Twelve South

Headlines & Heroes, which prides itself on being your “curator of cool for culture, gadgets, living, style, rides and entertainment,” makes us laugh. Their assessment on the Compass is spot-on, if we do say so ourselves. Get your stocking-stuffer-ready Compass here — and satisfy your own Rolling Stone desires. Have a peek:

The guy behind Restless Tech just so happens to be named Jeff Mac. Oh, OK, not really…but he’s got a name that starts with a Scottish Mac and ends with something else and was previously just long enough to be confusing…so he blogs as Jeff Mac. Which means he’s our kind of reviewer — Mac-centric like we are.

Here’s why he thought he needed PlugBug in the first place (doesn’t everyone?):

“I am the kind of person that has multiple chargers for almost all the electronics I own. Sometimes it was intentional but often it has come about because I got to my destination and my power supply didn’t.

There are numerous reasons for this, not the least of which comes from having three daughters that know where I stow my gear. These same sweet, precious girls are better at borrowing than returning.

My general solution for this is to have a charger for all my important electronics stored in my briefcase. I don’t use these chargers on a daily basis , but they are my power sources on the road.

The downside of this is too much crap in my case, too much weight on my shoulder and a constant interest in paring things down.”

Exactly why we came up with PlugBug. We had the same problem ourselves, minus the three daughters.

“For me the PlugBug was an immediate “aha!” moment as I pictured pulling another power supply out of my bag of tricks for good.

As with most great ideas, the PlugBug is that kind of slap your forehead obvious that is so elegant it is amazing no one thought of it before. The PlugBug slots into the same place that the AC prongs or AC extension cord fit into on your Mac power supply. It then adds a USB port that supplies 10 watts of USB power to drive your devices.

My first test of the PlugBug was using it compared to the Apple charger. Two original iPads were charged from completely dead to 100% using each charger. The time for both was practically identical at 4 hours each, so the PlugBug is perfectly in line with the Apple charger.

Comparing the PlugBug to the USB port on a 2011 MacBook Pro yielded a bit different results. The same completely dead iPad took right at 5 hours. Of course the previous 15″ MacBook Pro I owned would not charge my iPad at all, so the PlugBug is better than a current MacBook and LOTS better than previous generations.”

Executive Summary?

“To me, the PlugBug is a winner. I love the build quality of it and the operational functionality is exactly as advertised. Two thumbs up.”

Get your own road-warrior-approved PlugBug now. But you’ll want to act fast — these babies are H-O-T for Christmas!

This just in from those global navigators over at Discovery Channel:

“Frequent flyers, rejoice. An accessory you didn’t even know about will soon become a staple in your travel bag.”

“Twelve South’s PlugBug is a wall charger that attaches to the MacBook power adapter. But its genius lies in a very simple concept: include a USB port to charge your iPhone, iPad or other peripherals. You can simultaneously power up multiple devices, or use the PlugBug as a standalone charger.

At 10 watts, the PlugBug provides the fastest possible charge for the iPad, which requires twice the power of a typical USB charger, the company says. This is especially handy given the fact USB ports on most MacBooks don’t charge at full speed. At home, you can leave your iPad charging all night, but between flights or meetings, you probably don’t have that luxury.”

The writer, Silicon Valley-based Alice Truong, goes on to say that essentially, the MacBook is her most expensive charging device. She’s right — many of us have used computers as battery packs for charging other devices. With PlugBug, you don’t have to.

Read more at Discovery Channel. And get your own far-less-expensive-and-so-much-faster PlugBug today.

World traveler Bruce Kirkby probably travels a little lighter than most of us. Having just returned from two weeks in Asia, he’s truly road-tested the things he needs most…and determined what really makes the cut when he’s on the road.

His piece in Canada’s The Globe and Mail, “Take Just the Basics When You Travel (Especially When They’re This Cool)” reveals how this seasoned traveler thinks about packing:

“While I’m a “basics” traveller, there are fundamental differences between what I pack for a business trip, a budget backpacking venture, a resort holiday and a major wilderness expedition. Anything that eases the rigours of business travel is good. The more “home-like” each day is, the better.

But too many treats from home can weigh a traveller down, creating a cocoon that limits the opportunity for spontaneous and unexpected interaction. I see people who bring everything to their tent or their room in a resort – their favourite pillow, music, movies, books – and then never venture beyond the front zipper or door. Why did they bother to go to Kathmandu? Suck it up and get outside!”

We couldn’t agree more. So we’ve taken good notes on the things he considers necessities (though we’re going to have to look into this “Blundstones” thing). Among them are:

1) ROLLER BAG

2) MACBOOK AIR (Bruce carries an 11″)

3) BOOKBOOK

4) BLUNDSTONES

5) EAR PLUGS

Here’s why he chose BookBook for his MacBook Air:

“If you are going to carry the Mac Air abroad, consider protecting it in the uber-stylish BookBook, a hardback case disguised as a leather-bound vintage book. I appreciate the fact my laptop remains incognito, and I know the BookBook must be cool because every single security agent comments on it.”

Check out Bruce’s photo below — can you spot the BookBook? Get your own MacBook Air-hugging BookBook right away, available in 11″ and 13″ with free shipping in the US.

TUAW, sister site of Engadget, just released their Holiday Gift Guide, and they’re recommending a little something red under the tree. In their words:

“Perhaps the hottest Mac-cessory this year, the PlugBug turned all kinds of heads when TwelveSouth finally released it earlier this month. Yes, it’s just a charger, but no, it’s not just a charger — it’s a super useful and well-designed accessory that already works with those cords you got in the Apple box. You can charge both a MacBook (or Air or Pro) and a USB device like an iPhone or iPad from just one outlet, and all you need to pack in your bag is the usual cords and this little red adapter. It’s a great, smart device that adds just a little bit of color to an already very Apple way of thinking.”

Get your own “Mac-cessory of the year” now for all those Apple-loving stockings that need stuffing. Act fast — ships free in the US for a limited time. (And be sure to remind the Santa in your life that PlugBug also matches his outfit.)

It’s a given that Apple users like to get out there. You like to “create” in small coffee shops, wide open spaces, fast-moving trains, crowded airports. And for all that creating on the go, you need gear. Not just any gear — great gear.

For that reason, MacWorld brings you its latest Gear Guide for the Mobile Mac User. And this time they’ve featured not one but TWO Twelve South products.

Here’s what they said about PlugBug:

“To avoid schlepping multiple device chargers with you when you travel, check out the PlugBug by Twelve South. The $35 PlugBug snaps onto your MacBook’s power brick and provides its own USB port so you can simultaneously charge your laptop and a USB device (like an iPad, which won’t charge from lower-powered USB ports). In addition to providing a loaded power supply (10W, 2.1A), the PlugBug inadvertently serves as a plug adapter for MacBook users traveling to North America.”

We’re actually hearing that a lot — and selling a lot of them to people traveling to the US. One less adapter to remember to pack!

And then for the music lover who likes to get around…our newest way to rock the house, or hotel room, or even sleigh, the BassJump 2:

“Although we love our MacBooks, sometimes the sound quality of their built-in speakers just won’t cut it. For an extra sound boost, check out the BassJump 2 Subwoofer by Twelve South. This compact device connects to your MacBook with a USB cord and adds extra bass and midrange frequencies to your laptop’s built-in speakers. It’s compatible with third-party USB speakers as well as Apple’s Thunderbolt Display speakers, but make sure you have Mac OS 10.5 or later.”

So whether you’re kicking back to “Jingle Bells” or even something a little, well, louder and somehow dare-we-say-less-annoying?…BassJump 2 is the way to go. Get one for the music lover in your life (ahem, and also for yourself, since shipping is free).

With Christmas only 25 days away, blogs all over the web are checking their lists for their favorite gifts to give this holiday season. The latest comes from The Art of Manliness, a blog that dedicates itself to “reviving the lost art of manliness.” Among their “manly, useful, and classic” gift suggestions (that include everything from wilderness survival training courses to a vintage Swiss Army flashlight) is our very own BookBook for iPad! In their words:

“If you’re a man fond of scotchy, scotch, scotch, leather-bound books, and the smell of rich mahogany a la Ron Burgundy, then might we suggest the Book Book iPad case to protect your iPad? The Book Book case is designed to make your iPad look like an old, leather-bound book you’d find in the distinguished library of a gentleman scholar. The case zips up to protect your iPad when you’re not using it. The Book Book’s real book feel will make reading on your iPad even more enjoyable.”

Uncover that inner Anchorman by picking up your very own BookBook for iPad (or iPhone and even MacBook) just in time for Christmas from Twelve South. Start shopping early and get it to your door with free ground shipping for a limited time.

So here’s a double whammy for those of you watching at home: Mashable picked our PlugBug for both its YouTube Video of the Day on November 1…and, without even waiting for Valentine’s Day, they told the world: “We’re in love.”

That’s the executive summary of what happened over at Mashable on November 1, but here’s the rest of the story. In their words:

“The gang at Twelve South, the company responsible for iPhone cases like the BookBook and stands for the iPad and MacBook Pro, has just unveiled their newest creation, an ingenious iPad/iPhone charger that seamlessly connects to a standard MacBook Air or MacBook Pro AC adapter.

Twelve South sent us a sample unit, dubbed the PlugBug and we’re in love.

It’s a simple idea with a winning premise of helping frequent travelers or those cramped for outlet space eliminate the need to carry a MacBook charger and a separate charger for a phone or iPad.

Here’s how it works: Attach the PlugBug to the normal duck cover on any MagSafe power brick (which includes the MacBook, MacBook Pro and Macbook Air). The PlugBug contains a two prong outlet and its own powered 10w USB port. What this means is that you can charge your iPhone or iPad without having to plug it into your laptop, all while also charging your laptop battery.”

And then they answered the Question of the Day:

“Why is this better than just using the USB port on your Mac to charge your device? Well, the reason is twofold:

First: That takes up an extra USB port. If you are using a MacBook Air, that might mean the device has to vie for space with other components.

Second: It can take a lot more time to charge an iPad via your MacBook or MacBook Pro than through a wall connection. In fact, if your USB port isn’t powered, charging the iPad can take a ton of time.

Third: For business travelers, this eliminates the need to pack the external phone or iPad charger alongside the laptop charger.”

There’s more to the review, of course, but if we shared every detail you’d have no need of a helpful link to Mashable, now would you? Want to move in with your own red-hot PlugBug? Buy it today and fall in love tomorrow. Ships free, just in time to stuff those stockings.

Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you know that when it comes to the finer things in life — whether handmade, cooked up in a gorgeous test kitchen, or wrapped in clever paper with an even more clever hand-crafted gift tag — Martha Stewart is kind of the Queen.

So when the editors of Martha Stewart Living made their selections for this year’s Holiday Gift Guide, we were kind of holding our breath. (Not unlike children at recess who fear being picked last. Thinking: “Please pick me. Please pick me!” and then realizing we’d said it out loud. Oops.)

And then…there we were, listed in the Guide. The editors love our BookBook…and here’s what they said:

Yes, it’s short and sweet. But that’s the thing about Martha and her people…they like to get straight to the point.

Stuff your own stocking — or someone else’s — with this year’s Martha Stewart pick from Twelve South. BookBook. (Ships free in the U.S. for a limited time.)

And after the shopping is all done, if you’re feeling crafty, be sure to visit Martha online for complete instructions to making your holidays gorgeous.

Meet PlugBug, the iPad/iPhone travel charger that snaps onto your MacBook Power Adapter

Charleston, SC, November 1, 2011 – Twelve South is pleased to unveil PlugBug, an iPad/iPhone wall charger that piggybacks onto a MacBook Power Adapter, allowing you to charge a MacBook and an iPad/iPhone simultaneously from one power outlet. Made to fit all MacBook Power Adapters, PlugBug is available now at twelvesouth.com for $34.99.

The ingenious PlugBug connects to all MacBook Power Adapters. Simply snap PlugBug onto a MacBook Power Adapter, in place of the adapter’s AC plug, and you now have one handy device that charges MacBook and iPad or iPhone at the same time, using only one wall outlet. This can be a real lifesaver when you need to charge both before a meeting or – even more stressful – between connecting flights with only one outlet available.

Along with a beautiful design, PlugBug packs 10 powerful watts, charging iPad as fast as technically possible. In fact, many public USB charging stations, like those found in airports, lack the power to charge an iPad. Not only will PlugBug provide the proper charge, it will charge your iPad up to twice as fast as many competing chargers.

Now you can carry just one compact PlugBug to charge your iPad or iPhone and leave the other chargers at home, reducing the clutter in your computer bag. Forget about worrying whether or not you remembered your iPad charger – with PlugBug it’s always connected to your MacBook charger. For those times when you only need an iPad charger, you can disconnect PlugBug from your MacBook Power Adapter and still use it as a stand alone device.

Andrew Green, Creative Director at Twelve South, said, “PlugBug is a dream product for us. It improves on MacBook’s own Power Adapter, adds a completely new idea to iPad/iPhone chargers, and it simplifies the lives of die-hard Apple fans – like me – who carry multiple Apple devices wherever they go.”

So why is PlugBug red? Noted author and original Mac Evangelist Guy Kawasaki gets credit for the color. When shown an early prototype, Kawasaki insisted PlugBug should carry a show-stopping hue viewable from across the room – or airport. The “Kawasaki Red” PlugBug was born.

Those outside the U.S. and Canada can use PlugBug as the perfect U.S. adapter and iPad/iPhone charger. Not only does PlugBug convert any non-U.S. MacBook Power Adapter into a North American-compatible adapter, it also serves as a bonus USB charger for iPad and iPhone.

Click here to read the original release.