Perfect for the lady technophile

By Kate Trogvac, Designer/Fashion Blogger

A desktop, a MacBook Pro, an iPad, an iPhone, and an iPod, I have them all, and I admit that I have a problem. Obviously, I require a solution: a stylish bag that’s made for toting around a laptop and a tablet, with room to spare for other gadgets. Here comes the Sumo Combo Laptop/Tablet Backpack from Mobile Edge, the solution for the fashionable lady technophile. The Combo Backpack is made to fit and protect both a tablet and a 14.1″ laptop or 15″ MacBook Pro. Woot!

Sumo products are known for their durability and functionality. I’ve tested others before the Sumo Women’s Laptop Purse and the Sumo Laptop Briefcase, and I really like their products. With the Sumo Combo Backpack, the designers have combined the ease I love about backpacks with the styling I love in shoulder bags.

The Sumo Combo has comfort in mind. There are adjustable padded shoulder straps, a padded back, and a quilted back panel. (Note: my slim friend tried on the pack and found it super comfy. Sumo says this backpack is for the active woman’s lifestyle, and I think they’re spot on. The best part of this laptop/tablet backpack is its convenience safely carrying electronics while cycling to work, having your hands free for your kids, or, in my case, dealing with a very needy dog.

More than just function, the Sumo Combo Backpack features design like you’d find in a shoulder bag. The outside of the backpack has side pockets that fit water bottles, and the pockets’ edges line up with the zipper for the large front pocket. This gives the pack clean lines. The bag’s faux leather bottom is slightly ruche, and the top of the bag tightens with grommets laced with a coordinating faux leather pull. A top flap closes with a latch. Its classic styling with a bit of sport: exactly what I want in a backpack with Sumo’s lifetime guarantee.

To read Kate’s full review click here.

By KARI HAMANAKA, Orange County Business Journal

Product placement is a big part of the marketing strategy of laptop-case designer Mobile Edge LLC.

Its products have been placed in episodes of several TV shows including Glee, Community, Chuck, Body of Evidence and Pretty Little Liars.

The placements largely are the work of Matt Olivolo, Mobile Edge public relations director, who works with prop masters to get the company’s mix of laptop messenger bags, backpacks and briefcases on TV. The company used a products-placement consultant to get the ball rolling a couple of years back, but Olivolo has handled the placements directly for the last six months.

The Anaheim-based company’s cases have been used on FOX’s Glee for the past two years with 30 different backpacks or cases having made an appearance on the show.

“It has benefited Mobile Edge a lot, simply because there are some loyal Glee fans out there and a few sites devoted to products on Glee,” Olivolo said.

One fan site, called Fashion of Glee, reports on the various clothes and accessories worn by the show’s characters.  The site has helped drive traffic to Mobile Edge’s site.

For viewers who may not be frequenting Fashion of Glee or other sites like it, Olivolo also writes about product appearances on the company’s blog to make sure the company ranks high on search-engine results.

The company also does more traditional advertising, running ads in trade and consumer publications, including Laptop and Twice.

“We have integrated marketing and public relations,” Olivolo said. “As technology grows, it just seems like a perfect fit for the two to merge.”

Visit the Orange County Business Journal to read this review, and other local business news by clicking here.

Fashionable, Professional Bags for Women Lawyers

By Staci Zaretsky, Lawyer & Fashion Blogger
Women lawyers, have you struggled to find a fashionable, yet professional, bag to bring to the office? Are you worried that your colleagues won’t take you seriously if your bag is too “cute”? Worse yet, have you finally managed to find a fashionable bag that’s professional enough for the office, but later discovered that it simply won’t hold your files? If any of these situations have happened to you, please take comfort in the fact that you are not alone.

Some believe that women lawyers who wear fashionable bags will jeopardize their credibility in the legal profession. On the other hand, there are those who believe that women lawyers who exhibit a sense of personal style will be able to boost their colleagues’ confidence in their skills and abilities. I believe that both camps may be partially correct, because like it or not, the way that you dress, including the accessories that you wear, affects how others view you in the professional world. In order to gain some additional perspective on this issue, I decided to speak with two well-known women lawyers.

Staci’s Stylish Suggestions

For women lawyers, it can be extremely time-consuming and difficult to find a fashionable bag that’s appropriate for the office. When we add femininity and functionality to the list, it becomes even harder to find a suitable bag. Luckily, I have some suggestions for you.

Mobile Edge ScanFast Element Briefcase
Available in brown, pink, or green, Mobile Edge has created a cute bag that will hold your laptop and your files. Not only is the ScanFast TSA compliant, but it also has a wireless security shield that will protect your important client data. This dainty briefcase is not only easy on the eyes, but on the wallet, too.

In my opinion, all three bag choices are fun, fashionable, and functional. Please feel free to discuss them in the comments section. I will continue to remain on the prowl for the next great thing in terms of fashionable, professional bags in the hopes that I can pass along my greatest finds to you, the readers.

To read Staci’s full review click here.

By Poornima Gupta, Reuters Technology Reporter

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Apple Inc’s new iPad topped Consumer Reports’ list of tablets despite the influential watchdog stoking doubts two weeks ago by saying the latest iteration of the best-selling tablet threw off more heat when used heavily.

The widely followed group that reviews everything from electronics to cars, said on Monday that it did not find the higher temperatures to be cause for concern.
The nonprofit organization also tested the iPad for concerns about poor battery recharging when playing an intense video game.

“The problem was limited to times when the device was playing a demanding game with the screen fully bright,” it said.

Consumer Reports had earlier found that the new iPad reached temperatures of 116 degrees Fahrenheit (47 Celsius) after 45 minutes of running an intense action game. That meant the new iPad was hotter by up to 13 degrees Fahrenheit than the previous model under similar conditions.

The third iteration of the iPad is off to a strong start with sales of more than 3 million units since it hit store shelves last month.

The group generated headlines in 2010 when it said it could not recommend the iPhone 4 to buyers due to signal reception issues.

Apple’s co-founder, the late Steve Jobs, called a press conference to address the issues laid out by the publication and then gave consumers free bumpers, a frame-like cover, with the phone as the nonprofit group had said the case fixed the reception problem.

Reviews for the new iPad have generally been good. The latest version from Apple is not a complete redesign of the iPad 2, but takes advantage of faster 4G wireless technology and has a sharper display.

Protect your new iPad with a stylish iPad case by Mobile Edge. To read the full article click here.

If you have ever watched an episode of Glee, you have probably seen dozens of Mobile Edge laptop bags used by nearly all of the actors. Brittany and Santana as shown above, have used their Mobile Edge backpacks in several episodes showing off their style.

This photo is shown on the Fashion of Glee Blog Site devoted to, well all of the fashionable clothes and accessories show on Glee.

Mobile Edge offers more than 350 different laptop case styles to choose from, there is a style we made just for you. Now all you have to do is decide how many laptop cases you want!

Watch Glee on Fox every Tuesday night at 8/7 central.

The new Special Edition Alienware M17x Tactical Backpack has the ideal look and feel for Gamers. Its urban camouflage pattern fits in nicely with the new Battlefield 3 graphics.

The new Tactical Backpack is not only durable, but it also provides superior computer protection for your coveted Alienware Laptop. With the investment you have in your screaming-fast Alienware laptop, it is essential to protect it while on the road.

As an added feature, the M17x Tactical Backpack is also TSA compliant, meaning you can leave your laptop in the bag while passing through airport checkpoints. This keeps your laptop safe from being dropped, scratched, or even stolen.

Alienware is promoting the new Tactical Backpack on their site at Alienware.com. Check them out there, or on the Mobile Edge website.

Recently, Kate reviewed the stylish Sumo Professional Briefcase and had some really great things to say about it. Check out her review below, and click on the link at the end to read the full review.

A staple in your laptop’s wardrobe

By Kate Trgovac

My closet is full of work clothes, but I can only classify one outfit as “the perfect work suit”. My perfect work suit fits me like a glove. It looks good standing up for a presentation – it looks good sitting down for an interview. I can trust it to carry me through the day with confidence and it always adds a little spring in my step. The Sumo Professional Laptop Briefcase from Mobile Edge, with its funky look, sturdy construction, and superior laptop cosseting capabilities makes it the perfect briefcase counterpart to my perfect work suit.

This bag is great for client meetings in the city or when I travel out of town on business. Actually, it’s perfect to take with me on vacation too – it’s for any occasion when I need my laptop (and why be coy? That’s pretty much every occasion.)

The Sumo professional briefcase has a front zippered compartment for quick, easy access. There are accessory pockets, space for my business cards and keys, and when I take this bag with me to the airport, I can stow my passport and boarding pass in there.

Unzipping the main compartment of the bag reveals two storage areas sandwiched on either side of a laptop sleeve. The large front storage compartment is, like my perfect work suit, made to complement accessories. There are storage pockets for my electronic doo-dads, including a pocket that is lined with soft fabric. I put my iPhone there to keep it scratch-free. There’s also plenty of room for my A/C adapter and various cords.

The cushioned, corduroy laptop sleeve is positioned in the middle of the bag, acting as a divider between front and back storage sections. My 15″ MacBook Pro fits perfectly. The manufacturer states that it will fit a PC laptop up to 11″ x 16″ x 2″, and this is realistic. When packed up, the center-positioned sleeve made the bag extremely comfortable to wear. Rather than a rigid laptop against my hip, the storage area next to my body had a more give and the bag felt more balanced.

The back storage section is ideal for files and reading material. Like the front section, there’s plenty of room. The back of the bag has a cool quilted design and a luggage pass-through strap (always a plus for me). The sides of the bag feature a water bottle holder on one side and accessory pockets on the other.

To read the full review click here.

Apple’s new iPad is as amazing as all the hype claimed it would be. Just when I thought they could not make the iPad 2 any better, they did. Apple added the amazing Retina display, the 5MP iSight camera, and the ultra-fast 4G LTE.

This new iPad is a must have. The question is, do you get the WiFi only version or the 4G?

Regardless of the tablet you choose, the new Uprise360 iPad Stand from Mobile Edge and Hub Innovations is ideal.

The beauty is, you can place your iPad in the stand and rotate it vertically or horizontally 360 degrees. Use it at the office, the kitchen (like my wife does reading recipes), the classroom or anywhere else you choose.

The new iPad stand folds up nicely into a compact form when not in use and can easily be carried in an existing laptop or tablet bag from Mobile Edge. The Uprise360uses similar technology the REV360 uses with the ability to rotate the iPad in any direction effortlessly.

For only $39.99, this is a great iPad stand that will work for you for years to come! The Uprise360 will work with the iPad 2 and the new iPad (3rd Generation iPad).

The photos of the Uprise360 was taken at the Brea Mall Apple Store, the day the new iPad was released (March 16th).

Stay tuned to the Mobile Edge Blog for updates when the product will be available for ordering.

Mobile Edge offers new a new iPad case that has a molded hand cover and strap to use while on the go, and rotates 360 degrees. Click here to learn more about the new REV360 by Mobile Edge and Hub Innovations.

I found this article on Reuters describing new uses for Apple’s popular tablet.

By Genevra Pittman, Reuters Health Editor

When doctors-in-training at the University of Chicago were given iPad tablet computers to use on their rounds, they found that using the device helped them be more efficient at ordering tests and procedures for their patients.

The study from the university program, published Monday in the Archives of Internal Medicine, tracked 115 residents who received devices purchased by the hospital. There was no funding reported from Apple Inc, which makes the iPad.

Most residents who used the devices to access patient records and coordinate their care said they cut about an hour per day off their workload. Researchers also found that the internal medicine trainees tended to put in orders for patient procedures earlier than before they got an iPad.

“What’s happening to medicine now is it’s very data-driven, and a lot of the data is being put into computers and the computers aren’t at the (patient’s) bedside,” said Dr. Bhakti Patel, the study’s lead author from the University of Chicago.

“A lot of people are feeling that they can’t spend a lot of time at the bedside because they’re kind of shackled to the computer,” she told Reuters Health.

The researchers didn’t test the iPads against any different devices, such as other brands of tablets or smartphones. Patel said that other medical training programs might consider varying types of devices, depending on what fits their needs.

After a first try of giving a few residents iPads went well, Patel and her colleagues handed the devices out to all 115 of their internal medicine doctors-in-training in late 2010.

It appears the size will be ever so slightly bigger and will have a Retna Security Scan. This is all interesting and exciting news. Also, there is rumor that the iPad 3 will be called the iPad HD.

Of course, Mobile Edge has several new iPad cases that will fit the new iPad 3 or should I call it iPad HD? Regardless, Mobile Edge and Sumo have you covered!

Here is some good information from Gizmodo regarding the new Apple tablet. To read the full article, click on the link at the bottom of the page

By Kyle Wagner, Gizmodo Technology Editor
It’s that magical time of year again, when everyone expects a new iPad to be right around the corner. Which in turn means an amassment of iPad 3 rumors clogging up our lives. Here’s a quick guide to making sense of them.

Take all of these with the usual large piles of salt grains. Oh, and remember: The iPad may only be two years old, but it’s already such an institution that any radical shifts in design or philosophy are almost definitely out of the question (sorry, 7-inch believers). But that doesn’t mean we don’t expect see some significant changes both inside and out.

Display
One of the iPhone’s most beloved features is its ultrasharp retina display. And while the iPad 2’s screen is no lightweight, a bump up in pixel density is one of the most hotly anticipated iPad 3 improvements. MacRumors claims to have obtained an iPad 3 display that confirms the bump in resolution. The display is the same size as iPad 1 and 2 screens, but has double the resolution at 2048×1536, with pixels about a quarter the size of the iPad 2’s.

Android tablet displays passed the iPad last summer, and since then have moved into 1080p territory, so it seems far fetched that Apple would put off upgrading the iPad’s screen another year.

Guts
It’s extremely unlikely that anything other than a superfast new A6 chip will power the iPad 3, as Bloomberg and others have reported. The main question at this point seems to be whether that A6 will pack quad core power. On one hand, competitors like the Transformer Prime have moved on to quad core chips, and the incredible gaming and HD movie processing heft that upgrade entails. And both BGR and Bloomberg have recently reported that the A6 will indeed be quad core. But for what it’s worth, Apple has shown in the past that it’s willing to stand pat if it feels a spec is more than good enough for the next generation, like it did with the iPad 2’s 512MB of RAM.

Speaking of RAM, if we’re going to take the retina display rumors seriously, it would make sense that the RAM would finally see an upgrade in the iPad 3. The iPad 2’s 512MB, like the iPhone 4S’s, was buffered by the symbiotic relationship between software and hardware. But it stands to reason that the brute force required to push the massive number of pixels a 10-inch retina display would require a memory upgrade. File that under pure speculation.

Camera
iLounge cited several sources saying the iPad 3 will have an HD front-facing camera for HD Facetime. This would make a lot of sense, considering that quality front-facing cameras have found their way into phones like the Lumia 900, and people use their tablets for video chat much more than their phones.

It’s worth mentioning here that while many of these hardware upgrade rumors seem inevitable, we thought the same about the whoops-that’s-not-happening-iPhone 5. So keep that enthusiasm curbed until the official announcement.

To read the full review click here.