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Each of the units being examined in the present day are lined in aramid — a troublesome artificial materials utilized in every thing from navy physique armor to sporting items like hockey sticks. Most individuals are acquainted with at the very least one sort of aramid — Kevlar — which is thought for being 5 occasions stronger than metal when used at related weights.

Air Omni Lite design

The Air Omni Lite is a 6-in-1 charger designed to be a super desktop or bedside stand accent. Whereas not a small charging station by any means, its comparatively easy design would not dominate anyplace you place it, both.

We obtained the aramid lined charging station, however it’s obtainable in a grey fabric or walnut veneer as properly.

There is a intelligent little drawer included on the charging station’s facet, which Pitaka touts as a safe solution to cover objects. We’re unsure if we agree, because the entrance of the drawer has “PUSH” written on it.

Nonetheless, we discover this to be a superb addition, because it makes an amazing place to retailer further SD playing cards, free items of knickknack you do not need rattling round in your desk, or different small objects that won’t have a “dwelling” but.

Whereas it is an extra value, Pitaka does provide a journey case for the Air Omni Lite as properly, which is very recommendable. It is a foam-shell case that retains your Air Omni Lite and its energy cable collectively neatly and offers further storage for further charging cables or different assorted bits you would possibly want.

It’s the excellent measurement to slide into your carry-on or stow in your baggage when touring, whereas additionally stopping particles from stepping into the system when tossed in a tech bag or backpack.

Charging your units

Maybe the perfect factor in regards to the Air Omni Lite is which you could cost each USB-C and Lightning units with minimal effort. In the back of the charging station is a button for switching between a USB-C or Lightning charging adapter.

This makes it nice for charging all types of units, together with your iPad, iPhone, Apple TV distant, Nintendo Change, and extra. It’s rated for 18W quick charging, which is appropriate for these occasions whenever you need to high up your units shortly.

Our largest concern concerning the Air Omni Lite is that customers may inadvertently injury their units’ charging ports, particularly massive units like an iPad. The consumer guide makes it clear that you will need to connect and take away the system in a selected solution to keep away from “human injury.”

That danger means we can’t suggest that this system be utilized in high-traffic areas the place pets or younger kids could also be susceptible to bumping it.

The Air Omni Lite can cost your Apple Watch, too, although this comes with a caveat — you will have to supply your personal charging puck.

Threading the charging puck by the system wasn’t notably enjoyable, and it took us somewhat bit to get the wire tightly coiled. Nevertheless, we nonetheless recognize that it offers your Apple Watch a handy place to reside whereas not in your wrist, and that it cuts down on wire muddle.

The charging puck can be utilized in each upright and flat positions, and the puck might be raised through the use of the pink button on the proper facet of the charging station.

There is a Qi-compatible charging pad on the entrance that permits you to preserve your iPhone available without having to fret about connecting or disconnecting any cables. It options three charging coils, which provides it a big “candy spot,” stopping these annoying occasions whenever you thought your cellphone was charging, solely to search out out it wasn’t aligned correctly.

There is a second Qi-compatible charging spot to the left of the Apple Watch charging space. This spot can be utilized to cost AirPods, Powerbeats Professional, Galaxy Buds, or another Qi-compatible earphones.

If that wasn’t sufficient, there are additionally two charging ports on the facet of the system — one commonplace 18W USB-A port and one commonplace 18W USB-C port, permitting you to cost an extra two units at a time.

All of the charging options functioned precisely as we had hoped, although we nonetheless do have reservations about utilizing it with {hardware} just like the iPad, because it holds tablets and different related units upright by the USB-C port. We propose that any potential consumers use their greatest judgment as as to whether or not they will forestall damaging their system charging ports utilizing this technique earlier than buying it.

The place to purchase: These excited about choosing up the Air Omni Lite can head over to Pitaka’s web site and snag one for $129, or $139 when you select to get the non-obligatory journey case.

Ranking: 4 out of 5

Execs

• Can cost a number of units without delay
• Devoted Apple Watch charging space
• Smalls storage drawer a pleasant contact
• Cuts down wire muddle considerably

Cons

• Vertical docking may trigger injury to units ports
• Massive measurement might not match properly into each individuals setup

MagEZ Case

We additionally took a have a look at Pitaka’s MagEZ Case for the 2020 iPad Air. It is an especially light-weight protecting case that’s designed for use along side Apple’s Magic Keyboard, however can be utilized by itself as properly.

This case is primarily designed to guard the again of your iPad from scratches and dings, whereas nonetheless permitting you to make use of Apple’s Magic Keyboard or Keyboard Folio. On this sense, it really works fairly properly.

It is not as efficient when you’re planning on utilizing your iPad standalone, as not solely does the case lack any shock-absorbing supplies, however there’s additionally a big portion of your iPad that’s fully uncovered, and nook reinforcements are minimal. There’s additionally no raised lip across the display, which means a face-down drop may very well be devastating to the iPad’s show.

For these causes, we do not counsel anybody look to this case for severe drop safety. Nevertheless, when you’re on the lookout for a Magic Keyboard-compatible case to maintain your iPad its greatest, this one might match the invoice.

The place to purchase: Must you be available in the market for a MagEZ Case on your 2020 iPad Air or your iPad Professional, you may choose one up from Pitaka’s web site for $69.99

Execs

• Appropriate with Apple’s Magic Keyboard and Good Keyboard Folio
• Robust aramid fiber protects from scratches and dents

Cons

• Minimal nook safety
• Uncovered edge leaves iPad open to wreck
• No shock-absorbtion
• No bevel across the display

Ranking: 3 out of 5