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Small States: Feltmark’s Wald lighting combines simplicity and function, multiple giveaway winners

Update (5/16 12:01pm): Our winners are: @snazzyq, @yozh, @Demonoid55, @i3erica – thanks everyone for entering our giveaway!

As we continue to cover companies that manufacture in the United States, a recurring theme has come forward. Many of these brands do not have the resources of larger companies, while that may have some downfalls, it also pushes them to think outside of the box and do more with less.

A lot of the products that we feature in Small States have a simplistic design that achieve the same goal as much more complex offerings. Generally, these solutions are more complementary of the minimalistic design found in many household products.

One Los Angeles-based startup that we recently came across is a wonderful example of this. Feltmark manufactures beautifully simple lights that manage to look stylish without much in the way of extras. It truly is an example of the “more is less theory” and today we get to share these products and give a few away as well:
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Review: iOttie’s Active Edge bike mount safely puts your iPhone front and center, exclusive 30% promo code

Back in January, I found myself becoming increasingly enamored with the idea of making bicycling a serious a hobby. A month later I was the proud owner of a Trek CrossRip hybrid bike, great for riding around town but also for longer trips through the country. As someone that enjoys technology, I quickly looked for ways to make my new hobby a connected experience.

There are a plethora of good apps for iOS that track and record your excursions. I found this to be particularly handy in keeping tabs on my progress as a rider. However, finding a safe, visible spot for my iPhone 6 during the ride proved to be more challenging. The beauty of having all of this data is somewhat lost when your phone is stored away during your ride.

Over the last month, I’ve had the opportunity to spend some time with iOttie’s new Active Edge Bike & Bar Mount, which places an iPhone or Android directly on your handlebars. Head below for my thoughts as well as an exclusive 30% coupon code.
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Small States Review: Grovemade’s Laptop Stand combines quality craftsmanship & thoughtful design, giveaway

Update (5/2 12:00pm): @tweakmedia is our winner, thank you to everyone that entered the giveaway.

As Apple’s lineup continues to grow, more users are finding themselves using one device at home and one on the road. Because of that, we are seeing more home workstations in need of customization.

If you’re like myself, then an external monitor attached to a MacBook Air is the solution to this problem. The struggle of this setup is the height differential between each display. If you’re someone that sits at a desk all day, this is an issue that is certainly noticeable (and annoying!).

Grovemade, a Portland-based company, recently announced its own solution to this problem. Over the last few weeks, we’ve had the opportunity to work with the Walnut Laptop Stand. Head below for more details and to find out how you could win one yourself…
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Review: Moleskine’s new myCloud Smallpack offers plentiful storage in a tidy design, $150 giveaway

Update (4/25 5:00pm): @sanders_voice is our winner – thank you to everyone that entered!

Last month journal-maker Moleskine released a new line of backpack and messenger bags. Since then, we’ve spent time with one of its newest products: the myCloud Smallpack in grey, which is designed for laptops up to 13-inches in size. This bag is a unique blend of compact design and high capacity storage.

Head below for full details on the myCloud Smallpack and details on how you could win one yourself…
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Review: SOL REPUBLIC’s Shadow wireless headphones w/ Bluetooth 4.0 offer an upgraded audio experience, $100 giveaway

Update (4/18 11:00am): @oneniner is our winner – thank you to everyone that entered our contest!

Bluetooth-enabled headphones are making a run for your ears and it seems like every release is improving on a once dysfunctional and disappointing product category. What was previously defined by empty and unpleasing sound is now finding its stride as Bluetooth continues to improve. Much like any technology, its quality is only enhanced by the standard that guides it. Now is the time to begin considering Bluetooth headphones as a potential replacement for the classic 3.5mm standby.

We’ve spent some time with the SOL REPUBLIC’s new Shadow Wireless Bluetooth headphones and today we are ready to deliver a verdict:
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Small States Review: This is Ground’s Mod 2 is the ultimate on-the-go iPad companion, giveaway worth $310

Update (4/11 9:00am): @jimmiebjr is our winner – thank you to everyone that entered our contest, and for reading!

This is Ground has made another foray into the iPad accessory world, this time updating its Mod case with new styling and inserts. When we last featured the Los Angeles-based manufacturer, it was riding the success of its line of products meant to complement both professional and casual environments.

Since then, This is Ground has expanded and found more ways to bring together form and function into quality America made products. Today, we’ll be taking a look at the newly released Mod 2:
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Review: Does Sling TV’s arrival on the Xbox One make Microsoft’s console king of the living room?

There are a lot of reasons to be excited about Sling TV. Since it popped up in January just before CES, this streaming television service has been making waves throughout the entertainment world. Chances are if you watch television shows or movies, you’ve heard something about Sling.

Last month Dish brought its online streaming service to the Xbox One in an exclusive agreement that nets Live subscribers a one month free trial. The question is, does Sling bring enough to the table to make the Xbox One a complete solution to home entertainment?
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Small States Review: TM1985’s Weekend Duffel is the perfect companion for any excursion, $371 giveaway

Update (4/4 11:45am): @iamcoxnow is our winner, thank you to everyone that entered this week’s giveaway!

Since we last visited with TM1985, the New York-based bag and accessory maker has continued to expand its line of products. This week, we’ll be taking a look at the Weekend Duffel, a new travel solution from TM1985 that aims to put a little more style in your luggage game.
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Small States Review: Grado’s GR10e in-ear headphones hit every note, $299 giveaway

Update (3/28 12:15pm): @IAmTimBaker is our winner, thank you to everyone that entered our Grado giveaway!

Since Grado first announced its newest generation of in-ear headphones, we’ve spent sometime putting the GR10e’s through the paces. Starting at $299 for the GR8e’s and $399 for the 10e’s, these in-ear headphones come at a premium price in comparison to other options on the market. But the magic of the Brooklyn manufacturer is clearly evident in this latest iteration of in-ears.
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Small States Review: Carved’s Live Edge iPhone 6 cases ensconce your device in one-of-a-kind raw wood, multiple giveaways

Update (3/21 12:00pm): @RVDT_ and @chrislazattack are our winners. Thanks everyone for reading!

In a world full of throw away materials, it’s easy to get caught up buying another plastic iPhone case. But Northern Indiana’s Carved is taking extra steps to deliver a one-of-a-kind home for your device. While we’ve covered the company’s more traditional iPhone cases in the past, today we are taking a look at its Live Edge series. Made of raw pieces of wood, from a variety of locations across the United States, these cases truly blend the line between device and nature. Even more, the cases are all one-offs which means that the one you select is truly an original.


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Small States Review: Grovemade’s iPhone 6 dock puts extra emphasis on design and materials, giveaway worth $99

Update (3/14 9:15am): @schellack wins the Grovemade Dock. Thanks everyone for reading and entering this week’s giveaway.

When it comes to Apple accessories, there are typically two options: materials that are designed to mirror the product and those are meant to complement that product in a different way. The former is typically anodized aluminum, plastic or a metal of some kind, while the latter has been trending towards natural materials like wood or fabrics. Personally, I love seeing natural materials complement modern electronics. There are so many companies manufacturing here in the United States that are taking advantage of the natural resources and skills here.

I’ve been able to spend the last few weeks with Grovemade’s latest dock for the iPhone 6. We’ve covered company’s story before and this time around are able to see its newest home for Apple’s phone.

Head below for full details, our review and to learn how you can win a Grovemade iPhone 6 dock for yourself.


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Small States Review: Bolt Briefcase from WaterField Designs is an ideal work and travel companion

Back in January, San Francisco-based bag and accessory maker WaterField Designs announced its Bolt Briefcase. Since then we’ve had the opportunity to put the Bolt through its paces. Designed to be a professional alternative to the leather briefcases of old, this bag is for travelers and techies in need of a solution for multiple occasions.

Head below for our hands-on impressions and to learn how you could win this Bolt Briefcase.


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Gaming For Couples: Tomb Raider Definitive Edition and NES Remix Pack

Over the last few weeks, Gaming For Couples has spotlighted the best PlayStation 4 bundles, best Wii U bundles, and best Xbox One bundles — now we’re back to our regularly scheduled programming, looking at great games for couples (including gamers and non-gamers) to play together. This week, we’re featuring two very different titles: a retro game that even casual players will enjoy actively exploring, and the other a modern game more impressively cinematic than the movies that share its name. Each can be had for under $30.

Our Gaming For Couples selections are Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition by Square Enix for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and NES Remix Pack / Ultimate NES Remix for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. Here’s why we think they’re worth your time…


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Life Hack: these simple Velcro ties make cable management a cinch

There are some things you only appreciate once you become a homeowner. For me, Velcro cable ties are one of those things. I discovered them when I was looking for a way to clean up the rat’s nest of cables behind my Mac. Then something happened — I started using these ties for a little bit of everything.


They are incredibly simple. Just wrap the tie around some cables or any item, tuck one end through the hole on the opposite side, pull through, and the Velcro material handles everything else. It’ll cleanly attach to itself with little effort. It’s so simple, yet works so well.

I bought the 100-pack of 8-inch x 1/2-inch ties for just $5.99, which are specifically made for wrangling cables. They are so versatile it’s crazy. If it’s too long you can cut it to the perfect length or combine a bunch to tackle bigger projects. Either way it’ll attach to itself and secure any cable.

Aside from managing the many cables coming out of my Mac, I’m also using these ties to wrap loose cables from power adapters.

Call me over-cautious, but I don’t like using the built-in cable hooks on Apple’s MacBook Power Adapters. I’m not comfortable with how tight it has to be wound and how much force it puts on the cable. So I’m using a Velcro tie to keep my MacBook charger power cable under control when it’s not in use.

In the past I’ve used heavy duty nylon cable ties for similar tasks but most aren’t reusable. I also don’t love how rigid and borderline sharp these types of ties are. They’re fine for more durable items, but I like to handle my electronics with kid gloves.

I’m only using the shorter version, but there are tons of different kinds in various lengths and colors. There are seemingly an endless number of uses for these little wonders…
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Supersize your Super Bowl with these HDTV deals

Super Bowl XLIX will pit the Seattle Seahawks up against the New England Patriots. While ticket prices on the resale market aren’t as outrageous as you might imagine, they are still way beyond what a sane person would pay.

You can outfit your family room with a ridiculous HDTV for significantly less than the average ticket price for the big game. Not to mention the fact that you can invite all your friends over to watch with you and scoff down as much homemade buffalo chicken dip as you want.

Continue on to tackle our top Super Bowl HDTV deals…
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Kitchen Tech: The best wine tools and restaurant-class champagne accessories

As the last few Kitchen Tech columns on bar tools (part 1part 2) and high-end coffee makers probably demonstrated, I’m a beverage obsessive — over the years, I’ve learned that great dining experiences are as much about what you drink as what you eat. The right beverage can actually improve your entire meal, and if it’s served in the right way, something as seemingly simple as wine or champagne can become the most memorable part of a night. There are great reasons to bring that sort of restaurant-quality experience home.

Today’s Kitchen Tech focuses on Wine Tools, including eight categories of items that range from mandatory to optional. Where appropriate, I’ll explain the benefits and issues of a bargain or higher-end option. To kick things off, I’m starting with something that’s highly optional and just starting to appear in some U.S. restaurants, a Spanish wine tool called a porrón. Read on…


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Kitchen Tech: The best bar tools for making amazing home cocktails (Part 2)

Some wonderful things can be made entirely with your hands. Others — including fantastic cocktails — require tools. This week, we’re continuing our prior edition of Kitchen Tech on bar tools, focusing on items that will help you serve restaurant-caliber drinks at home. Last week’s column looked at “fundamental” tools and “good ideas.” Now we’re looking at “the fancy stuff,” special little items used by leading restaurants across the world.

Most of the tools in this week’s column aren’t expensive, even though many of them are being used by top bartenders inside and outside the United States. Below, you’ll find a collection of optional but seriously cool tools I’ve personally tested and found worthy of recommending, as well as details on why some are more optional than others.


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Kitchen Tech: The best bar tools for making amazing home cocktails (Part 1)

Some wonderful things can be made entirely with your hands. Others — including fantastic cocktails — require tools. The topic for this week’s edition of Kitchen Tech is bar tools, specifically the ones necessary to make restaurant-caliber cocktails at home. Not just any restaurant and cocktails, mind you: we’re talking about making the very best cocktails from leading restaurants across the world.

Ready for the surprise? These tools aren’t crazy expensive. They’re actually some of the most affordable we’ve covered in Kitchen Tech, even though most of our choices are endorsed by top bartenders inside and outside the United States. Inside, you’ll find over a dozen different types of tools I’ve personally tested and found worthy of recommending, along with a few tips on why I didn’t pick some other options.


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Review: SmartThings offers an open and flexible home automation experience with a few caveats

The home automation sector of consumer technology continues to grow and generally improve, as more devices gain “smart” functionality. We’ve seen a number of products enter the fray during Q4 of 2014, but it’s yet to be seen whether any one company is ready to bring it all together in a truly mainstream way. While we continue to wait on Apple HomeKit-compatible devices, we had the opportunity to spend some time with products from SmartThings, a Washington, DC-based company that promises an “easy, open and limitless” smart home experience.


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9to5 Guide: The best iPad stands, docks, and cases with built-in stands

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iPads need stands. Whether you’re watching videos, long-form typing, or making FaceTime calls, it’s a chore to hold the iPad upright for extended blocks of time. To address that need, Apple launched the first iPad with regular and keyboard docks, but quickly gave up on them in favor of simpler folding lids called Smart Covers.

If you’re looking for an iPad stand or dock, you can do better than that. We know because we’ve tested lots of options for Apple’s tablets. Following up on our guide to iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus docks, we’re looking today at the very best of what’s out there for every iPad, covering four broad categories: simple portable stands, simple desktop stands, cases with integrated stands, and charging docks.
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Review: Toffee’s Fitzroy Satchel is a solid gift for thoughtful commuters

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When it comes to hauling around all your gear, bag designs are nearly limitless, spanning a wide range of designs for different tastes. One of my favorite parts of “working” for 9to5Toys is checking out all of the latest gear and accessories that are out there. Today we’re looking at an Australian bag that combines design and function effectively enough to make you really think about what you want to bring to the coffee shop. Let’s take a look at the Fitzroy Satchel from Toffee.


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New features, low prices make these PlayStation 4, Xbox One + Wii U games worth second looks

Early adopters get bragging points for being first to own new game consoles, but they’re only a small fraction of the consoles’ eventual user bases. That’s why game developers save their biggest titles until consoles’ second or third years – there are a lot more potential customers to buy their games. But there are always a few “killer” or “almost killer” games that show up just a little too early, only to get forgotten when the consoles hit their stride. There are also great games that get released with major, show-stopping bugs, then fixed and discounted heavily to bring gamers back. Since the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Wii U consoles all had pretty incredible uptake due to Black Friday sales, we’re looking at some of their best forgotten or fixed games today. And they’re all being discounted, some enough to be impulse purchases.


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Review: Griffin creates an eclectic iPad stand from 100 year old railroad steel

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Most iPad accessory makers work tirelessly to design a product that echoes Apple’s signature design. Griffin and Rail Yard Studios’ Rail Artifact Stand does the opposite. Instead of melting away during use, its one of a kind design not only stands out, but in my opinion, steals the spotlight. Just as its name indicates, the Rail Artifact Stand is made from authentic early 1900’s railroad pieces. From pitted steel to worn edges, every stand shows its history in a unique way…
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Smart buys: our favorite back to school tech essentials

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These tech essentials will not only help you survive college life, but maybe even help you land a spot on the Dean’s list (no promises). Even though the majority of our top picks are geared towards college students living in a dorm, we think they can help students of all ages.

All of the recommendations below have been shaped by my experiences while attending a four-year private University.

Entertainment

The fall is not only back to school season, but also home to the baseball playoffs and the start of the football season. MLB.TV is expensive and NFL Sunday Ticket is a hassle. We recommend a Sling Media Slingbox to keep tabs on your favorite sports teams while away from home. The all-new SlingBox M1 was just released and is the most affordable Slingbox ever at just $149.99.

Xbox One and PlayStation 4 may be the flashy options for dorm room gaming, but we recommend saving a few bucks and opting for an Xbox 360 or Wii U. The Xbox 360 has a huge back catalog of awesome games that are now priced to move. Plus, some next-gen games (like Mortal Kombat X), will also be available on 360 and PS3. The Wii U has had a rough run, but party games like Mario Kart 8 and the upcoming Super Smash Brothers make it an excellent choice for dorm room hang sessions.

Skip Blu-ray and DVD. The players will take up prime TV stand real-estate and it’s a hassle to find the movie you’re looking for and then physically pop it in a player (I know, first world problems). Instead, go with a Roku 3/streaming stick or Apple TV to stream your media from Netflix (free trial), Hulu Plus (free trial), and iTunes.

It’s perfectly OK that listening to Norah Jones Spotify radio (student discount) helps you study, but don’t be that guy and play it out loud. A nice pair of headphones are key for school. If your budget allows it, then definitely upgrade to a set of noise-cancelling cans, like the Bose QC15, to drown out any background noise. Bust out a larger portable Bluetooth speaker like the Logitech UE BOOM (review) or Jawbone’s Big JAMBOX (review) when it’s time to party.


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Xbox One midnight launch info, reviews from around the web

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Sony has now unleashed the PlayStation 4 out into the wild, and now it’s Microsoft’s turn. The Xbox One releases tonight with various special live launch events starting at 11pm tonight on Spike TV, Xbox.com and Xbox Live.

As per usual, several retailers will be open tonight across the country at midnight for the launch including Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart and Microsoft Stores. Along with some of the most insightful Xbox One reviews from around the web, we’ve put together some handy information below for those looking to grab one tonight…


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Review: The Just-Mobile UpStand, a functional iPad stand wrapped in a beautiful design

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Just-Mobile is an award-winning design company behind some of the best accessories for your iPhone, iPad, Mac and other gadgets. We’ve taken a look at several of their products in the past and always came away thoroughly impressed with the build quality and thoughtful designs of these items.

I recently had the opportunity to spend some time with the UpStand for iPad, which is a ‘high-style’ iPad stand with a focus on design and function. You can find several low-cost tablet stands all over Amazon and eBay and those may do the trick for some people, but there’s also those who appreciate accessory makers who take the time to design products that complement their Apple gear. Just-Mobile is that company. Keep reading to see if the UpStand lives up to our lofty expectations…


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Review: RHA M350 noise-isolating aluminum headphones + exclusive 20% discount code

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9to5Toys Best Of highlights the best products we’ve ever used, and those products we personally find useful in our own lives. These are the best of the best.

RHA designs and engineers their audio products in Britain and prides themselves on honing in on the small details of a product and making them great. Prior to testing their headphones, I had never heard of RHA (they’re a division of Reid Heath Ltd.), but the fact that Apple retail carries their products coupled with their sharp industrial design made me want to check them out.

As quick as Apple can give me new set of headphones with each iDevice, I somehow find a way to misplace, break, or water (OK, sweat) damage them. I am assuming many of you are just like me in that regard and, as such, prefer a pair of solid earbuds under the $50 mark. At first glance, it seemed that the RHA M350 noise-isolating aluminum headphones would the fit the bill, so I decided to give them a test drive.


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Samsung goes bigger than life with the 75-inch ES9000 Super TV

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(Note: This is a sponsored post)

Samsung has not only been explosive in the smartphone market, but the South Korean-based company also continues to succeed in an area where it has long dominated: the television set. Samsung has broken ground before in several areas, but now it is putting a new television out on the market that embodies all the newest technologies in the HDTV space. Priced at hefty $9,500 and up, the Samsung UN75ES9000 is a 75-inch HDTV with all the bells and whistles: 240Hz, 3D, Wi-Fi, pop-out web cam, and more to combine top-specs with huge-screen real estate. Usually large-screened sets like this one tend to compromise specs for size, so this is definitely an interesting approach for those for whom money isn’t much of an object.

Now you see it, now you don’t

Announced in July and with initial availability in August, the Samsung UN75ES9000 features a 1,920-by-1,080 resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio, 35000000:1 dynamic contrast, three HDMI ports and USB ports, and various other connections like wireless and Ethernet (not to mention full 2D and 3D). It is wall mountable and ships with the stand, just for your living room.

Beyond the massive hardware, the ES9000 features Samsung’s Smart TV software that includes various apps and an easy-to-browse user interface for customers. On the Smart Hub, Samsung made available apps that allow customers to get access to content through services like Hulu Plus, YouTube, vudu, Netflix, and other digital content providers. Additionally, Samsung added a social layer via Twitter and Facebook to enable online discussion “all on one screen sharing.” To benefit applications like Skype, Samsung included a built-in camera that Samsung claims to be “hidden” when not in use. For the audiophiles in the crowd, Samsung also included its DNSe (Digital Natural Sound engine) that enhances sound to cater to user’s presets. Not enough? Samsung throws in a gesture controlled Angry Birds game with more gesture controlled features to come.

Note Samsung’s pride in this TV in the video below.

The price is obviously a little steep. But, for the television geeks out there, this television seems to be nothing short of amazing. While larger 4K televisions are beginning to hit the market priced at $20,000 and beyond, you can find the Samsung ES9000 reasonably priced well south of the $10,000 retail price.

Get all of the information over at Samsung’s Facebook site.

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ContactMonkey makes you an intuitive, downloadable online contact card

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ContactMonkey is a new service that intuitively allows users to create an online version of their contact and social media information. The purpose of the website is to replace the traditional paper card with a URL you can hand out to people. For example, if someone wants my contact information, I can give them my www.contactmonkey.com/username instead. Having your contact card online, versus a paper card, has many benefits. These include direct clickable access to forms of connection – from the person you gave your link to – and the ability for the person to quickly download and add your information to their address book.

As you can see above, ContactMonkey makes it very easy to download someone’s contact information – typically through the vCard format – into many services. With services like iCloud and Outlook, contact information is spread to all of your devices upon download, making ContactMonkey all the more handy over paper business cards. ContactMonkey allows users to add all sorts of information including the basic contact card information, social networks, emails, messaging client, and a note, just like on paper cards. You can also add a profile photo to your card and even create a QR code that people can scan to access your digital address book information.

Users can even track card visitor statistics and information, and users can even see who follows changes to their cards. These are some of the many benefits of having your card digitally, rather than on paper. ContactMonkey comes in two flavors: a free version with all of the aforementioned features (and more), and what the company calls a “white label” version for businesses. This white label version allows users to place their company logo on their accounts, similar to what companies have for the paper business cards they would usually deploy. This white label version costs $3 per month. The service works with companies (depending on their amount of staff) for special price plans. Individuals and businesses can sign up here. Companies who sign up with our link get their first month free, individuals are always free.

Tru Protection Ku’uipos Air Jacket Review

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Tru Protection, smartphone accessory maker, has a brand new line of iPhone cases called the “Heather Brown Collection.” The case company describes Heather Brown’s inspiration for the case designs as being “her love of the sea, surf and the beauty of the island (Hawaii).  We are lucky enough to have gotten one of the Ku’uipos Air Jackets to take for a test drive on our iPhone4S.  Well take a look at the functionality and design this case offers.

Functionality:  The heather Brown Air Jacket collection cases are extremely similar to the design of the PowerSupport Air Jackets we reviewed last month.  First off, one big difference here is that the Tru Protection case has a larger cutout for the volume / mute buttons, which allows it to fit the iPhone4S and Verizon iPhone4.  The case fits super tight to your iPhone and does not move when you squeeze it like some lower quality cases might.  I love how Tru Protection left ample room for the cutouts at the top and bottom of the case, all dock connector and audio jack accessories should fit without any issue. This case maintains the beauty of the iPhone while offering ample everyday protection.  The side railings of the case protrude above the screen just enough to offer “off the table” protection.  This means if you lay the phone screen down on a surface it will not lay on the screen but instead on the railings of the case.  Sometimes tight fitting cases are tough to get on and off but this Tru Protection case fits perfectly and I had no problem with this.

Design:  if you are looking for a unique case to make your iPhone stand out from the crowd, look no further.  You can really feel Heather Brown’s love for the island while using these cases.  You really will not find another case like this.  The surfer guy/gal and birds sitting in a branch design looks almost hand painted on the back.  The colors are super vibrant and really bring the case design to life.  While this case is perfect for anyone trying to bring a bit of sunshine and beach to their everyday life, I really see beach bums and surfers falling in love with the designs. Not only are these cases beautiful, but you can feel good when you buy one because 15% of the purchase will benefit the Surfrider Foundation or the Kokua Hawaii Foundation. I absolutely love this case and will be rocking it on my iPhone4S for the foreseeable future.  Check below for info on how to check out this case and others from Tru Protection.

Connect with Tru Protection:

Heather Brown Collection
Tru Protection Twitter

Tru Protection Facebook

Power Support iPhone 4 Case Reviews

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One of our favorite iDevice accessory brands, Power Support, has introduced several new high quality collections of iPhone 4 cases.  You are probably familiar with Power Support because they are the screen protector of choice carried on Apple.com and in Apple retail stores but they also make several other noteworthy iDevice accessories.  Today, we are going to be reviewing one iPhone 4 case from the “Designer” collection and one from the “Private Reserve” collection.

Both cases are considered “Air jackets,” and are physically the same.  We will review the quality, functionality and protective nature of the cases at one time because they are identical.  We will then take a closer look at the individual designs of each case.

Quality:
These cases are made from high quality plastic which resists scratches and breaks.  Power Support says each case less than 1mm thin, which is really incredible.  We all know the iPhone 4 design is a work of art and feels absolutely incredible in the user’s hand.  These Air jacket style cases truly feel like you are holding a naked iPhone, they are impossibly thin.  The other great part is that these are not cheap cases, you can tell Power Support took their time engineering these case designs because they really do “hug” the iPhone.  While the cases may seem a big flimsy, this is only so because they are so thin.

Functionality:
The functionality aspect of an iPhone case is one of the most important factors of a great case.  These Air Jacket cases fit the physical layout of the iPhone 4 perfectly.  Every button, switch, and port are easily accessible.  It is important to note that these cases are designed for the iPhone 4 and will not fit the iPhone 4S due to its unique positioning of the mute switch / volume buttons.  It’s great to see that Power Support cut the camera hole pretty large so that it does not impede the flash.  Some cases cause the flash to reflect which results in distorted photos, these cases will not do that.  Both the top and bottom cutouts are a bit larger than necessary which leaves quite a bit of the iPhones aluminum open to the elements.  I wouldn’t worry too much about this because that antenna band is very strong and scratch resistant. This is also a great feature because it leaves ample room for the user to plug in any accessory into the headphone jack or dock connector.

Protection: 
One of the major benefits to the Air Jacket cases is their thinness so do not expect them to be the most protective cases in the world.  These cases are meant to protect your iPhone from everyday bumps / scratches, and they do a great job at it.  If you are expecting these cases to stop several high falls on pavement, being run over, or worse than you should look elsewhere for a new case.  Also, these cases do not provide “lay on the table” protection.  This means that the lip of the case does not protrude past the screen, protecting it from scratches if it were to be laid on a table.  I think they did a great job balancing the protective nature of the case while maintain the aesthetics of the iPhone.

Design:
tibi Air Jacket
This case is targeted towards a female audience so for this one I had my girlfriend help me out.  The first word she used to describe it was “chic.” She says it looks ultra hip and seems like a great way to stamp your individual style on your iPhone.  My girlfriend said she’s never seen anything like the design of this case and almost reminds her of a shirt she would see in the window of a hip NY boutique.  The case we reviewed had a lady on the back drawn in a modern style, wearing a chic outfit.  Power Support offers dozens of other designs, so you can find one that matches your style.

Jack
The “Jack” has a black, plaid design.  I absolutely loved the design of this case because it is done so tastefully.  So often case makers create new iPhone cases from a designer point of view that simply miss the style boat.  The design of “Jack” is done so well that I could imagine it being and extension of my everyday outfits.  It reminds me of something a high-end clothing designer would create to complete a businessman’s look.  The plaid lines on the case are some sort of special paint that seems to be pretty durable.  The case adds a ton of style in a simple way to your iPhone 4.

Summary
If you have used Power Support’s screen protectors in the past you can expect the same quality and care to be taken in their cases.  Air Jacket iDevice accessories are impossibly thin and cut with precision.   While they are not the most protective case in the world, they will protect your iPhone 4 from everyday bumps and bruises.  The new collections of designs are well done and truly add style to your iPhone.  These cases are perfect for the person who wants to add a bit of protection to their iPhone and a dash of style that will make their iPhone stand out in the crowd.

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