After trying out the Snugg Squared Skinny Fit case on my iPad 2 and really liking it, I decided I’d give the same case a try out on my slightly neglected HTC Flyer. I knew I wouldn’t use the case on my iPad as I prefer to use a portfolio case on that but, I liked the design of this case enough to want to try it on one of my other gadgets.

Apart from the obvious differences i.e. size and shape and different port/button placements, there isn’t a whole lot of difference between the HTC Flyer and iPad 2 case. The case is made from the same high quality material rubberised silicon and feels great in the hand. If anything, the Flyer version feels even better, perhaps as the device is smaller so the rubbery, chunky design fits better in your hand. The case gives enough grip to make you feel more confident that you aren’t about to drop the tablet too.

I wasn’t sure whether I would like the look of this case on the HTC Flyer as I wondered whether the black, chunky design would ‘overpower’ the smaller tablet however, I was pleasantly surprised as the case just seems to ‘frame’ the Flyer and although I wouldn’t say it improves the look of the device, which is a good looking gadget to begin with, I wouldn’t say it looks bad either and I’d rather have the case on as protection than potentially damaging the device by going ‘naked’.

As with the iPad 2 case, fitting this case on the HTC Flyer was simple and once on the case moulded to the shape of the Flyer perfectly with no issues.

PROS: Looks good even though I still prefer the look of the Flyer without a case. Looks quite different that other HTC Flyer cases – stand out in the crowd time. Feels nice to hold. Made of good quality rubberised silicon.
CONS: Adds a little bulk to the Flyer, not a lot though.
CONCLUSION: I don’t use my HTC Flyer much these days, the poor thing sits there until the battery dies most of the time but, I really think that by using this case on it which not only looks great but, enhances the feel of the tablet when holding it, I might just use the device a lot more. Recommended.

Available to buy from: The Snugg

Price: £18.99

There isn’t a lot that we can say about the iPad 3 case from Snugg that hasn’t already been said in our iPad 2 portfolio case from Snugg review however, for those of us that have actively sought out a protective yet attractive case for our newest iPad purchase, we still want to confirm that the newest variation of the case is going to be as good as the cases produced by Snugg for the previous two releases of the Apple iPad.

As with both the original iPad and iPad 2 cases, the portfolio case for the new iPad (or iPad 3) is well made from good quality materials and boasts the same snug fitting as the other cases, something we struggled slightly to find when we were looking for an iPad 3 case, a lot of cases that came out shortly after the new iPad was released were either a little big leaving the iPad to move around in the case, or far too tight for the new iPad. The Snugg portfolio iPad 3 case fits very well with little movement of the iPad 3 once it is fitted into the case. This case has the same minor problem with accessing the volume buttons as the iPad 2 case but again, this is because of the sloping design of the iPad itself. The iPad 3 case features the same camera ‘hole’ and handstrap as the iPad 2 case and also features the magnets that allow sleep mode to be activated on the iPad. The stand feature is also still present making this case an all round easy to use case that enhances the use of the iPad. You will also find the handy stylus holder on this case, which was introduced in the iPad 2 one.

PROS: Quality, handstrap, stand, sleep mode, looks great.
CONS: Same slight issue with accessing the volume buttons as with the iPad 2 case.

CONCLUSION: The third version of the Snugg iPad portfolio case is just as good as the first two. Snugg have clearly made every effort to ensure that the case is perfect for the iPad 3 and the snug fitting proves that. I would recommend the case wholeheartedly as effective protection for the iPad 3 with features included to enhance the whole iPad experience along the way.

Available to buy from: The Snugg

Price: £29.99

The  Squared Skinny Fit protective iPad 2 case by Snugg came to me in a clear plastic bag. It looked like a lumpy piece of black rubber, sort of resembling the left overs from the manufacturing of a tyre. I wasn’t overly impressed to be fair. Then I opened the packaging and realised how wrong I’d been to write off the case on first impressions (and whilst it was still wrapped in plastic – shame on me). The case is black, it is rubbery and I still think it looks a bit like a tyre but, it feels fantastic and the quality of the material it is made from is evident as soon as you touch it. The blocky design isn’t going to be to everyone’s taste but, given a chance it really does grow on you – it’s a little funky. The case also has the Snugg logo written across the back of it in red which looks fab. I’ve also seen the same case pictured online with a black Snugg logo however which I’m sure is just as nice but, the red logo and the chunky, quality design really sets the case apart from the cheap looking silicon cases available for the iPad.

On fitting the case onto the iPad 2 I was impressed. The case fits snuggly (pun intended) and precisely even though I was a little worried as it is also one of the easiest rubber/silicon cases I’ve come across because it seemed a little big/loose for the iPad and just slips on. However, once fitted, the case simply moulds to the shape of the iPad perfectly.

The ports are all accessible using this case on the iPad 2 and in the hand the case feels comfortable and grippy and certainly enhances use of the iPad.

PROS: Well made, good quality. Looks ‘funky’ and offers decent protection for the iPad 2.
CONS: Still reminds me of a tyre  but, I’ll just roll with it. Seriously – can’t think of any real ‘cons’.

CONCLUSION: If you are looking for a rubber/silicon iPad 2 case and prefer not to pay peanuts on eBay for a case that looks as if it was constructed by monkeys that you don’t want to put on your precious iPad then, the Squared Skinny Fit protective case by Snugg could be the answer for you. It looks good, different but, good and it feels nice to hold. I would imagine the case would last well too, the quality of the material used seems very solid. I would definitely recommend the case.

Available to buy from: The Snugg for iPad 2 and iPad 3.

Price: £18.99

Following on from our Snugg iPad 1 case review, it’s time for our review of the second Snugg case in our mini-series of case reviews. This time it’s the review of the Snugg portfolio iPad 2 case.

From first glances the iPad 1 and 2 cases look the same however, there are a few differences on the case for the newer of the two models of iPad. Firstly and most obviously, the iPad 2 case has the ‘hole’ in the back to allow use of it’s camera. The hole is aligned correctly and the camera can be used whilst the iPad is in the case with no found issues. The other most notable difference in the two cases is that the iPad 2 case has magnets on the front flap that not only hold the flap down securely to keep the case closed when not in use but, that also turn the iPad 2 screen on and off by activating the sleep mode on the device, much like the official smart covers do. Very handy and useful for conserving battery life.

Snugg have also added a useful pen/stylus loop on the top of the iPad 2 case and have fitted a handy elasticated hand strap to the interior flap of the case so that when you fold it back to use the iPad, the hand strap is positioned to allow you to hold the iPad/case securely and comfortably. Other changes are more for visual effect than to enhance use, with a snazzy Snugg badge on the inner cover and a stamped Snugg.com logo on the back.

All ports are accessible as with the first iPad case however, the volume buttons are a little hindered as the sides of the iPad 2 slope back by design. This isn’t a fault with the Snugg case however. There is little that could be done to make the buttons more accessible on a portfolio case and it isn’t a huge problem, just means you have to reach around a little more for the volume/mute buttons than on the original iPad in a portfolio case.

PROS: Same great, quality design and build.The stand is as useful as ever and just as solid. The new handstrap is a quality addition and the case allows sleep mode to be activated on the iPad 2.

CONS: Slight issue with accessing volume buttons but, this is down to the design of the iPad itself, any portfolio case will struggle with the same problem to some degree.

CONCLUSION: This reincarnation of the original Snugg iPad case for the iPad 2 is just as classy and well made as the original. The extra features such as the hand strap and the cover allowing sleep mode to be used effectively make the Snugg iPad 2 case a great option for protecting the iPad 2 in style.

Available to buy from: The Snugg in black, distressed brown, desert camouflage and blue denim.

Price: £29.99 – £34.99

We’re going to start our short series of case reviews with the iPad 1 Snugg Case Cover and Flip Stand case which is available in black and brown. This is a portfolio case, with a leather ‘look’ and which is slated as being more or less a perfect fit for the original iPad. This case also has the added bonus of having a stand feature.

REVIEW

Looks aren’t everything but, for the Snugg iPad 1 case, looks aren’t a problem anyway. Visually, the case is very smart and appears well made. The case is covered with a leather effect material and has the name Snugg ‘stamped’ into the front along with a white stitch effect on the edges of the case – inside and out. It certainly looks the part and looks a lot better than some more expensive cases. On the side of the case that covers the iPad screen on the interior, a velvet material has been used which should be gentle on the screen if the two came together. The case also comes fitted with a magnet inside the sleeve which keeps the case closed rather than ‘flapping open’ as I’ve experienced with some cases.

When it comes to fitting the iPad into the case, it’s a simple matter of unhooking the velcro on a flap and sliding the iPad into the sleeve. Once the iPad is in the sleeve part of the case, the flap is tucked under the iPad itself and the attached velcro keeps the iPad firmly in place and the iPad really does fit in snuggly with all ports and buttons well aligned and accessible and with little or no movement of the iPad once it is inside the case.

Using the stand is very simple on this case. The front cover of the case simply folds back and slides into a flap on the rear of the case. This allows the iPad to be used in 2 different positions, both of which are good useful angled positions and the iPad feels secure enough in the stand too.

PROS: Good quality material, looks smart, stand is solid and useful, magnet to keep case closed, fits well and offers good protection for the iPad.

CONS: It isn’t leather (not that it is priced like leather either), doesn’t have the hand strap that the iPad 2 case and iPad 3 case have.

CONCLUSION – I’ve been using the case for a couple of days now and I’ve found that unlike some cases, this case doesn’t feel too bulky even with the slightly thicker iPad 1 enclosed in it. I’ve also been impressed with the ease of accessing the charging/syncing port and volume buttons which aren’t hindered by this case. Using the stand has been a positive experience too, the angles that the stand sits at are great allowing ease of use.

If you are looking for a portfolio case that fits the first iPad very well and enhances the use of your iPad, whilst looking smart and relatively more expensive than the price it actually costs to buy then the Snugg iPad 1 case with flip stand could be just what you need.

Available to buy from: The Snugg

Price: £28.99

Many people don’t ‘agree’ with using vinyls or any form of case on the back of the iPad. Even Apple themselves have said since the launch of the iPad 2 that only the front of the iPad needs to be covered/protected and that basically, the back of an iPad is too attractive to cover up. This is why Apple make their own ‘Smart Covers’ for the front of the iPad and for the front only. I have to concur that the iPad is a gadget of beauty however, I’m also of the mind that if something is to stay beautiful, something that costs quite a sum of cash to buy in the first place, it has to be protected in some way. Hence, as soon as I got the new iPad, I set off looking for a suitable case for it. There are a number of protective cases available to fit the back of the new iPad – hard cases, rubber cases, leather cases, portfolio cases and so on. Some are attractive and some just aren’t. Nothing really suited what I had in my mind. I wanted something protective but, not too bulky. Something that would cover the back of the iPad without actually feeling like it was covered. Something a bit like the screen protector that I’d already fitted. Then there was the ‘light-bulb moment’.

I’ve been covering my various consoles and gadgets with funky vinyl skins since the day I came across PlayStation 2 vinyls on eBay. How did it not occur to me that a vinyl skin could be absolutely what I needed for my new iPad? Usually I’ve fitted skins to simply change the appearance of a gadget, to funk it up a little but, of course good quality vinyls can be just as protective as they are attractive so off I went in search for one of these high quality vinyls that was made specifically for the iPad 3 and preferably something that also suited my ‘style’.

I searched for all of 20 minutes before I came across something rather special (to my geeky-gamer side) – iPad skins featuring Sonic the Hedgehog and other characters from the Sonic game series! Now, as an avid Sonic fan, this was like finding a pot of blue spiky gold at the end of a rainbow. My only problem now was that these skins were for the iPad 2. Unperturbed and determined to adorn my new iPad with Sonic, I contacted ZAGG International and found out that they would indeed be releasing the Sonic vinyl range for the iPad 3 and as soon as they had one made, I was getting one!

I chose the ‘Sonic Generations Running‘ skin. At first sight, I am extremely impressed with not only the vibrancy of the colours on the vinyl but, by the quality of the vinyl itself, it is clearly top grade vinyl. The ‘image’ itself is clear and as I said, vibrant – the colours are superb and the image is crisp. The packaging is pretty nice too for the record.

So after cleaning my iPad thoroughly to remove any greasy fingerprints and together with my ‘extensive experience’ of how not to stick the vinyl to my thumbs, hair, sofa or dog, I set about actually fitting the vinyl rather than just admiring it. By now, I should really be quite relaxed when it comes to fitting a vinyl to what is to all extents, a completely flat surface of an iPad 3. Of course, when it comes to vinyls or screen protectors, the second the ‘backing film’ starts to be peeled away, the alarm goes off for minor (or full scale in my case) panic and the potential for sticking the skin anywhere but in exactly the right place increases drastically!

The instructions on the packaging indicate that if you place the vinyl onto the device and it isn’t in the right place, you simply need to peel it off and try again. This should be reassuring but, I’ve used products in the past that have stated exactly the same thing only to find that on trying to remove the skin slightly, the vinyl either tears or stretches out of shape and is damaged before it is actually in place on the gadget.

After peeling the vinyl from the backing, I made my first attempt to position the skin on my iPad. This skin is well designed and is cut perfectly for the iPad 3 and so I found it relatively easy to place the skin onto the iPad in more or less the right position on my first attempt. However, being a little picky, I decided I had to try and reapply the vinyl anyway. Firstly because, I wanted it all of 2mm to the left and secondly, because I can’t very well review the skin unless I at least give the unpeel/reapply thing a go can I? Fortunately, my faith in ZAGG paid off and the skin came back off the iPad without tearing or stretching even slightly. Like I said, this is top grade vinyl and a high quality skin, this was more than apparent just from looking at it but, testing the vinyl confirmed this.

Then came the ‘bubble test’. I’d managed to get the skin in place but, I had a fair few large bubbles in the middle of the skin which initially worried me. However, a quick ‘wipe’ over with a piece of strong card (or a credit card although I tend to find plastic cards can scratch the vinyl, I tend to use card that is strong enough not to bend) to push out the bubbles and the vinyl was completely bubble free and the bubble test was passed first time!

The skin itself is ‘cut’ in four places close the the four corners of the iPad and this enables the vinyl to simply wrap around the curved edge on the rear of the ipad to fit easily and properly with no creasing. The vinyl is also thick enough to cover the Apple sticker on the back of the iPad. The contour apple is still visible but, not as prominently as it would be with a lesser quality vinyl and it is certainly acceptable.

Also, my iPad is the Wi-Fi only version as opposed to the 4G version which has an extra ‘cut out’ in the skin to accommodate its sim card slot however, ZAGG have made an allowance for this making the skin is compatible with both models of iPad 3.

Conclusion:

As I sat back and admired my newly skinned iPad, I realised that not only was this the best design I’ve ever had on any vinyl but, that it was also the most pain-free (perhaps enjoyable) vinyl application I’ve ever done. Not only that but, I’m 100% confident that my iPad, complete with my previously fitted screen protector, is almost scratchproof and it looks superb to this Sonic the Hedgehog fan and is compatible with Apple’s Smart Covers. I know the design won’t suit everyone’s taste but, ZAGG offer a host of other designs in their iPad vinyl skins range which I would recommend wholeheartedly. In fact, no gadget is safe in my house now, I have the urge to ZAGG them all.

Not so obvious retailers also have the third generation iPad in stock, such as the UK supermarket Tescos, even late in to the afternoon. If you were unlucky enough to have your pre-order delayed and were unable to queue up at a local Apple store, there may still be hope that you can get one before Apple will have more of them in stock.

The new iPad hasn’t got off to a good start in the UK. First the UK Apple store came back online several hours after Apple announced the new iPad, with the first pre-orders being placed shortly before midnight as the store came online shortly after 11:30pm. Buyers who managed to place an order during the night appear to have had their orders fully processed, however those who placed orders after 8am Thursday morning are starting to receive emails from Apple saying that there will be a delay in receiving their shiny new iPad. Some users who placed orders after 8am are still on track for a March 16th delivery but, others are reporting a March 21st delivery date. Unfortunately we at Gizmodot have also been hit with one of these delay emails. The time users pre-ordered and who’s being delayed seems hit and miss though. There are some users who ordered after 8am, Thursday afternoon in fact who’s shipment still looks to be on time, where there are a couple of folks who did manage to order before 8am who have had their orders delayed. The majority of delay emails are affecting those in Scotland and Northern Ireland, while folks in London and the South haven’t been affected as much.

For those who haven’t managed to pre-order yet, the Apple UK website is now indicating a two to three week shipment date but, this is always subject to change as we’re already seeing from the guys who pre-ordered with a March 16th delay stated. For those in the US however, many are reporting to now be receiving emails to say their orders have been shipped for a March 16th delivery. Have you received a delay email, or is your pre-order still set to arrive on time? Let us know in the comments.

Today we’ve seen the new iPad unveiled by Apple but, how does it compare to the iPad 2? If you haven’t got an iPad 2 already is it worth the extra $100/£70 or will you be getting an iPad 2 now the price has dropped? Or are the changes enough to make you iPad 2 owners upgrade? Let us know in the comments.

Chip
Display	High-resolution Retina display 2048×1536-pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch (ppi) Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously	1024×768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi) Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously
Camera	iSight camera: 5-megapixel with autofocus; tap to focus; face detection in still images; video recording, HD (1080p) up to 30 frames per second with audio; video stabilisation FaceTime camera with VGA-quality photos and video at up to 30 frames per second Photo and video geotagging	Back camera: 0.7 megapixel, Video recording, HD (720p) up to 30 frames per second with audio; still camera with 5x digital zoom Front camera: Video recording, VGA up to 30 frames per second with audio; VGA-quality still camera Tap to control exposure for video or stills Photo and video geotagging over Wi-Fi
Weight and Dimensions	Height: 241.2 mm (9.50 inches) Width: 185.7 mm (7.31 inches) Depth: 9.4 mm (0.37 inches) Weight: 652 g (1.44 pounds) 4G model weight: Weight: 662g (1.46 pounds)	Height: 241.2 mm (9.50 inches) Width: 185.7 mm (7.31 inches) Depth: 8.8 mm (0.34 inches) Weight: 601 g (1.33 pounds) 3G model weight: Weight: 613g (1.35 pounds)
Colour
Wireless	Wi-Fi Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n) Bluetooth 4.0 technology Wi-Fi + 4G LTE (700, 2100 MHz); UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) Data only	Wi-Fi Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n) Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology Wi-Fi + 4G UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) Data only
Battery Life	Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video or listening to music Up to 9 hours of surfing the web using mobile data network Charging via power adapter or USB to computer system	Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video or listening to music Up to 9 hours of surfing the web using mobile data network Charging via power adapter or USB to computer system

Following on from the announcement on the new Apple iPad, the company have reduced the price of the second generation iPad. The iPad 2 is now available for $100 less, retailing at $399 now for the 16GB Wifi model, instead of $499. We’ve also seen a price cut on the 16GB Wifi model here in the UK by £70. The 16GB iPad 2 Wifi model is now £329 instead of £399. Presumably all iPad 2 models have received a price cut of $100/£70 but unfortunately we’re unable to confirm as the Apple website is currently loading rather slowly, in between not loading at all which is understandable as it’s now possible to pre-order Apple’s new iPad.

Image via Engadget