case

During Apple's second quarter earnings call yesterday, Apple CEO Tim Cook dismissed the idea of Apple releasing a MacBook-iPad hybrid device, saying such convergence was a "compromise" to the end user.

"You can converge a toaster and a refrigerator," Cook said, "but those things are probably not going be pleasing to the user." … Read more

A lot of people like the concept of being able to use a keyboard with their iPads but one of the problems with cases that integrate a built-in Bluetooth keyboard is they tend to be bulky.

As you can guess from the name of Logitech's new $99.99 Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for the third-generation iPad and iPad 2, the company is touting the product's new, trimmer design.

No word on the exact weight but we should get a review sample in shortly and will put it on the scale. In the meantime, here's what Logitech has to … Read more

The Kickstarter project called JuiceTank that promises to combine a mobile phone charger and a case in one tidy package will be ready sooner than originally estimated, according to its creators.

Today, Detached -- the company behind the JuiceTank -- said it was "in the final stages of development" and that the tooling segment of production was ahead of schedule.

The peculiar hybrid, which was unveiled last month on idea incubator Kickstarter, differs from the bevy of cases with built-in charging features. Instead of including a built-in battery to augment runtime, it has an integrated wall plug that lets you plug your iPhone 4/4S directly into an outlet, eliminating the need to use a USB-based charger. … Read more

Updated April 18, 2013 with two new accessories.

Whether you have the larger iPad or the iPad Mini, Apple's tablets -- while versatile -- can't do everything. That's where peripherals come in. Connecting a camera, streaming audio or video to a TV or stereo, or writing with a real keyboard are just a few extremely useful things that accessories enable. Or, maybe you just want to keep it standing neatly on your desk.

Here are some of the most useful iPad accessories I've found. Some work for both the iPad Mini and the larger iPad; some work with just one. You probably won't need all of them, but you're almost guaranteed to get serious use out of more than one.

Any I left out? Share below.… Read more

Torn between Apple's iPad and the MacBook Pro? Here's an accessory that could solve your dilemma.

The NoteBookCase for iPad2 transforms the tablet into a smaller version of the MacBook Pro, complete with a similar MacBook-style keyboard. Aside from the Bluetooth-connected keyboard, the case comes with an integrated battery that charges the tablet, too. … Read more

I'm just going to put this out there. The Playa Case for the iPhone 4/4S just might be one of the dumbest things I've ever seen.

Created by Australian company Annex Products, the brainchild behind the Opena bottle opener case (which I'm totally onboard with, by the way), the Playa Case features a slide-out compartment where you can store -- wait for it -- condoms!

That's right, no more rings on your wallet. Instead, you can now flirt worry-free with this classy and discreet rubber dispenser. Just imagine how impressed your lady friend will be when you slide open the Playa Case to reveal a selection of condoms as if you're offering her a mint. You're sure to get lucky in no time like Chris in the video below. Yeah, no. … Read more

As I wrote back in February, Waterfield Designs, which is known for its laptop and tablet cases, has made a surprise early entry into the Sony PS Vita market with a trio of case options.

Two of the models, the minimalist Vita Suede ($12 or $15 with stretch pocket) and the PS Vita Gear Pouch Pro ($45) became available shortly after the Vita launched.

Meanwhile, the PS Vita Case ($49), which has a leather flap and is the best of the bunch, has now shipped -- but the first batch is gone. … Read more

With the iPhone having been around as long as it has, it's a bit surprising no one has come up with an affordable waterproof case that lets people use the device to take pictures and shoot video while snorkeling or scuba diving.

We saw the FourPro iPhone housing appear on Kickstarter late last year, but it didn't reach its funding goal, and it's unclear at this point if it's being produced. At any rate, with the Kickstarter failure, the retail price was expected to be about $700.

There's also the LifeProof Case, which, for about $80, is supposedly waterproof to depths of up to about 6.5 feet.

Now we're seeing the TAT7. It's a $90 case that its makers say will let you use your iPhone 4/4S (running iOS 5) to take photos and video at depths of up to 100 feet.… Read more

Most people don't want a bulky case for their new iPad, but some folks are looking for some serious protection. While there are plenty of tough cases for the iPhone 4S, the selection is more limiting for the iPad, and Otterbox remains among the top choices in rugged iPad cases with its Defender Series case.

The company has made some tiny tweaks to the design of the Defender (the new case fits both the iPad 2 and iPad third-generation). You get three layers of protection, including a built-in screen cover, and the Defender's outer "shield stand" … Read more