Reviews by The Church of Apple

Tag: Review

  • BeatBlock Bluetooth Speaker Review

    The BeatBlock Bluetooth Speaker is a small yet powerful bluetooth speaker that you can use on or off the outlet and with any of your bluetooth-enabled (or not) devices. The speaker is made by Tech-Life and is available from Tech-Life’s Amazon page for $89.99. Let’s see if it is the speaker for you.

     

    Form

    The first thing that you will notice about this speaker is that it is light and small. The speaker is easily able to fit inside a large purse or travel bag and light enough where it won’t feel like you are carrying a brick, which is actually bigger than this speaker. The speaker is made in all black. It has a very durable rubber padding around it that has honey comb holes in it, which I think is an interesting concept, but it seems to be quite effective and looks pretty cool. The honeycomb design, or really the hexagon shape is found all around the speaker. The buttons on the speaker are hexagons. As I said, the holes where the sound comes out of are very closely put together hexagons, like a honeycomb. The speaker holes and even the rubber pads on the bottom are hexagon shaped. I think that keeping the same shape throughout is a smart move on their part as it adds to the look of the speaker, as opposed to using multiple shapes and not creating uniformity on the device. As I mentioned before, the speaker is covered in a very hard, durable rubber that is capable of taking some big hits. The speaker is meant to travel and it has the greatest protection of any travel speaker that I have seen. The buttons on the top are simple enough, with icons on them representing volume up/down and bluetooth controls. On the side you have your charging port, on button, and the auxiliary port, this is where the male/male headphone jack goes for wired sound. In my opinion, it may have been a better choice to have put the off/on button on the top instead of on the side to allow for easier access, but it is not a big problem. Overall, this speaker excels in it’s form.

    Function

    Portable speakers have a knack for earning bad reputations because they are over-priced and never sound like anything close to high quality. Fortunately, this speaker has put a stop to that. The BeatBlock speaker may be small enough for travel but it packs the power of speakers many times bigger than it is. The speaker has incredible sound, whether through bluetooth or otherwise. The speaker, despite it’s size, is capable of producing some pretty good bass and treble and it can hit many lows and highs. Unlike many other small speakers, I have not heard the “it’s too loud therefore it sounds like it’s in a hollow cave” sound. No matter what volume I put these speakers under, they retain the same clear quality and that is something not seen much in portable speakers. The speaker, despite the fact that there is only one of them, can produce stereo sound, as if the music is surrounding you by two speakers, one on the left and one on the right. You can put it in Mono if you so choose to but the stereo mode sounds great. Music isn’t the only thing that sounds great on the speaker, either. The speaker also acts as a speakerphone so that you can conference hands free on your desk or elsewhere. The audio coming out of the speaker sounds great and your voice sounds great on the other end as well. The sound from such a small device is incredible and not like the sound from any other speaker in it’s category. The device is streamlined to work with your bluetooth devices so they connect automatically and it works every time after you set it up the first time, which should also be an easy process. Bluetooth has been long acclaimed to be one of the best wireless technologies and the streamline between device and this speaker further proves that notion. This speaker has the best functionality overall than any other I have reviewed thus far.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Durable, yet light and small

    -Great design

    -Great, well balanced sound

    -Bluetooth technology streamlines device and speaker beautifully and you have a choice between wired and wireless as well, consumers love choice

    -Great price for a well balanced speaker

    Cons

    -More colors would be nice to see

    -Power button on the top instead of the side would be better

    Ways to improve

    If I were the company, I would consider making these speakers in multiple colors just to add a bit of fun into them. Also, putting the power button with the other buttons would be better as it would streamline the device a bit more.

    This speaker is really great speaker. It’s the best speaker that I have reviewed in it’s category so there is no doubt in my mind that it earns no less than five stars from me. If you are looking for a travel speaker to take with you where ever you go, I implore you to look no further, you have found the one you are looking for. Great job Tech-Life!

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

    Images Courtesy: TechLife

     

     

  • Matias iRizer Review

    The iRizer is a very portable laptop stand that is available from iRizer for $39.95. The stand comes in two easy portable pieces that take laptop stands to a whole new, portable level than any other that I have seen before.

    Form

    Let’s be honest, the stand isn’t made out of the best looking material on the market. It isn’t wood or bamboo. It isn’t metal. It’s plastic, hard plastic yes, but it’s plastic. However, the stand has a simplicity to it that does actually make it attractive.  The stand comes in just two parts. There’s one part that slides into one of four slots on the other part, each slot putting the stand at different angles. These pieces by themselves, laid down flat, are very thin and light. They are very easy to carry and very easy to use. The plastic they use in the product is strong and sturdy and it will not break easily. The rubber padding on the stand used to keep the laptop in place is not cheap and will not come out of the stand. The part of the stand that the laptop is sitting on does bounce a bit while typing, especially with a heavy laptop, but it isn’t a big deal. The thing I wish it had was more options for colors. But while it isn’t the most expensive looking stand out there but it doesn’t have to be, practicality and simplicity can be elegant too, right?

    Function

    The main reasons we buy laptop stands is to provide sufficient ergonomics, to stand the laptop in case we want to use it like a desktop and to provide cooling for a laptop. This stand provides this and more. First off, the stand comes in four different angled positions, 20, 30, 40 and 50 degrees. 20 and 30 degrees are both more for regular, on-the-desk, typing positions while 40 and 50 are more for standing the laptop and using external devices such as bluetooth mice and keyboards. All the degree positions are labelled to the benefit of the costumer. The 20 and 30 degree positions I find are very ergonomic and keep your hands at a good position to prevent Carpal Tunnel. I have found all four positions to be quite comfortable viewing angles as well. The stand does not have nor need a fan as it has holes for air to go through and of course we all know that elevating laptops off the ground provide air flow as well. Almost all laptops stands cool down your laptop at least a little and this one is no different. In addition to great ergonomics and the ability to cool your laptop, this stand is also ultra portable. I can easily fit the stand and the laptop into the laptop bag. I can not exactly say the same thing about really any other laptop stand I have tried. It can’t fit in a manila envelope but it can fit in just about anything else. The stand also comes with a iRizer mini stand for your iOS device. I thought that was a nice touch. There is only one thing about the stand I am not a fan of and that is that it’s not very comfortable to put into your lap. It really only works on a desk, which is okay since when I travel to a hotel, I use the desk. Or if I go to Starbucks, it’s also okay. Let’s face it, it is a traveling laptop stand due to it’s ultra-portability. It’s a great stand, regardless of it being somewhat uncomfortable on the lap, I take it anywhere I go with my laptop.

    Conclusion 

    Pros

    -Sleek design

    -Thin and light, ultra-portable

    -Ergonomic

    -Provides airflow for the laptop

    -Comfortable to use

    -Different positions that are easy to change to

    -iRizer mini

    Cons

    -Typing is bouncy with heavier laptops

    -Should be sold in more colors

    -More for use on the desk, not the lap

    Things to Improve

    First off, I would start producing the stand in multiple colors. Second, I would improve the “shocks” of the stand, if possible. Finally, I would increase the width of the piece that goes on surfaces to make it a bit more comfortable to have it in your lap.

    This is a great laptop stand. It has it’s faults but I think it’s one of the best stands I’ve tried. It’s portability and ergonomics makes it an ideal laptop stand for anyone who travels a lot. However, if you use it mainly at home and you have your laptop on your lap more than your desk or table, then this isn’t the stand for you. This stand earns four stars from me.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

  • BTC Mouse and Trackpad Review

    The BTC Mouse and Trackpad is a paid jailbreak utility that allows you to pair your iOS device with your bluetooth mouse, trackpad and keyboard. That’s right, I did just say mouse and keyboard. With this product, your iOS device will have a cursor, just like on your computer (of course this is why it is a jailbreak tweak, Apple would never approve of this). The BTC Mouse and Trackpad tweak is available on the Cydia store for $4.99. Let’s see if it’s right for you.

    Form

    There is not much to say about the form of this product. This product is an all software product. The settings tab in the Settings app of your iOS device for the BTC Mouse and Trackpad is easy to use and navigate. The cursor used in the tweak looks like a Mac cursor, rather than a Windows cursor. Of course, since iOS products are Apple products and Macs are Apple products, that makes sense. However, I do appreciate them deciding to use a Mac cursor. This comes in handy for something later on down the road. As for the form of the hardware, since it can run any bluetooth keyboard, mouse/trackpad, the hardware is only as good as what you own. Let’s take a look at the functionality of this tweak, which has a bit more to talk about then the form of he product.

    Function

    The ability to add a cursor on an iPad screen has been an interesting thought of mine that I had before I knew that the product existed on the market. After having tried it, I am not sure if I see the functionality in using it. First off, if you want to seriously use a trackpad and keyboard with an iPad, those are additional things you will need to carry around. Some already carry around a keyboard, which I think is bulky enough to carry around, but a trackpad/mouse adds on to that. In addition, if you wanted to use it a lot like that, you would need to probably buy an additional trackpad/mouse and keyboard, because the ones you have for your computer currently are either USB driven or you want dedicated to the computer and it would be a pain disconnecting the devices from your computer, connecting them to your iOS device then disconnecting them from the iOS device and then connect them again to the computer, every time you want to switch from a computer and back. Therefore, if you wanted to avoid this big burden, you would need to spend extra money to buy a keyboard and mouse/trackpad. I have never been a fan of using a bluetooth keyboard on an iPad because of the lack of portability. Even keyboard cases are not good because of the thickness they require. Lack of portability is certainly a practicality issue.  In addition, a cursor on iOS works similar to a cursor on Windows 8, it doesn’t work. They just don’t go together, iOS is made for fingers not a mouse, using this tweak is a verification of that. Another issue I have is that the cursor does seem to lag a bit. On top of that, the mouse only provides basic functions. It can not rotate objects, it can not move objects, it can not act like a cursor on the computer in most ways. It just doesn’t make it worth it for me.

    However, the product isn’t all bad either. If you want to make a cheap man’s portable computer, this is definitely a way to do it. It is portable enough, nothing like a laptop and it requires more real estate in your backpack but it is doable. A theme that I have reviewed for the iPad, the OS X Pad theme, is a perfect companion for this device as the cursor the tweak provides is a Mac cursor. In addition, there are bluetooth cases that make the iPad look like a MacBook, which even further the Mac look. However, even then, it still isn’t the same as a computer. The iPad isn’t made to have a cursor, it’s OS just doesn’t work well with a cursor. The product itself isn’t necessarily flawed, the settings that comes with it is easy to work with and you have the option of using any bluetooth device you choose. The concept, however, is flawed and that’s because the cursor is not meant to be on the iPad.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Mac Cursor

    -Easy to use settings

    -Poor man’s laptop (with limited functionality), works well with some jailbreak themes

    Cons

    -Transport of too many things makes the concept lack portability

    -Concept of a cursor just doesn’t work on an iPad

    -Cursor lags and only provides minor functions

    -Lack of functionality in the whole experience

    Ways to Improve

    Honestly, I believe this product should be scraped. The product just doesn’t work. It’s not that the product wasn’t executed well, it’s just the idea wasn’t. The idea of putting a cursor on an iPad is as appealing as putting a cursor on Windows 8, it isn’t. The only way to improve from here for the company is to go into other jailbreak utilities.

    This product is not entirely a failure in my eyes. They did the best they could with it and I applaud their efforts. However, I think the company should consider moving on to a different idea. I give this product 2 and a half stars for a good try on a bad idea.

    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

  • 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

  • RooCase Deluxe Carrying Bag Review

    The RooCase Deluxe Carrying Bag is a laptop bag made for 12-13 inch laptops. The case has many pockets and is well-padded. It is available from Amazon for $33.47. Let’s see if it is the laptop bag for you.

    Form

    The bag comes in several colors. It comes in black, blue and black, pink and black and red and black. I received the blue and black case. The bag has the color as the main color and black is the trimming. All the colors look great. The case is made of a soft material. The outside of the case has a few well-placed pockets. The bag looks nice on the outside. It isn’t a designer laptop bag but it doesn’t have to be. It looks nice enough. The stitching on the bag is well-done and it has good craftsmanship on the bag, strap and handle. The case has two protectors on the bottom to help it stand upright and to help it not get dirtied or ripped by the unforgiving floor. The inside of the case is also well made. There are many pockets inside the bag for maximum storage. All the extremities, such as the zipper and the strap attachments are well made and won’t break easily. The bag by itself is pretty light so it doesn’t add much weight to the weight of the things inside. Overall, in terms of aesthetics, this is a great laptop bag.

    Function

    There are quite a few things about this bag I like. First, the bag provides a lot of protection for your laptop. If you drop this bag, your computer will not have a scratch on it. The bag is very well padded and it will protect it’s contents very well. Second, this bag has a lot of space in it. There are at least 10 pockets that I counted. There are a few pockets for bigger things such as one for the computer and one for the charger. There are a few medium sized pockets such as one for an iPad or other accessories. There are also a few smaller pockets inside that you could put your phone and a few other accessories in. In addition, there is a few slots to put your stuff in. I could see some one putting 2 laptops, an iPad and an iPhone with all the chargers for each device and still have room left over. Everything is fairly easily accessible. Also, the bag can be carried by strap or handle. I find it easier to carry it around by strap only because it makes it even easier to reach for your device inside the bag. The zippers and velcro are easy to open but will not break. Overall, this bag is a great laptop bag for the money.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Great aesthetics
    -Protects the things inside well
    -Holds a lot of stuff, there’s plenty of space
    -Easy to carry
    -Everything is easy to get to

    Cons

    -None

    Ways to improve

    For the price, this is a great laptop bag and I personally see nothing that should be improved on this bag.

    This is one great laptop bag. It can hold a lot and it can protect a lot. I wouldn’t say it’s a designer laptop bag but does it need to be? In fact, I think it would protect better than a lot of designer bags do and at one third the cost. It’s practical for the everyday consumer. This bag easily gets 5 stars from me.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

    Images Courtesy: Amazon

  • Uncommon iPod touch 4 Custom Capsule Case Review

    The Uncommon Case is a customizable case where you can add your own image to a case for the iPod touch. The image goes on the back of the case and is a great conversation piece especially when you have a picture of your dog on it or a picture of your kids. What the case looks like is all up to you. The case is available from Uncommon for $34.95. Let’s see if this very personalized case is for you.

    Form

    The form of this case is very interesting. The design of the case is not made by the company. With this case, it is made by you. You make the design, whether it be an image of your pets, family, your favorite whatever, it’s all up to you. I personally put a picture of my dog on the case. You can choose whatever you want. In terms of quality, the case is made of a durable material. You drop the case, the iPod touch will probably not be damaged. The case has a hole for the camera and has a protector on the wake/sleep button on top and the volume buttons on the side. The case color can be just about any color you can come up with. I put my dogs picture with a black background which I think is the best way to go since it makes the picture stand out but it is all up to you. You can also put a caption on the image if you want and in any font. The case is slim and light, it adds almost no profile to the iPod yet still keeping it protected. This case is the most customized case I have seen and thus the best in form.

    Function

    The case does protect the device well. There is a side bumper should it fall face down onto the ground. This will prevent the screen from breaking. The ports are protected well and I appreciate that all the ports are easily accessible. The power button is hard to press but it does seem to get easier the more you use it. The case has a camera hole so the camera doesn’t get blocked. The case is easy to take off as well. The case will not take the contents of your pocket with it when you take the iPod touch out of your pocket. The case is really more of a “Form” case since the impressive feature is the customizing of the case. It’s a normal case but, with your own image on it, it’s not. It’s your own customized case and I know that a lot of people, including yourself, would like. In addition to the case, a big part of the experience is the creation of the case. The designing of the case is a multi-part but simple process. All you do is add images, resize it the way you want it, add a caption, choose the color of the case, save and you are done. The process is almost fun, designing your case and seeing what different cases you can make. You can even save multiple designed cases, choose the best one and then buy that one. The customization of this case and it’s thin profile made me replace my OtterBox iPod touch case with this one.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Personalized to your liking
    -Protects the iPod touch well
    -Slim profile
    -Access to all ports
    -Easy to design cases on the Uncommon website
    -Easy to take off the case (not that you would want to)

    Cons

    -Difficult to press the unlock/lock button on top at first

    Ways to improve

    The only way to improve that I could see is to get rid of the piece that covers the unlock/lock button. It would make it easy to press the button.

    This case is a great case. One of the best I have reviewed because of it’s customizability, slim profile and easy process to customize the case. This case easily earns a 5 star review from me.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

    Images Courtesy: Uncommon

  • Pong iPhone 4/4S Rugged Case Review

    The Pong iPhone 4/4S Rugged Case is an iPhone 4/4S case that is supposed to protect your phone from breaking when dropped and to protect yourself from dangerous cell phone radiation. Perfect for tween girls who have their phones glued to their hands or face!:) It will protect them and the phone. The case is available from Pong for $79.99. Let’s see if this is the anti-radiation case for you.

    Form

    First I would like to say that this case has some great colors. I was sent both the blue and the red cases and I can not choose between the two, they are both great colors! The case is simple enough. It is a one piece case where you just pop in your phone and then your phone is protected. The case is simple looking but that is a good thing. Quite frankly, it’s nice to look at. You have the black edges all around the phone and then the wonderfully colored backing. It feels light, but it does pack a lot in terms of protection. There are, of course, holes for the ports such as a hole for 30 pin dock connector port and speakers, and as well as the camera and the vibrate button as well. The case is only a bit thicker than the phone itself but considering that it is a case that could go against Otterbox in terms of protection that is something to be valued. Heavy duty cases tend to be thick and heavy but this case is an exception. The case is good to hold, it feels firm and it feels as though you have a complete grip over the phone when you hold it. Even when in ButterFingers’ hands, it will not slip out. Despite the fact that it has rubber edges, it does not pull the other contents in your pocket out of your pocket when you pull the phone out of your pocket. The pocket itself won’t come out either. Fortunately, they figured out how to stop that phenomenon. Overall, the case aces in it’s form.

    Function

    There are a few things that this case promises. First, it promises to protect your phone if dropped. That is absolutely true. Your phone will most likely not scratch if it is dropped from a 8-feet ladder to the concrete ground. Therefore, this case may be used by people who drop their phones a lot. The case, of course, will protect the phone from scratches. Mostly. If there is something that scratches the open glass on the front of the phone, it will scratch. It will not be scratched should it fall face down since there is a significant bumper between the phone and the floor when it lands screen down but scratches against the side of an object or an object that comes in direct contact with the glass front will not be protected against. In that case, I would recommend getting a screen protector since, to my surprise, Pong does not supply one. This accidental contact is with almost every case however and should be avoided by the user. I do wish that they included a screen protector but the fact that the screen could get damaged inside the screen opening is always a risk no matter the case. Therefore, it is not a fault of the case. The second thing they promise this case will do is protect you from radiation. This I can not confirm from you but I will say this. Pong is a trustable company. They have posted their results from an independent lab. Wired, a independent news company posted independent results from the lab on Pong’s website and I recommend you check it out. I can not test it myself but I believe they are telling the truth about it’s ability to reduce radiation directed at you. In addition, Pong declares that this case will increase cell signal and battery life (when using cellular). This, I can confirm. In a day of a lot of talking, I saw a battery life increase by about an hour or more. This is because of the efficient signal performance in the case. Also, I saw an increase in signal by about 1-2 bars depending on the location, enabling me to use the phone in areas I couldn’t because of too weak of a signal. There is a nitpick about the case I should address though. It is difficult to reach the ringer/silent switch with one hand. This was something I could do with other cases, but it is no big deal. The case delivers on it’s promises. It is a case I would highly recommend.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Great protection
    -Ability to increase signal reception
    -Reduces power drain on the battery by “doing some of the work for the phone”
    -Great aesthetics
    -If it is true, it blocks harmful radiation from your body (when we had begun making cigarettes, we did not know the effects on the body, well we don’t know the effects of the cell phone on the body so why not be safe than sorry?)

    Cons

    -Screen protector not included
    -Hard to reach ringer switch

    How to improve

    The only thing I can think of is to include a screen protector. If there was a screen protector included, I may not have mentioned its reduced ability to protect the front if it came with a screen protector.

    For $79.99, you are getting one heck of a case. A case that can protect your phone, protect you from radiation, improve your reception and improve your battery life! Who wouldn’t want that?! I can easily give this case 5 stars. This case is a great case that I would recommend to anyone.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

    Images Courtesy: Pong Research

  • 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