Reviews by The Church of Apple

Category: Product Review

  • Forward LifeJacket iPad Case Review

    The Forward Lifejacket iPad Case is a Tank case for the iPad designed to protect it from any submersion of water, so now the problem of dropping your iPad in the toilet is solved. Kidding aside, the case protects your iPad when you know you will be in water environments such as on a boat, near a body of water, or even under water. It is available for $94.99. Let’s see if this is the waterproof iPad case for you.

    Form

    Don’t expect this case to be the nicest looking case you have used. It is a tank. It makes the iPad turn from one of the thinnest “books” you can use to one of the thickest. Similarly, it turns from light to heavy with the addition of this case. One could simply say, bulky is the word for the dimensions of the case. It is made up of a black, hard plastic that would take a tank to dent it. The case is awkward to use because there are several hatches on the case that keep it closed. The back looks like the backing of a bland looking stereo receiver backing, except without all the ports of course. Protecting the iPad’s screen is a sheet of a see-through screen protector. The only color on the case is the white and blue logo of the company, all of the rest is a bland black color. Inside the case, there is no clear way of putting the iPad in the case. The only way I see is to just lay it on top and close the lid. The inside of the case also looks bland and cheap. Of course, don’t get me wrong, the case is not cheaply made, it just has the appearance of it, particularly on the inside. The case does not fare well in the form category, but how can a tank be nice looking anyways?

    Function

    If it’s one thing this case does well it is to protect. This case will protect your iPad from drops and from water. In fact, it does it so well, it’s military grade. I tested it myself and it indeed passed the submersion test. Of course, I’m not one to want to submerge my device if I don’t have to, so I took it out before testing. Unfortunately, there is a price to pay to get this protection. First of all, we’ll start at putting the iPad in. There are four hatches that you need to open to get the case open. I wouldn’t normally complain about this but you have to have strong hands to open this case. People with weak hands will not be able to open this case. The hatches just hatch it closed too tight to even be able to open it. Next, after you pry it open, there is, once again, no clear way to put the iPad in. There are no corner things that you attach to the corners of the iPad or anything of that sort. You just put the iPad in and hope it is even, because if it’s not, you’ll have to reopen and adjust and try again. After you close the case, you will discover that a few key features have been stripped of their use. The camera, volume buttons, sleep/wake buttons, charging port, headphone jack and the rotation lock switch are all inaccessible. That’s right, you can’t listen to music in your headphones nor the speakers since they are almost entirely blocked, you can’t turn the rotation, you can’t change the volume of the music you can’t hear, you can’t charge the iPad while in the case, and you can’t even turn the iPad off. What is the point of using a device if all of it’s primary functions are blocked even if it does provide military grade protection from drops and water. If the case protects your device but the device isn’t usable, what’s the point? Unfortunately, this case did not do well in it’s function either.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Military-grade protection

    Cons

    -Too thick and heavy
    -Weak aesthetics
    -Hard to open
    -Questionable placement of the iPad
    -Limited functionality, too limited for most to sacrifice for the protection

    Ways to Improve

    To be honest, Forward should consider a complete overhaul of it’s case. As a matter of fact, I believe much time and resources should be put into R&D to fix the many problems of this case while still keeping protective abilities, even if one has to sacrifice the thinness of the iPad for it. If that was all one sacrificed, I would use the case. However, so much is stripped away that it renders the iPad useless.

    The case very much reminds me of communism. We’ll take away your rights in exchange for protection. Your right to audio, turning your iPad off, switching the rotation and even charging the iPad are stripped away. Of course, you can get these rights back if you open the case (remember, difficult to open) and take the iPad out. Then, after you take it out, you won’t ever put it in again. The case receives a 1 star from me, for at least providing protection for the iPad. Unfortunately, the costs are too high to keep that protection. Besides, who’ll drop it in the toilet anyways?

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

  • Telme2 BlueBox Speakers

    The Telme2 Bluetooth Speakers are wireless, bluetooth speakers that work with any bluetooth enabled device to produce a loud but clear and well balanced sound. What is unique about these speakers is that as a pair, the speakers can produce a stereo sound, unlike single-set speakers which can not achieve this. The speakers are available from Telme2 for $172.00. Let’s see it they are the speakers for you.

    Form

    These pair of speakers probably some of the nicest looking speakers I have reviewed. First off, they are small. They are small boxes that remind me of the square (not rectangle) kleenex boxes, in terms of size anyways. They definitely aren’t ugly like kleenex boxes but a that’s about the size of one speaker. The speakers are white and black. The speaker has a middle part that is all black. This is where the speaker is housed. Surrounding it is a creamy white colored chrome textured material. The back has the port to charge the speaker. On the bottom is a latch to attach the the wall attachment. The speakers are attached to my wall, in it’s permanent spot. They look good in an office to use for speakers for your office computer. They look professional and clean. They are ready for any office or any place. I am using them as my office speakers because they look nice and, as I will discuss in a second, they sound great.

    Function

    These speakers sound great! Because of the stereo provided by these speakers, you feel like you are surrounded by the sound, so of course, you could also call these speakers surround sound. Because of the fact that I have not heard surround sound out of any other bluetooth speaker set that I have reviewed, it sounds better than all of the bluetooth speakers I have reviewed thus far. The sound is clear, well rounded and just sounds great. In addition. the process of connection is seamless. Turn them on and connect to them on your computer, thats it. There are no wires connecting the two speakers. The only wires you will ever need to use is the charging cable so that you can charge them when you need to. The batteries hold up well so you won’t need to charge often. It should be noted that this is an European company and it’s chargers are for European outlets. However, Euro to US outlet adapters are available for a dollar or two for a set of six or seven. They are very cheap. Don’t let the charger discourage you. I would just order some Euro to US adapters before purchase. I appreciate the fact that they can attach to the wall so that I can keep them level with my computer and allow easy access to the on button. The speakers only have an on button, bluetooth discoverable button and volume buttons, but that is all that is necessary when the controls are on your computer on on your device a stroke or touch away anyways. Overall, the speakers sound great and provide seamless bluetooth integration.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Great sound
    -Looks great in any setting
    -Seamless bluetooth connection
    -No wires except for charging
    -Can be taken anywhere if needed

    Cons

    -None

    These speakers are great speakers that I could highly recommend to anyone. If speakers can earn their place as my permanent computer speakers, then they are an obvious winner.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

  • iSkin Aura2 Review SPECIAL PROMOTION 60% OFF

    The iSkin Aura2 is an iPad case made to protect your iPad in a stylish way. To accommodate the lavish look, there is a lavish price tag. The case is available for $99.99 from iSkin. However, you as a reader of my site get a special promotion. Enter aura60off at checkout if you buy the case by April 30th, you will get 60% off the case, making the case only $40. Of course, let’s see if it is worth this great discount.

    Form

    My opinion here is very mixed. The case is actually very nice. The case is made well in terms of stitching and how it is put together (where stuff goes and such). The material used is a good leather material and the case feels solid to use. The ports and cameras are not blocked in any way. The case has nice pockets put in for good measure. The case’s stand design is interesting and it probably isn’t something I would personally put into a case should I ever make one. However, whether you like the stand or not, I think, is more based on personal preference. What isn’t based on personal presence, however, is the bending, or warping, of the case. The front cover bends inwards. The borders around the iPad’s sides come up and sometimes prevent the front cover’s magnets from making contact with the magnets on the iPad. There is a good 1.5-2.0 mm of space between the case and the iPad itself, the right side even went as far as 3 mm from case to iPad. It seems like the iPad is too thick for the case causing the cases edges to come up. Since I am using an iPad 2, the thinnest iPad made to date, this should not happen. I was sent two cases with the same defect. However, I read online that many people did not get a case with this defect. This problem is the source for other problems. Because of the warping of the case, it is uncomfortable to hold. The case is a bit thicker than it normally be. However, the case is too thick even without the warping. Overall, the warping is the only thing wrong with the form of this case but it is a major problem. The problem to fix all other problems.

    Function

    Before once again tackling the problems with the warping, I’d first like to address the positives. First, the case, despite the warping, still protects your case well, probably better than a lot of other cases. The case also has pockets for credit cards, paper and other small things. The case does have a stand, whether you like it or not its up to you. I personally do not because of the extra work required to get the case standing. I never have been a fan of folio case stands, the ones where the front cover lays on the table and a flap comes onto a nudge on the front cover. Of course, that is something that is more of opinion. One interesting function is that when you have the stand in typing mode, which by the way is the hardest to get to, you can make the front cover flap go over the iPad to protect the screen from prying eyes. It offers a little bit of privacy. Whether of not that was intentionally done or just a coincidental result of how they made the case will remain unknown. Again, I do need to mention the warping. The case comes up off the iPad so much that sometimes it can prevent the magnets on the case and on the iPad from touching. This is due to the front cover being so far away from the iPad itself, it can not reach it and thus sleep the iPad. Also, holding the case is uncomfortable and that is not how handling the iPad should be. Overall, my reaction to this case based on it’s function, as you can tell, is mixed.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Good stitching and craftsmanship (besides the warping)
    -Protects the iPad well
    -Ports and cameras protected but not blocked
    -Pockets provide extra support for carrying your stuff
    -Without the warping, it would be a much better case (maybe yours won’t be warped)

    Cons

    -Warping and the problems as a result of it.
    -Stand may not be for some people
    -A bit too thick

    Ways to Improve

    If it is true that the leather warps in changes in temperature, consider sending the case in a package that will keep a certain temperature. In addition, the company should consider thinning the case’s profile a little bit. I also think the case should be redone perhaps to resemble more simple stand designs

    I am unsure how the leather warped however it may be that the case was handled in changing temperatures before arriving to my house in California from Canada. In addition, I read online that people received their cases in perfect condition without any problems. If my cases did not have the problem of being warped, this review would be much more positive and despite my on-the-negative-side review, you should consider purchase anyway since if the case does not have the problem, it is a wonderful case. It is on discount with the coupon code above and the customer service was friendly and courteous, so what do you have to lose? Due to the case’s warping, I do have to rate it at a 2 and a half. However, that is with the warping. If you receive a case without the warping, that rating is a 4 and a half. Many people have received cases without the warping so it may just be bad luck. Try your luck with the case, you may or may be disappointed.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

  • ION Room Rocker Review

    The ION Room Rocker is a bluetooth speaker designed to rock your room, hence the name. The speaker has a wide range with an emphasis on the bass. The speaker is not small so it is not meant to be moved around much. Why would you want to? You could accidentally damage this nice looking speaker! The speaker is available from ION for $149.99. Allow me to show you why it’s worth the price.

    Form

    The speaker excels in it’s form. The speaker is big and it is wide so it does take up a lot of room but it is not bulky. On the front, it is a simplistic design. The standard black cover that protects almost all speakers is on this one as well. Surrounding it is a silver trim. Inside the black mesh there is a light that shows a blue color when it is on and shows no color when it is not. Right below that is the cool ION logo. Below that is gray bar that also projects sound. The sides are all black and have a texture like that of other high quality, high price speakers. On the top, most of it is the same black material. However, on the top there is also a dock and four buttons. The dock is handy for when you want to listen to music but you are almost out of charge. I find it nice to have that option to just put it on the dock. Some bluetooth speakers do not offer the functionality of a dock just in case you need it. The buttons included are the off/on button, volume buttons and a connect bluetooth button. The bluetooth button has a light that allows you to know if it is connected to something bluetooth. On the back, there is a bass speaker as well as on the bottom. Included with the speaker is a remote that allows for much more functionality than the buttons on the speaker itself. It is solidly made, unlike many remotes that come with speakers. Overall, this speaker shines in it’s form.

    Function

    What? What did you say?! This would be something you would say to your friend sitting right next to you if you were to put these speakers on full blast. These speakers are that loud. If you want a room rocker, this is it. If you want a house rocker this is it as well. Of course, this is at high blast. It’s not a representation at mid-level or, of course, low-level. This speaker has great sound at any volume level, something some speakers have difficulty in accomplishing. Some people may want to put the bass reducer function on their devices on with these speakers. These speakers have an incredible bass ability, better than many other speakers on the market. That said, the sound sounds great across the board. This speaker is meant to stay in one place for most of it’s life. The speaker is not that light and is not portable. It is, however, perfect for a shelf or an end table. The buttons on it signify that it relies heavily on controlling the sound from either the device or the remote, considering only the power button, volume buttons and Bluetooth button make a debut on the speaker. The remote has power, volume, mute, Bluetooth, rewind, play/pause, forward and shuffle buttons. Whew. Thankfully the remote is included with this speaker since all of us prefer to use remotes then get up and change the song. I appreciate that ION added the remote in since without it, the speaker would not work. Of course, an alternative to that scenario is if there was no remote but more functionality in the speaker itself, but the way they chose to do it is better. This is a great speaker that I could highly recommend.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -GREAT sound
    -Whole musical range sounds great with a good emphasis on bass
    -Made well and well designed
    -Remote allows for quick, easy wireless controls
    -Bluetooth

    Cons

    -At this time, there are no cons to report

    Ways to Improve

    Although I did not mention this in my cons list, I do think that the company should consider adding additional buttons to the speaker. Of course, this is nothing to pull off all the merchandise off the shelves to fix but it is something to consider should they ever make an improved version of this speaker.

    This is a really great speaker. I could recommend it to anyone, including those who don’t want a lot of volume, because of the power, the sound, it can bring at 80% volume and at 20% volume. If you are looking for a bluetooth speaker, I would highly consider this one. How could I refrain from giving this speaker 5 stars? I couldn’t, this speaker easily gets five stars from me! Great job ION!

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

  • AudioFly AF45 Headphones Review

    The AudioFly AF45 headphones are cheap in price headphones affordable to the general public. These headphones are great sounding for the money and are probably one of the biggest bangs for the buck. The headphones are available from Audiofly for around $60 for the headphones without a mic or around $70 for headphones that have a mic, the mic is useful for using the headphones as a “headset” for your phone. Let’s see if these headphones are for you.

    Form

    These headphones actually surprised me in it’s design. These headphones have a great attention to detail. First off, the plug that goes into the headphone jack has a nice rubber feel to it and it is easily grippable to pull out the headphones from the headphone jack. The cord of the headphones is made of a nice-to-the-touch material. The headphone jack has a nice gold plating, not only making it look good but also increasing it’s sound quality. The headphones aren’t all black however, or at least the ones I received. The headphones have a hint of some color in it. The color is featured on the cord, on the play/pause button on the cord and on the headphones themselves. The hint of color almost gives it some sort of a personality to fit you. The earbud itself has great detail as well. There is the tiny logo on the back of them, surrounded by a grill that helps improve the sound of the headphones. Going out to the bud that actually goes in the ear itself, the headphone is a certain color, whatever color you chose at checkout. Aesthetically, these are great earphones.

    Function

    When I tried these consumer-level headphones, I was surprised by the power it has. It has a lot of sound and it really sounds great. It probably has the best sound out of any consumer headphones I have seen. It does show a bit of an emphasis on the bass and less on the mid level but I didn’t think it detracted from the overall sound. The mic feature is way cool when using these headphones with the iPhone since I can listen to music, take a call with the headphones still in and then go back to listening to music when I hang up. In addition, when using the mic, I noticed no wire sound when talking to the other person. Another cool feature is the play/pause button. More and more headphones are including this and it really is a neat, handy feature. I would wish for volume changing capabilities but that might be asking for too much since some more expensive headphones don’t include it. A few negatives I could think of is it’s lack of comfortable buds. The stock buds were either too big or too small for my ears. I had to take the headphones off because of it. Fortunately for you, buds can be picked up very cheaply. When you find the right sized buds, they are very comfortable in your ears. In addition, there is no clear indicator of which earbud is left and which is right. The only indiction I saw was the L inside the left earbud. The right also has Braille-like texture on it to signify it is the right. I think that there should be letters on the buds (not in the buds) that clearly state L or R. However, other than that, I see no flaws in these headphones. In fact, one could say that these are probably some of the best consumer-level headphones on the market in the price range.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Strong Aesthetic
    -Attentive to detail
    -Great sound
    -Mic included on the slightly more expensive model
    -Button to play and pause

    Cons

    -Stock buds too small or big for ears, use your own
    -No clear left or right bud indicators

    Ways to improve

    A couple of things that this company can do to improve is to add medium sized buds to their package and to add letters on the buds to indicate left and right.

    This down under company has done a great job in making high-quality consumer-level cheap-in-price-only headphones. I would highly recommend these headphones to any one who wants to buy headphones that look great and sound great for a great price. I give these headphones 4 and a half stars since I do not think people should have to buy more plugs since the ones provided hurt your ears. Of course, it’s not a major flaw and these are great headphones so 4 and a half stars it is. Great job AudioFly.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

  • Focused Space Leathersmith iPhone 5 Case

    The Focused Space Leathersmith iPhone 5 case is a leather back cover for the iPhone 5. It is available for $45.00 from Focused Space. Let’s see if it is the iPhone 5 case for you.

    Form

    The case is available in either all black or all brown. It has a protective coating insides the case to provide shock support. The case has a clean logo on the back and has all the appropriate cutouts that an iPhone case should have. The case does feel nice in the hand, it is made out of real leather after all. The case is pretty solid and I feel as though it will do some work in protecting your iPhone. The case does not have much of a border protecting the front of the phone, which could prove troublesome. Overall, this case excels in Form.

    Function

    Of course, the most important function of this case is the ability to protect your device during a fall. I do not believe that this case will do just that, however. The back of the iPhone may be well protected but the front of the phone is wide open. And if Murphy’s law is right, your phone will land on the screen side and you will have an iPhone with a cracked screen. I always emphasize the need for some protection of the front of the device be it an iPhone, iPad or iPod. The front needs to be protected because there are already too many cracked screens on iPhones, we don’t need any more of that. Of course, it very well may land on the back but why take the chance? On a more positive note, the case does allow easy access to all ports and it does not block the camera. Of course, we buy cases for protection, not whether or not it hides the ports or not. Therefore, this case does not do well in function.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Great aesthetic
    -Cut-outs for ports are appropriate
    -Protects the back well
    -Feels nice to hold

    Cons

    -Does not protect the front

    Ways to improve

    In order to improve, I would add a bit more of a “bumper” so that the screen will not have contact with the ground.

    In order for a case to be a great case, one that I would buy, it needs to be a case that will protect your device. This case does not do that. There is very little bumper to keep the phone’s glass from making contact with the concrete. Unfortunately, this case does not do well in it’s main function: to protect. This case gets 2 and a half stars from me. I don’t want a cracked screen, and neither do you.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

    Images Courtesy: Focused Space

  • ChargeCard Review

    The ChargeCard for iDevices with 30-pin connector is a unique charge and sync cord for the iPhone 4/4S, iPad 2 and 3, and the iPods (30-Pin). This cord is so thin, it literally fits in your wallet. That’s right, a charge/sync cord for your iDevice that fits in your wallet. How cool is that! Never will you forget to bring your charging cord because who leaves the house without their wallet? No one I know of. This unique device is available from the Charge Card Project for $25.00. Let’s see if this unique device is for you.

    Form

    As you can imagine, this device is THIN. We are talking credit card sized thin. The thinnest charge/sync cord I have ever seen. You may think to yourself “There is no way this incredibly thin cord card could possibly charge let alone sync my device”, well, I don’t know how it’s done but it’s done. Literally, it is the charger cord that fits your wallet. The card also is so light, it does not register on my scale. It is that light. The device comes in one color: black. It consists of a “half-USB” cord, meaning the device has the half of a USB port, the one that matters, the part that actually does the charging and syncing, the part with the technology. Therefore, it is half the size of a standard USB plug. It also is dynamic and can bend in any shape you want it to. This is a great feature since you are not bogged down having to turn it one way. The 30 pin connector is on the top of the card and is actually a part of the card. The cord attached to the USB and the card don’t provide much length but I would recommend using this device as a backup to your cord and as a replacement for when you go out somewhere but not a replacement for when you are at home. And that’s okay, that is what it is made for, to be a traveling cord, one that will almost always be with you. The uniqueness and innovation of this product easily make it excel in Form.

    Function

    Something I noticed about this cord when I used to charge my iDevice was that it actually was quick to charge. Don’t let the small size fool you. This device packs a punch. It will charge your device very quickly. I was able to get a full charge within an hour or so. That is about how much time it takes to charge it with a long cord that is a drag to carry around and that can’t fit in your wallet. In addition, I was surprised by the syncing. I thought that the syncing would be slow because of it’s small size. Again, I was fooled. The card synced my device just as it would on any of my other cords. I know that some of you may say “Well, where am I going to find a USB port to put this in”, well lots of places. There are USB ports in airplanes, laptops (which I know a lot of you carry MacBooks around to StarBucks, dittos to the hipsters out there), hotels, TVs, some appliances, gaming consoles, some cars have USB ports and I am sure a lot of you have USB car chargers, desktop computers, you’d be surprised. Unless you go deep into the forest, you are likely to find one very close. Therefore, this cord is perfect for travelers. Of course, you should always bring you’re charger along with you when going long distances but accidents happen, distractions happen and the ChargeCard has your back. Keep this in your wallet, find a USB port and you won’t be without charge.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Small, light and portable
    -Portable Charge
    -Fits in your wallet, not your pocket, your wallet
    -Full capabilities of a regular charge/sync cord
    -There when you need it, out of your way when you don’t.

    Cons

    -None

    Ways to Improve

    At this time, I see no reason for this product to be modified in any way to fix a problem.

    This is a great product. The portability of this device is astonishing and represents innovation at it’s finest. The creators of this product are fairly young and I believe that this is not the only great product we will see from them. Young, innovative minds are what we need in this country and I believe we have three of them right here with this product. If it’s useful and something I have never seen before, it is innovation. As a side not, another good thing I’d like to mention is that it is made in the US, helping to further our economy. It makes my patriotic heart sing when I see Made in USA. This is the cord to get for your iDevice, no doubt about it. This product absolutely gets five stars from me.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

  • Kanex DualRole

    The Kanex DualRole is a device with two reasons for it’s existance. The first is to provide you with an additional 2 USB 3.0 ports to your computer (it adds three but takes up one computer port). The second one, which is more important, adds an Ethernet adapter to a computer that needs it such as the MacBook Air and the new Retina Display MBPs. It is the first product that I have seen that combines USB 3.0 and Ethernet. The DualRole is available from Kanex for $69.99. Let’s see if it the USB hub for you.

    Form

    There isn’t much to mention in terms of Form but there are a few things I would like to point out. First, this device is perfect for traveling. It is very small and compact. If you wanted to put it in your pocket, you definitely could. The device may be small but it is made well. The cord is well attached to the device and the ports are made well enough. The device, like the MeDrive, reminds me of an Apple Time Capsule or a white Apple MacBook. The device would be a perfect fit aesthetically with a white MacBook, however users of the white MacBook would not need it since the white MacBooks have USB and Ethernet ports. The device is more suited for owners of more current computers. The cord is short, some could say a little too short but that is good since a short cable quickens the speed a bit more than a longer cable. Other than that there isn’t much else to say about the Form of this device. It’s small, compact, light and it has just enough Apple-ness in there to make it stand out.

    Function

    The device is small and compact and thus perfect for traveling. It isn’t a 12 port USB hub but on the go it is the perfect device, especially for those with a computer without an Ethernet hub. On the market right now, there is no device that I know of besides this one that can drive USB 3.0 and Ethernet on the same adapter. That is something of high-mention. I believe in Apple’s mentality of invention and this company did just that. They did it well. The device provides quick USB 3.0 ports to the newer computers coming to market, not just Macs but PCs as well. Many computers are dropping Ethernet compatibility due to the ever-increasing use of wireless internet. However, some people prefer a wired connection since it provides them with a quicker connection. I took this to the test and I did find that a wired connection was faster. Since many hotels and lodging locations still offer Ethernet, it is something to be taken advantage of. I tested the USB hubs and I found it was just as fast as the USB 3.0 ports on my computer. Also, if you wanted to drive more power to charge multiple devices, you can put in a 5V adapter which is not included but is so common you almost definitely have one at home and if not, it’s a few bucks on Amazon. I have found many times that the amount of ports on my MacBook is too few. This will make the count up to four AND allow me to plug into a wired, faster connection. In addition, as a side effect, one would no longer need to use the Thunderbolt/Ethernet adapter nor buy it if haven’t bought one yet. One problem I have with the device is not the device itself but the price. You are getting a three port USB adapter and a Gigabit Ethernet adapter for $70. I don’t know about you but that is an investment. Sure you are no longer crying about the lack of USB ports or Ethernet port but now you’ll be crying that you paid $70 to buy it. However, if you are willing to shell out the price, it is a great investment.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Good aesthetic
    -Small and compact
    -Additional USB 3.0 ports for a computer with only a few ports
    -Additional Ethernet port
    -Ability to add a power adapter if you need more power

    Cons

    -Price

    Ways to Improve

    The only thing Kanex can do to improve is to decrease their price on this product.

    This device is a great hub. However, the minimal amount of USB ports it adds is something to take note of with the price. The USB ports and Ethernet are great for the MBPR and the MacBook Air due to their limited USB ports and lack of Ethernet, however, I can not recommend it to owners of other Apple computers. To me, for what you pay, it seems to be lacking. However, if you are willing to pay the premium the device is perfect for anyone on the go who needs the ports. This device receives 4 stars from me.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

  • Kanex meDrive

    The Kanex meDrive is small device that you can plug into your router, connect a USB flash drive and use it as a file server accessible to all devices, including iOS devices, a technology worth mentioning. It can be used for as many devices have the capabilities of seeing it and that have the credentials to log in. The Kanex meDrive is available from Kanex for $99.00.

    Form

    The looks of this device aren’t nearly as important as how it performs but there are a few things to mention. First, this device is very small and compact. This device may be able to fit in tight corners. The wires included are short so the device needs to be close to the router. Of course, you can get a longer cable and your meDrive will have more space to move about the cabin. There is a little light on the device that let’s you become aware of when the device is on or not, transferring files or not. The device reminds me of the Time Capsule that Apple sells or at least the looks anyways. In a device where the looks don’t really matter, it at least passes this category.

    Function

    The idea behind this product is a great idea. A simple file server that you can connect to your router and is accessible not only to computers like all file servers are but also iOS devices as well, providing a massive cloud service if you use massive hard drive (I tried a 1TB hard drive with it). Unfortunately, this is where the complimenting ends. This device does not work with Mac-formatted hard drives. Therefore, I can not use my hard drive with this device and then use it with my Mac right after, they don’t go hand in hand. Since I only own Macs, that’s a big problem. In addition, this device needs to be driven by a USB port. I have a USB port on my router thankfully but if I didn’t, I may have had to buy a USB wall outlet adapter just to use it. Adding to that, the USB cable may not be long enough so you may want to find an additional, longer cable. Therefore, with that said, this device is not wireless. There are two, possibly three wires involved. Power, Ethernet (to the router) and a cord to a portable hard drive if you have one. Once you have it set up, the struggles continue. Sometimes, my devices can’t recognize the meDrive at all. Sometimes, my device can recognize it but it appears as though there is nothing in my drive when there is and the best days are when it does recognize something but takes a few minutes to show up. It shouldn’t take long for it to recognize it at all. I know it wasn’t my device because A I have a 2012 computer and B it was right next to the meDrive. When I did get a 500 GB external HDD to work, it took a long time to show it’s contents. So long, I lost count of time and moved on with something else equally as boring. The same goes for my iOS devices. I rather just save my files onto the hard drive then take the hard drive to where I want the files and download it there. There is a good thing to say about the iOS app though, when it works, it is intuitive. Of course, all this is not to say that it never works. In fact it works sometimes, but when it does, it’s slow and it’s results are wildly unpredictable. When we had problems however, he had no help. The instructions and manual are useless for troubleshooting so that leaves contacting the company the only option for help and some people just don’t want to do that. From my perspective, the device has too many problems to recommend.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Looks nice
    -Lights provide some knowledge about what’s going on
    -Provided cables
    -iOS app, unlike the rest of the whole process, is intuitive

    Cons

    -Unreliable
    -Unpredictable
    -Needs to be tethered
    -Does not work with Mac formatted drives
    -When it works, it takes way too long to do anything useful with it
    -Instructions are vague and worthless for troubleshooting

    Ways to Improve

    Besides a need to fix it’s compatibility issues, it needs to be more stable so we can have better access to the USB device attached to the meDrive. A faster connection with the router needs to be established. The company needs to consider wireless solutions to a second rendition of the product. Perhaps, they could add wireless connections to the router and wireless power such as a battery. In addition, some improvements to the instructions and troubleshooting should be considered.

    The meDrive has too many problems for me to recommend it. The device was limited in it’s abilities and unstable. It is clear that Kanex has some kinks to work out before they have a stable, finished product. This product receives 2 stars from me.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

  • ION Sound Splash Review

    The ION Sound Splash is a lightweight, small, bluetooth waterproof speaker that allows you take your music and your calls into areas that are wet without putting your bluetooth device in serious danger of getting wet. This device allows you to listen to music in the shower and take a call should one come in. Just be sure to turn the shower off before you accept the call so it doesn’t get awkward:) The ION Sound Splash is available from ION’s Amazon Store for $69.99. Let’s see if this waterproof speaker is right for you.

    Form

    One thing that I noticed about this speaker right away was how small it was. This speaker is meant to be portable. You could put it in some bigger pockets, although I would recommend putting it in a bag. There is a reason it is like this… so you can take it around with you! It can go in boats, near the lake, near the pool, near the water or really anywhere. This speaker is not made cheap either. It is a pretty solid device despite it being lightweight. The device is well-designed since everything is easy to use and it actually looks nice. The buttons on the device are easy to see and use. Access to volume, play/pause, power button and the take the call button are within reach at all times. You may be wondering that if this device is truly waterproof and wireless, how does it protect the charger? Well, the speaker has a small locking flap on the bottom of the device that you can open and put the charger in. Just be sure to close it before you enter the shower. I would have liked to have seen addtional colors in the lineup other than white to make it more fun but it is not important. All in all, the Sound Splash has made a splash in the Form category, let’s see how it does in it’s function.

    Function

    The first thing I noticed when using this speaker was how powerful it was. When you first see it’s small size, you think to yourself “No way this will sound good at all” but when you actually hear it, you will be shocked to hear it’s quality. Even the bass on the speakers was surprisingly great. Another thing I noticed is that I could leave my iPhone in the other room and it will still pick up it’s bluetooth signal well. I have, as of yet, heard the device drop the sound when using the bluetooth functionality. The device can also attach anywhere in your shower. The suction cups that come with it are firm yet easy to take off. I have had problems with wet suction cups before and the inability to take them off the wall or glass but these suction cups do not have that same problem. In addition, if you’re not a fan of suction cups, you can use the attached hook to hook it onto your shower head (that is what I do). Both ways provide for easy on and off. When taking a call, the device will fade out the music and the blue light on the device will blink and you can take the call just by pressing the phone button. When you end the call, the music starts up again. In addition, other controls are within reach. You can pause or play music, turn up and down the volume, take a call or turn the speaker off. There is only one problem I have in the functionality of this device. You better have a good selection of music because if you come across a song you don’t like, you can not skip it. The beloved forward and backward buttons that we have come to know and love on MP3 players is not featured on the device. This is a big misstep in functionality. It’s one of the main buttons on an iPod, how can you miss it? On the bright side, it has forced me to get rid of songs I truly don’t like but even then there are sometimes songs I don’t want to listen to at that particular time of day. However, considering songs on people’s iPods typically is music they like, it shouldn’t be a huge deal but it is something I miss. All in all, its great sound, ease of use and great bluetooth quality among other things more than compensates for the lack of a few buttons.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Great sound
    -Portable
    -Great bluetooth quality
    -Great call quality
    -Easy to set up in the shower and with your device
    -Waterproof
    -Looks great aesthetically

    Cons

    -No forward/backward buttons, need these to change the song
    -Needs more color options

    Ways to Improve

    There are a few ways to solve the playback problem. First, ION could add buttons to the device that allow the user to go forward or backward on the music. Second, and I feel this is more of a unique way, is to add Siri/Voice Control functionality. Pressing a button (or holding a button) would activate Siri or voice control and the person can tell the device to call Steve or Play Coldplay or skip this song. The possibilities are great with Siri/Voice control. As more and more devices get Siri, the need for Siri functionality in products increases and I believe that it can be a HUGE selling point in the next rendition of the Sound Splash to include Siri/Voice Control functionality, and if they can’t use Siri with the product due to some Apple restrictions that may or may not exist, they should develop their own app that will allow the user to give simple commands. Since the Siri/Voice Control platform already exists, attempts should be made first to integrate them into the device, perhaps a button that simulates the pressing of the home button (voice control and Siri are both prompted by default by the short hold of the home button).

    This is a great device. It’s sound, portability, wide bluetooth capabilities, ease of use earn it 4 and a half stars. The addition of forward/backward buttons would have made it 5 stars easily but such an important function can not be disregarded.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

    Images Courtesy: ION