Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer – Product Review

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Francine Brokaw

The new Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer is nothing short of amazing. What could possibly be different about a new hair dryer? Plenty.

First of all, it looks completely different than any other handheld hairdryer. It uses the Dyson microprocessor technology and took their engineers four years to perfect. Without going into all the techno mumbo jumbo, let’s just look at it from a consumer point of view.

The unit is lightweight and easy to hold. It feels much sturdier than the plastic dryers on the market. It feels like a professional dryer. (By the way, they do make a professional edition for salons.)

There is no mesh on the end to clog up and require cleaning. No more taking tweezers to clean out the clogged filter on the back of the dryer. This is possible because the dryer uses the Dyson air multiplier technology that they use on their fans.

The dryer is much quieter than any other hairdryer I have ever tried. For the first time I could hear the phone ring while I was drying my hair.

The attachments are magnetic which make them easy to put on and remove. Included with the dryer are a styling concentrator nozzle, a smoothing nozzle, a diffuser, a non- slip mat on which to place the dryer, and a small storage hanger. The diffuser is perfect for keeping curls in tact. The styling nozzle is what most hairdryers come with. The smoothing nozzle is unique. It really does eliminate the frizz with no tugging or pulling hair straight while drying, which is what most people have to do to tame frizzy, wild hair.

There are plenty of settings to use for every kind of hair, plus a cool button. If you haven’t used the cool button on your dryer or don’t have one, they are quite useful when styling your hair. Cooling actually sets the hair better, just like washing your face. We have been told to wash with warm water and rinse with cold to close the pores. This is also something that works with hair.

Dyson technicians have created a temperature control inside the unit that measures the exit temperature of the air 20 times every second. It’s evident that a lot of research has gone into making this hair dryer.

The final aspect of the unit is the speed in which it dries hair. It takes me half the time to dry my hair with this dryer. And with the smoothing nozzle I don’t have to use my flat iron to take out the frizz.

Now, for the potential downside of this product. It retails for $399. Yes, that is a lot of money for a hair dryer, but it is the most amazing hair dryer I have ever used. I was sent a test unit for a complimentary two-week trial. It took me only two days to realize this is something I need to have. Returning it to the company after the two-week test period was over was a little sad however I have now purchased one for my very own – which I don’t have to return!

The Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer is available in two colors: Iron Gray with Fuchsia and White with Silver. The list price is $399.99. They also have a limited edition Iron Gray/Fuchsia with a leather case for an additional $50.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

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Moana Saves a Turtle – Disney Animators’ Moana Mini Doll Play Set

Posted on February 18, 2017February 19, 2017 by Francine Brokaw

For anyone who has seen the film Moana (and that includes most people), a memorable part of the story is in the beginning when a very young Moana discovers the ocean. This adorable little girl is filled with a kind heart and when she sees a baby turtle trying to crawl over the sand to get to the water, she takes a large palm frond to shelter it from predator birds. She wobbly walks next to the turtle shielding it until it is free in the ocean.

The new Disney Animators’ Moana Mini Doll Play Set lets kids play out their own scene with little Moana and the turtle, as well as put their imaginations to work creating other situations for her, the turtle, the water, HeiHei the rooster, and Pua the pig. This newest play set includes all of these as well as an amulet. They come in a plastic carrying case so kids can easily take them from one place to another.

Little Moana is about 5 inches high but with her wave hairstyle, she is almost an inch taller. Remember back to the film when the water pulled her hair high above her head? That’s what this doll represents. That first encounter the little girl had with not only the turtle, but with the ocean. Moana means ocean and this character has a unique relationship with the ocean. Moana has a pink flower in her hair, wears her shell necklace, and a sweet smile on her face. She is more than adorable. She’s precious and articulated with moving legs, arms, and head. This little Moana can stand on her own.

Pua measures almost three inches high and is a bobble head representation of Moana’s pet pig. HeiHei, the crazy chicken, is about two inches high.

The palm frond is sculpted with a little handle to let Moana hold it while protecting the turtle. Plus, there is a five and a half inch-high sculpted wave. After all, what would Moana be without water?

With all of these elements included in this set, young imaginations will be entertained for hours. And the case makes it great to take along in the car or to a play date. The dedication to detail is amazing. On the handle of the case are sculpted shells.

Due to the size of some of the objects, this play set is for ages 3 and up. This Disney Animators’ Mini Doll Play Set lists for $19.95.

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Fun new Animators’ products from Disney

Posted on January 26, 2017January 27, 2017 by Francine Brokaw

The Animators’ Collection from Disney has just added some great new products. The collection depicts Disney characters as youngsters and has become popular among both adults and children.

There seriously cool new products for kids.

Animators’ Collection Melamine Plate Set

The set of four plates are a fun way for kids to eat their snacks or sandwiches. The plates each measure six inches in diameter so they are not big enough for an entire meal, but are perfect for cookies, a small sandwich, or some fruit. They are dishwasher safe but not microwaveable safe. The four plates depict a young Lilo, young Alice, young Elsa and Anna, and a trio of Rapunzel, Snow White, and Pocahontas.

These colorful plates not only have the main character in the centers, but the entire boarders are covered with art that reflect the characters’ stories. The set lists for $14.95.

Animators’ Collection Teacups for Kids

There are three different small cups for kids, which go along great with the plates. These cups are not dishwasher or microwaveable safe and are not for hot liquids, but they are good for a cold cup of milk. Each cup holds 4 ounces and each has a sturdy handle.

It would be nice to pair a cup with a corresponding plate for an evening snack.

The three cups are: Lilo, Elsa and Anna, and Alice. They are sold separately and each lists for $7.95.

Animators’ Collection Postcard and Paint Set

Fourteen individual postcards come in this set that makes a fun activity for kids to do on a cold winter’s day. The set has one brush and each card includes six colors of paint.

Dip the brush in water and select the paint color. Kids can use their imaginations and design new colorful outfits for the characters or pretend they are animators at Disney and color in their favorite characters just like the pros. And when they are finished, they can stick on a stamp and send their art to grandma, or simply display it in their rooms.

The different cards are: 2 different Elsa and Anna cards, 3 Lilo cards, 1 Snow White card, 2 Tinker Bell cards, 2 Pocahontas cards, 3 Alice cards, and 2 Rapunzel cards.

Note: green is not one of the paint colors so you can use this lesson to teach your kids about colors. Simply mix the yellow with the blue to make Tinker Bell’s dress and Scrump’s body green. It’s fun to play with colors.

The set lists for $10.95.

Animators’ Collection Littles Micro Doll Play Set

Talk about seriously cool. The new Micro Play Sets are just that. Each set comes with 13 pieces to set anyone’s imagination on fire.

The different sets are: Frozen, Tinker Bell, and Belle. They each come with their own case, which doubles as the location for fun. For instance, the Frozen set is centered around Elsa and Anna’s castle. Belle’s cottage is where she resides, and Tink’s little house is the case for her play set.

Open the castle, cottage, or house to see the interiors. Now, add the characters and their accessories and hours of fun are in store.

The Frozen set includes a small Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Sven, trolls, two beds, a dresser, 2 dolls, and a cardboard tree to add to the outside setting. Then, hold onto your hat, there is a mystery character. Who will you get? Marshmallow, Kristoff? Or someone else? The coolest part about these sets is that everything – and everyone – can be placed inside the castle or cottage or house, and closed. They each have a handle, which makes them great for toting to a play date, grandma’s house, or anyplace.

The sets are for ages 3+ due to the size of the pieces. The Frozen castle is about 5 inches high and the Elsa figure is only 2 inches high, with the others measuring even smaller.

They each come with a mystery character that goes along with their story. The cardboard accessories add a little oomph to the setting of the case. Belle’s is a well and Tink’s are some flowers. The Frozen standup cardboard accessory is a tree.

When they are not in use, put all the pieces inside and click the case shut. Then the castle – or cottage or house – can be on display!

Each set lists for $19.95.

The Disney Animators’ Collection is filled with the adorable and even angelic characters we have loved through the years. These newest products are entertaining, enjoyable, and delightful ways kids can play and experience their favorite characters in new and exciting ways.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 20 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

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Mega Maui from JAKKS Pacific

Posted on December 10, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

With the popularity of the movie Moana, much of the attention has been given to the newest Disney princess. However a big (no pun intended) part of her story is the demigod Maui. JAKKS Pacific has a talking version of this fun character for ages 3 and up.

Mega Maui is over 16 inches tall. He is also about 14 inches wide, making him a pretty formidable figure. His feet alone are 4 inches long. This guy is made of hard plastic so he’s not a cuddly plush, but he is fun to hold. As in the film Maui is covered with his tattoos, he wears his leaf skirt, his hair is squishable plastic, and he comes with his intricately carved fishhook that he can actually hold. The hook is removable so kids can play with it themselves.

What makes Mega Maui even more fun is he talks. Simply press his “bone” necklace and he says one of 12 movie phrases and sings the hit song, “You’re Welcome.”

This fellow sports his wide grin and intriguing eyes. He comes to life with the 2 AAA batteries that are included. With his movie phrases and song it’s fun for kids to recreate scenes from the hit film. And Maui is a character that appeals to both boys and girls, however this fellow will likely be enjoyed mostly by boys.

Not only can kids recreate scenes from the instant classic film, they can make up their own situations with Maui. Imaginations will run wild with this figure/doll, as with the character himself! With his poseable arms, Maui is ready for hugs – or adventure.

“Do you know who Maui is? Only the greatest demigod in all the South Pacific. With his magical fishhook he slowed down the sun, battled monsters. And I should know. Because I’m Maui.” That’s just one of the movie phrases spoken by Dwayne Johnson – and Mega Maui.

Because of his size, it’s easy to see the intricacies of his tattoos. Kids might also enjoy drawing their own tattoos on paper.

Mega Maui is definitely a toy that will provide hours of fun for kids. Because of his size – he is “mega” after all – he is a bit on the weighty side so it will be difficult for very small kids to carry him.

JAKKS Pacific has been producing toys and products since 1995. The company has strong ties with Disney and other companies. They have an impressive line of Moana toys.

Mega Maui lists for $49.99.

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Daniel Tiger Toys

Posted on November 27, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood with Daniel Tiger and his family and friends. This celebrated PBS Kids series for preschoolers, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, has garnered a lot of praise and won the Television Critics Association 2016 award for best children’s program.

The Deluxe Electronic Trolley is a fun way for kids to “play” in the neighborhood with Daniel and his mom. The motorized trolley lights up and has two songs as well as 12 phrases from the characters in the show. It also emits real trolley sounds.

Push the top left button and the headlights turn on and the trolley song plays. Press the tiger button and Daniel asks, “Do you want to take a ride on trolley with me?” Press it again and he says, “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood.” There are more sayings from Daniel and when the other buttons are pushed there are sayings from those characters as well. It’s a fun-filled trolley, especially when the top left button is pressed. It’s then when the trolley sounds come on with the headlights. How cool is that?

Also included in this set is a traffic stop so kids can obey the rules. It’s also a good way to help them understand when it’s safe to walk (when the green walking diagram is visible).

Push a button and the trolley rolls ahead. A handle on top makes it easy to carry and a fun set to take when visiting grandma or going out to the park to play.

This set comes with the two figures however many of the other characters from the show are available to purchase in separate sets to add to this trolley. The Deluxe Electronic Trolley requires 3 AA batteries, which are included in the box. This set brings all the fun and imagination of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood to your own house. This trolley set is designed for ages 3+ and lists for $29.99.

There’s even more fun with the Daniel Tiger Phone. It looks just like a smartphone only is much easier to use! You won’t have to buy a “Smartphone for Dummies” book to use this one!

There is an on/off sliding button on the side. The phone includes real phone sounds and when the little trolley is slid from one side to the other, it jingles. The front of the phone has a keyboard as well as six photo buttons with various characters. When a number button is pressed, the number is said allowed so kids can easily learn their numbers from zero to nine.

When a character button is pressed the characters talk. There are 11 phrases in all, including Daniel saying, “Hi neighbor, it’s me. Daniel Tiger.” And when the two little phone icon buttons are pressed the Daniel Tiger song plays.

The Daniel Tiger Phone is for ages 2+ and lists for $9.99.

Daniel Tiger is a beloved character and his father entertained generations of viewers on the original Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Daniel is a sweet little guy with a lot of heart. With these toys kids can let their imaginations soar along with Daniel and his friends in the neighborhood.

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Moana Plush Toys

Posted on November 24, 2016November 24, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

If you’re still wondering what to get a child for the holidays, you cannot go wrong with a plush toy from the hit (and instant classic) Disney film Moana. Moana is the newest Disney princess.

In the film, Moana is introduced as a young child. This little toddler steals the hearts of viewers of all ages. And to commemorate the princess as a child, there is an Animator’s Collection plush young Moana. This 12-inch doll is ready to snuggle with any child. She comes dressed in her Polynesian clothes and wears her “shell” necklace along with the traditional flower in her hair. Moana’s face is embroidered so nothing can be pulled off by young hands. Her expression reveals the excitement and wonder of this little toddler. This little island girl lists for $14.95.

There is also an older plush Moana that is 20-inches in length (height) and is ready for adventure. Moana is not only a princess, but she is also a hero to everyone. This feisty girl really comes through for her people. Like her younger counterpart, Moana plush is made of soft plush with embroidered features. This Moana doll lists for $19.95

Maui is the demigod with some fun tattoos covering his entire body. This plush 15-inch doll carries his trademark fishhook and is ready to battle foes. He is also ready for some big hugs. How can anyone resist his wide grin? Plush Maui lists for $19.95.

Heihei is a whacky little rooster who is also ready for hugs from boys and girls. This brightly colored 12-inch plush has embroidered features and fluffy feathers. Heihei lists for $14.95.

The most adorable plush of the collection is little Pua, Moana’s pet pig. Pua is 9 ½ inches of cuteness. He’s soft and cuddly with embroidered features and an expression that will put a smile on anyone’s face. This little guy will not only be cherished by kids, but also endeared by adults. He’s super cute. After cuddling this little fellow, you might never want to eat bacon again. Pua is great for boys and girls. He lists for $14.95. There is also a larger 17-inch high Pua for $39.95.

With the plush collection from the Moana movie, there is a cuddly character for everyone.

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Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link

Posted on November 6, 2016November 6, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

Dyson is well known for their vacuums, fans, and even their air purifiers. Now for the first time, they have combined their purifier with both heating and cooling elements to make this a unit that can be not only healthy for your air but also make you more comfortable in cold winter months and hot summer months. The Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link is a reliable air purifier that has the option of adding a cooling fan or a warming fan to your home.

Most people think air pollution is relegated to the outside, however inside our homes we are also bombarded by pollution that irritates our allergies, might cause headaches, and also make it difficult to breathe. As a purifier, this device removes 99.97% of allergens and particles as small as 0.3 microns from the air. You can’t see these but they are there and you breathe them in all the time. And let’s not forget about smells. This unit captures odors with carbon granules.

With the Link app, the unit monitors the purity of the air in your home then sends the results to your app so you may change the controls if you need to. And with the night-time mode (which I always use), the light dims so it’s barely visible and the fan quiets down so it’s really quite stealth.

For me the purifier is the most important part of this unit because we like to have clean air free of pollutants. But this Dyson does triple duty. With the thermostat control you can set it to emit heat in the chilly days of winter. Actually, if you only want to warm one room, why spend money on your central heater that heats your whole house? This unit will warm the air in whichever room you select.

And the triple whammy for this unit is it is also a cooling fan in the summer. I use mine in my bedroom where I like to have a little cooler air blowing when I don’t need to cool the rest of the house.

If you’re not aware of the Dyson Air Multiplier Technology, you don’t know that it doesn’t use blades to force the air around. It is completely safe for little hands because there aren’t any dangerous grills or blades to catch fingers.

The bottom line is this device pretty much does it all, as far as the air in your home is concerned. It cleans the air, and can cool or heat your room depending on your needs.

There is no doubt we have become a Dyson home. The quality of their products is top notch and the reliability and usefulness of the devices is unmatched. Customer service is helpful 24/7 too!

The price point ($599.99) might be a bit high but when you think of all that this unit does and the reliability of the company, it makes it worth it. So, if you are looking for something special for a holiday gift for someone or your own household, think about this Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link.

Dyson put a heater, a cooling fan, and an air purifier together in one machine with plenty of features. With the HEPA filter, automatic monitor, night-time (quiet) mode, and ease of use, not to mention helpful customer service, this is a device I highly recommend with full confidence. And yes, I do use it myself.

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Super Special Holiday Gifts for Kids from Nickelodeon and Disney

Posted on October 24, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

If you’re looking for something extra special this holiday for a girl or boy who is definitely on the “nice” list, here are some suggestions.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Remote Control Skateboarding Mikey is really cool. I had the chance to test him at the Nickelodeon Holiday Gift Showcase for Media. Remotely controlled, this fellow moves around and manages to right himself if he tips over. Adults were enjoying this toy right along with some of the youngsters who were there.

Also presented at the showcase was the Shimmer and Shine Magical Flying Carpet ($34.99). This was my pick of the day. Shimmer and Shine sit on their magic carpet which can “fly” on the floor and when picked up and flown through the air, the girls react to the ride, talk, and say things like “wee” when it zooms through the air. Fans of the Nickelodeon show and these colorful genies will love this product.

A new “Singing” Beauty and the Beast Tea Cart ($49.95) comes with Mrs. Potts, Chip, and 3 other cups and saucers, a creamer and sugar bowl, spoons, place cards, plus a light-up Lumiere. This year tea parties have been taken to a new level with this rolling cart and all the figures. This will entertain young girls during cold, snowy winter days.

The Arendelle Castle ($99.95) represents all the delight of Frozen. Open it up for the bedroom and cozy living room for hours of fun replaying scenes from the film. There is a sliding “floor” to make the characters “dance.” Included in this set are Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff, and Hans.

Elsa’s Musical Ice Castle Play Set ($59.95) includes not only the beautiful ice castle but also Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Sven, Kristoff, and his sleigh. Plus, it lights up to show the beauty of the ice palace. And the piece de resistance for this set is it plays the song “Let it Go.”

The Moana Projection Boat Playset ($34.95) includes everything young explorers need to set sail on the high seas. Moana, Maui, hawk, crab, 2 kakamora, Heihei, and more are ready to catch a ride on the outrigger which can be placed on a special base that plays “We Know the Way” from the movie. There are three star projector slides that light up and project stars to navigate through the vast ocean. This is something boys and girls can both enjoy.

The Princess Light Up Castle Play Set ($89.95) will enchant every Disney Princess fan. Not only does this castle have a magical light up spiral staircase, but it also comes with Cinderella, Snow White, Aurora, Belle, Ariel, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Mulan, Rapunzel, and Tiana. There are plenty of places for the entire group who are dressed in their representative clothing.

The newest Animators’ Collection Mini Doll Gift Set ($119.95) is similar to last year’s set with 15 mini animator dolls. This year’s collection includes Pocahontas, Tinker Bell, Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Jasmine, Aladddin, Alice, Lilo, Rapunzel, Ariel, Kristoff, Anna, Elsa, and Tiana. As it did last year, this gift set comes in a beautiful box that when closed includes sketches of the characters. It’s just as pretty closed as opened. This is something adults as well as kids will appreciate.

Disney Classic Doll Collection Gift Set ($119.95) comes with 11 12-inch princesses: Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Mulan, Tiana, Rapunzel, and Merida. This set represents the grown-up princesses whereas the Animators’ set represents the child version of the characters. Plus this set does not include a special display box.

PAW Patrol Chase on the Case Cruiser by Vtech ($24.99) has sounds and Chase’s voice as kids help him rescue animals. Insert one of the 20 blocks to learn about shapes, numbers, and other things. This is really a cute little learning toy and who can’t resist this adorable little fellow? It’s an entertaining way to learn about numbers, animals, and caring while having fun the whole time.

Shimmer and Shine Wish & Spin Dolls ($44.99 each) can talk, spin, and generally entertain youngsters. They react to clapping hands and each comes with a genie bottle and hairbrush. They are filled with magic and plenty of enjoyment for girls.

Moana Toddler Doll

Posted on October 19, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

From the time she was a toddler, Moana had a friendship with the ocean. The movie introduces the newest Disney Princess. The Moana Toddler Doll captures the adventurous spirit of this little girl with fun and flair.

Seeing her in the box doesn’t do this doll justice. She needs to be taken out and examined to appreciate the detail of this adorable little toddler.

Toddler Moana loves the sea and sand, and this doll represents that with so much detail that exemplifies the little girl viewers will see on the screen. She wears her shell necklace and holds a little turtle. There is a flower clip for he hair, which is soft and wavy. This wide-eyed girl wears a little crop top and her little shorts. Underneath the shorts her underpants are painted on her body.

The most adorable features of this doll are her wide eyes, sweet smile, and her feet. What could make her feet so unique? Well, the tops are shiny to reflect the water she just walked in, and her toes and the bottoms of the feet have sand stuck to them. It looks just as though she was playing at the beach and enjoyed every minute of it.

Her warm brown Polynesian complexion combined with her dark hair and her outfit makes her the perfect play pal for kids 3 and up. She is cute and cuddly. And don’t worry about the sand coming off. It’s definitely stuck on. And her arms and legs are poseable so she can reach out for a hug or sit on a chair.

Disney’s Moana Toddler is going to be a fun friend to take to the beach or play with in the car, and she makes a good sleeping buddy. As a toddler, Moana steals the hearts of moviegoers and doll lovers. She is not delicate. She is meant to be played with and hugged. And there’s no way not to smile when you see her delightful grinning face. She looks as though she wants to say, “Let’s go back to the beach!”

Moana Toddler is not part of the Disney Animator Collection, however she does go well with the others if you want to display her along with your Animator dolls. This doll is a bit chubbier than the animator dolls and represents a more carefree style than the other princesses. Perhaps that is because she is a toddler and not a young girl.

Disney’s Moana Toddler Doll is going to be on plenty of holiday wish lists this year.

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Zagg Keyboard and Screen Protection for Your Tablet

Posted on October 12, 2016 by Francine Brokaw

Zagg is a unique company created out of ingenuity and necessity. When the founder, Phillip Chipping, wanted to find a way to protect his new watch from scratches and chips, he discovered a film the military used to protect their helicopter blades. Well, if it was good enough for the military, it was good enough for him. He founded a company that produced lightweight shields to protect all our devices: iPhones, iPads, iPods. The company is now Zagg and this company produces an array of products to keep our devices safe as well as help users get the most convenience out of all our expensive devices.

First of all, they have several Invisible Shields for various products, made out of a variety of elements. Their newest is called the “Sapphire Defense” and is applied easily to your iPhone to keep the screen safe. Why sapphire? Jewelry aficionados know that sapphires are second only to diamonds in hardness. This Invisible Shield is smudge resistant and easy to apply, leaving your screen with the clarity that all users demand. There is no distortion. Once applied, the screen is clear, resists smudges, and absorbs impacts that would damage it without the protection.

This Sapphire Defense Invisible Shield protects your screen from shattering 7 times more than without it. The sapphire infused crystals make all the difference in this product. Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but in this case, girls and boys alike will agree sapphires are number one.

The Sapphire Defense is not currently available for the iPad Pro 12.9 inch so you’ll have to wait just a little longer. In the meantime, if you purchase one of these new large iPad Pros, protect it with the Invisible Shield Glass. This is good protection for this device repelling skin oils and keeping the screen clear and safe.

If you do have an iPad Pro 12.9 inch, so far the largest on the market, you’ll discover this is like a laptop without all the ports and some of the convenience. However that is easily fixed with Zagg’s Slim Book. The Slim Book is a combination keyboard, case, and stand.

Using the iPad Pro 12.9 inch without an additional keyboard is fine for some circumstances, but the keyboard on the screen takes up valuable screen real estate. And it’s not as easy to use for those of us who are used to typing on keys. This keyboard uses Bluetooth technology so there are no wires connecting it to your tablet. Just pair it with your device and you’re ready to start typing on real keys. The entire keyboard is convenient and comfortable for your palms to rest and your fingers to reach the keys.

Another great aspect of this keyboard is the keys are backlit. So when you are in a dark ballroom listening to a lecture and want to type notes, just press a button and a soft colors light backlights the keys. I have found this aspect extremely handy, not only in ballrooms, but in other situations as well.

The Slim Book also serves as a case to keep your tablet safe. Line up your tablet and click it into the case. Now, if you have your Invisible Screen on and your tablet secured in the case, you can feel comfortable knowing you have a safe tablet to carry as is. However, there is more.

The case now can connect to your keyboard. To pair the keyboard to your device, simply make sure your Bluetooth is turned on, press the fn button on the keyboard and either 1, 2, or 3. Your device will automatically find the keyboard and a blue light will flash telling you you’re all set. Now, if you want to pair your iPhone or another device to the keyboard, repeat this process (using a different number.) How cool is that? You can have several devices paired to use the keyboard. The easy Quick Start guide will help you set everything up in just a minute or two, including instructing you how to use the backlight and other options.

There is more to this Slim Book. With the hinges that connect the case to the keyboard, you have the ability to angle the screen to suit your needs. And, hold onto your hats, you can turn it around to “book mode” so you can read without the keyboard in your way. And the “video mode” lets you also view your screen without the keyboard in front of the screen. This is courtesy of the magnetic hinge that lets users flip the case.

If you get the idea that I am excited about this product, you are correct. I have been using it and it is amazing. It turns your iPad into a laptop, and it’s easily convertible to various modes. And when you just want to carry your screen without the keyboard, just pop it off. It’s that easy.

The Slim Book for iPad Pro 12.9 inch sells for $139.99. The Invisible Shield Glass for iPhone 6/6s Plus sells for $34.99. The Invisible Shield Sapphire Defense for iPhones sells for $49.99. The Invisible Shield Glass for iPad Pro 12.9 inch sells for $64.99.

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