Following the announcement of Apple's iPad Air and Retina iPad mini, multiple accessory manufacturers are preparing cases and other products to accompany the new iPads ahead of their November release. Below are some of the new product offerings from a number of well-known vendors, which should be able to ship before or shortly after the new iPads are available to consumers.
Belkin has announced an array of new accessories for the iPad Air, including several keyboard cases and standard folio cases. Belkin's keyboard cases start at $80, with the $100 version offering a front cover and the $130 version offering an extremely thin aircraft-grade aluminum body.
Additionally, there are several standard cases, including the $60 LapStand Cover, the $60 FreeStyle Cover, the $40-$50 FormFit Cover, and more that can be found on the Belkin site. The company also has an Apex 360 Advanced Protection case for the iPad mini, priced at $70.
Zagg has invisibleSHIELDs and keyboard Folio cases ready for the iPad Air. The screen protectors range in price from $30 to $35 and are available in high-definition and smudge proof varieties. The $100 ZAGGkeys Folio is available in black, with white coming soon.
Incipio has announced several different folio-style cases for the iPad Air, ranging in price from $35 to $70. There are also a range of folio and shell cases for the Retina iPad mini priced at $30 to $45, including the popular Smart Feather.
Otterbox has announced Defender Series cases for both the Retina iPad mini and the iPad Air. While the Retina iPad mini version can be pre-ordered for $70 in three different colors, the company has yet to announce pre-orders or pricing for the iPad Air version.
Griffin has multiple products coming for the iPad Air, including the $80 Slim Keyboard Folio and the $80 Survivor Case, which is similar to Otterbox's offerings. The company also plans to debut a $50 Back Bay Folio and a folio-style $40 Journal Case. Griffin is currently selling multiple cases for the Retina mini, including the Folio and the IntelliCase for $45 and $40, respectively.
Cygnett has debuted a range of folio cases for the iPad Air as well, each with varying colors and designs. Prices range from $40 for a basic fabric folio case to $70 for a leather origami-inspired case that can be folded into multiple stand angles. The company's flexi-folding Paradox cases are also available in several colors for $40.
In addition to the cases listed above, the following companies also have iPad Air and Retina iPad mini cases available for purchase: Grove, Speck, M-Edge, Gumdrop, Hard Candy, iLuv, and X-Doria.
While the iPad Air has taken on a full redesign necessitating all new cases, the Retina iPad mini is just 0.3 millimeters thicker than the previous generation. It is unclear whether existing cases will fit the new Retina iPad mini, so consumers would be wise to check with vendors about fit before purchasing a first generation iPad mini case for the Retina mini.
Apple will begin accepting orders for the iPad Air on November 1, with orders for the Retina mini commencing later in November. As with the iPhone 5s, the company does not plan to offer pre-orders.
Top Rated Comments
I'd also consider similar ones by Belkin and others, as long as they are ONLY a screen cover (no added bulk, easy to remove--NOT a folio), are attached using the iPad's magnets, are thin and light, and have real laptop-style (not rubbery) keys. I want it when I want it--and I don't when I don't. Magnets = dilemma solved!
Plus, unlike Microsoft, I like that Logitech's version can shift around on a lap with no risk of the stand failing, and even holds the keyboard rigidly when you pick the unit up by the screen. It's a more stable, laptop-like result.
Best of all, it also works in Portrait, which is how I normally use my iPad for anything but video and certain games. More content, less scrolling. Try that, Surface keyboard! Or bulky awful folio!
EDIT: Great minds think alike :D
It's only been negative seven days since the iPad Air launch--we'll have to be patient :)
It seems like some of the iPad mini cases do not fit the Retina iPad mini, according to some vendors we've talked to. Probably best to email to find out if you're going to purchase something, but it seems like a decent amount of iPad mini cases should fit the Retina versions.