Hands-on with whistle-locating, solar-powered KudoCase and KudoMate for iPad

Élyse Betters | Oct 6 2012 - 3:20 am PT

Anyone who has ever misplaced an iPad and felt a sudden urge of panic —or better yet, anyone who has ever watched an iPad’s battery drain without access to power while on a long trip— can now rejoice, as there is a solution to both problems in one, nifty case.

Wireless NRG developed a renewable charging resource for the iPad by simply converting the sun’s rays, indoor lights, and practically any other luminescent substance into a perpetual stream of free energy. The high-end, portable charging case, dubbed “KudoCase,” launched earlier this summer for $199.95 with a slew of innovative accessories. But that’s not all…it responds to whistling. If your iPad is ever lost at a friend’s house, just whistle. The KudoCase will set off an alarm. Yeah, I know—awesome.

Anyway, enough jibber-jabber—check out the hands-on review below.

KudoCase Video Overview

(The 1080p version is processing; coming soon.)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HojGMzJQBC4&feature=youtu.be]

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KudoCase

The KudoCase comes in a fancy box that details Wireless NRG’s eco-friendly mission. Oh, and it gives some specifics on the case’s whopping 10,000-mAh battery: KudoCase can supposedly give an iPad a 10-day charge. O.K., stop drooling.

I played with this bad boy for a few days, and I am happy to give credit where credit is due. My new iPad did not need a charge during the testing period. With three or more hours of use per day, and while only keeping it in the case for less than five hours to start, my iPad still has a 47-percent battery. If I keep it in the case 24/7, whether indoors or outdoors, my iPad’s battery will probably never die. Unfortunately, the case’s whistle-locating feature is not as impressive. I mean, it worked…just not very well. It usually took two loud whistles to trigger an alarm and being more than 15 feet away rendered the feature (almost) useless.

Before I go any further, let’s talk about the KudoCase’s look and feel: It is a very solid product. A bit hefty, too, as it weighs 1.4 pounds. Do not let this deter you, though. The mixtures of smooth and gripped textures feel so luxurious and soft. I also love the intuitive LED battery-life indicators and support offerings along the bottom of the case.

The kickstand legs on the back are also nifty; however, the legs have temporary paper wings for lifting from the case. If the wings should ever tear, it will be hard to yank them without a tool. Speaking of setup difficulties, watch the video above to learn more about inserting the iPad. Also, the $200 KudoCase comes with a beautiful messenger bag that enables it to charge while on the go. Get all the details below.

KudoMate Video Overview

(The 1080p version is processing; coming soon.)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bj0RkrdsMlY]

KudoMate and Kudo Accessories

The KudoCase comes with a complimentary KudoMate messenger bag that is water-resistant due to its durable ballistic nylon material. The stylish shoulder bag further sports a solar window, cable ports, pockets, and storage; and those specs help to make the KudoCase’s $200 price tag well worth the buy. Simply slide a KudoCase-covered iPad into the bag to solar charge anywhere and everywhere. I especially loved being able to wire my iPhone through the bag to the KudoCase for connected charging.

Wireless NRG also offers $25 off a premium version of the free bag online to those who purchased a KudoCase. With that said, the KudoCase website has an array of Kudo-branded accessories that work with an iPad. Watch the video above for a closer look at a few of them.

Wrap-up

Wireless NRG’s range of Kudo-branded products, such as the KudoCase and the KudoMate, are excellent accessory options for the iPad. The KudoCase touts unmatched battery life for the iPad, while it’s accompanying KudoMate mixes eco-friendly with style. If you like green energy, innovation, and quirky features, this duo is the perfect combination for you. As for the steep price, $200 for the KudoCase is not too expensive if you think about how it essentially gets you three must-haves: a portable iPad case, extra battery life, and a gadget bag. That’s about $65 a piece, right? Sounds like a bargain to me.

By the way, if the KudoCase sounds familiar, you are probably thinking about the LilyPad. KudoCase is the LilyPad, just rebranded. The company said it worked with Apple for nearly 18 months before Cupertino noticed in January 2012 that the word “pad” was in the brand name “LilyPad.” So, Apple asked Wireless NRG to change the name. After nearly 5,000 different ideas, Kudo became the line’s new moniker. (Get it? “Kudos for doing right by the environment!”)

P.S. Wireless NRG told 9to5Mac it is developing a KudoCase for the iPhone 5, too. Yay!