review by Tom Piper
This Macworld could more appropriately been called “iPadworld” with all of the emphasis on portable Apple devices. The incredible variety of accessories for iPads was stunning, overwhelming and intriguing.
The Sleeve 360 for iPad from ThinkFast, LLC, caught my attention as one of the most versatile and useful cases of all those that I used. This iPad case is unlike any other. You've seen the cases that prop it up in different angles but, the Sleeve360 allows me to tether it to your hand. In addition, it rotates 360˚ and obtains all the other functions you've come to expect in a quality case. For only $34.99 (www.sleeve360.com), this case feels good, protects well, stands easily, is lightweight, and very functional . . . a real winner all around.
As I checked out their website, I found an excellent review from The Unofficial Apple Weblog by Steven Sande that captured everything I wanted to say, and more (repeated below), which is repeated (in part) below:
“Way back in November, we featured a video from ThinkFast LLC starring the Sleeve360 for iPad. This case has an adjustable back hand strap that provides a comfortable one-handed hold on the iPad, and allows the iPad to rotate a full 360 degrees.
In the video, you can see an iPad spinning freely, and I'm sure that when we see the Sleeve360 at Macworld Expo, that's how they'll be attracting people to their booth. As I noted in the original review, this case is perfect for iPad users in the healthcare profession or any other business where it's useful to have a way to one-hand an iPad while standing.After a few months, the Sleeve360 is out of testing and into production, and ThinkFast was kind enough to send one for testing and to give away to a TUAW reader. Check out the review and find out how you can win a Sleeve360.
The Sleeve360 (US$49.99) comes in a plastic hanger box that's perfect for stocking in retail stores, but it doesn't seem to follow the recent trend to more biodegradable packaging. Inside the box is another plastic shell holding the case, along with instructions and a nice drawstring travel bag.
Out of the box, ThinkFast recommends that you read the instructions or watch the online tutorials. Why? Well, you don't exactly want to pop your $500 - $830 iPad into the case, set it spinning and then watch the iPad fly into the wall. That's why the case is designed with two snaps on the right side that close securely to keep the iPad in place. The snaps do a very commendable job of securing the iPad while being easy to lock into place. Another reason there are instructions? The mechanism is rather complex, and it's a good idea to know how to move the various bits around before you start using the case.
Once inside the case, I placed my hand into the comfortable hand strap and then snugged it down (it has a Velcro closure) until it was a fit to my relatively small hands. Now, would I want to walk around all day with an iPad strapped to my hand? No. First of all, if you put your arm down in a natural way to walk, it feels like the iPad is going to slip off of your hand, so your fingers tend to immediately want to grab the back of the case. After a very short amount of time, I found that my fingers were getting tired. To stop that, I moved the strap up to my wrist, where the palm of my hand kept it from sliding off. That's awkward. You could take the Sleeve360 off of your hand, hold the strap, and then walk with it, but that's awkward as well.
How about using the iPad with the Sleeve360? If I'm using an iPad while standing up, I'll usually hold the device either with my left hand cradling the device in the upper right corner, and my forearm and chest/stomach supporting the weight of the iPad. I then use my dominant right hand to tap buttons, type, etc... That's fairly comfortable to me, and I use the iPad that way a lot.
Another method is to grip the left side of the iPad with my hand and tap with the right, although that tends to make my left hand tired after a while. With the Sleeve360, I found that the screen angle was wrong for me when I was holding the iPad in the most comfortable position. As a result, I had to twist my forearm so that the screen angle was optimal. When I did this, my forearm got tired quickly. I think, however, that Sleeve360 users would quickly adapt their method of holding the iPad to a more comfortable position.The strap can be detached from the case fairly quickly by pulling up on a small tab, and then sliding the strap base in one direction. There are two buttons on the base of the strap; pushing them in simultaneously and then pulling up the handle creates a stand that works well to prop up the Sleeve360 on a table or desk. There are also two small pull-out props that serve to tilt the iPad into a good landscape viewing position when the handle is removed.
While I was working (yeah, right -- I was playing Monopoly for iPad) with the Sleeve360 last night, I noticed that the case covers a small portion of the iPad screen. It's wider than the iPad bezel, so if you use apps that have content near the sides of the screen, be aware that they might be obscured slightly. The cutouts for the dock connector, speaker, Home button and other ports and switches are nicely sized. However, I felt that it was somewhat difficult to press the on-off/sleep switch due to the thickness of the Sleeve360.There are competitors to the Sleeve360. Marware, for example, offers the C.E.O Hybrid ($49.99), the Eco-Vue ($54.99) and the Sportshell ($59.99), all of which have removable hand straps. None of these cases, however, have the swiveling strap that makes the Sleeve360 unique. Belkin's Grip 360° + Stand ($49.99) uses a similar swivel that can be replaced with a stand (or lost), and there's a Kickstarter project called Grabbit for iPad ($69.95 proposed price) that doesn't look like it's going to make it to reality.
Even with some of the minor niggling issues I found with the Sleeve360, in my opinion, it's the best way to hand hold and use an iPad while standing up. ThinkFast went through a lot of tough design decisions to create this case, and it shows in this completely unique design. How the company can produce such a complex swivel mechanism and sell this case for only 50 bucks is amazing to me.”
The modulR iPad case is a real transformer with a unique case and accessory system that fuses form and function in a whole new way. Nodes on the back connect to an ever-expanding line of accessories, allowing you to mount, position, and adapt the iPad to your needs. From your office desk top to the bedroom wall and beyond, modulR lets you take your iPad anywhere in style. The range of products in includes the iPad case with snap-on cover ($49), a shoulder strap ($15), hand strap ($15), slim wall mount ($29), and quick stand ($19) -- a universal swing arm and headrest strap will also soon be available. The case can be also purchased alone (with the cover) or starter kits can can be purchased that include available accessories for $59, $75 and $99. (George Kopp’s review of this product line is integrated in this article).
The solid front cover offers extra protection when you're on the go. The design of the case is very strong. It friction fits over the edges of the ipad and, unlike some cases, covers the entire edge and about a quarter inch on the front. The case has openings for the iPad speaker, headphone jack, microphone, and silence switch. The buttons for volume are covered, but work easily through the case. The case has openings at the top and bottom to allow the cover that is included in the kit to snap on. With the cover attached, the case completely encloses the iPad, but the back leaves a circular opening for the Apple logo (a nice touch). Unfortunately, with the cover off, there is no way to snap it on the back for safe keeping. The secret to the system are the 4 round nubs on the back of the unit. These nubs allow for the accessories to be attached to the case securely.
George found the case to be very tough. The feel is textured to allow for holding, and the accessories make the package really useful. The only issue with the unit is the color which is graphite -- while a nice neutral color, it certainly is not too exciting. If the company could expand their colors to include some brighter colors, the market would really open up to it. For more information or to order the case, see the company’s web site at www.modulrcase.com.
The Ektopad F1 silicon gamer cover for iPad from üzibull protects, feels, and attaches like no other iPad cover. Whether speeding down the raceway, stomping through the forest, skimming over the water surface, or rocketing through the sky, this unique case creates a whole new feel when gaming on the iPad. It beefs up the feel and gives gamers something supple to clutch.
The Ektopad has taken a cellular approach to adding maximum protection to your iPad without adding much weight, and while complementing the great style of the iPad. The Ektopad silicon skin consists of an intricate array of ribs and cells that compress and expand, and will never lose it's cellular elasticity. Not everyone has a video screen on the rear of their headrest for the backseat crew to watch videos -- but now they can. Other places to strap the iPad using the Ektopad cover include airplane seatback and the gym treadmill. Available in white or grey, at an introductory price of $29.95 from www.uzibull.com, this solution effectively addresses a niche gaming market with an extremely protective cover.
