Type Top Bluetooth Mini Keyboard Case for the iPhone 4

Hello again and I cannot believe that another week has literally flown by! I don't know about you lot but doesn't Xmas seem an age ago?

Today I am going to do another product review for an item that seems to becoming ever more popular. The item in question is the,

Type Top Bluetooth Mini Keyboard Case for the iPhone 4.

The Type Top Case

The Type Top Case (abbreviated lol!) is a leather case that comes with a removable mini, bluetooth keyboard and is available from this blogs sponsor, MobileFun and is competatively priced at £29.95. It is only available in black. It fills the gap in the market for those of us who still like the feel of a traditional keyboard, particularly when composing long emails or notes etc.

What's in the box?

The product consists of the case, the keyboard, a USB to mini USB lead for charging the keyboard, a screen protector and a set of simple instructions.
The Type Top is a flip style, leather case which is very well made and will certainly protect your phone from minor impacts and scratches. It is purpose designed for the iPhone 4.
The case is fitted with a built in stand and a magnetic fastener, the stand is really handy for the times when you are sat at a desk. When not in use it simply folds away and is secured at the rear of the case magnetically.

The case showing the stand and camera cut out

The case has a good size cut out for the camera and flash and is also well designed, allowing easy access to the iPhones controls.

Easy access to the volume and silence controls

The iPhone is fitted to the case by gently pushing it into a snap fitting. As always I recommend you fit the device button side first and, when fitting your device into the case, take care as it is an extremely snug fit. There is definately no danger of the iPhone falling out of this case!
One note of caution when removing your iPhone, do so by gently prizing one side of the snap fitting away from the device. It took me a little while to find the easiest way of removing the iPhone due to the snug fitting!

The bluetooth keyboard is only 11.4cm in length and weighs in at a tiny 45g. It is easily fitted into the case by sliding it into its frame.
The keyboard has a built in rechargeable battery so draws no power from your iPhone. The battery lasts 100 hours between charges which is more than ample.

How does it perform?

The bluetooth keyboard is a little gem. The buttons are rubberised and have a lovely, tactile feel to them. They may look a little small but even my "manly" sized fingers can cope easily!



Keyboard

It is full QWERTY with additional, multimedia buttons so music playback and watching videos is a breeze. The keyboard is charged using the USB to mini USB lead that is provided. It has a small on/off switch and also an auto off function which is very handy. It takes about 3 hours to fully charge from fully discharged.
The case is a little bulky, as one would expect, but all in all the user experience is surprisingly good with the keyboard performing flawlessly.
For those of you who would prefer a different style, the Type Top is also available in QWERTZ  (German) or AZERTY (French).
The integral stand is a great idea when sat at the desk typing or watching a video, it just shows how much thought has been put into this case.


Stand in use

Overall

The Type Top Bluetooth Mini Keyboard Case does exactly what it says on the tin and does it well. For the price, it should make a welcome addition to anyone's case collection.

I give this case a blistering 9/10!

Andy

App of the week-Where to?

Hello again. I hope you are all well and having a good week whatever you are doing.

In the past I have done App reviews, hopefully you find them useful. The Apple App store has in excess of 250k Apps available for download so choosing a decent one can be a real headache. I will only preview ones that I like personally and here is an App that has caught my eye.

Today I want to introduce you to Where to? , an App produced by Future Tap and available for download for £1.79. 



Where To?

What is Where To?

Where To? is a travel and information app although it is stored under navigation in the App store.

What does it do?

Where to? will help you find any sort of service from hotels to fishmongers! It provides the name, address, telephone number, map and route to it from your location. It currently has in excess of 2k of stored services and also includes a search feature should you want to find something really obscure! Now this app sounds like it could be really confusing but that is not the case. It functions and looks brilliant.

Key feature.

Search.

Where To? searches from this excellent wheel type icon.

search page

Highlight the "categories" tab and it will bring up this screen, each of the 11 icons is a sub menu. For example I am looking for dog kennels so I click on the "services" spanner which brings up a list of different types of service, all listed alphabetically. You can also do a direct search by highlighting the magnifying glass icon top left and typing in "Kennels" in the search box if you prefer.

I scroll down to "kennels",

"services" sub menu

and click on "Kennels".

Kennels listing

This brings up the Kennels listing and starts with those closest to your location.
I have decided to look at the first in the list so click on Debdale Grange,

details page

This page tells me that Debdale Grange is 2.4 miles, "as the crow flies",  from my current location and provides all the relevant details. At this point you can choose to add the Kennels to your iPhone phonebook, share on Facebook, Twitter or send the details by text or email. You can also look at a map, or ask for directions. You can also use the phone number from this page by clicking on it.

I have decided I want to see where it is on the map so I click on the "Open in Maps" tab which brings up a Google Earth map and shows where the Kennels are,

map screen

I now select "directions" which brings up a route map.

route map

The "route map" tells me it will take 10 minutes to reach the destination by car, I'm not fit enough to walk there lol!

If I click on start it will take me to the navigation screen,

navigation screen

I can now follow the directions which are very detailed. You can also scroll through the entire journey using the arrow icons at the top of the screen and it will bring up screens like this,

route screen

route screen

Because "Where To?" uses Google Earth you can even view your final destination!

final destination!

As you can see, "Where To?" provides all the details you could possibly wish for, I even defy my Mother In Law to get lost whilst using this brilliant app!

"Where To?" also has a Virtual Reality setting, ideal for finding stores in a busy shopping centre. This is purchasable "in app" for only 59 pence.

Overall

"Where To" is a well designed, well thought out app that is really interesting to use. It gives you invaluable information, lets face it, it costs less than half a pint of lager! Two phone calls to directory enquiries and you have covered your costs.

I have used it a few times now, without fault.

This is a brilliant travel companion and for the price, can you really afford not to have it?

I give "Where To?" a thoroughly deserved 9/10.

Andy

Item review - Flexishield Wave case for the iPhone 4

Hello again on what is a really nice, almost spring like afternoon! It wont be long until we have the light nights and warm days and I for one cannot wait!

Today's post is a review of another case. The amount of new cases coming onto the market is amazing and I am really grateful to Natalie and the guys at MobileFun.co.uk for providing me with some to review. Hopefully these reviews will help as a guide to the better ones out there, but I also appreciate that cases are very much a matter of personal taste.

Today's case on review is the,

Flexishield Wave case for the iPhone 4.



Flexishield Wave case


This case is a cracker and is available from MobileFun.co.uk for the amazing price of £9.99.

What's in the box?

Unlike many manufacturers who provide a goody bag, this case comes on it's own. For the price I cannot complain and read on because this is probably one of the best, value for money, cases currently available.

Description.

The Flexishield Wave is very stylish in design and is made of two materials. The clear part is made of a very sturdy polycarbonate whilst the rest is made of a gel like silicon rubber. This silicon is extremely grippy and has a very nice feel to it. I cannot foresee anyone dropping their iPhone through losing their grip. Flexishield have even provided a pitted grip area to both sides which makes dropping the device even less likely!

The Flexishield Wave has well designed cut outs for the iPhones buttons and ports and is slim enough that using a third party set of earphones will not cause any problems. The camera and flash cutout will cause no problems when taking pictures.

Base of the iPhone showing 30 pin dock connector plug

Volume controls and silent switch

Camera and flash cutout

Using the Flexishield Wave case.

If, like me, you use a screen protector then you need to take your time when installing your iPhone as I found that the case did cause a little bubbling around the edges of the protector. This wasn't a big issue for me but I did install my device with care.
I always fit my iPhone "button side" first as I find this the easiest way. Once fitted I spent a minute making sure that the edges of the case were all fitting correctly.
The iPhone is certainly very snug once in the case, there is no fear of the device falling out!

You may have noticed that I use a 30 pin connector plug which is available, for very little cost, from that famous, online retailer! These plugs prevent dust and such like from getting into the iPhone, I also use a 3.5mm audio jack plug for the same reason.

From the pictures you will see that the case really does show the iPhone off well. The clear section has a really nice design to it and people often ask what case it is when I use it.

The Flexishield Wave case provides a certain amount of "lay on the table" design which is always a welcome feature. For those who don't know what "lay on the table" means, it means that the case has a slight "lip" to the front which raises the screen from the table and prevents it from getting scratched.

"lay on the table" design

As I have mentioned, the case has a really nice, grippy feel to it. It certainly feels nice in the hand. The materials used will provide a reasonable amount of protection to the iPhone, the case also feels very durable.

Overall.

I really like the Flexishield Wave case. It is certainly very attractive and sets the iPhone off really well. Not only is it stylish, it is also a protective case. Whilst not in the league of some of the "ballistic" style cases, with normal use your iPhone will be well protected.
For £9.99 I was not expecting much and I was pleasantly surprised. Hats off to Flexishield for this one!

I give the case 4.5/5.

Just a reminder guys. If you want to see a seriously good collection of iPhone 4 cases then click on the highlighted link.

Andy

Item review-Cellular Line Retractable Car Charger

Good morning one and all. I hope I find you all fit and well and looking forward to whatever challenges await this year!
In this post I intend to ease myself back into writing by reviewing a simple yet great item which possibly has the longest name! The item in question is the,

Cellular Line Retractable Car Charger

Cellular Line Retractable Car Charger



In car chargers are, in my opinion, an essential item these days particularly for anyone who is a heavy iPhone user. There is nothing worse than getting halfway through the day only to find your device is nearly out of charge. The Cellular Line Retractable Car Charger is available from MobileFun.co.uk and is priced at £10.18.

What's in the box?

Straight out of the box

The Cellular Line Retractable car charger comes nicely packaged and other than the charger, it comes with a set of user instructions. However the device is so simple to use these instructions should not be required!

What makes this charger so different from all the others?

Now most of us that have used in car chargers will know that they can be a real nuisance when not in use. The cable invariably tangles with the contents of the vehicles glove box, or wherever else it is stored. This is where this charger stands out as the charging lead is retractable at the touch of a button thus making it a lot easier to store between uses. 

In addition to the retractable lead, this charger can be used in either 12v or 24v sockets so this covers most, if not all vehicles. It is also has auto shut down thus turning itself off once your device is fully charged.

The lead partially extended

The charger in use.

To use, one simply plugs it into the vehicles electrical socket. Then pull the lead to the required length, plug into your iPhone or iPod. Once connected the LED shines bright blue.
Once your device is fully charged, simply unplug and then press the charger button located next to the LED light. The lead will retract very quickly so my advice is to hold it as you press the button thus allowing the lead to retract slowly and preventing any damage to the charger or your fingers!

Overall impressions.

The Cellular Line Retractable Car Charger is made of a sturdy plastic. It is stylish and very well constructed and with normal use, should last for years.
It stands out from other chargers due to the retractable charging lead, which is a brilliant feature.
Overall I would give this item 5/5.

For those of you who use, have access to the HTC Wildfire, why not check out this link for a great range of chargers for your device.

HTC Wildfire Chargers

Andy

I'm back!

Hello all and a very happy, if somewhat belated New Year!

I have been absent for about 6 weeks and there is a story behind it so read on lol!

Last December I was due to go into Hospital for surgery on my neck. For a few weeks prior to this I had felt really grotty and a week before my hospital stay I went down with the flu. No not "man flu" but the pucker version! My GP sent me home and for a week I was in a different world and it was not a pleasant place to be!

Fortunately I was well enough to go from my "death bed" at home to a hospital bed at the Oxford Radcliffe Infirmary, well if you call that fortunate lol! This was for surgery to remove a disc from my neck and various bits of bone that were pinching my spinal chord! This is in relation to an accident I had in 1998 and was the second time I have had this particular op. I have shrunk by about 3 inches due to losing most of the discs in my neck!

I went in on 23rd December, yes how lucky was I!, and was released on 24th in time for Xmas. However my Xmas was spent sleeping off the anaesthetic and feeling rather grim.
The recovery for this operation takes time and it is only really today that I have felt well enough to sit at my PC. Six weeks worth of emails to sort out has had me swearing a fair bit!

Anyway enough about me. I hope you all had a great Xmas and were lucky in the "gifts received" department.

I shall be back posting regularly again, if any of you have items you would like me to consider etc then please let me know.

Case review-Case Mate Vroom for the iPhone 4

Hi again on what is a milestone for my blog. Today I got to 1000 viewings, so that's 999 from me and thank you to the other person! Seriously I never considered the amount of hits my blog would get, although I do know that the blog subject is popular, so a big thank you to all who have spared the time to read my ramblings lol!

Tonight I will be doing another case review but was wondering how many cases the average iPhone 4 user owns. It would be interesting to know who has the most cases and the numbers involved, my best guesstimate would be well over 100. If any of you own a large amount of cases why not let me know.

Ok back on track and tonight's review is on the Case Mate Vroom which is available from MobileFun.co.uk and is very reasonably priced at £12.95.

Case Mate Vroom

Now first off you will notice the name, which in my opinion is rubbish. I think the marketing dept at Case Mate must have been on a late night session when they came up with this name but it is even worse when you see the reverse of the case!

the back of the Vroom!

Yes it resembles a tyre tread but come on guys, surely you can do better than Vroom!

What's in the box?

Case Mate are very good in this department as, yet again, they provide a screen protector, applicator card and very good sized micro fibre cloth in addition to the case itself. Other manufacturers please take note!

Description.

The Case Mate Vroom is a single piece case made of a very high grade silicon. The unique aspect of this case is the tyre tread pattern on the rear which is actually very accurate. To be fair I have seen cars on the road with less tread than this case but that's another story!
As with all Case Mate cases I have seen or tried personally, all the relevant cut outs are in the correct place and very neatly done. You will have no worries about operating the iPhone 4 with this case so well done Case Mate in this department.

Lens and flash cut out

sleep button, audio port and secondary mic cut out

30 pin dock connector

volume control and vibrate switch

good lay on the table design

Using the Case Mate Vroom

The Vroom is one of the easiest cases to install, a real plus point. Due to the quality of the silicon it really does provide excellent impact protection. Another feature so often overlooked is the lay on the table design. As you can see from the image above, the Case Mate Vroom offers excellent protection in this department. As always, I use a screen protector with  this case. Unfortunately that is where the good points end for this case and on this I will elaborate.

I found the silicon to be very slippery to the touch, in an odd way it even felt slimey. This feeling is made worse by wet hands and I would not trust myself not to do a good impression of trying to hold a bar of soap! Yes the back of the case has a substantial amount of grip but the sides seemed to have been overlooked. In addition to this I found the case really difficult to extract from my trouser pockets. I know this is in contradiction to how the case feels, but it really seems to snag on cotton pocket liners.
The final annoyance with the Vroom is the amount of dust and grease from my hands it seems to attract. Now I don't have greasy hands, or at least my wife has never mentioned it lol, but just holding the case I seemed to transfer lots and lots of pale marks. The dust it attracts is really bad, it's a real "lint" magnet and after a few hours use I thought the case looked really "tatty".

Overall.

Case Mate are a premiere case manufacturer so the Case Mate Vroom came as a real surprise. I would prefer to see the case made a 2 part with a plastic outer, this would fix all the problems. I won't be using the Vroom again, unfortunately it is destined for the "odds and sods" drawer at home ready to give out as a gift to someone!!!!!(just kidding).
Overall I give this case a 3/10 and just think that Case Mate had a bad day when they drew this one up.

I will be back later this week, hopefully with my Xmas shopping done, so until then stay safe and warm,

Andy









App of the week-Fizz Weather.

Good evening guys and gals, hope you have had a good day. To those of you who have done your Xmas shopping today I say, "would you do mine please" as I have yet to start! I usually leave it to the last moment and then panic but I WILL do mine this week coming! I also know what day I won't be doing my shopping because the weather forecast is terrible. So how do I know this fact?

Well I don't have access to any weather super computer but I do have an excellent weather app called,
Fizz Weather  which is available from the app store and costs £2.39.

If you are anything like me, you will have tried a whole host of different weather apps, some free and some paid. Most I have tried have been rubbish, either very inaccurate or prone to crashing but Fizz Weather has proved to be totally reliable and also very accurate.

Fizz Weather

What is Fizz Weather?

Developed by Fizz Software Ltd, it is a weather app that encompasses so many features it will keep even the most critical of users completely satisfied. Fizz Weather is a feature packed weather application which uses local weather stations, situated at airports, to provide a very accurate weather forecast.

How do I use Fizz Weather?

Firstly it has access to over 58,000 cities globally and it is one of the few that located the village where I live. You can either search manually or allow the app to search using the iPhone 4 GPS. I searched manually and within seconds it located my village. It also located 8 airports within a fairly close proximity, all of which provide weather forecasts used by the app.
Set up was easy for me as I don't travel much. I simply set it for my village, changed 1 or 2 features in the settings tab and I was ready to use it.
If you are a traveller both nationally and internationally, you can select and store a number of locations as well as the default. Selecting a stored location is easy within the menu.

What does Fizz Weather report?

It provides the user with a huge range of choices. Everything is done by a very slick, touch screen UI which is extremely user friendly. Below are just a few of the huge range of features that this app gives the user.

It will provide the current weather forecast.

current weather report

This page shows wind speed, wind direction, visibility, barometric pressure, humidity in %, sunrise and sunset times as well as the airports providing the forecast. Graphically it is very easy to understand but a nice touch is it displays either the sun or moon, dependant on the time of day, with appropriate weather graphics. This is also the default report screen for any of the huge range of forecasts.

It will provide a 2 day forecast.

2 day forecast

The 2 day forecast is self explanatory. You can tap on the mini icons to get the default weather screen with all the relevant information.

You also get a 5 day, 7 day and 15 day chart which are used in the same way. With these 3 settings you also get access to mini charts which show a variety of important information such as temperature, rainfall and wind speed trends.

Showing "mini chart"

If you turn the iPhone 4 horizontally you get the full screen weather charts.

full screen temperature chart

full screen rainfall chart.

You also get maps and satellite screens, there is a radar screen but that does not work in the UK at the moment.

map screen



satellite screen

 There are more features including information about flights from major airports but I think you get the picture.

Overall user experience.

For such a feature filled app, Fizz Weather is an absolute breeze to use. The UI is totally intuitive and  probably the best I have seen on any weather app.
Whilst this app reports on a whole host of weather information, that information is very easy to understand. The weather forecast is very accurate and I find myself turning to this app on a daily basis, particularly with the extremes of weather we get in the UK at this time of year!

So there you have it. A cracking app which I consider to be a "must have" on your device. Download it, you won't be disappointed! This app scores a maximum 5/5.

I will be back soon with another review so until then, stay warm and safe.

Andy