appleJAC Users Group

TechSling: Handy iPad/iPhone Holster

a review by Tom Piper

Having had iPhones and iPads since their first introduction, I’ve had many carrying cases of varying configurations to protect and transport them. Often these cases, though very good, always required an extra hand to carry around. AT CES 2015, I found a unique and useful alternative to carry my iDevices hands-free.

The TechSling Standard Diamond Ripstop technology holster lets me work hands-free with immediate access to my iPad or iPhone or other accessories. It has tough yet lightweight construction ensuring a comfortable fit, durable wear and quick, easy storage — all right at my fingertips. Reminiscent of the “gangster shoulder concealed gun holster”, this clever harness is designed to carry a balanced load of iDevices (and other extra small goodies).

On its left side the TechSling includes a single 10.7” x 6.5" snap pocket compatible with Apple iPad (all generations) or other tablet of similar size). On its right side is a 3” x 4.5" snap pocket compatible with Apple iPhone (iPhone 3, 4 or 5, but not 6) or similar sized device. This side also includes a 7” x 6.5" zipper pocket for holding two pens (via built-in straps), a wallet, extra battery, cables and other small accessories.

The first time I wore it, the harness required some adjustments to help it fit properly, but that was quick and easy (the broad elastic strap across the back is a nice feature). Wearing it was comfortable at first, until I sat down in a chair with arms or the car (best to remove so it doesn’t interfere with the seatbelt or seat sides). Access to all devices was convenient and an easy reach (not being able to fit my iPhone 6 plus in the phone pocket is a disappointment). It also takes some time to become accustomed to wearing it in public (lots of interesting looks and double-takes from others who wonder what is being carried).

More information is available at techslinger.com/products where the TechSling Standard Diamond Ripstop polyester holster can be purchased for $69.95 (available in Cinnamon, Light Gray <Regular, Neon Orange, or Neon Yellow Interior>, Tan, Blue <Regular, Neon Orange, or Neon Yellow Interior>, Black <Regular, Neon Orange, or Neon Yellow Interior>. The Standard Tablet version is also available in various models including Solo 10” ($$.95), Magnatuff ($69.95), X11 or Sport ($74.95), Plus+ or Sport Plus+ ($84.95), or Side Order 10” (open front $37.95, or vinyl covered ($39.95).

Similar models are also available for the Mini Tablet (7”) for similar pricing. As add-ons, parts of the assembly are also available including only the harness, either left or right side, extension strap or carabiner key chain. The options are plentiful to customize the holster in a variety of fun and useful ways. With practice, this iPad and iPhone holder can be most useful at a reasonable price.

 

Mobile-Catch: Unique Phone Grip

a review by Tom Piper

Having had almost every iPhone that Apple has produced, I’ve acquired a wide variety of “phone holders” ranging from soft pillows, to durable suction clamps, to magnet cases, to selfie sticks. At CES 2015, I found a most unusual, yet versatile grip to use in places not previously imaged.

The Mobile-Catch is the world's most lightweight gripping and stable mobile accessory, which can be quickly mounted within most of my surrounding environment. I literally can connect and detach it in a matter of seconds, while its universal golden claw fully adapts to many objects. It achieves many support positions using multi-face and multi-angle gripping which replaces traditional desktop and vertical supports.

The unique configuration of the clamp will connect to round, square and other shaped objects quite easily. Each part of the clamp’s length represents effective design allowing it to grab different contact areas. By adding a flexible sheath which rotates freely, the mobile-catch will grab almost anything around it and operate easily based on best habits of each person. 

Simply said, this rubberized clamp will a desk edge, a lamp pole, a bottle neck, a car mirror, a wash basin, a car vent, an office partition, a chair back, a door, a computer screen, kitchen shelf, a bicycle handlebar, shopping cart, or virtually anything else up to 3” in thickness (or diameter). The phone holder can fit anything up to an iPhone 6 plus (up to 3.5” in width). The “claw” easily expands and contracts with the twist of a knob the creates a firm and reliable grip. Once attached, the iPhone can be turned to any angle around 360°.

For more information, or to purchase the Mobile-Catch for $24.99, go to mobile-catch.com. A pink version is available for $25.99, or a pink & yellow pair for $49.99. iPhone 5 cover (an attachable case instead of a universal holder) is also available in black or transparent for $19.99, and replacement connecting parts for $4.99. Although unusual, it is this very characteristic that makes this the most versatile of all the iPhone holders I’ve ever used. The price is quite reasonable, but shipping is $75 (can’t find it on Amazon or any other US distributor).

 

SwingHolder: Versatile iDevice Floor Stand

a review by Tom Piper

I’ve had a variety of iPads since they were first introduced, and they all fit well on my lap, or on a table stand. But, when I spent a few days on my back in the hospital after cardiac surgery, I yearned for something to reduce the arm strain resulting from holding the iPad above my head. At CES 2015, I found a wonderful solution to this dilemma.

The Universal SwingHolder Floor Stand works with virtually all tablets and e-readers, including the iPad Air and iPad Mini, holding the device right where I want it. I can even charge my iPad while it is in the holder (USB only). It allows an infinite variety of viewing angles and positions because the boom extends the iPad to me.

With a terrific feature that I could have used in the hospital, the boom swings in or away from me, so bedside use is easy and doesn't require me to get out of bed. It has a series of soft rubberized fingers which hold my iPad securely to keep it safe, yet make it easy to insert and remove. The best part is that it works without removing my cover and case.

The Universal SwingHolder makes my iPad truly useful in the gym, in bed, on the couch or while performing on stage (when I give presentations). Although I haven’t tried this yet, the maker says it can also be used while exercising since it wouldn’t vibrate with my treadmill or cycle. It is also comforting to know that it is made in the USA from recycled plastic and steel.

When I unboxed the unit, assembly of the SwingHolder was fast and easy. After attaching the felt feet to the base, I slide the integrated USB cable through the base, placed the stand into the base, secured it with two screws, slid the counterweight onto the arm, and secured with a screw. Now, when I want to move it out of the way, the boom folds for storage, requiring less than one square foot of floor space. 

This unit works with tablets measuring from 7.5” to 14.5” diagonally and up to 3/4” thick. It is compatible with the iPad Air, iPad Mini, and older iPads, Amazon Kindles, Barnes & Noble Nooks, Samsung Galaxy Tabs, and Microsoft Surface Tablets. A USB cable is integrated inside the boom and stand. It allows me to charge my iPad with the cable and power adapter that came with my device, thus eliminating dangling and bothersome wires.

The unique ratcheting arms zip into place to keep my iPad from falling, even when the unit is shaken or jostled. I can insert and remove my iPad quickly and easily just by squeezing my fingers onto the diagonal corners of my iPad, then remove it with the push of a button. The back camera can also still be used while mounted on the stand, and the audio jack is easy to reach for headphones or other devices, like the Square credit card reader.

Its easy to turn from portrait mode to landscape mode by simply twisting the head, or move the iPad up or down up to 45 degrees, or adjust left or right up to 270 degrees for use on either the left or right side. This freedom of movement is just how it should be. But, my wife liked it even more than me, so the stand is stationed at her end of the couch for use every night while “multi-tasking” in front of the television.

To learn more about the Universal and iPad SwingHolder Floor Stands, and to purchase one for only $199, go to standforstuff.com. You can also purchase the Kensington SecureBack Security Case (sold separately). A tall version is also available for $319, a wheel accessory for the base is $54.99, and the universal and iPad head assemblies can be purchased separately for $49.99 each. All in all, this is a versatile, stable, useful and reliable stand that I recommend.

 

eTAPE16: Cool Digital Measurement

a review by Tom Piper

As a self-styled home fix-it guy, I find that reliable measurements are critical to the success of most jobs. I have a variety of measuring tapes from short pocket versions to 30’ Craftsman versions to 100’ reels. At CES 2015, I finally found a cool version to provide me with many digital reading features.

The new eTAPE16 makes measuring of all types simple, reliable and accurate -- just like the developer claims! I can toggle the “Arrow” button on the side to select reference point on tape housing where measurements are to be taken (Inside or Outside of the case) where the software automatically compensates for width of the housing.

Other features allow me to press “Hold” Button to retain the display of current measurement (also keeps two memory settings), regardless of subsequent tape movement. This means that I don’t need a pencil and paper to record measurements. This can all be done with one hand. Another side button allows me to “rezero” the tape setting for accuracy.

Too often I also find myself trying to convert measurements to metric numbers, which this will do at the click of another side button. The large digital display is very easy to read, and the polycarbonate shell housing with rubber top ensures durability.

The tape length is 16 feet long and 3/4” wide, with accuracy down to 1mm (1/16”). The display turns on automatically with the pull of the tape, then turns off after 5 minutes of inactivity (it uses a common lithium battery). It automatically recalibrates itself with continued use.

More can be learned about the eTAPE16, or it can be purchased for $29.95, from www.etape16.com. The developer is also anticipating the release soon of a Bluetooth version which can communicate with and save measurements on a smart phone. I’ve spoken with him, and hope to also review this next new version in the future. He really has a great product here.

 

appleJAC on the Radio

Officers from the appleJAC computer club were again on KWOS radio in Jefferson City, on Saturday, June 13, from 8:00 – 9:00 AM. The program was "Open Air Saturday with Hal Dulle”.

Peggy Landwehr was joined by Tom Piper and George Kopp to discuss all things tech. Some of the topics discussed included the new Apple Watch, spyware and viruses on computers, new operating systems coming down the road, backing up computers and iDevices, and all about maintenance of this technology.

They also made a number of affectionate plugs for appleJAC (when to attend and how to join), Jones Beltone, Central Bank, Coffee Zone and others who support innovative technology.

To hear this broadcast (about 51 minutes), just click on this link: OpenAir061315. Listen again to Open Air on July 25, 2015, when they will talking about technology more in depth.

ScanSnap iX100: Powerful Wireless Mobile Scanner

a review by Tom Piper

The conversion of paper materials into digital images has a long history. I have had many small handheld scanners up through large specialized automated units, all connected to various computers. But, portability and iDevice compatibility have been largely absent from all of them. At CES 2015, this all changed with an incredible new product from a veteran company.

The ScanSnap iX100 from Fujitsu is now the world's fastest battery-powered ScanSnap. Whether scanning receipts, contracts, recipes, or plastic cards, this iX100 takes scanning beyond the desktop and into my mobile world. It is completely wireless and weighs only 14.1 ounces. This unit brings portability and wireless scanning to my Mac and iOS devices (as well as PCs and Android devices, for those in the “other world”).

This amazingly small scanner (only 1.2” x 1.8” x 10.8”) has one-button searchable PDF creation with the ability to scan a color document in 5.2 seconds. It is battery powered, has a built-in GI microprocessor, does Direct Connect mode for Wi-Fi scanning anywhere, and can scan two small documents at the same time.

The ScanSnap iX100 starts with the touch of a single button and ends with a host of productivity features that keep me ahead of the stack. When I scan to my computer, I can produce searchable PDF, Word (editable), Excel (editable), and Business Cards, plus PDF and JPEG, if in wireless mode. On the computer, I have the option of scanning to ScanSnap Organizer, CardMinder, ScanSnap Receipt, Folder, Email, Print, Mobile, Cloud, Word (.doc), Excel (.xls), PowerPoint (.ppt), or Picture Folder.

It is so cool . . . when I open the front paper gate, it automatically detects my Wi-Fi network at home, or wherever I happen to be. Or, with Direct Connect mode, I can scan wirelessly beyond my network when my iPhone or iPad communicates directly to the scanner (via peer-to-peer Wi-Fi), starts a scan, then saves it on the iDevice. Although the scans are single-sided, I can immediately turn the paper over, feed it again, and it is saved as the second page of a set (more pages can be added too).

The battery life is very robust too with the ability to scan up to 260 documents on a full charge, then easily recharge using a USB charger. At a scan rate of 5.2 seconds per page, I can go through a lot of paper at 300 dpi in color. Not only that, I scan two small-sized documents, such as business cards or receipts, at the same time which intelligently produces two separate pages. Even charts and diagrams larger than A4 can be scanned by folding the paper in half, and scanning both sides, then the iX100 will automatically stitch them back together into one image.

A dual-core CPU mounted "GI" processor performs the intelligent image enhancement responsible for great-looking images with dramatically faster results and more sophisticated connectivity. It handles image processing with automatic corrections and image output and supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) wireless LAN (IEEE802.11b/g/n). For those who need it, it even works on both Mac and PC operating systems, making flexibility a breeze.

There is great software for the computer to process the products of scans. ScanSnap iX100 can quickly scan business cards, extract the content information and place it into editable fields that can be exported to Address Book, Excel, Salesforce, and other contact managers. ScanSnap Organizer allows me to view, manage and edit PDF and JPEG files, as well as convert scanned PDF files into searchable content, embed custom keywords, attach to email or SharePoint and remain productive with paperwork long after it is scanned. The ScanSnap Receipt software allows me to easily scan and extract information from my receipts (which I can scan one after another), and even export the data for tax filing. The versatility is great.

To learn more about it, or get your own ScanSnap iX100 ($229.00), just visit fujitsu.com/scansnapiX100. Fujitsu also produces other ScanSnap scanners including the iX500 Color Duplex Scanner (mine is used almost every day), ScanSnap S1300i Color Personal Scanner, and ScanSnap SV600 Contactless Scanner (a version I hope to acquire in the future). These units are reliable, high-quality, convenient, powerful, and economical . . . I highly recommend both the iX500 and iX100, which I’ve used extensively and successfully.

 

OWC Thunderbolt 2 Dock: Incredible Connectivity

a review by Tom Piper

How many times have you found yourself with more devices than ports? USB 3, Ethernet, FireWire 800, ThunderBolt 2, HDMI, audio in/out, USB charging ports? At CES 2015, I found a terrific solution to reconnect my cool stuff (printers, speakers, 

The OWC Thunderbolt 2 Dock has really done it right. It has 12 Ports of great flexibility, all connected to my Mac with just one lightning-fast Thunderbolt 2 cable. It has awesome performance which means incredible connectivity offering the ultimate in convenience and flexibility to streamline any workflow. With just one Thunderbolt cable, I now have the ability to connect up to five USB 3.0 devices, Gigabit Ethernet, a FireWire device, HDMI, audio in, and audio out.

The beauty of Thunderbolt 2 is that it is capable of an astounding 20 Gbps of throughput to eliminate data bottlenecks, and effortlessly support direct connection of up to ten devices, as well as daisy-chaining five additional Thunderbolt devices. Amazingly, you just plug it in, and it works flawlessly!

The Thunderbolt 2 Dock also has two side-mounted, high-powered USB 3.0 ports to provide up to 1.5 amps of power. This is just what is needed for charging iPhone, iPad, tablets, smartphones, and other USB-charged devices, as well as powering bus-powered hard drives, SSDs, or optical drives. 

Although I haven’t yet done mine this way, I can configure the ultimate display setup to meet the needs of my workflow. With this unit, I can add an ultra HD 4K display, two high definition displays, or one 4K display plus one high definition display. More than that, I can even connect a VGA, DVI, or DisplayPort monitor utilizing the Thunderbolt 2 Dock's built-in HDMI and Thunderbolt ports.

This is the supreme expansion platform for any Thunderbolt-equipped Mac, with exceptional connectivity, and dependable performance. This Thunderbolt 2 Dock is the right answer for my new 15” MacBook Pro retina laptop, my 27” iMac retina, or earlier iMacs and other Thunderbolt-equipped computers.

Installation was quick, easy and effective with all devices becoming immediately accessible. No special configuration or tinkering, just smooth and reliable connections to ensure that my computer has terrific performance. At 1” x 3.5” x 9” in size, it takes up very little space, and is only warm to the touch. For something so powerful and useful, it quickly fades into the background of desktop technology to support some of my most important computer functions.

To learn more about it, or get your own OWC Thunderbolt 2 Dock ($229.99), just visit eshop.macsales.com/Thunderbolt2-Dock. Other World Computer (OWC) is a reliable and innovative company which has been supporting Apple product users with great memory, internal and external storage, and accessories since 1988. I have depended on their reliable products for a long time, and find this Dock to be a valuable component of my everyday work. You won’t be disappointed in this device, or any of their other products.