Welcome back to This Week in Accessories where we highlight some of the latest and greatest companions for your iOS device. Here’s what we found this week.
Lifestyle and Tough Jacket
While Ballistic is known for its rugged cases, the company is also providing a fashionable option for the iPad mini. The Lifestyle wraps around the smaller tablet without any extra-added bulk. For a nice dose of customization, 16 interchangeable corner bumpers (four of each color) are included. Available in four colors, the LS will retail for $39.99.
Ballistic is also offering the more protective Tough Jacket. The pictured TJ is composed of three layers of protection – an inner silicone core, impact resistant hard plastic, and an additional shock-absorbent polymer layer. A removable screen cover can also be used as a kickstand for media viewing. Buyers can choose three color combinations for the $59.99 case.
Both options will be available to order this month on Ballistic’s site.
Bamboo Panel Stand
Boxwave’s Bamboo Panel Stand looks to be an inexpensive option for the smaller tablet. Made of 100 percent bamboo, the stand is composed of two reversible and interlocking pieces. A velvet liner at the top of stand helps protect a caseless iPad mini from scratches. Two notches at the bottom of the stand allow users to select an optimal viewing angle – in horizontal or vertical orientation. The stand is $19.99 and is available now through Boxwave.
SoundFly Air
JBL’s SoundFly Air Speaker brings a unique take on an AirPlay-compatible speaker. Instead of being big and bulky, the SoundFly Air plugs directly into an electrical outlet and provides up to 20 watts of sound from any iOS device. Four speakers can be linked together to build a whole-home audio system. A free app allows users to browse music with cover art, adjust volume and tone, and customize the speaker’s digital signal processing for the best sound.
The SoundFly Air is $199.99 and can be ordered directly through JBL.
Workmate
One of my favorite cases for the iPhone 5, Cygnett’s Workmate, is also available to protect the iPad mini. Using a two-layer design, the case feels very light but provides a strong amount of protection for the smaller tablet. And to back up the Workmate’s protection, a video from Cygnett shows the case at work, protecting the iPad mini. Click here if you can’t see the video.
While it’s never exactly fun to see any iOS device being dropped on purpose, it looks like the case lives up to its billing.
Retailing for $39.99, the Workmate is available in either gray or red and can be ordered on Cygnett’s site.
