Is Apple’s MobileMe service worth $99 a year? Or more to the point, who is Apple’s MobileMe service worth it for? Now that one of its most compelling features, Find my iPhone is free (yes, even for older devices!) it’s a question we’re getting asked more and more often. Steve Jobs says MobileMe will get much better in 2011, but what about now, today? That’s the topic for the eighth episode of our new, conversational video show, TiPb TV!

Rene and I go over the services MobileMe provides for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad users, and the additional features people with Macs — or multiple Macs — get out of it, cheaper places to find it (like Amazon.com) as well as free alternatives like Gmail and Dropbox for those who’d rather roll their own.

If you’re trying to figure out whether or not to spend the money on MobileMe watch along and we’ll help you decide!

TiPb TV 8: Is MobileMe worth it? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

TiPb checks out the best, most must-have cases, chargers, headsets, and other accessories to stock up on as soon as you get your new iPad

Just get a new iPad and curious which are the best, most must-have accessories you need get first? Want to protect that beautiful glass display, keep that aluminum back scratch-free, or just keep your battery charged on the go? Well read on for the TiPb store’s top 10 most recommended, most must-have iPad accessories to get your started.

Skin cases: Bodyguardz protective skin

You can’t get much lighter than an ultra-strong, ultra-durable protective skin like Bodyguardz for your iPad. If you like the look of your iPad, don’t want the bulk of a regular case, but do want to protect it from scratches and abrasions, then this is the way to go. [$29.95 - TiPb store link]

Also check out:

• Case-Mate Gelli Kaleidoscope Case for iPad for protection from minor impact and a lot of color and style. [$36.95 - TiPb store link]
• Incipio SILICRYLIC Case for iPad adds shock absorbing, two piece, two color design to the mix. [$47.95 - TiPb store link]

Flip cases: Marware Eco-Vue

The Marware Eco-Vue is the executive iPad case with all the trimmings. It’s the Cadillac option. Eco-friendly leather exterior meets plush suede interior meets hand-strap and keyboard stand. This is the iPad case for those who mean business or want to look like they do. [$42.95 - TiPb store link]

• DODOCase for iPad brings old world style and craftsmanship to your high tech iPad. [$59.95 - DODOCase store link]
• Griffen Elan Passport Case for iPad adds slots for credit cards, business cards, and a place for your papers. [$47.95 - TiPb store link]

Protective cases: Otterbox Defender

The Otterbox Defender case is multilayer armor for your iPad. A hard inner shell with clear plastic protection for the screen and Apple Logo is covered by a soft rubber outer shell that covers all the buttons and ports and keeps your iPad safe from impact, abrasion, and incidental weather. It even has a kickstand you can fold up and use as a faceplate for extra protection. It’s pretty only in the bulldog sense of the word but if you need to keep your iPad safe, it’s also your go-to case. [$86.95 - TiPb store link]

Also check out:

• Aquapack Waterproof Case for total bath, pool, and beach protection for your iPad. [$42.95 - iTunes link]
• Otterbox Commuter Case gives a good level of protection with less bulk. [$62.95 - TiPb store link]

Charging cables: SPE Retractable Sync and Charge Cable

The SPE Retractable Sync and Charge Cable is just like the standard iPad cable — USB 2.0 on one end, 30-pin dock connector on the other — but can go from 24-inches fully extended down to just 4.5-inches to easily fit in your jacket, bag, purse, or pocket. You can plug it into your WIndows or Mac PC, or into an AC adapter to charge your iPad without worrying about excess cable getting in your way. That makes it especially useful for road warriors, students, and frequent travelers. [$4.95 - TiPb store link]

Also check out:

• Apple USB AC Adapter with Sync Cable so you can plug into a wall as well into a PC. [$14.95 - TiPb store link]
• Griffin PowerJolt Plus not only lets you plug into your car, but passes through power to a second car adapter. [$27.95 - TiPb store link]

Stands: Griffin A-Frame for iPad

The Griffin A-Frame has high quality, aluminum construction that not only matches your iPad’s good looks but makes it more convenient as well. You can either set it up easel-style to watch movies, look at photos, or follow recipes, or lay it back so it props up your iPad at a more comfortable keyboard angle. [$49.99 - TiPb store link]

Also check out:

• Element Case Joule Stand for high end, high polish iPad viewing in landscape or portrait. [$129.00 - Element Case store link]
• Twelve South Compass Stand is a versatile, collapsable, low cost option for iPad. [$39.99 - Twelve South store link

Keyboards: Freedom i-Connex Mini

The iPad has a good virtual, multitouch keyboard but if you want to pound out pages of prose, slave away on spreadsheets, or just get a lot of document work done, you're going to need some hardware keys. The Freedom i-Connex Mini connects via Bluetooth and gives you that tactile feedback while staying ultra small and ultra portable on the road, in the air, or at the coffee shop. [$37.95 - TiPb store link link]

Also check out:

• Apple Bluetooth Keyboard is the same keyboard Apple supplies for Macs and MacBooks for those who value consistency. [$69.00 - Apple store link]
• Apple iPad Keyboard Dock is for those who want a wired connection and specialty iPad keys on their board. [$69.00 - Apple store link]

Battery Chargers: Ventev PowerCELL

Since iPad doesn’t have a removable battery crafty accessory makers have made all sorts of different external battery packs for it, including Ventev PowerCELL. Rather than a case or dongle, the Ventev is a power pack with ports for not only iiPad’s dock cable but also mini and micro USB so you can charge Bluetooth headsets and even other devices. This makes it the perfect universal power solution for travelers. [$54.95 - TiPb store link]

• mophie juicepack powerstation is an external battery pack that can charge iPad or just about anything. [$99.95 - Mophie link]
• Hypermac offers a wide range of colors, sizes, and price points. [Various - Hypermac store link]

Headsets: v-moda vibe duo In-Ear Stereo Headset

The v-moda vibe duo cram a huge audio punch into a tiny in-ear package. With amazing clarity, great noise-reduction, and a ton of drive they’re a great compromise for getting high-end quality at lower-end prices. They’ve also got a microphone so you can not only rock, but use them for VoIP calls, recording, and more. [$99.95 - TiPb store link]

Also check out:

• Apple In-Ear Headpohones with Remote and Mic are also great quality at a good price and perfect for Apple purists. [$79.00 - Apple store link]
• maximo iMetal Isolation Stereo Headset are for those who don’t want to spend a ton of cash on their headsets but still want a ton of music for their money. [$49.95 - TiPb store link]

Stereo Bluetooth headset: Motorola MOTOROKR S9-HD

Motorola’s MOTOROKR S9-HD makes a great product better with better audio quality and full 3D immersion. If you like the behind-the-head style of headset, you won’t find better — or more booming! — than the S9-HD. [$84.95 - TiPb store link]

Also check out:

• Motorola MOTOROCKR S305 are a great, lower cost alternative that still sound terrific for the price. [$49.95 - TiPb store link]
• Jawbone JAMBOX aren’t a headset but they are a fantastic sounding speakerphone that pounds out music like nobody’s business. [$199.99 - Jawbone store link]

Amazing extras: Pogo Sketch Stylus

Steve Jobs might not think much of the stylus but for artists or just cold climates they can let you do everything from painting fantastic works of art to staying iPad-functional with your arctic mittens on. Pogo Sketch comes in pink or silver, is light weight, and has a handy clip to keep it from getting lost. [$14.95 - TiPb store link]

Also check out:

• Apple iPad Camera Kit lets you plug in an SD card from your digital camera, or your digital camera itself via USB and download your pics to your iPad. [$29.00 - Apple store link]
• HP e-All-in-One Printer is cheap and AirPrint compatible so you can take your digital iPad docs and photos and put them in ink and paper. [$129.99 - HP store link]

Your top accessories?

So there you have them, our top 10 best iPad accessories — cases, chargers, cables, headsets, keyboards, Bluetooth, and more! — to get you started. Be sure to check out our Picks of the Week and iPad Accessories Forum for more recommendations, and if we missed any of your favorites leave them in the comments below!

Sponsored by the TiPb iPad Accessory Store

Top 10 accessories for your iPad [Sponsored] is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

EA recently lowered the price of roughly 70 of their iPhone and iPad App Store games to $0.99, now Gamevil has as well and soon other will join them as the holiday iTunes Connect deadline fast approaches, more may follow. Mike Schramm from TUAW explains why:

Apple is freezing the charts on December 23rd, which means that any games in the top 200 at that time will remain there over the all-important Christmas holiday, the point at which we’ve seen the biggest jumps in App Store sales (due to all the new hardware out there under the tree).

So when everyone gets their brand new iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad and heads over to the App Store to get their game on, those top selling, top free, and top grossing leaderboards are going to be marketing gold.

Now who’s next?

[TUAW]

Publishers cut game prices, hope to secure top spot before App Store holiday freeze is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog