New Products: iPad case makes room for paper
You do a lot of your work on an iPad, but sometimes you also want to go the pen-and-paper route and jot down something. A protective case for the iPad Air 2 combines the best elements of both. The Booqpad folio case comes with a 50-sheet notepad that can be placed on the right or left, so that it works well for both right- and left-handed users. Your tablet, which can be secured on the other side of the case, can be positioned at different angles, allowing you to view movies, type a note or check your e-mail from an optimal position. When you're done, the gray case from Booq snaps shut, keeping your tablet safe. It costs $60. A pack of three notepads can be purchased for $10.
Hub expands digital options
There are certain things in life you can't have enough of: Good health, good friends and plenty of USB ports. For that last one, Satechi's 10-Port Premium Aluminum USB 3.0 Hub should do the trick. The hub has seven USB ports that can provide access to a variety of devices, including flash drives, printers and cameras. It also has three USB charging ports: One port can power tablets while the other two can charge smartphones and similar devices. The sleek aluminum hub and included wall adapter costs $60.
Diamond lights up with music
If you think about it, music can be colorful. The makers of a Bluetooth speaker must have had that in mind, because the diamond-shaped device from Yantouch is designed to illuminate your room with colors that pulsate to music and put you in the appropriate mood with sunrise and sunset lighting. Instead of waking up to a shrill alarm, you can set the Diamond+ speaker to gradually wake you with a "natural sunrise" followed by the sound of singing canaries. Similarly, you can set the speaker to lull you to sleep with a dimming "sunset'' and soothing music. In between, you can set the LED lights to match your mood, be it a dance party persona or a somber study mode. Priced at $150, the speaker includes a rechargeable lithium-polymer battery, a USB adapter and a velvet pouch.
'Tablet' has its own keyboard
A tablet or a laptop? A new 2-in-1 Nextbook 10.1 from E FUN combines elements of both and is designed for use at work, home or on the go. Selling for less than $200, the budget-priced tablet features a detachable keyboard and a 10.1-inch touch screen tablet. Put the two together and you have a "laptop.'' Remove the keyboard and you have a stand-alone tablet. Powered by the Windows 8.1 operating system, the device features 1 gigabyte of system memory, 32 gigabytes of internal storage, a 1.83 GHz Intel Atom processor and a MicroSD card slot. It also has a micro USB port, Bluetooth technology, Wi-Fi connectivity and front and back cameras.