Out of the Box

The chart below indicates at a glance what each connection solution does and doesn’t provide. Read on for more specific details about each potential solution.

Direct USB Connection. The cheapest way to get your music going is to use the USB cable that came with your iOS device. While there’s a USB port both in the front and the back of the AVR-4311CI, only one works at any given time. For the price, you can’t beat it.

Media Server via Twonky DLNA Server. The Denon AVR-4311CI can connect to a media server on your local network.  This is the same sort of connectivity that exists on most game consoles and modern television sets today.  Twonky is a Mac-based DLNA server that I used prior to AirPlay’s introduction of video support.  While the 4311CI Media Server supports both music and photos, the quality of photo playback is very poor.

Airport Express via Toslink. Attaching an Airport Express directly to the A/V receiver via Toslink cable provides access to your iTunes music library.  I docked the Airport Express in a Griffin AirBase and even attached a Keyspan USB Remote Control to the Airport Express’ USB port for control. With iOS 4.2, though, you can now use the Remote App to access your iTunes library over Wi-Fi, or even stream music directly from your iOS device to the Airport Express via AirPlay.

Apple’s Universal Dock via Component Cables. Video playback from your iOS device can be achieved using the Apple Universal Dock and the Apple Component AV Cable. If you dock an iOS device, you can even watch YouTube and Netflix from your device.

Denon’s iPod Dock. By far the most expensive connection solution, Denon has a complete line-up of iPod docks that attach to their product line either directly or over the network.  I have the ASD-11R attached to my AVR-4311CI via a set of composite audio cables, S-video connection, and a proprietary controller cable that links the amp’s remote control features to the dock. As you get into Denon’s more expensive docks, you basically turn your iPod into a DLNA server, at which point you can then connect to your iPod as if it were a Media Server.

Apple TV via HDMI. Perhaps the most advanced means of getting your full iTunes library onto a Denon A/V Receiver, and definitely the most economical, is the Apple TV.  It provides HD video playback, Airplay and Home Sharing support, on-screen navigation and display of information, the works.  There is no reason not to have one, and in fact, I have three.

AirPlay Support via Paid Upgrade

Both Denon and Marantz, subsidiaries of D&M Holdings, each claimed to be the world’s first AirPlay-compatible A/V components.  Each is also charging $49 for the upgrade, which are finally available for download. The process to register your receiver for the upgrade requires the serial number, MAC address and an upgrade ID generated by the device itself. The mechanics of how AirPlay works is exactly the same as the other solutions. Even the screen layout is exactly the same as the USB, Media Server, and Denon Dock-based solutions. The only difference is that you must use your iOS device, iTunes or the iOS Remote App from Apple to select media you want to play.

Conclusion: Apple TV or USB

Depending on whether or not you need video, the two best solutions are the direct USB cable connection and the Apple TV. AirPlay doesn’t offer any clear advantage over any of the other solutions available, especially not given its cost. For a little more, you can have the full Apple TV experience, as well as everything AirPlay has to offer, including HD video.

Related content from GigaOM Pro (sub req’d):

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I essentially focused on devices that are part of my daily life and were launched this year. My list had four devices: the iPad, the Sprint Overdrive Mobile Hotspot, the Sonos S5 and the MacBook Air. Having just acquired the Roku Box and the Microsoft Kinect, I didn’t quite have enough time with those two to make an informed decision, though at first blush, I absolutely love those two gizmos. Roku, incidentally is on NewTeeVee’s list of top five video gadgets of 2010.

My most important question when picking the device was actually pretty basic – can I live and work without the particular gadget? So from that perspective, here is my pick.

MacBook Air 2010 Edition:

The 2.13 GHz, 256 GB Storage, 4GB RAM, 13-inch screen version of the MacBook Air is my gadget of the year.

The Back Story

It is safe to assume that at some point or the other in my life, I have owned most if not all models of Apple’s PowerBook and MacBook line-up of portable computers since the introduction of OS X. Whether it is the aesthetics, or it is the ease of use of the software, I have always found working with Apple’s devices easier. However, there was one problem with them – they were almost always heavy, which was quite a pain considering that I travel a lot for work and often work from remote locations.

So three years ago when Apple announced the MacBook Air, I was quick to order it. It was underpowered – a slow processor, anemic memory capabilities, a tiny hard drive and a somewhat limited set of expansion options. The battery only compared to my stamina. Nevertheless, the weight of the device was right and it was worth the many compromises. It forced me to essentially respect the less is more philosophy in new ways. The Mac Book Air’s second version got a little better, especially as Apple offered SSD drive options. I upgraded and loved taking it along when I travelled. For other times, I used a 15-inch MacBook Pro.

A Machine For All Reasons

And then in October 2010, Steve Jobs introduced the new MacBook Air. The newly redesigned, unibody version of 2010 MacBook Air had some clever technology hacks, that improved the performance almost exponentially. Indeed, our own Apple channel here at GigaOM aptly dubbed this new MacBook Air “the future of notebooks.”

I had initially received the 13-inch 1.86 GHz version of the machine for review. I felt it was underpowered and wanted more storage and more memory. I ended up spending extra dollars and snapped up the top of the line unit and have not regretted it for a second. And within two hours of using this device, I knew it was time to make this my main machine.

A sturdy body and a great keyboard complemented a speedy SSD drive, faster processor and more memory. And the best part was – the battery lasted forever. Going to New York? No problems – this laptop cruised across the country without needing a charge. The dedicated graphics chip makes it easy to watch videos, which look so much better on the old fashioned screen. (I hate those glossy screens, for some odd reasons.)

More importantly, Apple made some tweaks that allowed the computer to turn on instantly and wake-up from sleep mode even faster when you flipped open the screen. Open the screen and start taking notes, writing a blog post, manipulate a photo or upload a video.

Getting on the web and replying to email is almost an instantaneous act. Furthermore, it doesn’t get hot like other Apple laptops – though Adobe’s Flash when used inside Safari or Mozilla Firefox does cause the computer temperature to go up – but since I use Google’s Chrome browser, it doesn’t matter that much to me.

Why is it my gadget of the year?

I use it almost 12-to-16 hours a day: in other words, it is almost always on. I often watch Netflix on it, I use it as my music console, I use it write, reply to emails and surf the web. It slides into my favorite bag (which unfortunately was too small for a regular laptop) where it snugly sits keeps company with my iPad, my Moleskin notebook, my Sprint 4G Overdrive Hot Spot and my beat-up Montblanc pen. It aesthetically pleasing, it is well constructed, it is well priced and it is not ostentatious. It is a classic, much like a well-made plain white shirt. I get more use from this device than anything else I own. It makes working fun.

And the One’s That Didn’t Make The Cut

My Runner-Up: Sonos S5, in tandem with the Sonos wireless dock is perhaps the second most used device in my apartment. It is a high-quality sound system, it is affordable and it has spectacular sound. If you live in a small apartment, this is a great option.

And in the third place: The iPad didn’t make the cut for the top spot, mostly because of my work rhythms and how I do it. And despite my own early excitement, I have not been able to make it an efficient part of my work flow.

That said, I read almost exclusively on the iPad, thanks to great apps like Evernote, Instapaper, Reeder and Flipboard. I often compose memos to myself using Writer and during baseball season, the At Bat app from MLB. In fact I wouldn’t know what to do during the baseball seasons without the iPad and MLB app.

And had the MacBook Air not shown up this fall, well, iPad would have been my runner-up for 2010.

Why Not a Single Phone?: You will notice that there isn’t a phone on the list – reason is simple: I have a love-hate relationship with by Blackberry Bold. I will not use the iPhone as long as it has network problems. Android doesn’t do it for me, but hopefully things will be different next year, especially from Samsung, which has started introducing great looking Galaxy Series of devices in the market.

I am currently enamored with the new Nokia X3-02 device – a feature phone that combines touch with traditional phone elements. It is inexpensive, it is super sleek and it has enough web services built into it to make it useful in the brave new world of connected phones. It is aesthetically appealing and is well-designed phone, though the build in camera is of poor quality.

The Glif was funded using Kickstarter, a platform that allows individuals to pledge contributions of various sizes towards a funding goal, usually in exchange for some reward promised by the designer, artist or engineer seeking funding in the first place. Like the TikTok and LunaTik iPod nano watch kits funded through the site, the Glif exceeded its funding goal, and is now available for purchase. But is it worth the $20 asking price?

Design and Build

As you can see in the gallery below, the Glif is incredibly simple, and features no moving parts. It’s a single pice of injection-molded plastic, with a 1/4-inch thread mount that’s compatible with any standard tripod head. It’s very small, and weighs virtually nothing, so carrying it in a pocket or an accessory pocket on a laptop case is no problem. Also, since it has no moving parts, it’s very unlikely to break under normal use conditions.

In a world of increasingly complex and complicated iOS device accessories, the Glif is a breath of fresh air. It doesn’t have any obnoxious branding, and it has an economy of design on par with Apple’s own governing aesthetic.

Function

The Glif is designed to do one thing, and it does it well. It does indeed render your iPhone 4 tripod-mountable, and it does it quickly and without requiring you to even put on a case. You just slide the bare iPhone 4 into the Glif. The accessory’s rubberized surface fits around the iPhone 4 snugly, tight enough that it won’t move around, but still leaving it easy enough to take on and off

I worried that this design wouldn’t allow me to use the Glif in tandem with a Gorillapod while suspending the iPhone 4 upside-down. As you can see from one of the photos in the gallery before, that wasn’t the case. But I still wouldn’t necessarily recommend using the Glif like this, since if your setup gets bumped or knocked, the phone could conceivably come loose.

For all other uses, however, the Glif is fantastic. It helped me take great shots in low light on both my standard tripod and using a Gorillapod SLR. It was easy to get on and off the tripod mounts, and it keeps a firm grip on the iPhone while you’re manipulating the angle of your shot or switching from portrait to landscape.

Finally, even in its secondary capacity as a stand, the Glif is quite capable. In portrait mode, the Glif cuts into the screen slightly in the bottom corner, but for FaceTime it doesn’t really impede usage. In landscape mode, it works great for watching video, and the angle is just right for FaceTime, too.

Verdict

For $20, the Glif is awesome. I had been using the Gorillamobile designed specifically for the iPhone 4, but if you already have a previous generation Gorillamobile, the Glif will work with that, saving you some money. Plus, it’ll also make your iPhone compatible with any other tripods or camera mounts you happen to have, which isn’t something the iPhone 4-specific Gorillamobile offers.

Highs: Incredible design; small and light; doubles as a stand

Lows: iPhone 4 could shake loose if knocked hard enough

As if it wasn’t enough that the Glif does its job so well, it also comes in packaging so minimal you’ll be shocked (see photo below), is completely recyclable, and is actually manufactured in the U.S. You just can’t find a better iPhone 4 accessory than the Glif for $20.

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Design and Build

The Juice Pack Air (descendant of the Juice Pack Air for iPhone 3G and 3GS) Mophie released for the iPhone 4 is a looker. It has a metallic edge running around the case reminiscent of the iPhone 4′s naked design. The Juice Pack Plus, on the other hand, does away with such frills. It’s matte black all over, except for where silver buttons for volume, device lock and checking the built-in battery’s charge are located. Additional colors are available for the outside band, though these aren’t yet shipping.

Surprisingly, the Juice Pack Plus isn’t larger than the Air, despite offering more extra battery capacity. Its dimensions and weight are listed as the same on Mophie’s official pages for each product, but the Plus packs one-third more juice, with a 2000 mAh battery, compared to just 1500 mAh on the Air.

The Plus feels really solid, which should reassure iPhone 4 owners who worry about dropping their device. The rubber band that surrounds it is supposed to be shock-absorbing, and the dual-injected hardcase should be tough enough to withstand some hits. Both the band and the back both feel very good on the fingers, too, with a slightly rubberized texture that feels less prone to slipping out of your grip than the iPhone’s glass or aluminum surfaces.

Mophie’s placement of the microUSB port, battery activation switch and charge indicator are all unobtrusive, and don’t get in the way when you’re gripping the phone normally. Access to the silent mode switch seems a little impeded because of the case’s thickness, but not critically so.

A few things might bother iPhone 4 owners about the Juice Pack Plus’ design. First, it’s bulky. It feels a bit like I’m carrying my iPhone 3GS with a standard case again, instead of a sleek current-generation device. Also, you won’t have dock connector access, although the included microUSB cable allows for iPhone charging and syncing when the phone is in the Juice Pack. Finally, it is a slide-on case. I use a couple different slide-on cases with my iPhone and haven’t noticed any serious damage, cosmetic or otherwise, but if this is a concern for you, then the Air might not be the best solution.

Function

The main selling point of the Juice Pack Plus is its built-in rechargeable battery. The Plus, as mentioned, packs a 2000 mAh battery, which should more than double the life of your iPhone 4. In real world testing, I found that a full charge does indeed charge my iPhone 4 completely, and even leaves a little bit of emergency juice in the tank. It won’t add much, but it should be sufficient to get you an extra call or two from a completely dead phone.

For me, a battery case isn’t an all-the-time accessory, but I always love having one on hand for when I think I might need it, like when I’ll be away from home for a few days. Since my use is sporadic, I appreciate a spare battery or battery case that can hold its charge for a decent length of time. The Juice Pack Plus seems to live up to my needs in this regard. It didn’t lose much of its charge after lying neglected for even five days, the longest period it remained unused during my testing.

Unlike the iPhone 3GS Juice Pack Air, the Juice Pack Plus for iPhone 4 comes on and off the device smoothly and easily. The two parts of the Plus manage to separate with very little effort, and yet it feels snug and secure when on the phone. It’s the biggest design improvement in my opinion, which is a good thing because that used to be its only major deficiency.

Finally, the Juice Pack Plus actually operates as a speaker enhancement for the iPhone 4, and it works very well in that capacity. Simple cutouts at the bottom of the case redirect sound from the iPhone’s speakers toward the user. It’s much harder to block sound with your thumb while operating the device thanks to this unique design.

Verdict

Battery cases are not for everyone. They add considerable heft to your device, even when they’re made well and designed to be as slim as possible, like the Juice Pack Plus. But if you consistently need extra power for your iPhone, then there’s nothing in the world quite as well suited to the task. And the Mophie Juice Pack Plus is a very good example of how to do a battery case right.

Highs: Actually doubles battery life; solid, ergonomic, comfortable design; pass-through sync and charge.

Lows: Adds bulk; somewhat plain looking.

If you’re looking for an iPhone 4 battery case, this is the one to get. It’s pricier and less flashy than the Juice Pack Air, but it packs much more power and doesn’t take up any more room in your pocket. Even if you’re not sure whether or not you actually need a backup battery case, the solid, smart design of the Juice Pack Plus might just convince you that you do.

Disclosure: The ZAGGmate tested was provided by the manufacturer for review purposes.

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Operating System and Software

The obvious drawback of the Galaxy Tab is that it runs Google’s Android OS. While this article isn’t a comparison of Android versus iOS, the fact still remains there are many more applications available on Apple’s operating system.

My typical repertoire of basic apps were available for the Tab: Facebook, Twitter, Angry Birds, Documents to Go, QuickOffice and a few others. However, more specialized niche apps are severely lacking on Android. Take Jewish-related applications for example. While I’ve already written two roundups of these types of apps for the iPhone (and could probably write many more), I could find very few for Android.  As Android grows more popular, gaps like that will probably be filled, but Google’s mobile OS just hasn’t caught up to iOS in the app arena yet.

Of course, the Galaxy Tab’s freedom from Apple’s ecosystem was also a huge asset. The device seamlessly connects with Gmail, making the need for MobileMe completely unnecessary, and you never have to connect it to a personal computer for the initial setup–it worked right out of the box. That might be a big draw for users who don’t want to have to check their device in with other machines on a regular basis.

Speaking of syncing, another problem with Android is its lack of a dedicated, native companion client on the Mac. While iTunes serves as a universal gateway for managing content and functions on the iPhone, the equivalent doesn’t exist for the Android platform. Workarounds, especially for the Mac, are clunky and inelegant in my opinion. If you love iTunes and use it often, you’ll hate managing your Galaxy Tab’s media. Although you can’t use iTunes to manage your tablet, moving multimedia content was very easy using the MicroSD card, but not as simple as syncing through iTunes would be.

Size and Hardware Design

Android is developed primarily for phones, and the apps don’t scale well. Take for example QuickOffice, one of my favorite productivity apps for the iPhone. Unlike the iPad version, the Android app simply doesn’t take advantage of having more real estate.

Physically, the device felt like a large phone rather than a true tablet. It’s in an ergonomic dead zone. Holding the Tab with just one hand didn’t feel right because I couldn’t fully grasp it, and was constantly afraid it would slip out of my hand, something not helped by the slick plastic backing on the device. The iPad’s aluminum shell feels grippy by comparison.  Holding the Tab with two hands didn’t feel right either, because my hands were simply too close together and the smaller screen bezel meant my fingers were always getting in the way.

While I could comfortably type on my iPad, almost as if it were a full keyboard (especially in landscape mode), the Galaxy Tab felt much more like a phone due to the smaller size of the virtual keys and their rectangular design. After a few minutes, my hands were tired and cramped. Hands with daintier fingers might not run into such a problem.

However, the Galaxy Tab’s smaller size often turned out to be a great asset, as well as a liability. Although I consider my iPad a highly portable device, I carry it more like a hard cover book than a paperback novel. Many people who commented on the Tab pointed out that it could fit in their purse. While I don’t have a purse, I shared the intended thought — I could imagine carrying this device everywhere. I started slipping it into a three-ring binder, a coat pocket, and even a gym bag. The Galaxy ended up tagging along with me more places than the iPad. I wasn’t using it as a true portable computer, though, in the way I did my iPad, due to typing problems and a lack of software, mentioned above.

Other Considerations

The Galaxy Tablet may not have the apps or the greatest keyboard, but it does has many functions that the iPad is lacking. The front- and rear-facing cameras were handy, though in reality, it’s a very awkward device when used as a camera. I was able to use its mobile connection to create a wireless hotspot, which isn’t possible with the iPad, and of course Flash worked just fine. Battery life was similar to the iPad, though using it as a wireless hotspot drained the battery after just a few hours.

As for multimedia, on the Tab the sound was tinny and the screen simply not as vibrant as the iPad, but still clearly a step above the average smartphone. Purchasing commercial video content on the Tab often depends on the carrier, and requires more steps than on an iPad. It isn’t nearly as simple as just opening up the iTunes app and browsing for content.

As an e-reader, the Galaxy was outstanding. The Android Amazon Kindle and Google Books apps rivaled the experience of using a physical Kindle or paperbook book. Of all the devices I’ve used, I preferred the Galaxy tablet when I wanted to get reading done. The iPad is too big and the iPhone too small; the Galaxy was just right.

Conclusion

As a portable computing device and laptop replacement, the Galaxy Tab simply doesn’t cut it when it comes to size and apps, and in particular, apps designed for the tablet form factor. The Galaxy Tab is simply a larger Android-based mobile phone, without the ability to direct dial.  The next version of Android, 3.0, is supposed to have more features designed specifically for tablets, and will likely greatly enhance the Galaxy Tab, however, in its current state, the Galaxy Tab OS shows its phone-based limitations too frequently.

The Galaxy’s real competitors are other smartphones, and in particular, Android-based devices. The Galaxy Tab provides a mobile computing experience on a much larger screen than the average smartphone while retaining nearly all the same portability and functionality. The iPad, by contrast, offers a considerably different experience than does the iPhone, and feels much more like a true laptop replacement. They genuinely feel like they occupy two distinct device categories, which is why I mentioned earlier that I’d consider owning both. If you have to pick one, though, the iPad gets my vote.

Check out the gallery below for some shots of the two devices, and a video comparison published earlier on GigaOM.

Disclosure: The Galaxy tab was provided for review by Verizon of Kansas and Missouri and was returned upon completion of this article. Actual carrying of the Galaxy Tab in a purse was not tested by the author.

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Build and Design

The ZAGGmate is different from the recent crop of keyboard cases for iPad. It isn’t a leather or fake-leather folio, like most of the offerings you’ll find. Instead, it’s a hardshell made of aircraft-grade aluminum that matches the finish of your iPad itself. When operating as a case, it doesn’t actually protect that finish, leaving the back of your iPad exposed to the elements (unless you have some kind of stick-on film shield already in use).

In case-mode, you place your iPad face-down against the keyboard, and the ZAGGmate’s foam inner lining hugs the Apple tablet to prevent it from coming lose. If you throw it into a bag without any additional protection, your screen won’t be damaged, but you can expect to scratch and scuff the aluminum backing on your iPad. Combined with a sleeve (most of which will fit with the ZAGGmate on), though, you’ll have nothing to worry about. Of course, that means purchasing another protective device in addition to the $99 you’re spending on the ZAGGmate.

But the case is only half the story. Lining the inside of the ZAGGmate is a Bluetooth keyboard. There’s a fold-out tab that props up your iPad in either landscape or portrait mode while you’re using the keyboard. The keyboard itself is about 90 percent the size of a full one, and makes maximum use of the space available. Unlike the keyboard on the Kensington KeyFolio, it has both Shift keys. The texture of the keys also isn’t rubberized, as it is with many of the folio-type cases, making this keyboard much more pleasant to type on.

Features and Function

The keyboard is actually a pleasure to use. As mentioned, it doesn’t sacrifice any keys to fit into the space provided, and it feels very similar in use to Apple’s own wireless keyboard in terms of noise and the depth of individual key presses. Keys are closer together, but adjusting to this difference is much easier than it is to the keyboard in Kensington’s case.

Also, I mentioned that I experienced rare connectivity issues with the Kensington case. Not so with the ZAGGmate. It seems to have struck just the right balance in terms of knowing how long to wait after the last keystroke before going to sleep, and the connection is solid when it’s awake.

The keyboard also includes many special function keys, including some that aren’t found on the KeyFolio. Spotlight search, iPod and volume controls, home, picture frame and darken screen buttons are all including on the function key row. The Spotlight key is especially handy, since it can act as a launcher, but I wish Apple would let you scroll through the results with the arrow keys so you wouldn’t have to touch the screen at all.

ZAGGmate also got things right with the battery. According to the company’s claims, the battery (charged via included MicroUSB cable) can last a couple of months in standby. It hasn’t run out on me yet, and I haven’t plugged it in since I received it a week ago.

Verdict

In terms of the keyboard/case spectrum, the ZAGGmate with keyboard leans heavily towards the keyboard side of things. In fact, it’s almost more of a competitor for Apple’s keyboard dock than for other keyboard cases (and a very strong one at that). Using the ZAGGmate without a sleeve or built-in laptop compartment is something I’d probably never do. At the same time, my gear bags almost always have either one of those available. Plus the ZAGGmate takes up way less room than the KeyFolio or other cases of similar design, and weighs less, too.

• Highs: Great keyboard and battery, good looks, lightweight and low-profile.
• Lows: Doesn’t protect the back of the iPad.

If you’re serious about using the iPad as a mobile device, this is the best option out there right now. The price may seem a little steep when you factor in additional protection for the back of your device, but if you’ve already been an iPad owner for a while, you probably already have something that can serve in that capacity anyway. And of course, the ZAGGmate still protects the screen, which is more important anyway, depending on how much stock you put in looks.

Disclosure: The ZAGGmate tested was provided by the manufacturer for review purposes.

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The Gorillamobile for iPhone 4 is a little late to market, since the iPhone 4 was originally released in June 2010. And Apple’s latest phone is just screaming for a proper tripod accessory, with its new HD video recording features and 5 megapixel camera with built-in HDR. So does the Gorillamobile deliver?

Let’s get the tripod out of the way first. If you haven’t used a Joby Gorilla product, you should. They’re very handy both as desktop tripods (for cameras or utility lights) and as flexible grips you can use to attach those same devices to poles, railings and more. The Gorillamobile for iPhone 4 tripod is no different, though it’s quite small. The size makes it very portable, and if you need more height, you can just wrap the Gorillamobile’s legs around a proper tripod.

The head of the Gorillamobile for iPhone 4 is specific to the bumper case the tripod is bundled with, so don’t expect to be able to just grab a case and use that with your existing product Gorillamobile. It’s kind of unfortunate that users are forced to upgrade the whole kit (tripod and case) with this version, but at $39.95 (only $10 more than the original Gorillamobile), it isn’t terribly expensive, and the new product comes with an adapter so that you can still use the stand with your digital camera, too.

The new design clips on to a special bumper case that comes with the Gorillamobile. Once the bumper is on your iPhone, just slide your device into the head on the Gorillamobile tripod via one corner where the raised bezel is cut out. The phone will slide until it hits a slightly thicker part of the bumper, which locks it into place. The additional screw mount adapter fits the tripod head in much the same way.

The Gorillamobile worked great for taking FaceTime calls while working at my desk, and for recording video for blog posts. For still photos, you still get a bit of shake when you hit the shutter button, so my advice is to use the Gorillamobile in tandem with a photography app that provides a delay timer. Camera One ($0.99) is a pretty good solution that boasts a lot of features and won’t break the bank. Joby provides its own free app, but it’s badly in need of an update, since neither flash nor “tap to focus” works on the iPhone 4.

• Highs: Great build quality; low price considering bumper case and tripod included; good for FaceTime.
• Lows: Not compatible with previous Joby Gorillamobile mounts; slight unsteadiness makes it less than ideal for still photography with built-in camera app.

If you’re looking for a tripod solution for your iPhone 4, the Gorillamobile is a solid choice, especially if you’re primarily interested in FaceTime and desktop video blogging. If you’re more interested in taking serious photos or filming and you already have a great tripod, I’d recommend waiting to see how the Glif turns out. One should be in the mail soon, so we’ll report back and let you know how the two products stack up.

Disclosure: The Joby Gorillamobile for iPhone 4 tested was provided by the manufacturer for review purposes.

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That’s why I find the concept of the keyboard case so appealing. Build a Bluetooth keyboard into an iPad case and you have a single-package solution that keeps everything nicely organized on the go. At least, that’s how it works in theory. I was recently able to see if that theory would pan out with the new Kensington KeyFolio for iPad. I’ve been using the KeyFolio with my iPad for a little over a week now. During that time, I haven’t removed the iPad from the case once, so I feel confident I gave it a fair shake.

Build and Design

The Kensington KeyFolio presents a nice face. It looks good, and the fake leather is both animal-friendly and easy on the hands. Some padding means your iPad feels more secure, and the fit and a clever foldback tab ensures the iPad isn’t sliding out anytime soon.

My only problem with the case aspect of the KeyFolio is that my iPad doesn’t screen doesn’t sit in the window quite where it’s supposed to. The top of the screen is right to the edge of the window, while there’s extra room at the bottom, and the home button is almost right at the edge of the groove provided for it. It’s close enough that it works, but for the absolute perfectionist, it might be annoying.

The keyboard is the one we saw from an FCC filing towards the end of summer. In fact, the KeyFolio is the KeyCase rebadged by Kensington for the U.S. market. At least one other manufacturer is using the same keyboard part for sure, and Sena was supposed to, but has since removed the case from its list of offerings.

It’s around 90 percent the size of a full keyboard, like you’ll find on most netbooks. It has rubberized keys to prevent damage from spillage, and to prevent the keyboard itself from harming the iPad screen in any way. It’s a weird feeling, but it makes for quiet typing. I did find that once in a while I’d get double-presses because of how sensitive the keys were, though.

Function

Connecting the iPad to the keyboard is a breeze; just flick the hardware switch on the case to “on” and press the connect button. Go into your Bluetooth preferences in your iPad’s Settings, and pair the device there. You’ll have to type a code on the keyboard followed by “Enter,” but that’s it.

Once you’re paired, the keyboard should simply work. I say “should” because I encountered some hiccups. Sometimes, the keyboard would drop and regain the connection without warning, which would pop up the on-screen keyboard briefly. A manual on/off reset using the switch usually fixed this, though, and it may have been because I was testing iOS 4.2 on the iPad I was using. Either way, it wasn’t a big enough problem that it would cause me not to use the case.

You don’t have to manually turn off the keyboard unless you want it to not connect, since it sleeps after a period of disuse. Battery life is said to be around 100 days in standby mode, or 90 hours of actual usage. It takes around four or five hours to charge. I haven’t managed to burn through a charge yet, so I think the claims are pretty accurate.

The way the case folds for typing is perfect, in my opinion. It takes up very little space, and even provides a stable enough base that you can use it on your lap without an additional support surface. It only provides one viewing angle, but in my usage I felt no desire to adjust, no matter where I was using it.

Highs

I grew to love using the KeyFolio. I often use my iPad primarily as a chat client, and that became a lot more pleasant with a hardware keyboard. So did managing my email from the couch, and working with the device on the train and subway to get some serious work done.

Combined with Pages and even blogging sites in Safari, the KeyFolio is a road warrior’s best friend. It isn’t a new MacBook Air (and in fact, it might weigh more than one combined with the iPad), but it’s a lot cheaper even at $100.

Lows

There were the rare connection issues I mentioned, but there’s also the keyboard itself, which requires some getting used to. There’s no shift key on the right, and if you happen to use the apostrophe key a lot, which I apparently do, you have to train your fingers to look down below the period key. I actually picked up the trick pretty quickly, but it’s still a bit of a pain.

Finally, keeping your iPad in the case does take away a bit from its own design benefits. It’s heavier, and harder to use as a tablet. I found turning off the keyboard and folding it behind worked fine, but it still didn’t feel as good as using the iPad on its own. Also, you’re stuck with landscape mode when you’re using the keyboard, something which didn’t trouble me as much as I would’ve thought.

Verdict

The Kensington KeyFolio may seem a tad expensive at $99.99, but consider that most iPad folio cases cost around $50 on their own. That means you’re really only paying an extra $50 for the Bluetooth keyboard. Even Apple’s own will cost you $70. I recommend it, especially if you’re someone who likes to work with their iPad while travelling, or you just want your tablet to be even more of a laptop replacement. The KeyFolio isn’t yet available, but you can pre-order yours from Kensington’s site.

Disclosure: The Kensington KeyFolio tested was provided by the manufacturer for testing and review purposes.

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As with all Apple products, the unboxing of the Apple TV is a lesson in minimalism. It’s hard to imagine the tiny black square of plastic, hardly bigger than the gum-stick remote, bringing all your entertainment to your living room.

Installation and Setup

Compared to other set-top boxes, installing the new Apple TV exemplifies the “it just works” philosophy associated with Apple products, assuming you have an HDMI cable. Would it kill Apple to spend an extra 20 cents for an HDMI cable to ensure everyone can run it out of the box?

The Apple TV connects to the television (in my case a 60-inch 1080p plasma) using only an HDMI cable, so long as you have one. After that, just plug in the power cord. Here we see the first minor flaw in the new Apple TV. That power indicator light flashes, a lot. How that slipped past QA, I don’t know, but hopefully a firmware update will fix it. Until then, a spot of electrical tape will do.

Initially, you control the Apple TV with the included remote. However, if, like me, you have an Apple Remote kicking around that came with an old MacBook, and think the play/pause button in the center of the wheel was the pinnacle of design, you can use that, too. Owners of an iOS device will definitely want to upgrade to the Remote app, especially to ease the pain of text entry.

From the setup menu, you choose a language, and whether or not to send diagnostic and usage information to Apple. After that, you add the Apple TV to your Wi-Fi network, though Ethernet is also an option. Lastly, you turn on Home Sharing, both on the Apple TV and in iTunes 10 on every computer you want to access content from. It’s as simple as entering your iTunes ID and password.

It’s important to remember that if iTunes can’t import it, the Apple TV can’t share it. If you want .mkv video, you should be using VLC on a home theater PC. But if you’re looking for ease of use, well, I had the Apple TV up and running in about five minutes.

iTunes

Not surprisingly, the UI has big text for readability and navigation, but the layout could be better. Simplified from the previous iteration, it’s a little too simple, dumping a lot of different content into non-intuitive “Internet” and “Computers” categories. As the prominent placement of two of the five main menu options indicates, the iTunes Store kiosk in your living room is still open for business.

Performance of iTunes was amazing, at least on my connection, which runs in excess of 20Mbps down/0.5 Mbps up. The top movies display as icons, and my screen was filled almost instantly. If you want the virtual equivalent of walking the aisles at Blockbuster, you can browse by genre, or do a search, which is predictive and offers movies and related categories like actors and directors.

A selected movie offers a trailer, the quality and price of rental, an “Add to Wish List’ and a “more” option. The last provides reviews from Rotten Tomatoes and customers, as well as links to other works by the principal actors and creators of a film.

The Television section works similarly, though the dearth of content becomes obvious when browsing by network. There are nine “networks” subdivided out of four: Fox, ABC, BBC, and Disney. Choosing a title provides information on quality and viewing license, and paying for the rental is easy, though delivery is a little annoying. There’s no indication when a download has begun, though you’re notified when enough of the content is available to watch, which took less than a minute in my experience.

The 720p video quality was, in my opinion, very good, and only the extreme videophile should have something to complain about. Overall, the experience at the iTunes Store is excellent, but then Apple makes coin on this, so why expect anything less?

Netflix

The Netflix experience is likewise excellent. Unlike the iPad and iPhone app, which is little more than a wrapper for the web page, the Apple TV version of Netflix is tailored to the device. Just one example, the Netflix iPhone app doesn’t handle television well, allowing you only to play the next show in a season. The Apple TV, by contrast, provides a list of episodes for each season.

Netflix on the Apple TV provides a half-dozen ways to browse content, as well as search. It’s nicely laid out, and works well, though not as smoothly as the iTunes Store. Movie icons take longer to load, and there can be a slight pause when navigating some menu options as the Apple TV “Accesses Netflix.”

Playback, however, is good. It takes about ten seconds for a video to start, better for me than running Netflix on a Core Duo Mac mini. Video quality doesn’t seem quite as good as Apple TV rentals, but, again, nothing to complain about, which sadly, isn’t the case with local content.

Streaming Local Content

Curiously, Apple chose to sort local content for home sharing by the computer it resides on, rather than by content, as with the previous Apple TV interface. It’s annoying, and there’s no real reason for it, since a pool of all available content would be much more usable.

Once you select a computer, the familiar, if dated, Front Row/Apple TV interface is presented. On a good note, streaming performance has been excellent, despite my efforts to stress the local network. I’d planned on using Ethernet to connect the Mac mini to the Apple TV, rather than relying on the 802.11 b/g of the older computer, but there was no need. So far, access is quick and content streams without issue.

Unfortunately, some of the other aspects of the Apple TV could be better. While photos load quickly, home movies don’t show up at all, neither locally or from MobileMe. That’s seems odd, since the Gallery app for MobileMe does play movies on other iOS devices.

Like photos, music seems an afterthought on the new Apple TV. It works, and streaming sounds great, but the means of access seems quite basic. The rest of the content (YouTube, Radio, flickr, etc.) seems not to have changed much. It’s all quite functional, but nothing special.

While opening the Apple TV to the App Store might substantially change the purpose of the device, its focus now appears to be video. From presentation to delivery, you get the feeling that most of the work went into making the Apple TV a top-line, video streaming device. With AirPlay coming soon, it’ll be even better at video. In short, the Apple TV seems to have finally lived up to its name.

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Browsing through this gift guide you’ll find a handpicked selection of some of the most luxurious Apple-related items from across the globe. There’s something for everyone, from a handmade iPod case and chic designer MacBook sleeve for her, to a solar powered iPod dock and OS X-themed photo frame for him.

So it’s time to forget that last minute flurry of festive purchases and set aside your gift hunting woes as you browse the alternative Apple gift guide.

Hard Graft’s 2UNFOLD Laptop Bag ($564)

One of the most luxurious items in the gift guide, each limited edition 2UNFOLD is assembled in Italy, individually handmade and numbered. The bag is immaculately constructed but also fervently utilitarian: with a few simple folds it can be re-configured from backpack to shoulderbag, briefcase to clutch. There’s room for a couple of Monocle back issues alongside, of course, ample space for your 13″, 15″ or even 17″ MacBook.

ReNu’s Solar Powered iPod Dock (from $199)

Unlike other iPod docks, this one makes use of ReNu’s solar module, charging your iPhone or iPod by harnessing the power of the sun. After charging up using this elegant device, you’re also left with that warm smugness that can only come from being environmentally friendly. If you’ve got this item in mind for the Christmas season, potential purchasers should note that the docks are set to ship in February 2010. However, order now and you can take advantage of ReNu’s early supporter price.

Byrd & Belle’s Felt and Leather iPhone Case ($19)

Handmade from soft wool felt, these cases are a classic look ideal for both guys and girls. The soft felt outer and cotton fabric inner will protect your precious iPhone from dust and scratches while the hand-dyed leather strap will make sure it’s always secure inside the case. Byrd & Belle’s iPhone cases are produced in limited runs. If there’s none left in stock it’s worth checking out the other beautiful items available in their store too, all worthy additions to any Apple connoisseur’s collection.

ThinkGeek’s Image.jpg Photo Frame ($24.99)

This clever photo frame mixes digital with analog. Styled after OS X’s Aqua aesthetic, the Image.jpg photo frame is a quirky item that’s sure to draw attention to whatever photo it happens to be housing. As ThinkGeek point out, it’s totally analog, which means no registering and no software updates — just slide a photo in to the wooden frame and you’re good to go.

Mulberry for Apple (from $180)

If there’s a lady in your life who’s looking for a true taste of British style then Mulberry’s new range of Apple bags, cases and clutches may be the perfect gift. Established in 1971, Mulberry has moved with the times ensuring that its items always stay fashion-forward while capturing the original essence of the brand. Highlights of the Mulberry for Apple range include the chic Drew sleeve for the 15″ MacBook and the Bayswater Mini Messenger clutch for iPhone.

iamhuman’s MacBook Covers (from $30)

With MacBook’s becoming a mainstream notebook, it’s becoming increasingly important that we’re able to give our digital companions a twist of individuality. This brand new range from iamhuman offsets the generic stylings of your MacBook with a natural finish. Alongside a range of textile covers, made from materials such as denim, there’s also a premium range created from the finest rosewood, ebony and cork.

Twelve South’s Bookarc ($49.99)

The BookArc is a neat solution for keeping your MacBook in pride of place on your desktop while giving you the clarity of thought that a clutter-free workspace brings. Your MacBook can be placed comfortably and securely in the BookArc. All the ports and plugs are still accessible too. For those looking to spread a little clarity throughout their workspace, the BookArc is available at a discounted rate as a 6-pack.

The Griffin + Threadless Collection ($34.99)

Threadless, purveyor of fine t-shirts, has collaborated with Griffin to create a pair of iPhone cases which simultaneously protect and ooze cool. The first design, entitled Birds of a Feather, comes in white while the second, Clouds within Thunder, is a dazzling hipster yellow. Both designs are available as t-shirts too, presenting the possibility of an excellent combination gift. The cases themselves are snap-on shells, protecting from scratches, dust and, according to Threadless, boringness too.

Instructables’ Sewable iPod Remote (DIY)

Getting your hands dirty with a DIY gift might not immediately sound like the most luxurious prospect but there’s nothing quite as classy as creating your own handmade item. This ten-minute tutorial, available from Instructables, walks you through creating a delightful Hello Kitty iPod remote. You’ll need a basic grasp of electronics and a dash of confidence too but making this yourself means that you can give someone special a genuine one-off piece with a personal twist.

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During the first three weeks of operation, the MicroCell was down form some period of time on nine separate days. Periods of outage lasted from 15 minutes to several hours, but were usually less than an hour. There was no discernible pattern, and for every instance but one the fix was: unplug, wait, plug back in.

The single outlier was a little more insidious. While my iPhone reported “five bars,” attempting to make a call would result in immediate failure. That episode required deactivating the MicroCell with AT&T, reinstalling it as if it were new equipment, and about three Zantac.

If this makes the MicroCell sound like a product not ready for sale to the general public, it’s not. Those paying $150 for a MicroCell in eligible cities are participating in a “public trial.” If one didn’t know they were a beta tester, the uncharacteristically helpful technical support gives it away.

Diagnosing my problem, it was suggested that updates to the firmware by AT&T may have been responsible. Of course, the MicroCell is supposed to reboot itself when the firmware is updated, but even a tech support placebo can make you feel better. It was also suggested that I try priority mode configuration, and that appears to actually have worked.

By switching the connection order of the MicroCell and wireless router, the MicroCell supposedly reserves sufficient bandwidth for voice and data at all times. Why it needs to carve out a 3G slice of bandwidth on a Wi-Fi network remains a mystery, but I’m not complaining. The outages stopped after changing the device setup. My initial fears concerning bandwidth throttling proved unrealized, or maybe a firmware update solved that, too. Either way, speed tests with and without the MicroCell connected have the same results.

While it appears that my hardware issues have been resolved, a longer look at call performance is not as positive as my initial assessment. To the MicroCell’s credit, it has yet to drop a call. Further, call quality to and from individuals remains generally very good, but, strangely, there are problems calling some businesses.

Maybe my MicroCell hates talking with people in India, but calls to and from toll-free numbers or businesses are often choppy. My observation is that phone numbers that aren’t point-to-point, one number to one number, are far more likely to break up. It may be anthropomorphic on my part, but it’s like the MicroCell hates being put on hold and transferred, but then who doesn’t?

Finally, I continue to be disappointed with the range of the device. AT&T says 5,000 square feet, but I say 50 squared, or about 50 feet in a straight line. That’s very close to being unacceptable for me, but being as Apple is still playing coy with Verizon, or vice versa, my options are limited. If yours are too, the AT&T 3G MicroCell remains a relatively pleasant cell on AT&T’s prison network.

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So, the only thing missing, really, is a metal shelf screwed in the back. It’s obvious, when you think about it. Well, it was obvious to the talented boys and girls at TwelveSouth who decided if Johnny Ive wasn’t going to make it happen, they would. And they did a cracking job of it, too.

The BackPack is a simple idea, beautifully executed. It’s a discreet, sturdy metal shelf that fits onto the L-shaped stand on any modern Mac display. Designed to hold up to five pounds in weight, it can effortlessly accommodate almost any typical external hard drive. I don’t know about you, but one of the reasons I love Macs is because they do away with clutter. Gone are the zillions of cables and unidentifiable fiddly-things that accompany typical PC’s. The only cable I see on my desktop belongs to my iPhone dock; a welcome change to the so-called ‘wireless’ keyboard and mouse on my last PC, which required a hard-wired bluetooth transceiver and recharging cradle (great big ugly thing it was) sharing desk space with my monitor.

The point is that I enjoy a clean desktop and resent having to share that space with anything more than the Mac itself. Even when the thing sharing the space is really useful, or even crucial — like the external hard drive I use for Time Machine backups.

BackPack is the solution I never stopped to imagine was possible. But now that it’s there, I get the “Why didn’t I think of that?” feeling.

The care and attention TwelveSouth has lavished on this device is obvious from the moment you look at the packaging. Neat, clean and brimming-over with careful deliberation. From the “Thank you” note nestled beneath the shelf to the completely unnecesary and yet utterly-wonderful rubber mat (your HDD never knew such luxury!) the unboxing experience alone screams “Premium Product.”

I appreciate user experience. It’s why I love the Mac, and why I had such a love/hate relationship with MobileMe when that service lumbered, heaving and panting, into life. I love the BackPack because of the experience TwelveSouth has so diligently ensured I will have getting it set up. Let’s face it — it’s a metal plate you screw to your monitor. It lives out of sight and (in no time at all) out of mind. You might show-off Snow Leopard to a friend, but you’ll never say “Hey! Come on over, I really gotta show you my new metal plate I screwed to the back of my Mac!” Its creators know this, so they have made certain the few, precious minutes you do spend with it are a great experience.

OK. Perhaps I need to get out more. But if you want to keep your workspace clutter-free, and do so with style, you won’t find a more elegant and Mac-like way to do it than with the BackPack. Highly recommended.

For more information on the BackPack and other products from TwelveSouth, click here.

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The Juice Pack Air is light. When protecting the iPhone it adds just over two and one half ounces to the weight of it and half an inch to the height, a bit over an eighth of an inch to the width and a quarter inch to the depth. The case is mono-color with a glossy finish and comes in black, white, and (Kansas State and Minnesota Vikings fans, rejoice) purple. Unlike Mophie’s standard Juice Pack, the Air version fully protects the iPhone.

As with most hard cases, there are cut-outs for the various buttons and the audio jack, although not for the dock connector. The speakers are blocked, but the Air uses a sound channel to deliver the sound to the front instead of the bottom. I actually heard better with my Air than without it! The standard Apple dock connector is replaced with micro USB, instead of the more popular mini USB connector, which passes the charge through to the iPhone and battery. When the Air is attached, the iPhone does not fit into most other docking or pass-through accessories. Fortunately the case is literally a snap to remove.

Style is great, but does it actually get the job done? Yes! Without the Juice Pack, my own year-old iPhone 3G battery depletes itself after about 12 hours of heavy use. During tests, I was able to get about 24 hours of use out of my iPhone before needing a recharge of the iPhone and Juice Pack.

A four-dot blue LED display on the Mophie gives an indication of approximately how much of the battery is left. Like a brave soldier, the Juice Pack sacrifices itself before the iPhone taps its own internal battery. The Juice Pack can also be turned off to allow the iPhone battery to drain first. The Air version of the Juice Pack holds much less of a charge than the original, but just like the Macbook Air, you have to sacrifice something to achieve a svelte figure.

But I’m afraid power doesn’t come cheap. The Mophie Juice Pack Air retails for $79.95, which is a bit more than buying a battery pack separately from a hard case, but it is a great value in that the two are combined together. If your iPhone battery isn’t lasting you long enough and you don’t need a fancy case, the Mophie Juice Pack Air is a great choice.

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Like many of you, most recorded footage of my youth was on those archaic black plastic things called VHS tapes. As the rest of society moves into the digital age, I’m facing a battle of preserving my childhood memories on something a little more robust and modern than 800 feet of mylar tape. With many video capturing solutions on the market, I settled on a new product by Elgato, called Video Capture.

As new formats for recording video footage come to market, the quality of these mediums greatly improves. Since the VHS system is considered “analog” and is composed of interlaced video, converting to a digital solution requires some special equipment. These breakout boxes work by allowing you to connect your device via some type of connector (depending on the quality of the box) and to your Mac via USB or FireWire.

Since we’re using the breakout box as an intermediary and there are three devices in the chain, there is a potential for less than stellar quality due to any number of reasons: the breakout box in particular, the video tape you’re capturing from, or the VCR deck itself. Considering most of these devices are in the same price range, they are probably all comparable in quality. (Though as you will read on the Internet, everyone has a different opinion as to which one is the best.)

Elgato’s solution, retailing for $99, is a very simple dongle that attaches either via composite or S-video to your device and via USB to your Mac. The biggest concern many have about these types of devices is the flexibility they will have with capturing their video. Elgato includes their own video capture software with their device, though it is quite simple. For many, this is all you will need.

Getting Started

When you start the software, you are asked simple questions about how you have chosen to connect your media device and the aspect ratio of your footage. For folks converting from VHS like me, you’ll want to pick 4:3. The video will be captured at 640×480 resolution.

The biggest oddity about the way the software functions is that before recording, it asks the user to determine the overall length of the recorded project. There are several options to choose from, at varying intervals from 10 to 180 minutes, each giving you an estimate of the final output size. You can stop recording at any point before your pre-set time has elapsed. If you have footage recorded in “EP” or “LP” modes, your tapes could have more than 3 hours of footage on them, making it awkward for bulk captures.

Recording

Once you begin recording, it is pretty much hit or miss. When you hit stop recording, the application is done and saves your file. For some, this may not be a concern as they plan to further split up clips or edit their footage in something like iMovie. Others may find this problematic if they are looking for a bit more control. Some of these concerns can be assuaged as the application does allow users to trim the start and end points of their captured footage.

After you stop recording, you have options within the software to instantly play the file in QuickTime, add it to iTunes, edit with iMovie or upload directly to YouTube. The videos are output in either H.264 or MPEG-4.

Based on the footage I have captured thus far, I have been quite impressed with Elgato’s solution. Sometimes the quality may not be the best but again, in my case, this is VHS we’re talking about. How many times in your home movies are there other concerns to worry about, like somebody panning the camera too fast?

I’m rating Elgato’s solution four out of five stars. Its software is simple and easy to use, and they included all of the cables I would need to plug its device directly into my VCR. The only cons are the limited in-application editing options and the awkward “time restrictions.” The good news is that these could easily be corrected with a future software update.

For some, they may criticize the lack of higher definition inputs, such as component video or HDMI, but these types of capture devices exist and are much pricier. It really just depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Why go overboard for something simple? As a quick and simple way to preserve VHS tapes, this is a great solution and feels a bit stronger than some of the other slightly cheaper options.

If you’ve had an opportunity to use the Elgato video capture or one of the other competitor products, let me know in the comments below.

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The Zefyr Pro is aesthetically close to unibody MacBooks, with its minimalist industrial design and sleek brushed-aluminum body. It’s smaller than a typical laptop cooler, too; while most coolers consist of a base-plate with roughly the same footprint as the laptops they’re designed to accommodate, the Zefyr Pro is only 10 centimeters deep, but its aluminum fins provide acres of surface area to aide in heat dissipation (first by conduction, then by radiation).

The Zefyr Pro is squarely aimed at MacBook Air and Pro owners; in its ‘folded’ mode the device perfectly fits the MacBook Air, while extendable ‘wings’ slide out to easily accommodate the wider 15 and 17-inch MacBook Pro’s.

My old Akasa had two large (and silent) USB powered fans, while the Zefyr Pro has only one, but that single fan is positioned in what is seemingly just the right spot on the underside of my MacBook Pro to get airflow where it’s most needed.

Moshi brags about a special “high-thermal conduction interface compound” on the Zefyr Pro that provides a heat-hungry contact between the Zefyr and the underside of the MacBook. It sounds impressive, until you realize this “high-thermal conduction interface compound” amounts to a slightly rubbery 8x5cm grey pad in the middle of the Zefyr. I don’t know if it’s as effective as Moshi claims, but if it is, I wonder why the entire contact surface of the Zefyr isn’t coated with that material? If it were, surely the Zefyr would do an even better job of conducting heat away from the MacBook?

The "High-thermal conduction interface compound" is that dull grey rectangle in the center

All I can tell you is that, by bringing my MacBook Pro’s operating temperature down an average of 8-12º, my Zefyr Pro manages about the same practical cooling my old Akasa did, but in a device a little under half the size. My Akasa cost me about $20 three years ago. The Zefyr cost me over $80. I’m not feeling very good about this.

The single fan is reasonably quiet, though not as silent as the old Akasa (and that thing had two fans!). It’s a small point to make, but I wish there were a hardware switch for turning the fan on and off (which I could do on the old Akasa). Currently, the fan is powered-up the moment the Zefyr’s USB cable is plugged-in to my MacBook. Call me picky, but I don’t think a hardware switch on the USB dongle would be so hard to do, right? At $80, this is an expensive heat-sink. I’d expect a little more attention to detail.

Because the Zefyr Pro is so diminutive, it raises the MacBook slightly at the back. If you’re working on your lap you might not notice much of a difference, but on a desk those few degrees make a surprising difference — and for the better. Typing is genuinely more comfortable.

Slip Slidin’ Away

But here is where my final gripe lies. The Zefyr has very little friction between itself and the underside of the MacBook. Not even that 8x5cm “conduction interface compound” is rubbery enough to prevent slippage. As you type, the vibrations and downward pressure of your fingers on the keys encourage the MacBook to ‘slide’ across and down the Zefyr’s smooth surface toward you.

This is particularly noticeable if you are working on a desk or other smooth surface, though you might not experience it as much if the machine is resting in your lap. Over time, quite without realizing it, your MacBook eventually slides so far forward that the Zefyr is only partially covered by the MacBook, so presumably doing a far less efficient job of cooling it. I feel this could be easily solved if the top edges of the Zefyr’s ‘wings’ were rubber instead of hard, frictionless plastic. Again, it’s attention to detail I think Moshi should have made to justify that $80 price tag.

Overall though, this is a reasonably effective piece of kit I’d recommend to anyone who wants to keep their MacBook Air/Pro cool and remain stylish, without sacrificing portability. If you don’t think style and portability are worth the larger part of a hundred dollars, I’d find it hard to argue with you. It does what it’s supposed to do, but the Zefyr Pro simply isn’t worth its current price tag.

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