Cases

I have always been leery of adhering a cover to my iPad. It isn't that I'm worried the adhesive will damage the device or leave it marred, it’s more about convenience. When you review cases you need to take them off with some frequency so you can test the next one. Well, I bit the bullet when two different cases arrived, both with adhesives. Here are my experiences and thoughts about the Twelve South SurfacePad and the Toast for iPad Pro.

If you like PopSockets but wish there was a larger version for iPads and other tablets, there is good news from Safetray Products. The G-Hold iPad Holder ($29.95) is similar to a PopSocket, but it is larger and it can be more easily repositioned because it uses Micro Suction not adhesive. Safetray, as its name suggests, is known for similar adapters to help waitstaff keep a grip on serving trays; so this is right up the company's alley.

Remember Filofax? For a long time, they were the main way to keep track of your schedule. Everybody had one. Then Personal Digital Assistants took over, and then the iPhone and iPad came along. Well, Filofax is back. I got to see them at CES 2018 and they are embracing the modern era. In addition to Filofax binders that can incorporate a tablet, they have the eniTAB 360 ($19.99). 

Kids love iPad time as much as the rest of us, but am I the only one who can almost see my iPad cringe at my child's enthusiastic appreciation? My standard protective iPad case can handle the wear and tear of adult and teenage use, but isn't up to the task of drops, bangs, and spills that a younger child dishes out. Therefore, I've set about to find the very best iPad cases for young children so that I can safeguard my iPad and my nerves from the perils of our preschooler in residence. I'm looking for three key features in my search for the best iPad case for kids: it must be drop proof, easily cleaned, and cute. Let's get started on our review of my findings so you can decide which of these iPad-saving cases you'd choose!

My kids are crazy for PopSockets ($10–$15) and I understand the appeal, especially now that the company has come out with a car vent mount option ($15). You have likely already seen these on the back of someone's phone. You attach the adhesive back of the PopSocket to the back your iPhone case and then can pop it open and use it as a stand for your device or a means to get a better grip on your iPhone. 

Some of the best gadgets at CES had no batteries, screens, or buttons. Case in point, the Easy Wrapper ($16.88 and up) from Japan Hobby Tool. At first glance, it looks like a regular cleaning chamois, but upon further inspection, it becomes clear the Easy Wrapper has a different purpose. 

At this year's CES in Las Vegas, I recorded videos live from the show floor, using the Go Mic Mobile ($249.99) from Samson. It was a great way to feel like I had a full mobile recording studio with me, when I was really all alone! 

I do a lot of typing in my job and I prefer to travel with my iPad instead of my MacBook, so I'm always looking for a good keyboard case for my iPad. Enter the solidly built Rugged Book ($129.99) from ZAGG. I'm confident it could survive a drop; and in fact, it feels like I could use it as a weapon! If the bulk is too much at times, you can remove the tablet portion from the keyboard for a lighter, more compact case. You can also flip the tablet part around for use as a video player or kiosk.

Qi charging, wireless charging, inductive charging... whatever you call it, it's fast becoming a must-have feature in the smart phone world. Apple's latest three iPhone offerings, the 8, 8 Plus, and X, are all Qi enabled and can charge their batteries at the wireless charging stations that are popping up everywhere from airports to coffee shops. There's even a free app, Aircharge Qi, that lets iPhone users know where their nearest Qi charging station is! The versatility and convenience offered by electromagnetic charging isn't just for the latest iPhones, though. If you have an older iPhone and want to get on the wireless charging bandwagon, there's more than one way to Qi-enable your pre-iPhone 8 device. Choices include wireless charging cases, and a variety of wireless charging receiver cards, stickers, and patches; and remember, if you're going to buy a Qi-enabling accessory for your device, you'll also need a Qi charging pad. Let's get started going over your options to get wireless charging on your older iPhone.

When you have an expensive piece of technology like the iPhone X you want to protect it but also show it off like a piece of art, and put it to use. The best way to do that is with an equally impressive case that serves as a frame for your high-tech artwork, and protects it at the same time. I had the opportunity to try several Leather Wallet Cases ($39–69) from Burkley. 

With the tech market saturated with so many gadgets, how can you know what’s worth your time and money? At iPhone Life, we know a good product when we see one. After testing out stacks of protective iPhone cases, Bluetooth wireless headphones, rugged Bluetooth speakers, iPhone and Apple Watch chargers, and more year-round, we can appreciate the difference when a company goes the extra mile to make an iPhone or iPad accessory that works seamlessly and is a pleasure to use. This holiday season, we’ve compiled our very favorite 47 tech gifts that we know anyone on your list is going to love. 

iPhone 8 Plus owners have just spent close to a thousand dollars for their new phone and most likely would prefer to keep their investment in a protective iPhone case that will prevent the phone from being damaged in extreme environments. Whether you work in a construction zone, prefer to use your phone in extreme outdoor sporting events, or simply want to protect your expensive technology investment regardless of the cost, the SnowLizard SLXtreme iPhone 8 Plus Case ($149.99) may be the result to your search for such a durable case.  Read on to find out how well its features perform in real-world settings.

Just because you paid $1,000 or more for an iPhone X doesn't mean you have to pay $50 or more for a protective stylish case. That's the idea behind a wide variety of cases from Caseology ($10.99–$13.99). Given the price range, I'm a believer!

If you have an expensive and fragile iPad, you'll want to protect it, especially if it's going to be in the hands of kids. A great way to do so is with the BlackBelt Rugged Case for iPad ($59.99) from Kensington. There are many thoughtful features in this case. Schools and other institutions will appreciate that an asset tag can be viewed by flipping open the kickstand.

With the weather turning, now is the time to consider the ClimateCase 700 Series ($28.95). It's easy to forget and leave your iPhone in your car overnight where it can be exposed to low temperatures. And in the summer, the same is true of high temperatures. That's where the ClimateCase comes in.

VRS Design has relaunched as Lumion and launched new cases for the iPhones 8 and 8 Plus and iPhone X, with a new website. The Lumion Cases (starting at $19.99) come in a variety of form factors—so many that Lumion wrote an article to help cutomers choose.

Of course I want to get a new iPhone; but before I received samples of the Case-Mate cases for the new iPhones ($25–$60), I was all set to get an iPhone 8. The size of the cases showed me just how compact the iPhone X is, and I changed my mind. All because of a case. It brought home how I could get a screen on par with the 8 Plus but in a phone the size of an 8. And Case-Mate has designed a wide selection of iPhone 8 and 8 Plus and iPhone X cases to complement the new iPhones, whichever model you choose.

Who says protecting your brand-new, expensive iPhone 8 and 8 Plus and iPhone X also has to be expensive? Not Silk. The casemaker offers a huge variety of tough, stylish cases ($14.99–24.99), including wallet cases at a reasonable price. I always found it ironic that wallets and wallet cases can be expensive, which means you have nothing left to put in the wallet! Not so with Silk. 

X-Doria offers a ton of color and style choices for its Defense Cases ($12.95-34.99) all at a reasonable price.  Most are drop-tested from three meters (almost ten feet) and offer great protection, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style. Several of the designs offer unique accents like carbon fiber styling, iridescent materials, ballistic nylon, or a leather texture.

I have always appreciated the juxtaposition of old world materials like wood and leather combined with the latest in high technology. The best example of this is the upcoming the iPhone X combined with the Horween Leather cases ($19.95–49.95) from Nomad.