The Brydge Polycarbonate Keyboard is currently on holiday special for $130. That's $80 less than the anodized aluminum version that looks a lot like the keyboard for a MacBook Pro. I decided to save the money and go with the polycarbonate. And after hours of use, I don't think I'm any less happy with this model, than I would have been with the more expensive aluminum.

An iPad 3 with the Brydge polycarbonate keyboard. Photo by Derrick Story.

First and foremost, the Brydge is an adjustable viewing stand for the iPad. This is accomplished using a pair of finely-crafted hinges made from anodized aluminum. They have just the right amount of resistance, allowing you to rotate the iPad nearly 180 degrees.

For the first time, I consistently get a great viewing angle for browsing, watching video, and viewing photos. You could position this combo vertically, but it feels a lot like doing a laptop thing... which looks a bit weird. When used as designed, horizontally, I think the Brydge is a great iPad stand.

The Brydge features a full Bluetooth keyboard that includes a row of iPad-specific function keys. You can use these keys to return home, adjust brightness, change volume, control playback, and more. The key action is good, but not as firm as a quality laptop. No big surprise there. The Bluetooth connectivity works well, and you can conserve battery power by disabling it via a switch on the right side. When the Bluetooth is on, the keyboard adds some helpful controls to the iPad.

The only weird thing is that my brain goes into laptop mode and wants to use the nonexistent trackpad. Of course there isn't one. But there are plenty of function keys to augment operation.

By the way, I highly recommend having a stylus to go with the Brydge. For me, it was a natural complement to the keyboard.

And finally, the Brydge is an iPad cover. Its rubber pads on the inside handrest keep the screen a safe distance from the keys. You don't have to worry about scratching the iPad. It definitely adds thickness to the entire package, however, taking up more space than my 15" MacBook Pro Retina Display when closed. The polycarbonate Brydge plus iPad 3 weighs about 2.4 pounds. Keep in mind, though, that it does have to weigh enough to steady an upright iPad.

Two of the Brydge models include Bluetooth speakers built in to the keyboard. Personally, I don't think they sound as good as the iPad speaker. They're optional for the aluminum model, and I would save the money and go without them. The speakers come standard with the polycarbonate Brydge. So mine has them regardless.

Final Thoughts.

In short, I like the Brydge. My favorite way to use it is as a multi-angle stand. The aluminum hinges are solid and securely hold the iPad in place. It's not bad as a keyboard, either. Typing is a little cramped, and it will take you a few minutes to get your touch-typing mojo flowing. I do like having the keyboard for email and notes, however.

As a cover, it is thick. But if you keep the Smart cover with you, you have the option to use the Brydge when you need it, and travel light with just the Smart cover when you don't. When I'm photo editing, for example, I prefer to hold the iPad unencumbered in my hands. It's easy enough to remove the Brydge for these situations.

If you're an iPad road warrior, you might want to consider this accessory. I think it extends the capability of my iPad 3. And it's downright fantastic for watching movies.

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I've had the iPad mini since day 1 of its release. And how I'm using it is much different than I would have anticipated. Here are 5 personal iPad mini myths that have been debunked over time.

I loved reading The Daily on the iPad mini, and I'm going to dearly miss that publication.

Myth 1 - I'll use the camera more: I thought because the iPad mini was smaller that I would be more prone to using its built-in camera. Nope. I still reach for my iPhone 4S for mobile photography. I can send the image to the iPad in a matter of seconds using PhotoSync. The iPhone is a better image capture device. The iPad is a superior viewing device.

Myth 2 - I won't use it as a mobile portfolio because it doesn't have a Retina display: Wrong again. Even though I much prefer the Retina display on my iPad 3, my photos still look terrific on the mini. I use it all the time as a mobile portfolio. And it's much lighter to carry around and hand to a client.

Myth 3 - I'll use the mini for image editing just like I do my iPad 3: Wrongo in the Congo. I'm much more comfortable using Snapseed, iPhoto for iOS, and Photogene on the full size iPad. I will use the mini in a pinch. But I much prefer the iPad 3 for image editing. In an odd sort of way, the iPad 3 had become more of a computer to me since having the mini.

Myth 4 - I'll still use the iPad 3 for periodical and magazine reading: Sorry, but that hasn't panned out at all. I love reading the San Francisco Chronicle, USA Today and other periodicals on the mini. And I'm really going to miss The Daily (shown above), which I have been a subscriber to since its launch. The mini is far more comfortable to hold for reading than a full-sized iPad. And as a result, I'm reading more than ever on an iPad. I would go so far as to predict that the mini is really going to help us make the transition to digital periodicals.

Myth 5 - The mini will never become my favorite iPad: Hmmm, the jury is still out on this one. No way I would ever want to give up the beautiful iPad 3. But around the house, 3 times out of 4, I'm picking up the mini. And that surprises me the most.

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