When I was at Macworld 2011 a few weeks ago and took part of the media reception event I received a case that has surprisingly captivated me with its features. I was told this second version of the Smart Kase (yes this case is spelled with a ‘k’) by ZooGue comes in four colors to choose from but mine came in an almond, or light brown, variation that actually fits right in with the color of many car interiors. At first, using it kind of felt like looking through a car window actually. Although this may not be the most stylish or fashionable case, it has its visual charms and character. it also adds robustness to the iPad that may be both good and bad for different reasons I will delve into during the review. I want to make one thing is clear though — this case adds great comfort and ease of use because of the standing kickstand (that is fully-adjustable) that is attached to it. If you enjoy using your iPad in landscape mode and standing still without having to hold the device and support it against something, then this case is for you.

Review
The ZooGue V2 Smart Kase has many great features in comfort and accessibility for landscape-mode users and acts as a very good protection case for your iPad due to its thickness and robustness. There is a separate portrait-mode accessory that can be acquired from ZooGue’s website with the current and updated version of the case (or a new edition), called Case Genius V.2, as a package free of additional charge. The case I received from Macworld 2011 has replaced my previous case I actually had, which was the official Apple case, and I have been using this ZooGue case ever since.

What factored in this decision was that I use my iPad primarily in the landscape-mode orientation; and I do a lot of typing while having the iPad on my lap or in front of me on a flat surface like a table; so I either needed an external stand or a folio case with a stand built in to use my iPad hands-free. This case comes with velcro fabric-straps connected to the front cover that has the side with the logo — they are two parallel fabric lanes but in soft velcro material not the hard or plastic-like type that connects to them from the kickstand. The velcro straps on the small kickstand connect to these straps on the cover but can be hidden because when the whole stand is folded they just connect to two other small straps of velcro fabric.

The kickstand is usually flat and hidden from view but can be opened up to many different viewing angles and lached on through the velcro attachments. There are also other velcro straps inside the cover that keep the iPad from moving or flaling out from the cover once it is put inside it. The case itself, actually holds the iPad really well and confined without movement unlike the Apple case I always had to re-adjust. The kickstand can be folded in various positions and can even act as a holder when you are standing up to use the iPad; it also has a crescent little opening in between its two sides to put your fingers in.

When I was using the official Apple case I would run into problems of it falling down or losing balance when I tried to have it stay upright in landscape mode on a flat surface. This was the case, whether I had it connect in that triangle-like configuration by the straps or covers of the case that slide together with its pocket and I tried setting it down it often fell or would not balance. A similar problem would also occur when I would try balancing both flaps or straps of the case on the surface while they bent to stay in place. Eventually after typing too long or putting too much pressure on the touchscreen, these methods of using the device upright, without holding the iPad itself, would fail.

Now with the ZooGue case, however, I can set it on almost any surface and angle hands-free. When I type by tapping those fingers on the iPad with force, the case stays in the exact same spot I set it; it is that sturdy. The case also balances and stays on my lap quite easily and I actually noticed my iPad typing speed and productivity improving as I used it. Since I have both of my hands free while using this case without having to constantly grab it or hold it with one hand, I can tap those fingers much faster and without worry of the case falling.

One negative aspect of the case is the bulkiness it adds and weight. The official Apple case hardly enlarges the device’s thickness or adds much weight to it. With this case, some of iPad owners’ habits — like trying to watch a movie standing up with only one hand holding the device — may cause discomfort after a while. But the iPad is meant to be a two-handed device anyway in my book, especially when used standing up; I mean you need one free hand to change volume or use the touchscreen; except watching movies or doing something without much interaction.

Despite this little negative aspect of the case, I actually found a good way to hold it standing up that works well even with one hand despite the larger bulk and weight the case adds. What worked for me is putting my hand inside the two flaps under the kickstand and having the kickstand opened up and strapped through its velcro fabric. In this way, the kickstand will balance the device right over your hand and wrist so you don’t need to put the pressure on your entire wrist — like when trying to hold the case opened up without velcro straps being used or when holding just the kickstand with your fingers and not the entire wrist inside it.

The case is quite thick and offers protection all around the iPad — including if it fell on top of the screen because the leather strap that engulfs the screen sticks out in front of it nicely. So the side strap would hit and not the actual touchscreen; like what many iPhone cases aim to do. Because of the thickness, most of the shock I think would also be absorbed by the case itself. There is also a car strap or band you can wrap around a seat of your vehicle and snap on through velcro as well. This can be quite useful in turning your iPad into a mobile TV for your car guests or people sitting in the rear seats.

Another great thing about this case is for gamers playing many apps that only support one landscape mode, this case will allow you to use both orientations with ease. Meaning you can turn the case 180 degrees in landscape and there are many ways to have it stand in both orientations. Because of the kickstand, you can set it in a tipi-like fashion when the two straps or sides of the case are spread apart from the bottom and merge on top. When using the case as a stand in this tipi-like setup, the velcro straps can also be moved around along with the kickstand in-between the straps to change viewing angles.

Tips
Try to open the case up and make it lighter to hold and position in your hands with the velcro straps connected to the kickstand most of the time no matter if you are standing, sitting or laying down. I found the best landscape-orientation positioning of the iPad with the case to be with the stand being angled and one of the covers flat on the surface — instead of in the opposite orientation of having it in a tipi-like configuration.

Recommendation
I strongly recommend this case for iPad users who like to have their case well built and offer both good protection and viewing angles. The newest version, called Case Genius — not sure if this is a newer case or if ZooGue just decided to go with a different label and call it Case Genius instead of Smart Kase — is currently selling for $49.99 from ZooGue’s website.

Video

– This Video is a Quick Overview and Review of the Case Posted by iPhoneArena –

Photos

Note: A promotional copy was provided by the creator for use in this article.

Please post your comments, tips, and your own reviews below in the comments area!

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