The Smartphone Experts S&C retractable sync and charging cable for iPhone 4 [$4.95] is something Georgia took a look at recently for iPad and iPhone 3GS but, frankly, I needed a convenient, tidy, highly portable way to sync and change my iPhone 4 on the go and so I grabbed it. Literally.

The Smartphone Experts S&C Retractable Cable for iPhone expands to a length of 2 ft. and has a locking feature which allows you to choose which length you would like the cable locked at. A light tug on the cable and it retracts back to its wound state. When wound, the Cable is only 4.5 inches long, making it very easy to bring with you. My regular usb S&C cable was always a tangled mess when I carried it loose in my briefcase. A good deal of time and effort was spent on untangling the cord from whatever it had become attached to. With the Smartphone Experts S&C Retractable Cable for iPhone, charging and syncing my iPhone is a snap, just take it out of my briefcase and plug it in and when I am done a quick tug and is thrown back into my bag. The cable is quite well constructed and after a month of use it is still working like new.

It’s also $4.95, so I’m not too concerned about lending them (which usually translates into giving them away). If you want to keep your iPhone 4 synced up and charged, check out the Smartphone Experts S&C retractable sync and charging cable for iPhone 4.

And check out Georgia’s video after the break to see it in action on the iPad and iPhone 3GS. (Works the same with iPhone 4).

YouTube link

SPE retractable sync and charge cable for iPhone 4 – accessory review update is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

The Smartphone Experts S&C retractable sync and charging cable for iPhone and iPad [$4.95 - TiPb Store Link] is for those who abhor long cables that always getting caught, tangled and the imposing clutter, the SmartPhone Experts S&C Retractable Cable for iPhone is the way to go. Small and lightweight, you can take it with you everywhere and charge/sync your iPhone through the USB connection on your laptop or computer with ease.

The Smartphone Experts S&C Retractable Cable for iPhone expands to a length of 2 ft. and has a locking feature which allows you to choose which length you would like the cable locked at. A light tug on the cable and it retracts back to its wound state. When wound, the Cable is only 4.5 inches long, making it very easy to bring with you. My regular usb S&C cable was always a tangled mess when I carried it loose in my briefcase. A good deal of time and effort was spent on untangling the cord from whatever it had become attached to. With the Smartphone Experts S&C Retractable Cable for iPhone, charging and syncing my iPhone is a snap, just take it out of my briefcase and plug it in and when I am done a quick tug and is thrown back into my bag. The cable is quite well constructed and after a month of use it is still working like new.

I would recommend getting this for everyone who charges and syncs their iPhone. I absolutely love this Cable and at $4.95 it is practically free (appeals to my Scottish side).

Pictures and video after the break!

YouTube link

Smartphone Experts S&C retractable cable for iPhone and iPad – accessory review is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Curious how to setup an AT&T account on Apple’s iPad Wi-Fi + 3G? Dieter’s going to take you through it, step by step, in fine video form after the break.

1. Either tap the popup that asks if you want to setup a 3G on startup, or tap the Settings app.
2. Go to Cellular Data
3. Tap view account (and then wait, it takes a while).
4. Enter your user personal info and credit cards details and create a login.
5. Choose your plan, $14.99 for 256mb or $29.99 for unlimited
6. Remember, it rolls-over automatically so you’ll get billed again next month!
7. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the terms of service (seriously?) and tap to agree.
8. Add international data if you’re a traveler.
9. Wait for them to notify you when it’s complete.
10. Once you get the notification, you are good to go!
11. (If you want to, you can go back to Settings and make changes to your account).

Done? Done! Let us know how it worked for you!

YouTube link

How to setup an AT&T account for cellular data on iPad 3G is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

iPad Wi-Fi + 3G is at TiPb HQ and editor-in-chief Dieter Bohn is unboxing it the way unboxing is meant to be — nay, had to be — done. Pure gadget pr0n, after the break…

YouTube link

iPad Wi-Fi + 3G: unboxed is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

We’ve already pointed you towards Element Case’s Joule stand for iPad but now we’ve had some hands-on time with both the polished aluminum (with custom TiPb logo!) and anodized black versions and we can tell you ourselves — they’re stunners.

If you’re looking for a high-end way to show off your new iPad, portrait or landscape, high for watching or low for typing, the Joule just might be it.

You can see the fancy retail packaging in the video below (online orders come in more practical mailers), but no matter how it arrives it includes the velvet lined base with cut-out for the iPad speakers and three position mounts for the support leg — and a microfiber cleaning cloth (since Apple forgot to include it with the iPad).

Starting at $129 and with customizable options, it’s not the cheapest solution but if you want something with high-quality material and workmanship to really show off your iPad, you get what you pay for.

Or, hey, if you want one for free Element Case has graciously offered to give a few away to our awesome TiPb readers. We’re debuting our new iPad Live! podcast this Sunday night at 5pm PT/8pm ET and during the show we’ll be giving away the Joule stands. So tune in Sunday at http://www.tipb.com/live/, or head over to elementcase.com and order anytime!

Pics and video after the break!

YouTube link

Give-away: Joule stand for iPad by Element Case is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Apple debuted their iPad Case [$39.00 - Apple Store link] alongside the iPad itself, and had it available for sale the very same day. An elegant black folder with subtle Apple logo meant to cover your iPad like a book, let it stand like a picture frame, or prop it like a keyboard. An attempt at both form and function. Attempt being the key word.

The material is “soft touch” — designed to make it tackier and easier to grip — and it really does make the iPad less-likely to slip from your hands or off you lap. However, as much as it sticks to you, dirt seems to stick to it. Smudges, streaks, and light colored stains cling to the thing.

There are the usual cutouts for buttons and rockers, speakers and mics, but a curious ridge that runs along the side almost as though no trimming was done at the factory. It’s obviously meant to be there but it’s annoying and oughtn’t be.

A small flap on the back lets you tuck the cover in to create the triangular structure needed to stand it up in picture/movie mode or raise it up in typing mode. It fits well and securely.

Steve Jobs has reportedly responded to criticism of the case with a quick “we like it”, and I guess we like it too — we just don’t love it.

YouTube link

Quick review: Apple iPad Case is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Picking up the iPad I was tasked with deciding the most useful accessory for the iPad. For me, that accessory was the iPad Dock. I just couldn’t fathom the iPad just laying on my desk, I needed a place to set my iPad as well as take advantage of the other features it allowed me to display.

The dock comes by itself, no USB cable or charger; you just get the basics. The footprint is larger than the iPhone dock since the iPad is substantially heavier. The bottom of the dock has the typical “sticky” finish so it does not budge from its place. I would estimate the angle of the dock to be approximately 60 degrees so it is not exactly upright, but close. The back of the dock has the standard 30-pin connector. You can use the USB cable and charger included with the iPad to plug into the wall or computer for charging. You also have a Line Out to plug into a stereo tuner.

Once you have placed the iPad securely in the dock, it has the familiar green charging battery graphic. If enabled in Settings, you have the new picture frame button that turns the iPad into a beautiful digital photo showcase with animated slideshows.

If you don’t want your iPad just laying on your desk, you can’t go wrong with the iPad Dock. Oh, and don’t forget, the dock just might come in handy when you start typing with the Apple Bluetooth keyboard…

Pictures and video after the break!

YouTube link

Quick Review: Apple iPad Dock is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Did TiPb really have to resort to the worst gonzo pr0n of the gadget blogging trade and unbox a brand new Apple iPad Wi-Fi on launch day?

Yes. We. Did.

Video after the break!

YouTube link

Apple iPad Wi-Fi unboxing (warning: gadget porn!) is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

The Aquapac case is a waterproof case for your iPhone and iPod [$24.95 Store Link] for anyone who wants to the beach, pool, fishing, or take their device anywhere near the dangers of water. What the Acquapac misses out in looks it makes up for in sheer usability. Watch us put it to the test, after the break!

Specifications

The Aquapac has some pretty big shoes to fill in comparison to my handy dandy ziplock! (Yes, I’ve been using a ziplock as my “case” of choice in the bathtub until now!). Here are some of the things the Aquapac is supposed to be able to do:

• Guaranteed 100% waterproof to 15 feet.
• Salt-water and UV resistant.
• Protects iPhone from sand, dust and dirt.
• Can make phone calls through Aquapac (sound quality is slightly reduced).
• Aquapac will float with iPhone in it.

The sealing system on the Aquapac is a patented design that has been used since 1996, so it has been well tested. It also meets with the international waterproofing standards set by the British Standards Institution. Being around so long, I knew that this product had been well tested and probably gone through a few adaptations.

Also, the Aquapac is large enough to be used with other items besides your iPhone, such as; other phones, cameras, your wallet, even small video cameras.

Functionality

So we put the Aquapac to the test. We doused it, drowned it, took pictures underwater with it and tried to make a regular phone call, all to see if the Aquapac is able to really protect our precious iPhones.

I was worried that the iPhone would not be touch sensitive with the Aquapac on but I was able to turn the iPhone on and do all other regular functions. I even placed a call on the Aquapac to see if I would still be able to hear the person I was calling. I was happily surprised that not only could I hear the other person but that the person I was calling could not tell that there was a Aquapac over the iPhone.

For the water test, I was a bit tentative to try it out first on my precious iPhone, so I used my husband’s old Treo (Sorry TreoCentral!). It protected the Treo perfectly, so I took a deep breath and tried it out with my iPhone.

What is really important to remember is that the clamp itself usually retains some water around or near it. So when you open the case it is really important that you shake or wipe off any excess water and then open the case with the clamp facing down. When I open the case I first clean off the outside of the case and my hands, if wet. Then I clean the clamp facing down and then slide out the iPhone.

Conclusion

I feel that this is the perfect gift for anyone who loves their iPhone and iPod — and takes in anywhere near water. If you ever go to the pool, beach, hike, have children, go to water or amusement parks, then I would recommend the Aquapac. If you have children, then I would recommend the Aquapac. It lived up to all of its hype and more so. I just don’t know how I made do with ziplock bags before it (yes I know I am a bit dorky, watch the video for yet more proof!)

YouTube link

TiPb Gear: Aquapac Case for iPhone and iPod is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Rene takes a look at the SCOTTEVEST Quantum Jacket, Fleece 5.0 Jacket, and Ultimate Hoodie, and talks to Scott about SeV’s plans for the iPad!

As I explain in the video, this isn’t stuff I was sent to review, it’s stuff I bought to use. Based on a combination of the harsh Canadian winters, my proclivity for carrying a lot of gadgets around with me, and the traveling I’ve been doing to CES, Macworld, and now GDC next week, I went all in and have had good results.

The Quantum Jacket’s weather resistant outer shell combined with the warmth of the Fleece 5.0 kept me going on those days when it’s so cold your skin hurts on contact with the air. The dedicated, capacitive-touch friendly pockets for iPhone and iPod touch were great (though I need to make or get some capacitive gloves to really get the most out of them).

When traveling (especially this year with all the crazy security) being able to store an iPhone, iPod touch, cameras all the cables and headsets, not one but two mophie juice packs [TiPb Store link], my passport, papers, pens, and everything else — and just take it off and lay it in a security tray and then walk through the scanner is priceless. (Getting an inch around the “one carry-on rule” this year — beyond priceless).

I also had the chance to send Scott some questions about their iPad compatibility, so check out the video below and let me know what you think!

YouTube link

TiPb Gear: SCOTTEVEST Quantum Jacket, Fleece 5.0, Ultimate Hoodie for iPhone… and iPad! is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog