Reviews by The Church of Apple

Tag: iPad

  • 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

  • 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

  • Maroo Drogo iPad Case Review

    The Maroo Drogo iPad Case is a leather iPad case. It is has a twist to it’s design. There is a cool dragon design on the case designed to celebrate the year of the dragon. The case is available from Maroo for $99.99. Let’s see if this investment of a case is the right case for you.

    Form

    Let it be clear, this is real leather. That may be what is driving up the price of the case but the fact that it is real leather is appreciated since real leather makes a very strong case. One of the things that caught my attention with this case is it’s neat design. You would have to see it yourself to appreciate it as I am certain that I could entice you with my descriptions of it. What I will tell you is that the design is that of a dragon in order to celebrate the year of the dragon. It’s main black color and yellow trimmings, however, give more of an impression of a Japanese ninja bike. No doubt about it though, this case has a great design, better than what I have seen in any other case so far. In addition, the case is made sturdy and well. The craftsmanship on this case is stunning. The iPad is held in by a tough silicon piece surrounded by yellow leather. The case also has a strap inside so you can strap the iPad to your hand. In addition to that, it has two pockets. One to put a credit card or two in and the second to perhaps store some papers. Don’t expect this case to be light, the leather with the silicon holder adds weight, and thickness. This is not without a return though. The added thickness protects the iPad very well. All in all, the case has strong aesthetics.

    Function

    As I mentioned, the case is strong and it will protect your iPad. There is no doubt in my mind that this case will protect your iPad well. The case also has a good stand. It can be put in the standard keyboard position or the viewing position. The case has easy access to all ports and does not block any of the cameras. I appreciate that the case has the pockets that it has for storage of notes and cards. The case has the magnet attachment that we have come to know and love since the introduction of the iPad 2 and the SmartCover. However, the magnets on it are weak and the case is too easily opened. The solution to this on the case is using the provided straps. These, however, are a hindrance and I personally do not use them. The problem with the case accidentally opening due to the weak magnets is the fact that when opened, the iPad will turn on and waste battery. Therefore, it is my recommendation when using this case to put the auto lock on 5 minutes if you are someone who has their setting on “Never auto lock” like myself. The price of this case is definitely a deterrent from buying this case though. The case is real leather and does protect the iPad well but $99 is a lot to spend on a case. The case does have it’s upsides and downsides but overall it is a good case.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Great design
    -Real leather
    -iPad is held firmly in place
    -iPad is well protected in the case.
    -The stand works well as it should

    Cons

    -Weak magnets
    -Straps provided to hold the case closed are a hindrance
    -Expensive

    Ways to improve

    The thing I would do to improve the case is to add stronger magnets since the ones in the case now are too weak to reach the magnets in the iPad due to the thickness of the case blocking it. The price is something that they may need reevaluate too.

    To conclude, this case is a strong one. It will protect your iPad and the design of the case is something to marvel at. There are a few main cons to this case like the magnets and the price. This case receives four stars from me.

    Also, please check out the following sites for Maroo. I was requested by Maroo to put these links.

    http://www.facebook.com/maroolifestyle
    http://www.twitter.com/maroolifestyle
    http://www.youtube.com/tvmaroo

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

    Images courtesy: Maroo

  • 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

  • Alto iPA Review

    The Alto iPA is a PA speaker that works with an iPad to provide an awesome karaoke experience. The iPA speaker/dock/karaoke machine is available from Alto for $299.99. Let’s see if this is the speaker to sing on.

    Form

    Alto advertises the speaker as being a portable speaker. Since it has a handle, it technically is portable. But then again, the original iMac had a handle too and nobody carried that around. It isn’t the lightest speaker either, weighing in at 23 pounds. However, this is not bad at all. First, consider that you probably won’t move it a whole bunch and even if you do, it’s capabilities make up for that weight. It will fit in any normal sized cars so you DJs out there that will take it to and from “work” won’t have much of an issue. Looking at it closely, you can tell that it is in great shape and that it was made well. The part that holds the iPad in and charges it is well made and not made of cheap plastic. The speaker itself is made out of good, hard-cased but well-made material that provides great acoustics for the speaker. The microphone doesn’t appear to be the best made microphone but it isn’t terrible. It isn’t as well made as the speaker itself but it does the job. The front of the speaker is a grill that protects the internals that emits the sound, just like any other speaker. On that at the bottom is the logo for the product which is simple but professional. The ports are located at the back with the iPad dock above that. Even the port area is well made and I wouldn’t predict that the ports will bend or break ever. In all, aesthetically it is a bit bulky but it holds a lot of power and it still looks solid and professional.

    Function

    The speakers are very, very loud. I don’t even have it a quarter the way up and I already am fearing that the neighbors will call the police for disturbing the peace. Therefore, while full volume won’t be acceptable in the house, it will be acceptable for a large-sized place. This speaker would still be heard by people in the back of a very crowded, very loud place. In fact, the power if the sound the speaker emits could probably allow people to hear the music clearly a half mile away if put on full blast. That may be exaggerating a little bit, but it is very very loud. Because it can get loud, it can get soft too. If you need it as a PA to announce to a few people than it is still great. The sound sounds as great whether it is down low or up high. There are two volume controls. One for sound coming from the dock and one for sound coming from the microphone. This is great since if people want to be louder than the music, they can or they can make the music louder than them so they don’t have to hear the voice that everyone but them thinks is great. In addition, you can add plug in an additional speaker into the speaker so that you can share the sound with two speakers. Again, the microphone is not the greatest but it does the job and the speaker works with all microphones. The possibilities of this speaker are endless. Give a presentation behind the speaker with the iPad there so that you can read off of the notes on it. Or you can sing from behind the speaker. Or you can just talk out of the speaker. The speaker’s added iPad feature is wonderful. The only thing that I wish the speaker came with was a stand for it. You have to buy it. Therefore, if you don’t buy it, you can stick it on a stand you already own, if it fits or you just put it on a table or on the floor. The stand, I think, should be included. All in all, it is a great PA/karaoke system.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Sound can get very loud or soft
    -The sound sounds great!
    -No interference from the mic, no audible static or annoying sounds
    -Sturdy speaker
    -iPad compatible, use of many different karaoke apps (YouTube still is one of the better ways of getting karaoke)

    Cons

    -Not the best microphone
    -No stand, sold separately

    Ways to improve

    The only way to improve is to add a stand to the purchase even if they need to increase the price a bit more. After all, people did just spend over $300 for a speaker. If production costs don’t allow for it, that I can understand. It is really up to the company if they wanted to do this but I think they would see more sales if they did.

    This speaker is a powerful one, perhaps one of the most powerful consumer PAs on the market. It is loud and it is durable. It may be heavy but that little extra exercise carrying it from your DJ-mobile is all worth it. Despite the lack of a stand, the speaker easily gets 5 stars from me!

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

    Images Courtesy: Alto

  • Touchfire Screen

    The TouchFire Screen is a clear, silicon foldable keyboard that touch-typers can put on their iPad and use instead of using the touch-typer unfriendly keyboard on the iPad. It is available from Touchfire for $49.95. Is it the solution for you touch-typers out there? Let’s find out.

     

    Form

    When I first opened the box to get to the TouchFire, it had it’s own little case. That is a great feature. I opened the case to find the TouchFire Screen. I picked it up and then one of the magnets that is attached to it came off, not a great start. Fortunately, since it was magnetic it went right back on. However, they were glued on too. Not good workmanship on that. To me the keyboard seems flimsy. The part that the silicon folds to is plastic, cheap plastic. One thing I do appreciate however, is that once folded, it is small and it is light. With the carrying case, you can take it anywhere. Also you can keep it attached to your iPad so that it is always on your iPad. In all, the craft of this keyboard fails to impress but there a few things that help it in the Form category.

     

    Function

    The primary function of any keyboard is to type. This one is unique in that it turns your iPad’s keyboard into a touch-type one. Unfortunately, I do not think it does a whole lot in doing that. FIrst off, the keys on the keyboard are too close to each other to be able to emulate a keyboard. In addition, the feel of the keys feels cheap and not a pleasure to write on. There isn’t much of a difference between the iPad keyboard and the TouchFire in my opinion. This is due in part that the keys are not raised enough to really feel the difference. It does have indentations where the J and F buttons are but that is where the similarities between this keyboard and a real keyboard end. On a good solid keyboard, you don’t have to look down because you know where the keys are based on those indentations and based on the fact that you can feel the keys. On this keyboard, I am having trouble actually feeling the keys. I can’t see myself using this keyboard over a solid keyboard. Another thing, I have a problem with is that, when I use a keyboard I need a rest to put my wrist on and when I put my wrist down I press the keys at the bottom and it messes up my typing. In addition, I have to look down to get to the ABC/123 tab to access numbers and punctuation and to access the world tab for multiple languages. The shift key is sometimes pressed by accident since there is no recognizable key on the keyboard. The functionality of this keyboard makes me abandon it for a keyboard case which is the same or more price than a good keyboard case.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Lightweight

    -Small and portable

    Cons

    -Definitely not the best keyboard you can use

    -Cheaply made

    -You can accidentally hit different keys since they do not have keys that you can feel, such as the the shift key and the 123 tab on the bottom left and right

    -Pricey for what you get

    How to improve

    There are a lot of ways to improve this product. First, add indentations on the shift keys like the other keys. Second, improve the workmanship and improve the quality of the keyboard. Third, make the keyboard more like an actual keyboard. Of course, you could do plan B, scratch this product and sell solid bluetooth keyboards.

    This product is not one I would buy at this point. If I were the consumer, I would buy a keyboard case. As a reviewer, I can not see myself recommending this product to anyone and for the first time, I have to give this product a one star review. The portability and weight make it from a half star but considering that the product fails at it’s primary purpose, I can not give it higher than that.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

     

  • Duo Pinball Review

    The Duo Pinball is an iPad accessory that allows you to have physical pinball-like controls for the app “Pinball HD” and “Pinball HD collections”, the two best pinball apps on the App Store. The accessory, while doesn’t perfectly emulate a pinball machine as it doesn’t have the looks of one, is great for playing pinball on one of the best pinball apps available. The Duo Pinball is available from Duo Games for $48.75 at Amazon. Let’s see if it is worth the price.

    Form

    The form of this product isn’t as important as the function but there are a few things to mention otherwise. I appreciate that the Duo Pinball can be used by the best Pinball app on the App Store, personally speaking and statistically speaking. The apps themselves are great apps that are well designed and include great pinball tables. The product itself is pretty straightforward. Put your iPad into a slot, lock it into place, either put it on a table or in your hands and pull down the handle to shoot the ball and use the buttons on the sides to move the flippers. It sounds simple but the simplicity is appreciated and it works and plays well with the pinball game. It is only a few buttons but isn’t that what pinball is anyway. I see it to be no different than using a real pinball machine other than it being electronic and smaller.

    Function

    Again, as I mentioned, the Duo Pinball plays well. I like to use it in my hands only because I think it is more stable there than on the desk but it’s really the preference of the user. There is a slot for the speaker to project sound so the speaker is not blocked. The buttons and the lever feel good to use, they aren’t lagging and the app corresponds smoothly to the movements of the controls. The iPad will not fall out if you lock it in. If someone knocks into the iPad, it won’t fall off the device. This is handy when you are using it on the table. In addition, the iPad connects easily with the device via bluetooth. Also, the product doesn’t require you to shut it off via a power button, it shuts off automatically. That is useful since A you don’t have to search for an off button and B you can leave it unattended for 5 minutes and it will shut off so it won’t waste battery power. In addition. you get five free tables on the Pinball HD Collections app. There are others to be bought and downloaded and there are more on the way. The two concerns I have is that Duo is not willing to use other pinball apps for the device only those two “Pinball HD” and “Pinball HD Collections” which while they are wonderful apps, there are other pinball apps I wished it worked for. However, they couldn’t have picked a better single app to partner with since both the apps are best-sellers. The other concern I have is the cost of the product. $50 is an awful lot to pay for an accessory that works with two apps. It works well with that one app but the price and functionality don’t match Overall, the Duo Pinball is very well made and works well with the iPad to create a fluent pinball experience.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Well made, well designed

    -Comfortable to hold

    -Buttons are solid

    -App is very responsive to the movements of the shooter and the flipper controls

    -iPad is well held in place so it will not be knocked off the unit

    -Simple to use

    Cons

    -Needs more Pinball apps despite the fact that the one it works with is the best one out there, selection is best

    -Price

    Ways to improve

    The only way to improve this product is to perhaps add support for other pinball apps other than the two it uses. This isn’t something that they need to tweak to the actual product itself just the services that come with it. The price is fine if they add support for many more pinball app.

    To conclude, this product is a solid one. It is a product that stands out and one that I will keep in case I get the urge to play pinball. I can easily give this device 4 stars.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

  • 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

  • ION JukeBox Dock Review

    The ION Jukebox Dock is a dock that makes your iPad, iPhone or iPod into a retro jukebox. There are several apps that allow you to browse through your music library as you would on a diner jukebox giving you an authentic jukebox experience, or at least as authentic it cam get on an iPad. It is available for $99.99. Allow me to explain why it is my favorite speaker dock so far.

    Form

    The looks of this dock are great. Even without it being on, it looks great! The iPad looks best on it so you can take full advantage of the space available to put a device on. When it is on, it really is bright especially in a dark room. It emits lights that slowly change as it plays and a couple lights on the head of the Jukebox are going too and the dock allows you to transfer back to the 50s with music from now. It is made out of real wood on the back and sides which helps with sound quality. The back is a light brown unpolished wood while the sides are a dark brown, nicely polished wood. The front is decals that make it look like an authentic jukebox and lights that follow the curve from bottom left, up and down to bottom right, like an arch. The lights are really cool and closely resemble that of an old jukebox. Take an old diner jukebox and add an iPad on it and that is what this is. It really is a blast from the past and a cool one at that.

    Function

    There are two things that this Jukebox is supposed to do and supposed to do well. That is A. play music at a high quality and B. charge your device efficiently. I can tell you that it does both extremely well. The music coming from the speakers sounds like the quality you would expect from speakers much more expensive than it. When I first pulled it, I thought it was just a toy and it wouldn’t have good quality. Boy was I wrong. This toyish-like dock packs a punch. It compares similarly or even favorably to some more expensive docks like some Bose and JBL docks and those not only sound really good but they are much more expensive. Another thing is that it charges the iPad at the same time of playing your tunes. It charges the iPad fast and I see an improvement over using other docks to charge it. In speaking of the iPad, there are many apps on the App Store that turn your iPad into a Jukebox control, which of course fit perfectly with the dock. A few I recommend are Diner Jukebox and StereoMatic as they make the experience very authentic, the app Diner Jukebox even has you touch the place where you put a quarter in to simulate you putting a quarter into the jukebox. This happens every time you open the app. The jukebox dock and an app combined make the closest resemblance to an actual jukebox you can get without actually buying one. The function of this dock is superb. The only negative I can say about it is that the lights are so bright, you have to turn it off at night when you want to sleep (should it be stored in your room) and turning it off also turns off the charging capabilities. This is not an issue for me since I can sleep with it on but for some with sensitive eyes, that may not work for you.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Strong wood
    -Looks well made and is well made
    -Looks like a mini authentic jukebox
    -Sounds similar or better to/than more expensive docks
    -Charges iPad quickly

    Cons

    -Maybe too bright to sleep with should it be in the same room that you sleep in

    Ways to improve

    The only thing that should be changed is the addition of the ability to turn off the lights but not the charging ability. I think that that would be good to add. On the same token, the brightness is also a good thing for low-lit parties as it adds a lot of color to the party while providing music at the same time and even providing a conversational piece.

    The ION Jukebox Dock is definitely one of the stronger things I have reviewed in terms of it’s abilities and it’s subsequent rating overall and it’s power in speaker capabilities and charging capabilities coupled with it’s authentic jukebox look make it the ideal dock and easily outweigh it’s only negative. The dock easily earns five stars from me. Great job ION, you have a stellar product here.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe