The iPad has received a lot of positive press since it was launched early last month. Though the device is primarily seen as a platform for media consumption, the iPad is also becoming increasingly popular among traveling businessmen who see this as a great alternative to their notebooks.
Despite the enhanced user experience that an iPad offers, business users have had a few areas of concern with the tablet device.
While the lack of a physical keyboard has always been cited as a reason why the iPad may not completely replace netbooks or laptops, the vulnerability of the device to accidental damage is another area of concern. This is especially true for those users who carry their iPad on travel.
ClamCase, an iPad accessory seeks to address both these concerns. Promoted as an "all-in-one keyboard, case and stand for the iPad", ClamCase is basically a protective casing for the iPad, which comes integrated with a physical keyboard. The keyboard interacts with the iPad via Bluetooth. As you may notice from the video embedded below, the iPad may be used as a laptop when the casing is opened half-way through. Also, ClamCase could be made to act as an iPad stand by folding the casing backwards.
We don't have information about the pricing of ClamCase yet but the accessory is expected to launch during Fall of this year. The official ClamCase website has been facing a streak of downtimes of late owing to the surge in traffic since the accessory was unveiled. This is perhaps an indication of the level of interest among iPad users for such an accessory.
Nevertheless, this is likely to trigger a debate over the pros and cons of an iPad over a netbook. What are your views on this? Do you see an interest in the ClamCase as a testament to the indispensability of a physical keyboard? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
looks sweet to me
Yeah hopefully it's not that expensive and i will get one for sure!
Looks pretty good. Can make iPad more competitive in the war of laptops.
iPad isn't in a war with laptops, it isn't a laptop itself…
Looks pretty stupid. Just goes to how how dumb people are these days to buy an upas and this as a replacement laptop/netbook.
Once again the shit keyboard on the iPhone autocorrcts like shit.
The company probably made a few as a 'Can be Done' & got bombarded by fan boys haha
Company execs scrambling to mass produce & cash in lol
Once again the user fails to read what is typed before hitting submit. If the auto-correct bugs you turn it off.
This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Marvel Entertainment.
?
That's what I wonder too… ipad is already $499 add in the case and your easily looking at $599 or more combined… at that point your in the premium netbook / low end laptop price range with a full OS.
A week after I bought my iPad, I bought the normal apple bluetooth keyboard (the white one), since there's no iPad accessory yet in my country (obviously, not in US).
While it's a hassle to carry two pieces of devices, both work flawlessly to replace my old laptop. I can now use the iPad for my work (I work in a publishing business).
I'd buy this ClamCase if it would mean less device to carry (iPad+ physical keyboard in 1 package).
In recent weeks, we have seem many attempts to "convert" the iPad into a portable laptop. Not only do we see these efforts as folly and doomed to fail, we believe they are a hindrance to the development of a better computing interface.
Once more folks let go of the screen/keyboard mindset, we will see the more and more of the power of the touch UI unleashed.
More on this line of thought here…
http://www.rainydaymagazine.com/RDM2010/Home/May/Week1/RDMHomeMay0710.htm#NavigatingATouchscreenUI