Tablet Skins

A Preview of New Technology to be Released in 2014

As we transition into the New Year, the question on all of our minds is: “What new technology is on the way?” Manufacturers are constantly producing more impressive gadgets,and we are all looking forward to what 2014 has to offer in terms of new technology. But before we explore the new frontiers of smartphones, tablets and the like, let’s briefly review some of the technology that stood out in 2013.

Samsung Galaxy S4

Samsung’s Galaxy line has always made for a quality product, and this past year was no exception. The S4 impressed us with its user-friendly interface, and classic design. For these reasons, among others, it makes perfect sense that the Galaxy S4 was 2013’s best selling smartphone.

Apple iPhone 5s/5c

Apple consistently delivers superior quality with its iPhone product line. Since the release of the initial model, in 2007, Apple has only continued to impress us with their bold and innovative take on the smartphone, as we know it. The 5s came outfitted with three metallic-themed finishes, while the 5c opted for a vibrant, colorful feel, without sacrificing the Apple precision-of-use that users have grown accustomed to. Highly responsive technological features, and a gorgeous, slender finish cement the iPhone 5s and 5c in the list of phones to be recognized in 2013. Continue reading →

When thinking about protective skins created to guard a tech gadget, your attention naturally turns to cell phones. However, skins are also available to protect a variety of other tech products. Over the years, Best Skins Ever has built a reputation for creating the highest quality protective skins and screen protectors for iPhones, Galaxy phones, and cell phones. We also carry high-quality skins for your MP3 players, tablets and laptops.

Best Skins Ever offers scratch resistant covers for virtually every type of cell phone, tablet, portable gaming system, laptop or media player. Continue reading →

Every year, the latest-and-greatest gadgets tempt buyers into new purchases or upgrades. Find out which items are the most popular this year! Best Skins Ever has skins for all of the top items this year!

While tablet computers are available in all shapes and sizes, Google Nexus 7 is one of the fastest and most efficient tablets available. It runs smoothly on Android's latest operating system, and it comes with a 7-inch display, front and rear cameras, and an extensive battery life. The tablet's screen is clear and colorful, and users can view it from virtually any angle without losing the quality of the image. The Google Nexus 7 weighs only 10.2 ounces and is available for purchase at a starting price of $229. Continue reading →

At the live media event in San Francisco on October 22, 2013, Apple announced the upcoming release of the iPad Air, the fifth generation of the popular tablet. Although the iPad Air is the iPad 5, the number refers only to its generation as it pertains to upgrades to the model. Apple also announced that it would replace the iPad 4, but the full-size version of the device, the iPad 2, will still be available.

The newest tablet was released on Friday, November 1^st, in time to generate enough buzz to drive sales up over the Christmas holiday season.

What's New in the iPad Air?

Features

The new iPad Air features a 9.7-inch display, a sleek, thin design, an updated processor chip, and improved pixel quality on both the front and rear cameras. It is 20% thinner than the older iPad 4, and weighs only 1lb.

The 64-bit processor will have an A7 chip, the same chip that Apple put in the iPhone 5. There will be Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + cellular versions available, and the cellular versions will be multi-LTE band reception.

Benefits from Previous iPad Versions

Apple is boasting that by replacing the old processor with the new one, the tablet will be 8x faster than the first model. The graphics processor will be 72x faster than the original. The 32-watt rechargeable lithium battery should power the device for 10 hours. The new iPad Air is 7.5 mm thick, 240 mm high, and 169 mm wide, and the 1lb weight makes it the lightest tablet on the market.

As with previous iPad models, several versions will be sold, with different hard drive capacities. The cheapest model is a 16 GB, followed by 32 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB versions.

iPad Mini With Retina Display

In another big announcement, Apple revealed that a new version of the iPad Mini with Retina Display would be available by the end of November. The new, updated version of the iPad Mini is a 7.9-inch device with screen resolution of 2,048 x 1536. It will contain the same 64-bit A7 processor used in the iPad Air, and a M7 motion coprocessor. Another difference is that the retina display results in a heavier device than the previous version. Like the iPad Air, the new mini will come in 16 GB to 120 GB versions with both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi+ cell capability.

You can find protective skins for the iPad Air at Best Skins Ever by clicking here

Just in time for holiday shopping, tech conglomerate Apple announced the unveiling of its newest version of the iPad - the iPad Air. This new version of the popular tablet is lighter and thinner than ever before, thus making it more portable and easier to store. It also features several upgrades from the iPad 4, including a significant increase in processing speed and power. Continue reading →

On October 22, Apple announced the iPad Air. This latest version of the iPad tablet is the thinnest, lightest tablet Apple has produced to date. The design is similar to that of the iPad mini. The device weighs only one pound, making it 28% lighter than the previous version, the iPad 4. The screen on the iPad Air is approximately 9.7 inches wide. It comes complete with Retina Display and 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution. Although the screen is virtually the same size, the device comes with a smaller bezel to make it more compact. The iPad Air is also 20% thinner than its predecessor, with a thickness of only 7.5 mm. Continue reading →

Mini keyboards are a useful tablet accessory, especially if you will spend significant time typing with your tablet. Below are some of the best mini keyboards available in 2013. Although these keyboards are designed for use with the iPad, you can usually pair them with other Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as the Kindle.

The FabricSkin Folio is one of the best creations from Logitech to date. Not only does this keyboard allow you to reach new levels of convenience when using your tablet, but it also provides protection for the tablet during transport. The folio is made from plastic and durable fabric, which encloses the tablet completely. The fabric has a rubber-like quality, which allows for a more secure grip when the tablet is being held.

To connect the keyboard to the folio, simply open the folio and use the magnets above the keyboard. The keys on this mini keyboard are molded into the folio's cover portion. However, unlike similar keyboards that include only touch keys, the Logitech uses actual keys. These keys provide better tactile feedback for more effective typing.

The Logitech Fabricskin Folio is available for approximately $149.99 if purchased from Logitech. Various cover materials and colors are available.

Using magnetic strips, Belkin's new mini keyboard and case offers three different viewing configurations for the iPad. Simply place the iPad in contact with one of the strips, and the Bluetooth connection automatically powers the keyboard on. The keyboard powers down as soon as you break the magnetic connection.

A black version and a silver version of this case are currently available. The white version is composed of aluminum on the bottom and top of the case, while the black version is not, making the white version a more lightweight choice. This case is available for approximately $100 if purchased directly from Belkin.

The ClamCase Pro is designed to approximate the look and feel of a standard laptop as closely as possible. However, this mini keyboard is also the most expensive one of the bunch.

To use the ClamCase Pro, insert your tablet into the ClamCase's lid. With that done, the configuration resembles a laptop with no trackpad. Magnets turn the machine on and off as the case is opened and closed.

You can also return the tablet to its original form without removing it from the case by folding the screen under the keyboard. However, the keys are exposed when holding the unit in this way. The keys won't be active, but it feels a bit strange.

Of all the mini keyboards mentioned here, the ClamCase Pro offers the best typing experience. It is available for $169 when purchased directly from ClamCase.

Every mini keyboard offers advantages and disadvantages. To make the best choice for your tablet, consider the features that are most important to you. It also helps to try different mini keyboards before purchasing to find the one that feels most natural.

According to a recent Forbes article, an estimated 48.6 million Americans used an eReader at least once a month in 2012. This represented nearly a 44 percent increase over 2011 numbers. The number of Americans using eReaders is expected to rise in the coming years. The same article also reported that 11 percent of book readers now strictly use digital means when it comes to their reading selections.

Are you one of the millions that have finally decided to take the plunge and invest in an eReader only to find yourself somewhat bewildered by all the options that are available to you? Aside from the tablet vs. eReader debate, there are tons of straight eReader options out there to choose from.

How do you know which one is the right choice for you?

Tablet vs. eReader

This is a debate that’s sure to rage on for a while. The first thing you need to consider is whether you’re looking for something to function simply as an eReader or if you want something with a little more functionality. Basic eReaders with e ink displays are readable – even in direct sunlight. This makes them perfect to take along for beach reading, kids’ softball practice, and any other activities or locations that would make reading impossible on a tablet device. However, if you want something with more features, you might be happier with a tablet.

Battery Life

This is an important consideration. Battery life varies greatly depending on how heavily you use your eReader, how many pages you turn, and whether or not you leave the Wi-Fi on. Kindle’s e-ink reader with keyboard, for example, lasts up to two months on a single charge if the Wi-Fi is disabled and about ten days with the Wi-Fi on. Many owners choose to leave the Wi-Fi off unless they want to look for books or load new books onto their devices. People report similar results while using Nook’s Simple Touch and when using Amazon Kindle’s Paperwhitedevices. Tablet devices, by comparison, typically range from 7.5 to 11 hours on a single charge.

Price

Price is a major concern for struggling families everywhere. Kindle offers a few hefty benefits in the price department. First, Amazon offers a lower price on eReaders if readers are willing to receive special offers. Additionally, membership in Amazon Prime costs a yearly fee and provides readers with several “perks” – one of which is borrowing one free Kindle book per month. Finally, there are hundreds of free eBooks to download from Amazon on any given day. This provides readers the opportunity to explore new writers and helps them keep their eBook budgets in check.

Barnes and Noble’s Nook also offers a few low-cost eReader options without the special offer requirement with an impressive selection of Nook books free of charge. The good news for you, as a consumer, is that there is stiff competition driving prices down on eReaders in general. The odds are good that you’ll be able to find an excellent eReader in your budget – even if it lacks a few bells and whistles the newer models offer.

Size

You’ll find that eReaders come in a wide range of sizes and shapes. Like most eReader features, size comes down to a matter of preference. The average screen size for an e ink eReader is about 6 inches. Tablet devices are often larger in size and price than devices that are strictly eReaders. Nook HD comes in a 7” size and Kindle Fire comes in your choice of a 7” display or 8.9” display. The iPad mini is 7.9” and the standard iPad is 9.7”.

Each eReader has a little something special that sets it apart from the others, including amount of memory, quality of backlit display, and processor speed. You’ll have to explore those options and make a selection based on the one reader that offers the options that are most appealing to you – and within your price range. Fortunately, the average eReader is an affordable investment once you consider the benefits that go along with it.

Whichever eReader you end up selecting, make sure you protect your investment with a high quality eReader skin protector.

Which tablet is Best for You?

Larger than a smartphone but smaller than a netbook, portable tablets are a must-have for many of today's tech-savvy consumers. In fact, Business Insider reports that tablet sales will surpass PC sales for the first time ever in 2014. With so many manufacturers creating their own versions of this gadget, it can be difficult to determine which one is the best choice for you. Below is a comparison of two of the most popular tablets: the iPad Mini and the Samsung Galaxy.

Size

The Galaxy tablet features a 7-inch screen, which is standard for most small tablets. The iPad Mini, however, features a 7.9-inch screen, which is slightly larger. There are both pros and cons to a larger screen. While the Samsung Galaxy is more compact, the iPad Mini's screen is easier to see. Thus, for consumers who enjoy watching movies or playing games on their tablets, the iPad Mini may be a better choice. Consumers who want a smaller tablet that takes up as little space as possible in tote bags or purses may be better off with the Galaxy. However, even though the Galaxy has a smaller screen, it is actually heavier than the iPad Mini. Thus, the Galaxy may take up less space, but the iPad is still lighter and more portable.

Processor and Operating System

Both the Apple iPad Mini and the Samsung Galaxy tablet are powered by a 1GHz Dual Core processor that gives them similar processing speeds and performance levels. While the Samsung Galaxy runs on Android 4.0, the Apple iPad Mini runs on Apple iOS 6. These operating systems are vastly different and each has its own advantages. According to Business Insider, Android is superior in terms of its photo sharing application, maps application, web browser, and video chat feature, while Apple's application store, accessibility features, notifications and camera are better.

Price

While these two devices are similar in performance, features and size, the prices are very different. The Apple iPad Mini launched at a much higher price point than the Samsung Galaxy Tab and continues to sell for more. The Apple iPad Mini does have a few features for which some consumers may be willing to pay more, such as its larger screen and lightweight design. However, for consumers who aren't as choosy or don't have a history of loyalty to Apple products, the Samsung Galaxy Tab is a more affordable option.

The Bottom Line

Both the iPad Mini and the Samsung Galaxy tab offer similar features, speeds, operating systems, and connectivity options. Since neither tablet is overtly superior to the other in terms of performance, you can choose the best product for you by simply considering which features you deem most important. For example, if you want a larger screen and a lighter weight, you may choose the iPad Mini. Conversely, if screen size isn't as important and you are looking to save a little money, the Samsung Galaxy is the clear winner.

Whichever tablet you end up choosing, make sure you protect your investment with a high quality screen protecting skin: iPad Mini skins and Samsung Galaxy Tab skins.