I thought I'd take a look at a couple of "cool" accessories this week.
The first made for some fun high-school flashbacks to a popular item found in schools everywhere in the 1980s.
where it’s @
The Kensington/Mead Universal Folio (Trapper Keeper) fits 9- and 10-inch tablets and retails for $29.99. More information is available at kensington.com. The Coghlan’s Portable Power Pack requires a USB port for charging and works with smartphones and tablet computers. The product retails for $49.96. More information is available at coghlans.com.
Did I say high school? I meant junior high. Yeah, junior high.
The item in question that is suddenly making me feel very old is the Kensington/Mead Universal Folio. It doesn't sound very nostalgic or cool, does it? It's not so much the title as it is the appearance, which looks like Mead's classic Trapper Keeper.
I'm sure you remember those: Extra-large organizers that held loose-leaf paper (college ruled, of course), one of those plastic pen holders and several folders adorned with images from Star Wars, Alf and Knight Rider. They were the epitome of cool back then.
While the Universal Folio doesn't have any cool Alf folders, it does have the exterior look of the classic Trapper Keeper, including that 1/3-width side flap and even the little spot to emblazon it with your name.
This particular Trapper Keeper is meant to hold a 9-inch or 10-inch tablet computer, keep them safe and prop them up when needed. The case is kept closed by magnets that hold the flap in place. The back part of the case protects the tablet's screen, and the front flap contains silicone that holds the tablet in place.
However, the method used to hold a tablet was a bit troublesome to me. A rectangle of silicone attached to the flap protects the tablet, which is fine. The problem is the little silicone loops cut out at the corners. The idea is that they slip over a tablet's corners to hold it in place. My issue is they fit rather loosely on smaller tablets, and in one case, one loop popped off a corner. That's troubling, because a few jostles of the folio could have a tablet computer hitting the floor. That could be a rather costly event.
I will say this: I didn't have the tablet fall out, despite the one corner coming off and some severe jostling to see if the tablet would dislodge completely. And I'm still not sure I completely trust these corners. So far, though, they've done the job.
Other than that, I do like the case. It's easy to carry, though it can be a little bulky. The bulk is needed, however, for the other great feature. The flaps fold together to prop up the tablet computer several ways, enabling a user to lay it flat to type or set it upright to watch a video.
The Trapper Keeper folio case provides nice protection for tablet computers, provided you keep an eye on those corner loops.
The next accessory is a handy device to have if you're out and about, especially if you find yourself outdoors with a dead cellphone.
Coghlan's Portable Power Pack is made for those on the go, particularly in the outdoors. It also is an ideal device for those emergency storm kits. It even has its own cool feature or two.
The Portable Power Pack is about the size of a wireless phone -- the older "landline" phones. It comes with two cables -- an iPhone Lightning/USB cable and a mini USB to USB cable. The latter can charge Android and other phones, and it doubles as a charging cable for the Power Pack.
The Power Pack charges via a USB port, but that won't help if you're out hiking and suddenly run out of juice on your phone or if an ice storm knocks out power. In those instances, the other two rather cool charging methods will come in handy.
The back of the Power Pack has a solar panel. About 10 minutes in direct sunlight will produce about 10 minutes of talk time. If it's too cloudy or dark, a handle pops out on the back that allows you to crank a charge into the Power Pack. About one minute of cranking produces about 10 minutes of talk time.
As an added bonus, the Power Pack comes with an LED flashlight, which proved to be very bright. Cranking the device will illuminate the flashlight as well.
However, since it takes a bit of effort to crank the device, it's best to save that method for emergencies. But it is also perfect for hikers, campers and emergency kits. A full charge of the Power Pack gave me a full charge on an iPhone 5, with some juice to spare. Not too shabby.
The only downside is the Power Pack is bigger than similar batteries and heavier as well. It won't easily slip into a pocket or purse, but it should do just fine in a backpack. If this winter is anything like last winter, the Power Pack would be a great thing to squirrel away in case the lights go out due to ice or snow downing power lines. The Power Pack will charge smartphones and tablet computers.
This week's accessories not only will make you look cool, they will protect and charge your electronic devices. Really, how cool is that?
Melissa L. Jones can be reached via e-mail at mljones72@me.com.
SundayMonday Business on 09/15/2014