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Gift Guide: Bags and backpacks

What do you buy for a Gadgeteer who loves gear, but you’re not sure what new gear to get them?  Easy, you buy them a stylish but functional bag or backpack to carry their gear. We’ve created a gift guide of unique, useful, bags and related accessories. Enjoy!

Backpacks

Price range $100+

Timbuk2 Muttmover and Muttmover Light backpacks

Inspired by an employee’s commute with their dog, the folks at Timbuk2 designed a backpack to give your dog a safe place to ride while you walk, bike, or hike.  The Muttmover bags have a clip inside to keep your dog from jumping out, and there are pockets and pouches on the outside to hold the gear you and your dog need for a day out.  The Muttmover seen in the photo above is designed for dogs up to 20 pounds.  The Muttmover Light is available in two sizes for dogs up to 35 pounds.

Price: $118; $159-$179 for Muttmover Light
Read our post: He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother – er, dog – Part Deux
Where you can buy one: Timbuk2

Pad & Quill Roll Top Leather Backpack

This Pad & Quill backpack is made to last, with full-grain, tumbled American bridle leather; parachute-grade, UV-resistant nylon stitching; hand-pounded copper rivets; and solid nickel hardware.  Inside is a dedicated pocket for an iPad Pro 12.9 or up to a 15″ laptop.  The roll-top closure is weatherproof, and a side zipper makes it easy to quickly grab something from the interior.  The Roll Top Leather Backpack has a 25-year warranty and a 30-day money back promise.

Price: $319.00
Read our review: Pad & Quill Roll Top Leather Backpack review
Where you can buy one: Pad & Quill

Price range $50 – $100

Alpine Division 2017 McKenzie Backpack

The Alpine Division 2017 McKenzie Backpack is a simple & well-constructed rucksack. While its roots are in outdoor adventures, its streamlined profile and sophisticated styling make it an excellent (and durable) business commuter as well. Its size is ideal as a daypack or a travel companion when you need some of that extra flexible space.

Price: $54.00
Read our review: Alpine Division 2017 McKenzie Backpack review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

North St. Bags Pioneer 12 Hip Pack

If you’re not a fan of backpacks or shoulder bags, consider a hip pack. Nope, they are not called fanny packs anymore and they are actually…wait for it… HIP!

Price: $65.00 – $77.00
Read our review: North St. Bags Pioneer 12 Hip Pack review
Where you can buy one: North St. Bags

Price range $10 – $50

Star Wars R2D2 Knapsack Backpack

This Star Wars backpack is probably better suited to children or the young-at-heart who doesn’t need to carry a laptop or a lot of heavy textbooks.  It’s made of 100% polyester and has snaps and a drawstring closure.  This officially licensed backpack is 14″ X 17″ and has adjustable straps that some reviewers say will even fit adults.

Price: $23.45
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Shoulder Bags

Price range $100+

Timbuk2 Sunset Messenger Bag

The Timbuk2 Sunset Messenger bag is available in acid-washed cotton denim exterior and has a casual air that works in most environments.  It has premium trims and hardware; snaps and magnetized closures keep everything securely inside.  The interior is lined with soft fabric to protect all your gear.  A padded interior sleeve holds up to a 13″ laptop, and there’s plenty of room for your phone and other gear.

Price: $109
Where you can buy one: Timbuk2

Sena Cases Heritage Leather Commuter Bag

The Timbuk2 Sunset Messenger is more casual, but the Heritage Leather Commuter Bag from Sena Cases will be right at home in the most formal situations.  The commuter is handmade from Heritage leather, which is vegetable-tanned and tumbled to develop a natural texture.  It will darken with age and develop a natural patina.  The bag has a shoulder strap and double grip handles.  Inside, you’ll find a laptop compartment that accommodates up to a 15″ laptop, plus pockets for phones, notebooks, and other items.  On the exterior, a zippered front pocket and a magnetically-closed rear pocket provide even more storage.  The corners of the bag are reinforced, and the bottom is protected by metal feet.  The bag is available in a light and a dark (shown) brown; both bags have gunmetal hardware.

Price: $369.95
Where you can buy one: Sena Cases

Waterfield Designs Maverick Laptop Messenger Bag

You can always expect compact, sleek designs from WaterField, and the Maverick Laptop Messenger Bag is no exception.  It’s made of distressed, full-grain leather that will develop a richer patina with use, and has a 1.5″ webbing strap.  The hardware is black metal screw studs and industrial-grade rivets.  The interior is left unlined to show the beauty of the rawhide.  There are two padded interior pockets for a laptop and a tablet.  It’s available in black, chocolate, or grizzly leather and in a compact or full size to best fit your gear.

Price: $289 for compact; $319 for full
Read our review: Waterfield Designs Maverick Laptop Messenger Bag review
Where you can buy one: WaterField Designs

Price range $50 – $100

Tom Bihn Swift Bag

Several years ago, we reviewed the Tom Bihn Little Swift bag, which was a smaller size of the Swift bag designed by Tom for knitters.  Turns out, the Little Swift was a great everyday bag, with room to hold everything needed for the day, including ebook readers for even an iPad in a Cache sleeve.  The new iPad Pro 12.9″ needs more room, which is amply provided by the full-sized Swift.  The Pro fits inside the Horizontal iPad Pro 12.9 with Smart Keyboard Cache ($40.00), which in turn fits inside the Swift.  The internal clear, zippered pockets and the included Yarn Stuff Sack organize and secure all your daily gear inside.  It may be designed to hold knitting gear, but it works great as a daily gear bag.  We haven’t reviewed the Swift, but check out our review of the Little Swift to learn more about these bags.

Price: $90.00
Read our review: Tom Bihn Little Swift Review
Where you can buy one: Tom Bihn

Rolling bags

Price range $100+

ec-bc Sparrow II Wheeled Garment Bag

This wheeled carry-on bag holds all your gear and can charge it too!

Price: $299.99
Read our review: ec-bc Sparrow II Wheeled Garment Bag review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Biaggi Contempo 28″ Expandable 4 Wheel Spinner Upright folding luggage

This is a well made rolling case that has all the right features that you want in a piece of luggage. It expands to hold all your clothes and gear, and can then completely collapse for easy storage when you’re not traveling.

Price: $199.99
Read our review: Biaggi Contempo 28″ Expandable 4 Wheel Spinner Upright folding luggage review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Price range $10 – $50

AmazonBasics Rolling Laptop Case

My husband recently pinched a nerve in his back, resulting in a lot of pain and a weakened right arm.  His physical therapist told him to stop carrying heavy bags, so I went in search of a rolling laptop bag for him.  I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on it because I was afraid he would abandon it when his back was better.  I found that Amazon offered a rolling laptop bag in their AmazonBasics line.  I’ve loved every AmazonBasics product I’ve bought, so I decided I’d get this Rolling Laptop Case for Butch.  He’s used it for a couple of weeks now, and he has found it carries his 15″ laptop, binder, and other stuff with room to spare.  It rolls easily and quietly, and best of all, the handle extends to 39 or so inches, so my 6’2″-tall husband can pull it without it banging into his heels.

Price: $35.99
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Bag accessories

Price range $10 – $50

OP/TECH S.O.S. Curve Strap

This OP/Tech S.O.S. Curve Strap has been around for a long time, as witnessed by the 2004 Gadgeteer review (look at the bottom for this strap).  This strap has a neoprene panel acts as a “shock absorber” to make even the heaviest bag feel up to 50% lighter. The back of the neoprene panel has a non-slip surface to help keep the bag in place.  Heavy-duty 1.5″ webbing and sturdy metal hardware complete the S.O.S. (Saves on Shoulders) strap.  The length is adjustable, and it will work on a variety of bags, including briefcases, laptop bags, and luggage.

Price: $23.95
Read our review: Bag Strap Review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Packing Cubes and pouches

I know this might not seem like a very exciting gift idea, but once you start using packing cubes in your luggage, you’ll wonder how you ever got along without them. These zippered cubes with see-through tops and zippered pouches will keep everything in your luggage organized, neat, and tidy.

Price: $13.49
Where you can buy one: Amazon

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Gift Guide: Bags and backpacks originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 15, 2017 at 9:00 am.

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New Minecraft hour of code tutorial + 4 ways Microsoft is changing the way our kids learn

Remember when the most sophisticated item in the classroom was a calculator and maybe a computer with a CD-ROM? Those days are long gone. But it’s not just about bringing devices and Windows 10 into the classroom anymore, Microsoft has been rethinking how we use technology to encourage our kids to learn. Here are 4 ways that Microsoft is using technology to change the way our kids learn. 

1. Minecraft Education Edition

It’s no secret that kids absolutely LOVE Minecraft, so it’s no surprise that Microsoft’s Minecraft Education edition has been a smashing success. To that effect, since its launch a little over a year ago, Minecraft Education Edition now has over 2 million licensed users and over 250 lesson plans available that educators have contributed. Today, Microsoft is releasing a new Minecraft Hour of Code tutorial called Minecraft: Hero’s Journey. The tutorial includes introduces computer science concepts and such as debugging and functions. After kids are done coding their own Minecraft level, they can share it, play it, and even bring the level into Minecraft: Education Edition on a Windows 10 PC.

2. Making 3D Accessible

The Windows 10 Fall Creator’s Update heavily focused on making 3D object creation super simple. Thanks to an update to the Paint app, it has never been this easy for kids (and adults) to create advanced 3D objects. The 3D objects can easily be brought into Office apps like Powerpoint. You can even bring your 3D objects into reality using the Mixed Reality Viewer.

3. Mixed Reality

Think Mixed Reality is just for video games? Think again. Brands like Samsung, Acer, Dell and Lenovo are all releasing relatively affordable mixed reality headsets this holiday season, and all it takes is bringing one into the classroom to change everything for students. I experienced an educational demo where I was transported to Machu Picchu. I learned about the fascinating geography and history behind this world wonder, and was even transported back in time to get a picture of what Machu Picchu looked like over 500 years ago. This type of experience is a game changer in the classroom since it essentially brings the field trip to the classroom – especially when it comes to places and experiences that would otherwise be too expensive or impractical to travel to.

4. Hacking STEM

Despite all this talk of using digital media to educate kids, Microsoft is also aware of how important it is for kids to get “physical” with their learning. Hacking STEM offers free lessons which include hands-on activities. All of the activities can be easily put together using inexpensive everyday materials that Hacking STEM lists on their site. The lesson plans include everything from building a machine that emulates humans, to measuring speed using Hot Wheels tracks and cars.

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New Minecraft hour of code tutorial + 4 ways Microsoft is changing the way our kids learn originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 14, 2017 at 9:00 am.

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Gift Guide: iPhone cases and accessories

The iPhone X, the iPhone 8, and older iPhone models are the perfect gift giving category to consider this holiday season for friends and family who might have one of these popular smartphones. We’ve arranged our gift guide into sections and price for your shopping convenience. Click through to see our iPhone cases and accessories gift guide.

iPhone cases

Price range $100+

Sena Isa Crossbody Leather Hand Bag

The Universal Isa Crossbody Leather Hand Bag lists several iPhone versions that it works with, but it is a universal case that works with most phones with screens up to 5.5″.  The Sena bag is made of quilted leather and has gold-finished hardware.  There’s a dedicated pocket for the phone, plus other pockets for keys, cards, wallets, and the rest of your kit.  It’s available in black or red for $129.95 from Sena.

Price: $129.95
Where you can buy one: Sena

Vaja Premium iPhone X cases

We’ve been writing about and reviewing Vaja cases for over 17 years. My very first (I think) Vaja case review was for the Palm V. If a company has been around for 17 years, you can assume that they know what they are doing and Vaja definitely does. They make high-quality luxury leather cases and offer the customer a myriad of customization options from color selection to leather type.

Price: $119 – $289
Where you can buy one: Vaja

Price range $50 – $100

Apple’s iPhone X Leather Folio

If you want to fully protect your new iPhone X, consider the sharp looking iPhone X Leather Folio which wraps the iPhone on all sides and also provides a cover to protect the display. The cover can even wake and sleep the phone when you open and close it.

Price: $99.00
Where you can buy one: Apple

Price range $10 – $50

Totallee iPhone X case

Totallee cases (and I use the word case lightly) are the thinnest phone cases I’ve ever seen and used. They add just the right amount of grip to your iPhone to help you avoid dropping it. These cases won’t help soften impact if you do happen to drop your phone, but for everyday wear and tear avoidance, they have your iPhone covered.

Price: $29.00
Read our review:totallee $29 thin leather iPhone X case review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Platinum Genuine American Leather Folio Case for iPhone X

The Platinum Genuine American Leather Folio Case protects your iPhone X, front and back.  The phone is held in a hard PC shell for extra protection.  The interior is lined with microfiber, and the front flap has three card slots and a money pocket, so you can keep all your essentials with your iPhone X.  It’s slim and compact, for easy carrying.

Price: $49.99
Where you can buy one: Best Buy

Mujjo leather cases

I think of Mujjo cases as a Vaja (see above) alternative for people on a budget. They don’t offer a lot of color selections, but their cases are made very well, look great, and provide good protection for drops and everyday abuse.

Price: $43 – $48
Read our review: Mujjo Leather iPhone case review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

iPhone X and iPhone 8 wireless chargers

Price range $50 – $100

Belkin Qi Wireless Charging Pad

Wireless charging for iPhones has been a long time coming, but now that it’s finally here, you need a wireless charger like this one from Belkin. Once you have experienced wireless charging, you’ll wonder how you lived without it all these years.

Price: $64.99
Where you can buy one: Newegg

TYLT ORB Wireless Charger

We haven’t had the opportunity to review this charger from TYLT, but we’ve reviewed some of their other wireless chargers in the past and I don’t have any problems recommending them for their design and functionality. This one is compatible with the new iPhone X and iPhone 8 devices and can fast charger newer Samsung Galaxy phones too.

Price: $49.99
Where you can buy one: TYLT

Price range $10 – $50

iOttie Easy One Touch Wireless Qi Charging Station for the car

The iOttie Wireless Qi Charging Station for the car works with the new iPhone X, iPhone 8/8 Plus, and any other Qi-wireless enabled device between 2.3″-3.3″.  The One Touch lock-and-release mounting system lets you mount your device with a one-finger push.  It comes with a USB cable to provide power to the charger, plus a dashboard pad for mounting to most dashboards (probably not leather nor vinyl, though).  The telescopic arm allows you to adjust the angle to best see your screen.

Price: $39.96
Where you can buy one: Amazon

iPhone screen protectors

Price range $10 – $50

Belkin InvisiGlass Ultra Screen Protection for iPhone X

Belkin InvisiGlass Ultra, made with Accessory Glass 2 by Corning, increases the scratch-resistance up to 3-5 times to protect your very expensive iPhone X.  A chemical Ion-Exchange process strengthens the ultra-thin (0.21mm) Aluminosilicate glass, so you’ll experience up to 25% increase in drop performance to prevent screen cracking or breakage.  And by the way, the Aluminosilicate glass is the same glass used in the windows of the space shuttles.

Price: $39.95
Where you can buy one: Apple

ZAGG InvisibleShield HD Glass+ Screen Protector

Another option to protect your iPhone’s display is the popular tempered glass protector from ZAGG which has IonMatrix technology for impact-resistant shatter protection.

Price: $39.99
Where you can buy one: Best Buy

Skinomi Tempered Tech Glass Screen Protector for Apple iPhone X

If you don’t want to spend $40 on a screen protector, you can be frugal and order a 3-pk of Skinomi protectors that have a 5-star rating on Amazon.

Price: $7.95
Where you can buy one: Amazon

iPhone miscellaneous accessories

Price range $100+

WaterField iPhone Camera Bag

Earlier this year, Julie announced WaterField’s new iPhone Camera bag.  This compact little pouch has room for an iPhone X, iPhone 8/8 Plus, and many other similarly-sized phones.  There’s also room for some add-on lenses, cables, and even straps on the bottom to hold a small tripod or monopod.  Check out Julie’s post or the WaterField site for more info and photos.

Price: $99 for ballistic nylon; $129 for leather
Read our post: WaterField’s new iPhone camera bag holds all your phonographs gear
Where you can buy one: WaterField

DJI OSMO Mobile Gimbal for iPhone

Vloggers who use their iPhone as their primary camera will flip over this combination selfie stick/gimbal that provides buttons on the handle that let you easily control cinematic video capture smoothly and effortlessly.

Price: $299.95
Where you can buy one: Amazon and Apple

 

Price range $50 – $100

Mujjo Leather Touchscreen Gloves

When the weather turns cold and you start wearing gloves, you need a pair of special touchscreen compatible gloves if you want to be able to interact with your phone while wearing them. Mujjo offers a variety of touchscreen gloves including these leather gloves shown above which keep your hands warm and also allow you to use your phone.

Price: $97 and up
Read our review: Mujjo Leather Touchscreen Gloves review
Where you can buy one: Mujjo and Amazon

 

Price range $10 – $50

Kenu Stance tripod

The Kenu Stance is a small folding tripod you can carry on your keychain when it’s no being used and when needed, it attaches to the Lightning connector on your iPhone to provide a stable stand for posed selfies and video. It even has a built-in bottle opener.

Price: $19.95
Read our review: Kenu Stance smartphone tripod review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Loopy Case

Loopy cases guarantee that you’ll never drop your phone again because they provide a handy loop for your finger. Just slide over your finger and you’ll have a secure grip on your phone no matter what you’re doing.

Price: $35.00
Read our post:Get a Loopy Case and StoptheDrop
Where you can buy one: Loopycases.com

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Gift Guide: iPhone cases and accessories originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 14, 2017 at 8:00 am.

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Julie’s gadget diary – I received the nicest email this morning

I receive a LOT of emails every day that are usually from PR agencies pitching products that they want us to write about or review, people with new crowdfunding campaigns that they want us to write about, people asking for tech support for products that we’ve reviewed, people asking how to buy products that we’ve reviewed, and people complaining about articles we’ve posted or problems with the website. It’s not often that I receive an email where someone isn’t wanting something from me or not complaining about something unlike the thoughtful thank you email that I received this morning.

My name is Aaron Blair, and about 15 minutes ago I remembered the-gadgeteer.com and decided to see if it was still around…

I first bookmarked the gadgeteer somewhere around the year 2000… Which inadvertently resulted in causing my parents many nights of anguish, listening to my constant pleas at dinner for WinCE and palm devices….I vividly remember asking you to review a Casio be-300 at the time. It was all I could afford and I spent months modding the interface and patching for full wince compatibility…Which didn’t exactly succeed.lol

It is almost unbelievable how many things have changed since then. I miss the times of my childhood. It seemed that every day, I could read about a new device. That was unique and innovative.

I am 28 years old. I ended my career in electronics engineering before it even began. Stopping to take care of my sick mother…I am a caregiver now, employed by the state of Washington..doing my best to give my mom a more fulfilling, better life.

The sense of wonder, and interest in tech/electronics that I hold today was fostered and fed by your website years ago.

I want to say thank you, I didn’t end up where I wanted to specifically. But I wouldn’t know half of what I do now if I hadn’t stumbled on this site back around the year 2000.

Glad to see that it’s still going,
Aaron Blair.

Also, I still have my old Scott-e vest.. ;p

After more than 20 years of running The Gadgeteer, I still get a little misty-eyed when I read emails like this one because it makes me realize that even though this is just a gadget website and we’re not changing the world, what we do here can make a difference and help people. Thanks Aaron for energizing me to keep The Gadgeteer going hopefully for many more years to come.

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Julie’s gadget diary – I received the nicest email this morning originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 13, 2017 at 9:00 am.

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The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 5)

Welcome to part five of our on-going series where we tell you about the gear that we use on a daily basis. Today we have the favorite gear bags for one more Gadgeteer team member, Smythe. Let us know if you enjoy these types of posts.

Also read:
The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 1)
The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 2)
The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 3)
The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 4)

Smythe Richbourg

Julie has been after us for a month or so now to declare a favorite gear bag and do an article about it. For me, this is a Sophie’s Choice type decision, because I like several bags equally for different reasons. Add that to the fact that I have almost as many bags as Julie does (about 20 that I can see from this chair with my office closet door open!), and it gets a bit tough. I’m prepared to live with this one, however; the Tom Bihn Medium Café Bag. I bought this bag a few years back with personal funds, and have used it as a fall-back ever since. Let me give you a tour.

We have reviewed Tom Bihn bags on this site before, but I’ve never had an actual review unit from them. I did review a few products from their canine product spin-off, Snookum Dog, a few years back. But I’ve been a fan since my first purchase, which was this bag. I found it searching for a daily driver bag for my iPad and various small bits of tech I need to carry, and I have yet to find one that can haul this much in such a small package. It’s a simple satchel in a vertical orientation (a sadly over-looked category by most bag makers) with a sewn-in strap and a large inner pocket. There are a few pen loops and loose stash pockets in the front wall of that large pocket, as well as a narrow zippered pocket on the outside front. An offset V flap covers both of these and seals with a plastic clip on an adjustable webbing strap.


On the back, a simple slash pocket and a 1″ webbing haul loop complete the feature set. At 12.2″ x 10.6″ x 2.9″ / 310 x 270 x 75 mm, it’s not really a behemoth, but it sure holds a lot. I’ve added the Freudian Slip, a vertical insert that adds pockets and sleeves to organize bag interiors. This is another Tom Bihn innovation that makes their kit unique. They have these for most of their bags, and the difference it makes is huge.


Perhaps my favorite feature of Tom Bihn bags is the “O” rings sewn into bag interiors in various places. I have a clear organizer bag that holds my inhaler, a tin of various NSAIDs, a nail file and clipper, and eye drops. There’s a clip on one corner, and when I attach it to the “O” ring on the rim of my Tom Bihn Café bag, it never gets lost in the abyss.

I usually carry my original-sized iPad in this, along with the day’s supplies (power adapter, headphones, batteries, shopping bag, screen cleaner, iPad adapters for USB, HDMI, and SDcards – the usual stuff). I just purchased the 10.7″ iPad Pro, replacing my iPad Air 2. The new one fits just as nicely, in my MoKo case. In a pinch, I can slide my LogiTech K811 keyboard into the rear slash pocket, even though it sticks out a bit. If I don’t need all that, just the organizer, iPad, and Slip will carry me anywhere easily.

If I have control over my day, the regular-sized iPad has been my go-to travel companion since the day I bought the original. The newest iPad Pro with the thinner bezel still fits in this bag easily, since it’s less than an inch larger on each edge.

Also read:
The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 1)
The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 2)
The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 3)
The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 4)

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The Gadgeteer team’s favorite gear bags (part 5) originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 12, 2017 at 3:49 pm.

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