Accessories Briefs

By TWICE Staff -- TWICE, 12/20/2010

Airbak Introduces Inflatable Laptop Backpack

NEW YORK — Airbak Tech has introduced a backpack with an inflatable air pocket to provide protection for laptops and other devices.

The Air Tech backpack uses a patented, built-in air cushion technology to protect gear, as well as alleviate back stress by spreading the weight of the backpack and its contents more evenly throughout the back than a standard laptop backpack. According to Airbak, the majority of the weight is distributed to the core muscles of the hips and waist and the backpack rests on the top of the wearer’s gluteal muscles, padded with a cushion of air. This allows the wearer to keep normal body posture and spinal alignment and relax comfortably in an upright position rather than being hunched over.

The company’s tests show that the Airbak requires one-tenth the amount of energy and stress on the spinal column to carry than does a standard backpack carrying the same weight. Airbak said it is adjustable to any body type; wearers need only pump the air system to a desired level of lumbar support. When contents are added or taken out of the bag, the Airbak can be adjusted by additional air pumping or release. It retails for $79.99.

VidaBox Shipping On-Wall Powered iPad Mounts

GARDEN CITY PARK, N.Y. — VidaBox is now shipping its on-wall iPad mounting solution with integrated iPower charging technology for custom installations. The mount can to deliver power to up to four iPad-compatible power feeds over CAT-5 cable. The VidaBox iPad mounts feature slim, 19mm aluminum frames in seven different colors and finishes: Black Metalline, Brushed German Silver, Florentine Black, Florentine Grey, Florentine Silver, Florentine Walnut and Matte Black.

The frames can also be painted to blend into any environment. For electronic systems contractors, the optional iPower charging station allows multiple mounted iPads to be continually charged from a single centralized location, without having to utilize USB-over-CAT-5 extenders. The mounts are available now at a suggested retail price of $149, while the optional iPower complete iPad charging solution retails for $399.

Ballistic Adds Evo Case

AZUSA, CALIF. — Ballistic has introduced a version of its HC case for the HTC Evo. The Ballistic HC for Evo offers the same five layers of protection as its iPhone and BlackBerry counterparts and features built-in water-resistant materials to cover the device’s speakers. It also includes a video stand and a holster with a rotating belt clip. Ballistic defined the five layers as a screen protector, a shock-absorbent polymer to prevent scratches and absorb shock from a drop, an impact- resistant polycarbonate shell, a second layer of shock-absorption polymer for added protection, and an optional soft silicone outermost layer.

It will be available in black/black, black/red and black/gray for a $49.99 suggested retail.

iKit Intros AutoCon FM Transmitter

SANTA MONICA, CALIF. — iKit introduced the AutoCon FM transmitter earlier this month. Features include a 3.5mm aux cable and rapid auto- scan technology. Users have full control of the play/pause, volume, track, and skip features of an MP3 player, and the current song and library selection is always displayed. The AutoCon comes with the company’s AutoCharge USB car charger. Suggested retail is $44.95. It’s currently available.