Kensington KeyFolio Pro with Bluetooth Keyboard for iPad Air

WHAT IS IT:  Leather folio case with keyboard for iPad Air

NEW, FUTURE or RETRO:  New

PREVIEW or REVIEW:  Review

HOW GOOD IT IS:  This case is beautiful. It is constructed of real sheepskin leather, the keyboard is all metal and very solidly built and has a nice touchtype “feel” to it, the case offers excellent protection for the iPad Air and there is no fussy setup required, just open it and use it.

Sharkk Mini Boombox

WHAT IS IT:  Mini boombox Bluetooth speaker

NEW, FUTURE or RETRO:  New

PREVIEW or REVIEW:  Review

HOW GOOD IT IS:  The speaker feels solid, and is almost identical to the Bose and Jambox in size and shape.  There are inputs and the power switch arranged neatly along the side and a LOT of identical buttons on top that are virtually impossible to read under most conditions.  The front and rear are covered in a nice speaker cloth while the rest of the case feels like a hard composite material of some type.  It feels like it would survive a lot of abuse.

Surround sound multimedia speaker

WHAT IS IT: Boston Acoustics TVee One TV Speaker Base 

NEW, FUTURE or RETRO: Very new

PREVIEW or REVIEW: review

HOW GOOD IT IS: I looked for something like this recently and no matter where I searched for I couldn't find one. Sure there were plenty of sound bars but not something intended to put a full-size LED TV on and get all of the benefits and effects of a sound bar.

Mini Bluetooth boombox/speakerphone

WHAT IS IT: Anker Portable Bluetooth Speaker

NEW, FUTURE or RETRO: Very new

PREVIEW or REVIEW: review

HOW GOOD IT IS: I have an ever-growing arsenal of small Bluetooth speakers in every room of the house. Although my home entertainment system can get Bluetooth from my smartphone or iPad I prefer the Logitech speaker I keep on the endtable next to where I sit. Of all of my Bluetooth speakers it is the oldest one and still my favorite for playing quick audio clips for friends and family.

Anker® Ultra Slim Mini Bluetooth 3.0 Wireless Keyboard

Anker keyboard shown with Anker aluminum multi-angle stand for tablets and smartphones

WHAT IS IT:  Bluetooth Apple-compatible mini keyboard

NEW, FUTURE or RETRO:  Very new

PREVIEW or REVIEW:  review

HOW GOOD IT IS: I have just found my new favorite Bluetooth keyboard and it’s from the folks at Anker.

This is my sixth Bluetooth keyboard so far and by a wide measure the first that has the feel of a full-sized desktop keyboard.  The keys themselves are very large, with what I would consider an ideal keystroke (the amount of travel from touch to execution).  They have absolutely no particular sweet spot, which is exactly what you want in a keyboard … tap the key in the center, edge, corner, it doesn’t make any difference, the feel is perfect every time.

Marantz M-CR610 Wireless Network CD Receiver with AirPlay

WHAT IS IT:  Networking home stereo receiver

NEW, FUTURE or RETRO:  Very new

PREVIEW or REVIEW:  review

HOW GOOD IT IS:  This is a product that definitely isn't for everyone, but may be just right for someone who understands it and knows how to use it.

First off, what it's not:

Leviton TS830 USB wall outlet

WHAT IS IT:  USB AC wall outlet

NEW, FUTURE or RETRO:  new

PREVIEW or REVIEW:  review

HOW GOOD IT IS:  There are two places in my house that always seem to be where I need to plug in some sort of USB device, either to use it temporarily or to give it a quick charge.  One place is next to my favorite chair in the den and the other is in the bathroom so the device is ready to go when I head out the door.  Neither place is where I would routinely charge my devices.  The kinds of devices I’m talking about can range from smartphone to tablet to Bluetooth headset to Bluetooth speaker to car GPS.  Life got a whole lot easier when I discovered the existence of USB wall outlets.  I now have them installed in both places