Our stores are filled with mediocre products. How many things do you buy that you simple use, but don’t really love? I believe we should design, create and purchase love-worthy products. Apple has done this very well with their iPod, iPhone and iPad devices, but there are plenty of other companies doing good work. I’m going to take some time each weekend to share my favorites. Today, it’s the world’s best iPad case: the DODOcase.
An expensive device like an iPad is naked without a case. An iPad deserves something to protect it from scratches, dings and even the occasional drop. And the DODOcase (affiliate link) does this with style. It is the best case I’ve ever seen for the iPad, bar none.
I first spied the DODOcase at last year’s WordCamp LA. One of the guys sitting in a row near me had one. It caught my eye because I’m a big fan of Moleskine notebooks, and I had been lusting for an iPad since then were first announced. I finally got my iPad last fall, and shortly thereafter ordered my DODOcase.
The DODOcase is handmade in San Francisco using old school bookbinding methods. It has the look of a big Moleskine notebook (my favorite analog note taking device). The sides which cradle the iPad are cut from unfinished bamboo, which is both strong and has a nice paper-like patina. There’s even an elastic band like the Moleskine notebooks that holds the case closed.
The hand-crafted quality of the case is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the DODOcase is a kick-ass case. On the other, I had to wait nearly four weeks for my case to arrive. Apparently there is a limit to how many of these beauties you can make when you’re doing it by hand.
As you can see from the photos, it’s a beautiful case. But it’s not without a few issues and might not be for everyone. First, it’s one of the more expensive cases out there. Second, like a notebook or a favorite book, it will show some wear over time. I’ve seen it in the corners. And of course, also like a book, it’s not water proof or even very water resistant. And finally, it doesn’t stand up like an easel as some cases do.
But it does look, feel and work amazingly well. Highly recommended.
If you’re interested, you can find out more or order your DODOcase at their website (affiliate link).
(affiliate link) is very compact, and when I hook up the Mac Mini to my 47″ Vizio LCD TV, I can simply bring the keyboard and mouse over to the coffee table and control everything from there. The Apple keyboard looks amazing, and is really easy and comfortable to type on (your mileage may vary; it’s a personal thing). I really like the form factor. Compact, good looking, space-saving. And I’ve even used it with my Windows 7 laptop, just for kicks. Works fine.
(affiliate link) was, for me, a much better choice than the funky Apple mouse. Coming to the Mac as a former Windows guy, I like the left/right buttons and the scroll wheel. Plus I read reviews that the little roller ball that Apple was using at the time in lieu of a scroll wheel tended to gum up quickly. This mouse has worked perfectly.
(affiliate link) is a sweet little brick-sized speaker that first catches your eye, then impresses the hell out of everyone who hears it. It’s essentially a rechargeable external speaker that can double as a speaker-phone. It is sturdy and looks and sounds great. Friends who had one of those Bose table-top speakers said it sounded as good as that, although I suspect if you put them side-by-side, the Bose would win out. But for the price and the portability, you can beat this.
(affiliate link) is a very specific device that is designed to work with certain models of Pioneer A/V receivers. Of course, most receivers today come with front-facing jacks that allow you to plug in peripheral devices such as an iPod or iPhone. But being able to accomplish the same thing without cords or cables? Perfection! I have paired three devices with my receiver: my Mac Mini, my iPhone 4 and my iPad. It works beautifully with rich sound. It’s a joy to sit on the couch with my iPad and browse through music or setup a new channel on Pandora. Highly recommended.
(affiliate link) is rechargeable and stereo with a design that hooks over your ears. The sensation is a little bit like wearing glasses. It sounds great, doesn’t fall off and even includes a mic for handling phone calls. Problem solved.
(affiliate link) plugs into a power port with a gooseneck to the nicely designed controls and display. The rest is purely cord-free bliss. I pair my iPhone via Bluetooth, and the FlexSmart plays my music on an unused FM frequency through my car stereo. Now I’ve got all my music (at least, all that I carry on my iPhone) and I can crank it right through the car stereo.