Reviews by The Church of Apple

Tag: iOS

  • 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

  • RooCase Origami Dual-View Folio for iPad mini

    The RooCase Origami Dual-View Leather Folio for iPad mini is exactly what it’s name implies. It is a case for the iPad mini and a nice one at that. The case is only $9.90 at Amazon. Let’s see if this cheap in price case is cheap in quality or not.

    Form

    This case actually is very nice on the aesthetic side. The case is pretty solid. The front cover folds into different origami styles for different ways to stand the case. I really like this feature as it adds more possibilities for stands than the standard bifold or trifold cases have. The case is made in five colors, all leather. It is made in black, red, green, purple and pink all of which seem like great colors. The case is pretty solid in terms of structure and it is made well. There is definitely well-done craftsmanship on this case. The case allows for easy access to all the ports. The camera, also, is not blocked. In addition, there is a small flap that is on the case that you can put your stylus on. This definitely comes in handy for people who keep a stylus for their iPad with them. The quality of this case reminds me of the iPad cases that Snugg sells. Aesthetically, it’s one of the better cases I have reviewed.

    Function

    I am not usually a fan of folio cases. They have been too thin to provide any protection for my iPad. This case is an exception to that rule. Despite it being light, this case is very protective. It is hard cased enough to protect your device while still keeping it light. Another thing I like about the case is the unique origami stand. The stand allows for 4-5 different viewing angles, handy for typing or watching. Of course, the best angle is to hold the iPad yourself and the case makes it quite comfortable to hold. In addition, I appreciate the slot for a stylus as I do use one sometimes. I feel as though this case is a great value for the money.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Great aesthetics
    -Solid Case
    -Great, unique stand
    -Slot for stylus
    -Cheaply priced but not cheaply made

    Cons

    -None

    How to Improve

    At this time, I see no reason to make any changes for improvement.

    This is a great case and for less than $10, you can not go wrong. If you have an iPad mini, even if you already have a case, get this one. It is on sale for $9.90 at Amazon from it’s listing price of $49.99. Five stars for a great case and a great price.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

  • IK Multimedia iRig Stomp

    The IK Multimedia iRig Stomp is a pedal that allows you to use the pedal effects on your iOS device. Of course, this isn’t just a standard guitar pedal. This device may be the size of a guitar pedal but it stores many “pedals” in it. The iRig Stomp is available for $59.99 direct from IK Multimedia. Let’s see if it is the more-than-a-guitar-pedal guitar pedal for you.

    Form

    The iRig Stomp is a small device. It will blend in with the other guitar pedals in your collection. The iRig Stomp is a solid piece of equipment as it is made well. All the necessary ports are accessible easily and are not cheaply made. The cords you receive with the iRig Stomp are not the best but they are certainly proficient enough to do the job well. In addition, the button and the volume wheel are made well. I can not guarantee that this device will not break if dropped but the chances are very slim. It is very lightweight, some could argue that it is lighter than actual guitar pedals. In short, the iRig Stomp is great aesthetically. Let’s see how it performs in it’s function.

    Function

    The iRig Stomp has many features that would make any guitarist go “wow”. The first thing I noticed about the iRig Stomp was that it was easy to set up. Plug in the speakers (or the amp), guitar and iOS device, press the on/bypass button, open any AmpliTube app and you are ready to go. You can attach other pedals when you are playing the iRig equipped guitar through an amp but why will you need those pedals now that you have the iRig Stomp? The apps included (Amplitube apps, some paid, some free) are some of the best apps for this product and would be the best for any product similar to this one. The diversity of different virtual pedals, amps and other sounds is striking. The easiest thing to do when playing or if you are at a gig is to put it on a not-included iKlip since you can attach your iOS device to a stand and you can use both hands on the guitar while changing the sound with an occasional free hand. And with custom presets you can make and save yourself, that should be easy. For any genre of music, it is prepared to play better than any other single pedal. You could get away with not using any other pedal easily. You could just bring this device, your phone, your guitar and cords. Also, the device, despite using a notoriously draining 9 watt battery, actually holds battery for a long time. Here’s a big one, the device’s app can record your playing, reducing the need for a recording studio for amateur players.

    There is a bad side to the product though. The sound quality of the iRig is not as good when not driven with the Sound Filter in the app. I plugged it into a few amps and a few sets of speakers and I get static. This static instantly goes away with the Sound Filter. You may be asking why this is a bad thing, if all you do is just use the Sound Filter. Well, in the Amplitube application, you have four slots for pedals. This Sound Filter, which I feel is mandatory if you want a clean sound, uses one of the slots, leaving you with three slots for other “pedals”. I should be able to have all four slots available for “pedals” and have a clean sound instead of using one of my slots for something I shouldn’t have to. However, despite this flaw, this pedal is the best value for the money for ANY pedal, hands down due to it’s flexibility of effects.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Strong body and strong aesthetics
    -Plug in and play
    -Ability to record
    -Ability to attach additional pedals
    -Ability to replace your pedals
    -Great software to go with it
    -Battery holds great charge
    -Only pedal you will need for a gig
    -Best value for the money

    Cons

    -Have to have the Sound Filter on. This takes up a “pedal” space that I shouldn’t have to use

    Ways to Improve

    The only thing to improve is to fix a software problem. I think this can be solved by putting the sound filter in the settings, so people can manage the filter there and be able to use the fourth slot for a “pedal”.

    This is one great product. I believe that this could be the pedal that could replace most if not all of your pedals. Despite the software flaw, I see no reason why this intuitive, innovative device should get anything less than 5 stars. Great job IK Multimedia.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

    Images Courtesy: IK Multimedia

  • CoolStream Bluetooth Receiver

    The CoolStream Bluetooth Receiver is a small device that you put in your speaker dock and it will make the dock bluetooth. The device goes onto a dock, connect your bluetooth device to it via bluetooth and you’re ready to enjoy wireless music. This small device is available from Exeter Science and Entertainment for $39.99. Let’s see if it is the music solution for you.

    Form

    There isn’t much to say about how this product is aesthetically. There is nothing wrong structurally with the device. It feels cheap, but it actually is strong. It does have a cool, blue design on it that is a nice touch to the device.

    Function

    This little device packs a punch. The ability to no longer be bogged down with expensive wireless speakers or the compromise that comes with docks is incredible. Finally, you can put the audio of the game you are playing on that dock that you have without having to dock the iDevice. This device is also an advantage for people who have a iPhone/iPod touch dock with an iPod touch and iPhone but also have an iPad as well. Now, they don’t need an iPad dock. All you have to do is plug this little device in to wirelessly play music. The pairing of this device and your bluetooth device is as simple as pressing a button, going to settings on your bluetooth device and confirming the pair. Then, you can play music from your device wirelessly. Of course, the device is small so you can take it anywhere and put it on a dock. In addition, the device rarely, if ever, has a pause in the music. It doesn’t randomly disconnect either. The device does have a flaw, however. The device will not work with some docks. The company has a list of known supported docks and known unsupported docks. Fortunately, the number of unsupported is small compared to the number supported. This is something that I hope they can resolve. Despite this flaw, this device is a great tool to use with your music dock.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Small and convenient to take with you
    -Consistant with sound
    -Great wireless solution for the dock problem
    -Easy to pair
    -Good price for what you get

    Cons

    -Does not work with all docks (Check to see if your dock is supported before purchase)

    How to improve

    The only thing that this company should do is to improve compatibility with docks. It has great compatibility with docks but it should be 100%.

    This product is a great one. It is small, lightweight and useful. Never will I plug my iOS device into a dock again. If it works for your dock, it is a 5 star device.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

    Images Courtesy: Exeter Science and Entertainment
    Copyright: iHome is Copyright of iHome Audio

  • New Potato FLPR Universal Remote for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch

    The FLPR is an accessory that you can attach to your iPad, iPhone and iPod touch that will allow you to remotely control anything in your living room. The product is small and it is basically a Infrared sender to your TV, DVR and other devices. I don’t know about you but I have seen far too many houses that have so many remotes in their living room, you have to ask “which remote does this go to?”. Why should it be that way? More than half the country owns at least one Apple product, so those of us that own an iOS device, you can now solve the dilemma that you face everyday with a iPhone, iPod touch or iPad that you probably already have glued to your hands. The FLPR is available for $59.99 and I can guarantee that it will be the best money you can spend on any remote.

    Form

    As the FLPR is just a small attachment, there isn’t much to say about it in terms of aesthetics. I will mention a few things however. The device is small and can fit in your pocket or even better just set it on your coffee table or somewhere near your TV. It is small so keep it out of reach of small children. In addition, the FLPR has a free app that goes with it that has a great UI. You don’t need to be told how to do things on the app, you can figure it out easily and you can customize it really well. Aesthetically, there isn’t much to say about this small device, but what I can say is all positive.

    Function

    The FLPR has to be one of the most versatile remotes I have seen. There are a few reasons it is like this. First, it’s UI is an app that can be updated on a frequent basis so that the devices you need to connect to work with the app from the get go. The remote boasts an incredible 78,000 devices it is pre-programmed for. In addition, if you it does not have your device pre-programmed, perhaps it is a lesser known device, you can teach the remote your lesser-known device. It is easy to set up too. Just make sure to have the remote for your device you want it to learn and program the different buttons, and you are good to go. The range on the FLPR is good, I can easily control my device from the couch. All the devices that I have paired with this remote have worked fluently with it. You can customize the app with macros. That is, if you need to turn on multiple things at the same time, you can put in a combination for that one combo and that combo will appear as one button right when you open the app. I have used expensive physical remotes that don’t rank up to this device due to it’s ease of use and massive, virtually limitless database. Physical remotes need to be plugged into the computer to update, with this device all you have to do is visit the App Store and hit update or let the app learn your device. I carry my iPhone with me everywhere and I use it sometimes when watching TV, fortunately I can still use the iPhone when using the remote, just go back to the remote app from my email client or safari or whatever I had up and change the channel or turn it off. It truly is a simple, intuitive remote that I can highly recommend.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Small device, can go anywhere, no case to put on
    -App is very versatile
    -Thousands of devices supported and you can add your device to it if it is not supported
    -Connects with any iOS device and you can use your iOS device while using the remote
    -No batteries required (no need to buy those itty bitty batteries you buy at the jewelry department at WalMart)
    -Best remote for the money hands down

    Cons

    -Small item such as this one can easily be misplaced, just be sure to put it somewhere where you know where it is

    Ways to improve

    At this point, there really isn’t anyway for this device to improve. Just keep updating the app and it will remain great!

    This has got to be one of the best remotes if not the best remote you can use. The versatility of an iOS device with the portability of the FLPR and the many features of the FLPR app give this combination an easy five star rating. Great job New Potato Technologies. You have a great, versatile remote!

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

    Photos Courtesy: New Potato Technologies

  • Akai SynthStation 49

    The Akai SynthStation49 is a 49-key keyboard that is made to go with an iPad. You can use the effects on apps on your iPad which then turns into sound after pressing keys on the keyboard. The apps you can use are not limited to Akai’s SynthStation app. You can use the keyboard with any app that has sounds for a keyboard, for instance GarageBand is an app that has it, which is a great app for this keyboard. The keyboard is available direct from Amazon for $219.99. That number seems like a high number but those who need a keyboard on the go with their iPad for recording should use the Akai SynthStation 49 as it is the most versatile keyboard for the iPad I have seen.

    Form

    As the form isn’t nearly as important as the function, I will be brief but I do want to mention a few things. First, the keyboard is very durable and I trust that it would not break if dropped. The layout of the buttons is clean and not confusing. The iPad fits right on it and it is easy to plug in. The buttons were made of a soft rubber that feels nice to the touch. The keys of the keyboard more importantly feel comfortable and play comfortably. Aesthetically, this keyboard is great!

    Function

    The keyboard itself definitely works like a champ. The keys are solid and are pleasant to play on and if you use the right app sounds great! I would avoid using the Akai SynthStation app that is free on the App Store. You get what you pay for and the free app is not good. The sounds are terrible and there isn’t even a standard piano sound which I found surprising. However, that does not deter away from the productivity of the keyboard since any music production app such as GarageBand works great on the keyboard. It isn’t a full 88-key keyboard, but it doesn’t have to be, it allows you to go up and down octaves easily, effectively and fast. Using the right app, the keyboard works great. The buttons need to work with all apps, that is something that doesn’t happen. All the buttons only work on the Akai app which you don’t want to use. However, must buttons are still usable when using third-party apps. Another thing, other production keyboard require the Camera Connection Kit but I appreciate that this one does not, it plugs right into the 30-pin. You can also plug in your computer to it via MIDI/USB which is a huge advantage considering that I use the app Synthesia when learning a new song (check it out, it’s a great app!). Also, I can use my pedal with it which is a plus. When it is plugged into the wall, it also charges the iPad. Overall, the keyboard does what it needs to do and excels at doing it.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Buttons work easily and are organized well
    -Easy set up (about 3 minutes)
    -Solid, comfortable to play on keys (important)
    -Many affordable apps on the App Store make it incredibly flexible in terms of sounds
    -Easy access to change the octave
    -Doesn’t require the Camera Connection Kit (saves you money!)
    -Plugs into MIDI/USB so you can plug it right into a computer for other uses such as Synthesia
    -Charges the iPad when plugged into the wall

    Cons

    -The lackluster app “SynthStation” iPad app is not the best app for this keyboard, some could argue it’s terrible, and I would be with those people
    -Some buttons are not usable in other third-party apps

    Ways to improve

    One way to improve is to rebuild the app. The sounds on it don’t sound right, there isn’t even a piano sound on there. GarageBand did a much better job with the keyboard than the app that specifically goes to the keyboard did. I would recommend picking up some sounds and design tips from GarageBand while adding more features than what GarageBand has. Another way is just to ask developers, such as Apple or whoever makes apps that go with a keyboard like this, to allow them to add coding that would take full advantage of the buttons on the Akai SynthStation49.

    Don’t get me wrong. This keyboard is a solid keyboard that anyone could feel comfortable doing a show with. I have played the piano for a long time and I can tell you that the action and the feel of the keys is better than a lot of other keyboards. The plethora of sounds you can get from the plethora of apps available make up for the SynthStation iPad app. This keyboard isn’t the greatest keyboard on the market but if you have an iPad, you can take advantage of the plethora of apps and for the money. It is the best deal for the money you can find in my opinion. The SynthStation49 receives a 4 and a half star review from me.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

  • The Ultimate Irony: ION iLP Review

    The ION iLP is a product that converts your old 33s, 45s and 78s (if you don’t know what those are, you need not read this review) into an MP3 file onto your computer or iOS device. You can also use the device to just play the records, if you have external speakers that is. The ultimate irony of it is that the iLP has a 30-pin dock connector on it, putting technologies that are 40 years apart from each other on the same device! The iLP is available directly from ION for $99.99. Free apps direct from ION for iOS, PC and Mac are available to transfer the music. $100 is a high price but if you have a huge collection of records around and you don’t have a turntable for them or you do but you want to transfer your aging records into something that will last even longer, this is for you.

    Form

    When you look at the iLP, it reminds you of the past blended with the present. It has the classic stylus (you can take off this stylus and replace it with a diamond stylus for even better sound quality) for the record, the place to put the record on and even a 45 holder so if you lost all those plastic things that you placed in the middle of the record so you could fit it in the player, you are in luck. On one corner, it has the iOS dock (oh, the irony). Covering the record playing stuff is a see-through plastic dust cover which is really useful and you don’t even have to put it on yourself, it is already attached to the turntable. Just lift and close the cover. The turntable itself, like the ION iCade Mobile, has a Piano Black chrome feel and color, which just make the device very nice. Don’t expect the iLP to be portable, it is about the size of a record player and it will require speakers even then. It is not light either but at least that shows it is sturdy and not made poorly. The iLP can not be used without the complimentary application. The app itself provides instructions and is self-explanitory. I found it to be easy to use both on the iOS devices and Mac, not sure about the PC as nothing is easy to use on that :). Seriously, it is an app that does what it needs to and performs well despite many people’s criticisms about it. Of course, what it does and how it does it is more important so let’s move on.

    Function

    The iLP is a turntable that allows you to play and record your songs on records. You put the record pole into the hold in the record (put in the 45 port if need be first) and pull the lever so you can move the stylus. Move and line up the stylus, pull the lever down and it will do one of three things. One, it will play on it’s weak internal speaker. Two, it will play through your way more powerful external speakers (and play beautifully too) or three it will play/record on your iOS device, Mac or PC. The internal speakers in the iLP, despite being quiet, are okay since they will only be used to make sure that the device is playing and recording on your iOS device, Mac or PC if you have the volume off on the device you are recording onto. Of course, this is 2013 so why not make a change to it and add more power to the internal speakers? I don’t see any reason why not. The iLP plugs into RCA inputs from a stereo system. This is how other record players worked too. Perhaps not through RCA inputs but through external speakers. Additionally, you can play the music on your computer speakers as well if the internal is too weak or you don’t have external speakers for it. It has the auto stop function and a switch to change from 33, 45 and 78 RPM speeds. It comes with a 45 connector so you can use your 45s should you have lost the ones you had from a long time ago. The applications that come with the iLP are useful despite what most reviews say. You are able to record multiple tracks at one at a time, at one time. You can do the automatic track splitting, however it will make mistakes if the song becomes quiet or if there is a scratch on the disk. I played “The Entertainer” and I got three recordings for one song. Just turn this feature off and manually split the songs if there is more than one song on a disc. What you hear is what you get. If there is static, it will playback as static which is okay considering that it is a straight conversion. Be prepared to give up some of your office space though since it is certainly not the smallest player out there. It is big and bulky, which to me is a downside because not everyone has a lot of space. Overall, the iLP is well made and is very useful for those of you who want to keep your golden oldies.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Strong aesthetic
    -Converts records to MP3 with no problem, easy transfer into iTunes
    -Brings back the Golden Age
    -With external speakers, including RCA or computer speakers, you can blast your ears with Johnny Cash and The Beatles
    -Applications for iOS, Mac and PC are simple to use and self-explanatory.
    -Attached dust cover
    -Stylus can be taken off and replaced by any stylus

    Cons

    -Bulky (as with all turntables)
    -Internal speaker could be improved

    Ways to improve

    This product would do best with better internal speakers. Many similar products also don’t have speakers in their turntable conversion products but why not innovate? Why not be the first to add those needed speakers?Make it more than a conversion table, make it a conversion/listening table. It concerns me a bit that this product is a bit bulky and there isn’t a whole lot you can do especially when you have a similar product that ION sells that is marketed as a smaller, cheaper version of this turntable. However, I believe that ION could work on making it a bit smaller. It can be done. I believe it can be, Apple does it all the time! :)

    The ION iLP truly does a great job at combining the older record age with the new digital age. The record age may be gone but this product helps it make it’s own little comeback. It offers conversion of your golden oldies unseen by any other product of similar pricing. It’s a job well done. It receives 4 and a half stars from me.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

  • Kanex Sydnee iOS Charging Station

    The Sydnee, from Kanex, is a four device charging station available direct for $149.00. This sleek, minimalistic and space saving machine will charge four iOS devices at maximum charging speed, providing a full charge to your smaller iPod touch/iPhone devices in an hour or so to a full charge to your big boy devices, your iPads, in about two hours. If you have a shortage of cords, don’t worry, they provide you with three small but long enough cords to charge with so you only need to come up with one more. Let’s see if this charger is worth it’s high cost.

    Form

    I have very mixed opinions on this one. The Sydnee has it’s positives and negatives to it’s design, the negatives mostly applying only to those who receive a poorly constructed product. First off, the Syndee, out of all the multi-device chargers I’ve seen, takes the least amount of space on my desk. It is compact, allowing it to be stored anywhere. The product is made out of what seems to be a hard plastic with rubber pieces. It is very elegant in design and looks particularly great on my black glass desk, as the one I received is black, it comes in white as well. It does look tacky from the back having four cables coming from the back of it but if the Sydnee is against a wall, you won’t see them anyway. Also, the charger is light, consisting of a lot of air so it is easy to carry around. There are a few problems with the form of the case, not what it looks like, but how it was built. The rubber piece inside of the charger, as soon as I took Sydnee out of it’s box had already come off. Now this isn’t a small rubber piece, it’s a padding for any device that it has in it. If this said device did not have a case, it could be scratched, therefore that space would be unusable. Also, let’s not forget that you pay $150 for this charger and as soon as you open it, it already is falling apart. However, I will give the product the benefit of the doubt, provided that I probably just received a faulty product, and not all are. However, zoom up a few weeks later, and a provided cord had the connector part come out partially when I unplugged it from the iPad. It did go right back in and was still usable but the point is, it shouldn’t do that. It is not a good pattern. In addition to these two incidents, there is another thing that bugs me as well. The whole thing is black, chrome black, except for one part that is yellow. The rubber part that is yellow, a part that is actually quite useful to the charger (I will explain it in a bit), does not fit with the rest of the charger. It’s just there and it looks a little weird. It is a little nit-picky but it is not to be discounted as everything goes in a review. As a wrap-up, the Sydnee has it’s highs and lows, (more lows than highs here) in the Form category but will it be so in the Function category?

    Function

    The answer is no. The function of the charger is much better than its form. First of all, like I mentioned before, the charger does charge devices incredibly fast, faster than the Apple chargers, at least to what I have seen with it. The charger takes up little room whether on a desk, shelf etc. The charger has a pretty neat cord system as to hide the cords as much as possible. Because of the amount of power this charger provides, 2.1 amps per device, it can charge 4 iPads at the same time from 0-100% in a little over two hours. This is pretty good. Of course, not everyone has four iPads so you can charge a mixture of different Apple products and some other non-Apple products as well. The product is mainly for Apple products but it does charge other companies products as well, provided the charger is compatible with the said product(s). The device itself is pretty well protected, though I recommend that you make sure that there are cases on any device that you put on or in the Sydnee considering that they can fall right off/out of it. Fortunately, Kanex thought of this and they made it so that the device can be small enough to go anywhere, but yet open enough to where an iPad with just about any case could fit, allowing it to keep it’s protection should it fall out. I think that the best thing overall, is it’s ability to charge four iPads at the same time, charging them all in a short amount of time. That, after all, above all else, is what they advertise it will do, and it does it well.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Charges FAST, up to four devices, the most I have seen out of one product
    -I use it everyday
    -Cord management is effective
    -Takes up little room
    -Simplistic, yet useful design
    -Sleek black color looks great on any surface

    Cons

    -Pieces falling off (Big problem for me)
    -Not a lot of protection for the iPads themselves
    -Yellow piece doesn’t match with the rest of the charger, subtracts from elegant look of the charger
    -Three cables, four ports. Why?
    -HIGH Price

    Out of all the products I have reviewed, this charger is a true test of Form vs Function and which one is more important. I believe that if a product doesn’t perform well but looks great, it isn’t as worth as it as one that works really well but has cosmetic issues. This is the case with this charger. The charger isn’t the greatest in the form, but it does everything it promised it would do. The product definitely received a 5/5 in what it does but it receives a 3.5/5 in its form, it would have been a 2/5 with the pieces falling off, however I realize that most people’s chargers would not fall apart like mine. At what point does the Form influence the final score? I think that as long as Kanex doesn’t send out chargers with rubber pieces coming off, then I will give the benefit of the doubt and give the Kanex Sydnee a 4/5. I believe that there is not a product quite like this one on the market at this time, considering the low space it takes up and the amount of things it can charge at one time. However, the price and the poor construction make it so that I can’t give it anything higher than a 4/5. I hope that Kanex can just put a little more glue on their product and take a little less money for the product and I would definitely raise the final score. Good job Kanex on a product that performs well and meets and exceeds it’s advertised abilities.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe