'Meet me at the coffee shop at 10:00... make sure you haven't been followed'So I turned up on this hot sunny morning, I ordered a coffee and an iced water and as if from no where a man in a cream suit appeared in a panama hat and dark glasses. He slid a plain white envelope out of his inside pocket and passed it to me discretely under the table.
Having met this man before I was careful not to open the envelope in public, I waited until later. We sat and enjoyed our coffee. We made small talk, but his rich accent made it difficult to make deep meaningful conversation.
Then just as he was about to leave and disappear in to the back streets he then mentioned a name....Samuel Fedida... the name didn't mean anything to me.. but he said "He has been recruited by 'The Center' " I looked him up later on Wikipedia, but still it didn't make a lot of sense... I will have to wait for another call I suspect......
Along with the photographs you see below were some brief notes... I guess we will get our spies to stay alert for when any of these new products will be appearing for sale.
This is the A5 Pennybridge with iPad.
A5 Malden Zip in Purple, also available in Ochre.
Filofax Malden A5 Zip iPad organiser, note the hole for the 'hidden' spy camera... in the back cover!
The organiser part is removable from the main case and it slides in to a pocket in the left hand side. The ring size is
And with the organiser being stored inside the left hand side. Note that the interior is a textile material not all leather, I guess to reduce the cost and weight a little. An elastic pen loop is also visible.
The front of the A5 Zip Malden, it is going to be quite a bit bigger than a normal A5, basically to be able to fit the iPad inside it. Think of it as being slightly smaller than a normal A4 organiser I would guess... weight wise with the iPad it will be quite a heavy item.
And there is a Flex iPad case as well.
This one is synthetic leather not real leather.
It does all the usual folding tricks of most iPad cases.
And
This post will self destruct in 15 days time Mr Philofaxy.... got to find out who Samuel Fedida is and what this connection is to Filofax...
That Samuel Fedida comment was perfect! It cracked me up! I also read it somewhere (I think it was Twitter or someone's blog?) and had no idea who he is and why he was been mentioned!
ReplyDeleteI also got intrigued by his name as "fedida" means "stinky woman/girl" in Portuguese. haha.
Very interesting that new Malden. Good thing I don't have an iPad; no lame excuses to buy another Filofax that I don't really need :)
Oh.My.Goodness.
ReplyDeleteI want that purple Malden now!!!
... based on the photo, shouldn't that be "Real leather-LOOK Flex covers are coming"? (ie:more plastic!)
ReplyDeleteBased on what we know already, there will be "lizard print" leather Flex covers (see Pens & Leather website)coming out later this month and that the leather-look (ie: plastic) cover in your photo will replace the current "First Edition" vinyl. But wasn't there talk of a Malden-style leather Flex too?
And just what colour is the paper in that jot pad supposed to be - certainly not cotton cream?!!
Yep looks more leather look than real leather... notes amended...
DeleteThe design of the organizer is interesting - once tablets are obsolete, the binder can still be used. And that binder looks like a marriage between Flex and Filo.
ReplyDeleteI love that you're already planning for the downfall of technology, Doris! :)
DeleteSo pretty - first I need my iPad!!! Hopefully I will have it by Christmas but at the rate I'm going it could be my birthday next year!
ReplyDeleteAs usual, great post! So glad you have this spy...
ReplyDeleteI love this development in the line. I like that the binders are getting even more flexible by getting mixed with Flex, much like the Temperleys. I might have to buy an iPad now :)
I've been after a new ipad case, maybe I should wait!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed Reading! Gorgeous Filofaxes with Ipad case! Have a Great Week Everyone!
ReplyDeleteSteve, I love your imaginative writing. Whereas the Filofax/iPad combo looks nice, it lacks practicality. I would not want to remove my personal organizer contents just to read an eBook or surf the web. If I were to own one of these hybrids, I would end up removing my iPad from the Filofax each time I wanted to use it and that would defeat the purpose of the hybrid. Also, knowing how we all stuff our personal organizers, I would have a major concern about the pressure this would place upon the iPad screen. My last concern is longevity. A Filofax from the 80s is still a classic and useable. With the ever changing technology, we do not know if we will be using iPads in ten years or if the iPad size will change. Look at the difference in size and function between the iPad1 and the iPad2. I would not want my Filofax to become obsolete just because Apple decided to change the iPad dimensions or add features that require an opening in the cover. I think zfilofax would have better spent their time and development efforts in releasing a beautiful Adelphi with 30mm rings...my idea of the ultimate zfilofax.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you, although I suspect if the iPad did change in size people would just buy another case and keep their existing iPad in this case... may be...
DeleteI have a leather case for my iPad already
Steve
Would be handy if they made a triptych style, where the third flap held the tablet device, so you could have the two faces of paper with the tablet off to the right or left. You could then consult the tablet while working with your planner pages.
DeleteIn this current configuration I just cannot see the practicality, aside from having your binder/contents housed together with your tablet.
It looks as if it is effectively triptych style if the organiser slots into the left-hand side of the left-hand side (as it were), which is what seems to be the case from the photos (esp. given where the pen loop is!)
DeleteIf that's the case, there's no need to remove the organiser to read the iPad as the iPad is visible with the organiser closed or open, the organiser sits to the left and then opens to the further left, with pages to the far left and middle, and the iPad visible on the right.
Can I just add a yay for apparently small rings (on the Pennybridge, less apparently small on the Malden)! If they are small, that might persuade me to buy this thing. I find all but the slimline binders unusable because of the hulking great rings; I can barely write on the left-hand pages (unfortunately the slimline binder/paper size is too small for my use - A5 would be perfect).
I think you are right Joseph... plus it would seem useful to have the ipad case part be removeable, so then for example i could take out the ipad on the train, use it (without a large binder that doesnt fold back on itself bothering my neighbour) and then return the ipad to the filofax after. I would also be worried about the pressure on the screen plus scratches from cards in the card slots etc.
DeleteI like the idea, but I too would be very worried about the iPad screen. Oh for avreal leather flex!
DeleteTous les goûts sont dans la nature. Bravo Steve!
ReplyDeleteI think these look really nice, makes me wish I had an iPad!
ReplyDeleteTracy
PS: Scoping out new Filofaxes seems full of intrigue and danger :)
ReplyDeleteTracy
I thought the rings were supposed to be 20 mm, and now I read they are 25 mm? Pity. Also, I don't suspect one could by ONLY that small Malden A5 organiser. It looks so pretty and slim. Though I'm afraid I would miss the pockets and clasp to use it continuously...
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Filofax will march along when Apple releases it's 7 inch-tablet ... ?
I love your narrative, Steve :)
ReplyDeleteI don't own an iPad, but could definitely see the advantage of these hybrids. Wonder how heavy they would be fully loaded!
A final consideration I have concerning the hybrid is the size. I am a proud A5 owner, but I know. I am in the minority. After having read Philofaxy for some time, I can surmise that most of our community carries a Personal or a Pocket, and this trend is probably reflective of the Filofax community as a whole. Will Personal users abandon their Personals for an A5....probably not. I do think even I would not carry this A5 with its added weight from the extra leather and the tablet. I think it would benefit Filofax Corporate to have our community have input in design and field test new products for intelligent and beneficial feedback.
ReplyDeleteOoo, I like the look of the Malden and Flex cases. I will definitely browse when they come out!
ReplyDeleteWow! This is perfect for me! I've been looking for a new iPad case and I've been thinking about getting an A5 Filofax!
ReplyDeleteThe ring size has been confirmed as being 20mm on the A5 Malden...
ReplyDelete