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Moleskine Digital Hybrid with iPad - 1st 6 hours of use

Tremendously happy to get a Moleskine iPad case sample today!  I checked also a final product of the iPhone case but it is just not for me.  I don't use bluetooth headsets, the cover bends at the corners, it is for iPhone 3G/3Gs only… anyway, it is just me, it looks handsome though.

As for the iPad case.  My first 6 hours with it is positive.  A review is coming up in Scription in about a week's time after me torturing it.  The initial down side of it is that the elastic band is too close to the edge, when iPad is being put on the front cover (i.e. if you are right handed), the weight of iPad will slowly distort shear the cover from the back making the elastic band less reliable to hold the two sides firmly.  Again, I like the hybrid idea a lot, just that there are minute details to be fixed.  There is a notepad included but if you want to refill, it costs HK$180!  But I'm sure you can easily find another notepad replacement if price is a concern. 

After all, it is a really handsome iPad case.

Moleskine Covers for iPhone/iPad

Since the announcement of Moleskine's iPad and iPhone case, which is a hybrid concept under the Folio line, I've been seeing different configurations or material use.  It is still unclear what the final configuration of these cases will be.

The final design will probably look like those shown on Moleskine's page, which I will be able to verify in a few days when I see the samples.  I assume those shown below were prototypes coz it is a lot more logical to have Volant notebooks inside these cases than stickies, considering the fact that the StickNotes is still having trouble with the glue IMHO (the glue residue problem was probably solved but my stickies stacks fell off from the cover on one hand but very hard to pull out one stickies from the stack on the other).

I hope Apple Computer is going to release a smaller sized iPad which should be more portable especially when I tend to buy into the concept of a hybrid case.

Digitally Retro Analog - Roberts Radio and BookBook iPad Case

Despite the numerous bombardment of new products from my everyday work life, things like retro/analog always catch my eyes.

Starting from mid-November, a series or Roberts Radio will be arriving our stores for those who like our selection.  The iconic Revival R250 series of analog radio is a nostalgic 1950's style retro radio with LW/MW/FM wavebands, battery or AC operated, which is important as a portable radio.

Yes any simple and tiny music gadget nowadays already accomplishes the basics of a radio but it is an entirely different experience carrying a good old analog radio to shower or a BBQ event.  I love the fact that it looks like a nice handbag, carrying it on street did attract attentions believe me.

This Roberts radio is made with high density wooden cabinet for sold analog sound, the hand finished leatherclothing is done in UK still.

For those of you owning an iPad like me (I was being convinced to get one for the sake of my kid but turned out the entire family is addicted to the iPad) and look for a retro twist.  Twelve South's BookBook for iPad is a great choice.  We already found a huge crowd of BooBook for MacBook lovers from our stores so this BookBook for iPad is certainly going to get a lot of attentions during Xmas.

One thing I don't like about BookBook for iPad though is that it is not very handy to make the iPad stand although it does provide a leather string you can adjust the viewing angle.  I do have a problem with a zipper enclosure of anything portable like my notebook, laptop and now the iPad.  Whether you like it or now, it all depends on how you would use your gadgets or how the aesthetic balances out the pitfall.

Back to School 2010 - best stuffs in town

After months of preparation, we now present you Back To School 2010!

Everything simulated on computer became real to the exact measurement, thanks to my great teammates, store colleagues and friendly partners like Apple Computer, Japanese stationery brands and Korean partners.  To get a glimpse of what categories we offer, check out this Back To School 2010 leaflet downloadable in PDF (and soon as an iPad app!)

This year's big hit is of course Apple Computer's great teacher/student offer, Chocolate Rain's brand new Fatina USB memory and accessories, smoothest pens in the world, Korean stationery and our famous Put Together A5 personalized notebook system.

Check out these demonstrations from UNI and Pentel competing with each other to be the smoothest pen in the world.  UNI's test platform allows you to pick any other brands' pen to compete with Jetstream racing down the slide, the time it takes for the pens to finish the race is displayed in the monitor behind.  This platform is going to be in our Times Square only for a week's time then it will be sent to France for another event.

 

Check out the Flickr set of Back To School 2010 for some highlight photos.  In the mean time, here's some amazing offers in the fair:

• Apple Computer in Times Square, Festival Walk and New Town Plaza promotion.  Exclusive free cases for computer purchase, teacher/student price, citibank installment plan
• Chocolate Rain new range of products including cloth changing Fatina USB memory sticks and iPhone cases
• iPad and iPhone 4 cases show down
• 4 major Korean stationery brands: Indigo, Antenna Shop, Magic Soup, Pony Brown
• Toy Story booth where loads of USB gadgets and stationery products
• and more.....

inCLUDE iPod Shuffle Carrying Jacket

Straight from Japan is this high quality hand-made mini jacket for iPod Shuffle.  With energy absorption strap and it's attractive color resembling a jacket hanging from your neck, this inCLUDE carrying jacket is nearly sold out in Japan due to its limited production (1000 pcs world wide).  You can use it to carry any digital product that fits and not worrying about damage, thanks to its highly detailed needlework and polyester material, you can even machine wash it.  Wear it on your neck or hang it from your rucksack or belt, whichever way you want to.  HKD $170.  Available in April @ city'super Times Square store.  Check out the Japanese web site about this product.

Rhodia With A Leather Touch

You see them always, you see these little yellow notepads and you wonder why everybody is selling them. Well, there is a huge demand of these notepads, including famous scientists, artists, designers and people who like to use graph paper for notes, sketching and hand drafting. Amongst luminaries addicted to the orange notepads, you can find no other than fashion designer Paul Smith (who designed a whole new series of Rhodia notepad with his famous stripes) and Academy awards winning director Francis Ford Coppoia. Now we have some nice leather cases tailor made for Rhoida notepad. Leather from Italy, handmade in Japan, 5 colors include rare white. Click the image to find out more about it, a great gift or personal possession. Price: Notepad HKD $13-80, Leather cover HKD $260, $350, $600

Universal Design Mouse

KOKUYO created this ergonomic design mouse probably up to 3rd version now. It now has energy saving capability which previous versions don't have. The great thing about this is, well it looks great with black/red/silver/white/blue colors for you to choose from, it saves you from carpal tunnel stress of your palm and wrist by using standard mouse (learn more about CTS at Computer Ergonomics. It is rather expensive but lots of designers or desktop geeks would love to own one which decorate your desk elegantly. Price: HKD $650