Laptop Functions for an iPad

There are hoards of iPad cases, keyboards, speakers and the like out there. Heck, we report on some of the best virtually every day. As iPad’s increase in popularity they really become as valuable if not more-so than our laptops. Slowly but surely we are able to do more and more of our daily functions on these revolutionary tablets. So why not enable yourself the familiar laptop comfort and functionality?

The Brydge enables your iPad to become the laptop form factor you are used to. Simply click your pad into the Brydge dock and pair using Bluetooth. The full-sized, anodized aluminum keyboard is as efficient as the laptop keyboard you know. With stereo speakers built in you will easily hear everything. Flip it open and you get almost 180° rotation for the ‘screen’ to provide the best viewing angle.  Close the device for portability. The keyboard and pad go to sleep and you maintain a sort of MacBook Air profile. Or carry it while open if you choose. The Brydge serves as a stand too. Easily release your iPad with a firm pull. No attachments, cords or cables required. At this time The Brydge is compatible with iPad generations 2, 3 and 4. This smart device got started via crowdfunding earlier this year and is now in full production. Order on their website – currently featuring $10-20 off for the holidays. The full Brydge+ with the above features runs $210. A speakerless version runs $170 and a poly-carbonate version runs $130 during the holiday sale. So get in on The Brydge and don’t sacrifice the comfort you are used to from your laptop.

source:www.coolest-gadgets.com

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PhoneSuit Flex Micro Battery Pack for smartphones

In this day and age, we tend to take our smartphones for granted, and sure, the kind of technology that our phones pack do seem to last longer than normal while offering more and more functions, but there are still moments in life where one might have just forgotten about charging up the smartphone for the day’s events ahead. Well, perhaps in order to prevent those “doggone it!” moments, there is always a device like the PhoneSuit Flex Micro Battery Pack, which as its name suggests, is a portable, “on the go” battery that was specially designed to deliver instant power to energy hungry smartphones.

How does the PhoneSuit Flex Micro Battery Pack work? Well, it does not matter if you need that final push to complete a phone call (be it during an emergency or when you need to close that multi-million dollar deal), to tune in to your favorite Internet radio station, or even to watch movies – the PhoneSuit Flex is able to handle it all. Touted as one of the smallest and most powerful battery packs that are currently available in the market, it will sport a high capacity 2600 mAh battery that is packed in a device which measures roughly the size of a person’s thumb.

This enables the Flex to, er, “flex” it’s battery power to deliver double the power or a full charge, on majority of smartphones out there. The PhoneSuit Flex’s tiny size and integrated connector tip will enable users of it to hook up the battery straight to their smartphone when traveling. The PhoneSuit Flex will even remain attached and securely in place even as you use the smartphone, making it one of the more ideal solutions for folks who want the advantage of portable power without having to worry about the bulk of a battery case, or in some other cases, a large battery pack solution.

Expect to fork out $79.95 for the PhoneSuit Flex Micro Battery Pack if you are interested.

source:www.coolest-gadgets.com

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Does the iPhone 5 Make your Old Accessories Obsolete?

Does the iPhone 5 Make your Old Accessories Obsolete?

I’m on the fence as to how I feel about the new iPhone. I can say that I only recently broke down and got the 4S… only weeks before the 5, which always happens to me. When I start to feel really aggravated I think about all those iGizmo makers, all their stuff just got obsolete as well. The iPhone 5 has a brandy-new plug… it won’t work with things like my old speakers, so now what?

How can I use all my old accessories with this new eight-prong “Lightning” connector. It’s so much smaller than the classic 30-pin connector that graces my iPod, iPad and iPhone. Never fear, of course Apple has you covered, for a price. Check out the Lightening-to-30 pin adaptor already available for pre-order at the Apple Store.

So the new connector will let you get more mileage out of your old accessories although video and iPod out will not be available. So the question is this, is the lure of the new iPhone enough to make you want to shell out an additional 29 bucks to be able to still use your old accessories? or will you step up and buy new ones?

The Lightening-to-30 pin Adaptor is currently available only for pre-order, with shipping expected sometime in October. Sign up for yours at Apple.com and let me know what’s hot (or not) about the new lineup of Apple iGadgets.

source:www.coolest-gadgets.com

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Apple updates their Mac mini, is cheapest Mac to date

When someone says that he or she is going to pick up an Apple Mac computer, you would most probably think that said person does have a pretty full bank account to begin with. After all, Mac computers do carry the reputation (which is not that true anymore these days) that they are more expensive than their PC counterparts. For folks who want the Apple experience without the need for so much firepower, here is news for you – there is a spanking new updated Mac mini that carries with it a third generation dual-core Intel Core i5 and quad-core Intel Core i7 processors, while carrying integrated graphics which are touted to be up to 65% faster than its predecessor. The updated Mac mini will feature 4GB RAM (maximum of 16GB), a quartet of USB 3.0 ports, Thunderbolt support, HDMI output, an SDXC memory card slot, Gigabit Ethernet, and FireWire 800 ports.

All of those will be crammed into the very same compact aluminum form factor, without causing it to overheat or consume more juice than it ought to. In fact, the Mac mini is capable of meeting stringent Energy Star 5.2 requirements and achieve an EPEAT Gold rating. Sipping on just 11W of juice when idle, it has been claimed by Apple to be the “most energy efficient desktop computer in the world”. You can pick up the Mac Mini from $599 onward if you are interested, depending on the configuration.

source:www.coolest-gadgets.com

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Watch an iPad Mini Strip Show

Happy iPad Mini launch day! Sure the iPad Mini is cute. But the gurus at ifixit.com – home of repair manuals and parts for gadgets galore – want to get to the bottom of the device. So yes, they dissected an out-of-the-box unit earlier this week in their iPad MiniTeardown. View the step by step process at the video below or on their website.

Interesting findings along the way include:

• Held together with “lots of adhesive”
• Glass not fused to the front display – makes for easy repairability
• Same metal plate protecting internals, like with newest iPod Touch
• Confusion as to batteries real specs (information on the battery varies versus spec information released by Apple). Regardless, ifixit seems curious as to whether battery will last 10 hours – as reported – as the mini battery has about 50% of the power of an iPad 2.
• Dock connector sodered to the logic board – means connector replacement has to include a new board

As they do with other devices, ifixit gives the iPad Mini a ‘repairability  score’. I’ll let you watch the video to see the results. If an iPad Mini may be in your future but you are seeking feedback take a look and give ifixit’s findings consideration before you buy.

source:www.coolest-gadgets.com

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Router Keeps You in Control

Remember your first router? Oooohhhh, aaaaah. You were the coolest on your block because you could wire CAT-5 allover in order to hookup more than one computer to your whopping 512kbps Internet speed. And then the whole wireless thing happened (thank goodness). Now routers have become so plug and play that my 80 year old neighbor connected his with no problems. Though I’m not sure how many signal poachers he may have. So what happens next? Routers hold a ton of valuable information. D-Link wants you to access it – from anywhere.

The D-Link DIR-605L gives you everything you would expect from a leader in networking technology, plus remote access. The unit provides perfect coverage for medium to large sized homes, with up to 300Mbps and WPS. N standard means it will be backwards compatible and you still have 4 ports if needed. The unique thing about the 605L is that when setup, you get access to your own cloud control which continuously tracks the activities of your router. Add the free D-Link app for iPad, iPhone or Android to your device and you can remotely tap into the activities. View browsing history of whoever may be home while you are at work. The kids will think you have a spy in the house! Nervous about who is using the network while away?  Check which devices are connected to the network anytime or even receive email alerts when unwanted devices attempt to log on. The D-Link Wizard means setup is as easy as you would expect. Right now you can even get a unit at a $39.99 promo price on D-Link’s site (normally $59.99).  So if you ever have nerves about network usage and browsing when you are away the D-Link DIR-605L router can provide invaluable peace of mind and the router technology you need.

source:www.coolest-gadgets.com

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DIY Touchscreen Gloves

If you or someone you know has wanted a pair of those slick gloves to use on touchscreen phones and tablets, stop looking. The good people at Popular Science recently published a do-it-yourself method of turning gloves into gadget gloves. OK, so it may be more fun to buy a pair and gift them. But if you are watching your budget – or want a pair yourself – take a look at these instructions, as republished from Popular Science.

1. Order silver-plated nylon thread (silver conducts electricity). This can be difficult to find in stores, but major online retailers carry it.
2. Pick a pair of gloves to modify. Although leather works, it’s harder to push a needle through.
3. Stitch the figure of a star or other solid shape onto the glove’s index finger with the thread, making sure it will contact both the touchscreen and your skin.
4. Bundle up and tap away.

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