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iPad Stand on Steroids: The Strongest Monkey

May 10, 2013

The MonkeyTail is a powerful iPad stand. When used correctly, it can hold almost any tablet in any position. The following tips from Octa will help you position your MonkeyTail in places that were previous impossible.

iPad Stand That Works Around the Clock

When using the MonkeyTail as an iPad stand, make sure to coil the tail in a clockwise direction. The end of the tail should start at the “noon” hour. Feel free to save the attached graphic on your tablet for reference! This position also helps when using the MonkeyTail as an iPad stand on your stomach or on a soft surface, like a couch.

iPad Stand With a Center of Gravity

For the most part, your tablet’s weight should be centered over the circular base of your MonkeyTail. It will serve as the sturdiest iPad stand this way.

iPad Stand With a Spine

The MonkeyTail is sturdy yet flexible. Inside the MonkeyTail’s spine is a sophisticated, coiled metal spiral. That spiral provides both strength and rigidity. By spiraling your stand in the same direction as its internal coil, you’ll get increased strength out of your MonkeyTail.

by Nikki Braziel in Tips

iPad Ergonomics Part One: Best Practices for using your iPad

September 19, 2012

With the boom in sales of the iPad and similar handheld mobile computers, many users are discovering the convenience of the tablet form factor for the first time. But while this new style of computer is extremely popular, it presents a host of new ergonomic challenges that could have lasting implications on the health of our bodies. As we spend more and more time holding, typing, and swiping on our iPads, we’re putting new stresses on our bodies that can have serious physical implications down the line. Because we spend as much time on our iPads as anbody, we set out to examine the best practices of iPad ergonomics that will keep tablet usage efficient, comfortable, and–most of all–healthy. (more…)

by Alexei Bochenek in Tips

Mobile Register: iPhone & iPad Point Of Sale Apps & Accessories

August 8, 2012

If you’ve recently set foot in a craft fair, farmers market, or convention center and done some shopping, you’ve probably seen an iPad cleverly acting as a mobile point of sale register. With the help of a wireless connection, your tablet can be used to process and accept credit card transactions wherever you are, just like an established brick and mortar shop. We decided to check out the most popular solutions for making an iPad into a register for ourselves, so read on to see what we found. (more…)

by Alexei Bochenek in Tips

Take a Hike! iPhone and iPad Apps and Accessories for the Great Outdoors

August 6, 2012

Now that your iPhone and iPad are packed with all of your favorite apps, nobody really expects you to travel without them, even if you’re planning on “roughing it” through a hiking or camping trip into the woods. So we’ve rounded up some great hiking-related apps and accessories for taking with you on your next outdoor excursion. (more…)

by Alexei Bochenek in Tips

Tiny Fingers, Big Fun: Our Favorite Kids’ iPad Apps

July 30, 2012

Hand your iPad to a small child, and you can be sure their eyes will immediately widen as they realize the simple but intense joy of what we (boring) adults call “touchscreen computing.” The bright, responsive screen is like an imagination-magnet for little kids, who take to tablets like fish to water. But if your device is devoid of any quality children’s iPad apps, expect to find your app drawer and e-mail account a mess when you pry it out of your companion’s tiny hands. Here are some of our favorite iPad apps designed specifically for the youngest iPad users out there, which will keep a curious kid busy poking and swiping for hours. (more…)

by Alexei Bochenek in Tips

Get Goofy: Time Well Wasted with Four Fun iPhone and iPad Apps

July 27, 2012

Productivity be damned! Sometimes you just want to grab your iPhone or iPad and kill an hour or two with nothing to show for it except satisfaction. To help on your mission of screen tapping, time wasting app-induced euphoria, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite goofy iOS downloads. (more…)

by Alexei Bochenek in Tips

iPhone and iPad Apps that Will Spin Your Bicycle Wheels

July 25, 2012

For some reason, something that seemed perfectly natural as a kid can seem extremely intimidating as an adult. But if you could ride a bike when you were 10, there’s no reason you can’t still do it when you’re 20, 30, 40 or up. While the weather is nice, it’s the perfect time to get back into the saddler-errr bicycle seat, and these great iPhone and iPad apps and accessories will help you do it with ease. And if you never stopped riding your bike, read on to see if you’re missing out on any great iPhone or iPad apps you should’ve already downloaded by now. (more…)

by Alexei Bochenek in Tips

Get To The Point – The Best iPad Styluses

July 20, 2012

The iPad was built to be touched, sure. But as far as pointers go, our fingers don’t always feel like the most functional tools. If you’ve ever tried to scribble out your signature on screen or go deep into detail in a round of Draw Something, you’ve known what it means to yearn for a better input device. Luckily, there are an army of iPad accessory makers producing styluses (or styli) of all shapes and sizes to better your touch experience. To find out which one is best for you, read on about the best stylus options we’ve encountered. (more…)

by Alexei Bochenek in Tips

Dig In – The Best Gardening Apps for iPad & iPhone

July 18, 2012

Not many hobbies result in delicious, healthy meals and colorful bouquets. That’s why gardening is a great way to spend a summer; you can get some sun but also end up feeling productive. If you’re interested in a bit of backyard botany, grab your iPad or iPhone and check out these great gardening apps from the iOS App Store and get on with your next grow. (more…)

by Alexei Bochenek in Tips

Planting a Family Tree for Parent’s Day – iPhone and iPad Genealogy Apps

July 16, 2012

With Parent’s Day approaching, we turn our attention to our genealogical roots. Researching a family tree is a great way to honor parents, grandparents, and all of those who came before us. Family trees also offer great insight into the genetic interconnectivity of the world, long before we were all connected by Facebook. So grab your iPhone or iPad and head with us into the iTunes App Store to check out what genealogy apps are available for download today. (more…)

by Alexei Bochenek in Tips