HEX's New Bag Line Houses iPads and Laptops

HEX has announced two new Fall collections of their bag lines – Recon and Varsity. Both lines includes a messenger bag that has an easy-access iPad bay that allows users to interact with their iPad (gen 1 or 2) without having to remove it.

The Recon and Varsity collections are each comprised of eight bag styles including 13" and 15" messenger bags for iPad, laptop bag, 13" & 15" laptop sleeves, and three backpacks. The Recon line is more casual with its industrial grade washed canvas shell fabric that looks weathered. While the Varsity line is made of heather grey wool, giving it a little more classy appearance.

These bags are available for pre-order now at www.ShopHex.com, bags are expected to ship beginning mid-August.
source: The Gadgeteer

Skype for iPad officially released

Remember the iPad app for Skype that was released earlier and then pulled off from the App Store? Well, it looks like it is back up again. Following an official announcement on the Skype blog, the Skype for iPad is now officially released for the iPad. If you were wondering about what the big deal is - why the hype when there's already a Skype app on iOS.

Well, this version of the app has been optimized for the iPad, making full use of the extra screen real estate that's available on the tablet instead of just blowing up the size of the iPhone-optimized version. Skype for the iPad brings two-way video calling with other Skype users (on any platform), instant messaging, SMS texting, and more. One of the main advantages that Skype will have over FaceTime is the ability to make video calls over 3G - something that is rumored to be in future versions of iOS but currently not available.

Skype for the iPad is free, though you'll need to pay fees if you'd like to make calls to regular phone lines. Head over to the Apple App Store to download it now.
source: Ubergizmo

Targus Versavu Keyboard+Case for iPad 2

With this angle between the display and keyboard, it's best to work on a table

For those who would rather replace their laptops with an iPad 2, but still want a physical keyboard to type long emails, or edit substantial documents, Targus has come up with the Targus Versavu, Kayboard and Case, a variant of their original Versavu case.

Just like the original Versavu case, the exterior is made of leather (I'm not sure if it's real leather or not), and the part that holds the iPad 2 is made of hard plastic with a leather texture in the back (the iPad “snaps” in place), and it can rotate by 90 degrees to use the iPad 2 in vertical position (portrait).

The keyboard keys are smaller than a full-size laptop QWERTY keyboard, but it's big enough to be substantially better and faster than typing on the iPad 2 virtual keyboard. The other advantage of having an external keyboard is that it frees up screen space that the virtual keyboard would occupy. There is a mini-USB port to charge the keyboard's battery.

The downside of having the keyboard is that it adds bulk to an otherwise ultra-thin device. Of course, you would have to compare with your current iPad case setup. If you have a super-thin case, or none at all, this will radically change the iPad 2 form factor. But if you already have a leather case, the additional bulk may not be so hard to swallow. That said, the Targus Versavu Keyboard and Case is still thicker than my Macbook Pro. Here's a good point of reference.

Left: MacBook Pro (1" thick)

Of course, some would ask “why don't you get a laptop”? It's a legitimate question and I would recommend someone who does not have an iPad yet to think it through. An iPad 2 owner who is contemplating getting this accessory has probably already decided that his/her lifestyle works with iPad 2, but needs a bit of keyboard love. What do you think if the case+keyboard idea?
source: Ubergizmo

Perhaps the Most Beautiful iPad/iPad 2 Case – Ever!

Skytop Trading Leather makes gorgeous leather goods, and their iPad cases are no exception. They are handmade in Skytop Leather's Colorado shop from saddle leather (tanned in Pennsylvania). The cases are semi-hard shell cases for maximum protection, and all ports and controls are available while the iPad is in the case. The case converts to a three-way stand – typing, horizontal, and vertical. The cases have a grab-handle and a removable strap. The Leather iPad Case is available in Saddle Brown (shown), Dark Cocoa, or Black in models to fit either the original iPad ($259.00) or the iPad 2 ($279.00).
source: The Gadgeteer

$100 iPad App Lets You Sign PDFs

For just $99, SignMyiPad will let you sign PDFs, and remember where you were at the time

How much would you pay for an iPad app that let you edit and add your signature to a PDF? $4? That sounds pretty reasonable. How much would you pay for the exact same feature set, only with the addition of GPS tagging, so you could keep track of where you signed that document? $100? If you were drinking a coffee whilst reading this post, I'll give you a moment now to wipe down the mouthful you just sprayed across your screen.

The apps in question are SignMyiPad and SignMyiPad Pro. You can guess which is which. Both allow you to add check boxes and radio buttons to PDFs, along with the signature feature, which appears to add in a blocky, childish version of the signature you try to write on-screen.

Sadly, according to reviewers on the App Store, even the cheap version isn't up to much. “Using the app is more time consuming than printing, signing scanning, and emailing,” writes buyer Caliguian, adding that it crashes, renders PDFs poorly and places your signature in unexpected positions.

Still, the app will probably improve in v1.1, right? Don't hold your breath. The $4 SignMyiPad is currently on already on version 3.5.1. Although as the update does little but annoy users and try to harvest their e-mail address, despite Apple's protections, these updates could well come thick and fast. Here's the full What's New text:

Since Apple doesn't let us know who you are when you download our app – we decided to put a splash screen (which only shows on the first launch) that allows you to either:

1. Email us, let know who you are so we can say Thank you for purchasing SignMyPad

2. Follow us on Twitter – so we can say Thank you that way.

Sounds awesome.

SignMyPad product page [Autriv. Thanks, Camber]
source: Gadget Lab

iPad 2 Game Boy case rolls back the years

Folks who grew up with the Game Boy as their primary means of portable entertainment would definitely have fond memories of the number of hours that monochrome graphics are able to deliver. Well, fast forward to today, and you end up with the iPad 2 being one of the more powerful portable gaming devices out there. Why not merge the new with the old with the iPad 2 Game Boy case?

You will find a Game Boy design right at the back of the entire iPad 2 case, sporting an Apple logo without any reference to Mario or the rest of Nintendo's cast of characters. Unfortunately, this particular iPad 2 case is not on sale yet, and it might not take too long before Nintendo actually makes a case against imitation of Game Boys and its likeness. Currently though, Lootiful.com is selling it at $17.99 a pop.
source: Ubergizmo

Case Turns iPad into Giant Game Boy

It probably infringes all kinds of trademark law, but the iPad Game Boy cases is still pretty awesome

While the case isn't yet ready for sale, Lootiful already sells a smaller version for the iPhone 4 for a reasonable $18. You can pre-order the case “soon,” though. And with Nintendo's continued refusal to put its games on non-Nintendo hardware, this might just be the closest you'll get to playing Mario on your iPad. At least until Nintendo is forced to pull a Sega, I guess.

iPad 2 Game Boy case [Lootiful via TUAW]
source: Gadget Lab

Griffin IntelliCase for iPad 2 now available

One of the drawbacks to the Smart Cover is that it only protected the front of your iPad 2. Case manufacturers have realized this for quite some time now and have been making covers that have the features of both the Smart Cover and regular protection for the back of the tablet. Latest one to join the party is Griffin Technology with its IntelliCase for iPad 2.

It features a regular back cover for the iPad 2, with cutouts to make its ports easily accessible, and it also comes with a Smart Cover-like front that can be used to prop the iPad 2 up in two different incline positions. The cover also features magnets to take advantage of the magnet sensors on the iPad 2, letting you put the tablet to sleep just by closing the case. The IntelliCase is also covered with a micro-textured surface for an improved grip. It is available now in black for $59.99.
source: Ubergizmo

The Perfect iPhone and iPad cases for college students

We're guessing there's probably plenty of reasons why you bought your iPhone, but we can bet you probably never would've imagined you would be opening beers with it. Australian designers Rob Ward and Chris Peters first turned to Kickstarter for help with their ‘Opena' case concept, but after reaching funding goals the product is finally going into production.

Although a bottle-opening iPhone case could sound like a disaster, the case is actually surprisingly well thought out. The durable bottle opener slides right out of the case, designed specially to avoid straining the phone itself. The placement of the opener is even designed to keep bottle foam from escaping and entering any iPhone ports. When the bottle opener is hidden inside the case, the Opena just looks like a regular, sleek iPhone case.

Available in a black or white pre-order, you can order yours here for $39.95.

If the bottle-opening iPhone case is for the partying aspect of your college career, then the BinderPad iPad case is the perfect solution for your academic needs. This simple and minimalistic case allows you to safely store (or hide) your iPad in an ordinary three ring binder. Created by ZooGue, the BinderPad Case claims to be “the thinnest most convenient iPad 2 pouch” weight in at 3.5 oz and a 1x2 inch thick.

With more and more textbooks coming in e-book form and schools beginning to integrate iPads into curriculum, the BinderPad Case could be the perfect iPad accessory for students. It allows you to keep everything nice and organized in a single three ring binder, eliminating the need to carry both a binder and an iPad separately.

You can order your BinderPad case from ZooGue here for $29.99.
source: 2DayBlog.com

Rage HD optimized for the iPad 2

Remember id Software's hit iOS game - Rage? Well it looks like John Carmack and his boys aren't quite done with it yet, and have offered a new update to the game so that it is now more iPad 2-friendly. The latest update to Rage HD includes some new features that make the game more worthwhile for iPad 2 users. Rage HD, now at version 1.21, features 1080p HDMI TV output, and has been recompiled for iOS 4 for improved compatibility.

In addition to making the game run better and allowing it to run on your large HD TV, there are also some changes to the gameplay. There is now the option to enable an analog thumbstick control, the ability to shake the device to activate your melee attack, and there are also some cosmetic changes as well as the usual bug fixes. The update for Rage HD is available now on the Apple App Store. If you don't have the game yet, you can purchase it for $1.99.
source: Ubergizmo