Any of you own an iPad and a bike? No, I'm not about to serve up some weird little venn diagram that shows that people who use an iPad while cycling are more likely to break something than people who don't. Anyone who uses a bike in the city--and I am one of them--knows just how dangerous it can be. One's always worried that one will be squished, ignominiously, between a bus and a dumpster truck. So, one always looks behind one, to make sure said squishage won't take place. And then one rides into a lamppost.

Describing Intel's new Home Energy device as an iPad might be a stretch. Sure, it's sleek and sexy, with a nice interface to boot, but it's missing all the features we've come to expect since Apple's raised the bar (Even with Intel's Atom processor, it still runs on clunky Windows CE software, meaning no multitouch and laggy animations). However, it's absolutely as worthwhile an investment as an iPad. According to a study by Intel and Wipro last year, the management system, which connects to appliances throughout your household to monitor energy consumption, will save an average of $471 annually.

The Joule is a solid aluminum unibody stand, made from similar manufacturing processes as the iPad itself, says Gizmodo. It's extremely simple: a cylinder to hold the iPad, and an adjustable arm to change the viewing angle. But it's the beautiful, simple design that matches so well with the iPad that makes me really want this thing (and I don't even own an iPad).

The crevasse that holds the iPad (in either landscape or portrait style) is velvet-lined to protect the tablet's edge and has a little semicircular cutout so you can still reach the home button. The "foot" that allows the viewing angle to be adjusted is actually attached magnetically, and both it and the main holder have rubber feet for stability and surface protection (wouldn't want it scratching up a glass coffee table!).

And lest you think this is just a luxury item, remember that the iPad is not the easiest device to hold, especially given its myriad uses. This stand is useful for watching movies, or browsing Epicurious recipes via iPad on the kitchen counter while you prepare a meal.

The Joule is available from Element Case for $130.

via fastcompany.com

Every iteration of the iPhone's mockups showed the time as 9:42. The iPad showed it as 9:41. It's slightly peculiar--the times are grouped tightly enough to be intentional, but why those numbers? Why not 9:00? Network World investigated.

Turns out Apple's keynote organizers think about this stuff right down to the tiniest detail--and this is certainly one of the tinier details. They rehearse the presentation with Steve Jobs, Phil Schiller, and whoever else will be speaking, and time it so the big announcement comes 40 minutes in. They add a couple minutes to be on the safe side.