Kensington Intros Wireless Tethering For iPhones, Universal Tablet Folio

By Lisa Johnston On Sep 19 2011 - 4:01am

REDWOOD SHORES, CALIF. — Kensington is upgrading its “Smart.Simple” motto to include “Smart.Safe.Simple,” and it has a new range of products that fit the new phrasing.

The computer peripherals and security manufacturer came to the TWICE offices last week to debut some of its newest wares. The BungeeAir wireless tether and case was named as such because a bungee cord can be stretched and brought back, Dan Torres, senior director global product management, told TWICE, and something will happen if it is stretched too far.

In the case of the BungeeAir, what happens is an audible alert and a vibration. The product consists of a key fob and a battery-boosting iPhone case that has a built-in 30-pin adapter. This adapter acts as a wireless tether to the key fob, and when the key fob is too far from the iPhone (or iPad or iPod Touch), the fob will beep and vibrate.

Users must download an app to use the tethering, and the app also enables the iPhone to go into a locked mode when the tether alert is activated.

Users for this device would include anyone who brings his phone with him anywhere he goes. If a user walks out of the house with his keys and his coffee, but forgets his iPhone, the alert will activate, Torres said. It has a range of about 30 to 50 feet, depending on the dynamics of the building, and uses Kensingston’s proprietary 2.4GHz wireless technology.

The BungeeAir can also act as a security device. If anyone tries to remove the 30-pin adapter, the phone automatically goes into a password-protected locked mode.

The fob features a six-month battery life, which Torres said was crucial in the development of the product, as no one would want to use such a product if it constantly died. The fob and adapter can be purchased for $79.99 in late October; adding the battery- boosting case brings the bundle up to $99.99, which is currently available.

Kensington also showed off several other products, including a universal Bluetooth keyboard and stand meant for use with non-iPad tablets. The Keyfolio Universal features removable corners that firmly attach to the case and can be adjusted to fit the dimensions of any tablet. The Bluetooth keyboard is removable, and the case also acts as a stand, with seven different positions for the tablet.