Favorite Things: DODOcase for iPad 2

DODOcase Sticker

Sleek. Elegant. Sophisticated.

You could use those three words to describe the DODOcase for iPad 2, but then I’d be forced to call you a pretentious schmuck.

As soon as I got my iPad 2 I knew exactly which case I wanted for it—the DODOcase. I’d read the glowing reviews about it on blogs like Engadget and TUAW, but (more importantly) it fit my own personal criteria. I wanted an iPad case that would do the following:

  1. Look great
  2. Protect the front and back of my iPad
  3. Not announce to the entire world that I have an iPad

I’m happy to report that the DODOcase succeeds on all counts.
For the uninitiated, the DODOcase looks like a large Moleskine notebook.

DODOcase Front

DODOcases are made using traditional bookbinding processes right here in the good old US of A. The do a fantastic job of telling their own story here.

For about six months I’ve been extremely satisfied with my DODOcase purchase. The other day, however, I noticed that the bamboo frame of the case had a large crack in one of the corners and was precariously close to falling off completely.

I wrote a quick note to customer service describing the issue and explaining my concern that the case hadn’t lasted longer. I also and attached the image below to my note.

IMG00124-20120103-1733

One minute later, I had a response. That’s not a typo. That’s not an exaggeration. Let me say it again. One minute later, I had a response.

The email was from a real, live human being who apologized for the problem, thanked me for sending them the picture and provided full resolution in their first communication.

The customer service agent advised me that super glue might work, but also offered to send me a replacement. I chose the latter and three days later I had my new DODOcase.

DODOcase Bookplate

DODOcase Bookplate

Ever since advent of overseas call centers fueled by large corporations’ rise in apathy over the care of the people who buy their products and services we have come to expect poor customer service. Sadly, a company that cares about those who pay its bills is the exception and not the norm.

DODOcase is that exception. They are the Nordstroms of iPad cases. They sell fine products at a premium, but not only are you getting an excellent product, more importantly, you know that they will stand by their products and treat you right.

I’ll warrant that my DODOcase gets at least as many stares as my iPad itself. Everyone compliments me on my handsome notebook and if when they get the chance to look inside they’re even more impressed.

Are you willing to pay more for a premium product or premium customer service? Have you found a company or product you like that offers both? Sound off in the comments below.

All images are from my flickr, unless otherwise noted.

Free iPad User Guide from Apple

Screenshot of iPad User Guide for iOS 5 in iTunes

Last month Apple released iOS 5, the latest operating system upgrade for the their iPad and iPhone lines. With this release they added over 200 features in addition to the usual flurry of bug fixes and ever popular “performance enhancements”.

While they’ve done an excellent job improving the platform with the release of iOS5, what Apple hasn’t done very well is articulate how to take advantage out of all that’s new and improved.

Thankfully, Apple has released a free eBook explaining all the ins and outs of their latest and greatest. Want to know what’s in book?

“Here’s everything you need to know about iPad, in a handy eBook format. Get to know iPad and discover all the amazing things it can do, and how to do them. It’s the definitive guide for getting the most from your new iPad, straight from Apple. The iPad User Guide is an essential part of any iPad library.”

You can download the iPad User Guide for free from the iBookstore in iTunes. An iPhone User Guide is also available in iTunes.

With your iOS 5 user guide loaded on your iPad and/or iPhone you’ll be setting yourself Reminders, iMessaging friends and family, and configuring Notification Center with the best of them.

Microsoft Word on the iPhone for Free!

I recently read that Microsoft has been mulling over bringing Office to the Mac App Store. This would be a great boon to Mac users, however, what I think most people really want is for the Redmond software giant to bring Office to the iPhone/iPad (iOS) platform.

So, I’m pleased to announce that this week I was successfully able to get Microsoft Word running on my iPod Touch. Best of all, I did it all for free!

Microsoft Word (5.5) Running on an iPhone!
Photo via my flickr

Because they’re really not all that evil, the fine folks at Microsoft released a special, Y2K compliant edition of Microsoft Word for free. However, because they really are kinda evil, the version they released only runs on DOS. You can still download Microsoft Word 5.5 free of charge.

Lorem ipsum - Microsoft Word on iPhone!
Photo via my flickr

Did you download it? So, now that you’ve got yourself a totally gratis copy of neither the latest, nor the greatest word processing software of all time, what’s the logical next step? Installing it on your iPhone, iPad, and/or iPod Touch, of course!

This hack is only possible if you have the iDOS app installed on your iOS device. If you’re running the 1.0 version of the app, you can add the files directly via iTunes otherwise you’ll have to add them directly to your device using iPhone Explorer, or something similar.

For more detailed instructions of installing DOS apps on your iOS gadget see TouchArcade’s excellent writeup.

Word Save Dialog Box - Running on iPhone!
Photo via my flickr

If you want a way to create and edit (extremely) simple Word docs on your iOS device AND you were fortunate enough to grab a copy of iDOS before it was yanked (again) from the AppStore this hack is right up your alley.

I’m not saying you should run DOS apps on your iPhone. I just like knowing that I can. What old school games and apps are you running on your iPhone? Which retro apps and games do you wish you could install? Sound off in the comments below.