Gadgetoid

gadg-et-oid [gaj-it-oid]

-adjective

1. having the characteristics or form of a gadget;
resembling a mechanical contrivance or device.

iPad 2 Cases

With Apple having a strong case offering for the iPad 2, in the form of the “Smart Case”, third party manufacturers are going to have to go the extra mile, and that’s certainly not a bad thing for us consumers. I’m already getting a rush of emails in about various iPad cases, with MobileFun already shipping the Xuisit Book Case for iPad 2 which is surprisingly quick, given that we can’t even buy the iPad 2 here in the UK yet.

Rest assured, like the iPad before it, I’ll be making an effort to bring you the best selection of iPad 2 case reviews and probably some accessories too. There are a wealth of iPad cases which probably fit the iPad 2 with varying levels of safety but you must bear in mind that the 33% thinner form of the iPad 2 won’t make it a great candidate for iPad slip cases. It’s 33% more likely to fall out, in other words. So be careful!

The Oberon Design iPad cases will probably still fit the iPad 2 securely, I’ll check it as soon as I get my hands upon the iPad 2 itself which will probably be in late March like the rest of us poor UK cretins (damn you, Apple, damn you!). I’ve got a few other cases still kicking about to try, also, and it’s clear there will be at least some iPad cases appropriate for the iPad 2.

If you’ve just picked up, or are planning to pick up, a first generation iPad at the current absolute steal of a price then I heartily recommend you check out our iPad Case Review Roundup which will give you an overview of the good, the bad and the ugly. My personal recommendation, and most-used case is the Oberon Design Leather Artisan iPad case which I believe will fit the iPad 2, also. It’s a cracking case, for a pretty good price compared to the other premium competition.

As for iPad 2 screen protectors, I don’t know yet whether the good ol’ iPad screen protectors will fit its newer, sleeker cousin. It’s quite likely that they will, but I’d recommend you hold off buying until there’s verification on t’internet.

I’m also very interested to see what third parties do with the Smart Case concept, and if Apple allow the magnetic latching system to be used by other case manufacturers. It remains to be seen, but it’ll be a good thing for sleek iPad cases in future if they do.

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011, iPad.