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Article first published as ClamCase - The Best Keyboard Case for the iPad on Blogcritics.  In the course of a year, I have tried on and evaluated numerous cases for the iPad , many of them being of the keyboard case variety. None of them are quite like the ClamCase. I have had a ClamCase review unit for several months now, and I have found few flaws to note with its usability and design. I originally saw the case being used at a local technology conference, and I was so intrigued by it that I wrote to the company requesting a unit to evaluate. A short time later, I had the unit in hand and with a lot of real-world experience hours now logged, I can comfortably say that this is the best keyboard case currently available.  Read on to find out why.

Article first published as iPad Accessory Review: SealShield SilverBlue Wireless Keyboard with Luxury Case on Blogcritics. With the new iPad now in the hands of millions of happy customers, it's a great time to consider how you are going to protect your $500+ investment. The iPad accessory market is booming, and there are thousands of products to choose from with a wide range of prices to match. In terms of shielding your iPad, there are iPad cases, there are iPad cases with a keyboard, and then there is the  SealShield SilverBlue Wireless Keyboard with Luxury Case . I had the chance to tote my iPad 2 around in SealShield's newest case for the past weeks, and the product has been growing on me more and more. Find out why below.

Article first published as The Best Free iPad Apps of 2011 on Blogcritics. With hundreds of thousands of apps available for Apple's iPad, there are sure to be plenty of quality ones to be had for free. Nevertheless, despite Apple's closed market and quality control, bad apps are commonplace and especially so among those that are free. Below, I present a list of some quality free apps. Those new to the iPad are encouraged to take a look at last year's lists as well ( Best Free Apps of 2010  and Best Paid Apps of 2010 ), and if you have a few bucks leftover or an iTunes gift card from the holiday season, be sure to pick up something from the Best Paid Apps of 2011 as well .

Article first published as Best Paid iPad Apps of 2011 on Blogcritics. As we usher in 2012, it's amazing to consider that it's only been two years since the original iPad was released (April 2010), and 2011 marked the introduction of the iPad 2, the lighter, more advanced version of Apple's "magical device". Two years' time has also brought hundreds of thousands of apps to the App Store and with such a large array of programs to choose from (both in terms of quality and price), it's nice to refer to end of the year lists to build one's collection of must-have and yet-to-discover apps. As I did to end 2010, I'm preparing two lists - the best paid apps and the best free apps of the year. Some may be updates while most will be new programs entirely. Hope you find something new and useful for your iPad from 2011.

Article first published as iPad Case Review: SofShell for iPad 2 on Blogcritics. The next time you're taking a ride in your Porsche 911 and accidentally leave your iPad on top of your car like we've all done with a cup of coffee, rest assured as your $500 tablet will still be there when you're done with your trip to the store. So says the folks at SofShell , makers of this unique case for Apple's iPad. I recently tested one of their products and although my Porsche happened to be in the shop during testing, I could tell that my iPad wasn't going anywhere when it was snugly held in the SofShell. More thoughts after the jump.

Article first published as App Review: March Madness On Demand for the iPhone, iPod and iPad on Technorati. Selection Sunday, Bracketology, March Madness. Yes, it's the most wonderful time of the year for college basketball fans and we've come a long way in terms of following the tournament at home or at work. As numerous news articles will undoubtedly point out in the next few days, workplace productivity is about to take a big dip and it's largely due to the ease in which fans can follow the tournament. This year, for Apple iOS device users, the free NCAA March Madness On Demand (MMOD) app ( iPhone/iPod and iPad ) will make it even easier as the app will stream all games from the first round through the Final Four (including those found on the obscure TruTV network).

Article first published as iPad 2 Officially Announced—Breakdown and Analysis of Apple's Special Event on Technorati. Interestingly, Apple chose not to utilize a live stream for this keynote, which might have given you reason to wonder just how big of an event they were considering the iPad 2 to be. Nevertheless, there were plenty of opportunities to follow along via live bloggers. And now that we finally have word from Mr. Jobs himself, how does the new iPad 2 compare to all the expectations and hype going into today's event?  Let's take a closer look at what was unveiled for the year of 2011, or the "Year of the iPad 2."

Article first published as Apple's iPad 2 Announcement - What To Look For On March 2 on Technorati. Well, we've got a date (March 2) and a theme ("Come see what 2011 will be the year of"), so the only question remaining is what the new iPad 2 will officially look and feel like. Here is a 3-2-1 of what is almost inevitably included, what's likely shelved for the future, and what's a possible sleeper pick for next Wednesday's big event.

Article first published as  Why an iPad mini would make sense for Apple  on Technorati. There was a rumor this week that aside from the second generation iPad , Apple may be releasing an iPad mini later this year. Now, before you go writing this off as just another crazy Apple rumor, let's consider why a mini would fit right into Apple's master plan.