsuit.

Between the top pockets is a loop where you can insert a pen into. This makes it very handy and convenient when you need to sign your autograph! Between the bottom pockets is where a carabiner is inserted. You can use this to put more keys or even hang your usb keys there.

The backside of the bag has secret zipper pocket that’s perfect for putting your wallet and other odds and ends that didn’t fit anywhere on the front size.

You don’t just carry this bag, you wear it! The strap is adjustable, so you can have the bag hang low on your body, or wear it high and use the included body strap to wrap it around your waist. I recommend removing the body strap because it’s easier to put the bag on and off. Whether you’re tall or short, this bag can be fitted to your needs.

Under normal circumstances, the bag is the perfect protection for carrying around your iPad. It’s close enough to your body where you don’t need the heavy padding, but I don’t suggest throwing the bag around like you would with a purse or backpack.

The Urban Tool PocketBar is unisex and is available in 3 colors — Black, Denim Titanium, and Blue Jeans. You may purchase it at UrbanTool.com for $99.90 USD.

Disclosure: This product was sent by Urban Tool for review purposes. This is part of Beatweek Magazine’s coverage of iPad products. Opinions expressed in this article are my own.

If want a durable and lightweight case for your iPad, Macally may have what you’re looking for. Macally’s Metrobpad (Black Protective Snap-on Cover) and Metrocpad (Clear Protective Snap-on Cover) are cases that easily snap onto the iPad and protect the backing and four corners of it.

Metrobpad (Black Protective Snap-on Cover)
The difference with this case is the non-slip coating that helps you hold the iPad more securely. The surface of this case is very nice to the touch and is coated both on the interior and exterior of the case. The only downside is that you may find fingerprints on it if you tend to have oily fingers. However, this can be cleaned off easily with a hand wipe.

Metrocpad (Clear Protective Snap-on Cover)
This case is absolutely clear, making it almost invisible. Your iPad would look close to what it looked like when you unboxed it. Your beautiful Apple logo will display right through the case.

There are four small nubs on both of these cases, so when you put it flat on the table, only the nubs are touching it. Also, all of your connections and controls are open, so there’s no need to remove the case when charging, changing the volume, or plugging in the headset.

These cases are slim enough to fit in most loose fitting iPad sleeves. I highly suggest purchasing a sleeve for your iPad since the front side is not protected. These cases may be thin, but they’re not thin enough for the Apple iPad keyboard dock. You will need to remove it when docking it on the stand.

Luckily, removing the case off the iPad is an easy task. Simple push down on the two corners of one side and the case comes off.

Overall, these cases are perfect if you’re looking for a thin light hardshell iPad case. You can purchase the Metrobpad and Metrocpad at Macally.com for $29.99 each.

Disclosure: This product was sent by Macally for review purposes. This is part of Beatweek Magazine’s coverage of iPad products. Opinions expressed in this article are my own.

The keyboard itself has some nice built-in iPad features. The top row of keys takes you to the following screens or functions: Home, Search, Brightness low, Brightness high, Slideshow/lock, Bring up keyboard, enter passcode, iPod controls, volume, and iPad lock. This is quite handy when you need to make quick adjustments.

It’s a full-sized keyboard with a very clean and sleek design. There’s a slight tilt at the bottom of the keyboard so your hands are not laying flat on the table when typing. The keyboard dock has a straight design and layout, so I don’t recommend using this keyboard for long hours of typing. But since you’ll be using this with just the iPad, you probably won’t be using it for long periods of time anyways.

Also, because the iPad is docked directly on the keyboard, this setup is best used on a table or desk, as opposed to in your lap. This keyboard is also not the easiest to pack or lug around at a conference due to the dock part. It’s probably best used in the home instead.

This keyboard dock is best paired with Speck’s unique CandyShell case. There’s a small flap at the bottom for the keyboard dock to be put in.

You can purchase the iPad Keyboard dock for $69.00 from Apple.com or your nearest Apple Store retailer.

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