Accessories are a key part of any platforms ecosystem. I was at the Apple store in a mall in San Jose recently and I couldn’t believe the amount of accessories for iPad now on the market. I was especially surprised about the amount of iPad mounts for all around your house or yard—more on that later. Right now there are two accessories that are getting used quite a bit in combination with my iPad. The first is the recently announced BIG JAMBOX by Jawbone.
BIG JAMBOX
I have been reviewing the BIG JAMBOX from Jawbone for a little over a week. My conclusion is that it is one of the best wireless speakers available. Particularly however for my use cases it fits like a glove. If you have used the initial JAMBOX by Jawbone you got a taste of what big sound from a little portable speaker could sound like. But the use cases for the JAMBOX are more for travel. And although decently loud it is not quite loud enough for places like the beach, pool, backyard, park, etc.
The recently announced BIG JAMBOX is built specially for big portable sound perfect for outdoor use particularly. This is where the BIG JAMBOX was ideal for my needs.
I have an above average sized yard for California. I spend a lot of time outside in my pool, yard, garden and micro farm. While outside in all those areas I like to have music playing. And unfortunately running wires is just not an option. So from the beginning I have tried to solve my outdoor audio needs using wireless technology. This usually works as long as you are in close proximity to the speakers. In the pool area this works but not during parties or while working the fields. Enter BIG JAMBOX to solve my outdoor speaker problems.
Where the JAMBOX failed for me in long range, high volume sound the BIG JAMBOX did the trick and with a quality sound experience without distorted audio. When I was briefed by the folks at Jawbone on this product they promoted the speakers capabilities outdoors. The BIG JAMBOX lived up to the hype and performed admirably outdoors.
My backyard has outdoor audio challenges many for a range of reasons. The primary one, leading to my largest issue with sound, is that I have no solid fences. So sound has nothing to bounce off and can get drowned out quickly. To truly test the BIG JAMBOX’s audio capabilities I turned it all the way up and walked as far as I could and still hear the music clearly and cleanly. Below is a picture from the point of view of the BIG JAMBOX to where I was standing to still hear the sound clearly and cleanly.
The BIG JAMBOX’s ability to fill such a large open area with sound was what impressed me most and primarily why it is a must have iPad accessory for me and my go to wireless speaker.
The Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad
I have been trying nearly every new iPad keyboard case that hits the market. Many are very good and nicely pair a keyboard with the iPad in an elegant case. Yet the new Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad by Logitech is the best one I have tried yet.
There are several reasons why this is the case. My prior favorite case was the Zagg Folio case. I used this case and found it very nice. The only real problem was how the iPad slipped into the keyboard case made it difficult to quickly get the iPad out to use without the keyboard attached. The new Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad pairs with the iPad like a smart cover via a magnet allowing it to easily detach for usage in tablet mode.
The other element that is very nice is that the groove to “dock” the iPad in to hold it up in landscape or portrait also has a magnet in it allowing it to snap in nicely and securely for use while typing. Due to this implementation it was also easy to dock the iPad in portrait mode while the Zagg Folio case could only be used in landscape mode due to its design. I actually prefer to use the iPad in portrait mode most of the time, especially when writing.
The Ultrathin Keyboard cover is also extremely thin when secured and shut with the iPad making it very nice for travel and mobility. The Ultrathin Keyboard Cover’s smart use of magnets both for using as a cover for the iPad as well as for docking while typing are two great features setting this iPad keyboard apart from the rest.
Runner Up – Seagate GoFlex Satellite Drive
Also making it very close to my top two iPad accessories is the Seagate GoFlex Satellite drive. When take the iPad with me when I travel as my only mobile computer, I need to make sure all my files are accessible. I use the cloud for storage of certain files but some files like our presentations, research material, and even my HD movies are more quickly accessible via a portable drive. The GoFlex Satellite’s wireless features allow me to keep all my key files and data quickly accessible with the iPad.
These are the things that are adding even more value to my iPad experience. Feel free to share any accessories that making your iPad experience that much more enjoyable.