iSkin Introduces Vu and solo Smart for iPad(R) 2

Press Release Source: iSkin Inc. On Tuesday June 21, 2011, 2:57 pm EDT

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - 06/21/11) - Editors Note: There are two photos associated with this press release.

iSkin, a global leader in premium protective covers and other fashionable accessories for mobile gadgets, is now providing two great solutions for the iPad 2: the Vu and solo Smart.

Vu for iPad 2

The Vu for iPad 2 features hybrid material design that combines qualities that are rarely ever seen in the accessories market. Quite simply, it is a meticulous blend of elegance, protection and functionality.

A vibrant, soft thermoplastic polymer body is fused to a clear, deco-patterned, hard plastic back that profiles the Apple brand and provides a slim-fit fashion statement to style-conscious technoistas.

However, its defining feature is the built-in display stand. "The union of the hard plastic to the softer polymer allowed us to create an integrated multi-positional viewing stand that blends smoothly with the back of the Vu when it isn't in use." says Andrew Ackloo, iSkin president and CEO. "Unlike anything found in other case designs, owners can handsomely park their iPad 2 in both landscape and portrait mode without the added bulk."

"Compromise is not in our vocabulary," says Ackloo. "We strive to provide top-shelf accessories that are beautifully designed, reliable and always in vogue."

solo Smart for iPad 2

While the Vu is an excellent stand-alone accessory for the iPad 2, the solo Smart is an inspired design to complement the AppleR Smart Cover and a testament to versatility and synergy.

The clear, soft-case composition provides first-class body protection and classic lines from edge-to-edge. A uniquely engineered polycarbonate bracket, CoverLock?, strengthens latching and allows the AppleR Smart Cover to be securely fastened yet gives users the option to carry their device with or without the AppleR Smart Cover.

"Instead of just creating another accessory, we wanted to build on the great work already established by AppleR," says Ackloo. "We are quite proud of the solo Smart's CoverLock? technology and how it works with the Smart Cover, making the two products an inseparable combination."

The solo Smart complements any AppleR Smart Cover in a clear color, while the Vu comes in Onyx (Black), Bondi (Marine Blue) and Vive (Purple).

As can be expected from any iSkin product, both covers share premium features that are essential when creating accessory products for the mobile consumer:

First is exclusive to iSkin cases only:embedded MicrobanR antimicrobial protection that helps prevent the growth of bacteria that can cause stains and odors on the product, making it ideal for homes, institutions and educational environments.

Second are quality materials and precision molding and cuts that provide clear and clean access to buttons, switches, cameras and ports.

The Vu will retail at 59.99 (USD), while the solo Smart will sell for 49.99 (USD). More information on the Vu and solo Smart can be found at http://www.iSkin.com/iPad2.

For additional information on this, and other iSkin products, please contact iSkin PR at press@iSkin.com or at (416) 924-9607, ext. 226. Follow us on twitter.com/iSkin for live social updates. Download Press Images

About iSkin Inc.

iSkin Inc. designs and delivers an inspired line of accessories, enhancements and solutions for the thriving Digital Lifestyle marketplace. iSkin has earned the reputation of being one of the most trusted brands in the world by being a company that focuses on total in-house, top to bottom product development with unique designs, technologies and innovations.

iSkin is one of the first companies that started to create new-generation, protective solutions with fashionable style for mobile devices with the birth of the iPodR in 2001.

The iSkin word mark and logo are registered trademarks of iSkin Inc., registered in Canada, the United States and other countries. All Rights Reserved 2011. iPadR 2 and AppleR Smart Cover are trademarks of AppleR Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. The MicrobanR trademark is the registered trademark of Microban International, Ltd. and its subsidiaries.

To view the first photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20110621-ipad2_vu_pic_01.jpg

To view the second photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20110621-ipad2_solo_smart_pic_02.jpg

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The iPad 2's best case scenario, revisited: Looking at Smart Cover-friendly cases

 Smart Cover-friendly back cases: the iPad 2's best case scenario?

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

A month or so ago, I bought an iPad 2. I noticed immediately that the Smart Cover--which, let's face it, most iPad 2 buyers take the plunge on--didn't work with many iPad 2 cases. It seemed to me that a good back cover, plus the Smart Cover, would the best case scenario for the iPad 2. At the time, the first product I could find was a PVC skin from Bodyguardz.

It seemed like a good way to keep the iPad's back scratch-free, but the skin solution has its drawbacks: it doesn't offer much protection otherwise, and I found any attempt to remove it destroyed the skin in the process. What I really wanted was a back-cover design to work with the Smart Cover.

Here are some solutions that have finally come onto the market. Click the gallery above for my hands-on impressions of each, including price and color options.

Related links
‧ What's the iPad 2's best case scenario?
‧ iPad 2 case roundup
‧ Searching for the perfect iPad bag

Most manufacturers seem to be slow to develop hard cases, so there's a good chance you haven't seen some of these options at stores yet.

Having a hard shell for the iPad 2 seems, to me, like the best case scenario. I didn't like the idea of a shell for the original iPad, but with the Smart Cover, a good shell completes the equation. Many people will likely still want to get a sleeve or padded compartment to keep the iPad 2 in, but these products could do the trick for someone who's Smart Cover-obsessed. Or, alternatively, you could always buy a case that has its own cover.

What's your best case scenario? Sound off with your suggestions below.

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Sticky Magnetic Strip Fixes Smart Cover to iPad 1

 The Smartsnap puts the Smart Cover on your hideous, ugly, bloated iPad 1

I’ll admit it: One of the main reasons I traded in my first-gen iPad for an iPad 2 was the Smart Cover, Apple’s ingenious magnetic half-case-half-stand. It turns out that the faster processor and thinner, lighter body are also great, but the Smart Cover really does make the iPad easier to use.

And if Smartfix had come up with its Smartsnap a month earlier, I might have saved myself $1,140 (the Euro price of the 64GB 3G model). The $20 Smartsnap is a converter to let you use the Smart Cover with a first-gen iPad. It’s a c-section sleeve which sticks onto the left side of the iPad and puts an array of magnets along its spine. Thus you can use any Smart Cover just as you can on an iPad 2.

It’s so simple and obvious, it’s a wonder nobody has done it already.

The clip comes in back, red, clear or blue, and consists of the strip containing the magnets, plus a pair of sticky vinyl “wings” which hold it in place. The kit comes with a placement guide so you get things lined up properly when you fit it.

If I was holding on to my iPad 1 instead of desperately trying to sell the thing, I’d have ordered a Smartsnap already. The only downside is that the iPad 1 lacks the screen-locking magnet so you’ll still have to slide to unlock the screen. You poor lazy thing, you.

Smartsnap [Smartfix. Thanks PR company that thinks I write for Mac Stories!]

See Also:

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Apple's iPad 2 Smart Cover color conspiracy

 The Apple Smart Cover for iPad 2 comes in 10 colors, but arguably the best colors cost more.

(Credit: Apple)

The other day I noticed that one of our tech editors here, Joe Kaminski, had a light blue Smart Cover on his iPad 2. Now Joe prides himself on being kind of a macho guy--some of you might know him from the Digital City podcast--so a little ribbing was in order.

I said, "Dude, why does a guy like you have baby-blue iPad cover?"

"I know, I know," he said. "It's kind of lame, but it's the best color they had in the cheaper version. What, I'm gonna get that DayGlo orange or green one? No way. All the colors suck and I wasn't gonna pay no $69 for the friggin' leather version after already paying $750 for the iPad [he has the 64GB white Wi-Fi-only version]. So I went with the blue. At least it's blue."

"Light blue," I reiterated.

"I know, I know," he said. "But I'm telling you, man, Apple did it on purpose. They made the good colors in the leather version so you'd pay the extra $30."

He then showed me Apple's Web site and forced me to assess my color options for the Smart Cover. Now I'm sure plenty of people out there like pastels, but I had to agree with Joe, none of the colors in the cheaper $39 polyurethane version were appealing to me (I probably would have gone with orange if I had to). However, I did like both the carbon and navy blue in the "aniline-dyed" Italian leather version. Black would have been fine, too.

We took the matter to Senior Editor Scott Stein, who owns an iPad 2 with a lime-green Smart Cover. He agreed with our theory that Apple, in its own subtle way (or not-so-subtle way, depending on how you look at it), was nudging people to step up to the more expensive leather covers. However, he said that the Apple salespeople at the store where he bought his iPad 2 didn't try to upsell him on a more expensive cover. They actually said the polyurethane on the lower-priced covers would hold up better over time than leather, which was more susceptible to cracking and scuffing.

I don't know if that's really true, but Stein ended up with a lime-green cover. He says he has no problem with it and it doesn't threaten his masculinity, even if it does run a little "Easter egg-ish" for his tastes. Joe, however, pines for a little leather--or at least, the darker, more muted colors of some of the leather Smart Covers.

This may all seem silly and highly superficial. And it is--until you stop to consider that Apple is selling millions of these things and that an extra $30 starts to add up after you do the multiplication.

Maybe down the road you'll see a slate or black polyurethane version of the Smart Cover and guys like Joe won't end up feeling like they had to settle because they didn't want to pay an extra $30 for a cover. The other option, of course, is to wait for some other company to make a Smart Cover-style case for the same price as Apple's or even less. As you can see from the growing number of options below, one probably isn't too far away.

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Computers and Kids: How to Make Children Smart

Although research on the use of computers in education plods along slowly compared to the progression of the technology itself, there are already positive correlations between children's education and computer use. If employed effectively and within a comprehensive educational program, computers can: help a student increase critical thinking skills, allow for customization and learning based on the individual students' interests and pre-existing knowledge, aid in memorization through interactivity, enhances collaboration among students who are not in the same geographical location, and can simulate complex or real-life tasks. In short, programs that incorporate computer use and technology for learning are many times, more effective than instruction that does not.

The use of computers for learning does not need to stop once school lets out. Creating a home "computer learning center" for your child will create an environment that encourages learning outside of the classroom. To create an educational home computer environment, you will need to do the following:

The physical computer workstation. Your child will need a comfortable computer desk. Because children are smaller than adults with a shorter reach, it's important to find a desk that's ergonomically designed to fit his/her body. We found several high-quality, affordable options at Versa Products, Inc. (an American manufacturer or classroom tables with adjustable heights and various desktop sizes that sells direct to the public). They will also need a comfortable chair.

Buy a computer. If this isn't a computer that will be shared by the whole family (for example to be used for financial management, online shopping, etc.), don't spend a lot of money. The computer needs to be reasonably fast with a high speed internet connection, but it doesn't need extra hard drive storage space or other fancy features available for exorbitant prices.

Make the computer internet-safe. Your child will need internet access for research purposes and email. The internet allows children to explore new places and learn things they wouldn't otherwise. But the internet can also be a dangerous place for a child with the prevalence of easily accessible adult websites, chat rooms, etc. Take time block inappropriate sites, create filters, and actively monitor the history of the sites visited after your child is done with his/her session on a daily basis.

Buy appropriate software. Scott Foresman and Scholastic are two of our favorite educational software companies that offer a wide range of subjects for student education.

Set rules. Although the computer is a tool to enhance education and exploration, too much of even a good thing can reduce its benefits. Children still need to be involved in group activities with other children and adults (in-person) as well as physical activities and non-computer play. The American Heart Association suggests limiting computer activities at home to no more than two hours per day. If those two hours are well spent doing internet research or playing educational games, that amount of time should be sufficient. Encourage your children's learning by taking an interest in their progress on games and becoming involved in conversation about interesting topics they've discovered.

Christopher Stormer
Computer Lab Furniture