Product Review: UpStand - Make A Monitor Out Of Your iPad

iPads are fantastic, right? If you own one, I'm sure you don't need me to remind you just how great Apple's "magical and revolutionary" device is - I mean, if anything can upstage the iPhone, the iPad can. Some might see it as a toy: I prefer to see it as a handheld, touchscreen computer - and one that's available whenever, wherever you need it. However, there are times when my Apple case - which houses my iPad very well when I'm on the go - doesn't quite support the device well enough while I'm working. This is a shame, because with RSS feeds refreshing and Twitter buzzing away on my iPad, a suitable stand really needs to enter the equation, as I'm sure you'll agree. Yet, now my woes are over, because UpStand (by Just Mobile), has recently become a permanent fixture within my life. And, let me tell you: it's pretty awesome indeed. So, without further ado, let's commence our review of Just Mobile's UpStand, and you can decide for yourself whether this nifty little product deserves a place in your own iWorld.

WHAT I LOVE I love that UpStand makes my iPad look like a mock-iMac, because the look works. The aluminium stand matches the metallic silver of the iPad perfectly, with the easel-like frame gripping the device with the aid of several strips of rubber. This also means that potential scratches are out of the question: your iPad is safe within the arms of UpStand. What's more, UpStand supports both iPad orientations: the two-finger claw that holds your iDevice is wide enough to allow for both portrait and landscape displays. This is great, because it means that your iPad can be used as a monitor, or as a digital photo frame - all you have to do is reach out and turn your device around. Essentially, what I really love about UpStand is that it feels Apple-designed. It's a solid, well-made piece of kit that compliments your iPad perfectly, allowing it to sit faithfully to your right or left and serve as a second screen while owners work on their main computer. Alternatively, with the implementation of a Bluetooth keyboard, iPad UpStand owners can turn their iDevice into a computer by itself. UpStand has an unlimited number of uses, because it's fully supported by an App Store that is bursting at the seams with apps that can transform the iPad into anything.

WHAT I DON'T LIKE This may sound ridiculous, but there isn't much about UpStand that I don't like. Just Mobile has created an elegant and simple product - and its simplicity prevents any major errors from shining through. Pressing the Home button can be a bit tricky, as the displaced force spins the iPad and stand around when the device is positioned horizontally. This is also true for touches that occur in the corners of your iDevice's screen - though, these are few and far between. The majority of pinches and swipes are absorbed by UpStand faithfully, and the iPad is kept secure.

OVERALL Overall, UpStand is a brilliant iPad accessory - and one you most definitely should not miss out on. It compliments Apple's device beautifully, and will fit into your life with ease and grace. We highly recommend this product, and assure you that you will not be disappointed. Currently, Just Mobile's UpStand retails for $49.95. North Americans can buy one here, and if you live outside of the US, check out Just Mobile's site for information on how to get your hands on UpStand. And, if you already own UpStand, be sure to let us know how you're using it (and with which apps) in the comments box below!

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