Logitech reveals a set of first products following the "Logi" rebrand-- the Blok iPad Air 2 case family, one consisting of the self descriptive Blok Protective Shell, Protective Case and Protective Keyboard Case.

Blok cases feature square corners and construction in "unique extra-absorbent polymers" to add further support against damage. Thus the company claims the cases can withstand drops of up to 1.8m on surfaces as hard as concrete.

The Protective Shell is the most basic offering in the Blok portfolio, being a protective shell with a built-in screen protector. The Protective Case is more or less identical, but adds a kickstand with a 50-degree viewing angle.

Customers demanding better sound for their self-shot mobile device videos? Solocam might have a recording studio solution in the shape of a Bluetooth HD microphone integrated within a selfie stick.

Compatible with cameras and GoPros, as well as smartphones, the Solocam might look slightly ridiculous (as all selfie sticks tend to do), but it also promises "superior audio quality," a "unique" ergonomic handle and even a companion app offering teleprompter, joystick, live streaming and special effects functionality.

9to5Mac reports Apple plans a 3rd party iDevice accessory revamp-- one involving the reduction of the the amount of said accessories to a hand-picked number featuring packaging co-designed by Apple itself.

According to a memo obtained by the news site, Tech21, Sena, Incase, Mophie, Logitech and Life Proof accessories will soon be sold in minimalist Apple-style packaging featuring a photo of the accessory in question against a white background. The redesign also involves simpler fonts, higher-quality construction and more consistent compatibility labeling.

Researchers at Arizona State University get inspiration from a centuries-old Japanese art of folding paper to create a battery able to stretch to more than 150% of its size without losing any functionality.

The paper-folding art in question is kirigami-- a variant of the more famous origami adding cuts to the traditional folds. Previously the researchers tried creating origami-inspired batteries, but the results could flex, but not stretch.

Such flexible and stretchy batteries can find applications in a variety of wearable devices. In fact, the researchers managed to power a smartwatch using a kirigami-based lithium-ion battery inside an elastic band. The batteries can even be woven into fabrics used for clothing manufacture.