According to the popular electronics news website Boy Genius Report, the founder of Apple product manufacturer Foxconn, Terry Gou, has let slip during a press conference in Shanghai that his company’s facilities are being prepped to start pushing brand new Apple-branded television sets down its assembly lines within the year. This doesn’t mean they’ve received an order to build those televisions just yet, but that they anticipate such a directive in the near future. To make the announcement slightly sweeter, the editors at Cult of Mac claim to have good info from an Apple insider with specific details about the so-called “iTV” device, gained from seeing a prototype in action. The iTV resembles one of Apple’s current black-rimmed, LED-backlit, flat-panel Cinema Displays, but in a bigger size. It runs a version of iOS that includes Siri for voice-recognition that lets you control and navigate the device. Also, an onboard iSight camera is included to allow FaceTime video calls from the couch. And…well, that’s kind of it, on the hardware end, which is part of the reason it’s impossible to think that Apple hasn’t put such a device together, just to see how it would work. They already have all of the parts, and it’s safe to say they can make them play together without much trouble. Besides, Microsoft’s Kinect does this and has for nearly a year.

Unfortunately, the latest rumors don’t address how Apple will get along with the cable companies, who represent the biggest hurdle in their path towards complete household domination. Google’s own effort at diverting TV content away from cable companies was a miserable failure, so we shouldn’t expect a repeat of those methods. Previous guesses as to how Apple will improve have called on an ala carte subscription service via apps for individual networks or season passes on a show-by-show basis, sold through the iTunes store. But that’s a lot of companies that will all need to agree on a brand new pricing structure for a segment of the economy that has been especially resistant to quick changes. Perhaps Apple could team up with just one provider and start in a smaller portion of the country, as they did with AT&T in the mobile phone market. It’s not likely, but certainly possible. Whatever move they do decide to make, chances are we won’t see it coming so easily.

Alexei Bochenek is a lifelong tech nerd & film buff based in Los Angeles. When he’s not playing with his phone, it’s because the movie has started. Shhhhh!

The system starts with the Vacuum Dock, which can be used alone as a low angle stand or a grip (a function especially beneficial when used with an e-reader). Simply place the Vacuum Dock against the back of your device, give it a few pumps, and it will bond to the back of your device for about 24 hours! If you want the bond to last longer, simply give the Vacuum Dock an additional pump or two while it’s still attached.

To use the Vacuum Dock + WhaleTail as an iPad handle, simply take the Dome Cap off of the Vacuum Dock and replace it with the WhaleTail. Slide the WhaleTail between your middle and pointer fingers, then curl the tail back over your hand. You can even bend the twin flukes in towards your wrist for added support. Now you’re free to move around without dropping your iPad!

The WhaleTail also adds stability and a wide range of angles when using the system as an iPad stand. Use the WhaleTail at a high angle to read and watch movies, then bend it down to a low angle to type! The twin flukes also add more lateral support than any other iPad stand has.

The whole system, including the Vacuum Dock, Dome Cap, WhaleTail and screen-cleaning carrying pouch can be bought at www.octa.com for just $49.95!

Secure your tablet, talk hands free

Weber’s On the Grill for iPad ($4.99) – Take it from Weber; they’ve been making grills for over 50 years and grilling reference guides for over a decade, and their first foray into iPad apps is no slouch. Weber’s On the Grill has over 300 recipes and a huge set of all-purpose tips, how-to demonstration videos, and built-in cooking timers to make your next meal come off as smoothly as possible. The incredible in-app food photography will give you something to aspire to, and the ability to make your own notes on their provided recipes will ensure that every time you use this app is better than the BBQ that came before it.

MeatTemps (Free) – If you’re more of a grill-it-by-ear chef, it’s still handy to have a temperature guide like MeatTemps at your side. Considering it’s free and iPhone-pocket-friendly, your days of wondering “is this done?” are over. Maybe just leave it on the heat a minute longer, or so they might say at the USDA.

iGrill Cooking Thermometer ($79.95) – Monitor your meat from afar with this sleek looking bluetooth thermometer, the king of cooking-with-iPad accessories. The iGrill has two individual metal probes to monitor multiple roasts or both interior and exterior temperatures at once, and boasts a range of up to 200 ft. While it does have a display for glancing while you’re at the grill, the accompanying iPhone and iPad app will keep you informed while you’re off chatting with guests or making quick work of some potato salad on the other side of the lawn.

Grillmeister HD ($1.99) – Most certainly the best BBQ app for vegetarians (or even vegans!), this simulated Grillmeister HD cooktop delivers all of the fun of a summer cook-out with no actual cooking or eating of meat whatsoever. Swipe to light a faux-wood match and toss some photo-realistic slab of beef onto your screen to watch it sizzle and char, without the mess of cleaning up or that irritating full feeling that comes from eating actual food. All that’s missing is a way to transfer your leftovers to your virtual pet.

Alexei Bochenek is a lifelong tech nerd & film buff based in Los Angeles. When he’s not playing with his phone, it’s because the movie has started. Shhhhh!

iCog Hades for iPad 3 ($424) – Two elaborate, hand-made iPad accessories in one, the iCog Hades is both a wooden bumper-case that will wrap your tablet in tubes and dials, as well as a detachable bluetooth keyboard with round retro keys. When only the utmost in fancy Victorian styling will do, the interior portion of the case is lined with patterned felt, for the protection of your fragile modern computer hardware. The exterior, on the other hand, is coated in enough polished metal to double as emergency spare parts should you find your private zeppelin in need of repair. And to keep everything properly themed, the keyboard’s covering is comprised of hand-rubbed English Walnut, with weathered brass bezels that make these keys fit for even the most gentlemanly fingertips.

iDockit iPad Workstation ($89) – Sometimes a simple idea can be a genius one. Olde timey electronics accessories maker iDockit have a number of sleek, sophisticated phone and tablet docks in their store for those of us who prefer custom finished hardwood and shiny brass fixtures to space-age plastics and polymers. Their iPad Workstation includes a slim Apple bluetooth keyboard fit snugly into a gold-finished casing, with a slot to stand up your iPad while you work. And thanks to its small size, it shouldn’t be hard to squeeze it into your cramped cabin on the Nautilus when you set sail on that next journey to the bottom of the sea.

Clockwork Tablet Case ($89) – A steam powered workbench is fun, but perhaps not as practical for crafting iPad accessories as–oh, I don’t know–LASERS! That’s why the Steampunk stylists at Brute Force Studios have chosen to take advantage of such a modern contraption to help them achieve the layered gearwork imagery etched onto the front of their Hard Leather Clockwork Tablet Case. Held together at the seams by metal rivets and closed with a brass buckle, this bifold case for your iPad or similarly sized device thankfully manages to keep the mechanical, cog-covered look without weighing as much as a full bag of bolts. Besides, you’ll have enough metal in your outfit if you choose to pick up the separate bluetooth typewriter/armguard to go with it.

Elegant Lace iPad Case ($95) – Less in-your-face than some other Steampunk-inspired iPad accessories, the selection of lace-patterned leather iPad cases from Beautiful Skin take their anachronistic style just as seriously, without requiring goggles or an engineering degree to own and use. While no more complicated than any other snap-shut tablet slip-case, the front side of this (appropriately named) Elegant Lace iPad Case is printed with a dizzyingly complex pattern that calls out to the beautiful and sorely missed decadence of the past. Sure, we like Apple’s clean, stark aesthetic too; but sometimes it’s OK to get a little fancy.

Gelaskins “Underworld” iPad Skin ($29.95) – If it’s an alternate history you crave, but without the cost of all that pricey smelting and hand-machining, perhaps Gelaskins can help. They have a number of Steampunk-inspired stick-on iPad skins to give your modern tablet a more fun look than the stock black or white and silver you’re currently sporting. Our favorites both come from Australian artist Colin Thompson, whose Underworld and Steampunk sets bring an especially rusty beauty to both the back and front bezel of your iPad. And to further the illusion, matching wallpapers are downloadable that, when matched to their Gelaskin counterparts, make the inside of your computer as unique as the outside by blending the OS right in. You can’t have too many gears, right?

Alexei Bochenek is a lifelong tech nerd & film buff based in Los Angeles. When he’s not playing with his phone, it’s because the movie has started. Shhhhh!

Octa’s Vacuum Dock + WhaleTail is a revolutionary system that works as both a stand and a handle for essentially any iPad, tablet, e-reader, or non-porous case. The system starts with the Vacuum Dock, which attaches to the back of a device using Octa’s patented vacuum suction technology. Simply place the Vacuum Dock against the back of your device, give it a few pumps, and it will hold between 24-48 hours with no additional pumps. For a longer hold, simply pump the Vacuum Dock again while still attached.

To use the Vacuum Dock + WhaleTail as grip, simply attach the device as described above. The Vacuum Dock is made to fit comfortably in the human hand at rest, which is perfect for use with the Kindle! It can also be used without any attachment as a low-angle tablet or Kindle stand.

The WhaleTail can be attached easily to transform your low-angle Kindle stand or grip into a Kindle stand with any range of angles, or for use as a handle. Simply remove the Dome Cap, which covers up the Vacuum Dock’s internal gears for comfort, and lock in the WhaleTail.

Once the WhaleTail is attached, it can be bent over the human hand to create the perfect Kindle handle, making reading comfortable again. Set the Kindle on the table with the Vacuum Dock + WhaleTail attached and you’ve got the perfect Kindle stand! The tail can be bent to any angle or plane, so the stand works anywhere!

Get your own Kindle stand from www.octa.com!

An Adorable Stand the Works with Any Tablet

While this most recent release of the dual-core, Wi-Fi Galaxy Tab 2 isn’t exactly revolutionary, it is something else we like: cheaper than average. For only $399, you can have 16 gigs of onboard storage (expandable via SD card slot) plus a year’s worth of 50 free gigs storage on Dropbox. What you do with that space is up to you, but we’d bet that you’ll be pushing lots of media through this tablet’s 1080p HD capable 1,280×800 display.

Hardware-wise, not much has changed from the Galaxy Tab to the Galaxy Tab 2, which isn’t an awful thing. It looks almost identical to the previous generation, with the same sturdy plastic backing and smooth black front bezel as the last generation. And while it’s the biggest form factor in Samsung’s tablet lineup, it’s not too hard to hold, considering it’s just as thin as a new iPad while also being a little lighter; the Galaxy Tab 2 is only 1.28 lb vs. the iPad’s 1.44 lb. (If you do need help holding it, we recommend the Vacuum Dock + WhaleTail tablet stand and handle)

Software-wise, change has finally arrived and will be warmly received. Android’s first (and not especially awesome) attempt at a tablet-specific OS, Honeycomb, has been left behind in favor of the unified Ice Cream Sandwich OS revision, aka Android 4.0. While the Android App Market errr, sorry, Play Store (we’re still struggling with that rename) doesn’t have nearly as many tablet-ready apps in it as Apple has available for it’s iPad, Ice Cream Sandwich’s new look and feel take care of a lot of Android’s previous inconsistencies, resulting in a much better experience for all your basic tasks. And now that Android is further through the process of sorting out its operating system schizophrenia, we can expect more apps to start showing up with tablet-ready iterations. Couple that rosy outlook with the very respectable price, and it’s definitely a tablet worth checking out.

Alexei Bochenek is a lifelong tech nerd & film buff based in Los Angeles. When he’s not playing with his phone, it’s because the movie has started. Shhhhh!

A New iPhone or iPad - Electronics price aggregator TechBargains has gone through the trouble of conducting a survey to tell us what we already could’ve guessed: moms want electronics way more than they want flowers. According to their results, 9 out of 10 mothers would be more honored to receive iPads than posies this May 13th, information that surprises…no one.

Cards by Apple ($2.99) – Apple has made it so simple to send a unique and thoughtful card to your mother this year that you should stop reading this article right now (but bookmark it so you can come back, of course) and go prepare one this instant. Once you’ve got the Cards app on your iPhone or iPad, you just snap a photo of yourself or something equally heartwarming, pick a theme, customize the text, and let Apple do the rest. Once they print it, they’ll even ship it directly over to your mom for free.

LifeProof iPhone 4/4s Case ($79.99) – Is Mom already packing an iPhone in her purse or pocket? Mother’s Day means it’s almost summer, the time of picnics, pools, and visits to the beach. Make sure that your matriarch’s phone is safe from the elements with a shock-proof, weather-resistant iPhone case from LifeProof. And because it’s safe for use up to 6.6 feet underwater, she’ll be free to take some fun photos of the kids and grandkids that will put those other mothers’ albums to shame.

iPhoto Hardcover Print Book ($29.99-49.99) – Sure, sending a unique card is cute. (You already went and ordered one, right?) But also available from Apple’s selection of high-quality print products are these customizable hardbound photo books. From directly within the iPhoto app on your Mac OS X computer, you can create a custom, full-color book filled with up to 100 pages of photos documenting all the things your mother cares about the most. And at 8.5” x 11” or 13” x 10” in size, the real world result of your virtually designed efforts will be big and beautiful enough to earn a spot on the coffee table or bedside nightstand the moment it shows up. Plus, because they know we’ve been taking our time to select the perfect pics, Apple has mastered the art of a quick turnaround; books ordered by today will make it to mom just in time.

Octa Vacuum Dock & WhaleTail ($49.95) – If photo books are a bit old-fashioned for your gadget-loving mother or grandma, send them an Octa Vacuum Dock & WhaleTail so that they can truly make the most of their favorite tablet computer. This lightweight dock attaches firmly via a clever suction pump that packs a lot of grip into a compact space. Then the flexible (and adorably designed) WhaleTail attachment works to position the tablet and hold it in place for any use a person can think of. Mom can prop up her iPad as a digital photo frame when guests are over for her next party, or set it up in the kitchen to keep those recipes (or web videos) glanceable while she throws together a batch of her famous cookies. And because of its light weight and small stature, the WhaleTail travels easily from place to place, meaning Mom never has to be without.

Alexei Bochenek is a lifelong tech nerd & film buff based in Los Angeles. When he’s not playing with his phone, it’s because the movie has started. Shhhhh!

The first component in the TabletTail system is the Vacuum Dock. Watch as Octa’s Jesse Poulin places the Vacuum Dock against the back of his iPad and gives it a few pumps. Octa’s patented vacuum suction technology displaces the air between the Vacuum Dock and the back of the iPad creating a bond so tight, he can shake it upside down by the tail and the bond won’t break. Tests have shown that the bond will hold between 24 and 48 hours without re-pumping.

The Vacuum Dock can be used with the WhaleTail extension as an iPad stand or handle. When using it as an iPad stand, it can be set to any angle using the super flexible tail. Use it at a high angle to watch movies, or at a low angle to type out e-mails.

For added use, remove the WhaleTail from the Vacuum Dock and cover it’s gear system with the Dome Cap. The Vacuum Dock can be used alone as a low angle iPad stand for added portability. It can also be used as a grip that fits comfortably in the human hand at rest. This is great for use with the Kindle or another e-reader.

The entire Vacuum Dock + WhaleTail system comes with a drawstring back that’s easy to throw in your purse, backpack, or briefcase. The cloth can even be used as a screen wipe. Now that’s multi-functionality! For more information, head to www.octa.com!

TabletTail – all-in-one Handle and Stand for your Tablet

Marvel Comics App (Free) – Before they ever got the blockbuster treatment, the Avengers were saving the planet from within the pages of Marvel’s comics. All the way back in 1963, “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” assembled to fight foes that no single superhero could ever combat on his or her own. Track their story through the hundreds of issues they’ve inhabited over the years with the Marvel Comics app, through which you can purchase digital copies of all the comic books you’ll need to read for a serious education in Avengers history and mythology. Over 3,500 comics with all of the Marvel cast are online and easily searchable, and new free perks are available every week just for logging in.

Avengers Origins: Assemble App ($1.99) – Take a trip through the original Avengers storyline with none other than Stan “The Man” Lee, creator of the Avengers and undisputed most famous comic book author ever. Lee himself narrates the Avengers Origins: Assemble app, which tells the tale of the discovery of a frozen Captain America by Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Ant-Man and the Wasp. With beautiful artwork and fun extras, you not only get the story of the first Avengers mission, but are given multiple chances to jump into the action and help save the day. Colorful tights not included, but highly recommended.

Once you’ve been bitten by the interactive storytelling bug, Marvel has additional apps available that explore the origins of the individual Avengers. For starters, Stan Lee has also lended his narration to Avengers Origins: Hulk ($1.99), the story of how a bespectacled gamma radiation researcher became a giant green smashing-machine. Once you’re done Hulk-ing out, aim your sights at Marvel’s The Avengers: Iron Man Mark VII (Free), which asks for your help to guide Tony Stark through the invention of his first super-suit on into the events of both Iron Man feature films. And don’t forget to check out Marvel AR (Free), an “augmented reality” app which will scan your Marvel paper comic books and uncover secret hidden multimedia content, such as original artwork and behind-the-scenes exclusives.

Since the Avengers will be quite busy protecting the planet, it’ll henceforth be up to you to protect your own electronics.  Luckily, there are plenty of Marvel-ous iPhone and iPad accessories worth bringing in to help.

Marvel Comics iPad Sleeve ($18) – This simple cotton iPad sleeve features a fun, bright retro-Avengers theme, with ‘70s-style Thor, The Incredible Hulk and Spider-Man jumping off the fabric. (You did know that Spidey sometimes freelances as an Avenger, right?) A black elastic band and an oversized button will cinch it tight and keep your tablet and other iPad accessories safe and villain-free inside.

Avengers Smartphone Cases ($15) – With a dark faux-leather back and a bright fabric front, these custom-made phone cases are a flashy way to feature your favorite superhero squad while protecting your favorite handheld device. Each case shows off a different Marvel hero, including Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Hulk, and even another sometimes-Avenger, Wolverine. While the default size is iPhone/iPod ready, custom orders are accepted for you Android users as well.

Now that your gear is covered in this heroic kit and your Avengers apps are downloaded, check out the latest trailer one more time before hitting the theatre. It’s OK if you’ve already given it several dozen views before now; so have we.

Alexei Bochenek is a lifelong tech nerd & film buff based in Los Angeles. When he’s not playing with his phone, it’s because the movie has started. Shhhhh!

A recently revealed preview image from this summer’s upcoming mega-ultra-blockbuster The Dark Knight Rises showed us something we probably could’ve guessed: even Batman loves his iPad. When it comes to highly coveted iPad accessories, we’ve gone ahead and put “Batcycle” right at the top of our list. If, however, custom military-grade combat vehicles are a bit out of your price range, there’s no need to turn to a life of crime. We’ve rounded up some more affordable Batman-themed iPhone and iPad accessories & apps for the Bruce Wayne in all of us.

Felt Batman iPhone & iPod Sleeves – While it might not be as durable of a material as the flame-resistant Nomex and Kevlar used to make the nearly indestructible Batsuit, felt might be just the right solution for keeping your favorite glass-and-metal electronics safe in your bag or pocket. Etsy shop Jaded Rabbit has gone the super-cute retro route with their cozy hand-stitched Phone & iPad Sleeves ($25-$44) based on the classic black & grey costume design of Batman’s past. Meanwhile, competing shop MyGeekyBoyfriend has crafted their iPad sleeves ($28) in the more aggressive ‘80s style of the dark black Tim Burton-Batman era.

Batman Arkham City Lockdown iPhone & iPad Game ($5.99) – Batman wouldn’t be a true superhero if he let all of his fancy iPad accessories do his fighting for him. Chase down Gotham City’s biggest and baddest criminals and let your fists dole out some serious justice in iOS game Batman: Arkham City Lockdown. From numb-skulled thugs to classic arch-nemeses like Two-Face and The Joker, you’ll advance through a series of one-on-one fights while earning strategic upgrades for your Bat-gear and combat skills. Better gear=bigger butts to kick.

Comics App by comiXology (Free) – The Dark Knight wasn’t always a big-budget movie action star; he used to fight crime and solve mysteries exclusively on the paper pages of comic books. While you can still find thousands of Batman comics stocking the shelves of comic shops and bookstores all over the world, you can also find them in the cloud, awaiting a download through the Comics app by comiXology. Browse the largest digital comic shop available for iOS, and take advantage of the high resolution Retina Display if you’re one of the lucky new iPad owners. Beyond just the Bat, you can access all kinds of comics from DC, Marvel, and dozens of other publishers big and small, and let your friends know what you’re into by blasting out your reading list over Facebook and Twitter.

LEGO Batman USB Drive ($30) – Hacked together from a LEGO minifig and a 4GB USB stick, this custom portable drive is quite possibly the coolest way to store your files, ever. Complete with removable cape, cowl, and tiny bat-a-rang, corrupt data will cower in fear at the sight of this unique storage solution. And when you need a day off from fighting crime, it’s also available in a buttoned-up Bruce Wayne version.

The Dark Knight Rises Wallpapers (Free) – If it’s Batman movie memorabilia you crave, check out this huge gallery of high-res wallpapers from this summer’s upcoming The Dark Knight Rises. The final film in director Timothy Nolan’s epic modern Batman trilogy, expectations are rightfully high for this superhero flick to top all superhero flicks. And if you’re going to wrap your tablet up in a Batman iPad sleeve, and use your processing power to bust up the Caped Crusader’s biggest foes, you might as well drape your desktop in some of this striking imagery from the upcoming film.

Once you’re done kitting out your iPad and mounting your own remote controlled Bat-Signal on the roof of your house, be sure to set an alarm for July 20th, 2012, when The Dark Knight Rises finally hits theatres. The police (and cineplex attendants) are going to need some seriously super help to control the crowds that will come out to see this film.

Alexei Bochenek is a lifelong tech nerd & film buff based in Los Angeles. When he’s not playing with his phone, it’s because the movie has started. Shhhhh!