The traditionally minded craftsmen of San Francisco’s DODOcase (known for their quality phone and tablet cases) have just released their latest, handsome four-piece series, the );…
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Spring has come to the northern hemisphere and it’s almost time to escape the dim lights, step away from the radiator and get outside. Call us crazy, but there are better places to spend your time, and thanks to the power of telecommuting you can bring the social aspect…
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Recycled sails from Maine fused with Pennsylvania wool in a line of new bags
Since its start in 2005, Sea Bags has spawned a number of imitations, but unlike its competitors Sea Bags still uses only retired sails for its durable, handmade totes and accessories. Now the Portland, Maine-based brand has partnered with fellow East Coast company, Woolrich, marrying its weathered nylon with…
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Four sustainable, lightweight and refined tech items
Beloved by progressive designers and earth-conscious consumers, bamboo grows free from pesticides and fertilizers in low water conditions. Add to that construction-grade strength and a naturally gorgeous grain, and bamboo emerges as a top pick for sustainability and good design. Recently, the material has been making waves in the tech world, used to build everything from smartphones to keyboards. Below you’ll find four creative new applications of the fibrous grass.
Determined to bring bamboo to smartphones, U.K. student Kieron-Scott Woodhouse designed a concept for a more sustainable Android device. His rendering was picked up by an entrepreneur, and they’re now hoping the ADzero Bamboo Phone will reach the market by the close of 2012. Besides the gorgeous look and grippy texture, the ADzero contains the first-ever rear-facing ring flash camera, a setup favored by portrait photographers for a diffused glow. Check in with ADzero’s Google+ page for updates on production.
The recently launched iZen Bamboo Keyboard is a wireless device composed of 92% bamboo. While Impecca has been creating bamboo keyboards for some time, iZen’s model has the distinction of being the first bluetooth-enabled wireless bamboo keyboard, which makes it compatible with devices and desktops alike.
The keyboard is built to the same dimensions as an Apple keyboard, with a texture that feels great for typing. iZen also makes bamboo tablet stands, useful when typing out tablet correspondences on the keyboard. Head over to the Kickstarter page to pledge to iZen’s next round of production, where $85 will secure an iZen keyboard.
While computer soft cases remain the standard, nothing beats the look and feel of an old-fashioned hard case. Lined with wool felt, Silva’s Macbook case is hand-sanded and finished with oil and polyurethane for a glass-like finish, with a thick leather handle practical for the lightweight case. Silva also makes two cases for iPad and are working on new models to accommodate the MacBook Air and 17″ MacBook Pro.
Fit for the new iPad, this case from Grove is molded to accommodate the tablet’s subtle curves. A range of covers are equipped with magnets to both wake and put the tablet to sleep, and the fabric lies flat against the back of the case when open. Wrapping slightly around the back, the covers lend an an ergonomic element for carrying as well. Overall, the case stands out for crisp, clean lines, especially when paired with the texture of Grove’s recently debuted wool cover.
New iPad covers inspired by the classic manila envelope
This holiday season Poketo will launch a series of new tech accessories, including a sleek polyurethane iPad case that caught our eye. Harkening back to the heyday of snail mail, the envelope shape closes with a classic string-and-button fastener and is available in rust, gold, gray and black.
Despite the proliferation of snap cases and sleeves, the safest way to guard your tablet remains a full-coverage case with a secure closure like the envelope’s. Plus, the unisex aesthetic and subdued color palette of the Poketo will surely appeal to any design-minded iPad owner on your gift list.
Poketo’s envelope iPad case is available on their e-shop for $48. Their new holiday line also includes a two-tone recycled leather iPad case for $64 and polyurethane three dot iPad case for $48.
Luxurious iPad cases made by coveted fashion designers
Whether reading a book, taking notes at a meeting or using the camera to snap a quick photo of friends, the number of reasons to pull out an iPad in public left us searching for a case with a little more class than the oft-utilitarian styles typically reserved for the digital device (such as the functional cases found in our last round-up). Below are four premium cases that you could easily covet even if you don’t have an iPad, and are sure to take the already sleek device to new levels of sophistication.
The fashion-forward duo Proenza Schouler abandoned the pedestrian colorways typically used in protective cases in favor of a more vibrant assortment. Bold black, brilliant red and neon “sulphur” green genuine leather cases are accented by a front pocket that looks like the staps and snap closure system used on their signature PS1 bags, but the case actually zips shut for maximum security on the go. The iPad cases are available directly through the Proenza Schouler website where they sell for $685.
Rachel Comey‘s Laptop Clutch blurs the line between a classic downtown accessory and corporate office attaché. Noted for her attention to fabric and texture, Comey’s take on the case combines a roomy canvas and leather pouch with fine rope detailing at the edges. The subtle black and brown case can be picked up online at Creatures of Comfort for $288.
Resplendent in a plush rabbit fur exterior with a black leather lining, 3.1 Phillip Lim‘s Lynus Rabbit iPad case puts a soft spin on the harder edges of technology. A magnetic flap and hidden zipper closure complete the case’s sophisticated aesthetic. The case is available at Colette for $752.
Soft structured leather, a shearling-lined interior and detachable shoulder strap comprise Maison Martin Margiela‘s minimalist purse-like iPad case. Also included are a designer-embossed notebook and pencil for those times when technology fails. The opulent case can be purchased online from Net-a-Porter for $1,250.
From iPad mounts to grown-up captain’s beds, six new items to improve dorm life and beyond
Changing seasons are always a good time to refresh your space. With the coming school year in mind, we found the latest and best gear to make a small or any-size room more livable. From campus boxes to studio pads, we found six items to help maximize your home no matter the square footage.
To minimize desk clutter and optimize your iPad, we’re backing Modulr’s hardshell case and slim wall mount. Aptly named, the modular system comes in both iPad 1 and 2 sizes, and in black, white and clear (preferred for its subtle aperance). The mount holds iPads snugly against any surface in either landscape or portrait orientations for an alternate monitor, bedside computer or even an interactive grocery list. The iPad 2 case and wall mount sell for $40 and $20, respectively. Other Modulr add-ons, including a strap and car seat hanger, make the accessory all the more functional.
Gus Design Group’s magazine rack will do away with unkempt literary piles. The clever design of the stainless steel rack allows for easy organization. Head over to Gus to find a dealer or pick it up online from Bobby Berk Home for $295.
The classic small-space solution, the Captain’s Bed, gets an update with the Matera created exclusively for Design Within Reach. Keeping the storage drawers off the ground prevents the bed from dominating tight quarters, while also saving knuckles from rugburns. It’s available through DWR for $4,724.
Designed by Riki Watanabe in 1966, the Japanese cardboard folding stool still comes in handy for entertaining when room is tight, packing flat out of the way when you don’t need it. Sold in a variety of mod colorways, the DIY crowd will enjoy the white version, a blank canvas for making it uniquely yours. Spanning $30-60, grab it online from Tortoise General Store or Nova68.
A compact speaker system with robust room-filling sound, Hercules’ XPS 101 gets its power from 101 watts through two six-inch speakers and one subwoofer. The metal alloy speakers and wood-encased sub look great and fit neatly into modest-sized rooms without demanding attention. Look to Hercules for where to buy a set for yourself for $250.
A great part of small spaces is how much easier they are to clean, but keeping tidy is also imperative when you’re so intimately involved with every area of your home. One of our favorite cleaning product brands, Method recently released a new scent for their powerful all-purpose cleaners. The zesty clementine cleaner and dish soap swipe away grime without a greasy residue by harnessing the strength of its naturally-derived biodegradable agents. Check Method’s online shop where they both sell for just $4—affordable even for those on a college-size budget.
Contributions by Karen Day, Graham Hiemstra, Josh Rubin and Greg Stefano
Hardcase experts debut their ultra-durable case to keep tech safe in the most extreme conditions
As faster, prettier, more delicate gadgets arrive everyday, the impulse to protect them has become almost obsessive. Innumerable designs, styles, functions and colors of cases for all kinds of devices sell everywhere from street corners to gas stations. The average pink rubber bumper might look pretty, but most cases do little to truly protect against anything but a short fall. Pelican, the industry leader in high-grade protective cases, has responded to the surge in tablet and netbook sales with a new case designed specifically for mobile computing devices.
The water-tight and crush-resistant 1075 HardBack shields an iPad, netbook or any other thin device up to 10 inches. The case, designed in partnership with BMW Designworks, features the classic elements of Pelican’s nearly indestructible cases including a pressure equalization valve to keep moisture out, and plush foam lining that prevents electronics from sliding around. Depending on how you organize the interior foam, there can be space for external keyboards, chargers and other device accessories. This case is a must-have for anyone who loves tech and has a lifestyle where falling overboard or other similar dangers is a real possibility.
The 1075 HardBack is available from Pelican for $70 and the iPad-specific i1075 is coming soon.
Also on Cool Hunting: Eight Exciting iPad Cases, Ipad 2 Cases
The better iPad solution for the classroom and beyond
If you find yourself balancing your iPad on top of folders and notebooks, the BinderPad is for you. The latest from tablet case specialists ZooGue, the case fits neatly inside of a three-ring binder. It’s the first to secure an iPad this way, designed for students to keep papers, folders and other accessories all in one place, or use the reinforced holes to easily hang it nearly anywhere.
The accessory has a lightweight yet durable frame and, at only half an inch thick with an iPad, won’t take up precious space in your Trapper Keeper. The only loss is plot lines about dropping your books.
Available in dark grey and black, buy the BinderPad on ZooGue for $30.
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