The iPad craze is definitely here to stay and if you can't afford an iPad for whatever reason, how bout spicing your kitchen up with the iPad cutting board? Available from myBrett for 15 Euros.

This is another Bag Lady dedicated to ShoeGeek and no it's not an ode to pandas but rather an add-on to her post about our embargo as I've discovered the perfect complement to the messenger bag she covets for the iPad that she doesn't have. It would also be a good companion to the tan PS1 that she wasn't able to get. Ok this might be a post taunting her more than dedicating to her. Oops.

Get the Temple leather iPad case here.

Take a random phenomenon based on a world event. Slap on a cute image and some programming for the image to choose one of two variables. Sell it as an iPhone/iPad app for US$0.99. And it will become the 23 Top Paid app. It’s another case of the snuggie where we kick ourselves for not thinking of doing this first.

Nostalgia is always a good marketing tool and sometimes you stumble across something that you can only label as genius. Behold the USB Typewriter. Available on Etsy for US$75 for the DIY kit and US$300-$400 for the actual product, memories just don’t come cheap these days. Of course, some might argue memories are priceless (Mastercard ad anyone?) Check out the video where the USB Typewriter is attached to the iPad giving a nice contrast between the ancient and not so ancient.

So following up on the post about the Incase Convertible Book Jacket, I’m here to introduce you to a series of designer iPad (and in one instance, Kindle) cases. Louis Vuitton was the first to jump onto the bandwagon by announcing their design (which consists of stamping the ubiquitous LV logo all over a case) and then teasing us by saying it won’t be released for some time. Then Gucci leapt on board by giving us the finished product in a rather similar design. During the 2011 Resort presentation, one of the models in the Oscar de la Renta show whipped out her iPad, also encased. And Diane von Furstenberg is obviously more of a book geek as she just released a Kindle case. Who else would we like to see show their techy side? Vivienne Tam would be an obvious choice but given her affiliation with HP, I’m not sure how feasible that would be. And is it worrisome that I am pondering over which case I should invest in considering I’ve yet to buy the iPad?



Oscar de la Renta iPad case, image courtesy of The Bag Snob


Gucci


DVF Kindle Case

Because I'm really increasingly believing that the iPad is replacing the Amex in the "don't leave home without it" manner, it somehow makes total sense that I'd want to slip it in my pocket... Not to mention the fact that these are, iPad-portability notwithstanding, actually decent looking garments in and of their own. If you're thinking "Wait, if you have an iPad in front of your crotch, how are you going to sit down?" -- then you've completely missed the point of having an iPad, which is that it should be the main focus of your attention any time you are sitting down. Zombies wait for nobody, okay? I'd feel nerdy about sharing that with you all, except that a) you all already know I'm a total Geek, and b) this chica on the website is totally choosing the iPad over nookie with the sorta hot dude in the back, so I know I'm not alone in my iPadlove.

Get the iTee and iDress from iClothing.

The lovely @FindelaTierra showed me this amusing website which is hailed as a “beautiful new dating site created for fans of Apple products by fans of Apple products!” You’d think Applemania has settled for now but obviously it’s still going strong. Best part? The site’s name. Cupidtino. A nice play on Cupertino, Apple’s headquarters. To register for the beta, you need to select which Apple products you own, from a list that includes iPod, MacBook, iPhone and iPad. The site will launch this coming June and of course it will only be available exclusively on Apple platforms, Safari, iPhone and iPad apps. For more information, check out http://cupidtino.com/.

If there's anyone with whom I can empathize in the iPhone/iPad phenomenon, Plants vs Zombies, it's the zombies. They may be gooey and undead and stuck wielding odd weaponry and costumes for the rest of eternity, doomed to move straight ahead in pursuit of crunchy sunflowers and human brains... but I think last night proved I too can blindly follow a single goal for no apparent reason. I've been phone-less for about a week now and iPhone game deprivation has sent me spiraling into a deep sensory-deprived abyss. So when an iPad appeared in my house courtesy of Monsieur Hsu, you can bet I was glued to the screen, tapping away at zombies and demolishing them with my pea shooters and cherry bombs. It is indeed said that your greatest enemy is he/she/it whom is most like you...

Even though the iPad is pretty light, I have to admit, having this iPad Incase Convertible Book Jacket would make it an even more delicious experience, so that I could simultaneously demolish zombies and eat dinner without having to look away from the screen. (I did it last night sans support, but it will only get harder upon reaching the roof level...) It's adjustable like a deck chair and features a sticky support mat so your iPad doesn't slide around when you poke it too hard in exasperation because the zombies are coming ever closer, closer, closer to braindom. And clearly I am only introducing it to you readers because I want Mr Hsu to get one, so that when he comes over with his iPad I can enjoy the fruits of his online shopping. But if you too fear for your brains, and those of your family members, you will purchase one or something like it, seeing as this one isn't available yet.

So the iPad is finally out and the early adopters are all eager to test it. Personally, I haven’t decided if I’m pro or against the iPad. What I am interested in knowing is how businesses will take marketing forward using new technology. (Must be the PR Geek in me.) Earlier, I wrote about how the Langham Hotel was offering guests an iPod guided tour to their Chinese contemporary art which the hotel boasts as being the first in the world. Hot on the heels of this comes the news of InterContinental Hong Kong equipping its Concierge teams with iPads.

I’d be interested in seeing how the InterContinental will utilise the iPad’s functionality to compliment guests’ experiences. One question I have would be with regards to mobility. After all, a key selling point of the iPad is the fact that you can take it wherever you go much like a netbook. If the iPad is stationed at a concierge desk much like any desktop or laptop, what would be the point? (Besides the cool factor of being the first to utilize the iPad and generating buzz about it.)

Thankfully, the InterContinental realizes that and won’t be underutilizing the iPad’s functionality. They’ve already downloaded a ton of apps for the iPad such as the Hong Kong 720º by the Hong Kong Tourism Board. In addition, videos of the concierge team’s top local recommendations will loaded onto the gadget as well. Of course, it’s early days yet and I’m sure the InterContinental will be coming up with more uses for the iPad. What do you think would be some cool uses for the iPad in a hotel concierge service?

Image caption: InterContinental Hong Kong Chief Concierge Louis Baleros with the iPad