Bored With White Plastic? Get This AirPods Pro Case From Nomad
Nomad AirPods Pro Case, closed
Nomad
If you're one of the many, many, many individuals who snatched up a set of AirPod Pro earbuds in the past few months, you may have noticed that the glossy, Tic-Tac smooth case exterior is looking a little worse for wear.
The AirPod Pro case hews to the Apple aesthetic, to its detriment as it turns out, because after a few months of use and abuse the outer case looks like a kiln-fired pot rather than smooth pod.
There are plenty of case cover solutions out there, but my favorite is this new hard case by Nomad. Their new Rugged Case for the AirPods Pro is microfiber-lined, leather adorned, and has a few extra touches that really push it from "nice" to "essential."
The case is made from black or brown Horween leather and will develop a nice patina over time. There's a polycarbonate bumper around the middle to absorb bumps and falls. The case is made up of two pieces, one for the main case and one for the lid, so there's no extra hinge material flopping around when you pop the case open.
Nomad AirPod Pro Case, open
Anthony Karcz
And when you do open it, you'll notice the LED is perfectly visible. Rather than cut a hole in the front of the case and call it a day, Nomad actually has light piping there so that the LED shines through without breaking the aesthetic.
There's also a soft spot in the back of the case so you can easily activate the pairing button. It's a nice touch that's so subtle, I wouldn't have even known to look for it until I read the case specs.
The case has a large cutout on the bottom to accomodate any size Lightning cable and it doesn't interfere with wireless charging. That brings me to Nomad's other January release.
Base Station Stand with AirPods
Nomad
The new Nomad Base Station Stand Edition is a vertical charger for all your devices. Made from aircraft-grade aluminum and padded leather, the charging station is a classy addition to your nightstand or desk.
It has two 10w charging coils, so you can pop your phone on it in either orientation or throw your AirPods Pro on for a quick recharge. It's powered by an 18w adapter, so you'll get the full advantage of fast charging with your iPhone.
In a nice touch, the LED sensor will adjust with the ambient light so that it doesn't become a beacon in the middle of the night. As the light gets lower, the Base Station will adjust accordingly.
Both Nomad products can be found on their website and are just as refined in hand as they look in their product shots. If you're looking to elevate your AirPods Pro and your charging game, these new products are a great place to start.
Can you spot the quid pro quo?
Steve Barnes (Photo: Editorial Associates Inc.)
Imagine these scenarios:
Governor Hutchinson is speaking with the mayor of Fort Smith, who has called to ask if the state Health Department could release some vaccines to Sebastian County and the surrounding territory to help cope with an outbreak of a highly contagious disease that has invaded from Oklahoma, just across the state line. Six elders and three children have died and the epidemic has yet to peak. Physicians in the region are swamped, hospital emergency rooms are overflowing and schools are cancelling classes. And, after all, the General Assembly has appropriated money to deal with such emergencies.
“I hear you have a little problem over there,” Mr. Hutchinson notes.
“A nightmare,” the mayor replies. “We need help fast, Governor.”
“Well, I think I can make that happen. But I would like you to do us a favor, though. Your town’s been pretty good to me…I used to practice law there, you know…but I’m having a problem over there. You’ve got some pretty bad people over there. You had a good city attorney and he was doing my friends some good, but there’s a new one and he’s causing us some problems. And…well, you understand. You do understand, don’t you?”
Now this one, in 2006: Attorney General Mike Beebe is on the line, congratulating the Conway County judge on his re-nomination.
“And congratulations to you, too, General Beebe.”
With all the impeachment talk focused on whether President Donald Trump did or didn't ask for an illegal favor while on a phone call with Ukrainian officials, see if you can spot the quid pro quos (if any) in these scenarios mentioned in this column. (Photo: Jacquelyn Martin, AP)
“Heck, I didn’t have an opponent in the primary,” Beebe observes. “But I’ve got Asa in November.”
“You won’t have a problem in our county.”
“Well, I do have a problem in your county. I hope you can help me with it. Oh, I’m gonna win, but I can’t take Asa for granted, want to beat him good, pound him. And you’ve got some bad actors there, some real pretty bad folks. One of them is the chair of your county election commission.”
“Well, Mike — General — this county (pauses, clears throat) it don’t run the way it used to, back when…
“Back when there wasn’t any gas drilling, fracking. You know what that is, don’t you? Fracking?
“Oh, you bet! They’re drillin’ all over the place. County’s getting’ a lot of sales taxes for roads and so forth, and people that never had a dime past payday is getting’ royalty payments.”
“Yeah, well some of those people have showed up on Asa’s contribution list. I’m thinking what a shame it would be come January if I had to send the environmental regulators, those clean water guys, up there from Little Rock and have a look at the drilling.”
“Oh. Uh-huh.”
“I want to hook you up with one of my deputy AG’s here. The guy’s an election specialist, ballots and stuff — knows how to sort things out, you know? And another lawyer, this one’s mine — not on the state payroll. That election chair of yours — he’s a disaster. Like that nosy prosecuting attorney your folks had to put up with a few years ago.”
“Oh, we remember.”
“You do? Good.”
And this one, from 1940: Another chat, this one trans-Atlantic; Franklin D. Roosevelt in the White House, Winston Churchill at 10 Downing Street.
“Winston, my friend! Good evening!”
“I’m afraid it isn’t, Franklin; the Jerries, their Luftwaffe, are at it anew. Parts of London are in flames again — the 42nd day. And they’re hitting Portsmouth and Manchester as well. Flying across the Channel as they please, bombing anything they please.”
“Are you making any progress, friend?”
“The RAF lads are doing as they’re able. Tremendous courage, they have. But we are out-gunned and out-manned, Franklin.”
“Winston, there’s an echo; I’m having difficulty hearing you.”
“I’m in the bunker and the line is troublesome down here. Franklin, not just for our sake but for yours as well, for democracy’s sake, you’ve got to get that Lend-Lease bill done!”
“Oh, we’re getting close, we’re right on it. But I’d like to ask a favor.”
“Your wretched ‘Ambassador Appeasement?’ We need him out.”
“I’m firing him. But I’ve got another problem and I’m hoping you can help me.”
“Name it, Mr. President.”
“I have this Wendell Willkie fellow, a thorn in my side, as Chamberlain was to you, and this election of ours is only a few weeks away. Now, I know you cannot involve yourself in our politics, Winston, but I wouldn’t want Lend-Lease delayed. So if perhaps, in a wireless speech to our nation, you shared your conviction that I want to avoid entering the war…
“I understand perfectly, Franklin. Done!”
Read the transcripts. No quid pro quos. The calls were — perfect.
COPYRIGHT 2020 EDITORIAL ASSOCIATES, INC.
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SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless review: So close
Over the last few months I’ve run through a gauntlet of high-end wireless headsets from various makers, weighing the pros and cons of each and trying to find something I can make use of long term. My latest adventure saw me testing the Arctis Pro Wireless from SteelSeries, the most expensive headset listed on their website.
Follow the instructions 
The SteelSeries packaging for the Arctis Pro Wireless was easy to handle, which is how it should be. What surprised me immediately was how many components were in the box. These included the headset, base station, four cables, microphone windscreen, spare battery and the product information guide. It was apparent right from the start this wasn’t a plug ‘n play situation, so I headed straight for the instructions.
Thankfully, the instructions were quite clear, with dedicated blurbs to help users connect to their PC or PS4. As a primarily PC gamer I spent most of my time testing on that platform, but had no trouble getting the headset connected to the PS4. It was nice that the SteelSeries Engine 3 software was already installed on my system from my Sensei Ten mouse review and Apex Pro keyboard review, saving me a step. While I do value PC peripherals that function without software, it’s becoming mandatory to install for firmware updates and advanced configuration.
When it was all ready to go, I had a single cable connecting the base station to a USB port on the back of my PC, and the headset itself. The base station had a few basic options, but its value is mostly in displaying battery charges and quick volume adjustments. The rest of the cables were put back in the box for safe keeping. I turned on the Arctis Pro Wireless headset and all system were good. I simply needed to set the base station to PC and both input and output audio was functional.
Durable to a fault 
Once everything was working, I spent time getting a feel for the headset and how it was built. In the past I’ve praised SteelSeries for the durable physical design of products, but I’m not sure it applies to a headset the same way it does a keyboard or mouse. Don’t get me wrong, the Arctis Pro Wireless is a solid piece of hardware that’s beautifully crafted, but it lacks versatility. You can’t extend the actual headset to adjust the fit, only the ski-goggle headband. After reviewing several headsets in recent months, including the SteelSeries Arctis 1, I can say the Arctis Pro Wireless is the least comfortable I’ve tried. I do have a larger head, but it’s uncommon for headsets to fall into the “uncomfortable” column with me. Normally I just adjust the set to be slightly larger and all is well.
The discomfort continued with the ear cups, as they were on the small side. I was able to negotiate a fit but, like everything with the Arctis Pro Wireless, I had to seek comfort out rather than be greeted by it the moment I put the headset on. It’s like trying to find the one remaining firm spot on an old mattress.
The sound of excellence 
The performance of the Arctis Pro Wireless was what I expected from a headset that retails for $329.99 USD ($419.99 CAD). I tested this set across multiple activities, including gaming, music, television, work calls, and even extended use on Discord with friends. At no point did I lose wireless connection with the base or experience any hiccups. The headset was only a foot from the base, but wireless can have wonky moments with any device, as we all know. There were no such moments with the Arctis Pro Wireless.
Where the Arctis Pro Wireless surprised me the most was with its battery. I’d say the battery lasted about 10 hours give or take, but the key is there are two. One battery can be docked and charging with the base station while the other is used in the headset. Swapping them takes only seconds and involves popping the ear cup cover off and making the switch. This system is a massive strength of the headset, as players can charge their headset batteries without ever having to be tethered to the base station or PC.
As for in-game sound, the Arctis Pro Wireless again put on a great performance. I tested it in Monster Hunter Word and The Long Dark, giving me a good range of sound environments. Monster Hunter World can be loud and busy, and the Arctis Pro Wireless handled it flawlessly. Where it shined, though, was The Long Dark. That game uses sound in subtle ways, such as the creaking of trees, crunching of snow, or the footsteps of an animal. It was crystal clear with the Arctis Pro Wireless, and I’m not sure I’ve ever enjoyed the sounds of The Long Dark as much as I did with that headset.
It helps that the SteelSeries Engine 3 software offers extensive customization options, including presets like gaming, studio, and cinema. There’s a fully customizable equalizer, plus dialogue and bass enhancers. I was able to fine tune the sound exactly as I wanted it, increasing the bass for listening to music and then dialing it back for gaming.
Hitting the road 
To say I’m torn on the Arctis Pro Wireless headset from SteelSeries is an understatement. On one hand, it provides incredible sound quality and clever charging that prevents usage interruptions. It’s a solid piece of hardware, but that’s part of its downfall.
For people with smaller (or even average size) heads, the Arctis Pro Wireless is fantastic. The issue is there are a lot of people with larger heads and, when it comes to headset comfort, compromises are tough to make. If the band digs into your head, or the ear cups feel too small, it can push sound quality to the back burner. In fact, sound quality can suffer if it sits poorly on your head.
The takeaway for me, is that despite some discomfort, the quality of the sound and other features make me want to keep using it. Despite its faults, I want to keep using the Arctis Pro Wireless, which says a lot about how good its actual audio performance is.
Bill, who is also known as Rumpo, is a lifelong gamer and Toronto Maple Leafs fan. He is known for his guide writing and, unsettlingly enough, enjoys grinding out in-depth collectible articles. Tweet him @RumpoPlays if you have a question or comment about one of his guides.
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