Gadgets! Camera bag crafters know that, these days, if you’re carrying photo stuffs, you’re likely also bringing some kind of computer, and other electronic knick-knacks, along for the ride.
Lowepro Event Messenger 150 by Lowepro Category: Backpacks Works With: DSLRs, lenses, iPads Price: $70
A lot of bags concede that means a small Macbook Pro or Air will need a lift, but Lowepro’s Event Messenger 150 bag knows true technorati stroll with only the essentials: a lens or two, a camera body, and an iPad. So that’s what the sleek-looking Event Messenger 150 (EM 150) was built to transport. I took it for a spin to see how it performs.
Kanam by Davarg Category: Cases Works With: iPhone 5 Price: $45
This is the first part of a two-part review. When you see the case I’m writing about, the reason will be obvious. It’s the Castello Davarg Kanam, and it’s a wraparound case fashioned from full grain leather in the good old U.S of A. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean that it was thrown together by unionized slackers with one eye on the time-clock: The case is clearly put together with some care.
Why the tow-parter? Because this is a chunk of cow, and as such it’s meant to age gracefully, getting better over time. So today is more of a first look, with a long-term write-up to follow.
mŌna by Kubxlab Category: Stands Works With: iPads 2, 3 and 4 Price: $30
There would be but one way to make the mŌna iPad stand seem more like an adult toy, and that’d to make it in pink. As it is. The suggestive-looking stand comes in black, white and red. I have been using one on and off for a few months (strictly for iPad support purposes) and found it to be excellent in some aspects and silly in others. Would you like to know more?
With an urban, brushed-metal look, premium construction, and space for your camera and Macbook Air or 13’ Pro, Acme Made’s Montgomery Street Backpack is no doubt a great day pack for city walkers. Its side-sitting camera pouch is the standout feature of this bag, though, allowing quick retrieval of your mirrorless cam or DLSR without having to take the bag off.
Montgomery Street Backpack by Acme Made Category: Backpacks Works With: Macbook Air, 13’ Pro, Smaller Cameras Price: $100
The Montgomery however, while well suited for those with petite electronics and a taste for the more hipster things in life, mightn’t perform as well for those with a larger Mac, a full size DSLR, or a fear of wearing a pack so cute the girlfriend might want to borrow it.
Hidden Radio by Hidden Radio Category: Bluetooth Speakers Works With: Anything with Bluetooth Price: $150
The Hidden Radio was an early Kickstarter success, blowing past its original $125,000 goal to hit almost a million bucks. I was, apparently, the first gadget writer to post about it, and a the end of last summer — shortly after the speakers started shipping, I met John and Vitor here in Barcelona.
Aspira by Ballistic Category: Cases Works With: iPhone 5 Price: $35
Ballistic’s new Aspira iPhone cases are a little different from your usual ruggedized case. First, they’re not ugly. Second, they’re pretty slim. And third, you can keep them in your pocket.
I have been testing out a box of the things for a little while now and I kinda like them. My friends’ opinions might differ, though.
Spider Monkey by Spider Holster Category: Camera Gear Works With: Anything Price: $17
I was going to ditch the standard review format for this post and instead make a gallery of different objects hung on my belt Using the neat little Spider Monkey accessory holster.
That was until I discovered that the adhesive tab that helps hold the Monkey’s Tab onto the target accessory is not reusable. Well, that might not be strictly true. It might well be reusable, but I will never find out because it is almost certainly unremovable.
I have fond memories of the cassette tape. The first album I ever bought was on cassette — I won’t tell you what it was — and I used to spend hours taping songs off the radio so that I could listen to them on my cheap Bush walkman, which had just three buttons and a volume control.
Cassette Case by Rocket Cases Category: Cases Works With: iPhone 5 Price: $14.99
The cassette’s pretty much dead now, of course, but you can help it live on with this cool cassette case for iPhone 5 from Rocket Cases. Priced at just $14.99, it’s made from a sturdy TPU plastic that provides your device with all-over protection from drops and scratches.
I’ve been testing it for a few weeks to find out whether it is worth its price tag, or whether it’s as useful as an actual cassette tape.
Smarter Stand by SmarterFlo Category: Stands Works With: iPhone 5 Price: $12-ish
Don’t you hate it when your earbud cable gets tangled? I know I do (but not as much as I hate Apple’s stupid earbuds themselves). Luckily, Dotan Saguy has come up with the Smarter Stand for the iPhone, a pliable plastic widget which not only acts as a place to wrap your earbud cable, but also as a handy-dandy stand for the iPhone.
I have been using one for a little while now and it turns out to be a pretty useful little gadget.
Do you ever worry that your beloved MacBook’s sleek aluminum shell will get damaged when it’s packed inside your bag with the rest of your gadgets and gizmos. This handmade, wool felt sleeve from MyBanana aims to give your notebook a home of its own, away from sharp keys, USB cables, chargers, and all the other things you might need to pack into your bag when you’re on the road.
Wool Felt Sleeve by MyBanana Category: Sleeve Works With: MacBook Air, MacBook Pro Price: £48+
Its slimline design holds your MacBook Air or Retina MacBook Pro — depending on which size you go for — plus smaller items in a pocket on its front. This is ideal for carrying Lightning cables, an iPhone, or even an iPad mini.
Anything you stick inside the sleeve is secured by two vegatable tanned leather traps with snap fasteners.
Pricing starts at £48 ($56) for the 11-inch MacBook Air sleeve, then rises to £54 ($63) for the 13-inch MacBook Air or Retina MacBook Pro models. If you have a 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro, it’ll cost you £58 ($68).
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![Lowepro’s Messenger 150 Bag Totes An iPad And Camera Gear [Review]](http://cdn.cultofmac.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/lowepro-event-messenger-150-bag-2.jpg)
![Like Fine Wine, Davarg’s Lovely Leather Case Will Get Lovelier With Age [Review]](http://cdn.cultofmac.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/davarg-1.jpg)
![mŌna iPad Stand Will Set Tongues Wagging [Review]](http://cdn.cultofmac.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/untitled-2.jpg)
![Montgomery Street Pack Keeps Your Camera Close And Your Macbook Safe [Review]](http://cdn.cultofmac.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/acme-made-montgomery-street-backpack-1.jpg)
![Hidden Radio Looks Great, Sounds… Fine [Review]](http://cdn.cultofmac.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/IMG_6093.jpg "IMG_6093.JPG")
![Ballistic Aspira Case Mixes Toughness With Sleek Good Looks [Review]](http://cdn.cultofmac.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/IMG_6089.jpg)
