M-Edge, who make all manner of useful and solid accessories for a wide range of mobile digital devices, have announced that they will be offering their entire range of iPad 2 accessories for the iPad HD ..   Er… iPad 3….  Er…..  What is the damn thing called? Anyway, for the newest iPad model of course.

uView Mounting System

Not only their well known and popular range of accessories for the earlier models of the iPad will be available for this newest iPad, but also a revolutionary new frame, which they are calling uView Mounting System.

Apparently this will be the basis for a number of other attachments which will be designed to attach to this frame, but so far I have no real info about it, only a small image from their blog and a brief description of it, as follows:

The uView Mounting System is a molded polycarbonate four-corner iPad frame that snaps in via a universal attachment clip that mounts into the jacket in landscape or portrait modes, or can be detached for lower profile protection.  A unique feature of the uView Mounting System is the capability to attach additional accessories to the frame for easy access and storage.  Among the planned attachments are a stand and handle, a stylus clip, gaming accessories and more.

M-Edge CTO Adam Ashley says, “Our customers want their iPads to do it all, and they expect their accessories to do it all too.  We asked ourselves, how could we give them the ultimate in versatility, style, function, and protection?  This universal mount, uView, works in countless stand positions and angles, can be used in and out of the jacket, and incorporates many of the add-on accessories our customers are clamoring for.  We can’t wait for iPad fans to get their hands on it.”

Sounds good, doesn’t it?  As soon as I know more about it, I shall let you know at once.

This mysterious wonder aside,, they will be offering all you happy iPad 3 owners the following accessories, all of which will be available at among other places, their own online store.  Links to that below.

Read full story »

M-Edge, the well known makers of accessories for all manner of ereaders have brought their range up to date with this latest bit of fun.

Whilst it may well be cheerful, it has a serious purpose obviously.   Even if you happen to be rich enough to allow a 3 year old to use your iPad2, I can believe you would rather it survived the inevitable being thrown against the wall, or simply being dropped on the floor– it is what kids do after all.

As with its predecessor, the same cover for the iPAd1, this is made from a strong and shock absorbing and resisting foam which should absorb all but the worst shocks when the kid decides to throw his iPad2 at his little sister’s head.

Generally it offers a serious level of protection to the iPad2, and has openings in the various places needed to allow the iPad to function properly (for the camera, speaker and other controls).

As you can see in the photo, it has a ribbed sort of finish, which makes it easy to hold firmly – a good point with kids, who tend not to grip all that well at times.

Read full story »

In a case of David against Goliath, the relatively small company of M-Edge (about 50 employees)who make accessories for ereaders, take Amazon (Thousands of employees), makers of the Kindle range of ereaders, to court in an attempt to  prove that Amazon is basically abusing its powerful market position to M-Edge’s disadvantage.

As always in cases where two parties find themselves fighting over what one party considers to be a breach of contract, this is complex, so I shall quote from an article in the Wall Street Journal to show the main problem between them both:

M-Edge Accessories LLC, in a lawsuit filed Thursday in a Maryland federal court, said Amazon extorted higher-than-negotiated commissions from the company, threatened to make M-Edge products less visible on Amazon’s marketplace and made a competing Kindle case that infringed on M-Edge’s patent.

M-Edge’s 15-page complaint accuses Amazon of unfair competition, patent infringement, false advertising and illegally interfering with M-Edge’s relations with customers. It seeks unspecified damages and injunctions barring Amazon from continuing the alleged practices. A lawyer for the company, Paul Vickrey, called Amazon’s actions “punishment” for M-Edge’s refusal to go along with the retailer’s “increasingly outrageous demands.”

Read full story »

Once again, M-edge hurry to provide us all with well made and sensible covers, bags and other useful additions to our ereader set up.

A while ago I received a press release from my contact at M-Edge, in which I was told about the various new accessories they were about to launch and was asked if I would like to receive a sample in order to review it.

As I am currently also playing around with a Kindle 4, I of course said “yes please”, and sat back to await its arrival.

Bennett Jacket:

What they have sent me is the Bennett Jacket, which arrived a couple of days ago, and I have now used it solidly since then, and thus have a pretty good idea of what sort of product it is, both as regards build quality and how it looks and feels.

I will put a load of photos I have taken of it here so that you can see how it actually looks, and works.

But first here is how they describe it on their website:

Elegant, simple and lightweight, the Bennett Jacket features a sleek magnetic closure strap that holds the jacket open while reading or closed when the device is not in use. The jacket’s spine lies flush with the front and back covers for a polished and compact design. The sturdy exterior and soft grey microsuede interior protect your Kindle while the four point mounting system holds it securely inside the jacket. The Bennett Jacket is compatible with the M-Edge e-Luminator Touch booklight (sold separately), an innovative booklight that integrates into all M-Edge jackets.

Seems a pretty good description of what I have here beside me as I type this review.

So, here is the Bennett  jacket in all its glory.

Read full story »

If you want to look as if you have just escaped from an army base, M-Edge have just produced a line of accessories for your iPad 2 that should do it for you.

I received a press release this morning from M-Edge, announcing the launch of their newest range of iPAd 2 accessories, all of which look convincingly military.   Curiously though, they have decided to produce them in the standard colours of two armies, one, a rather pleasing greenish tint is obviously the American army, and the second colour is what used to be called Feldgrau (field grey) which was the basic colour of the German army in WW2.   A very pleasing shade of grey, but an odd choice I feel.

All these accessories also come in a couple of other military colours as well.

It would seem a logical step for M-Edge to launch this range of iPad 2 accessories, as they have been producing the same things for the American army in Iran and Afghanistan for some time now, and have simply added this range to their ordinary accessories.

In their press release they give an oversight of what these newest iPad 2 accessories actually are, thus:

M-Edge recently debuted several new iPad 2 accessories inspired by the military:  the Recon Jacket and Trench Runner Series.  The Trench Runner Messenger Bag, Jacket, and Sleeve offer on-trend, vintage military style accessories in weathered cotton canvas.  The Recon Jacket is a ruggedized case perfect for the outdoor adventurer or military-minded.  All products are currently available in a variety of true military colors

So, what are they in fact?

Recon Jacket:

Well, the Recon Jacket is actually a rather splendid bit of gear, as you can see from the photo.  Apparently a very tough case for your iPad 2, with pockets for all manner of pens and so forth and windows for ID cards.

They describe it as follows:

Made from ultra-strong nylon canvas with nylon webbing and Velcro trim, and includes a zipper closure and a removable and adjustable triangular Velcro stand.  The jacket’s front includes a Velcro area for military patches and name tapes.  When the case is zipped open and folded back, the triangular stand can be attached at any angle or orientation for typing or use of FaceTime™.

The Recon’s mounting system holds the iPad 2 securely in place and slides up vertically to allow full access to the iPad’s camera. Available in true military and law enforcement colors, including Tan, Black, and Olive Drab Green, the jacket will match all military-issued equipment.  The Recon is also the perfect tough accessory for outdoors and Airsoft enthusiasts.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm……  All well and good, but I am slightly baffled by the idea of taking something as fragile and expensive as an iPad 2 into an Airsoft battle field, even wrapped up in such an elegant container as the Recon Jacket.  I used to own a paintball field in France, and know all too well how much leaping about and falling flat on your fact is involved in this sort of sport.. Not to mention the impact of the actual plastic pellets used in Airsoft..  Damned if I would take an iPad 2 into all of that.

Read full story »

I have got my hands on an example of this ereader to review here for your pleasure,  and I have to say I am impressed by it.

When this Kindle (which is variously known as the Kindle 4 or Kindle 2011) arrived here in its simple cardboard box, I was intrigued to get it out and have a look at it.

Packaging lite:

The packaging is as always with Amazon, just enough to do its job, so no unnecessary plastic, heavy cardboard backing or any of the stuff so many companies package their products in, which I appreciate.

Feather Light:

My first impression was how light it is – my normal ereader is a Sony 650, an altogether more solid feeling device – but this baby is as light as a feather, and so slim too, a pleasure to hold I found as I dragged it out of its box.

Feels small: Read full story »