A few months ago, I posted a roundup featuring a number of unique and impressive cases I had been testing for my iPad.  Unfortunately for me, but fortunately for all of you, that article turns out to have been woefully incomplete.  Since posting it, numerous cases have come to my attention, which warranted inclusion in that article.  So many, in fact, that I felt the only responsible way to handle them all would be to write a follow up to my original article.  While there are a few familiar faces in here, such as Waterfield, Sena Cases and Noreve, there are also plenty of newcomers, featuring some fantastic, creative, and intriguing new ideas.  But enough from me, let’s jump right in and hear from the cases themselves.

Noreve Case: I have used Noreve cases on virtually every mobile device I have owned, and featured them prominently here on JAMM.  In fact, one of their iPad cases received fairly high marks in my previous iPad case roundup.  So, it was with no small expectations that I started to check out the Noreve Tradition Leather B case.  It is similar, but not identical to the Tradition Leather case we looked at previously.  The biggest difference is that, like Apple’s own iPad case, it protects the iPad by covering the bezel on the face of the device.  This worked fine, but I found it odd there was nothing holding the iPad in place on the open end.  This means even with the protection offered by this case, your iPad is never as safe as it should be.  The lack of any kind of strap or closure holding the iPad in place means it is free to slide around quite a bit, especially when holding it in landscape mode…with that open end facing the ground. 

Like the Noreve Tradition Leather case, the cover is double hinged, allowing you to hold it open at an angle for reading the screen.  This is a nice feature, which mirrors that on the Apple iPad case.  Like that case, however, the hinge is not well reinforced.  I found it constantly slipped, leaving the case lying flat.  It would be nice if these hinges could be better locked in position, so that it would remain in position.

That all being said, the case is extremely well made, using Noreve’s signature fine leather.  Additionally, I am always impressed by the palette of colors featured by Noreve.  The one they sent me to review was light blue.  If that is not your color, then feel free to select from any of the over 20 color selections in four different leather options.

The Noreve Tradition Leather B costs $78.82 from Noreve USA.

iShine Microfiber Sleeve: One of my biggest disappointments about the iPad stems from the word “oleophobic. “ It means the screen repels oils, such as the oil on your fingers which cause finger print smudges on your screen.  To hear Apple explain this, the iPad screen is fingerprint-proof.  Fingerprints would simply not form on this screen.  Anyone who has ever seen my iPad screen knows that this is far from the truth.  What “oleophobic” really means in this context, however, is not that your screen will never get fingerprints on it.  Instead, it means that the fingerprints will be easy to wipe off.  Admittedly, I did find that light fingerprint smudges were slightly easier to wipe…though heavy fingerprint build up was really not significantly different than any other device.  Really, the only protection against finger print smudges is a good microfiber cloth, kept constantly in your possession.  The problem is that many of the cases I use do not have pockets in which to store a microfiber cloth for all that constant wiping of smudges.

The solution to this problem is the innovative microfiber sleeve from iShine.  This sleeve is made from the very microfiber material which you need to constantly wipe the screen on your iPad.  So…by day, your iPad can nestle snugly within the warm embrace of the sleeve.  By night, just slide the iPad out and use it to wipe the screen.  This is just about a perfect solution for keeping your device free of dirt and smudges.  .  My only problem was that this sleeve really does not protect your device from bangs and dings, and offers no protection while your device is in use.  This is really less a complaint about the case itself, and more a comment about how I use my device.  I simply am not a fan of cases and sleeves which leave my iPad vulnerable and unprotected while in use.  Otherwise, the iShine sleeve is a fantasticly innovative option, which combines your need to protect your iPad while transporting it, with your need to wipe all those smudges off the oleophobic screen.  Perfect.

The iShine Microfiber Sleeve is available from iShine for $14.95.  A separate microfiber pouch is also available for the iPod for $5.95.  Purchase both together for $19.95.

Kensington KeyFolio Case: Here is the problem I have found with my iPad.  I love using to write while I am commuting on the train.  Whether that means jotting notes for something at work, or crafting the next big post for JAMM, I always have something in the works.  The problem is…I hate using the onscreen keyboard for anything longer than a brief email.  So, for some time now, I have been eyeballing the Apple Bluetooth keyboard, which I finally got for the holidays this year.  I love the keyboard, and have found it works perfectly.  The only problem is that when I am on the train, everything has to balance on my lap…and my lap is just not all that big, so balancing the iPad as well as a detached keyboard can get tricky.  What I need is some way to combine my iPad and the keyboard into one unit.  That is exactly what Kensignton offers with their Keyfolio case.  This case includes a built-in Bluetooth keyboard. 

Let’s start with the obvious.  I absolutely loved the concept behind this case.  Putting the keyboard right into the case means it is always accessible, and that there is no danger of dropping your iPad while attempting to balance a keyboard on your lap (or vice versa).   The keyboard itself was a bit smaller than I would have liked, and the keys felt a bit looser than I would have preferred.  Still, once you get used to the size of feel of it, the keyboard works great. 

Unfortunately, I had a few problems using this case.  First, while the case is designed to prop up the iPad for easy viewing while typing, I was never quite able to adjust it to a position which was comfortable for my needs.  I always felt as though I was straining my neck a bit too much while holding the iPad on my lap.  More importantly, however, there is simply  no way to hold the iPad in the case when you are not using the keyboard.  There should be a way to fold the case relatively flat in order to “stow” the keyboard while still accessing the iPad screen.  Still, I absolutely loved the idea behind this one.  The Keyfolio is exactly the type of innovation I had hoped to find when I set out to write this article.

The Keyfolio wireless keyboard with case is available from Kensington for $99.95

Krypton: Yes, this is the one which is named after Superman’s home world.  No small expectation there or anything.  This one is not so much a case as it is a collection of protective accoutrements, offering protection for your iPad’s primary trouble spots.  Most iPad users will quickly identify the iPad’s two main trouble points: the slippery, drop-inducing back, and the fingerprint-prone “oleophobic” screen.  Krypton has solutions for both problems.

First is the back.  For that, they have designed the Dreamcoat case, which is available in four colors (white, black, red, and clear).  It is a simple plastic cover, which snaps onto the back of your iPad, wrapping around the sides in order to ensure a secure fit.  This is a fantastic solution, as it protects the back and sides perfectly, but leaves all of the buttons, ports, jacks, plugs, and other connections wide open for easy access.   Most importantly, however, this adds a significantly grippier option than the naked iPad.  

Of course, this all does nothing for the most important part of your iPad, the screen.  This is where all of your interactions with the device take place, so protecting it is going to be critical.  Krypton offers two solutions for your screen: the Screen Armor Ultra-Clear and the Screen Armor Anti-Fingerprint.  Although Krypton sent me both to test, I opted for the Anti-Fingerprint version, because…I hate fingerprints on my screen.  Application was no more or less difficult that application of similar screen protectors, like Invisible Shield…but then again, I never found those to be particularly easy to apply either.  What I did like here was that they include a great system of squeegees and wipe cards, making it easier than ever (when coupled with the application spray) to remove as many air bubbles as possible.  Once applied, the protector worked great.  I have not noticed a single fingerprint since I started using it.  I also found that the texture of the protector is much more comfortable for prolonged use than the naked screen. 

The Krypton system may not be the prettiest case covered in this article, but it does offer fantastic protection for the iPad’s trouble spots, without adding more than minimally to the size of the device.  Plus, for those of you who find these things important, all Krypton products are eco-friendly to help ensure a green planet (all of their products are carbon neutral…all day, every day).

The Krypton DreamCoat for iPad is available from Krypton Products for $12.99.  The Screen Armor Ultra-Clear and Anti-Fingerprint are available from the same place for $19.99 and $24.99 respectively. 

Waterfield iPad Wallet: One of the great things about the iPad are all of the accessories you can find to make it an even more productive tool.  One of the drawbacks, however, is finding a place for all of those things.  My iPad, for example, travels most of the time with a Bluetooth keyboard, Sprint Overdrive 4G modem, portable battery (for the modem), a camera kit, and various loose cables.  Needless to say, finding a way to keep this all put together can be a challenge.  With that in mind, I was eager to check out Waterfield’s latest addition to their line of iPad cases/bags, with the hopes that the loose accessories floating around my briefcase would soon be contained. 

The bag itself is made from the same durable materials we have come to expect from Waterfield, with soft foam inserts padding and protecting your gear on the inside.  A large main compartment will hold your iPad.  The great thing here is that this pocket is large enough to hold your iPad without removing it from your everyday case.  That makes the iPad Wallet very much a travel vehicle, leaving you free to protect your iPad in any way you see fit while it is in use.    The inside of the bag is divided into three additional pockets.  The first is sized perfectly for the Apple Bluetooth keyboard.  This is the only bag I have used with a dedicated pocket for the keyboard, which was exactly what I needed.  The other two pockets are ideal for carrying any other gear, accessories, or cables you might need.  One opens to the top of the bag, the other to the side, allowing you to access you gear on whichever manner suits you best.  The only problem I found here was that the zipper did not open fully on the vertical edge of the case, making it difficult to fully access one pocket.  It would have been better if the zipper could fully open along three edges, allowing the case to butterfly open and lay flat.  That is really just a small complaint, however, on a bag which otherwise so perfectly carries all of my iPad related gear. 

Back to the outside of the case, you will find a mesh pocket on the back, which is perfect for carrying any papers or manuals (all the better for ignoring the instructions) you might need. 

The iPad Wallet is available in six colors for $79 from Waterfield.  You can also add a shoulder strap for an additional $5-$19 dollars.

Sena Cases:   Sena is another brand of cases which has been protecting my numerous devices for years.  I first encountered them with my Dell Axim, and have been using their cases on just about every device I have owned since then.  So, I was pretty excited when Sena once again offered to send along not just one, but two iPad cases for inclusion in this article.  This time around, they sent the uber-unique Collega case (above) as well as the Zipbook.

I was really intrigued by the Collega, which has the look and feel of a small briefcase.  Despite its appearance, however, the case does not open from the top as you might expect, but from the side, where you will find a pseudo-hidden zipper, giving you access to the inner compartment, which is lined with soft padding to ensure your iPad will be protected.  This is a fantastic and original design, and I loved the creativity behind this one.  The only problem I had was that the inner compartment was not large enough to hold your iPad with another case.  This means the Collega case will only protect your iPad while in transit, but not during use.  A snap pocket on the front is ready and waiting to carry many of your accessories.  This pocket is perfect for those of you who use the Sprint Overdrive or other mobile broadband modems with the Wifi version of the iPad.  Unfortunately, however, there is no pocket ready to hold the Bluetooth keyboard.  It would be nice if Sena had included a second external pocket in which you could tuck the keyboard. 

The Sena Zipbook offer pretty much the maximum protection of all the iPad cases I have reviewed (with the exception of the Otterbox cases from the last article).  What I really liked here was that both the cover and the back are reinforced, protecting the iPad against dings and bumps during transport.   The case unzips on three sides to open book style.  I was a bit concerned that the zipper might interfere with my use of the iPad, but that never really became an issue.  The zipper did a great job of being right where you needed it, but staying out of the way when not in use.   I did notice, however, that the cover on Sena’s Folio case is chock full of pockets and compartments, allowing you to carry business cards or a microfiber cleaning cloth.  There are no such compartments or pockets on the Zipbook, which was a noticeable omission.   Nonetheless, this case has replaced the Sena Folio as my favorite everyday case.

The Collega and Zipbook are both available from Sena Cases for $150 and $89.99 (discounted from $99.99) respectively.

The original iPad case roundup I wrote a few months ago was inspired by the Apple iPad case, which I absolutely hated.  It was everything I did not like in a case, and I set out to find better options.  Now, two articles later, not only have I found significant improvements upon Apple’s own case, but also a variety of creative and innovative solutions.  I cannot wait to find what further innovation will make its way into the third installment…