Hitcase Pro Review

The rising popularity of active lifestyle image capture is fueling the creation purpose-built devices like the GoPro HD camera and other products. Yet for iPhone users who already know that their camera is as capable as these dedicated alternatives but don't want to spend what is often more for these cameras than what they paid for iPhone itself is a hard sell. Fortunately, Hitcase has developed a Pro version of their durable iPhone hardshell case that offers iPhone owners a comparable experience without having to buy into a whole new hardware ecosystem.

 The Hitcase Pro is a shockproof (via Hitcases' removable ShockSeal protective liner) and waterproof case that will protect your phone from the elements of dust, snow and vibration while still giving you the ability to access the screen and iPhone's hardware buttons. However, the waterproof seal will be broken if you opt to use the headphone jack, since you have to remove a plug from the Hitcase Pro to access the audio jack on the iPhone. 

 What really sets the Hitcase Pro apart from the crowded sturdy enclosure market is its built-in auto-locking Railslide Mount System and removable camera lens that gives the iPhone's camera a similar viewing angle that dedicated cameras like the GoPro HD have. The lens can also be switched to a macro-lens for close-up shots when exploring rock formations and underwater wildlife. The Railslide Mount system is easy to set up, thanks to the included StickR mount for helmets and a tripod adapter for old school legacy surface attachments. It's also compatible with rail mounts built for the GoPro, allowing you to use helmets, bike and car mounts and accessories built for that product line. 

 Once everything was set up, I found seating the iPhone into the case to be a snug fit and generally easy to access the hardware buttons and screen. Keep in mind that due to the tight tolerances of the case to keep the phone locked in place, Hitcase Pro is specifically suited for the iPhone 4 and 4S models. A version designed for the thinner iPhone 5 is expected to be available in a few months. The one factor that might limit the Hitcase Pro's appeal is the price. At $30 more than a new iPhone 4, it might be a tough for those who might be willing to spend twice as much for a dedicated device like the GoPro HD. But for those who prefer to take advantage of the superb Apple hardware capabilities already available to them, the Hitcase Pro does the job more effectively, elegantly and far less bulky and cumbersome than competing fully enclosed and weatherized active lifestyle cases.  Product: Hitcase ProManufacturer: HitcasePrice: $129.99Rating: 4 out of 5 stars   

The MacCase Flight Jacket: Elegance and Style with a Relaxed and Rugged Feel.

 

We all love a good accessory bag, something that fuses style and functionality in a way that is comfortable to wear and practical, all at the same time.

 

With that in mind, I'd like to introduce to you, a company called MacCase. MacCase are the manufacturers of an excellent line of leather carry bags that would suit both the modern, technologically savvy traveler, as easily as the fashion-forward cowgirl/boy type. With their sharp looking leather exteriors the MacCase line of leather iDevice bags give a decidedly modern twist to a classically elegant carryall.

 

 

The MacCase Flight Jacket is a premium bag, specifically and perfectly designed for the iPad family. The Flight Jacket is available in two leather options: a finished and textured black leather, or a natural, vintage brown. The Flight Jacket's leather exterior is accentuated with very low profile, sleek metal clasps, and a fully detachable small front pouch. In fact, I have to say, the Flight Jacket is far roomier than its trim lines would have you predict. The fact of the matter is that the Flight Jacket for the iPad has all kinds of extra storage space, with a total of 5 separate storage compartments: the large one for your iPad, two sleeves, one in front and one behind the iPad's pocket, a zippered pouch built into the front cover flap and a fully detachable handbag on the very front. Altogether making for a considerable amount of storage space for such a compact bag.

 

I know Velcro is popular in the word of iOS accessories and bags, though I'm not a huge fan of it, due to the way it ages and collect debris. That said, I'm glad that the minimalistic use of Velcro in select, discreet locations on the brown leather Flight Jacket goes virtually unnoticeable when the bag is closed. On the black leather Flight Jackets, Velcro is even replaced in some points with magnetic closures.

 

It is with a minimum of Velcro and a low profile metal buckle that the front mini-pouch attaches to the main body of the Flight Jacket. This little pocket works great for carrying little things, like charging cables, keys etc. and couldn't be easier to get on or off with a secure buckle and Velcro system of attachment.

 

 

Inside, the Flight Jacket is lined with a plush and shock absorbent microfiber that will even polish your screen if you happen to have it exposed.  If you have a heavy-duty iPad case like the Lifeproof or Otterbox, your iPad won't fit into the designated iPad Flight Jacket. In which case, I'd suggest looking at the matching 11 inch "laptop" model which will fit the encased iPad perfectly. On the other hand, if you use a slim-profile folio case, (like the matching beauty pictured above) your iPad will slide right into the iPad Flight Jacket with no problem. And what's more, with the introduction of the iPad mini, you would of course have even more carry space in the iPad Flight Jacket than when using the larger iPad.

 

The stitching on each bag is precise and this well built shoulder bag looks fit to last for many years of good use. The MacCase logo and name are branded into the hid as is the name of the designer Michael Santoro. The MacCase Flight Jacket wouldn't look out of place in a fancy boutique or high-end retail outlet, and would make a perfect accessory for anyone with a sense of understated high style and fashion. The leather lends to an element of ruggedness naturalness, and the overall design has an urban contemporary elegance to it. The Flight Jacket is designed to keep your iPad safe and secure while also adding flair to even the most casual outfit, without looking out of place in a more formal setting. I'd recommend the Flight Jacket for a wide range of people, from board members and executives to students and professionals, including doctors, teachers, medical staff or attorneys. The Flight Jacket is definitely something you will wear proudly!

 

 

The 11 inch Flight Jacket is available HERE, for $190.00 , while the slightly smaller Flight Jacket designated for the iPad is available HERE, also for $190.00. If I was recommending one over the other, I would definitely suggest going with the slightly larger, 11 inch Flight Jacket, seeing as how it's only a little bit bigger (maybe an inch wider and and inch and a half taller) than the iPad specific version which allows a bit more flexibility as to what else can easily be carried (light-jacket, bottle of water, notepad and books for instance) and, the price is the same.

 

As always, thank you for reading, and stay tuned for more reviews and roundups of great accessories and apps as the holiday season kicks into gear! 

 

Apple Looking to Patent a Universal Connector

Just when we were starting to get used to the new Lightning connector, Apple files a patent with the United States Patent Office that indicates the company is thinking about a universal connector that would do away with the need for various adapters and limit the number types of ports any single device would need.

From the filing:

Customer confusion may also result as users try to sort through a bewildering array of acronyms. Design complexity may also be increased. For example, to avoid damage, each new connector may be constructed such that a connector insert from a cable that supports one interface cannot be improperly inserted into a connector receptacle for another interface.

Also, as these standards and interfaces evolve, devices with newer connectors may not be compatible with a user’s legacy components. For example, a new computer may have an HDMI connector, while a monitor may have a DVI connector. An adapter to convert signals from HDMI to DVI may be used, but such necessity invokes further customer dissatisfaction.

The new device would feature a design flexible enough to be used by a variety of peripherals, by including “a number of relatively small pads or contacts arranged in an array or other pattern.” This series of pads could be configured to supply ground, power, or signal lines to every and any Apple device you own (without changing shape and therefore requiring new cables and new receptacles).

While this concept may fly in the face of capitalism and eliminate what must be a considerable revenue stream for Apple (selling cables and adapters and accessories, oh my!), it fits their business model much more closely: keeping products simple, streamlined and easy to support.

Would you be upset if Apple released yet another dock connector if it was as universal and multi-purpose/multi-device as this universal connector promises it could be?

Rover 2.0 Wireless Spy Tank Review

 

I have been fascinated by robots since my childhood. It began when I saw the original Lost in Space robot, and was permanently cemented when C3PO and R2D2 were introduced in the original Star Wars. Ever since, I have been hoping that there would come a day when I would be able to command such a robot. Brookstone Innovation, a company that caters to high-tech toy lovers, has released their Rover 2.0 Wireless Spy Tank to people like me who crave to have their childhood dreams incarnated. Rover 2.0 is a remote control toy tank robot equipped with an infrared streaming wide angle webcam that is mounted on the front of the tank. The camera can move up and down (but not side-to-side, since you can use the robot's left and right movement for that purpose), and can stream video back to your iPad or Android device for secret spy missions or surveillance objectives. The two treads make the tank fairly easy to maneuver though the onscreen controls from the free iOS app takes a bit of patience to get comfortable with. The robot carries its own wireless access point and uses it to connect to the Rover 2.0 app. Unfortunately, that means while you're driving the tank, you have to be connected to the robot's access point and not your local WiFi access point. This means you will have to disconnect from the robot and reconnect to your network every time you want to connect your iPhone or iPad to the Internet via WiFi. 

 The iPad app can also be used to activate and capture still photos or moving video from Rover 2.0's on-board camera, steer the robot. The camera has infrared capabilities, allowing you to move the robot (as well as video record or snap photos) in complete darkness. Rover 2.0 can even broadcast two-way audio from the iPad to the Rover's built-in on-board speaker, allowing you to converse in a walkie-talkie mode with those nearby. If this sounds like a lot of fun, it is!  Rover 2.0, as the numerical assignment suggests, is a second generation design improvement over the original Rover product. I never had the chance to review the original Rover, so I don't have a basis of comparison for those who may already own the first iteration. While the improvements made to the original design further refined the product, Rover 2.0 has some technical limitations that indicate further iterations to the hardware and software design may be in the works. Powered by 6 AA batteries, this thing eats batteries for breakfast. Even though the package includes 6 AA batteries to get started with, potential Rover 2.0 owners might consider swapping them out with rechargeable batteries instead. While adding its own rechargeable battery brick would no doubt increase the cost of Rover 2.0 by a significant factor, the fact that the Rover lasts a little more than an hour on a fresh set of batteries means that this robot won't be roaming your hallways all night long. What would have been really cool is for the Rover to have a Roomba-style ability to automatically dock with a charging station when its batteries run low. That way, Rover 2.0 could always be on call, ready for action. Oh well, perhaps Rover 3.0 will offer such a nifty autonomous feature. 

 One nice ability that has yet to be fully realized is the record path feature. This works by activating the recording on the Rover 2.0 app, then driving the robot as normal. Stopping the recording stores the movement instructions for later playback. Unfortunately, only one playback set can be saved at a time, and those instructions are erased when the Rover 2.0 is turned off. Rather than recording a real-time set of movement instructions, the Rover 2.0 iOS application could be enhanced to include a simple series of command execution blocks (ex: turn right, go straight for 10 feet, turn left, stop for 30 seconds, take picture, turn around, go straight for 10 feet, etc.). Multiple instruction sets could be saved and shared with other Rover 2.0 owners. Games could be played to see how quickly a robot could be programmed to run an obstacle course, or run through the layout of a house or building based on the level of the structure and instruction set being executed. Since this should be a simple matter of updating the Rover 2.0 software app, adding such capabilities shouldn't be too difficult. Perhaps we'll see such functionality in a future Rover model. Overalll, the Rover 2.0 Wireless Spy Tank is an initially exciting yet constrained toy that shows a lot of promise of what we might all have in our homes one day. While it might be an expensive glimpse into the future, it might also provide inspiration to a fortunate young person to enter the field of robotics and build a future Rover that elevates it from a toy to an every day household appliance. Product: Rover 2.0 Wireless Spy TankCompany: Brookstone InnovationPrice: $149.99Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Fantastic iPhone Gadgets & Accessories-TomTom Car Kit for iPhone

The particular long-awaited and far over-blown TomTom Car Set became a fairly good merchandise, and definitely an exceptionally equipped satellite navigation gadget. Along with the actual TomTom i phone practical application, a great (if fairly pricey) routing solution.

Fantastic iPhone Gadgets Accessories-iHome iHM4B

Discuss killing a pair of chickens using a single stone… That is a speaker process as well as iPhone case that basically produces pretty respectable audio. It’s not only to have an iPhone, and can work together with any Mp3 music player you’d want to toss advertising.