ZAGG intros a pair of Bluetooth keyboard cases for the iPad, three pairs of gaming headphones

Sometimes at trade shows we see funky-looking Windows 8 devices, other times we see bags filled with a morphing rainbow colors and sometimes we see things whose importance falls somewhere in the middle. That’s the situation ZAGG finds itself in this week, as it tries to win attention at IFA amid dozens of laptop / tablet hybrids and 84-inch TVs. The company is in Berlin as we type this, showing off the new ZAGGkeys Pro and Pro Plus, two Bluetooth keyboard cases for the iPad. Both have a magnetic closure, but the Pro version adds backlighting. Those will be available at the end of September for $99 and $129, respectively. Additionally, the company announced a trio of Caliber gaming headphones, including the Stealth, a pair optimized for mobile devices, and the Axiom, which works with Macs, PCs, the Xbox and PS3. Both have in-line controls. Rounding out the list, there’s the Vanguard, which offers 7.1 channel audio. Look for these in October, for $60, $90 and $130, respectively. The PR’s embedded after the break, though you won’t find much more detail there, sadly.

web: http://www.zagg.com/

Element5's Mini L Solarbag brings eco-friendly energy, protection to your iPad

Modern day solar bags are more about looks than utility — the energy conversion rates on those things aren’t exactly jaw-dropping — but if it comes between a generic satchel and one that’s Ma Earth-approved, well… you know what to do. Element5′s Swiss Made Mini L Solarbag is tailored to fit your iDevice of choice, but it’s fairly obvious that the iPad line will be most at home here. We’re guessing that the company’s taking a few liberties with that “mini miracle” tagline, and we aren’t exactly thrilled with the lack of information surrounding charging time, but those who value form over function can get their order in now for 348 Swiss Franc (or $412 in actual money).

Element5

Aluminum Keyboard Buddy Case cloaks your iPad 2 in a MacBook Air duvet

Your friends may think that’s a MacBook Air sitting on your coffee table — but they’d be wrong and would deserve to be ridiculed. Taking its aesthetic cue from the Zaggmate, MIC’s new Aluminum Keyboard Buddy Case brings both a protective shell and a (nearly) full QWERTY set to your iPad 2. When pressed against the tablet face-to-face, the Buddy Case’s magnets will automatically put your iPad to sleep, with its curved back guarding your precious slate from dirt, scratches and Hun invasions. To transition into keyboard mode, all you have to do is slide your ‘Pad into a slot and let your fingers roam free. Powered by a rechargeable lithium-polymer battery, this $50 peripheral also allows users to control their iPad’s brightness and media playback. Unfortunately, though, it’ll only hold your slate at one, fixed angle, so make sure you have a neck before buying one.

Wired

M.I.C Store

JVC's UX-VJ3 and UX-VJ5 speaker docks play (elegant) host to iPad and iPhone

There’s not much you can do to spice up speaker docks at this point — they’re pretty much old hat. But what if that dock allowed you to plug in your iPad and iPhone, or iPod simultaneously? Ah, now we have your attention. Slated to hit the land that begot Kurosawa in mid-summer, the JVC UX-VJ3 and UX-VJ5 make their iOS connectivity a folie à deux. Sporting an AM / FM tuner, video out and a PC input, these sleek connectors don’t appear to part much from the typical feature set. It’s the VJ5 that’s the real standout here, with its six apartment-blending color options, USB port and ability to rip MP3s from a built-in CD drive. Sound swanky enough for you? We thought so, but with no announcement on North American availability, lusting audiophiles on these shores have a bit of a wait ahead of them. Check the source to get a glimpse of these iOS displays in their full color spectrum.

iPodNN

JVC

NewSight Japan uses film, software to give the iPad a 3D display… sort of (video)

Given Apple’s track record of adopting newfangled technologies — you know, like SD slots — we’re going to go ahead and assume Steve Jobs & Co. aren’t planning on adding a 3D display to the iPad anytime soon. Now that you’ve swallowed that distasteful dose of reality, NewSight Japan is inviting you to mod it yourself in a way thankfully doesn’t involve performing open-heart surgery on your magical slate. The solution — whose name we can’t decipher on the company’s Japanese website — combines software with a film placed over the display (not to worry, this won’t impede mulltitouch gestures). Unfortunately, it doesn’t flip 2D images to 3D, so those operating sans a 3D-enabled camera or conversion software are apt to be sorely disappointed. That said, it’d fit right into a utopian universe where 3D movie downloads were the norm.

JBL intros OnBeat iPad / iPhone / iPod speaker dock, prices it at $150

This planet we call home needs another iDock about as bad as we need another Charlie Sheen running around aimlessly, but no matter — we’re getting one, and it’s being delivered from JBL. The company has just outed its first-ever iPad speaker dock, the OnBeat. Truth be told, it’s capable of handling iPod touches, iPhones and iPads (no word on the iPad 2), but it’s clearly engineered to hold the largest of the bunch best. Aside from providing joints and jams to those situated in your living room (or basement, if that’s how you roll), it can also pipe Netflix and YouTube content directly to one’s television via a composite video output, and if you’re running around sans an iDevice, the 3.5mm auxiliary jack ensures that any other source will still function just fine. You’ll also be able to charge and sync any docked devices, but you’ll be asked to dole out $149.95 in order to bring one home when it ships next month.