When we say cool accessories, we aren’t really talking about a Smart Cover or a set of headphones. Instead, we are interested in more fascinating accessories which will allow you to do exciting things with your iPad. Here are a few such accessories:

1. Apple Camera Connection Kit - If you were slightly disappointed by the camera quality of your new iPad, this will definitely cheer you up. The Camera Connection Kit contains two 30-pin dongles – one of these can read SD cards while the other works as a USB port. Using these dongles, you can connect your camera to the iPad, transfer photos and view them on a large screen. At the same time, you can also use the USB port to connect your iPad to other devices.

2. Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover - It is a well known fact that  typing long documents with a virtual keyboard can be quite uncomfortable. If you hope to do a lot of typing on your iPad, you must get the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard. Owing to the presence of magnets, it operates as a stand and holds your iPad still while you type. It is thin and sleek and works efficiently.

3. CCM Capacitive Stylus - The touch screen of an iPad is an absolute delight to work with, isn’t it? With a stylus, you can do so many fascinating thing on an iPad – you can draw, paint, play games which involve these activities etc. Some would say that you can do all this with your hand, but it is impossible to achieve the same degree of precision as with a stylus.

4. Jawbone Jambox – The Jawbone Jambox is a small bluetooth speaker that can act as the perfect audio companion to your iPad. Even as the original audio quality of an iPad is quite impressive, you will need an amplifying device if you are playing games or having a party or watching a movie. The Jawbone Jambox is a portable speaker that can provide the much needed boost to your iPad’s audio output.

To help you out, we have put together a list of some of the best Mother’s Day tech gift ideas:

1. Nike FuelBand – The biggest problem with maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the lack of motivation. When nobody is watching, you might just feel tempted to skip your yoga session or eat that delicious piece of cake lying in the fridge. The bottom line is that you need a constant source of motivation. Enter Nike FuelBand. It’s a simple wrist band that measures your physical activity and intake of calories throughout the day. This information is then uploaded to an online account everyday so that you can track your progress or the lack of it. If your mom has been meaning to kickstart her physical fitness regimen, this might just be what she needs.

2. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite - Working mothers find it very hard to take out some time to pursue their interests or just relax for a while and read their favorite novel with a cup of coffee. In fact, the closest she might come to having some alone time is when she is waiting for an appointment at the doctors or travelling in a bus or an airplane. But one can’t carry books with them wherever they go. Therefore, Kindle Paperwhite makes for an excellent gift. Your mom can read off this Kindle whenever she gets some alone time. The resolution is great, the display is bright and it comes with Wi-Fi as well.

3. Philips Fidelio SoundRing AirPlay Speakers – Every mother would love to enjoy a relaxed evening with her favorite music playing in the background. The Philips Fidelio SoundRing is an excellent wireless AirPlay speaker which can stream music from your iPod, iPad or iPhone. The Philips Fidelio comes with a rechargeable battery, the audio quality is clear and sharp and it is quite a stunner in terms of external appearance.

4. Roku 3 TV Box – Is your mom crazy about TV? Doe she follow a lot of TV series simultaneously? If yes, then the Roku 3 TV Box is the perfect gift for her. With this gadget, she can stream all her favorite shows on the television set. It supports more than 750 TV channels like HBO Go, Hulu Plus, Netflix, Amazon Instant etc. Get your mom one of these and she will never have to miss a single episode of her favorite sitcoms.

Due to the same reasons, the Microsoft Surface Pro is often compared to a variety of products including tablets, ultrabooks and hybrids. For instance, the device from Microsoft is usually pitted against the Apple iPad and the MacBook Air simultaneously. At alaTest, we will do a comparative analysis of three gadgets – Microsoft Surface Pro, MacBook Air and Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13.

1. Microsoft Surface Pro – Once you examine the specs of Surface Pro, you will be more inclined to slot it among ultrabooks. It ships with a dual core, 1.7GHz Intel i5 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage and 10.6-inch display. Additionally, it also has a few USB 3.0 ports along with a micro-SDXC slot. It weighs close to 2 pounds which is a tad bit heavy for a regular tablet. At the same time, it is lighter than any ultrabook on the market. All in all, the Microsoft Surface Pro makes for a powerful ultrabook(when used with a portable keypad) with a high quality processor. It is ideal for frequent flyers who want to get some business done while travelling. It could also double up as a tablet with a touch screen if you are comfortable with the weight and the size.

2. MacBook Air - The Microsoft Surface Pro is often compared to MacBook Air as both of them have very similar specifications. The Surface Pro can be easily used as an ultrabook by attaching a portable keyboard. Both the Surface Pro and MacBook Air have the same processor specs i.e. dual core Intel i5 1.7GHz and both of them come with 4GB RAM. MacBook has a bigger display and it is also slightly heavier than Surface Pro. The major difference boils down to the operating system – Windows 8 versus iOS. In terms of performance, there isn’t a lot separating the two and the choice comes down to personal preferences.

3. Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 - The Lenovo IdeaPad is a hybrid which promises to give you the best of both the worlds i.e. a tablet and an ultrabook. The Lenovo hybrid boasts of a 360 degree hinge feature, using which, you can convert it from a laptop to a touch-friendly tablet. It ships with an Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB RAM and 128GB storage space. The hybrid promises to give you a high quality experience, both as a tablet as an ultrabook. Just like the Surface Pro, Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 runs on Windows 8 but the former has a stronger processor. However, Lenovo’s battery life is comparatively better than Surface Pro. Clearly then, the differences are minor and you will have to make a choice based on your priorities.

At alaTest, we have put together a list of some of the best Android tablets out there. As a note of caution, some of these tablets are transformables as they can be used as an ultrabook or a notebook by attaching a portable keyboard.

1. Asus Transformer Pad Infinity TF700 – With a 1.6GHz Tegra 3 CPU, the Asus Transformer Pad Infinity is one of the fastest Android tablets as of now. The 10.4-inch wide tablet weighs close to 1.32 pounds and is 0.33 inches thick. In other words, it is lightweight, easy to carry and the design is impressive. It comes pre-loaded with Android 4.0.3 and the display is much better than many other tablets. Finally, this Asus tablet has an 8 megapixel rear camera and a 2 megapixel front camera, both of which perform brilliantly. As the name indicates, it can be transformed into an ultrabook with the help of a keyboard dock which can be bought with the tablet itself.

2. Google Nexus 10 – The Google Nexus 10 runs on 1.7GHz dual-core Exynos 5250 CPU and it ships with 2GB RAM. The tablet which weighs a mere 1.33 pounds was one of the first of its kind to run on Android 4.2. The Google Nexus 10 boasts of a sturdy design, high resolution display and an unbelievably fast processor. All in all, it comes highly recommended if you are looking for an Android tablet.

3. Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 – The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 comes with a stylus or an S Pen. It takes a little getting used to, but once you get there, it can expand the range of things you can do with your tablet. Performance wise, the tablet is powered by 1.4GHz quad-core Exynos CPU and 2GB RAM. It comes with Android 4.0.1 with an upgrade available for Jelly Bean. As with the other tablets, the tablet performs well and the design is impressive as well.

Besides these tablets, there are other variants with some differences in hardware and software. Among these, we recommend Asus Transformer TF300, Google Nexus 7 and Asus Transformer Prime.

So, if your resolution was losing weight or making more money or getting things organized or managing time efficiently, the following gadgets can help you immensely. Let’s quickly run through some of these:

1. Samsung Chromebook – The Samsung Chromebook is one step further in the drive towards a web-based, Cloud centric OS. As opposed to traditional operating systems which run on installed software, the Chromebook operates on a web-based software. It comes with a dual core Cortex A15 processor and 2GB memory. The Chromebook is thin and lightweight, and the best part is that it is priced at just $249. While it is definitely not meant for users who want to use multiple applications at once, it is ideal for travellers on the go. Unlike a tablet, it has more functionality and flexibility, which means that you can save both time and money without compromising on the efficiency aspect. Sounds like a win-win situation.

2. Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 – 2012 was definitely the year of hybrids, it was the year when giant strides were made in resolving the tablet v/s laptop dilemna. The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 is one of the many hybrids that were launched this year. More importantly, it was one of the better hybrids that we saw in the past year. This hybrid comes with Windows 8, one of the many features which sets it apart from others. It comes with a 1.7GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB memory and 500GB hard drive. Finally, it manages to preserve the best of both the worlds i.e. it functions equally well as a laptop and a tablet. So, if you have resolved to declutter your life and make it more organized, this might be the place to start.

3. iPhone 5 – Any recap of 2012 is incomplete without the mention of the iPhone 5. It was, by a huge margin, the gadget of 2012. It had everything that you could ask for, a faster A6 processor, 4G and a bigger screen. So, how can you use an iPhone to stick to your resolutions. For starters, it is almost like a mini organizer. You can design your daily schedules, set reminders and check your progress. Additionally, there are thousands of apps for everything you can think of, right from losing weight to acquiring new skills.

Besides these gadgets, there were others like the Samsung Galaxy Note II, iPad Mini, Windows Surface and Nokia Lumia 920 which created quite a stir in the gadget world. It is time to explore these gadgets and get creative with their applications. You will be pleasantly surprised by what your discover!

In desperate times, you can’t really put a lot of thought or effort into gifts. Instead, you should follow a reliable template i.e. pick gifts which are safe and time-tested. Here is a list of some such gifts:

1. Logitech T650 Touchpad – The Logitech T650 is a rechargable, standalone touchpad which works extremely well with Windows 8. The new OS from Windows supports a variety of enhanced touch features and hence, this glass topped touchpad makes for a wonderful gift. It will be extremely functional in the near future, promising to provide a high quality, Mac-like experience. The surface area is quite large and it is topped with glass, while the sleek and suave look is quite like the final icing on the cake.

2. iPad Mini – The iPad Mini was one of the most sought-after gadgets this year. The USP of this tablet is the size, the 7.9-inch display is considerably smaller than the regular iPad. If you were one of the people who had an issue with the size of regular tablets(and there were quite a lot of them), the iPad Mini might just do the trick for you. It is light enough to be held in one hand and it is equally competent with the Ipad in many ways. Even though it is more expensive than its competitors like the Google Nexus 7, it is an Apple product after all. Need we say more?

3. Otterbox Defender iPhone 5 Cases – Every year, thousands of people lose their iPhone to physical or liquid damage. A case is the best way to protect your phone against any form of damage whatsoever. So, if one of your friends has recently bought a new iPhone 5, you can get them an Otterbox Defender Case. Otterbox is a well-known name in this field and the Defender series cases are strong and sturdy. Even if its not a fancy gift, it will definitely be useful for your friends.

4. Samsung Galaxy S III - If you are willing to splurge on a special loved one, get him or her a Samsung Galaxy S III. In the world of smartphones, this model from Samsung is among the very best, next to only Apple iPhone 5. Among other things, it comes with a dual core processor, Android 4.0 ICS and an 8-megapixel camera. Besides its price, nothing should deter you from buying the Samsung Galaxy S III this holiday season.

At alaTest, we do our best to make your job a lot easier. In a series of post aimed at the holiday season, we will put together a list of the best gifts of all kinds. In this post, we are looking at affordable gifts for the holiday season.

1. Amazon Kindle 2012 – The Amazon Kindle 2012 is the very basic of all the Kindle tablets and you can buy it for just $69. Nevertheless, it works perfectly for people looking for a sharp reading experience, thanks to the e-ink technology. While it might not offer any fancy features, it is designed for a particular niche and it performs excellently within that niche. If you have a friend or a relative who is an avid reader, this is the perfect gift for him or her. Using a Kindle, one can access thousands of books and magazines, all with a single tablet.

2. Seagate Backup Plus – Until a few years ago, external hard drives were ugly, heavy and bulky. In some cases, they were just as cumbersome to carry as a heavy laptop. However, now, you can easily find sleek and swanky drives at economical prices. The Seagate Back Plus has a storage capacity of 1 TB and is available in a variety of bright colors. Priced at $98, it makes for a perfect gift, one which has immense functional value.

3. Logitech Wireless Solar K760 – Wireless keyboards have become increasingly popular, especially with the emergence of tablets. With a good keyboard, your tablet can double up as a laptop in times of dire straits. If you have a traditional wireless keyboard, you will need to change the batteries at repeated intervals. However, the Logitech Wireless Solar K760 is backed by solar energy, hence, you can charge it with a light source. The keypad is comfortable to use and the design is fashionably sleek. The keyboard is available at close to $60.

4. Logitech Touch Wireless Mouse – This holiday season, step into the future with the Logitech Touch Wireless Mouse which comes with a touch sensitive surface. This feature makes switching between Windows extremely quick and smooth. Besides being a joy to use, the mouse is quite a looker with its minimalistic design. And the best part is that it is quite affordable as well, you can buy it just for $69. It goes without saying that your loved ones will instantly fall in love with the mouse.

If you are planning to buy a 7-inch tablet, there are quite a few options to choose from. Here is a list of the best 7-inch tablets available in the market as of now:

1. Google Nexus 7 - Right at the onset, the Google Nexus 7 boasts of some very solid technical features- it is powered by a quad core processor and comes with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, both of which gaurantee a stellar performance. The tablet has a sharp display and the touch screen is pleasantly smooth to use. Being a Google device, it gives you access to all Google apps including Google Maps, Gmail, Chrome and many more. As with all other 7-inch tablets, you can hold it in one hand or you could even squeeze it in a pocket.

2. Amazon Kindle Fire HD - The Amazon Kindle Fire HD ships with a dual core processor and 512 MB RAM. These might seem lacklustre compared to other 7-inch tablets but the Kindle Fire HD was one of the earliest 7-inch tablets to be released in the market. Even though it lacks a camera, 3G and a few other features, it does deliver on the performance front.

3. Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 - In terms of technical specifications, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 boasts of Android 4.0 and Samsung’s TouchWiz UI. It also offers features like a dual camera and expandable memory. Recently, Samsung also released a 7.7 inch tablet, Galaxy Tab 7.7 which has some notably improved features like AMOLED display and super slim body.

4. Blackberry Playbook- While Blackberry OS has been under severe criticism for slow performance, one has to give credit where it is due. The Blackberry Playbook comes with a 1GHz dual core processor and Blacberry Playbook OS 2.0. It makes for a decent tablet with a very few problem areas like lack of apps or a slower OS. Besides these options, you can also check out the Barnes and Noble HD and Amazon Kindle Fire.

Today, we are going to take a look at some of the best cases for the most popular smartphones and tablets.

1. iPhone 5- If you stood outside the Apple store for hours to buy an iPhone 5, you might as well get a decent case for it. After all, you don’t want to see some nasty scratches on your brand new iPhone 5. Since iPhone 5 is the most popular smartphone out there, the variety of cases available is unbelievable.  Otterbox produces several cases for iPhone including the Defender Series and the iPhone 5 Commuter Case. The latter comes with double layers of protection and an adhesive screen guard. The case is sleek yet durable at the same time. It is available in a number of exciting shades like Avon Pink, Aqua Blue and Violet Pop. If you are looking for something more eccentric, you can check out the Icon Bronx which features a cool graphic design. Case Mate remains the most timeless choice with suave black leather cases.

2. Samsung Galaxy S III- If there is any smartphone which can give some serious competition to iPhone 5, it just has to be Samsung Galaxy S III. While looking for cases for Samsung Galaxy S III, you will be pleasantly surprised by the sheer variety of cases ranging from the very basic to extremely elegant. The Incipio Silicrylic cases belong to the former category as they are lined with silicon on the inside with a hard shell exterior. On the other hand, the Candy Shell series by Speck is known for its quirky design and colors.

3. iPad 3- People have gotten quite used to carrying tablets wherever they go. After all, portability is the USP of tablets. When you start carrying them around, you will need a case to safeguard your tablet against any form of damage. When it comes to Apple iPad 3, there is always the Apple Smart Cover. It is efficient, resilient and elegant. However, if you are looking for more options, the Acme Infinite Angle Case is quite similar to Apple Smart Cover as it allows you to align the iPad at many angles. Alternatively, you can check out the Belkin Cinema Folio which follows the flip model and is made of high quality leather.

4. Google Nexus 7- To begin with Google has released an official Nexus 7 case which comes with a grey matte finish and a flap of plastic which covers the screen. Having said that, it can’t hurt to look for more options. Cases produced by i-Blason are built of leather with built in stand feature in both portrait and landscape modes. Focalcase specializes in providing keyboard cases using which you can almost transform your tablet into a full blown laptop.

At alaTest, we are going to do a comparative analysis of these newly launched gadgets with their predecessors just to give you an idea of what exactly has or hasn’t changed. After all, if you are going to spend some extra dollars on the fancy new gadgets, you must know what you are paying for. Alternatively, if you are having second thoughts about getting an upgrade, this analysis might come as a huge relief. Let’s begin with the smartphone that currently dominates its respective niche i.e. iPhone.

1. iPhone 5 vs iPhone 4S

To begin with, iPhone 5 is larger, lighter and it comes with a bigger display. The iPhone 4S came with a 3.5 inch display and weighed 4.9 ounces whereas its successor has a 4 inch display and weighs 3.95 ounces. Let’s get down to more technical stuff. Apple iPhone 5 has a faster A6 processor as opposed to the A5 processor in the 4S model. Besides that, the latest iPhone has a longer battery life and a better front facing camera. Even the camera at the back comes with the all new ‘panorama’ feature which will allows you to click photos even while recording videos. Broadly speaking, these are the major distinctions between the two models. In terms of price, iPhone 5 is priced at $199 for the 16 GB model over a two year contract. Interestingly, when iPhone 4S was launched, it carried the same price tag but now it is available at a discounted price of $99 with a two year contract.

2. Nokia Lumia 920 vs Nokia Lumia 900

The announcement of the Nokia Lumia 920 was the second most prominent release of the last week. The latest association between Microsoft and Nokia is being dubbed as a do or die attempt for the ailing Finnish giant. Therefore, the announcement of Nokia Lumia 920 was more anticipated in some senses since the future of the company might rest on its success. That being said, Nokia has put everything into this new phone which is powered by Windows Phone 8 as opposed to Windows Phone 7.5 in Nokia Lumia 900. As a matter of fact, Lumia 920 comes with several upgrades- the processor is dual core 1.5 GHz compared to the single core processor in its predecessor. Additionally, the RAM stands at 1 GB (as opposed to 512 MB in Lumia 900) and storage at 32 GB, an upgrade from 16 GB. The latest offering from Nokia also has the much talked about Pure View camera feature.

3. Kindle Fire HD vs Kindle Fire

Kindle recently announced two versions of the new tablet, one with a 7 inch display and another with 8.9 inch display. Both of these boast of faster processors- 1.2 Ghz dual core and 1.5 Ghz dual core as opposed to 1 GHz dual core in Kindle Fire. At the same time, the OS is 4.0 Android as against 2.3 Gingerbread in the earlier model. It might not be enough to compete with the likes of the Apple iPad, but it does put Kindle right up in there in the competition.