The headrest mount, which works with Wallee’s existing iPad case mounting system, attaches to the headrest rail of any vehicle, and rotates in and out to provide viewing to one or more unruly kids who need entertaining in the back seat on long trips. It’s a simple, sturdy design in and of itself, but it’s really more impressive as the latest proof that Wallee’s creators at Studio Proper are into delivering long-term value rather than chasing short-term gain.

A lot of my favorite cases for the original iPad, including the ZAGGmate iPad keyboard case, required me to buy a new version in order to play nice with the iPad 2. The Wallee also required a new case, but it stung much less since all the accessories the case is designed to work with remained useful. Wall mounting disks, stands and a VESA mount still work with the new iPad 2 version of the Wallee case, and recent additions to the line, including a hand strap for easy one-handed use, and the upcoming Wallee Lock for secure, interactive iPad-based displays mean investment in the system continues to feel fresh, two years after the original Wallee’s introduction.

Most mobile device users will likely go through piles of device accessories that quickly become as outdated as the gadgets they’re designed for, so it’s nice to see a system that embraces and builds on its past, rather than simply starting fresh with each new whim of Apple’s design department.

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Tweeting while in the shower? Blogging while in the bathtub? The Lifeproof iPhone case makes it possible, and even manages to do so without adding much girth to your device or sealing it away in a cumbersome bag-style cover, like other alternatives.

A thin, yellow, rubber strip helps seal the case tight. While I didn’t take it in the shower, I did take the empty case into a bathtub multiple times and saw absolutely no leaks inside. I wasn’t quite adventuresome enough to try it with my iPhone inside, but third-party tests and user reports suggest it works as advertised. All the iPhone physical buttons are protected, and an integrated screen protector covers the home button. A screen top protects the headphone jack, and a flip cover protects the dock connector. The screen protector also didn’t take away from the quality of the iPhone’s Retina display. The speakers are protected with Gore-Tex, designed to let sound pass through but prevent water from getting in.

I was unwilling to fully test the shock protection with my own current-use device, but  I did a few drop tests with already cracked iPhone screen components and the protection was impressive.

As a functional daily case it had some drawbacks for me. The dock port is tight, and the only cable that fit in my tests was the one my iPhone came with. If you have a lot of third-party sync/charge cables, you may want to think twice about this purchase. However, Apple’s own cables fit just fine, so this may not be a limiting factor.

The headphone jack is deeply recessed in the case, requiring an adapter (included with the case) to use most headphones. It’s annoying, but not a major problem since you can easily keep an adapter attached to your favorite pair of headphones. I lost the tiny screw top protector (which seals the headphone jack when not in use) multiple times. Fortunately, Lifeproof provides an extra protector in the box.

While the home button is easily accessible through the screen protector, I found other controls such as the volume and sleep buttons a bit difficult to use. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it is inconvenient.

Removal of the iPhone from this case was a breeze. I often had to remove it to work with my other iPhone-enabled devices. Typically, cases with high levels of protection require multiple steps to remove the iPhone, so the ease with which the Lifeproof comes on and off is a big plus.

Although callers did not notice a difference in sound quality during normal phone calls, they reported reverberation and feedback during speakerphone calls. I noticed the quality of the sound was a bit muffled, but I was told I received a faulty unit and the second one had improved sound. I also reviewed the instructional videos Lifeproof had online about the case, and made sure it was seated properly. Be sure to watch those videos, because properly fitting the case to your device can make a big difference in sound quality.

Generally, I really liked this case and would recommend it to anyone who works in environments where water damage could become an issue, or for anyone who simply wants more protection without a lot of bulk and complication. The need to use an adapter for the speaker jack, as well as some third-party accessories was annoying, but the cost of those is still much cheaper than replacing a water-damaged phone. Overall, this is one of the best rugged cases out there, with the added benefit of extremely high water resistance.

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A dock becomes the darling of the tech world

The simply-named Elevation Dock is on track to become one of the highest funded projects on Kickstarter, based on its opening performance this week (it doubled the LunaTik’s initial funding record). That’s thanks in large part to a rare endorsement from John Gruber, proprietor of Daring Fireball and Apple community tastemaker. The Elevated Dock has already accumulated $246,741 in funding from 2620 backers as of this writing, far beyond its initial goal of $75,000.

The Elevation Dock actually doesn’t do much beyond refine the dock concept in key areas — specifically, it adds weight to make sure it’s easy to dock/undock the iPhone with just one hand, and it also features a flexible design to allow for multiple device widths, meaning you can use it with an iPhone wrapped in pretty much any case. Also, it gets a significant upgrade in the looks department from standard Apple official offerings; bead-blasted aluminum construction means it’ll match your iMac or MacBook Pro perfectly.

These are a relative steal at $59 for a pledge that secures a pre-order, and if you want audio line out and a USB power adapter you can upgrade to a $79 enhanced model. Other color options and packages are available at higher pledge levels.

The stylus that’s also just a pen

The Elevation Dock may have exceeded the LunaTik’s initial funding record, but a follow-up project from Scott Wilson and MINIMAL, the LunaTik Touch Pen, is also off to a good start. It’s a stylus (we’ve seen a lot of those lately) but with a twist, in that it also doubles as a real pen.

Wilson’s expansion of the LunaTik brand has already exceeded its funding goal, raising $79,965 in just a few short days. The Touch Pen uses aircraft-grade aluminum in its construction, just like the Elevation Dock, but there’s also a plastic version for those looking for a little color or a cheaper option. The real appeal of the Touch Pen is that with a click of the button on the back, it goes from being a tablet to being a stylus in a second, so that you can switch between digital and paper writing seamlessly without switching devices. Just remember to click the pen nib away before you write on your device, but even should you forget, it probably won’t have any effect on the iPad’s glass.

The LunaTik Touch Pen pre-ordering starts at the $30 pledge level, which nets you either two plastic pens or one aluminum one. A $75 pledge gets you five plastic pens in CMYK colors.

The enemy of tangled earphone cords

One project that’s nearing, but hasn’t yet met, its funding goal is the Wishbone, an earphone cable manager that integrates with the cord of basically any buds or headphones you already have. It’s a simple, elegant design that doesn’t look like it should add much weight to your earphone cord, but will help make it easier to keep them stowed away when not in use.

The Wishbone clips onto a headset cord, and then basically lives there until you want to use the two arms splintering off the core to wrap up your cord and prevent it from getting tangled in a pocket or bag. It’s just one piece of plastic, and it costs very little to back: just $10 secures a pre-order for the white version.

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Your music, packaged as simply as possible

The ODDIO1 is a smart-looking set of headphones that can caddy your iPod shuffle, making it possible to have your music with you in a simple, svelte package. It doesn’t hurt that these have a bold, colorful (or not, if you opt for the black version) design, too.

The headphone cord is only exactly as long as it needs to be, and plugs into the shuffle once it’s in its cradle on the right earphone (you just slide the iPod in). Buttons on your device remain accessible thanks to a cut-out for the circular control panel, and the headband is made of plastic while the inside is lined with silicone for comfort. ODDIO1′s creators, Jeremy Saxton and Jacob Hall, tout it as the perfect package for those with active lifestyles who don’t want to be encumbered by cables or devices out-of-reach in pockets when snowboarding, using the gym or running, for instance.

ODDIO1 is available for backers beginning at the $35 pledge level, which comes with a choice between three color combos. For $200, you get the special Cupertino color scheme, and an iPod shuffle in a color you pick to boot. ODDIO1 is just getting underway, but it’s making decent progress toward its funding goal of $45,000.

A speaker in disguise

Portable speakers tend to be noticeable things. They can be good-looking or garish, but you’re not likely to miss one in a room. The Hidden Radio & Bluetooth Speaker is comparatively innocuous. It has a twist-and-lift design that lets you control how much volume you hear, and its creators advertise “room filling sound” from your Bluetooth-compatible device. Plus, boasting 30 or more hours of battery life, it won’t quit when you need it most.

The tiny, clean design and alternative connection options (it does have a 3.5 mm stereo jack, too) and more than 80dB of output make this an amazingly appealing device, for sound from your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch wherever you happen to need it. Plus, at $119 for a pre-order of one metallic silver unit, or $229 for a pre-order of two in either silver or black, it’s a deal compared to a lot of currently available comparable tech. The Hidden Radio is also already funded; it currently has $229,717 in funding, far above its goal of $125,000, with 42 days remaining.

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Kid-friendly and kid-loved

The iPad and the iPhone have a knack with kids, as any parent and iOS user will tell you. The brightly lit, touch-screen technology that appeals at an emotional level to adults is no less effective on children, who are more liable to indiscriminately touch things to see how they react to begin with. Kids are also voicing their demand for iOS devices as soon as they’re able to; recent surveys found that iPhones, iPod touches and iPads topped the wish lists of children ranging from the very young to the nearly adult. In fact, 52 percent of children between the ages of zero and eight already have access to a mobile device of some kind, many of which are probably running iOS.

Cross-branding opportunities

Accessories and apps seem to be either fueling or cashing in on this trend, too, at a growing pace. Consider the partnership announced Tuesday between Disney and iHome, maker of audio accessories for iOS devices. Characters from Disney’s stable of brands will be adorning iHome iPhone docks, headphones, and speaker systems starting this holiday season, at major outlets like Toys ‘R’ Us and Bed Bath & Beyond. Think about it: A Kermit the frog docking alarm clock assumes a lot of kids either are already or will be sleeping next to iPhones next year.

Disney and iHome aren’t the only ones cashing in on the youthful appeal of Apple’s mobile gadgets. Perennial Apple accessory maker Griffin is partnering up with Crayola to create the iMarker, essentially a branded stylus kids can use in conjunction with a coloring book app. Both Disney and Crayola are playing it smart, taking parent-trusted brands and combining them with the expertise of industry-leading third-party gadget manufacturers who already know the ins and outs of making devices for Apple products.

A new vector for content-makers

It isn’t just accessories getting the kid-friendly treatment. Content producers have kids in mind with their iPhone and iPad offerings, too. PBS announced Tuesday (.DOC link) that its PBS KIDS video app for the iPad is now available on the iPhone and iPod touch, too. The iPad app, which launched in May, has delivered on average two million video streams per day to its more than 450,000 users, growing steadily since its introduction. Reaching out to iPhone and iPod touch users broadens the potential audience, so that kids can check out full episodes of programs like Sesame Street and Super Why on smaller-screened devices if they don’t happen to have a tablet handy.

This is just the beginning of a coming flood. Whereas once the kid appeal of iPhones and iPads was an unexpected bonus to a parent’s purchase, now parents are seeking out Apple devices with full knowledge that they also make good distractions and educational tools for their young ones. And since people are often even more willing to spend money on their children than on themselves, the market for kid-focused apps and accessories has likely only begun to heat up.

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iPhone becomes a mobile wallet, without NFC

The iLID isn’t the first case to double as a wallet, but it does look like a particularly smart execution of the idea. It adds very little extra thickness to the device, at 17mm, and it includes a flip-top design that makes access to up to three cards much easier, and also has an integrated money clip, plus a space for holding a key, too. Slip-in/out designs I’ve seen previously have fewer moving parts, but are potentially less secure and sometimes make it hard to get your stuff in and out.

It’s available in both black and white, and it’s about halfway to its funding goal of $10,000 with 10 days to go. A $30 pledge secures a pre-order. I think I could get away with just three cards and a key for most daily excursions, what about you?

A backward-looking addition to a future-focused device

Remember your old hard-wired telephone, with its spiral cord connecting the handset to the cradle? That springy cable made it so much easier to talk on the phone while wandering around or doing more than one thing at a time. The iPhone’s relatively short, fixed dock connector cable isn’t at all similar to that relic of a bygone era, which can be very annoying when you find your iPhone is out of battery and you still need to use it.

The Curly Cable is a solution that combines the best of the old with the best of the new, by adding an extending spring dock cable that can grow from 8 to 70 inches. That should make it way easier to talk and charge. Likewise with the iPad, which is even more difficult to use while charging, and because of its larger power demands, also needs to be plugged in a lot longer before it gets full. Fifteen dollars nabs a pre-order for the Curly Cable, which is a little less than halfway to its $1,500 goal.

A stylus you can’t lose

If the prospect of a stylus for your iOS device leaves you cold primarily because you worry you’ll lose it, the Estylo 1.1 offers an elegant solution. It’s a stylus that works with the iPad or iPhone’s screen. It’s made of wood that has a tip on either end: one for general use and one for more detailed work. The reason it won’t get lost so easily is that it’s also magnetic, which allow it to stick to the iPad 2 in the same way as Apple’s own smart cover.

It looks a bit like the pencil crayons we all used throughout elementary school, albeit with more modern, angular surfaces, and it will only cost you a $25 pledge for a magnetic version. The Estylo is also already past its funding goal of $3,500, with $22,137 pledged in total, so this one is guaranteed to ship.

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The Magic Cable Duo and Trio are two- and three-headed cables, respectively, that work with any standard USB charging block to provide power to your mobile Apple devices, and plenty more besides. They achieve this by partnering an Apple dock connector with a Micro USB cable tip, in the case of the Duo, and both a Micro and Mini USB connector in the case of the Magic Cable Trio.

Unlike other clumsy solutions I’ve seen, these cable ends aren’t arranged in parallel, sprouting off from a single source in an unwieldy bouquet. Instead, they are arranged in serial, with larger connectors popping down over smaller ones, or pulling up and off yet remaining attached, so they can be easily folded out of the way. It’s a little tricky to explain, but the picture should say it all.

The unique configuration means you won’t have to go hunting through drawers to find the right charger for your Kindle, your BlackBerry, your iPad, or any conceivable combination of modern mobile devices, really. Considering how fast Micro USB has become a widely accepted standard, you can probably satisfy most of your mobile needs with just the Duo. One Duo and one dual USB charging block should actually cover all of my current mobile device needs, in fact, especially since with 15W output, the USB adapter does full-speed iPad charging.

The Innergie Magic Cable Duo sells in packs with either its 15W dual USB adapter ($39.99), or its 10W car charger ($34.99), or both ($49.99), and the cables sell alone for $24.99 for the Duo and $19.99 for the Trio. Not a bad deal for stocking stuffers, considering how many iPads and iPhones will be under trees this year.

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Twice the suck makes for a very versatile iPad mount

The MobileMount is almost done with its funding efforts — there’s less than 24 hours to go before it becomes funded. But it’s already met and exceeded its goal, with more than $97,000 pledged as of this writing. For $25, you can still get in on the ground floor and receive one of the first devices, which is designed to stick to any smooth surface via two attached suction cup mounts.

So basically, one end could be attached to the back of your iPhone, while the other is attached to your counter, or to a window, for example. You can also use the included vinyl stickers to make it work with surfaces that have a rubberized back or textured surface, like the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.

The suction cup uses a twist-to-lock design, which amps up the suction power and makes it possible for the mount to remain attached for “weeks,” according to its creator. The MobileMount comes in black and white, looks pretty cool, and is expected to ship in January 2012.

A stylus that goes the extra mile

A stylus may not be the most necessary of iPad accessories according to Steve Jobs, but doodlers and fans of handwritten notes might disagree. The iPen is a project that aims to cater to those individuals, tackling the deficiencies inherent in current iPad drawing utensils.

The iPen achieves this by working with an active digitizer accessory that plugs into your iPad’s dock connector port and “talks” to the stylus itself via ultrasonic and infrared transmissions. The added dongle allows for proximity sensitivity, precise drawing and writing, and palm input rejection, which is a really big sore spot when it comes to using the iPad as a notepad currently. It’ll launch with two apps at least that support the hardware, and the iPen’s creator is hard at work convincing other apps to introduce support, too.

The iPen so far has achieved just $8,680 of its $35,000 funding goal, but you can help by pledging $50 to pre-order your own kit via the early bird special, which is reserved for 250 early backers. After that, it’ll be $79 for one, which still seems like a bargain for those interested in being able to use a pen with their iPad without oddly contorting their wrist or sacrificing legibility.

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The LunaTik Lynk is a new take on Wilson’s excellent LunaTik, which along with the TikTok, were funded via Kickstarter last year and began being sold via the Apple Store earlier in 2011. The Lynk uses the same semi-permanent watch conversion approach as the LunaTik (hence its first name), but introduces a bracelet consisting of aluminum links for that full-metal experience.

The Lynk comes in either anodized aluminum for a matte silver finish, or, like my review unit, in a PVD-plated all-black version that’s coated down to the screws, and even the interior of the clasp, which for sure won’t be seen by anyone but you. That’s the kind of attention to detail I’m talking about, as is the silicone coating on the underside of the band’s links, which make the band comfortable on the wrist and also ensures it won’t go slip-sliding around too much even if you wear it a little loose.

If you aren’t familiar with the original LunaTik’s design, it features a two-part case for the nano that you use an included set of allen keys to separate and put back together once you’ve slid in your nano. It’s a little fiddly, which may be the one downside of this nano strap, but the idea is that once its in, it’s in, so you shouldn’t have to repeat the process very often. That’s a caveat for any LunaTik product from Mnml: It’s designed as a nano “conversion kit,” so if you’d rather have quick access to your device, the Deckster may be a better option in the same price range.

You can still use the nano on your wrist with headphones and access all the controls with the Lynk, however, since open sides provide access to those parts of the device. But the locked-in construction helps the nano sit lower to your wrist than with some competing models, which is welcome when using the nano as a watch, since it’s oversized to begin with. And if you like the band but not the nano, Mnml will soon be offering its own, perfectly nano-shaped quartz analog watch units to fill in.

The Lynk is amazingly light thanks to the aluminum construction — much lighter than it looks. Despite the lightness, however, it feels remarkably durable, too. Plus, the wide band and PVD finish really draw attention to the wrist. This one has already netted more comments from friends and family than the TikTok did when I was testing out that unit.

Do we need more iPod nano wristbands? No, but as any watch collector worth their salt knows deep down, no one really needs more than one watch, either, but that doesn’t stop you from buying them. The LunaTik Lynk improves on its forebear in every regard, looks amazing and is comfortable to wear (more so than most metal watches, in my opinion).  At $129.95 for the aluminum finish, or $139.95 for the black PVD, it isn’t cheap, but style hardly ever is, and that’s exactly what the Lynk has in spades.

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A MacBook Pro cooling stand that doesn’t compromise style

Cooling stands that prop your MacBook Pro and provide a little more room for air circulation than you get from the thin elevation of the rubber pads are generally just frames without much attention paid to aesthetics. A cooler laptop theoretically means longer device life, since you can run it for longer while keeping the internal temperature down, and, as most dedicated computer users know, heat is the enemy of fragile internal components.

The TILT is designed to be a cooling stand you’d be proud to put on your MacBook Pro, and even leave on. It clips directly to the bottom of your Apple notebook, and uses polycarbonate ABS made to look like your MacBook’s aluminum casing to blend in with Apple’s beautiful industrial design. Unlike most notebook stands, it features a closed bottom, which makes it easier to use on your lap, and it only adds less than an inch of height to the Mac as well as a light 8 ounces of weight.

It also features a built-in fan system that’s powered via USB if you think you need even more heat-saving power than the added elevation provides. But the best part actually might be the tripod mount built in to the TILT. I can think of plenty of situations where having a MacBook Pro mounted on a tripod would come in handy, especially at photo or video shoots, or for an impromptu small group video or slide show viewing party.

TILT has already met its Kickstarter funding goal, so it’ll become a reality. For now, only the model designed for the 15-inch MacBook Pro is going into production, but a 13-inch model is in the work. A pledge of $45 or more nabs you a pre-order.

Touch typing, via a sleek featherweight device on the iPad

I like my iPad, but I’ve never really been able to use it as a laptop replacement, at least not when it comes to writing. The touchscreen keyboard is fine for banging out a quick Twitter update, but for longer posts, it’s downright unpleasant, especially for someone as used to touch typing as I am. The TouchFire is a project that aims to bring touch typing to the iPad, in the least obtrusive way possible.

The TouchFire is a thin, flexible keyboard overlay that can actually live within the iPad’s smart cover, so you can roll it up and away when not in use. Despite its thickness, it offers real force resistance when typing, so that you actually feel like you’re hitting keys, thanks to a series of micro-structures within each key designed by project co-founder Brad Melmon, a product designer and engineer with a strong resume.

I can’t wait to get my hands on a TouchFire, because it looks like the perfect way to make creating written content on the iPad as easy as possible, without the need for Bluetooth accessories or elaborate add-ons. Like the TILT, it has already met its funding goal, so your pledge of $45 (the level at which you start qualifying for preorders) will definitely bear fruit.

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Of the changes made on Monday to the Smart Cover listings, the most noticeable is that Apple has dropped the orange Smart Cover entirely from its offerings and replaced it instead with a dark gray color option. Both the exiting orange design and the new dark gray version are polyurethane Smart Covers, not the more expensive Italian leather variety.

The polyurethane Smart Covers now also feature color-matched microfiber linings for each color option, including light gray, blue, green, pink and the new dark gray designs. Previously, color-matched interiors were limited to the leather Smart Covers.

On Apple’s main iPad site, the orange version still appears as of this writing, the polyurethane versions still all have the same gray microfiber lining, and the dark gray cover hasn’t yet been added, but the dark gray cover is listed as “In stock” and ready to ship on Apple’s online store.

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The adapter has so far only shown up in Apple Stores from EU-member countries, since it’s clearly designed to bring Apple into compliance with recently passed EU standards for common cell phone charger standards (via TUAW). It retails for around €9  (roughly $12 USD) and ships separately from the iPhone. While it’s a bit disappointing that Apple didn’t just package the adapter with the iPhone 4S in the box, it’s more disappointing that Apple isn’t just making this available everywhere.

Even as a North American iPhone user, I’d love to have the option to pick one of these up. More and more devices are shipping with micro USB cables, including Amazon’s Kindle, many Bluetooth headsets and other electronic devices. Micro USB cables are also relatively easy to get your hands on, whereas dock connector to USB cables, especially off-brand, can be harder to find, especially when not shopping online.

A micro USB adapter would make keeping iOS devices charged a much simpler affair, especially for gadget fans with a considerable device collection. Ideally, Apple would replace the dock connector entirely with a standard connection interface, but that would mean rendering a whole lot of accessories useless, and I doubt Apple’s planning to do that anytime soon.

Apple might be offering the micro USB adapter just to comply with EU regulations, but while it’s doing that, it might as well offer them over here, too. There might be financial reasons that prevent Apple from doing so, but I’d buy one, and I’m sure there are plenty of other multi-device owners who would, too.

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Case Mate's iPhone 5 designs were live on their site briefly in September before the company pulled them.

AT&T retail stores are reportedly taking delivery of iPhone 5 cases a little early, according to a new report. Photos obtained by MacRumors show boxes of new cases allegedly delivered to one AT&T store late Thursday. The cases feature a tapered back design and what appears to be a mute switch opening on the opposite side of the phone relatively to where it’s currently located.

A tapered back redesign is in keeping with some other early case leaks we’ve seen from Chinese accessory makers and other vendors, although separate rumors have suggested we’ll see a new iPhone that closely resembles the previous generation. One theory is that Apple will unveil two new models of iPhone on Tuesday during its special media event, one of which is a modest evolutionary upgrade of the iPhone 4 as a low-cost option, and the other a complete redesign.

The cases could be fake or based on an uninformed, just-in-case ordering decision on behalf of AT&T or this store in particular. Some have pointed out that the packaging seems unrealistic, but AT&T retail is known to repackage products from accessory-makers in generic packaging. And considering how close we are to the iPhone 5′s reveal — Apple is holding an iPhone launch event on Oct. 4 – it’s more likely that important partners like AT&T would be privy to some knowledge of the next iPhone’s actual design.

Personally, I think we’ll see redesigned hardware, and the tapered look seems to be garnering the most support. For Apple to wait 16 months just to introduce a minor refresh would not go over well with consumers, as we’ve seen from recent survey results.

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The Sensu will work with any app on the iPad (SketchBook Pro is a good candidate), and even when closed, the reverse end of the tool can be used as a normal, nub-ended stylus. Plus, the Sensu is also really good-looking, in either a chrome or limited edition gunmetal finish.

Sensu is a Kickstarter-backed project, but you won’t have to worry about whether or not it will ever become a reality. It has already exceeded its funding goal by about $12,500. Funding is still open, though, so you can pledge either $25 to get the basic chrome edition, or $75 to get the special gunmetal version. Retail price for the basic Sensu will start at an estimated $30-35, and pre-orders for Kickstarter backers ship sometime around January.

Kickstarter really is my go-to resource for cool new iOS device accessories, and the Sensu is a great example of why. Check out the prototype in action to see how well the Sensu mimics a traditional painting experience.

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At first glance, the K750 looks a lot like the Apple Wireless Keyboard, with the addition of a strip of solar panels above the function keys. It has the standard Apple layout, but adds a numeric keypad, something the Apple keyboard and the diNovo Edge don’t have. Although I don’t use the keypad often, it’s nice to have when I need it.

The keys on the K750 are very comfortable. They have just enough of an indentationthat my fingers know exactly where they are. As always when changing keyboards, it took me a couple of days to get used to the new layout, but I’m now typing as fast as I ever did (which isn’t all that fast).

I found that the keyboard worked right out of the box. It didn’t need any driver software or charging time, even though I placed it in a keyboard drawer away from any direct light source. The free Logitech Solar App for Mac lets you find out how much light the panels are receiving, and how much power the keyboard has in reserve. The app is cute, but it isn’t really necessary.

The K750 doesn’t use Bluetooth. Instead, it’s one of several Logitech products that uses 2.4 GHz wireless and is compatible with the “Unifying” wireless receiver, which allows a keyboard and mouse to share one USB port — handy when using a laptop with a limited number of available ports. I tried sharing the K750 and a Logitech M505 mouse, which generally worked well, although there seemed to be intermittent slowness in mouse scrolling. If you use the receiver with two or more devices, you’ll need to install the Unifying software.

The Logitech keyboard is missing a few features. Unlike the diNovo Edge, it doesn’t beep when you press the Caps Lock key, and there is no indicator light on the key. You can get around this somewhat using the Capster utility, which not only beeps when Caps Lock is pressed, it also displays an on-screen Growl notification. The K750 also doesn’t have illuminated keys, unlike most of Apple’s built-in notebook keyboards.

All in all, I am very happy with the K750. If you want a keyboard with the standard Apple layout, slightly indented, more comfortable keys and a numeric keypad, give it a try. Not having to worry about changing batteries or using a proprietary charger is a huge bonus, too.

The keyboard is available in several colors including silver and black, and is available for $59.99 from the Logitech website.

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Logitech solved this dilemma with its innovative Fold-Up Keyboard for iPad, which is reminiscent of the Apple Adjustable keyboard I feel in love with in the early 90s. As you can see in this video, when you open up the new Logitech keyboard, it extends beyond the iPad 2’s borders, giving you additional room to type. Nice!

The keyboard integrates with the iPad 2 smart cover, and leaves room for all the iPad ports including the headphone jack and dock. The keyboard connects via Bluetooth and charges via a standard microUSB port.

Typing on the keyboard was a dream. The feel of the keys is close to that of Apple’s Bluetooth keyboard, and was actually much easier to type on for extended period of time. I was even able to use it in ergonomic mode to match the position of my old Apple Adjustable keyboard. Similar to Apple’s solution, the keyboard supports a variety of shortcuts to make it even easier to use with the iPad.

There are really only two drawbacks to the keyboard. First, the iPad’s position is not easily adjustable. It can only be used in landscape mode, and if you modify the angle of the iPad, you are modifying the width of the keyboard. My second issue is that when collapsing the keyboard, the motion is accelerated by the weight of the iPad, making it slam shut if you aren’t careful. I found it best to hold the keyboard while collapsing the case to slow down how quickly it closes.

Purists will balk at the fact that the case doubles the weight and thickness of the iPad, but serious typists will welcome not having to make the sacrifice between a too-small integrated keyboard or a bulky external. Logitech’s Fold-Up keyboard is the perfect balance between the two extremes, and a welcome addition to the iPad 2 family.

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