As someone with years of experience of pushing the battery-life of laptops to the limit, the iPad was something of a revelation. If we ignore the time I stupidly left the Smartcover auto on/off engaged while it was in a bicycle pannier on a London to Paris cycle ride, I’ve literally never run out of power.
However, since I was reviewing the Digital Treasures Powerflask, I thought I would look at the company’s Props Power Case at the same time. The concept is a simple one: a protective case with a built-in battery. Plug your iPad into the case, and the case provides the power…
While you’ve been enjoying your weekend we have been scouring the net for the best deals in consumer electronics. Most of these deals are only for a limited time so be sure to cash in on these savings if you find a deal you like. Due to Presidents’ Day weekend, we expect to be adding a lot of deals throughout the next two days so be sure to check back.
Also bookmark 9to5Toys.com/Daily-deals for 25+ of the top daily deals across most of the biggest shopping sites in the US including Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and many more.
If you think an iPad 2 for $399 is a good deal, how about a 3rd generation iPad with Retina Display for $299? Get over to your local Target quick, these things don’t usually last long. You can see if your store has them in stock using the find a store link. More deals coming your way at 9to5Toys.com
ZAGG, perhaps best known for its invisibleShield screen protector, is adding two new additions to its also popular lineup of keyboards and cases tonight with the unveiling of two super-thin Bluetooth keyboards designed specifically for iPad. The keyboards, ZAGGKeys PRO for $99 and PRO Plus for $129, feature the usual iOS specific functions such as media playback and volume controls, copy and paste keys, as well as keys for the Home button, search, etc.
Think the backlighting might drain the battery? HA! If you use the keyboard for eight hours a day, you will get up to three weeks of normal use…and remember that is the backlit model! The keyboard will come in English, French, and German models at launch.
We got our hands on the new keyboards tonight at the ShowStoppers IFA press event and were quiet impressed with the overall build quality. They do not feel cheap (the opposite), which is not too surprising given ZAGG’s reputation of building military grade screen protectors and other quality protective accessories.
The two models are identical to one another, including a magnetic closure that allows it to act as a screen protector when not in use. However, an extra $20 will upgrade you to the Pro Plus model with a backlit keyboard, which is a feature that has noticeably been missing from the go-to iPad keyboards currently on the market.
Amazon offers the Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K760 for Mac/iPad/iPhone (920-003884) for just $59.99 with free shipping (Amazon Store link). That’s the first time we’ve seen this keyboard marked down from its $80 retail price. The Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K760 keyboard charges by sunlight/lamplight and can run for 3 months in total darkness. Users can also immediately switch between iPhone, iPad and Mac (or any 3 devices) with dedicated function keys.
Apple is being sued by a man in Colorado over claims that the company’s $39 iPad Smart Covers violate a “Portable Computer Case” patent originally filed in 2003 and issued in 2005. PaidContentobtained a copy of the lawsuit.
The United States patent in question is 6,977,809. A Colorado man owns it, Jerald Bovino, who is seeking royalties for sales of Smart Covers’ using his invention. An excerpt from the patent seems to describe functionality that is quite similar to Apple’s Smart Covers—at least the ribbed design:
