With Bernie Madoff locked up tight, his personal items have been fair game for anyone with money. Now, even his clothes are being sold but not the way you would expect.

FrederickJames.com recently sold out of iPad sleeves made out of Bernie Madoff’s pants. John Vaccaro, the New York based entrepreneur who purchase 16 pairs of Madoff’s pants in the auction last fall, converted these J. Crew, Banana Republic, and Ralph Lauren trousers into 31 limited edition sleeves for The Bernie Madoff Collection.

Each sleeve sold for a whopping $250-350 dollars and are all gone.

So what makes these sleeves so good other than the fact that they came from the infamous Bernie Madoff? Well, that’s basically it. Since they are made of fabric and only fastened by a button, they won’t exactly protect your $500+ electronic from test of gravity. Of course, these are limited editions and could fetch a pretty penny in a few years.

So, if you are looking for an interesting piece of history to gently swaddle your iPad in, check out Vaccaro’s website on Monday. All of the sleeves are sold, but you may get lucky and snatch up a sleeve from a cancelled order. So Madoff collectors, cross your fingers and log on to their website Monday here!

My favorite types of games are the physics-based puzzlers, but there are tons of physics-based games in the App Store. From the Rube Goldberg-type games to the sport/physics games, they have games for every genre, making it tough to find a game fitting my needs. But if you are like me and are looking for a great physics-based puzzle game, be sure to check out Cover Orange. 

The aim of Cover Orange is to protect the orange(s) from the evil acid rain cloud. This is achieved by covering the orange(s) with various items such as boxes, barrels, or wheels. Cover Orange currently features over 200 levels to keep any puzzle aficionado busy. The levels become progressively harder, so users won’t be bored with the game after a few levels. I really loved the cute graphics for the game. Each orange had a different personality, so winning each level was not repetitive.

There were some problems, however, with this game. First, the music was really repetitive, encouraging me to turn off the music quickly. Second, the game was very sensitive. For example, I would solve the puzzle, yet one drop of acid rain would melt an orange. I would then proceed to solve the puzzle the exact same way, but this time, all the oranges would be safe. At times, it was very frustrating to have to replay a level three or more times even though I had set everything in the right place.

If you are searching for an addictive puzzler game with cute graphics that is suitable for all ages, check out Cover Orange. It is easy to play and only $1.99. Check it out in the App Store today! [iTunes]

When Apple released the iPad 2, they also revealed the magical Smart Cover. Not only did it wake and sleep your iPad instantly, it also converted into a stand perfect for typing or viewing media. Unfortunately, the polyurethane and leather versions will not satisfy those who want something that is outside the box. Meet the wooden Smart Cover. It wakes/sleeps your iPad while being made out of an exotic wood. Plus, it adds some key features that were left out in Apple’s version.

I was sent the Curly Maple Smart Cover ($86.00) to review. Now, I will be the first to tell you that the pictures do this product no justice. The Curly Maple is a beautiful wood that has a great striped design that looks really cool. The wood is smooth and finished very well. Because it is made out of wood, the thickness added is noticeable as opposed to the thin polyurethane Smart Cover. However, it is only about .1875”, so your iPad will still look very thin.

The Curly Maple Smart Cover uses the same hinge mechanism as the original Smart Cover. This ensured a secure fit the easily “grabbed” onto the iPad. There are, however, some key differences that will set this apart from Apple’s version, other that the wooden look.

First, instead of a microfiber interior, distressed leather was used. The leather is really soft and really made the Smart Cover look great. The leather will also not scratch your iPad, so you don’t have to worry about that.

Second, this Smart Cover folds in on itself, so the leather is on the inside and the wood is on the outside. This is a great addition since Apple’s design left room for dirt or liquids getting picked up by the microfiber interior and later coming in contact with your iPad. But because of this design and the fact that wood was used, the cover would remain rigid and flat when opened, which means you couldn’t use an app like Evernote Peek that requires you to lift up only one segment of the Smart Cover.

Finally, the wooden Smart Cover uses very strong magnets. This is probably due to the fact that wood is heavier than polyurethane or leather and needed stronger/more magnets to hold the cover in place. Even though the magnets were fairly strong, they did not activate the sleep/wake feature when the cover was folded back onto the iPad.
Overall, I love the concept of the wooden Smart Cover. It is very well crafted and very beautiful, especially with the curly maple wood. It is a bit pricey, but at only $20 more than the leather Smart Cover, you can own a unique and functional piece of art. Check out the wooden Smart Cover that comes in curly maple and other types of wood here.

With everyone going digital, tons of companies are jumping on board to accommodate to our technology-filled lifestyles. And now, students don’t have to feel left out. Zoogue recently released the BinderPad, which lets you store your iPad in a normal 3-ring binder. It boasts a thin design that may attract students to check it out.

Now, I personally would not feel safe with my $500+ device in a cheap binder as sometimes the rings fail or the binder gets tossed around recklessly. The BinderPad is only $29.99, however, so if I did not like it, it wouldn’t be too much of a loss.

The design seems very simple and reminiscent of those pencil cases that slide into the binder rings as well. The bezel is slightly covered, which can be annoying, and only comes in grey and black, neither of which look good on the white iPad’s bezel.

The BinderPad does seem to be multifunctional, as shown in the video below, serving as a virtual cookbook holder or entertainment in the bathroom.

What makes me reluctant about this case is the thought that I could be storing my iPad in a binder, which wouldn’t protect the iPad if the binder fell open or was knocked off the table.

So what do you guys think? Have you purchased one? Is the $30 price tag appropriate for the product? Would you spend the money on this product? Let me know your thoughts in the comment box below!

Since the iPad 2′s release, there have been tons of cases coming out. From Smart Cover back shields to drop-proof full body protection, there is a case for every protective need. Many cases serve double duty, but one case really stands out with its multitasking abilities. Meet the HandyShell ($54.95), a thin and lightweight case that is a great bang for your buck. 

The HandyShell is an iPad 2 case made by Speck. When I first received the case, I noticed the red attachment on the back. Seeing the rest of the case is gray, it really popped out. This attachment is used to convert the case into a stand, hanger, and other things. I personally felt that the red/gray color combo was not the best choice, but it still looks okay.

The case was really simple to snap on. The back was a hard plastic, but the edges of the case seemed to be a mix between rubber and silicone so that you could stretch the edges over the iPad. I felt the fit was very secure. I liked how Speck chose to cover the power button and volume rocker in this material as it gave the case a better look as opposed to unnecessary cutting out of holes.

Since the case is like a snap on back cover, it does not add much weight to your iPad. It does, however, add some thickness. The red attachment is pretty thick and makes the case look much thicker.

One flaw I noticed was the placement of the red attachment. When I placed the case on the table, it would rock back and forth because the attachment did not have much of a recessed area to sit in. This made it a bit annoying when trying to play games with the iPad flat on the table.

The red attachment is coated with a rubber material, so it was easy to grab on to. It could be pulled out into several angles to accommodate different situations. A great feature of the HandyShell is the ability to pull the red attachment all the way. This position could then be used as a thumb hook for one handed iPad use, jamming out in GarageBand, hanging on a hook for use in the kitchen, or (my personal favorite) as the world’s most expensive “Do Not Disturb” door hanger. You could also pull it out at another angle to create a stand that works in portrait or landscape mode.

The HandyShell case is a really neat case. It’s fun design gives users the ability to dream up new uses. Plus, it isn’t too expensive. It won’t protect your screen, but if you want an affordable and interesting case, check out the HandyShell case.

When you have a younger sibling in your house, it becomes necessary to hold onto your expensive electronics for dear life. But luckily, the realm of nuclear bomb-proof cases has entered the iPad 2 stratosphere. The Seidio Active is a great case that is protective, sturdy, and won’t add much bulk.

I was really excited when Seidio released the Active case for the iPad 2, as the Otterbox Defender’s weight, thickness, and cost didn’t really appeal to me. The first thing I noticed about this case is its weight. After toting a Defender+iPad 2 around, my iPad felt naked with this case on. The Active only adds 3.5 oz of weight onto the iPad, which is a plus. The Active does add some thickness, but is considerable thinner than the Defender. Finally, the Active costs $69.95 as compared to the $89.95 price tag of the Defender.

The Active is made out of a three layer protection system. The inner layer is a silicone wrap that hugs the iPad snugly. It was very easy to put on without any fuss, and gave easy access to the headphone jack, 30-pin dock connector, and screen lock orientation/volume silencer switch. I liked how it covered the power button and volume rocker and found the buttons very easy to push with the silicone covering. One thing that concerned me was the opening for the microphone. The hole wasn’t centered over the mic and seemed to be cut too far back, but when I tested the mic, it worked fine. The silicone wrap also has raised grips on either side of the case to make it easier to hold your iPad as well as a circle cut out to expose the Apple logo.

The second layer is a hard shell backing that snaps on top of the silicone wrap. It also has a circle cut out to showcase the Apple logo, but it has a plastic window covering the hole to prevent the back of your iPad from scratches. The backing was easy to snap on as it only gripped the silicone in the four corners plus left and right side. Seidio currently offers this hard cover backing in three colors: black, sapphire, and amethyst, and I decided to go with the black.

The final layer was the hard front cover. The cover was held into place by snapping together with the hard backing. Each of the four corners had a raised area that fit into the indentations found on each corner of the hard back. The front cover had two non-slip strips across the front, which were great additions to the case. The left and right side of the front cover had a different texture to give users a better grip. I didn’t like how part of the home button was exposed, as all of the iPad’s front was protected except for a half moon portion of the home button. Because the cover protects the entire front of the iPad, I noticed that the back camera was not visible when I snapped the cover onto the back.

I really liked how the front cover could be converted into a stand for using your iPad. Inside the cover was a plastic flap that could be pulled up. It was held into place with two ridges, and it was so tight that I felt I was going to break the flap before pulling it up. Luckily, I was able to remove it from the storing position without any damage (I found that the case could be closed without snapping the flap back into its storing position, so if you are worried about breaking the flap from pulling it out, you can just leave it out). The stand had fifteen different notches to slide the metal bar into, which was great for those who need the perfect angle. The stand positions ranged from a great typing position to a near vertical viewing position, and they all felt very sturdy.

Overall, I really liked this case. It gave me ample protection as well as tons of stand options. I will note, however, that this case does not have Smart Cover capabilities, but that can easily be fixed by sticking magnets in the rectangular indentations found on the inside of the front cover (apparently these were meant for activating the Smart Cover technology but Seidio decided to scrap the idea). If you want a great case that isn’t too expensive, check out the Seidio Active.

ColcaSac is known for their high quality iPad and MacBook cases handmade in Utah. But you might not know that they also make a sweet shoulder bag to match the Uintah sleeve. The kind folks at ColcaSac sent one my way to review, and I have to admit, the quality is stunning. 

The Shoulder Bag ($160) is made out of natural hemp fibers. It gives the bag a cool natural look that I really like. It is a very large bag and can easily fit my MacBook Pro, iPad 2, and some textbooks. The bag seems to be very well made and didn’t have any loose threads.

My favorite part about the bag was the interior. Instead of being made of the same material as the outside, it is lined with an ultra-soft fleece that feels like a cloud (that is, of course, if we could feel clouds…).

There is tons of room for storage in this bag. Along with the main pocket, there are three additional areas for storing items. One is located on the front and is secured with a zipper. It is very large and ideal for storing your chargers, mouse, or other accessories. There are also two interior sections. One has a zipper and would be great for holding money or your keys, and the other area is divided so that you could hold your phone, pens, or pencils.

Overall, I love this bag. It’s easy to carry with its adjustable strap and has tons of storage room. The foam bottom and double layer of material makes it pretty protective, and the bag looks great. It is a bit pricey at $160, but in return, you get a great high quality product. Plus, this bag matches perfectly with the Uintah case, so if you want a great bag that will hold your laptop, iPad, and more in style, check out ColcaSac’s shoulder bag.

The truth about most styli on the market is they just don’t work. Don’t get me wrong. They work in the sense that they can be used with the iPad, but they don’t “work” because of their design. They are too short, drag on the screen, or require too much force to work with the screen. Luckily, I found iFaraday, the best stylus brand on the market. 

iFaraday makes many different styles, but for those who are all about simplicity, check out the Basic model. At $12 each, it is cheaper than many “mainstream” styli such as Targus and Griffin. Plus, if you love surprises and saving money, iFaraday offers a random color option for $10!

I was sent the Ruby Red version, which came in a hard plastic tube (that looked like a test tube) and a cap. The tube was a great way to store my stylus while not in use and easily slipped into the sleeve pocket that held my iPad.

The first thing I noticed about the iFaraday Basic stylus is the length. It is short enough to be compact yet long enough to fit easily in the crease of your hand and not feel “stubby.” I loved how writing felt much more natural since it was the length of a pen. Second, the stylus is very lightweight. This may be a disadvantage to some since it isn’t weighted like a pen, but it is easy to adjust.

The tip of the stylus is really what makes or breaks the stylus. The iFaraday Basic stylus features a nice, fat stylus that is covered with a silver cloth. It works very well with the iPad screen and is very sensitive. I did not find myself having to push down with an pressure; in fact, I sometimes found myself sometimes touching the screen on accident ever so slightly, yet it responded.

Overall, this is the perfect stylus for me. It has a nice tip that works very well with the iPad. The best part is the price. At $10-12 it is a very affordable stylus. Sure, you could spend $1 on eBay and buy some no-name stylus that looks similar, but I assure you that you will be missing out on the high quality of the iFaraday stylus. Trust me, you have got to check their website out!

Some people are just not satisfied with conforming to society’s norms. They like to create modern art, dress differently, or express interesting views. Well, when society tells them to read a book and keep it in good condition, these people will naturally do the opposite. The idea of defacing a book and subjecting it to everything possible was the idea behind Wreck This Journal. Now, the popular book has gone digital with Wreck This App, the interesting alternative for those who own an iPad.

Wreck This App presents users with various tools to destroy the virtual book. Unfortunately, the app will never be as fun as its original version as you will not be able/want to drag your iPad up and down the streets or stick chewed gum between the pages.

Wreck This App has 54 different activities ranging from drawing while walking to copying and pasting pictures of sticky items. It was fun to see all the different activities, but some of them were very strange (for example, one page prompted me to sleep with the app and record my experience). I felt as if the creator ran out of ideas as many pages seemed to repeat themselves (particularly the ones requiring you to paste pictures of something).

I will admit that this app is fun to use with your friends and gets the creative juices flowing, which makes it ideal for children. However, I’m not sure if it’s worth the $4.99 price tag.

Overall, Wreck This App takes an interesting approach to provide the user with a fun experience. It doesn’t quite live up to it’s hardback back older brother, but it gets pretty close. If you want a unique app that will surely provide you with some giggles and enjoyment, check out Wreck This App today. [iTunes]

If you have a Smart Cover, chances are you’re looking for the perfect Smart Cover-compatible back to protect your iPad. There are tons of them out on the market ranging from $1 to $30+, so one would like to find the best on the market. SwitchEasy recently sent me their CoverBuddy to review. If are still looking for a Smart Cover-compatible back, be sure to read this review. 

The CoverBuddy ($24.99) is available in 11 varieties: clear and every Smart Cover color. I chose to review the clear version. Each CoverBuddy is made of polycarbonate, which is a pretty tough material. The CoverBuddy was a little over 4mm thick, meaning it did not add any noticeable thickness yet provides enough protection from scratches, scuffs, or shallow falls. The CoverBuddy also comes with a screen protector.

I liked how all ports were easily accessible with the holes for the buttons centered. Also, instead of leaving the speaker grill exposed, SwitchEasy chose to cover it entirely except for holes that lined up with the speaker holes. Did this not affect the sound quality whatsoever.

If you purchase this case, you will probably not want to take it off often. It is very hard to take the CoverBuddy off as it has a ridge that covers all of the case, securing it to your iPad. As a result, it takes so much force to take off, that I felt as if I would break the case or accidentally throw my iPad before removing it.

Overall, this is a high quality case. It fits the iPad well and has all the cutouts in the right spot. But if you have this case on your iPad, I recommend leaving it there. Be sure to check out SwitchEasy’s CoverBuddy for the Smart Cover Compatible case that will protect your iPad without detracting from its slimness.