Out of the Box

From the positive reactions, you might think that nothing could drive a wedge between iPad owners and their new Apple devices. But one of the first Apple accessories for its slate puts a wedge under or behind it. Typically understated but atypically absurdly functional at the expense of form, Apple’s rubbery iPad case does triple duty. When its cover is folded back on itself into a tab, it allows the iPad to be be oriented vertically for presentations. Or if its laid flat, it dramatically improves tying on the device since the user has a much better view of the screen. And it does this all without adding much bulk to the iPad’s sleek profile.

What’s not to love? First, the iPad is a little tricky to get in and out of the case, although that seems to be getting a bit easier as it may be wearing in a bit. Second, the perforation on the cover leaves the top a little floppy as its bent back. So, while the case is practically a must-buy today, I suspect that third parties will soon be introducing superior options, perhaps even that integrated keyboard model I’ve suggested.

A new feature being tried out here at Out of the Box is Accessory Sunday, which will take a look at some handy little products that purport to make our digital lives just a tiny bit easier. The inaugural product is about as simple an accessory as one can find. It has no moving parts and requires no power. However, the elegantly sculpted Good Grips Cord Catch shows the focus on design that permeates Oxo’s kitchen gadgets.

The Cord Catch will work with most peripheral cables such as USB connectors, and  AC adapter cables . Its chrome dome form has a nice heft resting on its rubber base so it will stay put on your desk (unless an unsavory colleague take it, but of course i can be easily hidden in a drawer). At $7, it is a small inexpensive way to add a touch of convenience and ,cachet to your cables, and it looks as though Oxo is already on to its next computing accessory with the Good Grips Plug-In Charging Shelf.

Dilemma: I have no love of bards that include all caps, but I I admire when companies bring thoughtful touches to workaday products. The latter outweighs the former for the EcoCHARGE from the nearly palindronic Ventev. I met with the company at the MobileFocus event at CTIA.

This environmentally conscious charger includes a TI chip to prevent so-called “vampire power” consumption, but is loaded with many nice touches, such as a form factor that won’t cover other outlets in a typical power strip, a large but not overbearingly bright white charging indicator light, a hinge for adjusting the angle of the cord, and an extra, covered USB port. Even the arc of the grip on the plug side of device was explicitly designed to help remove the device from the wall. The only extra Id like to see would be a retractable cable so that the whole charger is more compact, because I plan to take it everywhere I travel, and perhaps support of USB 3.0 for faster charging.

At least two other companies with more ambitious charging systems had a presence at CTIA. The Gadgeteer has a good review of the iDAPT system, and Powermat, the magnetic induction charging system making a big push at Best Buy and Target that I’ll be writing more about.