Hasta La Gadget!

Ross Rubin contributes Reserve Power, a column focused on personal perspectives and products.

With handset screens getting larger and applications such as streaming primetime shows and video chat becoming more prevalent, it’s not surprising that some handsets such as the HTC Evo 4G include a built-in kickstand. Most phones, though, suffer from LifeCall commercial syndrome — when they’ve fallen, they can’t get up. To offer some assistance, a whole cottage industry of pocketable products – many with inventive designs — have appeared to let you enjoy your handset’s screen without your hands in the way. But how universal are they?

I tested a variety of popular and unusually-shaped handsets — including the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4, Droid 2, Droid X, BlackBerry Bold and BlackBerry Torch, Palm Pre, HP Veer, Samsung Captivate and the monstrous Samsung Infuse — finding, for example, that some phones fit in some stands only when their physical keyboards were extended. Surprised at how well a few of the stands held up, I even tried them with a few tablets, including the BlackBerry PlayBook, Apple iPad and Motorola Xoom. This column will introduce the first six devices after the break, while the next Reserve Power will discuss several more, conclude with my favorites, and link to a spreadsheet detailing which devices and stands paired appropriately with one another.

Continue reading Reserve Power: Stand Off, Part 1

Reserve Power: Stand Off, Part 1 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 May 2011 22:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Like what you’ve seen of Sammy’s slim new slate, but aren’t so psyched about typing sans tactile feedback? Well, worry no more, as Samsung Germany is showing off some peripherals for the ten-inch Galaxy Tab. There’s a €150 ($213) case with an integrated Bluetooth keyboard to give it that Transformer-esqe form factor or an €80 ($114) keyboard dock (“available soon”) that should also sate your phalanges’ physical desires. Other accoutrement includes USB adapters, protective cases and sleeves, a docking station, and an HDMI adapter for viewing video on screens of all sizes. So now that Samsung’s selling some of the sides, we’ve got one question. Where’s our entree?

Continue reading Samsung Germany puts cart before horse: Galaxy Tab 10.1 peripherals on sale now

Samsung Germany puts cart before horse: Galaxy Tab 10.1 peripherals on sale now originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 May 2011 22:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Technically, we suppose Logitech already made a play for the tablet accessories market when it launched a rebranded Zaggmate keyboard case earlier this year, but today the peripheral manufacturer’s getting serious about slates with the launch of two new portable products. Lacking a Smart Cover to keep your iPad 2 on edge? You could try the $70 Logitech Tablet Keyboard pictured above, which comes with a hardshell sleeve that doubles as a tablet stand and dedicated iOS or Android shortcuts. The keyboard itself is slick, roomy and somewhat plasticky, with a definite Notion Ink Adam vibe. There’s also a redesigned Zaggmate, now known as the $100 Logitech Keyboard Case, which comes with “a more intuitive keyboard layout and improved keystrokes for even more comfortable typing” — a claim we weren’t able to test — as well as a rebranded $100 Logitech Z515 Bluetooth speaker system, and a $50 Bluetooth mouse. Pricey? Definitely. Worthwhile? Decide for yourself later this month, when they’re scheduled to hit shelves.

Continue reading Logitech outs a pair of keyboard cases, gets into the tablet accessories game

Logitech outs a pair of keyboard cases, gets into the tablet accessories game originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 May 2011 04:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sure, it may not be as functional as a 3 megapixel camera conspicuously disguised as a magnetic cat, but what could be more secure than an oversized pseudo-padlock thumbdrive? Not your style? Well, surely you have use for a new towel, complete with iPhone pocket? No? Might you enjoy re-training yourself to breathe while basking in the glow of your iPod-ready black light? Fine. Negative Nancy (shown above). We’ll just leave you to your USB-warmed coffee and rage relief button. When you’re ready to come out and play, hit up the links below to help us crown the king of crappy combos.

Read – Brando Flash Drive (Looks like a padlock!)
Read – USB cup warmer (with a massive 56-inch USB cable!)
Read – A black light — with an iPod dock!
Read – Visualizing pulse meter (for learning how to breathe!)
Read – Gym towel iPhone pocket!
Read – The unfortunate offspring of the Staples Easy Button’s sordid love affair with a stress ball.

View Poll

Crapgadget: ‘atrocious amalgam’ edition originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 May 2011 08:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iTablet has found itself on the pages of Engadget before, primarily for vaporware slates and cheap attempts to garner attention with its iMoniker. Now its parent company AHX Global is back with an actual product — a thumb-friendly Bluetooth keyboard. That’s right, no capacitive touch screens here, just backlit QWERTY keys and a “patented rear-facing touchpad” (oh, you mean like the Backflip). You can order the inventively named Thumb Keyboard now at the source link for £79.99 (about $132) but, having only seen renders and considering the company’s track record, we’re hedging our bets on whether this thing is actually shipping yet. Full PR is after the break.

Continue reading Bluetooth Thumb Keyboard apes Backflip, may or may not be shipping now

Bluetooth Thumb Keyboard apes Backflip, may or may not be shipping now originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 May 2011 16:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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