Marianne Schultz

the musings of a geeky girl

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First Impressions Review: Vaja Agenda 2 Case for iPad

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As I mentioned last week, my Vaja Agenda 2 case arrived recently and I’ve now spent a few days using it. I recorded a video today going over the case and my initial impressions of it:

(A quick note on the video – I meant to say “sleep/wake switch” instead of “home button” when showing the top of the iPad in the case.)
This is one of my longer videos at just under 10 minutes (I am nothing but thorough when it comes to a $200+ accessory, it seems) and I recorded it using my iPhone 4. I actually think it looks better than the other videos I’ve shot using my husband’s Flip Mino HD and I’ll probably keep using it unless my iPhone 4 is the subject of the video, of course.
In short, I have already grown to love this Vaja case. It’s well-designed and absolutely gorgeous. It has a few minor issues and is incredibly expensive, on the other hand. So far, I’m quite glad I got this case and it is most thoroughly edging out my DODOcase as my favorite.
I do plan on writing a full review of this case after I’ve spent more time with it, so stay tuned. If there’s anything you want me to cover in the review or if you just have any questions about it in the meantime, email me at marianne@macgirl.net or use the contact form here.

Just In: Vaja Agenda 2 for iPad

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I am far too excited about this case and wanted to do a quick blog post about it. The Vaja Agenda 2 case I ordered in early August arrived today and it is absolutely fantastic. I do plan to make a first impressions video of it soon (over the weekend at this rate) so you can see more of it shortly.

Vaja Agenda 2
I ordered it in black and red. The outside is Vaja’s standard grained floater leather and the inside is a smoother red leather stamped all over with the Vaja name. Like Vaja’s iVolution line, the iPad “pops” into a leather-covered plastic frame and is held securely without anything obscuring the screen, buttons, or ports. It’s a book-style case with nothing holding the cover closed.

In terms of functionality, it’s essentially a leather version of Apple’s own iPad case. A far more expensive, luxurious, and nicer smelling version, that is. (Why is the scent of tanned dead cow skin so wonderful? There must be something wrong with me.)

Like Apple’s case, it has a tab on the back that the front cover slides into to stand it up in landscape orientation for movie watching or place it at an angle for bettering typing/viewing on a table or your lap. Unlike the Apple case, the Agenda 2 is padded and offers more protection overall without adding too much bulk. I loved the functionality of the Apple case but hated the material out of which it was made – it showed dust and lint far too easily and felt like it offered no drop protection at all. The Vaja case is looking to be a perfect, higher-quality substitute for me.

Stay tuned for my video and review coming soon!
In case you’re wondering, I still love my DODOcase. However, the Agenda 2 appears to have the features and style to unseat it as the King of iPad Cases in my small collection.

First Look: Quirky Cloak case for Apple iPad

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I’m a member of Quirky.com, a social product development community that accepts ideas from anyone and allows community members to improve product concepts and “vote” to bring them production, and this Cloak case hit my radar a few months ago. The Cloak finally started shipping within the past week and I received my Cloak case today. I do plan to do a full review of the case but wanted to post a first look video of it to give an overview of the case for those of you thinking of ordering one now that they’re available:

My first impressions of the case are both good and bad. I like the versatility of the case with its pop-out stands and the good grip and protection it offers. On the negative side, the case is very heavy at 1.2 lbs so it’s almost like holding a second iPad in your hands (the iPad itself weighs 1.5 lbs).
Check out my video above and let me know if you have any questions about the case that you’d like me to cover in the full review. If you want to go ahead and check out or buy the case on Quirky’s site, you can find it here. (Disclosure: I earn credit with Quirky for any purchases made through that link.)

Review of Brando Workshop’s Anti-Glare Screen Protector for the iPad

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I knew it wouldn’t last. The iPad’s gorgeous screen was absolutely delectable to use naked – so crisp and clear, so smooth to the finger. But then after just a few swipes, fingerprints would amass on the screen, driving me crazy faster than Flash crashes Safari. I knew I had to get an anti-glare screen protector, just as I had for my iPhone 3GS and nearly every glossy-screened gadget I’ve owned in the past few years. Initially, I had thought about getting the one from Power Support USA, the same company who made the screen protector I use on my iPhone. Then I saw its price: $24.95 for one screen protector plus $5.55 for the cheapest shipping option. Also, their site warned that they were in such high demand that it was taking more time to fulfill orders than usual. So, I went to see what Brando had to offer instead and ended up purchasing their anti-glare screen protector. And it is fantastic – read my review of it here.

brando-clarity

Review of the Cimo USA Silicone Skin Case for iPad

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As I mentioned just before I got my iPad, I was thinking that I wanted two cases for it – one to use around the house that added some grip and one for outside the house that provides screen protection plus a bit of camouflaging action. The DODOcase fit the bill for latter and the Cimo USA Silicone Skin case has been working pretty well for me for the former. My review of this Cimo case is now up and it includes a video overview of it as well – you can read it here.

ipad_sil_black
Image courtesy of CimoUSA.com

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