Scott Creations has put its Versetta handbag range for iPads on sale this week. Each bag has a side pocket that features an incorporated frame to hold an iPad in place, and a flap to protect it. Once the flap is opened, the iPad and all its ports can be accessed without removing it from the bag.

Tech Boutique thinks a handbag that doubles as a workstation is ideal for travelling on the tube, as it allows women to easily check their iPads without losing sight of their other belongings. The Versetta range will also mean the end of juggling a frumpy laptop bag and a handbag.

The new bags are available in a range of styles, including 'tote', 'satchel', 'hobo' and 'attaché', and in business colours like black and brown, and more playful ones like turquoise, pink and trendy coral.

"No longer do women have to dig in their purse to find their tablet, nor do they have to carry a separate bag to carry their iPad safely and securely," said Scott Creations founder Susan Scott.

The Versetta Bags and Cases for the iPadbag collection has received a lot of interest since it was showcased at the 2011 Consumer Electronics show, according to Scott.

"IPad enthusiasts, particularly the techy mums, were thrilled to find a truly fashionable solution to easily access and interact with their tablet computers," she said.

Virtual makeover specialist ModiFace released a
 new application earlier this month that allows people to experiment with
 different make-up products on photos of themselves.

The Ultimate Beauty application, which is available for iPhone, iPad and Android, is free to download on iTunes, and has already had 100,000 downloads worldwide, according to ModiFace
 director of products Nikki Gatto.

The application allows you to experiment with different eye
shadow colours, mascaras, lipsticks, foundations and blushes, all from well known brands including Rimmel, Clinique, Mac, Neutrogena and
 Dior.



"It will give you an instant and realistic look. It doesn't just put
 colours on your face but shows the effect of the real product, like 
the exact shade, and whether it's glossy or shimmery," said Gatto in an interview with Tech Boutique. 
"For example, foundation will look different depending on whether it's
 powder or cream." 



Users can either upload a photo to experiment with, or take one with 
their smartphone camera. The application also syncs with Facebook to give
 a bigger choice of photos to makeover.

When the user is happy with their look, the application will take
 them directly to the brand's web site to purchase the product.

"They will be able to see before and after pictures so they can decide
 whether they like the makeover. Then they can add products to
 their favourite list in the application, or purchase them directly 
from a brand's web site," said Gatto.



"Lots of people don't like trying products in stores, and lots of 
stores actually won't let you try on make-up anymore, so this 
application gives people an idea of what the product will look
 like before they buy it."



So what do we at Tech Boutique think of the application? Well, we were
 excited about the time it could save us at different beauty counters in Selfridges, but we did
 find it a bit too US focused.

Many brands regularly used by consumers in the UK were not 
available for testing, and the application referred to many US brands 
that are not sold in Europe, such as CoverGirl.



Also, it is hard enough testing different types of foundations in 
stores or at home, let alone online using a picture on your
 smartphone.



Gatto acknowledged the difficulties in trying make-up
 products virtually.



"We have got the effect of lipsticks, eyeshadows and blushes dead on.
 Foundation, though, is tough either way," she said.



ModiFace has launched a number of makeover products in recent years, 
including a Makeup application, which is similar to Ultimate Beauty 
but less mature in features and functionality, and WeightMirror,
 which allows users to visualise their weight loss.

From late June, Apple fans in search of the latest iPad 2 boutique accessory will be able to get their hands on a case made from Kangaroo leather. 

The iPad 2 Notebook Kangaroo Leather Case will go on sale at $199.95 (£122), and will be the first in a series of high-end tablet and smart-phone cases made from genuine K-Leather.

The creator is an Australian man, Arnold Aranez, who claims Kangaroos make great material for protecting devices. “The fiber structure of kangaroo leather is the strongest of any readily available leather,” says Aranez in a press release.

“As the smartphone and tablet markets continue to mature, people will naturally look for ways to protect or individualise their devices,” he adds.

“What we’re doing is providing consumers with a high-end choice.”

According to the press release, the case has a slim notebook design that affords easy access to charging ports, buttons and camera. It includes a business card holder and “a clever foldout lap-stand”, whatever that is.

Anticipating concerns from animal rights activists, Aranez explains kangaroos are not killed for leather. The Australian government controls the population of kangaroos because they are currently overpopulated and threaten numerous other species, says Aranez. "The skins are a byproduct in the same sense that cowhide leather is a byproduct of the meat industry.”