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The Twelve South SurfacePad is a leather jacket for your iPhone

The SurfacePad for iPhone is a thin, minimal leather cover for your iPhone 7/8, iPhone 7/8 Plus, or iPhone X.  It protects the front and back of your phone from pocket hazards and from getting surface scratches from tables and countertops.  The SurfacePad also serves as a stand to support your iPhone in the horizontal orientation for hands-free use.  It has two slots inside for carrying your most essential cards, and the leather back is compatible with Qi wireless charging.   And for the iPhone X, the case triggers the phone’s wake/sleep functions.

The SurfacePad is made of full-grain leather, and it attaches to your phone with an adhesive pad on the back of the phone.  You apply the back of the case like applying a screen protector.  The SurfaceGrip technology allows you to remove and replace the case many times without leaving behind a residue, so you can replace the SurfacePad with a protective case for your more active days.

The SurfacePad is available in several leather colors.  Black is available for all iPhones; tan is also available for the iPhone 7/8 and iPhone 7/8 Plus; navy is the third color for the Plus models, and brown and green are available for the iPhone X.  Cases are $39.99 for the iPhone 7/8 and $49.99 for all other models.  Learn more and purchase the SurfacePad at Twelve South.

 

SnapPower has a new easy to install USB wall outlet cover charger

When it comes to easy installs, SnapPower is the master. Remember their GuideLights outlet cover night light that I reviewed in 2014 and their SwitchLight switch plate night light which I reviewed last summer? Well, now they are back with an updated version of their SnapPower USB charger switch plate. The USB Charger 2 has been slimmed down,  doubled the USB ports to 2, and it now has 2.1 amps of power to charge your phones and tablets.

You’ve no doubt seen switch plate covers with built-in USB ports before, but SnapPower’s products require no special electrical skills or tools to install. All you have to do is use a screwdriver to remove your existing switch plate and then replace it with the SnapPower Charger 2 plate. That’s it. The USB Charger 2 retails from $19 to $23 depending on the quantity purchased. For more details and to order, head over to snappower.com

WaterField introduces the Micro Wallet V2.0

When it was first introduced, the Micro Wallet was sold with WaterField’s Cycling Ride Pouch.  People liked the small wallet but suggested some changes.  WaterField has incorporated some of those suggestions in the Micro Wallet V2.0.  One of the changes was to replace the zipper that just went along the top with one that curves around to the side, making it look a bit like the Finn wallet.  This zipper arrangement allows the wallet to open wide for easy access to the contents.  Another suggestion was to make the wallet available as a standalone purchase.

The Micro Wallet has no interior pockets, which helps keep the wallet thin, even when loaded up with your cards and cash.  The wallet can also be used as a simple pouch for storing cables and other small items that could get lost inside your big gear bag.

The wallet is made of either black ballistic nylon or brown waxed canvas.  It measures 4.0″ L x0 .75” W x 2.9” H.  It has a YKK zipper with a self-locking slider to keep the contents secure.  A loop on the outside allows you to clip the wallet into your bag, or you could slide a keyring through there.

This updated wallet is now included with the purchase of a Cycling Ride Pouch, and the Micro Wallet V2.0 is also available as a standalone purchase for $19.00 from WaterField.

Phoozy protects your phone from extreme heat, cold, drops, scratches, and it even floats!

Looking not unlike an astronaut sleeping bag for your phone, Phoozy (cute name) claims to also have space-age powers.  Namely, that “It provides military grade protection from the sun, heat, cold, and shock while also providing float protection.”  It is literally made from materials that are used to protect astronauts from the extreme environments of space, and by the stars, it can do the same for your smartphone.  It features a Chromium shell for heat (up to 200 F)/cold (down to -20 F) protection, a Spacetech Ripstop Penetration Layer for toughness, an Impactor Core Layer for drop protection (military 810G 5165.6)and water flotation and a Soft Touch Protective Liner to gently caress your precious phone.  Phoozy is available for many different makes and models of phones for $29.99.  Rocket over to Phoozy.com for info or to order.

Protect your luggage with AirBolt, the first Bluetooth-connected travel lock

With the AirBolt, you won’t need a key nor a combination to unlock your luggage.  AirBolt connects to your mobile device via Bluetooth, so you can lock or unlock it using an app.  You can also track your luggage, sound alarms when your bag is moved past a proximity boundary, or sound an alarm to help you find your bag when it’s hidden from view using the app on your Android or Apple phone.

AirBolt says of their lock:  “We are officially TSA accepted and we meet relevant legislative requirements for the AirBolt to be flight ready by their standards. The AirBolt also features a timed-Aeroplane mode that turns off the Bluetooth transmitter for a specified period of time.  Finally, we are also FCC and CE Certified.”

The travel lock has a rechargeable battery and is weather resistant.  You unlock it by pressing a button in the app, but you can also set a backup password to prevent someone from using your phone to unlock AirBolt without your permission.  If you make your destination but your luggage doesn’t, “crowdsourced” tracking can help you identify the last seen location of your bag – which could help you help the airline locate your bag.

All these features make the AirBolt a perfect travel lock, but its usefulness isn’t restricted to travel.  You can use the AirBolt to lock up anything you need protected.

The AirBolt travel lock is available in a variety of colors for $79.95 from AirBolt.