Griffin Reflect Mirrored Case for iPhone 3G
Search Brand/Device: Griffin | iPhone Reviews
CaseandCover.com reviews Griffing cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
Originally posted on 15 May 2009 by Larry Greenberg
Do you have a white iPhone and are sometimes jealous of the black? Do you have a black iPhone and want to protect it while maintaining a little bit of its original look and style. The combination of black and chrome is undeniably a sexy one and the Griffin Reflect Mirrored case from Griffin Technology puts the two together in a sleek and functional case for the iPhone 3G
If you’re familiar with Griffin’s iClear case, this one has the same shape and design. The Griffin Reflect case, however, has a mix of black and chrome to make it a really sharp looking case. (It reminds me of the Blackberry Bold’s black and chrome look and I’m a huge big fan of the look! )
Included with the case are a screen protector with instructions on how to apply it and a cleaning cloth.
Installation of the case is a snap. Literally. Its a two piece design and the pieces snap together around the iPhone. To install it you first place your iPhone into the bottom portion of the case making sure all the buttons and ports are lined up with their respective cut-outs.
You then lay the top mirrored bezel over the phone and snap it into place along the four corners.
Once installed the bezel shines brightly with a chrome look.
Although the back is black it’s translucent and when the light hits it you can make out the Apple logo. The black back is rubbery in texture and offers a nice amount of added grip.
The case has generous cut outs for all of the iPhone’s ports and buttons.
Removal of this case is somewhat unique. You use a small coin to pry the two pieces apart. The case has a slot on the bottom corner for the coin. If you’re someone who likes to change cases on the fly make sure you bring a coin along.
The Griffin Reflect Mirrored case fits the iPhone like a glove. No creeks, no movement, no loose parts. It’s a stylish looking case that offers a nice amount a protection and the added bonus of a tacky back for grip.
M.S.R.P. - $24.99
What I like - Black and chrome are a nice combination, translucent black back cover, great fit.
What I don’t like - Removal process.
Originally posted on 15 May 2009 by Larry Greenberg
Do you have a white iPhone and are sometimes jealous of the black? Do you have a black iPhone and want to protect it while maintaining a little bit of its original look and style. The combination of black and chrome is undeniably a sexy one and the Griffin Reflect Mirrored case from Griffin Technology puts the two together in a sleek and functional case for the iPhone 3G
If you’re familiar with Griffin’s iClear case, this one has the same shape and design. The Griffin Reflect case, however, has a mix of black and chrome to make it a really sharp looking case. (It reminds me of the Blackberry Bold’s black and chrome look and I’m a huge big fan of the look! )
Included with the case are a screen protector with instructions on how to apply it and a cleaning cloth.
Installation of the case is a snap. Literally. Its a two piece design and the pieces snap together around the iPhone. To install it you first place your iPhone into the bottom portion of the case making sure all the buttons and ports are lined up with their respective cut-outs.
You then lay the top mirrored bezel over the phone and snap it into place along the four corners.
Once installed the bezel shines brightly with a chrome look.
Although the back is black it’s translucent and when the light hits it you can make out the Apple logo. The black back is rubbery in texture and offers a nice amount of added grip.
The case has generous cut outs for all of the iPhone’s ports and buttons.
Removal of this case is somewhat unique. You use a small coin to pry the two pieces apart. The case has a slot on the bottom corner for the coin. If you’re someone who likes to change cases on the fly make sure you bring a coin along.
The Griffin Reflect Mirrored case fits the iPhone like a glove. No creeks, no movement, no loose parts. It’s a stylish looking case that offers a nice amount a protection and the added bonus of a tacky back for grip.
M.S.R.P. - $24.99
What I like - Black and chrome are a nice combination, translucent black back cover, great fit.
What I don’t like - Removal process.
Ivyskin Xylo Touch-Thru (T2) Case for iPhone Review
Search Brand/Device: iPhone Reviews | Ivyskin
CaseandCover.com reviews IvySkin cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
By Jimm Freedman
MyAppCompany.com
5/13/2009
I got my iPhone when it first arrived in the Apple store, and, like everyone else, I have been searching for the greatest case ever since. It wasn't easy to find but I think I found it.
Is it really perfect? Well probably not PERFECT, but damn close.
Here were my criteria:
No silicone. The reason? Several of my friends had been using silicone cases and every time they went to pull their iPhone (or iPod for that matter) out of their pockets the device was covered with lint and all manner of thread and dirt. I also hated that the edges of the screen, which was lower than the edge of the case, collected grim and all manner of "stuff".
I didn't want to use a screen shield. I understand that this is supposed to keep the glass from getting scratched, but I hate fighting the bubbles. And you all know what I mean!
And lastly, I wanted the corners of the iPhone protected. So many cases, specially the sliders, didn't protect the most likely area of damage.
So with all this in mind I started looking. And I found the most amazing cases that no one seemed to know about. The Xylo Touch-Thru© (T2) case by ivyskin. Why is it so great?
The case itself weighs virtually nothing is scratch resistant and comes in 5 beautiful colors for the 1st generation iPhone. For the 3g iPhone and Touch there are clear cases available.But the best thing is the face of the case. It completely covers the screen. Ivyskin developed and Touch Thru screen that acts exactly as if you are touching the iPhone. Even the lightest touch with work.
No edges to collect grime. No screen shield needed. All edges covered and well protected but an extremly light weight case that adds almost no extra bulk to your device. Very easy access to all controls as well.
I am totally hooked on this product. I have 2 of the 1st generation iPhone in the house (red and blue) and one coming for my 3g.
The price for these cases is $29.99 and when you subtract the price of the screen shield you DON'T need with this, it's a good deal!
That and every time I go into the local Apple store the sales people go crazy over my case! I love that!
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
One thing to recommend. Because the Touch Thru screen lay right on top of the devices screen you can, sometimes, see a bubble under the screen. This is very easy to get rid of. I have been using iKlear to clean the screen on my laptop for quite a while. Cleaning the iPhone screen (you can use Windex as well) before putting it in the case will eliminate this problem every time.
Take a look at the Touch Thru case models at IvySkin.com They are one of a kind!
Jimm Freedman is the iPhone developer for MyAppCompany.com
and has created the popular Social Networking apps Hot Radar and Pirate Radar, with Office Radar coming soon!
By Jimm Freedman
MyAppCompany.com
5/13/2009
I got my iPhone when it first arrived in the Apple store, and, like everyone else, I have been searching for the greatest case ever since. It wasn't easy to find but I think I found it.
Is it really perfect? Well probably not PERFECT, but damn close.
Here were my criteria:
No silicone. The reason? Several of my friends had been using silicone cases and every time they went to pull their iPhone (or iPod for that matter) out of their pockets the device was covered with lint and all manner of thread and dirt. I also hated that the edges of the screen, which was lower than the edge of the case, collected grim and all manner of "stuff".
I didn't want to use a screen shield. I understand that this is supposed to keep the glass from getting scratched, but I hate fighting the bubbles. And you all know what I mean!
And lastly, I wanted the corners of the iPhone protected. So many cases, specially the sliders, didn't protect the most likely area of damage.
So with all this in mind I started looking. And I found the most amazing cases that no one seemed to know about. The Xylo Touch-Thru© (T2) case by ivyskin. Why is it so great?
The case itself weighs virtually nothing is scratch resistant and comes in 5 beautiful colors for the 1st generation iPhone. For the 3g iPhone and Touch there are clear cases available.But the best thing is the face of the case. It completely covers the screen. Ivyskin developed and Touch Thru screen that acts exactly as if you are touching the iPhone. Even the lightest touch with work.
No edges to collect grime. No screen shield needed. All edges covered and well protected but an extremly light weight case that adds almost no extra bulk to your device. Very easy access to all controls as well.
I am totally hooked on this product. I have 2 of the 1st generation iPhone in the house (red and blue) and one coming for my 3g.
The price for these cases is $29.99 and when you subtract the price of the screen shield you DON'T need with this, it's a good deal!
That and every time I go into the local Apple store the sales people go crazy over my case! I love that!
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
One thing to recommend. Because the Touch Thru screen lay right on top of the devices screen you can, sometimes, see a bubble under the screen. This is very easy to get rid of. I have been using iKlear to clean the screen on my laptop for quite a while. Cleaning the iPhone screen (you can use Windex as well) before putting it in the case will eliminate this problem every time.
Take a look at the Touch Thru case models at IvySkin.com They are one of a kind!
and has created the popular Social Networking apps Hot Radar and Pirate Radar, with Office Radar coming soon!
Belkin Remix Metal for iPod nano 4G & iPod classic
CaseandCover.com reviews Belkin cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
For iPod classic
For iPod nano 4G
Company: Belkin
Model: Remix Metal
Price: $25-30
Compatible: iPod nano (4G), iPod classic (120GB)
Staggering is the only word we'd use to describe the number of hard plastic iPod and iPhone cases we're reviewing today -- over 20 different models that we've been comparing to one another, as well as past cases, over the last few weeks. To help you sort through all the options, we've assembled a few statistics that are worth knowing up front. All of the iPod nano cases in this roundup run from $20 to $30, with most at $25 or less, while the two iPod classic cases sell for $25 to $30, iPod touch cases range from $20 to $30, and iPhone 3G cases go for $20 to $35. Virtually every case offers at least partial back and side protection, but they vary widely in front, top, and bottom coverage. Though all use plastic as their base material, they differ considerably in color options and secondary materials. This review covers Belkin's Remix Metal cases for the fourth-generation nano ($25) and 120GB iPod classic ($30).
Based on earlier Remix Metal cases released for the third-generation iPod nano and original iPod classic, Belkin’s new versions continue the past trend: the back and sides of each case are a formed piece of completely clear hard plastic, while the front shell features interesting metal front colors and designs, fused onto an otherwise clear plastic faceplate. Multiple colors are available for each model.
The good news about both of these cases is that—unlike most of the cases we review today—they actually include integrated Click Wheel covers in addition to their hard plastic screen protectors. We had no issues seeing the iPods’ screens or using their controls while inside. Belkin includes holes for the headphone and Dock Connector ports, both compatible with oversized headphone plugs—the classic one just barely OK for the biggest ones—and Universal Docks. We really, truly love the way these cases look; Belkin’s choice of metals and integration of clear plastics on the front is a dynamite combination. The company has also removed the ink dots that were previously on the Click Wheel of last year’s classic version, which we think is an improvement.
Here’s the bad news. While the iPod classic version is every bit as good as last year’s, and still comes with shells for both thinner 80/120GB iPod classics and now-discontinued 160GB models, the iPod nano version we received had serious fit problems. It didn’t seem sturdy at all, and repeatedly came apart at the side seams, an issue that previously affected one of the company’s clear plastic iPhone cases, but in our experience not to the extent of this one.
Though we’d rely upon the iPod classic one in a heartbeat, and continue to feel that it’s worthy of our high recommendation, the iPod nano 4G version we tested was a dud, and definitely needs to be redesigned for greater stability. Our expectation is that Belkin will do this soon, if it hasn’t already started the process.
By Jeremy Horwitz
Editor-in-Chief, iLounge Published: Wednesday, October 22, 2008
For iPod classic
For iPod nano 4G Company: Belkin
Model: Remix Metal
Price: $25-30
Compatible: iPod nano (4G), iPod classic (120GB)
Staggering is the only word we'd use to describe the number of hard plastic iPod and iPhone cases we're reviewing today -- over 20 different models that we've been comparing to one another, as well as past cases, over the last few weeks. To help you sort through all the options, we've assembled a few statistics that are worth knowing up front. All of the iPod nano cases in this roundup run from $20 to $30, with most at $25 or less, while the two iPod classic cases sell for $25 to $30, iPod touch cases range from $20 to $30, and iPhone 3G cases go for $20 to $35. Virtually every case offers at least partial back and side protection, but they vary widely in front, top, and bottom coverage. Though all use plastic as their base material, they differ considerably in color options and secondary materials. This review covers Belkin's Remix Metal cases for the fourth-generation nano ($25) and 120GB iPod classic ($30).
Based on earlier Remix Metal cases released for the third-generation iPod nano and original iPod classic, Belkin’s new versions continue the past trend: the back and sides of each case are a formed piece of completely clear hard plastic, while the front shell features interesting metal front colors and designs, fused onto an otherwise clear plastic faceplate. Multiple colors are available for each model.
The good news about both of these cases is that—unlike most of the cases we review today—they actually include integrated Click Wheel covers in addition to their hard plastic screen protectors. We had no issues seeing the iPods’ screens or using their controls while inside. Belkin includes holes for the headphone and Dock Connector ports, both compatible with oversized headphone plugs—the classic one just barely OK for the biggest ones—and Universal Docks. We really, truly love the way these cases look; Belkin’s choice of metals and integration of clear plastics on the front is a dynamite combination. The company has also removed the ink dots that were previously on the Click Wheel of last year’s classic version, which we think is an improvement.
Here’s the bad news. While the iPod classic version is every bit as good as last year’s, and still comes with shells for both thinner 80/120GB iPod classics and now-discontinued 160GB models, the iPod nano version we received had serious fit problems. It didn’t seem sturdy at all, and repeatedly came apart at the side seams, an issue that previously affected one of the company’s clear plastic iPhone cases, but in our experience not to the extent of this one.
Though we’d rely upon the iPod classic one in a heartbeat, and continue to feel that it’s worthy of our high recommendation, the iPod nano 4G version we tested was a dud, and definitely needs to be redesigned for greater stability. Our expectation is that Belkin will do this soon, if it hasn’t already started the process.
By Jeremy Horwitz
Editor-in-Chief, iLounge Published: Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Belkin Eco-Conscious Leather Sleeves for iPod nano 4G & iPod touch 2G
CaseandCover.com reviews Belkin cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
Belkin Eco-Conscious iPod nano 4G 
Belkin Eco-Conscious iPod touch 2G
Company: Belkin
Model: Eco-Conscious Leather Sleeve
Price: $25-30
Compatible: iPod nano (4G), iPod touch (2G)
The reason we’re covering all of these cases in the same review is that the iPod nano cases are exceptionally similar to one another, while the iPod touch cases are related to the same-named nano cases. Each of the nano cases proceeds in the exact same way: they cover the nano’s metal body entirely, fully exposing the Click Wheel, headphone port, and bottom left corner, while covering the screen with a clear plastic shield. All of the cases expose the nano’s top-mounted Hold switch, as well.
From there, they differ a bit. Belkin’s Leather Sleeve for iPod nano 4G is made from a glossy, thin leatherette, and comes in both pink and black versions, each with with soft lining and Velcro tabs to keep their iPods inside. While the stitching is very similar to Incase’s, the case feels a bit thinner and cheaper, and the leather doesn’t look as nice as Incase’s; the back is flat, and has no belt clip, which some users may prefer. Otherwise, it could have come from the same factory, and also exposes the nano’s top right corner.
The Eco-Conscious Leather Sleeve uses vegetable-tanned black or walnut leather rather than chemically stained leather, and has a felt interior rather than microfiber. The combined look is a bit rough and bohemian, like a chalkboard eraser mixed with a racing glove, but the effect’s apparently intentional; this case has no contrast stitching, and has the same dull knife shape as the 4G nano, with the same openings as the standard Leather Sleeve. Choosing one over the other is purely a matter of personal taste, but we prefer the look of the standard version.
Incase’s black-only Leather Sleeve is facially difficult to distinguish from Belkin’s same-named case. There’s a little bit more of the same contrast stitching, an Incase leaf logo on the face, and a more interesting looking back with a non-detachable belt clip, permanently pointed such that the nano’s headphone port faces upwards. You’ll have to decide whether you want the belt clip, but the case looks a little sharper than Belkin’s, and uses what appears to be better-quality leather, as well. It has rougher tailoring around the Click Wheels of the nano, but otherwise, it’s attractive and well-made.
We weren’t as impressed by the iPod touch 2G versions of the Leather Sleeve and Eco-Conscious Leather Sleeve, primarily because they made little attempt to cover the device’s face or top, but also because of some other little oddities. The Leather Sleeve is actually leather on the front and back, with neoprene on the sides and bottom. By comparison, the Eco-Conscious Sleeve is leather on the front, bottom, and back, with a lot of felt on the sides and interior. We were surprised that our touch’s glossy back didn’t get torn up from the felt, which felt like a light Brillo pad by comparison with the smooth suede and suede-like fabrics we find inside most leather cases.
With both of these cases, you slide the iPod touch into a sleeve, sealing it inside with a Velcro tab, using holes at the bottom to access the headphone and Dock Connector ports. Both cases work with oversized headphone plugs, but they’re spottier on Dock Connector accessories; the standard Sleeve mostly fits into Universal Docks, but the Eco-Conscious one doesn’t. On the flip side, the Eco-Conscious case covers the touch’s Home button and exposes the Volume buttons, while the standard Sleeve exposes the Home button and covers the Volume ones. For fabric cases, they just don’t protect as much as they could, and they’re not aggressively priced in a way that makes up for their omissions.
Of all of the cases in this collection, our top picks would be Incase’s Leather and Neoprene Sleeves, though Belkin’s leather nano versions aren’t far behind; the iPod touch ones seem comparatively incomplete. While we think that both of these companies could stand to have better control over their tailoring, leather and fabric do present some interesting challenges for devices as small and thin as these iPods; our gut feeling is that subsequent cases will do even better.
By Jeremy Horwitz
Editor-in-Chief, iLounge Published: Friday, October 24, 2008
Belkin Eco-Conscious iPod nano 4G
Belkin Eco-Conscious iPod touch 2GCompany: Belkin
Model: Eco-Conscious Leather Sleeve
Price: $25-30
Compatible: iPod nano (4G), iPod touch (2G)
_______________
Leather iPod and iPhone cases fall into three major categories these days: "play-through" designs that let you see the device's screen, "flip-style" designs that inconveniently cover the screen and controls with a flap that needs to be opened every time you want to use them, and "sleeves," which are little more than gloves that require you to slide the entire device in and out to use it.
Today, we're briefly reviewing 17 new cases for the iPod nano 4G, iPod classic, iPod touch 2G, and iPhone 3G from eight different companies. This combined review looks at Belkin's Leather Sleeves for iPod nano 4G ($25) and iPod touch 2G ($30), its Eco-Conscious Leather Sleeves for iPod nano 4G ($25) and iPod touch 2G ($30), and Incase's Leather Sleeve ($30) for iPod nano 4G.The reason we’re covering all of these cases in the same review is that the iPod nano cases are exceptionally similar to one another, while the iPod touch cases are related to the same-named nano cases. Each of the nano cases proceeds in the exact same way: they cover the nano’s metal body entirely, fully exposing the Click Wheel, headphone port, and bottom left corner, while covering the screen with a clear plastic shield. All of the cases expose the nano’s top-mounted Hold switch, as well.
From there, they differ a bit. Belkin’s Leather Sleeve for iPod nano 4G is made from a glossy, thin leatherette, and comes in both pink and black versions, each with with soft lining and Velcro tabs to keep their iPods inside. While the stitching is very similar to Incase’s, the case feels a bit thinner and cheaper, and the leather doesn’t look as nice as Incase’s; the back is flat, and has no belt clip, which some users may prefer. Otherwise, it could have come from the same factory, and also exposes the nano’s top right corner.
The Eco-Conscious Leather Sleeve uses vegetable-tanned black or walnut leather rather than chemically stained leather, and has a felt interior rather than microfiber. The combined look is a bit rough and bohemian, like a chalkboard eraser mixed with a racing glove, but the effect’s apparently intentional; this case has no contrast stitching, and has the same dull knife shape as the 4G nano, with the same openings as the standard Leather Sleeve. Choosing one over the other is purely a matter of personal taste, but we prefer the look of the standard version.
Incase’s black-only Leather Sleeve is facially difficult to distinguish from Belkin’s same-named case. There’s a little bit more of the same contrast stitching, an Incase leaf logo on the face, and a more interesting looking back with a non-detachable belt clip, permanently pointed such that the nano’s headphone port faces upwards. You’ll have to decide whether you want the belt clip, but the case looks a little sharper than Belkin’s, and uses what appears to be better-quality leather, as well. It has rougher tailoring around the Click Wheels of the nano, but otherwise, it’s attractive and well-made.
We weren’t as impressed by the iPod touch 2G versions of the Leather Sleeve and Eco-Conscious Leather Sleeve, primarily because they made little attempt to cover the device’s face or top, but also because of some other little oddities. The Leather Sleeve is actually leather on the front and back, with neoprene on the sides and bottom. By comparison, the Eco-Conscious Sleeve is leather on the front, bottom, and back, with a lot of felt on the sides and interior. We were surprised that our touch’s glossy back didn’t get torn up from the felt, which felt like a light Brillo pad by comparison with the smooth suede and suede-like fabrics we find inside most leather cases.
With both of these cases, you slide the iPod touch into a sleeve, sealing it inside with a Velcro tab, using holes at the bottom to access the headphone and Dock Connector ports. Both cases work with oversized headphone plugs, but they’re spottier on Dock Connector accessories; the standard Sleeve mostly fits into Universal Docks, but the Eco-Conscious one doesn’t. On the flip side, the Eco-Conscious case covers the touch’s Home button and exposes the Volume buttons, while the standard Sleeve exposes the Home button and covers the Volume ones. For fabric cases, they just don’t protect as much as they could, and they’re not aggressively priced in a way that makes up for their omissions.
Of all of the cases in this collection, our top picks would be Incase’s Leather and Neoprene Sleeves, though Belkin’s leather nano versions aren’t far behind; the iPod touch ones seem comparatively incomplete. While we think that both of these companies could stand to have better control over their tailoring, leather and fabric do present some interesting challenges for devices as small and thin as these iPods; our gut feeling is that subsequent cases will do even better.
By Jeremy Horwitz
Editor-in-Chief, iLounge Published: Friday, October 24, 2008
Speck Candyshell for iPhone 3G Review
Search Brand/Device: Speck | iPhone Reviews
OtterBox Defender Case for the BlackBerry Storm Review
Search Brand/Device: BlackBerry Storm | Otterbox
CaseandCover.com reviews OtterBox cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
Posted by Thomas on January 15th, 2009
Posted by Thomas on January 15th, 2009
Okay finally, our first official CES 2009 product post! I’m sure you guys have all been sitting at home waiting for us to get to this stuff, well so have we! What we have for you today is OtterBox. OtterBox had their new BlackBerry Storm defender case at CES! This case is still in the development process, but is coming soon, so if you are worried that you are going to drop your Storm and NEED ample protection, it will be here soon. *A side note with the images is that the case I used was a prototype so the outer skin that covers the plastic part of the case is not a perfect fitment, however I was assured that this will be fixed when the design is finished and ready for manufacturing.
So, I got to mess around with this case on a Storm for a while to get a feel for it and I was quite impressed. I personally do not use OtterBox cases, because I am careful with my babies, but if they ever do something waterproof for BlackBerry, I am all about it! Anyway let’s start with the case size.
As with all OtterBox Defender cases, it is pretty large. The immediate difference I noticed with the large size of this case with the storm is that in your hand it feels very good, very natural. Something I didn’t like with the Storm when I had it is that since it is kind of heavy, when you have it sideways in landscape ratio, you must position your fingers so that while you are typing you have to have it secured all around. With this case, it makes it significantly thicker so that it fits very nicely into the palms of both your hands. Now the only issue with this is that no it will not fit in your pocket, but OtterBox cases come with a belt clip and they are pretty necessary to carry your device.
Now let’s move on a bit to the screen area. I was worried about a few things when I thought of an OtterBox Storm case because it was a touch screen so if it was designed wrong, typing and screen use could suffer. I was relieved when I began using it and this was not the case. If you notice on the image, the border of the screen has a moderately sloped surface so that your fingers to not get obstructed by a high wall of plastic protection.
Another issue I was curious about was screen protection itself. If you have ever used an OtterBox Defender, you know that the case is a 360 degree protection case and has a clear shield that protects your keyboard, screen, and camera. Well the design has not changed for this model. The Storm has a protective clear coat over the whole opening of the case, which includes the call and menu buttons at the bottom below the screen. This is all well and good but, what about the touch recognition? Well I can honestly say that it is perfect! When I first got my Storm, I left the stock plastic screen protector on it for a day and it really affected the screen. The touch worked the same but it would be slow at recognizing I was touching the screen. With this cover, it is not the case. I don’t know how they did it, but it works as if there is nothing on the screen at all. This is probably the most important feature that OtterBox had to get right, in my opinion.
Now let’s do a round robin on the rest of the phone. The back of the case has the finger grooves so that when you are typing, you get a better grip on the back of the phone. The camera opening is not like the front of the case, so it does not have a plastic coating to protect the face. This however is not necessary because the Storm camera and flash is housed behind glass for its own protection. There is also a small hole cut out towards the bottom for the speaker. I did not get a chance to use the speaker, but I’m sure it muffles sound a little bit.
The sides, top and bottom have the typical rubberized button covers that let you still use your volume, and convenience buttons. Like any thicker rubberized case, the button covers do hinder use a bit, but they are necessary and they do still work, you just have to push in a little more. Just like the other Defender cases, there are attached rubber removable covers for the headphone jack and the charging port. These are a bit ugly, but they are on all the cases.
Overview
Overall, besides the prototype rubber skin fitment (which is temporary), I am very satisfied with this case. I was worried that the Defender case for the Storm would be too much like the Impact series which has little protection on the screens or keyboards. I was pleased that they came up with a solution that could offer full protection for the Storm. I am most impressed with the touch screen protection and how it works flawlessly with the touch recognition, great work OtterBox! This case will be around $50 like all the other Defender cases for BlackBerry, so if you need awesome protection for your devices, go OtterBox.
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Case-Mate Vroom for iPhone 3G Review
Search Brand/Device: Case-Mate | iPhone Reviews
CaseandCover.com reviews Case-Mate cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
The iPhone 3G certainly has a ton of case options. Everyone has their own take on what constitutes a good iPhone case—some prefer silicone, others want a hard plastic, some prefer loud cases, others search for more subtle options. We take a look at a lot of cases here at TiPb and there’s a different qualification for the case we’re about to take a look at—this falls under the ‘fun’ category.
The Case-Mate Vroom for iPhone 3G
is a subtly-fun designed rubber case. From afar the Vroom case looks like a basic, black silicone case that protects the back of the iPhone 3G. Upon closer inspection, whoa what?! The back has tire tread!
Is this merely a gimmick? How cool is it?
Design
Come on. Laugh a little. Ease up. The Vroom case for the iPhone 3G is funny and a definite conversation starter. I mean, it’s a tire on your iPhone 3G! You could even come up with a far-fetched story on how you custom made the case with your old car tire’s or even say its a special edition made by Goodyear or Michelin. I mean, a tire on your iPhone? What other crazy designs can we get?
Jokes aside, the Vroom case is a basic black rubber case that protects the full back of the iPhone 3G while leaving room open for all of the iPhone 3G’s functions. It even comes equipped with a plastic screen to protect the iPhone 3G’s touchscreen. We’re not fans of those plastic touchscreens preferring to go with Bodyguardz or Invisibleshield for cases like these.
But in all, I think it looks great and adds a ton of character to the iPhone 3G.
Usability
The rubber is a lot different from other silicone cases I’ve encountered. Instead of a soft, grippy feel the Vroom case is harder and slicker. I don’t prefer this finish because it doesn’t offer the same amount of grip as other silicone options but I think that’s just a matter of preference.
What’s great about the Vroom case, other than the design of course, is that it doesn’t add much thickness to the iPhone. I found that the case was really easy to hold and didn’t change the contours of the iPhone 3G. And though the rubber is a bit different than most cases, I feel like it’s a stronger grade. Instead of being just a sleeve or a skin, this feels like true tire rubber. I guess it succeeded in its intended effect, right?
But this case does have its fair share of limitations—more thought was put into its design than its actual construction. It attracts lint and dust very easily, I could never really manage to keep the case clean. This may be more of a color issue than anything since dust simply shines on a black case.
Also, this is personal preference but I don’t like it when a case ever-so-slightly exposes the chrome rim around the iPhone. I feel as if you’re going to cover the back of the iPhone you might as well go the extra millimeter to cover the chrome rim.
But in all, the Vroom case offers just enough protection. It’s not going to be mistaken as an OtterBox but it definitely does a good job in preventing nicks and scratches from daily routine.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for pure protection, this case probably isn’t for you. I won’t lie, there are better options for you if protection is your biggest concern. For starters, take a look at the TiPb store.
But if you like quirky designs and/or conversations revolving your iPhone 3G case—hey, this is as good as it gets. Let me tell you, when I was testing out this case, I got numerous compliments and questions about its origins. I found that I personally LIKED the case enough to ignore its limitations.
Though it only offers middling protection—this is the case I reach for most for my iPhone 3G.
PROS
Posted on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 by Casey Chan
The iPhone 3G certainly has a ton of case options. Everyone has their own take on what constitutes a good iPhone case—some prefer silicone, others want a hard plastic, some prefer loud cases, others search for more subtle options. We take a look at a lot of cases here at TiPb and there’s a different qualification for the case we’re about to take a look at—this falls under the ‘fun’ category.
The Case-Mate Vroom for iPhone 3G
is a subtly-fun designed rubber case. From afar the Vroom case looks like a basic, black silicone case that protects the back of the iPhone 3G. Upon closer inspection, whoa what?! The back has tire tread!Is this merely a gimmick? How cool is it?
Design
Come on. Laugh a little. Ease up. The Vroom case for the iPhone 3G is funny and a definite conversation starter. I mean, it’s a tire on your iPhone 3G! You could even come up with a far-fetched story on how you custom made the case with your old car tire’s or even say its a special edition made by Goodyear or Michelin. I mean, a tire on your iPhone? What other crazy designs can we get?
Jokes aside, the Vroom case is a basic black rubber case that protects the full back of the iPhone 3G while leaving room open for all of the iPhone 3G’s functions. It even comes equipped with a plastic screen to protect the iPhone 3G’s touchscreen. We’re not fans of those plastic touchscreens preferring to go with Bodyguardz or Invisibleshield for cases like these.
But in all, I think it looks great and adds a ton of character to the iPhone 3G.
Usability
The rubber is a lot different from other silicone cases I’ve encountered. Instead of a soft, grippy feel the Vroom case is harder and slicker. I don’t prefer this finish because it doesn’t offer the same amount of grip as other silicone options but I think that’s just a matter of preference.
What’s great about the Vroom case, other than the design of course, is that it doesn’t add much thickness to the iPhone. I found that the case was really easy to hold and didn’t change the contours of the iPhone 3G. And though the rubber is a bit different than most cases, I feel like it’s a stronger grade. Instead of being just a sleeve or a skin, this feels like true tire rubber. I guess it succeeded in its intended effect, right?
But this case does have its fair share of limitations—more thought was put into its design than its actual construction. It attracts lint and dust very easily, I could never really manage to keep the case clean. This may be more of a color issue than anything since dust simply shines on a black case.
Also, this is personal preference but I don’t like it when a case ever-so-slightly exposes the chrome rim around the iPhone. I feel as if you’re going to cover the back of the iPhone you might as well go the extra millimeter to cover the chrome rim.
But in all, the Vroom case offers just enough protection. It’s not going to be mistaken as an OtterBox but it definitely does a good job in preventing nicks and scratches from daily routine.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for pure protection, this case probably isn’t for you. I won’t lie, there are better options for you if protection is your biggest concern. For starters, take a look at the TiPb store.
But if you like quirky designs and/or conversations revolving your iPhone 3G case—hey, this is as good as it gets. Let me tell you, when I was testing out this case, I got numerous compliments and questions about its origins. I found that I personally LIKED the case enough to ignore its limitations.
Though it only offers middling protection—this is the case I reach for most for my iPhone 3G.
PROS
- Great, Fun Design
- High Quality Rubber
- Adds Minimal Thickness
- Offers Average Protection
- Attracts Dust
Posted on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 by Casey Chan
IvySkin Quattro T4 iPhone 3G Case Review
Search Brand/Device: Ivyskin | iPhone Reviews
CaseandCover.com reviews IvySkin cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
Call me paranoid or call me smart. I may be both. When I bought my iPhone 3g, the first thing I did was put it in a case before I took it out of the store.
However I knew that case was just a temporary solution until I could find one I really wanted. I tried cases with those thin, sticky plastic shields you put on separately. I tried cases that leave the glass front unprotected. I didn’t like either.
So after hours of playing surfing detective, I discovered the Ivyskin Quattro T4 on their web site.
Sure, a lot of cases protect the iPhone, some better than others. But what impressed me about the Quattro T4 is how much it protects. This is the only case I found that covers the iPhone glass screen with its own glass screen - built right in.
And it covers the home button.
And it can cover the docking port.
And it’s covered in a non-slip rubberized plastic, so it grips.
And… well, you get the idea. I told you I was paranoid.
I’ve had this case for a couple of months and it has lived up to its advertising. Ivyskin uses a patented German glass technology called Touch-Thru™. My main concern was the lack of scrolling or tapping sensitivity in this Touch-Thru™ glass, but it’s not an issue at all. However, the glass does get smeared easily and if the lighting is just right, there is a slight ‘rainbow’ effect from glass sitting on glass.
Did I mention the home button is covered? This may be a small thing, but I worry about dirt getting in those spaces around that button making it not work so well. Most of the other cases skirt around the button completely and that bothers me.
The case also includes a small rubberized piece for plugging into the docking port so it can stay clean. But it’s too much of a bother, so I don’t use it. Yeah I know, I said I was paranoid, but I didn’t say I was consistent.
The Quattro T4 sells for $45 and you can add a clip and holster/video stand for $15.
If you want a case with above average protection and you don’t mind paying an above average price, then you should look at the Quattro T4. I highly recommend it.
Score: 9/10
Reviewed by: Bill Henderson
Call me paranoid or call me smart. I may be both. When I bought my iPhone 3g, the first thing I did was put it in a case before I took it out of the store.
However I knew that case was just a temporary solution until I could find one I really wanted. I tried cases with those thin, sticky plastic shields you put on separately. I tried cases that leave the glass front unprotected. I didn’t like either.
So after hours of playing surfing detective, I discovered the Ivyskin Quattro T4 on their web site.
Sure, a lot of cases protect the iPhone, some better than others. But what impressed me about the Quattro T4 is how much it protects. This is the only case I found that covers the iPhone glass screen with its own glass screen - built right in.
And it covers the home button.
And it can cover the docking port.
And it’s covered in a non-slip rubberized plastic, so it grips.
And… well, you get the idea. I told you I was paranoid.
I’ve had this case for a couple of months and it has lived up to its advertising. Ivyskin uses a patented German glass technology called Touch-Thru™. My main concern was the lack of scrolling or tapping sensitivity in this Touch-Thru™ glass, but it’s not an issue at all. However, the glass does get smeared easily and if the lighting is just right, there is a slight ‘rainbow’ effect from glass sitting on glass.
Did I mention the home button is covered? This may be a small thing, but I worry about dirt getting in those spaces around that button making it not work so well. Most of the other cases skirt around the button completely and that bothers me.
The case also includes a small rubberized piece for plugging into the docking port so it can stay clean. But it’s too much of a bother, so I don’t use it. Yeah I know, I said I was paranoid, but I didn’t say I was consistent.
The Quattro T4 sells for $45 and you can add a clip and holster/video stand for $15.
If you want a case with above average protection and you don’t mind paying an above average price, then you should look at the Quattro T4. I highly recommend it.
Score: 9/10
Reviewed by: Bill Henderson
OtterBox Defender Case for BlackBerry Bold Review
Search Brand/Device: Otterbox | BlackBerry Bold
CaseandCover.com reviews OtterBox cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
If your a BlackBerry Bold user, I’m sure you want to best protection for your baby. Our friends at OtterBox
have released the OtterBox Defender case for the BlackBerry Bold. The case is made up of three layers of solid protection. The first layer is a thin thermal-formed plastic wrap which protects your screen and keyboard from dust, dirt and mist. The second layer is a Polycarbonate shell which gives the case its durable body to protect against drops and bumps. The last layer is a Silicone skin which will cover the OtterBox case to provide a stylish silk design.
The overall construction of the Defender case is amazing. Its very well built and includes a durable plastic holster, which reminds me of the old school BlackBerry 7200/8700 series. Anyone who is upgrading from one of those older models will surely appreciate it. The Defender case itself can take a great amount of bumps and drops. Previously I took my BlackBerry Pearl in one of the OtterBox Defender cases and threw it against my concrete deck without any issues my phone still works and looks perfect. All OtterBox cases come with a life time warranty so if for some reason something breaks on the case they simply replace it for you.
Here is a bit more in detail of the Defender case layers:
Layer 1: Thermal formed protective clear membrane to safeguard screen and keyboard against scratching as well as dust and dirt* (layer optional depending on the level of ruggedization desired).
Layer 2: Hi-impact polycarbonate shell.
Layer 3: Silicone skin absorbs bump and shock (silicone includes innovative retaining features to hold it in place).
Recently OtterBox also introduced their new Impact Case for the BlackBerry Bold. These cases are similar to the RIM rubber skins, however just a little more protective. Those cases are available to order from OtterBox.com for only $19.95 USD.
Overall I’m usually pretty impressed with OtterBox’s products. They never seem to fail for those who are looking for maximum protection. The Bold Defender series case is a great fit and keeps the phone well protected. I recommend picking one up if your looking for that something extra. Although the price tag is a little higher than most cases the life time warranty and great quality more than make up for it.
This OtterBox Defender case is available in all black or yellow and black combination. You can pick up one of these bad boys up at The BlackBerry Sync Store for $49.95 USD and get $5.95 shipping to anywhere in the USA!
If your a BlackBerry Bold user, I’m sure you want to best protection for your baby. Our friends at OtterBox
have released the OtterBox Defender case for the BlackBerry Bold. The case is made up of three layers of solid protection. The first layer is a thin thermal-formed plastic wrap which protects your screen and keyboard from dust, dirt and mist. The second layer is a Polycarbonate shell which gives the case its durable body to protect against drops and bumps. The last layer is a Silicone skin which will cover the OtterBox case to provide a stylish silk design.The overall construction of the Defender case is amazing. Its very well built and includes a durable plastic holster, which reminds me of the old school BlackBerry 7200/8700 series. Anyone who is upgrading from one of those older models will surely appreciate it. The Defender case itself can take a great amount of bumps and drops. Previously I took my BlackBerry Pearl in one of the OtterBox
Defender cases and threw it against my concrete deck without any issues my phone still works and looks perfect. All OtterBox cases come with a life time warranty so if for some reason something breaks on the case they simply replace it for you.Here is a bit more in detail of the Defender case layers:
Layer 1: Thermal formed protective clear membrane to safeguard screen and keyboard against scratching as well as dust and dirt* (layer optional depending on the level of ruggedization desired).
Layer 2: Hi-impact polycarbonate shell.
Layer 3: Silicone skin absorbs bump and shock (silicone includes innovative retaining features to hold it in place).
Recently OtterBox
also introduced their new Impact Case for the BlackBerry Bold. These cases are similar to the RIM rubber skins, however just a little more protective. Those cases are available to order from OtterBox.com for only $19.95 USD.Overall I’m usually pretty impressed with OtterBox
’s products. They never seem to fail for those who are looking for maximum protection. The Bold Defender series case is a great fit and keeps the phone well protected. I recommend picking one up if your looking for that something extra. Although the price tag is a little higher than most cases the life time warranty and great quality more than make up for it.This OtterBox
Defender case is available in all black or yellow and black combination. You can pick up one of these bad boys up at The BlackBerry Sync Store for $49.95 USD and get $5.95 shipping to anywhere in the USA!Rating: 
From BlackBerrySync.com
OtterBox iPod nano 4th Gen (4G) Impact Case Review
Search Brand/Device: Otterbox | iPod nano Reviews
CaseandCover.com reviews OtterBox cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
Our lives are filled with many gadgets, phone, mp3 players and laptops are common items you’ll see many people carrying around these days. One thing you’ll notice is that the majority of people opt for a way to protect them be it a bag, a case, a sleeve or whatever. The reason for this of course is to not only protect their investment, but to keep their items looking good. We all like things that look nice, who doesn’t really, no one wants to use a beat up, scratched up product, we like things to stay looking new as long as possible. As many people know though not all products are created equal, especially when it comes to protection type ones like cases etc. It seems most of us are willing to pay a bit more for a quality product that will protect our device and give us a bit of peace of mind. Cost though is not always the best judge of a product’s effectiveness in how well it will protect something, name brand and product reputation are two of the factors that I use when deciding on most things, but not always. Otterbox is a company with an excellent reputation when it comes to protecting our electronic devices, they’re well know for top quality products that will protect our devices from most anything.
Up on the review block today I’ve got the first of three reviews of Otterbox cases for the iPod nano 4th Generation, it’s the Impact Case. I’m starting with the least expensive case in this series and working my way up to full protection for your iPod. The Impact Case is the familiar silicone skin style case, but it’s designed with shock protection in mind with reinforced corners designed to dissipate shock away from your device should you happen to accidentally drop your iPod nano. It’s a nice inexpensive, basic case that offers quite a bit more protection than other silicone cases on the market today.
The Otterbox Impact Case comes in the familiar plastic clamshell style package, but this on is the easy open style, it’s not sealed so no tools are needed to get at the product.
The Impact is available in black or white color, and as you can see I got the black color for review. Once you open the package the only thing you find is the case itself, nothing else included.
The case is fairly thick and will add a little bulk to your iPod, but without that bulk it wouldn’t offer much protection would it? So it’s a trade off really. The Impact case has a little hole in the back of it that allows the Apple logo to show through, personally I don’t care about this little ‘feature’ but those of you that are materialistic might. There is a nice texture on the outside of most of the case, this allows for a non-slip grip on your iPod. On the back of the case is the Otterbox logo as well.
Specifications:
iPod Nano 4th Gen Impact Case
Introducing: The OtterBox for iPod nano 4th generation Impact Series! This thin, skin-like design offers your 4th generation iPod nano protection against bump and shock. Your Click Wheel and all buttons are accessible through the case, and the inner corners are designed to dissipate impact AWAY from your device. Also, the OtterBox for iPod nano 4th generation Impact Series case has an ergonomic design that your hands will love to be wrapped around!
Compatibility/Features: Fits the iPod Nano 4th Generation only (both 8GB and 16GB). * Provides open access to headphone jack, sync/charge port and Click Wheel * Provides added protection against bump and shock * Inner corners designed to dissipate impact away from your device
Dimensions (case only): 3.77" x 1.72" x .43" Weight (case only): .03 lbs. Color: White or Black
Price: $19.95
Installation is very easy, you just slide your iPod in and it’s done, takes maybe a minute to complete.
The Otterbox Impact Case allows for easy access to the lock button on top and the bottom is open for full access there.
The Impact Case offers good shock protection for your iPod, but does not offer any protection for the screen or click wheel. This isn’t a big deal though as the screen is scratch resistant, and I’ve never really heard of people damaging the click wheel. Personally though I prefer a screen protector though, and use one for most any device I have that has a screen. It’s a personal preference thing.
Coming in at $19.95 I think the Otterbox Impact Case offers a nice level of basic protection for a relatively low price.
Conclusion: The Otterbox Impact Case for iPod nano 4th Gen is a nice, inexpensive way to protect your player from shocks and bumps.
It’s a basic case that offers much better protection that other silicone style cases out there today.
by: Kristofer Brozio Published 20/04 - 2009
Pros: Well made Textured for non-slip grip Good protection Inexpensive
Cons: Silicone attracts dust and lint No screen protection
Up on the review block today I’ve got the first of three reviews of Otterbox cases for the iPod nano 4th Generation, it’s the Impact Case. I’m starting with the least expensive case in this series and working my way up to full protection for your iPod. The Impact Case is the familiar silicone skin style case, but it’s designed with shock protection in mind with reinforced corners designed to dissipate shock away from your device should you happen to accidentally drop your iPod nano. It’s a nice inexpensive, basic case that offers quite a bit more protection than other silicone cases on the market today.
The Otterbox Impact Case comes in the familiar plastic clamshell style package, but this on is the easy open style, it’s not sealed so no tools are needed to get at the product.
The Impact is available in black or white color, and as you can see I got the black color for review. Once you open the package the only thing you find is the case itself, nothing else included.
The case is fairly thick and will add a little bulk to your iPod, but without that bulk it wouldn’t offer much protection would it? So it’s a trade off really. The Impact case has a little hole in the back of it that allows the Apple logo to show through, personally I don’t care about this little ‘feature’ but those of you that are materialistic might. There is a nice texture on the outside of most of the case, this allows for a non-slip grip on your iPod. On the back of the case is the Otterbox logo as well.
Specifications:
iPod Nano 4th Gen Impact Case
Introducing: The OtterBox for iPod nano 4th generation Impact Series! This thin, skin-like design offers your 4th generation iPod nano protection against bump and shock. Your Click Wheel and all buttons are accessible through the case, and the inner corners are designed to dissipate impact AWAY from your device. Also, the OtterBox for iPod nano 4th generation Impact Series case has an ergonomic design that your hands will love to be wrapped around!
Compatibility/Features: Fits the iPod Nano 4th Generation only (both 8GB and 16GB). * Provides open access to headphone jack, sync/charge port and Click Wheel * Provides added protection against bump and shock * Inner corners designed to dissipate impact away from your device
Dimensions (case only): 3.77" x 1.72" x .43" Weight (case only): .03 lbs. Color: White or Black
Price: $19.95
Installation is very easy, you just slide your iPod in and it’s done, takes maybe a minute to complete.
The Otterbox Impact Case allows for easy access to the lock button on top and the bottom is open for full access there.
The Impact Case offers good shock protection for your iPod, but does not offer any protection for the screen or click wheel. This isn’t a big deal though as the screen is scratch resistant, and I’ve never really heard of people damaging the click wheel. Personally though I prefer a screen protector though, and use one for most any device I have that has a screen. It’s a personal preference thing.
Coming in at $19.95 I think the Otterbox Impact Case offers a nice level of basic protection for a relatively low price.
Conclusion: The Otterbox Impact Case for iPod nano 4th Gen is a nice, inexpensive way to protect your player from shocks and bumps.
It’s a basic case that offers much better protection that other silicone style cases out there today.
by: Kristofer Brozio Published 20/04 - 2009
Pros: Well made Textured for non-slip grip Good protection Inexpensive
Cons: Silicone attracts dust and lint No screen protection
| Grades: | |
| Overall |
| Design |
| Performance |
OtterBox iPod nano 4th Gen (4G) Defender Case
Search Brand/Device: iPod nano Reviews | Otterbox
CaseandCover.com reviews OtterBox cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
A few days ago I took a look at the Otterbox Impact case for iPod nano 4th, today I’ve got the next in the series of cases from Otterbox, the Defender. The Otterbox Defender is an iPod case like no other really, it feature three levels of protection for you iPod. The first layer is the silicone covering over top of the second layer which is a plastic housing, in the housing you’ll find the third layer of protection, a clear membrane over the screen and click wheel. The Defender offers excellent protection for your iPod nano 4th Gen, and easy access to the ports and controls.
Like the Impact I looked at a few days ago, the Defender comes in the same type of packaging, a plastic clamshell, that’s easy to open. The cardboard insert is also the instructions for using the Defender.
The only things inside the box is the case itself, nothing else. The case is black in color and it’s rather bulky really, but there’s a reason for that which you’ll soon see.
On the back of the case is a small tab that pulls out, this can be used has a stand to make the iPod sit up so you can watch movies on it, or just see the screen sideways.
Specifications: iPod nano 4th Gen OtterBox Defender Case
The OtterBox for iPod nano 4th Generation Defender Series has a slim-fit, 3-layer design that provides unmatched protection against bump, shock, drop and scratch. The PATENTED thin membrane covers your screen and Click Wheel, while still allowing for full usability. This design allows you to sync and charge your device right through the case via convenient silicone plugs. Also, as an added bonus, this case has a built-in STAND so you can watch movies and videos while on a plane, train, or just about anywhere. Please note: This case ONLY works with the 4th Generation iPod nano.
Compatibility/Features: Fits the iPod Nano 4th Generation only (both 8GB and 16GB).
* THREE layers of protection! * Layer 1: a clear, thin membrane to protect your screen and Click Wheel * Layer 2: a hi-impact Polycarbonate skeleton * Layer 3: a Silicone skin to absorb bump and shock * Access to Sync/Charge, hold button, and headphone jack accessible via silicone plug * Full use of Click Wheel through case * Built in "kickstand" for movie viewing
Dimensions (case only): 4.05" x 1.83" x .55" Weight (case only): 1.18 oz.
Getting your iPod in the Defender is a little bit of work, first you’ll need to remove the silicon cover:
Then you’ll need to pop the plastic housing apart, when it’s separated you can get a better look at the clear membrane inside the case that protects the screen and click wheel.
Then you can set your iPod inside the case, and snap it back together.
To finish it off you’ll need to put the silicone cover back on, this can get tricky, as you’ve got to work it over the bumps and humps of the case. There is a hole is the back of the case that allows the Apple logo to show through so everyone knows you’ve got an Apple product!
The silicone part of the case features two tabs on the top and bottom that can be flipped away to reveal the lock on top and the connections on the bottom.
Here’s a couple pictures of the stand in action… I guess you would call it action.
In all it does seem like it takes a lot of work to get your iPod in the Defender, but not really, it took about 5 minutes total, and I think it’s well worth it.
Overall the case is very nice, it’s well made, and it offers a great amount of protection for your iPod nano.
The membrane is clear and offer an unobscured view of the screen, and click wheel. One small problem I ran across is that the membrane made the click wheel less sensitive, but all you have to do is add a little pressure and it works fine again.
Conclusion: The Otterbox Defender for iPod nano 4th offers probably the best protection for your iPod from dust, dirt, shocks and drops and of course it protects the screen and click wheel as well. The Defender is my choice for a case for my iPod, I like it quite a bit, it offers the protection I need for my iPod.
Yes it isn’t waterproof, but I don’t foresee dropping my iPod in a lake anytime soon, or any other body of water, so to me that’s not a problem, but if you’re looking for a waterproof case, stay tuned for the next Otterbox review coming soon.
by: Kristofer Brozio Published 25/04 - 2009
Pros: Well Made Great protection for iPod Protects screen and click wheel
Cons: Makes click wheel less sensitive
A few days ago I took a look at the Otterbox Impact case for iPod nano 4th, today I’ve got the next in the series of cases from Otterbox, the Defender. The Otterbox Defender is an iPod case like no other really, it feature three levels of protection for you iPod. The first layer is the silicone covering over top of the second layer which is a plastic housing, in the housing you’ll find the third layer of protection, a clear membrane over the screen and click wheel. The Defender offers excellent protection for your iPod nano 4th Gen, and easy access to the ports and controls.
Like the Impact I looked at a few days ago, the Defender comes in the same type of packaging, a plastic clamshell, that’s easy to open. The cardboard insert is also the instructions for using the Defender.
The only things inside the box is the case itself, nothing else. The case is black in color and it’s rather bulky really, but there’s a reason for that which you’ll soon see.
On the back of the case is a small tab that pulls out, this can be used has a stand to make the iPod sit up so you can watch movies on it, or just see the screen sideways.
Specifications: iPod nano 4th Gen OtterBox Defender Case
The OtterBox for iPod nano 4th Generation Defender Series has a slim-fit, 3-layer design that provides unmatched protection against bump, shock, drop and scratch. The PATENTED thin membrane covers your screen and Click Wheel, while still allowing for full usability. This design allows you to sync and charge your device right through the case via convenient silicone plugs. Also, as an added bonus, this case has a built-in STAND so you can watch movies and videos while on a plane, train, or just about anywhere. Please note: This case ONLY works with the 4th Generation iPod nano.
Compatibility/Features: Fits the iPod Nano 4th Generation only (both 8GB and 16GB).
* THREE layers of protection! * Layer 1: a clear, thin membrane to protect your screen and Click Wheel * Layer 2: a hi-impact Polycarbonate skeleton * Layer 3: a Silicone skin to absorb bump and shock * Access to Sync/Charge, hold button, and headphone jack accessible via silicone plug * Full use of Click Wheel through case * Built in "kickstand" for movie viewing
Dimensions (case only): 4.05" x 1.83" x .55" Weight (case only): 1.18 oz.
Getting your iPod in the Defender is a little bit of work, first you’ll need to remove the silicon cover:
Then you’ll need to pop the plastic housing apart, when it’s separated you can get a better look at the clear membrane inside the case that protects the screen and click wheel.
Then you can set your iPod inside the case, and snap it back together.
To finish it off you’ll need to put the silicone cover back on, this can get tricky, as you’ve got to work it over the bumps and humps of the case. There is a hole is the back of the case that allows the Apple logo to show through so everyone knows you’ve got an Apple product!
The silicone part of the case features two tabs on the top and bottom that can be flipped away to reveal the lock on top and the connections on the bottom.
Here’s a couple pictures of the stand in action… I guess you would call it action.
In all it does seem like it takes a lot of work to get your iPod in the Defender, but not really, it took about 5 minutes total, and I think it’s well worth it.
Overall the case is very nice, it’s well made, and it offers a great amount of protection for your iPod nano.
The membrane is clear and offer an unobscured view of the screen, and click wheel. One small problem I ran across is that the membrane made the click wheel less sensitive, but all you have to do is add a little pressure and it works fine again.
Conclusion: The Otterbox Defender for iPod nano 4th offers probably the best protection for your iPod from dust, dirt, shocks and drops and of course it protects the screen and click wheel as well. The Defender is my choice for a case for my iPod, I like it quite a bit, it offers the protection I need for my iPod.
Yes it isn’t waterproof, but I don’t foresee dropping my iPod in a lake anytime soon, or any other body of water, so to me that’s not a problem, but if you’re looking for a waterproof case, stay tuned for the next Otterbox review coming soon.
by: Kristofer Brozio Published 25/04 - 2009
Pros: Well Made Great protection for iPod Protects screen and click wheel
Cons: Makes click wheel less sensitive
| Grades: | |
| Overall |
| Design |
| Performance |
OtterBox iPod Nano 4th Gen (4G) Armor Case Review
Search Brand/Device: Otterbox | iPod nano Reviews
CaseandCover.com reviews OtterBox cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
Today for review I’ve got the last case from our friends at OtterBox
for the Apple iPod nano 4th Generation, the Armor case. This case is the ultimate in protection for your iPod, not only is it rough and tough, but it’s waterproof as well. The OtterBox Armor is clear so you can see your iPod, it features a membrane over the click wheel to allow access to the controls, a built-in cable management belt clip, and a lanyard as well. If you’re looking for something to truly protect your iPod from most anything then this is the case for you.
The OtterBox Armor for iPod nano 4th comes packaged in an easy open plastic clamshell style case with a cardboard insert inside that has directions for installation inside, also included is a cord style lanyard as well.
The case is clear so you can see your iPod though it, there is a membrane over the click wheel that allows access to the functions of the iPod while it’s in the case. Through the front of the case you can see the 3.5mm jack which your iPod gets hooked up to, the case has a built-in pass-through to allow connectivity while still keeping your iPod safe.
The back of the Armor has a belt clip that acts as cable management so you can wrap your headphones around it when not in use.
On the back, on the bottom is where you’ll find the other side of the 3.5mm headphone jack, the female side.
The top of the case is located a heavy duty clip, unlocking the clip allows access to the inside of the Armor for installation.
The lanyard has T shaped posts on the ends of it that fit in the top corners of the Armor, they slide into a hole in the case and get secured when the case is closed.
When we get the OtterBox Armor open we can see the seals on both the top and bottom that keep out water, dust and dirt, when the case is open we can also get a better look at the 3.5mm jack.
Specifications:
iPod nano 4th Generation (4G) Armor Case
The OtterBox Armor Series for iPod nano 4th generation case has a NEW look and a NEW feel. The ergonomic shape was redesigned for ultimate grip; your hands will love being wrapped around this case! Following in the original Armor Series tradition, this case offers waterproof, dust-proof, sand-proof, drop-proof and scratch-proof protection for your iPod nano 4th generation. The Click Wheel is covered by a PATENTED, thin membrane which remains fully functional through the OtterBox. This newly-designed, CRYSTAL CLEAR iPod nano 4th gen case has white overmolding, white latches and a belt clip for cable management/carrying convenience.
Compatability/Features: Fits the iPod nano 4th generation only (both 8GB and 16GB).
* Waterproof, dust-proof, dirt-proof, sand-proof, and drop-proof protection for your iPod nano 4th gen * Click Wheel is covered, yet fully functional * Impact-absorbing rubber on all sides * Included belt clip for carrying convenience * External headphone jack usable with any style headphones with a standard mini stereo plug * Includes removable neck lanyard
Dimensions (case only): 5.15" x 2.32" x .64" Weight (case only): 3.5 oz.
Price: $39.95
Installation is very easy you just slide you iPod into the Armor, lining it up with the 3.5mm jack so it goes into your iPod.
The lanyard is optional, but if you wish to use it, it installs easily.
The OtterBoxArmor truly lives up to its name, this case will protect your iPod from most anything out there including dust, dirt and water. You can truly use your iPod anywhere you go and in most any conditions. The Armor offers protection from shock as well, so you shouldn’t have to worry if you accidentally drop it either.
The OtterBoxArmor case does add substantial bulk or size to your iPod, so when it’s in the case you won’t have a sleek, thin iPod anymore, but I guess that’s the price you pay for protection, so it’s a trade-off really.
When your iPod is in the Armor case you don’t have access to the lock or data/charging port either, but I’ve not sure how big of a problem that is.
Conclusion: If you’re looking for a case that will fully protect your iPod, then you can’t get much better than the OtterBox Armor, it truly lives up to its name as Armor for your iPod.
by: Kristofer Brozio Published 2/05 - 2009
Pros: +Clear and well made +Full protection for your iPod from most anything +Allows access to controls while protecting iPod +Easy installation +Includes lanyard
Cons: -No access to docking port or lock -Large and adds bulk to iPod
for the Apple iPod nano 4th Generation, the Armor case. This case is the ultimate in protection for your iPod, not only is it rough and tough, but it’s waterproof as well. The OtterBox Armor is clear so you can see your iPod, it features a membrane over the click wheel to allow access to the controls, a built-in cable management belt clip, and a lanyard as well. If you’re looking for something to truly protect your iPod from most anything then this is the case for you.The OtterBox
Armor for iPod nano 4th comes packaged in an easy open plastic clamshell style case with a cardboard insert inside that has directions for installation inside, also included is a cord style lanyard as well. The case is clear so you can see your iPod though it, there is a membrane over the click wheel that allows access to the functions of the iPod while it’s in the case. Through the front of the case you can see the 3.5mm jack which your iPod gets hooked up to, the case has a built-in pass-through to allow connectivity while still keeping your iPod safe.
The back of the Armor has a belt clip that acts as cable management so you can wrap your headphones around it when not in use.
On the back, on the bottom is where you’ll find the other side of the 3.5mm headphone jack, the female side.
The top of the case is located a heavy duty clip, unlocking the clip allows access to the inside of the Armor for installation.
The lanyard has T shaped posts on the ends of it that fit in the top corners of the Armor, they slide into a hole in the case and get secured when the case is closed.
When we get the OtterBox
Armor open we can see the seals on both the top and bottom that keep out water, dust and dirt, when the case is open we can also get a better look at the 3.5mm jack. Specifications:
iPod nano 4th Generation (4G) Armor Case
The OtterBox
Armor Series for iPod nano 4th generation case has a NEW look and a NEW feel. The ergonomic shape was redesigned for ultimate grip; your hands will love being wrapped around this case! Following in the original Armor Series tradition, this case offers waterproof, dust-proof, sand-proof, drop-proof and scratch-proof protection for your iPod nano 4th generation. The Click Wheel is covered by a PATENTED, thin membrane which remains fully functional through the OtterBox. This newly-designed, CRYSTAL CLEAR iPod nano 4th gen case has white overmolding, white latches and a belt clip for cable management/carrying convenience.Compatability/Features: Fits the iPod nano 4th generation only (both 8GB and 16GB).
* Waterproof, dust-proof, dirt-proof, sand-proof, and drop-proof protection for your iPod nano 4th gen * Click Wheel is covered, yet fully functional * Impact-absorbing rubber on all sides * Included belt clip for carrying convenience * External headphone jack usable with any style headphones with a standard mini stereo plug * Includes removable neck lanyard
Dimensions (case only): 5.15" x 2.32" x .64" Weight (case only): 3.5 oz.
Price: $39.95
Installation is very easy you just slide you iPod into the Armor, lining it up with the 3.5mm jack so it goes into your iPod.
The lanyard is optional, but if you wish to use it, it installs easily.
The OtterBox
Armor truly lives up to its name, this case will protect your iPod from most anything out there including dust, dirt and water. You can truly use your iPod anywhere you go and in most any conditions. The Armor offers protection from shock as well, so you shouldn’t have to worry if you accidentally drop it either.The OtterBox
Armor case does add substantial bulk or size to your iPod, so when it’s in the case you won’t have a sleek, thin iPod anymore, but I guess that’s the price you pay for protection, so it’s a trade-off really.When your iPod is in the Armor case you don’t have access to the lock or data/charging port either, but I’ve not sure how big of a problem that is.
Conclusion: If you’re looking for a case that will fully protect your iPod, then you can’t get much better than the OtterBox
Armor, it truly lives up to its name as Armor for your iPod. by: Kristofer Brozio Published 2/05 - 2009
Pros: +Clear and well made +Full protection for your iPod from most anything +Allows access to controls while protecting iPod +Easy installation +Includes lanyard
Cons: -No access to docking port or lock -Large and adds bulk to iPod
| Grades: | |
| Overall |
| Design |
| Performance |
Griffin Wave Case for iPod nano 4G and classic 120GB
CaseandCover.com reviews Griffin cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
Staggering is the only word we'd use to describe the number of hard plastic iPod and iPhone cases we're reviewing today -- over 20 different models that we've been comparing to one another, as well as past cases, over the last few weeks. To help you sort through all the options, we've assembled a few statistics that are worth knowing up front. All of the iPod nano cases in this roundup run from $20 to $30, with most at $25 or less, while the two iPod classic cases sell for $25 to $30, iPod touch cases range from $20 to $30, and iPhone 3G cases go for $20 to $35. Virtually every case offers at least partial back and side protection, but they vary widely in front, top, and bottom coverage. Though all use plastic as their base material, they differ considerably in color options and secondary materials. This review looks at Griffin's highly similar Elan Form for iPod nano 4G and iPod touch 2G ($30 each), Nu Form for iPod touch 2G ($25), and Wave Cases for iPod nano 4G and iPod classic ($25 each).
All of these cases share the same basic design idea, borrowed from Incase’s Slider Case for the original iPhone: you get a two-piece plastic shell that slides apart low on the iPod’s body, rendering its bottom Dock Connector port compatible with any accessories that might be otherwise incompatible with the bottoms of the cases. As we’ve noted before, the idea was bright for the first iPhone because there actually was an accessory—Apple’s iPhone Dock—that required access to the bare bottom of that model, but it’s largely unnecessary for iPods, which generally fit without issues into the myriad Universal Dock accessories that are now available.
These slide-off bottoms, then, are an insurance policy against really oversized cases and plugs, but in our testing, you’re unlikely to actually need that feature for most accessories. It’s now mostly appealing as an easier way to get the iPod in and out of the case than using a fully open top, bottom, or face.
Nu Form for iPod touch 2G is the most basic implementation of the idea. The top half is semi-glossy gray plastic, with a collection of rounded squares floating in a pattern on the back left side, while the bottom is coated in soft touch black rubber; as with all of the products here, Griffin includes a screen protector and cleaning cloth in the package. While standard-sized headphone plugs and Dock Connector cables work just fine with holes in Nu Form’s bottom, oversized ones require you to pull the bottom off for connection. Universal Docks work with or without the bottom piece attached.
Elan Form for iPod touch is the exact same case, only with a thin layer of black leather coating both the top and bottom shells, and a $5 higher price tag. Our review sample’s leather was not precisely flattened in the corners, but generally looked pretty good anyway; it is no different in terms of accessory compatibility. The iPod nano 4G version sells for the same $30 price, and replaces the film screen protector with a hard plastic front shield. Once again, the leather wasn’t perfectly flattened in the corners, but it looked fine, and there was no need to pull the bottom off to use most accessories. In fact, the bottom here is compatible with every accessory we tested, including oversized headphone plugs and cables. All that’s missing from this case is Click Wheel, Hold switch, and full bottom protection for the nano; everything else is covered.
The real stars of this collection, in our view, are the $25 Wave Cases for iPod nano 4G and iPod classic, which though highly similar in concept are superior to the others in execution—some of the nicest cases we’ve seen for either of these iPod models. The iPod nano version is sold individually or in $35 two-packs, one translucent white or black, the other black or green, while the iPod classic version comes in a single translucent black version. Both use soft touch rubber on the outside, combined with a completely clear hard plastic face protector that’s held in place by the interlocking top and bottom halves. All that’s exposed, again, are the headphone and Dock Connector ports, Click Wheel, and Hold switch.
As with Griffin’s prior Wave designs, the design twist is a helix-like motif on the case, overlapping different colored shells, but here the waves are found on the back rather than the sides. We seriously love the way that these cases look in person; our only major gripe is that their face protectors are too easy to scratch, in some cases leaving streaks or blemishes that can be seen overlapping the iPods’ screens. Additionally, the iPod classic case’s headphone port hole looks generous, but doesn’t work with the very largest plugs we tested; it’s fine for most, not all. Both cases work with Universal Docks even if their bottoms are left in place.
Though different users’ tastes will obviously vary, the variations in price and materials between these otherwise similar, good designs weigh in certain models’ favor. Nu Form struck us as a plain but nicely protective design, slightly pricey for its quality, while Elan Form looked legitimately handsome as a hybrid plastic and leather case, but also felt a little expensive given that it wasn’t ideally executed, especially for the iPod nano. Wave, with its cool curves and overlapping colors, was the best executed of this bunch, offering identical protection at more reasonable pricing. It’s worthy of our high recommendation, while the others fall into the general recommendation category.
By Jeremy Horwitz
Editor-in-Chief, iLounge Published: Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Staggering is the only word we'd use to describe the number of hard plastic iPod and iPhone cases we're reviewing today -- over 20 different models that we've been comparing to one another, as well as past cases, over the last few weeks. To help you sort through all the options, we've assembled a few statistics that are worth knowing up front. All of the iPod nano cases in this roundup run from $20 to $30, with most at $25 or less, while the two iPod classic cases sell for $25 to $30, iPod touch cases range from $20 to $30, and iPhone 3G cases go for $20 to $35. Virtually every case offers at least partial back and side protection, but they vary widely in front, top, and bottom coverage. Though all use plastic as their base material, they differ considerably in color options and secondary materials. This review looks at Griffin's highly similar Elan Form for iPod nano 4G and iPod touch 2G ($30 each), Nu Form for iPod touch 2G ($25), and Wave Cases for iPod nano 4G and iPod classic ($25 each).
All of these cases share the same basic design idea, borrowed from Incase’s Slider Case for the original iPhone: you get a two-piece plastic shell that slides apart low on the iPod’s body, rendering its bottom Dock Connector port compatible with any accessories that might be otherwise incompatible with the bottoms of the cases. As we’ve noted before, the idea was bright for the first iPhone because there actually was an accessory—Apple’s iPhone Dock—that required access to the bare bottom of that model, but it’s largely unnecessary for iPods, which generally fit without issues into the myriad Universal Dock accessories that are now available.
These slide-off bottoms, then, are an insurance policy against really oversized cases and plugs, but in our testing, you’re unlikely to actually need that feature for most accessories. It’s now mostly appealing as an easier way to get the iPod in and out of the case than using a fully open top, bottom, or face.
Nu Form for iPod touch 2G is the most basic implementation of the idea. The top half is semi-glossy gray plastic, with a collection of rounded squares floating in a pattern on the back left side, while the bottom is coated in soft touch black rubber; as with all of the products here, Griffin includes a screen protector and cleaning cloth in the package. While standard-sized headphone plugs and Dock Connector cables work just fine with holes in Nu Form’s bottom, oversized ones require you to pull the bottom off for connection. Universal Docks work with or without the bottom piece attached.
Elan Form for iPod touch is the exact same case, only with a thin layer of black leather coating both the top and bottom shells, and a $5 higher price tag. Our review sample’s leather was not precisely flattened in the corners, but generally looked pretty good anyway; it is no different in terms of accessory compatibility. The iPod nano 4G version sells for the same $30 price, and replaces the film screen protector with a hard plastic front shield. Once again, the leather wasn’t perfectly flattened in the corners, but it looked fine, and there was no need to pull the bottom off to use most accessories. In fact, the bottom here is compatible with every accessory we tested, including oversized headphone plugs and cables. All that’s missing from this case is Click Wheel, Hold switch, and full bottom protection for the nano; everything else is covered.
The real stars of this collection, in our view, are the $25 Wave Cases for iPod nano 4G and iPod classic, which though highly similar in concept are superior to the others in execution—some of the nicest cases we’ve seen for either of these iPod models. The iPod nano version is sold individually or in $35 two-packs, one translucent white or black, the other black or green, while the iPod classic version comes in a single translucent black version. Both use soft touch rubber on the outside, combined with a completely clear hard plastic face protector that’s held in place by the interlocking top and bottom halves. All that’s exposed, again, are the headphone and Dock Connector ports, Click Wheel, and Hold switch.
As with Griffin’s prior Wave designs, the design twist is a helix-like motif on the case, overlapping different colored shells, but here the waves are found on the back rather than the sides. We seriously love the way that these cases look in person; our only major gripe is that their face protectors are too easy to scratch, in some cases leaving streaks or blemishes that can be seen overlapping the iPods’ screens. Additionally, the iPod classic case’s headphone port hole looks generous, but doesn’t work with the very largest plugs we tested; it’s fine for most, not all. Both cases work with Universal Docks even if their bottoms are left in place.
Though different users’ tastes will obviously vary, the variations in price and materials between these otherwise similar, good designs weigh in certain models’ favor. Nu Form struck us as a plain but nicely protective design, slightly pricey for its quality, while Elan Form looked legitimately handsome as a hybrid plastic and leather case, but also felt a little expensive given that it wasn’t ideally executed, especially for the iPod nano. Wave, with its cool curves and overlapping colors, was the best executed of this bunch, offering identical protection at more reasonable pricing. It’s worthy of our high recommendation, while the others fall into the general recommendation category.
By Jeremy Horwitz
Editor-in-Chief, iLounge Published: Wednesday, October 22, 2008
InvisibleSHIELD by ZAGG Review
Search Brand/Device: iPod touch Reviews | invisibleSHIELD | iPhone Reviews | iPod classic | iPod nano Reviews | BlackBerry Curve | BlackBerry Pearl | BlackBerry Storm
CaseandCover.com reviews ZAGG’s invisibleSHIELD cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
Everyone who owns expensive devices is always looking for a way to protect them. There is no shortage of cases, films and other protecting products out there, and each has its own benefits and downfalls. When Invisible Skinz reached out to me to take a look at the invisibleSHIELD
, I was happy take another look. I say another, because I have used these products in the past, as I had one for my Motorola Q back in 2006. At the time, I ended up having to send my phone back to Verizon, and forgot to remove the shield before sending. Fortunately, I am able to take another look.
In the Box
Invisible Shield
Install Squeegee
Shieldspray
Installation/Thoughts
Installing the invisibleSHIELD on your device takes about 30 minutes, but it’s worth the time. The secret for Zagg is the shield spray that they include with the shields. The formula interacts with the adhesive on the shield to make the installation process easier, and more effective. The actual installation process is simple; peel off the shield from the paper backing, spray, apply and squeegee. Each invisibleSHIELD is created specifically for the device its sold for, so the longest part of the installation is getting each little piece lined up perfectly. The result is full device coverage that looks incredibly professional. Out of all the devices I have, I thought the iPhone 3G would be a great representation as a test device for the product. The capacitive touch screen was my biggest concern, as I wondered if the screen would still be sensitive to my fingers. Good news, there is no noticeable difference in user experience on the screen.
I’ve had the invisibleSHIELD on my iPhone for the past week and have been happy with the results. The full body coverage gives me the peace of mind that I my phone is protected. The texture of the shield gives it a “grippy” feel, which makes it less prone to being dropped, and overall is a very unobtrusive solution to keeping your device protected.
About the Invisible Shield
ZAGG’s invisibleSHIELD™ is a thin polyurethane film originally created for the military to protect the leading edge of helicopter blades. What’s unique about this military-grade, patented film is how tough it is – it doesn’t scratch. What makes ZAGG’s exclusive invisibleSHIELD™ so strong, flexible and scratch-proof? Its Nano-Memory technology™. With this technology, it also allows it to curve and contour around an entire device (not just the screen) and adhere to the device unless you want to remove it (without leaving adhesive).
The invisibleSHIELD has been designed to protect over 2,500 handheld electronics, including the Apple iPod touch, the Apple iPhone 3G, the BlackBerry Curve and more.
from Mickey Papillion, 3/14/2009
Everyone who owns expensive devices is always looking for a way to protect them. There is no shortage of cases, films and other protecting products out there, and each has its own benefits and downfalls. When Invisible Skinz reached out to me to take a look at the invisibleSHIELD
In the Box
Invisible Shield
Install Squeegee
Shieldspray
Installation/Thoughts
Installing the invisibleSHIELD
I’ve had the invisibleSHIELD
About the Invisible Shield
ZAGG’s invisibleSHIELD
The invisibleSHIELD
from Mickey Papillion, 3/14/2009
Incase Power Slider for iPhone 3G Review
Search Brand/Device: Incase | iPhone Reviews
CaseandCover.com reviews Incase cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
Mophie was obviously on the right track when it unveiled the strap-on iPhone battery called Juice Pack last year, but some notable quality control problems and a high price took away from an otherwise smart product's appeal. This week, Incase released the Power Slider Case for iPhone 3G ($100), a product very obviously inspired by Juice Pack, sharing most of its features while improving on some, diminishing a major one -- run time -- and falling a little short of greatness of execution of others.
Both Juice Pack and Power Slider start from a smart premise: Apple’s iPhones have mediocre battery life, but it’s not always convenient to carry a spare dangling battery and/or charging cable around. So instead, these are custom-molded back-mounting batteries, formed like huge rucksacks with integrated, wraparound Dock Connectors. While Juice Pack somewhat awkwardly created a half-shell with pit-like grooves for the iPhone’s bottom speaker and microphone, Incase has instead integrated its battery into a redesigned—mostly thicker—version of its Incase Slider Case
This is a smart concept, as it gives users a combination of iPhone 3G body protection and spare power for use when traveling. Notably, Power Slider is now coated in clean, black soft touch rubber, and though there isn’t any screen protection—a continued, annoying omission from Incase’s cases—the company unusually includes a carrying bag for the case. This bag looks nice, and is useful for storage if you’re traveling, but we’d have been more pleased with a film screen cover, say nothing of integrated rubber button covers. With Power Slider on, the 3G’s camera and headphone ports are generously exposed, though the largest oversized headphone plugs won’t work with this case, and you will need to remove it entirely to dock the iPhone 3G or use it with other bottom-mounting accessories.
Fans of Incase’s slim plastic case designs may find one of Power Slider’s inescapable design elements to be less than pleasant: because there’s a battery in the back, and connection hardware on the bottom, this case roughly doubles iPhone 3G’s thickness and adds a bit to its height. Your iPhone goes from looking sleek to resembling a big black brick, and even users who aren’t thinness-obsessed may well want to remove the battery when it’s not in use. That turns out to be trickier than one might hope.
Blame the battery. Incase has picked a 1330mAh lithium-ion polymer cell, which is claimed to be capable of more than doubling the iPhone 3G’s battery life. Notably, however, this cell has less power than the same-priced 1800mAh Juice Pack battery, say nothing of notable $40-$60 batteries we’ve tested from companies such as Just Mobile, Kensington, and RichardSolo. In our continuous tests over four days of traveling, running zero, partial, and full depletion tests of the iPhone 3G before connecting Power Slider, we either received one full iPhone recharge or fell a little short when Incase’s battery was completely charged. In other words, a power user who adds Power Slider will find that the iPhone 3G will likely run all day, rather than just for half of it.
The iPhone 3G did best when it and Power Slider were completely charged at the start of the day, connected to each other, and used such that Slider provided sips of power for the 3G whenever it wanted them. It did worst when the 3G was at 10% power and desperate for a recharge; we noticed Slider actually heating up when it was trying to bring the iPhone’s battery back to life, and only just completed a charge; it didn’t have 20-30% left to go. In other words, prepare to keep Slider attached for at least the first half of your day, and thereafter unless you want to carry a second, thinner case around as well.
There were a couple of other little things worth mentioning in Power Slider’s design. By contrast with Mophie’s Juice Pack, which looked amateurishly rough, and had rubber peeling off before we even started to use it, Incase’s use of soft touch rubber and general case design is very handsome, other than its thickness. We’ve pocketed it for days without any problems with the rubber, and we actively liked the back, which contains five white LED lights and a recessed button to indicate power status.
Incase also includes what it says is a special USB 2.2 cable for charging of the battery. Apart from its case-matching rubber coating, we’re not going to claim to know what makes the cable special, but can tell you that recharging takes quite a few hours given the battery’s limited capacity, and the battery doesn’t seem to stay at 100% for long. On several occasions, we charged the battery fully at night, then came back in the morning to find it at only 4 out of 5 dots. We tried a test on one of these occasions and found that the iPhone 3G received something a little short of a 90% charge, suggesting that this wasn’t just an accuracy-obsessed LED design, but a reflection of quick drain when not in use. Some other cells use on/off switches to avoid this issue; in any case, we’d advise topping Power Slider off before putting it into use.
Finally, our iPhone 3G exhibited mixed interference test results. On a positive note, there were no noticeable wireless interference issues when used with Power Slider. Five-bar cell, three-bar Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS all appeared to work the same whether this battery was attached or not; any difference there may have been was in no way obvious. Unfortunately, though Power Slider has an attractive plastic mesh grille at the bottom to cover the iPhone 3G’s speaker and microphone while positioning a mini USB plug for recharging, our test caller reported “profound” echoing back of his voice when Power Slider was on in speakerphone mode, some but less echoing in handset mode, and none when Power Slider was removed in either mode. A redesign of the speaker pass-through appears to be necessary to improve audio performance.
Our overall impression of the Power Slider Case for iPhone 3G is mixed. While Incase has done a generally good job on the case’s aesthetic design, it’s no more protective than a typical Incase Slider, which fell below our recommendation level; Power Slider’s additional thickness, height, and speakerphone performance may also be challenges for some users to deal with. We might be able to deal with some of these issues if the battery was a stronger performer, but as Incase is offering lower capacity than virtually all of its peers—at the highest price, no less—we find it hard to generally recommend this case. With Juice Pack, you buy a more powerful battery and a less protective shell; with Power Slider, you trade battery life for some but not complete coverage, and lose longevity.
Despite our very strong preference for a battery in this form factor, we don’t think anyone has gotten the protection, power, and pricing formula quite right yet; it is far easier to recommend more capacious, better-priced cabled options such as the Just Mobile Gum batteries instead. Most users don’t expect to shell out half the price of an iPhone 3G for extra battery life, however, Power Slider is a better than average option for those who value one-piece convenience enough to pay the steep premium, and deal with other compromises.
By Jeremy Horwitz
Editor-in-Chief, iLounge
Published: Monday, December 1, 2008
Mophie was obviously on the right track when it unveiled the strap-on iPhone battery called Juice Pack last year, but some notable quality control problems and a high price took away from an otherwise smart product's appeal. This week, Incase released the Power Slider Case for iPhone 3G ($100), a product very obviously inspired by Juice Pack, sharing most of its features while improving on some, diminishing a major one -- run time -- and falling a little short of greatness of execution of others.
Both Juice Pack and Power Slider start from a smart premise: Apple’s iPhones have mediocre battery life, but it’s not always convenient to carry a spare dangling battery and/or charging cable around. So instead, these are custom-molded back-mounting batteries, formed like huge rucksacks with integrated, wraparound Dock Connectors. While Juice Pack somewhat awkwardly created a half-shell with pit-like grooves for the iPhone’s bottom speaker and microphone, Incase has instead integrated its battery into a redesigned—mostly thicker—version of its Incase Slider Case
This is a smart concept, as it gives users a combination of iPhone 3G body protection and spare power for use when traveling. Notably, Power Slider is now coated in clean, black soft touch rubber, and though there isn’t any screen protection—a continued, annoying omission from Incase’s cases—the company unusually includes a carrying bag for the case. This bag looks nice, and is useful for storage if you’re traveling, but we’d have been more pleased with a film screen cover, say nothing of integrated rubber button covers. With Power Slider on, the 3G’s camera and headphone ports are generously exposed, though the largest oversized headphone plugs won’t work with this case, and you will need to remove it entirely to dock the iPhone 3G or use it with other bottom-mounting accessories.
Fans of Incase’s slim plastic case designs may find one of Power Slider’s inescapable design elements to be less than pleasant: because there’s a battery in the back, and connection hardware on the bottom, this case roughly doubles iPhone 3G’s thickness and adds a bit to its height. Your iPhone goes from looking sleek to resembling a big black brick, and even users who aren’t thinness-obsessed may well want to remove the battery when it’s not in use. That turns out to be trickier than one might hope.
Blame the battery. Incase has picked a 1330mAh lithium-ion polymer cell, which is claimed to be capable of more than doubling the iPhone 3G’s battery life. Notably, however, this cell has less power than the same-priced 1800mAh Juice Pack battery, say nothing of notable $40-$60 batteries we’ve tested from companies such as Just Mobile, Kensington, and RichardSolo. In our continuous tests over four days of traveling, running zero, partial, and full depletion tests of the iPhone 3G before connecting Power Slider, we either received one full iPhone recharge or fell a little short when Incase’s battery was completely charged. In other words, a power user who adds Power Slider will find that the iPhone 3G will likely run all day, rather than just for half of it.
The iPhone 3G did best when it and Power Slider were completely charged at the start of the day, connected to each other, and used such that Slider provided sips of power for the 3G whenever it wanted them. It did worst when the 3G was at 10% power and desperate for a recharge; we noticed Slider actually heating up when it was trying to bring the iPhone’s battery back to life, and only just completed a charge; it didn’t have 20-30% left to go. In other words, prepare to keep Slider attached for at least the first half of your day, and thereafter unless you want to carry a second, thinner case around as well.
There were a couple of other little things worth mentioning in Power Slider’s design. By contrast with Mophie’s Juice Pack, which looked amateurishly rough, and had rubber peeling off before we even started to use it, Incase’s use of soft touch rubber and general case design is very handsome, other than its thickness. We’ve pocketed it for days without any problems with the rubber, and we actively liked the back, which contains five white LED lights and a recessed button to indicate power status.
Incase also includes what it says is a special USB 2.2 cable for charging of the battery. Apart from its case-matching rubber coating, we’re not going to claim to know what makes the cable special, but can tell you that recharging takes quite a few hours given the battery’s limited capacity, and the battery doesn’t seem to stay at 100% for long. On several occasions, we charged the battery fully at night, then came back in the morning to find it at only 4 out of 5 dots. We tried a test on one of these occasions and found that the iPhone 3G received something a little short of a 90% charge, suggesting that this wasn’t just an accuracy-obsessed LED design, but a reflection of quick drain when not in use. Some other cells use on/off switches to avoid this issue; in any case, we’d advise topping Power Slider off before putting it into use.
Finally, our iPhone 3G exhibited mixed interference test results. On a positive note, there were no noticeable wireless interference issues when used with Power Slider. Five-bar cell, three-bar Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS all appeared to work the same whether this battery was attached or not; any difference there may have been was in no way obvious. Unfortunately, though Power Slider has an attractive plastic mesh grille at the bottom to cover the iPhone 3G’s speaker and microphone while positioning a mini USB plug for recharging, our test caller reported “profound” echoing back of his voice when Power Slider was on in speakerphone mode, some but less echoing in handset mode, and none when Power Slider was removed in either mode. A redesign of the speaker pass-through appears to be necessary to improve audio performance.
Our overall impression of the Power Slider Case for iPhone 3G is mixed. While Incase has done a generally good job on the case’s aesthetic design, it’s no more protective than a typical Incase Slider, which fell below our recommendation level; Power Slider’s additional thickness, height, and speakerphone performance may also be challenges for some users to deal with. We might be able to deal with some of these issues if the battery was a stronger performer, but as Incase is offering lower capacity than virtually all of its peers—at the highest price, no less—we find it hard to generally recommend this case. With Juice Pack, you buy a more powerful battery and a less protective shell; with Power Slider, you trade battery life for some but not complete coverage, and lose longevity.
Despite our very strong preference for a battery in this form factor, we don’t think anyone has gotten the protection, power, and pricing formula quite right yet; it is far easier to recommend more capacious, better-priced cabled options such as the Just Mobile Gum batteries instead. Most users don’t expect to shell out half the price of an iPhone 3G for extra battery life, however, Power Slider is a better than average option for those who value one-piece convenience enough to pay the steep premium, and deal with other compromises.
By Jeremy Horwitz
Editor-in-Chief, iLounge
Published: Monday, December 1, 2008
iFrogz Luxe Case for iPhone 3G Review
Search Brand/Device: iFrogz | iPhone Reviews
CaseandCover.com reviews iFrogz cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
The folks at Dr. Bott were kind enough to send us an ifrogz Luxe case for the iPhone 3G to review. We drew straws (virtually) and I won the opportunity to kick the tires, so to speak, and give you my impressions.
Personally, I'm not a big fan of cases on my phones and PDAs; they go in and out of my pocket so often that anything that adds bulk or friction ends up being more of a pain than its worth. That pretty much eliminates any silicone-style cases for my purposes. Thankfully, the Luxe case is made of a hard plastic with a satin finish, providing more grip than a naked iPhone, but not so much that it's a pain to get out of a tight pocket.
The ifrogz Luxe case comes in a number of colors. My review case is a deep wine red color, which looks understated and quite appropriate. The case colors in pictures online look too bright and gaudy for my taste, but I can say that I am quite happy with the look of the red version in person, at least.
The case is a two-piece affair, clamping together with a little round button on the back. While this is a clever way to hold the two halves of the case together, it unfortunately makes the iPhone much harder to use on a flat surface, as it rocks from side to side as you tap on the screen. My only other complaint is that the case fits maybe a bit too well, in that it can be a real pain to remove it once you have fit your iPhone snugly into it. If you rarely ever need to take your iPhone out of the case this will be more of a positive than a negative for you.
The screen protector was a real surprise for me. I expected it to significantly interfere with the accuracy of my iPhone's screen, but after just a few minutes I forgot that it was even there. It is easy to apply, and easy to forget, which makes it darn near perfect in my opinion.
My wife is currently in the market for a case for her iPhone, and were it not for the rocking on a flat surface problem, we'd almost certainly be getting her the Luxe for her phone. To be honest, nothing else we've seen really stands out as better, so there's still a good chance she'll end up with a Luxe on her phone, even though the rocking is more of an issue for her than it is for me. I plan on going out to get one of these cases for my iPhone 3G.
by Jason Clarke on Sep 22nd 2008
Personally, I'm not a big fan of cases on my phones and PDAs; they go in and out of my pocket so often that anything that adds bulk or friction ends up being more of a pain than its worth. That pretty much eliminates any silicone-style cases for my purposes. Thankfully, the Luxe case is made of a hard plastic with a satin finish, providing more grip than a naked iPhone, but not so much that it's a pain to get out of a tight pocket.
The ifrogz Luxe case comes in a number of colors. My review case is a deep wine red color, which looks understated and quite appropriate. The case colors in pictures online look too bright and gaudy for my taste, but I can say that I am quite happy with the look of the red version in person, at least.
The case is a two-piece affair, clamping together with a little round button on the back. While this is a clever way to hold the two halves of the case together, it unfortunately makes the iPhone much harder to use on a flat surface, as it rocks from side to side as you tap on the screen. My only other complaint is that the case fits maybe a bit too well, in that it can be a real pain to remove it once you have fit your iPhone snugly into it. If you rarely ever need to take your iPhone out of the case this will be more of a positive than a negative for you.
The screen protector was a real surprise for me. I expected it to significantly interfere with the accuracy of my iPhone's screen, but after just a few minutes I forgot that it was even there. It is easy to apply, and easy to forget, which makes it darn near perfect in my opinion.
My wife is currently in the market for a case for her iPhone, and were it not for the rocking on a flat surface problem, we'd almost certainly be getting her the Luxe for her phone. To be honest, nothing else we've seen really stands out as better, so there's still a good chance she'll end up with a Luxe on her phone, even though the rocking is more of an issue for her than it is for me. I plan on going out to get one of these cases for my iPhone 3G.
by Jason Clarke on Sep 22nd 2008
iFrogz Luxe for iPhone 3G Video Review
Search Brand/Device: iFrogz | iPhone Reviews
CaseandCover.com reviews iFrogz cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
The guys over at iFrogz were nice enough to send me the iFrogz Luxe Case for iPhone 3G...and well, here is the review for the product.
*From CompHelperKid on YouTube.com
The guys over at iFrogz were nice enough to send me the iFrogz Luxe Case for iPhone 3G...and well, here is the review for the product.
*From CompHelperKid on YouTube.com
Agent 18 EcoShield iPhone Case Review
Search Brand/Device: Agent 18 | iPhone Reviews
CaseandCover.com reviews Agent 18 cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
Wake up and smell the bandwagon. With more and more people and companies going “green” to help preserve our wonderful planet, it’s a logical step for consumer electronics and accessories to adhere to sustainable practices. This iPhone case by Agent 18 is probably one of the first of many to go this route.
Features:
Simple two-piece slide on/off design
Form-fitting and sleek
Full-access to bottom connectors, microphone, and touch screen
Docks with universal dock
Eco-friendly material with minimum carbon impact
Packaging made from recycled materials
Upon first notice, the case doesn’t add much extra dimension to the iPhone and conforms to the shape quite nicely. It also provides a little more traction to the slippery feel of the iPhone but not nearly as much as the heavy rubber INCASE covers. This can be good or bad depending on the tightness of your jeans, and I’m not sure if the Agent 18 plastic is all that shock absorbent in comparison. The only thing to be conscious of would be sitting in a car and being subject to loose change syndrome, as we all loathe that for sure. All in all, the Agent 18 feels nice in your hand and you’ve done your planet a favor. Just don’t drop it, and take it out of your pants pocket before you get in a car, especially if you are a thug with baggy ass pants. Eco friendly thugs…look for em’.
April 24th, 2008 1:31 PM | by Jeff Bordeaux
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Wake up and smell the bandwagon. With more and more people and companies going “green” to help preserve our wonderful planet, it’s a logical step for consumer electronics and accessories to adhere to sustainable practices. This iPhone case by Agent 18 is probably one of the first of many to go this route.
Features:
Simple two-piece slide on/off design
Form-fitting and sleek
Full-access to bottom connectors, microphone, and touch screen
Docks with universal dock
Eco-friendly material with minimum carbon impact
Packaging made from recycled materials
Upon first notice, the case doesn’t add much extra dimension to the iPhone and conforms to the shape quite nicely. It also provides a little more traction to the slippery feel of the iPhone but not nearly as much as the heavy rubber INCASE covers. This can be good or bad depending on the tightness of your jeans, and I’m not sure if the Agent 18 plastic is all that shock absorbent in comparison. The only thing to be conscious of would be sitting in a car and being subject to loose change syndrome, as we all loathe that for sure. All in all, the Agent 18 feels nice in your hand and you’ve done your planet a favor. Just don’t drop it, and take it out of your pants pocket before you get in a car, especially if you are a thug with baggy ass pants. Eco friendly thugs…look for em’.
April 24th, 2008 1:31 PM | by Jeff Bordeaux
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Incipio Feather for iPhone 3G Review
Search Brand/Device: iPhone Reviews | Incipio
CaseandCover.com reviews Incipio cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
Staggering is the only word we'd use to describe the number of hard plastic iPod and iPhone cases we're reviewing today -- over 20 different models that we've been comparing to one another, as well as past cases, over the last few weeks. To help you sort through all the options, we've assembled a few statistics that are worth knowing up front. All of the iPod nano cases in this roundup run from $20 to $30, with most at $25 or less, while the two iPod classic cases sell for $25 to $30, iPod touch cases range from $20 to $30, and iPhone 3G cases go for $20 to $35. Virtually every case offers at least partial back and side protection, but they vary widely in front, top, and bottom coverage. Though all use plastic as their base material, they differ considerably in color options and secondary materials. This review covers Incipio's Feather for iPhone 3G ($20).
Three of the plastic iPhone 3G cases we review today are highly similar to one another: they all rely on the idea of clipping a thin shell to the sides and back of the phone, shifting Apple’s glossy white or black coloration to different colors and textures. They offer something between minimal and minimalist protection, and arguably exist mostly just to change up the device’s appearance; the more they cover, the more like an traditional case they become.
Our favorite of the bunch is Feather. Though it’s highly derivative of Power Support Air Jacket Case
series, Feather takes a step or two forward on coloration and value. Inpicio starts by using a sub-1mm-thick, soft touch rubber-finished plastic shell in your choice of five colors. This shell covers almost the entire glossy plastic body of the iPhone 3G, notably using a far greater degree of precision than the competitors reviewed today to provide both body and chrome bezel protection. Only the flat front edge and bottom of the bezel remain visible, with the sides and top completely covered.
Similarly, tiny holes have been left for the headphone port, top and side buttons, and camera; Incipio is far more judicious in protecting each than its rivals United SGP and JAVOedge. Only the bottom is left considerably open, with a single contoured hole providing unfettered speaker, microphone, and Dock Connector access. This design lets Feather work with any accessory you can imagine, save for especially oversized headphone plugs, which sit a little loose in the iPhone’s surface-mounted top port. Apple’s and similarly small connectors fit without any issue.
Another major benefit of Feather is Incipio’s collection of pack-ins. You get two screen protectors, a cleaning cloth, and application squeegee for the screen film in the $20 package, which strikes us as just about right for a case like this. By contrast, Power Support’s similar Air Jackets sell for a $10 premium and only offer small benefits.
Could Feather improve? Sure; added coverage and more color options, particularly transparents, would further increase this simple shell’s appeal; a little extra in the design department could boost it into our high recommendation category. But for the $20 asking price, Incipio already has a winner on its hands; if you’re looking for a super-thin shell, Feather is definitely one of our top picks.
By Jeremy Horwitz
Editor-in-Chief, iLounge Published: Wednesday, October 22, 2008
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Staggering is the only word we'd use to describe the number of hard plastic iPod and iPhone cases we're reviewing today -- over 20 different models that we've been comparing to one another, as well as past cases, over the last few weeks. To help you sort through all the options, we've assembled a few statistics that are worth knowing up front. All of the iPod nano cases in this roundup run from $20 to $30, with most at $25 or less, while the two iPod classic cases sell for $25 to $30, iPod touch cases range from $20 to $30, and iPhone 3G cases go for $20 to $35. Virtually every case offers at least partial back and side protection, but they vary widely in front, top, and bottom coverage. Though all use plastic as their base material, they differ considerably in color options and secondary materials. This review covers Incipio's Feather for iPhone 3G ($20).
Three of the plastic iPhone 3G cases we review today are highly similar to one another: they all rely on the idea of clipping a thin shell to the sides and back of the phone, shifting Apple’s glossy white or black coloration to different colors and textures. They offer something between minimal and minimalist protection, and arguably exist mostly just to change up the device’s appearance; the more they cover, the more like an traditional case they become.
Our favorite of the bunch is Feather. Though it’s highly derivative of Power Support Air Jacket Case
series, Feather takes a step or two forward on coloration and value. Inpicio starts by using a sub-1mm-thick, soft touch rubber-finished plastic shell in your choice of five colors. This shell covers almost the entire glossy plastic body of the iPhone 3G, notably using a far greater degree of precision than the competitors reviewed today to provide both body and chrome bezel protection. Only the flat front edge and bottom of the bezel remain visible, with the sides and top completely covered.Similarly, tiny holes have been left for the headphone port, top and side buttons, and camera; Incipio is far more judicious in protecting each than its rivals United SGP and JAVOedge. Only the bottom is left considerably open, with a single contoured hole providing unfettered speaker, microphone, and Dock Connector access. This design lets Feather work with any accessory you can imagine, save for especially oversized headphone plugs, which sit a little loose in the iPhone’s surface-mounted top port. Apple’s and similarly small connectors fit without any issue.
Another major benefit of Feather is Incipio’s collection of pack-ins. You get two screen protectors, a cleaning cloth, and application squeegee for the screen film in the $20 package, which strikes us as just about right for a case like this. By contrast, Power Support’s similar Air Jackets sell for a $10 premium and only offer small benefits.
Could Feather improve? Sure; added coverage and more color options, particularly transparents, would further increase this simple shell’s appeal; a little extra in the design department could boost it into our high recommendation category. But for the $20 asking price, Incipio already has a winner on its hands; if you’re looking for a super-thin shell, Feather is definitely one of our top picks.
By Jeremy Horwitz
Editor-in-Chief, iLounge Published: Wednesday, October 22, 2008
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Incipio Feather, duroSHOT, and SILICRYLIC iPod touch 2G Video Review
Search Brand/Device: Incipio | iPod touch Reviews
CaseandCover.com reviews Incipio cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
Incipio Feather
- The lightest case I have experienced, the Feather offers minimum protection to you iPod. It allows access to all of the iPod's buttons/ports, while giving protection from dust, dirt, and minor scratching to the back.
Appearance - 9
Feel in Hand - 10
Durability - 7
Protection - 3
Price - 8
Convenience - 8
OVERALL - 7
The Sleeve retails for $19.99
Incipio Feather
- The lightest case I have experienced, the Feather offers minimum protection to you iPod. It allows access to all of the iPod's buttons/ports, while giving protection from dust, dirt, and minor scratching to the back.Appearance - 9
Feel in Hand - 10
Durability - 7
Protection - 3
Price - 8
Convenience - 8
OVERALL - 7
The Sleeve retails for $19.99
Incipio duroSHOT 
Appearance - 8
Feel in Hand - 7
Durability - 7
Protection - 8
Price - 8
Convenience - 5
OVERALL - 7
The case retails for $24.99
Incipio SILICRYLIC
Appearance - 9
Feel in Hand - 9
Durability - 8
Protection - 8
Price - 9
Convenience - 8
OVERALL - 9
The case retails for $19.99
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Incipio Superhero for iPhone Video Review
Search Brand/Device: iPhone Reviews | Incipio
CaseandCover.com reviews Incipio cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
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Switcheasy Colors iPod nano (4g) Case Review
Search Brand/Device: SwitchEasy | iPod nano Reviews
CaseandCover.com reviews SwitchEasy cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
SwitchEasy
recently released a line of different color silicon protection for the new 4th Generation iPod nano
. The cases come in 11 different colors and should meet the needs of any iPod nano 4G owner looking for a silicon protection system. The packaging is quite simple, but complete. For $12.99 plus $3.00 for shipping, you receive the silicon case, plastic click-wheel guard, soft plastic screen protection, a hard-shell screen protector and a microfiber cloth. The package also comes with a plug for the dock connector port to provide protection and keep unwanted lint or small particles out.
The whole package starts by installing the protective plastic ring for the click-wheel. Once this is on you add the plastic screen protector. You then can slide the silicon case onto your iPod nano. You then slide the hard plastic screen protector into place and add your dock connector plug.
The feel of the case is of soft silicon which has some good stretch to it, but is thick enough to provide more-than adequate protection against scratches and falls. The case itself we tested was Crimson in color and nicely duplicated the Product(Red) iPod nano we have. The one down side to covering the iPod with colored silicone is you can never duplicate that metallic look you get with a anodized metal casing of the unprotected iPod nano. On the plus side, the case is not a sticky silicone and should not collect lint.
Although you cannot fit the iPod nano into a dock with the silicone on, you can use the USB cable without any interference. The headphone jack and hold switch are exposed enough to provide for normal use as you would expect. The build quality of the case is top notch and there were no noticeable defects or imperfections from manufacturing.
All-in-all the SwitchEasy Colors Case is a great option if you are looking for a full silicone casing solution to an iPod nano. The price is very reasonable for all you get and the shipping was very fast, 3 days from California to New York, for only costing $3.00.
We give this case a 4 out of 5, only taking off for the inability to use it with a standard dock.
by Zollotech.com
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SwitchEasy
recently released a line of different color silicon protection for the new 4th Generation iPod nano. The cases come in 11 different colors and should meet the needs of any iPod nano 4G owner looking for a silicon protection system. The packaging is quite simple, but complete. For $12.99 plus $3.00 for shipping, you receive the silicon case, plastic click-wheel guard, soft plastic screen protection, a hard-shell screen protector and a microfiber cloth. The package also comes with a plug for the dock connector port to provide protection and keep unwanted lint or small particles out.The whole package starts by installing the protective plastic ring for the click-wheel. Once this is on you add the plastic screen protector. You then can slide the silicon case onto your iPod nano
. You then slide the hard plastic screen protector into place and add your dock connector plug.The feel of the case is of soft silicon which has some good stretch to it, but is thick enough to provide more-than adequate protection against scratches and falls. The case itself we tested was Crimson in color and nicely duplicated the Product(Red) iPod nano
we have. The one down side to covering the iPod with colored silicone is you can never duplicate that metallic look you get with a anodized metal casing of the unprotected iPod nano. On the plus side, the case is not a sticky silicone and should not collect lint. Although you cannot fit the iPod nano
into a dock with the silicone on, you can use the USB cable without any interference. The headphone jack and hold switch are exposed enough to provide for normal use as you would expect. The build quality of the case is top notch and there were no noticeable defects or imperfections from manufacturing.All-in-all the SwitchEasy
Colors Case is a great option if you are looking for a full silicone casing solution to an iPod nano. The price is very reasonable for all you get and the shipping was very fast, 3 days from California to New York, for only costing $3.00.We give this case a 4 out of 5, only taking off for the inability to use it with a standard dock.
by Zollotech.com
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InvisibleSHIELD for BlackBerry Storm Reviews (from Best Buy and Amazon)
Search Brand/Device: BlackBerry Storm | invisibleSHIELD
CaseandCover.com reviews ZAGG’s invisibleShield cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
Awesome Protector
Have tried different shield protectors in the past on different items, this one is definately the best. For best results, if the phone is new, dont remove the plastic coating from the Blackberry Storm used for shipping until this is put on or your not going to get the best results. If you have, just clean the screen with lint free cloth or kit before installing the invisibleSHIELD. As of this date, I have not seen any Blackberry Storms with any type of protective shield, but I have seen many mistake the plastic covering over the screen used for shipping as a shield and you dont want to waste putting the shield on this. Anyway, follow the instructions exactly! 24 hours means 24 hours or you risk shorting out the phone. Unless you want a bulky case for it, this is the best route to go, to protect the screen as it prevents fingerprints and scratches. As for lint, give it a week and that shouldnt be a problem either. My wife had me install one on hers after I had done one on mine and the screen looks like new. Well, it is new, but you know what I mean. Its thick and protective. I recomend the Blackberry Bold Leather holster 9238693 and a skin like 9238639 for the times you keep it out of the holster and drop it on your desk.
Posted 15 days ago at
for anyone who is hard one their phones. Not only do they make shields for phones but you can buy shields for you game consoles, cameras, laptops and so much more. They even make custom made shields. Also, Zagg will replace your invisibleSHIELD free if something were to happen to your shield but only if you register your shield with Zagg.
Posted 121 days ago at
Awesome Protector
Have tried different shield protectors in the past on different items, this one is definately the best. For best results, if the phone is new, dont remove the plastic coating from the Blackberry Storm used for shipping until this is put on or your not going to get the best results. If you have, just clean the screen with lint free cloth or kit before installing the invisibleSHIELD
Posted 15 days ago at
______________________________
The Best Protection
Posted 121 days ago at
_________________________
Great Product
This thing is great. It really is scratch proof... I know that because the first one i bought i ended up dropping it on the carpet and got all dirty so i was scratching it with a bunch of stuff and nothing! It should be a little cheaper tho...
Posted 108 days ago at 
Case-Mate "Barely There" BlackBerry Storm Case
Search Brand/Device: BlackBerry Storm | Case-Mate
CaseandCover.com reviews Case-Mate cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
Last weekend I was in the market for a new Case for my Blackberry Storm. I've been using the Seidio Innocase II which has served me quite well. However, there were a few issues I had with it: 1) I received a unit that didn't fit together quite right (the casing is made of two pieces, which fit together at the bottom 5th of the phone), so there has always been a slight give on the right side of the case. Not a big deal at all, but it always kind of annoyed me that it didn't fit more seamlessly. 2) Even though the case is very thin (something like 1mm I believe), it adds more bulk than I like. Every time I'd remove my Storm from the case, I admired it for it's very thin profile and wished I could preserve its pristine-ness without a case, which is impossible for me to do.
With that said, I must say that the Innocase has without a doubt saved my phone several times. I've dropped it from 4-5 feet on a few occasions, both times onto sidewalk concrete. Not only did my phone have no damage, but the Innocase didn't even have scratches on it. With the slightly off-fit and the desire to have an even slimmer profile case (not to mention the accumulation of dust and other small particles on the inside of the case on the felt area), I set out to find something that was a) cheap b) more sleek and c) visually appealing. It didn't take long to reach Case-Mate. Several popular Blackberry sites/forums had reviews of various cases, Case-Mate being one of those.
They have four color combinations available for the "Barely There" case. They have a Green, Orange, Royal Silver (which is black at the top that blends to silver at the bottom), and Royal Blue (which is black at the top that blends to a royal blue at the bottom). I chose the Green one.
When the package arrived today, it came with the case (obviously) as well as a screen protector (and directions for its application). I tried to put on the screen protector first. It was a massive failure. Not to fault Case-Mate, it was simply difficult to keep the adhesive side of the film clean whilst applying it. So, if you pick up one of these, apply the protector in a room that has little to no air movement and one that's relatively dust-free. I kept getting dust particles trapped on it and could never get them cleared off. After some hassle trying to remedy the situation, I ended up just throwing it away. Something to note about the protector before I move on: the film isn't actually sticky adhesive, so don't worry about it leaving any sort of residue on the screen or anything like that.
The case itself is very sleek and has an insignificant profile, which achieves my desire for a case that keeps truer to the thinness of the Storm itself. Comparing the overall thickness (or thinness if you will) to the Innocase II, the Case-Mate is at most a millimeter thinner (I didn't measure but I compared it to the relative thickness of the Innocase II shell, which is rated at 1mm according to Seidio), give or take a few tenths of a millimeter. The durability of the material itself seems to be on-par with the Innocase, which was pretty much indestructable in most drop scenarios. The material is flexible and rugged, yet has an almost rubberized feel to it which is nice for a slightly better grip (probably even more so for those who have sweaty palms). Putting the case in the phone is a very simple process: just put one side of the phone in the case and snap the other side into the case (from left-to-right or right-to-left if you're holding the phone as a portrait). I've been using it for the entirety of today (approx. 10hr) and it's great! It feels just that much thinner than my Seidio Innocase II, and the lime-y green adds a great bit of style and uniqueness to my Storm.
There is one caveat to this entire review and any sensible recommendation I could offer regarding this case: this case is not as protective as the Innocase line of cases. The top part of the phone is still quite exposed, so I myself will have to be slightly more careful. The corners as well as the entire backside of the phone are completely protected, however, and in my case that means about 90% of my drops would have been protected in the past. That to me is a very fair trade-off.
My verdict: Ringing in at $25.99 plus some change for shipping, this is a solid buy. The Innocase and Innocase II by Seidio are slightly more expensive, but obviously the added protection is worth it if that's what you want. Case-Mate does offer a few more cases for the Storm that can also provide more protection than their Barely There case, but this is by far the most sleek protective case for the Storm.
If you have any questions, please feel free to comment and I'll be happy to answer them!
I'll leave you with some pictures I took of the case 'in action' but please forgive the horrible photo quality.. I had two sources of lighting of different color and that caused grainy photos even using a lower ISO setting. Hopefully I can get some clearer photos taken in a better-lit environment.
by Ryn on April 16th, 2009
Last weekend I was in the market for a new Case for my Blackberry Storm. I've been using the Seidio Innocase II which has served me quite well. However, there were a few issues I had with it: 1) I received a unit that didn't fit together quite right (the casing is made of two pieces, which fit together at the bottom 5th of the phone), so there has always been a slight give on the right side of the case. Not a big deal at all, but it always kind of annoyed me that it didn't fit more seamlessly. 2) Even though the case is very thin (something like 1mm I believe), it adds more bulk than I like. Every time I'd remove my Storm from the case, I admired it for it's very thin profile and wished I could preserve its pristine-ness without a case, which is impossible for me to do.
With that said, I must say that the Innocase has without a doubt saved my phone several times. I've dropped it from 4-5 feet on a few occasions, both times onto sidewalk concrete. Not only did my phone have no damage, but the Innocase didn't even have scratches on it. With the slightly off-fit and the desire to have an even slimmer profile case (not to mention the accumulation of dust and other small particles on the inside of the case on the felt area), I set out to find something that was a) cheap b) more sleek and c) visually appealing. It didn't take long to reach Case-Mate. Several popular Blackberry sites/forums had reviews of various cases, Case-Mate being one of those.
They have four color combinations available for the "Barely There" case. They have a Green, Orange, Royal Silver (which is black at the top that blends to silver at the bottom), and Royal Blue (which is black at the top that blends to a royal blue at the bottom). I chose the Green one.
When the package arrived today, it came with the case (obviously) as well as a screen protector (and directions for its application). I tried to put on the screen protector first. It was a massive failure. Not to fault Case-Mate, it was simply difficult to keep the adhesive side of the film clean whilst applying it. So, if you pick up one of these, apply the protector in a room that has little to no air movement and one that's relatively dust-free. I kept getting dust particles trapped on it and could never get them cleared off. After some hassle trying to remedy the situation, I ended up just throwing it away. Something to note about the protector before I move on: the film isn't actually sticky adhesive, so don't worry about it leaving any sort of residue on the screen or anything like that.
The case itself is very sleek and has an insignificant profile, which achieves my desire for a case that keeps truer to the thinness of the Storm itself. Comparing the overall thickness (or thinness if you will) to the Innocase II, the Case-Mate is at most a millimeter thinner (I didn't measure but I compared it to the relative thickness of the Innocase II shell, which is rated at 1mm according to Seidio), give or take a few tenths of a millimeter. The durability of the material itself seems to be on-par with the Innocase, which was pretty much indestructable in most drop scenarios. The material is flexible and rugged, yet has an almost rubberized feel to it which is nice for a slightly better grip (probably even more so for those who have sweaty palms). Putting the case in the phone is a very simple process: just put one side of the phone in the case and snap the other side into the case (from left-to-right or right-to-left if you're holding the phone as a portrait). I've been using it for the entirety of today (approx. 10hr) and it's great! It feels just that much thinner than my Seidio Innocase II, and the lime-y green adds a great bit of style and uniqueness to my Storm.
There is one caveat to this entire review and any sensible recommendation I could offer regarding this case: this case is not as protective as the Innocase line of cases. The top part of the phone is still quite exposed, so I myself will have to be slightly more careful. The corners as well as the entire backside of the phone are completely protected, however, and in my case that means about 90% of my drops would have been protected in the past. That to me is a very fair trade-off.
My verdict: Ringing in at $25.99 plus some change for shipping, this is a solid buy. The Innocase and Innocase II by Seidio are slightly more expensive, but obviously the added protection is worth it if that's what you want. Case-Mate does offer a few more cases for the Storm that can also provide more protection than their Barely There case, but this is by far the most sleek protective case for the Storm.
If you have any questions, please feel free to comment and I'll be happy to answer them!
I'll leave you with some pictures I took of the case 'in action' but please forgive the horrible photo quality.. I had two sources of lighting of different color and that caused grainy photos even using a lower ISO setting. Hopefully I can get some clearer photos taken in a better-lit environment.
by Ryn on April 16th, 2009
Speck TechStyle Classic w/ Holster for BlackBerry Pearl 8100 Review
Search Brand/Device: BlackBerry Pearl | Speck
CaseandCover.com reviews Speck cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
The Ultimate in Style and Protection for your Pearl
Did you get a shiny, new BlackBerry Pearl for the Holidays? There are few feelings like holding that new BlackBerry Pearl in your hands when it first comes out of the box. It is shiny, smooth, scratch free and truly beautiful to look at.
Unfortunately, most of us are pretty tough on our phones – especially our Blackberries. They get so much use and so much in and out of pockets and purses and jackets that they start to scratch and look worn.
Because of this, a good, protective case is almost a must have. There are lots of options and many to choose from in the CrackBerry Store. Today, we will take a good look at the Speck Products TechStyle Classic w/Holster Case and see if this is the one you should invest in to protect your new Pearl.
As you can see from looking in the CrackBerry Store, cases come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and styles. Holsters are particularly attractive to BlackBerry users because of the nature of BlackBerry devices as business devices – often on our belt.
The problem with holsters is that once you take the BlackBerry out of the holster, it is unprotected – and vulnerable if we were to drop it while using it (a fate that has happened to most of us.)
The problem with “skin” type form-fitting leather cases is that they don’t stay well on our belts.
Enter Speck Products with a unique solution that provides the style of a leather form fitting case with the protection and convenience of a holster.
The “Official” line from Speck products is the following:
“Enhance your BlackBerry Pearl with a premium, hand-crafted Classic leather case. These beautiful, textured cases are adorned with fine stitching, a removable swivel holster, and touch-thru screen protector. Offers secure protection and classic style for your BlackBerry Pearl.
Made from premium leather
Soft, plaid interior lining
Sewn-in screen protector
Removable swivel holster (belt clip)”
Design and Function:
The Speck case is really a brilliant design. Too many leather form-fitting cases either don’t have a belt clip, or, if they do, it protrudes from the case making it uncomfortable to also use in your pocket.
Speck offers the best of both worlds – a form-fitting leather case and a leather holster. The beauty of this design is that when in the holster – you have a nice looking, safe way to transport your BlackBerry. The holster is made of strong leather over a harder material that gives it a very secure feeling.
The holster is also “magnetized” so that the “holster” features available in your BlackBerry Profile settings can be used (like “vibrate in holster.”)
The “Skin” part of the case is also made of a nice, durable feeling leather. Pretty much every part of the BlackBerry Pearl is protected – with openings for the convenience keys, standby button and charging port.
The “Skin” case has a snap on the back to keep the Pearl in place once it is loaded (from the top) into the case.
The “Skin” case also has a plastic screen protector in place which protects the BlackBerry screen. Now, I am generally not a fan of plastic screen protectors for BlackBerries since none have a touch screen which gets poked on continually. Some people like the added protection and this case certainly offers that.
Fit and Finish/Aesthetics:
My sample case came in nice, dark brown leather. The holster had a nice plaid design on the inside which was certainly fashionable.
The leather seems “protective” and durable. This is not soft, supple calf skin which you find on many very expensive cases – this is hard, protective leather – function over aesthetics here.
The cutouts were all fine – there was easy access to all the main buttons and keys. Stitching was also nicely done – functional and sturdy.
Protection:
The Speck case offers good protection for the BlackBerry. When in the holster, it was secure and tight. I never had to worry about the BlackBerry falling out of the holster.
When out of the holster, the BlackBerry seemed pretty well protected by the leather skin and the screen protector. The leather was hard, but pliable – which made me think it would hold up well if dropped.
Areas of Concern:
One small area of concern was that the edging was not smooth – when I put the BlackBerry into the case, I did worry that it might get scratched on the way in – or on the way out. Since we all have to do the occasional “battery pull” every so often, this was a concern for me.
Overall Conclusions:
This is a well made and protective case. The solution to have both a leather holster and a leather skin really does make a lot of sense. The BlackBerry was always protected – both in and out of the holster.
01 Jan 2008 22:24 by Gary Mazo
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The Ultimate in Style and Protection for your Pearl
Did you get a shiny, new BlackBerry Pearl for the Holidays? There are few feelings like holding that new BlackBerry Pearl in your hands when it first comes out of the box. It is shiny, smooth, scratch free and truly beautiful to look at.
Unfortunately, most of us are pretty tough on our phones – especially our Blackberries. They get so much use and so much in and out of pockets and purses and jackets that they start to scratch and look worn.
Because of this, a good, protective case is almost a must have. There are lots of options and many to choose from in the CrackBerry Store. Today, we will take a good look at the Speck Products TechStyle Classic w/Holster Case and see if this is the one you should invest in to protect your new Pearl.
As you can see from looking in the CrackBerry Store, cases come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and styles. Holsters are particularly attractive to BlackBerry users because of the nature of BlackBerry devices as business devices – often on our belt.
The problem with holsters is that once you take the BlackBerry out of the holster, it is unprotected – and vulnerable if we were to drop it while using it (a fate that has happened to most of us.)
The problem with “skin” type form-fitting leather cases is that they don’t stay well on our belts.
Enter Speck Products with a unique solution that provides the style of a leather form fitting case with the protection and convenience of a holster.
The “Official” line from Speck products is the following:
“Enhance your BlackBerry Pearl with a premium, hand-crafted Classic leather case. These beautiful, textured cases are adorned with fine stitching, a removable swivel holster, and touch-thru screen protector. Offers secure protection and classic style for your BlackBerry Pearl.
Made from premium leather
Soft, plaid interior lining
Sewn-in screen protector
Removable swivel holster (belt clip)”
Design and Function:
The Speck case is really a brilliant design. Too many leather form-fitting cases either don’t have a belt clip, or, if they do, it protrudes from the case making it uncomfortable to also use in your pocket.
Speck offers the best of both worlds – a form-fitting leather case and a leather holster. The beauty of this design is that when in the holster – you have a nice looking, safe way to transport your BlackBerry. The holster is made of strong leather over a harder material that gives it a very secure feeling.
The holster is also “magnetized” so that the “holster” features available in your BlackBerry Profile settings can be used (like “vibrate in holster.”)
The “Skin” part of the case is also made of a nice, durable feeling leather. Pretty much every part of the BlackBerry Pearl is protected – with openings for the convenience keys, standby button and charging port.
The “Skin” case has a snap on the back to keep the Pearl in place once it is loaded (from the top) into the case.
The “Skin” case also has a plastic screen protector in place which protects the BlackBerry screen. Now, I am generally not a fan of plastic screen protectors for BlackBerries since none have a touch screen which gets poked on continually. Some people like the added protection and this case certainly offers that.
Fit and Finish/Aesthetics:
My sample case came in nice, dark brown leather. The holster had a nice plaid design on the inside which was certainly fashionable.
The leather seems “protective” and durable. This is not soft, supple calf skin which you find on many very expensive cases – this is hard, protective leather – function over aesthetics here.
The cutouts were all fine – there was easy access to all the main buttons and keys. Stitching was also nicely done – functional and sturdy.
Protection:
The Speck case offers good protection for the BlackBerry. When in the holster, it was secure and tight. I never had to worry about the BlackBerry falling out of the holster.
When out of the holster, the BlackBerry seemed pretty well protected by the leather skin and the screen protector. The leather was hard, but pliable – which made me think it would hold up well if dropped.
Areas of Concern:
One small area of concern was that the edging was not smooth – when I put the BlackBerry into the case, I did worry that it might get scratched on the way in – or on the way out. Since we all have to do the occasional “battery pull” every so often, this was a concern for me.
Overall Conclusions:
This is a well made and protective case. The solution to have both a leather holster and a leather skin really does make a lot of sense. The BlackBerry was always protected – both in and out of the holster.
01 Jan 2008 22:24 by Gary Mazo
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Speck SeeThru Case and Holster for the BlackBerry Curve Series Review
Search Brand/Device: BlackBerry Curve | Speck
CaseandCover.com reviews Speck cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
OK, You just got the BlackBerry Curve – one of the slimmest, coolest and hottest Smartphones on the planet. Depending on the model, you paid anywhere from $99.00 to $250 or more for it. You hold it in your hand and it feels so nice, thin and…..fragile. You don’t want to drop it, but we all drop our BlackBerry at some point. So, you need a case to protect it…just in case (sorry about the pun). Luckily, there are lots of options at the ShopCrackBerry.com Store.
One of the things I love about my 8320 is the color – I don’t necessarily want to mask or cover that up in a case. Fortunately, I have a good option in the Speck Products SeeThru Case for the BlackBerry Curve 8300 series.
Overview
Speck Holster Case for Blackberry 8300 8310 8320 8330
Here is the “Official Overview” of this case:
Speck Products SeeThru for BlackBerry 8300 Series - Protect your BlackBerry Curve and keep it slim and sleek! Get great protection and functionality with the SeeThru case and holster. SeeThru cases are made of translucent hard plastic to beautify and protect. 2-piece snap together SeeThru case includes screen protection and removable swivel holster.
The Speck SeeThru case is designed to snap over the BlackBerry, giving it a clear, hard outer shell. The case is totally see thru – as the name indicates. There are cutouts on the sides for the convenience keys and charging ports and on the top for the standby/mute key.
Speck’s version of the Seethru case has plastic over the screen as well – to provide an added layer of protection. Included is a plastic swivel clip for attaching to your belt and securely holding your Blackberry.
I found that I had access to pretty much every button and key while the BlackBerry was in this case. The screen protector did get in the way, just a little, when I went to press the trackball. I also found that the convenience keys were a bit tricky to push and the mute key was very tricky to push when this case was put on the BlackBerry.
One thing I appreciated was being able to clearly see the nice Pale Gold color of my Curve through the case. I also appreciated that little bulk was added by using this case.
The holster has a very minimalistic design, but it does hold the BlackBerry securely. Unfortunately, this holster/case combo does not contain a magnet to put the BlackBerry into "sleeper" mode when inserted into the holster. This means you can't utilize the BlackBerry Operating system's In Holster sound profile settings. It also means you will want to hold down the mute key for 2 seconds to manually put the phone into standby (save battery life and prevents accidental keyboard presses) when inserting into the holster.
Fit and Finish
Speck Holster Case for Blackberry 8300 8310 8320 8330
The Speck SeeThru case fit perfectly onto the BlackBerry. I did feel some “sharpness” around the cutouts of this case. Very important was that the camera lens was not obstructed nor were any of the keys on the front of the phone. There was no added glare by having the screen covered. One curious thing about the finish of this case was that there was a seam in the upper left hand corner of the case – sort of small square. This was in the area where the case seals together – so, my guess is that it was simply re-enforcement of the plastic.
Protection
This is a hard case. It seems like it would protect the Blackberry in a fall – but there is no padding, so I don’t’ know how the fall would be absorbed. What it did protect against were scratches and scuffs = both on the screen and on the device.
Overall Conclusions
Speck Holster Case for Blackberry 8300 8310 8320 8330
This is a nice, inexpensive way to protect your BlackBerry and not lose any of the “luster” of the nice color. I happen to really like the feel of the rubberized sides on the new BlackBerry curve. When using this case, I lose that for the feel of hard plastic. It doesn’t add a lot of bulk which is a good thing and it preserves the general look of the device. If you simply want a hard “skin” for your BlackBerry, this could be a fine alternative for you.
14 Mar 2008 by Gary Mazo
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OK, You just got the BlackBerry Curve – one of the slimmest, coolest and hottest Smartphones on the planet. Depending on the model, you paid anywhere from $99.00 to $250 or more for it. You hold it in your hand and it feels so nice, thin and…..fragile. You don’t want to drop it, but we all drop our BlackBerry at some point. So, you need a case to protect it…just in case (sorry about the pun). Luckily, there are lots of options at the ShopCrackBerry.com Store.
One of the things I love about my 8320 is the color – I don’t necessarily want to mask or cover that up in a case. Fortunately, I have a good option in the Speck Products SeeThru Case for the BlackBerry Curve 8300 series.
Overview
Speck Holster Case for Blackberry 8300 8310 8320 8330
Here is the “Official Overview” of this case:
Speck Products SeeThru for BlackBerry 8300 Series - Protect your BlackBerry Curve and keep it slim and sleek! Get great protection and functionality with the SeeThru case and holster. SeeThru cases are made of translucent hard plastic to beautify and protect. 2-piece snap together SeeThru case includes screen protection and removable swivel holster.
- great screen protection
- removable swivel holster (belt clip)
- full phone functionality while your phone is in the case
- protects yet keeps a slim profile
- Design and Function
The Speck SeeThru case is designed to snap over the BlackBerry, giving it a clear, hard outer shell. The case is totally see thru – as the name indicates. There are cutouts on the sides for the convenience keys and charging ports and on the top for the standby/mute key.
Speck’s version of the Seethru case has plastic over the screen as well – to provide an added layer of protection. Included is a plastic swivel clip for attaching to your belt and securely holding your Blackberry.
I found that I had access to pretty much every button and key while the BlackBerry was in this case. The screen protector did get in the way, just a little, when I went to press the trackball. I also found that the convenience keys were a bit tricky to push and the mute key was very tricky to push when this case was put on the BlackBerry.
One thing I appreciated was being able to clearly see the nice Pale Gold color of my Curve through the case. I also appreciated that little bulk was added by using this case.
The holster has a very minimalistic design, but it does hold the BlackBerry securely. Unfortunately, this holster/case combo does not contain a magnet to put the BlackBerry into "sleeper" mode when inserted into the holster. This means you can't utilize the BlackBerry Operating system's In Holster sound profile settings. It also means you will want to hold down the mute key for 2 seconds to manually put the phone into standby (save battery life and prevents accidental keyboard presses) when inserting into the holster.
Fit and Finish
Speck Holster Case for Blackberry 8300 8310 8320 8330
The Speck SeeThru case fit perfectly onto the BlackBerry. I did feel some “sharpness” around the cutouts of this case. Very important was that the camera lens was not obstructed nor were any of the keys on the front of the phone. There was no added glare by having the screen covered. One curious thing about the finish of this case was that there was a seam in the upper left hand corner of the case – sort of small square. This was in the area where the case seals together – so, my guess is that it was simply re-enforcement of the plastic.
Protection
This is a hard case. It seems like it would protect the Blackberry in a fall – but there is no padding, so I don’t’ know how the fall would be absorbed. What it did protect against were scratches and scuffs = both on the screen and on the device.
Overall Conclusions
Speck Holster Case for Blackberry 8300 8310 8320 8330
This is a nice, inexpensive way to protect your BlackBerry and not lose any of the “luster” of the nice color. I happen to really like the feel of the rubberized sides on the new BlackBerry curve. When using this case, I lose that for the feel of hard plastic. It doesn’t add a lot of bulk which is a good thing and it preserves the general look of the device. If you simply want a hard “skin” for your BlackBerry, this could be a fine alternative for you.
14 Mar 2008 by Gary Mazo
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OtterBox Defender Series Case for the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 Review
Search Brand/Device: BlackBerry Pearl | Otterbox
CaseandCover.com reviews OtterBox cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
BlackBerry Users and Abusers Rejoice! Following the success of their Defender Series case for the BlackBerry 8800, Otterbox
has released the Defender Case for the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 (one for the Curve will be available at the end of this month). Rugged and durable, no other case on the market offers BlackBerry protection like an Otterbox does.
The Defender case is offered in two colors, a yellow and black combo which is featured in this review, as well as an all-black version. You can pick either up from ShopCrackBerry.com for $49.95. Regardless of the color you choose, you willl sleep well at night knowing your beloved BlackBerry Pearl 8100 is well-protected.
For the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 - Not the 8130/8120
Now I know that the BlackBerry Pearl 8130 is out in North America (and the 8120 in other parts of the world), and no sadly this case does not support the new Pearls. I did actually try putting my new 8130 into this case, and although it fits, a few of the side buttons on the new Pearl have been moved and the Otterbox triggers them inadvertently. Nevertheless, I'm sure there are plenty of you still sporting the 8100 and are looking for a solid rugged case like this. And if you are the lucky owner of a new 8130 or 8120 for that matter, I checked with Otterbox and they plan to have a Defender case for the 8120/8130 out in the first quarter of 2008. You won't have to wait too long.
The Assembled Unit - No BlackBerry Inside
The case/holster will add some bulk to your Pearl. 
Several Layers of Protection
The Otterbox Defender comes with a several layers of protection for your Pearl. The first step to getting your BlackBerry protected is to put on the thermal formed protective clear membrane which acts as a safeguard for the screen and keyboard against scratches, dust and dirt. It somewhat tricky to get the layer on, but just line up the trackball first, and try to apply the screen smoothly to avoid air bubbles. The clear membrane is optional, so if you’re more worried about dropping your BlackBerry than it getting dirty, you can leave it off.
Next Step is to apply the lower portion of the hi-impact polycarbonate shell, and then snap on the top cover. This cover provides the bulk of the protection for your BlackBerry in the case that it accidentally gets dropped or stepped on.
Next, there is the silicon skin that goes over top of the shell. The Silicon acts as a bumper to absorb bumps and shocks. It will also hold the two pieces of your shell together, as well as provide extra grip when handling the case.
Using the Otterbox
The Defender case feels sturdy in ones hand, and the silicon skin offers a nice solid grip to the package. The case does not interfere with controls and still made typing on the Pearl’s SureType keyboard easy. It allows full use of the Camera, and has access plugs for charging/syncing so you don't need to take your BlackBerry out of the case to charge it.
The Defender also comes with a belt clip holster. The proper way to use that would be to have your BlackBerry screen facing towards you, thus protecting the screen. As always, Otterbox's BlackBerry holster does contain that all-important magnet, so it puts your BlackBerry into standby/sleep mode when inserted.
The Otterbox case only weights 1.6oz and provides an extreme level of protection most common jobs would throw at it. I was so confident in the protection it provided, as a test I threw my 8100 in the OtterBox down a set of stairs (see video), and of course no harm was done. I was actually more worried about the OtterBox doing damage to the floor than the floor to the BlackBerry. ** note: don’t try this with your BlackBerry – OtterBox doesn’t guarantee the safety of your BlackBerry for that level of abuse and won't replace your device if you call them and say you saw it on CrackBerry.com! :-)
Lastly, I just wanted to note, that this case is not meant as an underwater case. It will offer some protection against water and dust, but I wouldn't count on it for protecting your Berry if it falls in water.
Conclusion
It's not waterproof and it's not indestructable, but it's damn tough and provides awesome protection and good looks (in that rugged sort of way) while maintaining ease of use. Pricing for the Otterbox comes in at $49.95 per unit, which is reasonable considering it is the only case on the market that will offer this kind of durable protection for your BlackBerry Pearl 8100.
Pros:
Protection for your BlackBerry like no other Case Available
Pearl's controls still easy to access and use
Looks Cool
Holster magent included for Standby/Sleep Mode
Did I mention it's tough?
Cons:
Little tricky to get the clear membrane seated properly, but not too difficult
I wish it was available for my 8130 Pearl today!!
13 Nov 2007 by Remik Szul from CrackBerry.com
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BlackBerry Users and Abusers Rejoice! Following the success of their Defender Series case for the BlackBerry 8800, Otterbox
has released the Defender Case for the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 (one for the Curve will be available at the end of this month). Rugged and durable, no other case on the market offers BlackBerry protection like an Otterbox does. The Defender case is offered in two colors, a yellow and black combo which is featured in this review, as well as an all-black version. You can pick either up from ShopCrackBerry.com for $49.95. Regardless of the color you choose, you willl sleep well at night knowing your beloved BlackBerry Pearl 8100 is well-protected.
For the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 - Not the 8130/8120
Now I know that the BlackBerry Pearl 8130 is out in North America (and the 8120 in other parts of the world), and no sadly this case does not support the new Pearls. I did actually try putting my new 8130 into this case, and although it fits, a few of the side buttons on the new Pearl have been moved and the Otterbox
triggers them inadvertently. Nevertheless, I'm sure there are plenty of you still sporting the 8100 and are looking for a solid rugged case like this. And if you are the lucky owner of a new 8130 or 8120 for that matter, I checked with Otterbox and they plan to have a Defender case for the 8120/8130 out in the first quarter of 2008. You won't have to wait too long.
The Assembled Unit - No BlackBerry Inside
The case/holster will add some bulk to your Pearl. Several Layers of Protection
The Otterbox
Defender comes with a several layers of protection for your Pearl. The first step to getting your BlackBerry protected is to put on the thermal formed protective clear membrane which acts as a safeguard for the screen and keyboard against scratches, dust and dirt. It somewhat tricky to get the layer on, but just line up the trackball first, and try to apply the screen smoothly to avoid air bubbles. The clear membrane is optional, so if you’re more worried about dropping your BlackBerry than it getting dirty, you can leave it off.Next Step is to apply the lower portion of the hi-impact polycarbonate shell, and then snap on the top cover. This cover provides the bulk of the protection for your BlackBerry in the case that it accidentally gets dropped or stepped on.
Next, there is the silicon skin that goes over top of the shell. The Silicon acts as a bumper to absorb bumps and shocks. It will also hold the two pieces of your shell together, as well as provide extra grip when handling the case.
Using the Otterbox
The Defender case feels sturdy in ones hand, and the silicon skin offers a nice solid grip to the package. The case does not interfere with controls and still made typing on the Pearl’s SureType keyboard easy. It allows full use of the Camera, and has access plugs for charging/syncing so you don't need to take your BlackBerry out of the case to charge it.
The Defender also comes with a belt clip holster. The proper way to use that would be to have your BlackBerry screen facing towards you, thus protecting the screen. As always, Otterbox
's BlackBerry holster does contain that all-important magnet, so it puts your BlackBerry into standby/sleep mode when inserted.The Otterbox
case only weights 1.6oz and provides an extreme level of protection most common jobs would throw at it. I was so confident in the protection it provided, as a test I threw my 8100 in the OtterBox down a set of stairs (see video), and of course no harm was done. I was actually more worried about the OtterBox doing damage to the floor than the floor to the BlackBerry. ** note: don’t try this with your BlackBerry – OtterBox doesn’t guarantee the safety of your BlackBerry for that level of abuse and won't replace your device if you call them and say you saw it on CrackBerry.com! :-)Lastly, I just wanted to note, that this case is not meant as an underwater case. It will offer some protection against water and dust, but I wouldn't count on it for protecting your Berry if it falls in water.
Conclusion
It's not waterproof and it's not indestructable, but it's damn tough and provides awesome protection and good looks (in that rugged sort of way) while maintaining ease of use. Pricing for the Otterbox
comes in at $49.95 per unit, which is reasonable considering it is the only case on the market that will offer this kind of durable protection for your BlackBerry Pearl 8100.| Review Summary: OtterBox Defender Series Case for the BlackBerry Pearl 8100  |
Pros:
Protection for your BlackBerry like no other Case Available
Pearl's controls still easy to access and use
Looks Cool
Holster magent included for Standby/Sleep Mode
Did I mention it's tough?
Cons:
Little tricky to get the clear membrane seated properly, but not too difficult
I wish it was available for my 8130 Pearl today!!
13 Nov 2007 by Remik Szul from CrackBerry.com
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Sena MagnetFlipper Case Review
Search Brand/Device: Sena | iPhone Reviews
If you’re a veteran PDAs or smartphone user, you’ve probably heard of Sena Cases. The case maker is known for its great leather quality, case design and craftsmanship. We tested the MagnetFlipper case for the iPhone for this review, but Sena also offers pouch cases and leather skin cases which includes one model that can fit in a docking station. These cases range from $29 to $52.
The Sena MagnetFlipper case is the thickest and most protective case in Sena’s current iPhone case line-up. The European Napa leather used to make this case is fine-grained smooth and soft leather. There are strong re-enforced inserts in both front and back of the case with the front cover adding extra soft padding on top for the screen protection. The case has a thin leather lip with a snap on top and has cut-outs for the power button, headphone jack, SIM card (open the snap to access), the vibration and volume controls as well as the camera lens. The cut-out for the earpiece leaves the proximity sensor open so that when you put the phone near your head the screen turns off. As the name suggests, the flip cover is shut with a magnet that feels secure when the case is closed. The case and flip cover have holes for the speakers and sync/charge port. There is a thin pocket inside of the flip cover that you can use for a credit card or two and some cash.
Even though the Sena MagnetFlipper case is the bulkiest case in the lot, it offers fat padding for the screen and rigid inserts for the entire phone, a trade-off a cautious iPhone user might not mind taking.
by mobiletechreview
DLO HipCase Review
Search Brand/Device: DLO | iPhone Reviews
CaseandCover.com reviews DLO cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
DLO made its name in iPod related products and was one of the first companies to offer iPhone cases. The DLO HipCase model currently comes in 3 varieties: a brown leather case, a black smooth leather case and a black nylon case. All HipCase models are designed to hold your phone on your belt or bag/purse strip horizontally and offer a wide and sturdy belt clip. The cases have strong Velcro tabs that close the top cover securely and have cut-outs for the headphone jack. You can listen to music while the iPhone is in the case, but for most other functions you will need to take the phone out of the case. As far as hip-side cases go, the DLO cases are stylish, not too bulky and are comfy to wear. One thing you will still need to deal with though is the slippery iPhone when you pull it out of the case to make a call or use applications. The three models in DLO’s HipCase series have a few slight differences:
The brown natural leather HipCase is the thinnest and adds the least bulk to the iPhone. The case looks minimalist yet attractive. The black leather HipCase has a smooth leather surface and a well-padded body. It adds slightly more bulk than the brown leather case but the padding gives your iPhone more protection. The inner leather on the black leather case is soft and the back has white seams. The black nylon HipCase is made of very durable nylon and is more resistant to water (though not water proof). The flip cover is well padded and the interior has a soft lining. The nylon case has a small cash/credit card pocket, a feature that the leather cases lack.
All three cases are very well built and the price is reasonable.
by mobiletechreview
The brown natural leather HipCase is the thinnest and adds the least bulk to the iPhone. The case looks minimalist yet attractive. The black leather HipCase has a smooth leather surface and a well-padded body. It adds slightly more bulk than the brown leather case but the padding gives your iPhone more protection. The inner leather on the black leather case is soft and the back has white seams. The black nylon HipCase is made of very durable nylon and is more resistant to water (though not water proof). The flip cover is well padded and the interior has a soft lining. The nylon case has a small cash/credit card pocket, a feature that the leather cases lack.
All three cases are very well built and the price is reasonable.
by mobiletechreview
BlackBerry OEM 3 per Pack Skins for 8330
Search Brand/Device: BlackBerry Curve | RIM
May 6, 2009 by bestdp.com
There’s not much I can add to the headline, except that it could be improved with some kind of screen protection… but I guess that’s what those stick-on sheets are for. The skin will give you a better grip, add a bit of needed bulk, and protect your phone. If you have a Blackberry, you can’t afford NOT to protect it, and this one is probably the last one you’ll ever need. Save yourself some heartache and just buy it.
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DLO HipCase for iPhone and iPhone 3G Review
Search Brand/Device: iPhone Reviews | DLO
CaseandCover.com reviews DLO cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
Finally, the HipCase's horizontal orientation is more comfortable on your waist or hip than cases that position your iPhone vertically.
That's the good news. The bad news is that there are cutout areas at all four corners and another in the middle of the bottom edge. While they make it easier to get your iPhone out of the case, they also mean there are five areas where your iPhone is not protected and could get scratched or worse. I'd have been happier if there were no cutouts or at least no cutouts on the corners and just the one in the middle. Interestingly, it looks like this is only the case for the black leather and nylon versions. The brown leather case, which I've never seen or tested, appears to be designed with no corner cutouts and just a single hole in the middle as shown below, so it may be a better choice than the black ones if you prefer a little more protection.
The other, more minor issue is that if you put your iPhone in the case with the headset jack nearer to the bottom, it can't be accessed. So you have to remember to put your iPhone in with the headset jack nearer to the top than the bottom if you want to use it without taking your phone out of the case. Not a huge issue but worth noting.
The Bottom Line
If you like a holster-style case, and don't mind having parts of your iPhone unprotected, the DLO HipCase is a beautiful and elegant solution. But if you prefer a case that offers serious protection or one that doesn't require you to insert and remove your phone repeatedly to use it, it's not right for you.
September 26th, 2008 by Bob LeVitus
The DLO HipCase for iPhone and iPhone 3G is a handsome holster-style carrying case that is available in black leather (shown below), brown leather, or black nylon.
There's a lot about this case that I liked, but there were also a couple of features you might find problematic. I tested a black leather case with light-colored stitching and a light tan interior, as shown above. One of the things I liked best about it was the look and feel of the leather and the design of the case. The leather -- both inside and out -- is soft and supple. It smells like expensive leather and felt quite nice in my hand. And there's even a small inside pocket, just big enough for your ID, a credit card, a couple of business cards, or a key (as long as it's thin and flat).
The case was quite tight at first, so getting the phone in and out was somewhat difficult and I occasionally struggled to insert or remove it. But after a couple of weeks it loosened up just enough, making it a lot easier to put my iPhone in or take it out.
There's a Velcro fastener on the flap, so opening and closing the case was easily done one-handed. The flap has a little bit of padding, so there's a little more protection from bumps on the front side of the case. And although I suspect the Velcro might lose some of its stickiness over time, mine was still in very good shape after a few weeks of fairly heavy use.
Unlike many cases with belt clips, this one's is an integral part of the case as shown below, so it doesn't seem likely to snap or break off. It also means the clip fits tightly, so I never felt the case was flopping around or likely to fall off.
Finally, the HipCase's horizontal orientation is more comfortable on your waist or hip than cases that position your iPhone vertically.
That's the good news. The bad news is that there are cutout areas at all four corners and another in the middle of the bottom edge. While they make it easier to get your iPhone out of the case, they also mean there are five areas where your iPhone is not protected and could get scratched or worse. I'd have been happier if there were no cutouts or at least no cutouts on the corners and just the one in the middle. Interestingly, it looks like this is only the case for the black leather and nylon versions. The brown leather case, which I've never seen or tested, appears to be designed with no corner cutouts and just a single hole in the middle as shown below, so it may be a better choice than the black ones if you prefer a little more protection.
The other, more minor issue is that if you put your iPhone in the case with the headset jack nearer to the bottom, it can't be accessed. So you have to remember to put your iPhone in with the headset jack nearer to the top than the bottom if you want to use it without taking your phone out of the case. Not a huge issue but worth noting.
The Bottom Line
If you like a holster-style case, and don't mind having parts of your iPhone unprotected, the DLO HipCase is a beautiful and elegant solution. But if you prefer a case that offers serious protection or one that doesn't require you to insert and remove your phone repeatedly to use it, it's not right for you.
September 26th, 2008 by Bob LeVitus
Marware C.E.O. Premiere Case for iPhone Review
CaseandCover.com reviews Marware cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
Marware CEO Premiere for iPhone 3G
is another handsome holster-style carrying case, available in black or white leather (as shown below).
This case is similar in many ways to the DLO HipCase I reviewed here recently. Both sit horizontally on your hip, which I feel is more comfortable than holsters that hang your iPhone vertically. Both are elegant, premium leather products. And both have integrated leather-covered belt clips (as shown here):
There are some subtle differences, too. For one thing, the Marware case offers more protection for the corners of your iPhone than the DLO HipCase. Both cases have open areas at each corner and the lower middle but the cutouts are significantly smaller on the Marware case.
Another difference is that you can order the black C.E.O. Premiere case direct from Marware and get it with a secure magnetic enclosure rather than Velcro. If you buy it anywhere else (i.e. the Apple Store, an AT&T store, etc.) it'll come with a Velcro fastener instead of a magnet. For what it's worth, the white case, (actually, "Vanilla") has a Velcro fastener no matter where you buy it.
Finally, the C.E.O. Premiere includes a clear protective film covering for your screen and a microfiber cleaning cloth; the DLO HipCase includes neither.
The Bottom Line
Marware CEO Premiere for iPhone 3G case is as nice a leather holster as any I've tested. It offers somewhat more protection for your iPhone than the DLO HipCase, and includes a screen protector and microfiber cloth. But, as I said in my HipCase review, "If you prefer a case that offers serious protection or one that doesn't require you to insert and remove your phone repeatedly to use it, neither of these holster-style cases is right for you." On the other hand, if you prefer a holster-style case, you'll be happy with either one.
September 30th, 2008 - by Bob LeVitus
Marware CEO Premiere for iPhone 3G
is another handsome holster-style carrying case, available in black or white leather (as shown below).This case is similar in many ways to the DLO HipCase I reviewed here recently. Both sit horizontally on your hip, which I feel is more comfortable than holsters that hang your iPhone vertically. Both are elegant, premium leather products. And both have integrated leather-covered belt clips (as shown here):
There are some subtle differences, too. For one thing, the Marware case offers more protection for the corners of your iPhone than the DLO HipCase. Both cases have open areas at each corner and the lower middle but the cutouts are significantly smaller on the Marware case.
Another difference is that you can order the black C.E.O. Premiere case direct from Marware and get it with a secure magnetic enclosure rather than Velcro. If you buy it anywhere else (i.e. the Apple Store, an AT&T store, etc.) it'll come with a Velcro fastener instead of a magnet. For what it's worth, the white case, (actually, "Vanilla") has a Velcro fastener no matter where you buy it.
Finally, the C.E.O. Premiere includes a clear protective film covering for your screen and a microfiber cleaning cloth; the DLO HipCase includes neither.
The Bottom Line
Marware CEO Premiere for iPhone 3G
case is as nice a leather holster as any I've tested. It offers somewhat more protection for your iPhone than the DLO HipCase, and includes a screen protector and microfiber cloth. But, as I said in my HipCase review, "If you prefer a case that offers serious protection or one that doesn't require you to insert and remove your phone repeatedly to use it, neither of these holster-style cases is right for you." On the other hand, if you prefer a holster-style case, you'll be happy with either one.September 30th, 2008 - by Bob LeVitus
Review: Marware SportGrip, C.E.O. Glide, and C.E.O. Premiere
CaseandCover.com reviews Marware cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
My buddy Gavin Baker, CEO of Abunga, took three iPhone cases from Marware for a spin. He took a look at the SportGrip ($14.99), C.E.O. Glide ($24.99) and the C.E.O. Premiere ($34.99).
Which best suited this CEO on the go? Read his take below for the answer...
I first tried out the Marware SportGrip, the silicone case that has a rubberized feel and covers the back and sides of the phone leaving the touch screen open. This was my go-to case for about 2 weeks. It easily protected the back and sides of my phone from scratches and the material deadened any type of accidental drop of the phone, reducing the damage inflicted. I had no fear about tossing my phone around onto tables, chairs or in my Jeep. The downside is that the protection afforded by the cover also creates a much bulkier pocket profile. This made it more difficult to slide into pockets. One major downside was that I took the cover off after about 1 week and noticed it had collected a lot of dust, dirt, lint, etc. on the inside of the cover, creating some smaller scratches on the backside of my phone. I'm sure had I taken the cover off more frequently this wouldn't have been an issue.
The Marware C.E.O Glide was next on my list and it didn't make it long; partially because of the red snakeskin cover, but it is essentially a vertical sleeve with a Velcro clasp to keep the phone inside. It's not functional for me since I prefer my phone to be in my pocket and easily accessed or on my belt. This was a mix of the two and a cover that doesn't work in that circle isn't the best for me.
The Marware C.E.O Premiere is the last case I tried out. It is a horizontal belt case and allows easy access to the phone while providing a secure environment. As soon as I put the case on I was very confident with it. I wasn't worried about the case falling off my belt, and the case has a Velcro enclosure to ensure the phone stays in the case. The interior of the case is soft but not microfiber so I have no fear of putting my phone into the case and it coming out in worse shape. I've used the case daily for about 2 weeks and the exterior of the case shows minimal wear. My only complaint about the case is the Velcro closure. In the weeks I've used it the Velcro has started to loosen and is not as tight as it once was. Other than that the case has been phenomenal and it is the one I've settled on for everyday use.
All of the Marware products come with a cleaning cloth and protective film.
Thanks Gavin!
by Victor Agreda, Jr. on Nov 21st 2008
Which best suited this CEO on the go? Read his take below for the answer...
I first tried out the Marware SportGrip, the silicone case that has a rubberized feel and covers the back and sides of the phone leaving the touch screen open. This was my go-to case for about 2 weeks. It easily protected the back and sides of my phone from scratches and the material deadened any type of accidental drop of the phone, reducing the damage inflicted. I had no fear about tossing my phone around onto tables, chairs or in my Jeep. The downside is that the protection afforded by the cover also creates a much bulkier pocket profile. This made it more difficult to slide into pockets. One major downside was that I took the cover off after about 1 week and noticed it had collected a lot of dust, dirt, lint, etc. on the inside of the cover, creating some smaller scratches on the backside of my phone. I'm sure had I taken the cover off more frequently this wouldn't have been an issue.
The Marware C.E.O Glide was next on my list and it didn't make it long; partially because of the red snakeskin cover, but it is essentially a vertical sleeve with a Velcro clasp to keep the phone inside. It's not functional for me since I prefer my phone to be in my pocket and easily accessed or on my belt. This was a mix of the two and a cover that doesn't work in that circle isn't the best for me.
The Marware C.E.O Premiere is the last case I tried out. It is a horizontal belt case and allows easy access to the phone while providing a secure environment. As soon as I put the case on I was very confident with it. I wasn't worried about the case falling off my belt, and the case has a Velcro enclosure to ensure the phone stays in the case. The interior of the case is soft but not microfiber so I have no fear of putting my phone into the case and it coming out in worse shape. I've used the case daily for about 2 weeks and the exterior of the case shows minimal wear. My only complaint about the case is the Velcro closure. In the weeks I've used it the Velcro has started to loosen and is not as tight as it once was. Other than that the case has been phenomenal and it is the one I've settled on for everyday use.
All of the Marware products come with a cleaning cloth and protective film.
Thanks Gavin!
by Victor Agreda, Jr. on Nov 21st 2008
Incase Slider Case for iPhone Review
Search Brand/Device: iPhone Reviews | Incase
CaseandCover.com reviews Incase cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
The Slider Case for iPhone offers full access to the headphone jack, sleep/wake button, and the dock connector as well as a cutout for the camera, speaker, and microphone.
This probably has to be our favorite iPhone case to date, and is available today from Incase’s website, and other fine retailers such as the Apple Store for just $35. Go grab one today.
Pros
Innovative slider design.
No need to remove the phone to dock.
Extra grip with matte black version.
Cons
None.
Final Verdict
5 out of 5 stars.
Originally posted at ConnectReviews.com.
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There are literally thousands of iPhone cases available today, from hard cases, to skins, there’s probably one perfect for you. I think I’ve found the perfect case for everyone, the Incase Slider Case.
Available in glossy black, white, and matte black, the Incase Slider Case is a two piece case for the iPhone that not only offers great protection, but also great functionality. Most cases we know of don’t allow you to dock the iPhone while it’s in the case, but the Incase Slider Case is one of the few that does. Just slide of the bottom piece (hence the name), and dock it in your iPhone dock. Voila!
You may be curious to see if it scratches the chrome edge of the iPhone, but not to worry - the slider case has rubber guardrails that provide shock absorption in case you are to drop your iPhone. We were also particularly fond of the matte, soft-touch coating on the matte black version which provided an extra grip. No longer will the iPhone slip right out of your hand, nor will it slip out of the case since it offers a snug fit.
The Slider Case for iPhone offers full access to the headphone jack, sleep/wake button, and the dock connector as well as a cutout for the camera, speaker, and microphone.
This probably has to be our favorite iPhone case to date, and is available today from Incase’s website, and other fine retailers such as the Apple Store for just $35. Go grab one today.
Pros
Innovative slider design.
No need to remove the phone to dock.
Extra grip with matte black version.
Cons
None.
Final Verdict
5 out of 5 stars.
Originally posted at ConnectReviews.com.
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Incase Bamboo Slider for iPhone 3G Review
Search Brand/Device: Incase | iPhone Reviews
CaseandCover.com reviews Incase cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
by Joe Hutsko on Mon, Apr 20, 2009
After accidentally knocking my original iPhone off my desk, which caused the glass screen to smash into a pretty spiderweb-like pattern that, thanks to my Invisible Shield screen protector, allowed me to continue using the smart phone as I stood in line to buy an iPhone 3G when it went on sale the next day, I decided it was time to surround the new one with a protective case.
Although I initially went with InCase’s leather-wrapped Slider Elan, I later chose the InCase black Slider (pictured on the left) as my iPhone 3G’s protective partner. The case’s tight fit adds minimal thickness to the 3G, and its lightly rubberized finish provides just enough grip to prevent accidental sleights of the hand, so to speak. I’ve also used Griffin’s Clarifi for iPhone 3G, but only on the couple of occasions when I needed to take a close up snapshot, thanks to the Clarifi’s built in lens, which corrects the iPhone camera’s farsightedness.
InCase recently sent me their new Bamboo Slider for iPhone 3G, and having just finished Green Gadgets For Dummies, I welcomed the new model’s reduced carbon footprint, thanks to the case’s composition of 40 percent recycled bamboo, 60 percent polycarbonate construction.
InCase says the bamboo pulp used to create the case comes from “reclaimed bamboo shards of materials such as construction scaffolding and chopsticks.”
In hand, the Bamboo Slider feels like plastic, though a deep whiff of the case’s backside betrays plywoody hints that evoke memories of under-construction new homes and lumberyards.
Bottom line: The inclusion of bamboo is an interesting novelty, but the case’s less grippy finish was reason enough for me to stick with the lightly rubberized Slider that’s served me well since acquiring my iPhone 3G.
by Joe Hutsko on Mon, Apr 20, 2009
After accidentally knocking my original iPhone off my desk, which caused the glass screen to smash into a pretty spiderweb-like pattern that, thanks to my Invisible Shield screen protector, allowed me to continue using the smart phone as I stood in line to buy an iPhone 3G when it went on sale the next day, I decided it was time to surround the new one with a protective case.
Although I initially went with InCase’s leather-wrapped Slider Elan, I later chose the InCase black Slider (pictured on the left) as my iPhone 3G’s protective partner. The case’s tight fit adds minimal thickness to the 3G, and its lightly rubberized finish provides just enough grip to prevent accidental sleights of the hand, so to speak. I’ve also used Griffin’s Clarifi for iPhone 3G, but only on the couple of occasions when I needed to take a close up snapshot, thanks to the Clarifi’s built in lens, which corrects the iPhone camera’s farsightedness.
InCase recently sent me their new Bamboo Slider for iPhone 3G, and having just finished Green Gadgets For Dummies, I welcomed the new model’s reduced carbon footprint, thanks to the case’s composition of 40 percent recycled bamboo, 60 percent polycarbonate construction.
InCase says the bamboo pulp used to create the case comes from “reclaimed bamboo shards of materials such as construction scaffolding and chopsticks.”
In hand, the Bamboo Slider feels like plastic, though a deep whiff of the case’s backside betrays plywoody hints that evoke memories of under-construction new homes and lumberyards.
Bottom line: The inclusion of bamboo is an interesting novelty, but the case’s less grippy finish was reason enough for me to stick with the lightly rubberized Slider that’s served me well since acquiring my iPhone 3G.
Incase Power Slider for iPhone 3G Video Review
CaseandCover.com reviews Incase cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
Incase Power Slider for iPhone 3G
Incase Power Slider for iPhone 3G
Review: OtterBox BlackBerry Curve Case
Search Brand/Device: BlackBerry Curve | Otterbox
CaseandCover.com reviews OtterBox cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
Otterbox Defender Case for BlackBerry Curve, Black
Review by Darrin Olson on February 8th, 2009
The folks over at Otterbox , protectors of gadgets for the active and accident-prone, gave us a chance to try out one of their defensive products to see just how well it holds up. In this case, OtterBox sent us a protective case for the Blackberry Curve, a device I have with me day in and day out.
Since the case from Otterbox is protecting something I own and depend on daily, we did not put it through the usual drops, dunks and vodka-proof trials that we would normally do. But, despite this we can tell you that this case blows away any other protective case we’ve had our hands on, for any mobile device.
We thought the best way to describe this protection was to take you through a quick tour of encasing the Blackberry Curve:
For starters, you need to still be able to press that QWERTY keyboard. To address this Otterbox created a molded, flexible membrane that is molded to fit around not just the phone but each individual key, and leaves a small hole for the track ball. When using it you can tell the membrane is there, but if you get it on straight its not noticeable by much.
Once this is applied, you can snap your phone into a hard plastic shell that encases pretty much the entire phone. It has a clear, flat plastic window for the display and leaves the keys open to expose the previously added membrane. There is also open ports for all the buttons, camera lens, speakers and ports.
On top of the hard plastic shell applies another case, but this time more rubber like. It stretches and snugly fits around the hard plastic case both holding it together and providing a soft case for drops and bumps. This rubber “glove” provides raised sections for pressing buttons without exposing the actual buttons. It also has pieces that can “fold” out and be put back in for exposing the ports, only when you want to.
In addition, the case comes with a holster and belt clip, designed to hold the device tight… real tight. Be sure to place the phone in the holster with the screen facing in. It will fit in the other way but you will notice that it will not stay put nearly as well. The holster is also made of a hard plastic giving another layer of solid protection at your hip.
Smartphones like Blackberry’s and the like have been traditionally synonymous with indoor office use, but they being found more often attached to individuals with more active roles and the phone itself is often just not built for it. The case from Otterbox is not marketed as waterproof but it has to be pretty close.
The downside is that it does have the exposed trackball but that one is pretty hard to get around while still maintaining its functionality. It also makes the phone quite a bit more bulky, and with the holster it is easily more than twice as thick. But, if you want the advantages of a smartphone such as a Blackberry Curve and lead a more active, or just plain clumsy lifestyle, you’ll be doing yourself a favor by taking a look at one of these cases from Otterbox. The case comes in black as we show here or a black and yellow model, both retailing for just under $50.
Otterbox Defender Case for BlackBerry Curve, Black
Review by Darrin Olson on February 8th, 2009
The folks over at Otterbox
, protectors of gadgets for the active and accident-prone, gave us a chance to try out one of their defensive products to see just how well it holds up. In this case, OtterBox sent us a protective case for the Blackberry Curve, a device I have with me day in and day out.Since the case from Otterbox
is protecting something I own and depend on daily, we did not put it through the usual drops, dunks and vodka-proof trials that we would normally do. But, despite this we can tell you that this case blows away any other protective case we’ve had our hands on, for any mobile device.We thought the best way to describe this protection was to take you through a quick tour of encasing the Blackberry Curve:
For starters, you need to still be able to press that QWERTY keyboard. To address this Otterbox
created a molded, flexible membrane that is molded to fit around not just the phone but each individual key, and leaves a small hole for the track ball. When using it you can tell the membrane is there, but if you get it on straight its not noticeable by much.Once this is applied, you can snap your phone into a hard plastic shell that encases pretty much the entire phone. It has a clear, flat plastic window for the display and leaves the keys open to expose the previously added membrane. There is also open ports for all the buttons, camera lens, speakers and ports.
On top of the hard plastic shell applies another case, but this time more rubber like. It stretches and snugly fits around the hard plastic case both holding it together and providing a soft case for drops and bumps. This rubber “glove” provides raised sections for pressing buttons without exposing the actual buttons. It also has pieces that can “fold” out and be put back in for exposing the ports, only when you want to.
In addition, the case comes with a holster and belt clip, designed to hold the device tight… real tight. Be sure to place the phone in the holster with the screen facing in. It will fit in the other way but you will notice that it will not stay put nearly as well. The holster is also made of a hard plastic giving another layer of solid protection at your hip.
Smartphones like Blackberry’s and the like have been traditionally synonymous with indoor office use, but they being found more often attached to individuals with more active roles and the phone itself is often just not built for it. The case from Otterbox
is not marketed as waterproof but it has to be pretty close.The downside is that it does have the exposed trackball but that one is pretty hard to get around while still maintaining its functionality. It also makes the phone quite a bit more bulky, and with the holster it is easily more than twice as thick. But, if you want the advantages of a smartphone such as a Blackberry Curve and lead a more active, or just plain clumsy lifestyle, you’ll be doing yourself a favor by taking a look at one of these cases from Otterbox
. The case comes in black as we show here or a black and yellow model, both retailing for just under $50.
invisibleSHIELD for the iPhone Review
Search Brand/Device: iPhone Reviews | invisibleSHIELD
CaseandCover.com reviews ZAGG’s invisibleSHIELD screen protector cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
from thechipchick.com
The problem with iPhone cases is that they cover up the beautiful design of the iPhone. But if you don’t put a case on your iPhone and you end up damaging it, you’ll never forgive yourself either. Think of the invisibleSHIELD as a happy medium. Kind of like the emperor’s clothing, the InvisibleSHIELD is designed to protect your iPhone without covering up its lovely curves.
Initially, I was a little skeptical about using the invisibleSHIELD on the face of the iPhone because I was worried that it would interfere with the sensitivity of the iPhone. Fortunately, it hasn’t interfered at all with the iPhone’s usability. The package included a piece that covers the face of the iPhone, and the back of the iPhone. However the piece for the back of the iPhone doesn’t wrap around far enough to cover the metal edges on the iPhone’s face. I find that a little disappointing since, since I think that the metal edges are the most delicate area on the iPhone and mine have already been getting a little scuffed up from use. The invisibleSHIELD also claims to be scratch proof. Admittedly, I am to chicken to test that theory out on my precious, however I’ve been carrying it around for a couple of days and it has kept my iPhone safe and sound so far.
Applying the invisibleSHIELD was simple enough, though it did take concentration in order to take some effort to make sure that no air bubbles got in. A spray on solution is included with shield that makes the invisibleSHIELD movable on the iPhone’s surface, so that you can align it as perfectly as possible without much hassle. I succeeded in aligning the front and back piece of the invisibleSHIELD pretty well, minus a bubble that I couldn’t manage to get rid of on the back side.
Overall, the invisibleSHIELD has proved to be a great way to protect your iPhone and I believe that the $24.95 price tag is a fair one for it, especially since they include a lifetime guarantee. My only gripe is that it doesn’t cover the iPhone completely. Also, it’s important to keep in mind that while the invisibleSHIELD is strong, it’s not strong enough to protect your iphone from the impact of a bad fall. The invisibleSHIELD is also available for other iPod models and other popular cell phones and gadgets.
from thechipchick.com
The problem with iPhone cases is that they cover up the beautiful design of the iPhone. But if you don’t put a case on your iPhone and you end up damaging it, you’ll never forgive yourself either. Think of the invisibleSHIELD
Initially, I was a little skeptical about using the invisibleSHIELD
Applying the invisibleSHIELD
Overall, the invisibleSHIELD
Full Body invisibleSHIELD for the iPhone Review
Search Brand/Device: iPhone Reviews | invisibleSHIELD
CaseandCover.com reviews ZAGG’s invisibleSHIELD screen protector cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
Posted By Brandon on March 7, 2008
So - Anyone else tired of the post-SDK launch hype? Personally, I’m really excited but waiting until June is going to be like waiting for paint to dry. And 20 posts per site on each little thing in the SDK event is driving me crazy. So, lets break up the “news” for a little while and give you a look at the Zagg invisibleSHIELD for the Apple iPhone. Note: I bought this myself. This is not a review unit supplied by Zagg … so any glowing (or not so) praise is all me.
Alright - not too exciting, but hey, you gotta start somewhere. Of course boxes are never too exciting but the packaging for the invisibleSHIELD is pretty nice compared to some of them that I receive. More on that in another review coming soon.
Here’s what you get. In the first picture is the “solution” and the squeegee. In picture 2 is the invisibleSHIELD itself, a product registration card (not needed if you buy from their site) and some instructions/tips. Now frankly the boxed instructions could have been a bit more helpful, but there’s videos on the ZAGG website to help you out if you need it. I decided not to use the videos - one because I’m a guy and we don’t stop to ask for directions and two because chances are good none of you folks are going to either. So - I’d rather get the same experience you folks will. Note: Use the videos and follow the tips on the installation page. You’ll be glad you did.
More after the break
About the installation. TAKE YOUR TIME. And take lots of it. Most “screen protection” only takes a couple minutes to prep and apply. The invisibleShield Full Body shield is NOT one of those. It took me almost an hour to really get things applied properly and at least another hour of “perfecting”. By perfecting I mean going back every once in a while over multiple hours and re-sticking various parts and pieces - especially the corners - to make sure I didn’t have a lot of bubbles or loose edges sticking up. I figure I spent a few minutes here and there for a couple hours… so again don’t think you’re going to do this in 20 minutes and then be done.
There’s not enough solution by the way. Not to really do it the way I did and not for the full body application. I’m not sure if they short change this to save cash or what, but they could have filled the whole bottle and saved me the hassle for less than a penny I’m sure. I mixed a bit more and rolled on.
Back to the pictures. The ones above and the ones following were all taken shortly after the application. Notice the tiny air bubbles.
During application make sure you’re in a fairly lint free area. If you aren’t - get in one or at least clean up the area you’re in by spraying some Pledge and having some paper towels around. I did it in a house that has 2 dogs and 2 cats … so if I can get a clean area so can you.
Also - use a lint free cloth to help you soak up the fluid and hold things in place. The corners need a lot of love to get them stuck right and you don’t want a lint covered dust mop to hold them down! I have to thank my friends at Proportafor sending out a cloth a while back for another product - talk about a life saver!
So … after a couple hours of fiddle farting around with the application I finally got it all how I wanted it. Seriously … application is a pain in the arse. (It’s a family site - or I’d be a little more frank.)
Now … sit back, relax and don’t touch it for another 24 hours. Yea. You read that right. 24 fricking hours!! Luckily for me I have another phone to use so it wasn’t a big deal to put my iPhone down and pick up the AT&T 8525 I keep around. Honestly, it sucked. I used Windows Mobile for 12 hours - and I wanted to take it out back and shoot it to put it out of its misery. For those of you not so lucky to have another device floating around… call your friends before you start and tell them you’re out of commission for the rest of the day. You really don’t want to handle this thing for at least 12 hours. Once you get started you’ll see what I mean, but suffice it to say that handling a half dried device can lead to things “shifting” and “un-sticking”.
Anyway, sit back and relax. There’s drying time involved, as well as setup time, bubbles disappearing, and all of that jazz. Magically, the bubbles really do disappear! Well, for the most part.
As you can see the back is almost completely bubble free. The front isn’t perfect - but darned near. I’ve got one tiny little bubble on the left side in roughly the middle. Not bad considering how many pets I have and how many bubbles I started with!
And I managed to get all the corners to stick!! Or course they may not look like a “pro” did it … but I’m proud.
So overall I think it looks alright. As you can see in the above pictures, there’s a lot of what I would call orange peel looks to the invisibleSHIELD. This is definitely going to be a drawback for a lot of people since the screen on the iPhone is one of the biggest draws of the device. But, can you take a razor blade or keys to the screen of your iPhone and not worry about it? Trade offs my friends - trade offs.
The invisibleSHIELD also adds a bit of reflection to the screen itself which should be evident in these last pictures. But its really not as bad as I read around the web. I’ve used the Otterbox Defender on my iPhone for a looong time now and frankly I think between the two (screen only) the invisibleSHIELD is a lot easier on the eyes. The Defender however is still my favorite case… because it can take a serious beating and come back for more.
Another thing the pictures don’t show and I can’t take a picture of is how it responds to fingers all over it. Obviously the iPhone is a “touch” screen device. All interactions are mainly done through the screen. In all honesty it’s a bit tacky, but overall not really tough to get used to. You’re not sliding across glass anymore so there’s definitely some increased drag. If you’re used to sliding your finger along the glass and having your fingernail drag along behind it (ladies) you might want to trim them up a bit because it’s going to catch on the invisibleSHIELD. I figure this will take some getting used to, right along with the orange peel.
Anyway, here’s the wrap up. I just put this on yesterday so I don’t have any long term thoughts quite yet (I’ll follow up in a week or so) but here’s what I’ve got so far:
Pros:
Keys, Razor Blades, Pens, Pockets … you name it, you don’t have to fear it.
Lifetime Warranty. 30 Day Money Back.
Peace of mind.
“Grippy” - compared to the slickness of the sides on the iPhone itself, I’m a lot less worried about the iPhone sliding out of my hands.
Cons:
Installation/Application is a pain
Looong dry time
Orange Peel looks, Reflectivity of the screen, “grabby” feel if you’re a fingernail slider.
Posted By Brandon on March 7, 2008
So - Anyone else tired of the post-SDK launch hype? Personally, I’m really excited but waiting until June is going to be like waiting for paint to dry. And 20 posts per site on each little thing in the SDK event is driving me crazy. So, lets break up the “news” for a little while and give you a look at the Zagg invisibleSHIELD
Alright - not too exciting, but hey, you gotta start somewhere. Of course boxes are never too exciting but the packaging for the invisibleSHIELD
Here’s what you get. In the first picture is the “solution” and the squeegee. In picture 2 is the invisibleSHIELD
More after the break
About the installation. TAKE YOUR TIME. And take lots of it. Most “screen protection” only takes a couple minutes to prep and apply. The invisibleShield Full Body shield is NOT one of those. It took me almost an hour to really get things applied properly and at least another hour of “perfecting”. By perfecting I mean going back every once in a while over multiple hours and re-sticking various parts and pieces - especially the corners - to make sure I didn’t have a lot of bubbles or loose edges sticking up. I figure I spent a few minutes here and there for a couple hours… so again don’t think you’re going to do this in 20 minutes and then be done.
There’s not enough solution by the way. Not to really do it the way I did and not for the full body application. I’m not sure if they short change this to save cash or what, but they could have filled the whole bottle and saved me the hassle for less than a penny I’m sure. I mixed a bit more and rolled on.
Back to the pictures. The ones above and the ones following were all taken shortly after the application. Notice the tiny air bubbles.
During application make sure you’re in a fairly lint free area. If you aren’t - get in one or at least clean up the area you’re in by spraying some Pledge and having some paper towels around. I did it in a house that has 2 dogs and 2 cats … so if I can get a clean area so can you.
Also - use a lint free cloth to help you soak up the fluid and hold things in place. The corners need a lot of love to get them stuck right and you don’t want a lint covered dust mop to hold them down! I have to thank my friends at Proportafor sending out a cloth a while back for another product - talk about a life saver!
So … after a couple hours of fiddle farting around with the application I finally got it all how I wanted it. Seriously … application is a pain in the arse. (It’s a family site - or I’d be a little more frank.)
Now … sit back, relax and don’t touch it for another 24 hours. Yea. You read that right. 24 fricking hours!! Luckily for me I have another phone to use so it wasn’t a big deal to put my iPhone down and pick up the AT&T 8525 I keep around. Honestly, it sucked. I used Windows Mobile for 12 hours - and I wanted to take it out back and shoot it to put it out of its misery. For those of you not so lucky to have another device floating around… call your friends before you start and tell them you’re out of commission for the rest of the day. You really don’t want to handle this thing for at least 12 hours. Once you get started you’ll see what I mean, but suffice it to say that handling a half dried device can lead to things “shifting” and “un-sticking”.
Anyway, sit back and relax. There’s drying time involved, as well as setup time, bubbles disappearing, and all of that jazz. Magically, the bubbles really do disappear! Well, for the most part.
As you can see the back is almost completely bubble free. The front isn’t perfect - but darned near. I’ve got one tiny little bubble on the left side in roughly the middle. Not bad considering how many pets I have and how many bubbles I started with!
And I managed to get all the corners to stick!! Or course they may not look like a “pro” did it … but I’m proud.
So overall I think it looks alright. As you can see in the above pictures, there’s a lot of what I would call orange peel looks to the invisibleSHIELD
The invisibleSHIELD
Another thing the pictures don’t show and I can’t take a picture of is how it responds to fingers all over it. Obviously the iPhone is a “touch” screen device. All interactions are mainly done through the screen. In all honesty it’s a bit tacky, but overall not really tough to get used to. You’re not sliding across glass anymore so there’s definitely some increased drag. If you’re used to sliding your finger along the glass and having your fingernail drag along behind it (ladies) you might want to trim them up a bit because it’s going to catch on the invisibleSHIELD. I figure this will take some getting used to, right along with the orange peel.
Pros:
Keys, Razor Blades, Pens, Pockets … you name it, you don’t have to fear it.
Lifetime Warranty. 30 Day Money Back.
Peace of mind.
“Grippy” - compared to the slickness of the sides on the iPhone itself, I’m a lot less worried about the iPhone sliding out of my hands.
Cons:
Installation/Application is a pain
Looong dry time
Orange Peel looks, Reflectivity of the screen, “grabby” feel if you’re a fingernail slider.
invisibleSHIELD iPhone Screen Protector Review
Search Brand/Device: iPhone Reviews | invisibleSHIELD
CaseandCover.com reviews ZAGG’s invisibleSHIELD screen protector cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
By Chad Shmukler - Published July 10th 2007
Though it came as a surprise to absolutely no one, along with the Apple iPhone has come an absolute barrage of accessories and other products to pair with your iPhone, leaving all of us with a sea of merchandise to sort through and evaluate. Slowly but surely, feedback will be available on all of these products. Some things, however, are important to be informed about right from the get-go. Depending on the person you're asking, virtually any mobile phone accessory can be considered essential. One that should be, without argument, considered essential for all PDAs is a screen protector. When considering that typical PDAs are commonly more expensive than less featured mobile devices and the usage more intense, protecting one's investment should be considered a must. Thus, the first accessory each one of you should buy for your iPhone (yes, before the fancy Bluetooth headset), is a screen protector.
The problem is, you've got dozens to choose from, most of which aren't worth your money or effort to apply. I've had experience with numerous different brands, all of which came at a relatively high cost (usually around $20 a pack) and offered extremely disappointing results. One other thing that each of these brands had it common was that each required, through various suggested methods, that they be cut to fit your device once arriving home. Consistently, each offered bubbly application results, poor clarity, and a short life span due to the fact that the protectors themselves were easily marred and scratched.
A few weeks before the iPhone was released, I decided to try moving up in the world of screen protectors. After talking to a few trusted colleagues, I decided to make my first foray into the screen protector upper crust with ShieldZone's line of screen protectors, the invisibleSHIELD. Suffice it to say, I was skeptical. The invisibleSHIELD typically costs between $15-$25 for one protector, a price for which I was used to getting a pack of 8-12 protectors.
ShieldZone makes an extremely boastful array of claims for it's flagship product line, the invisibleSHIELD. Specifically, ShieldZone states, "invisibleSHIELD is the toughest, most durable gadget scratch protection film available on planet Earth" ... and they're just getting started. They describe the protectors as "invisible", "invincible", strong enough to protect helicopter blades traveling hundreds of miles per hour, and even go so far as to impart "self healing" properties to the urethane plastic which the invisibleSHIELD is made of. The website features pictures of someone attempting to tear the protector apart and even puncture the shield with a pencil, failing on both accounts. Finally, according to ShieldZone, each protector comes pre-cut to custom fit your device perfectly.
Okay, enough, I'm sold. Let's check these out.
The Package
The invisibleSHIELD comes with the shield components, a tapered black plastic squeegee, and a small, misting bottle of spray solution which is intended to aid in the application of the protector to your device. The iPhone full body protector, unlike the other full body protector we received, comes with two bottles of the solution.
Durability
Considering ShieldZone's momentous claims about the durability of the invisibleSHIELD, I decided to test that first. As mentioned above, ShieldZone shows images depicting plenty of different stress tests on their protectors. So, I figured I'd try a couple of my own. Instead of their pen test, I figured I'd try to bust through the shield with a fork. Using some test material sent along by the company with the actual protectors I ordered, I placed the material over a four pronged fork and pulled. Much to my delight, the material performed as promised. Until I could no longer keep a grip on the plastic, the urethane stretched and stretched, ever more conforming to the fork, but not puncturing.
My scratch test yielded similar results. Using first my trusty fork and subsequently a pair of scissors (opened to expose the sharp blade), I scraped away at another sheet of the invisibleSHIELD scrap material. Again, as promised, the shield performed as touted. None of the fork or scissor strokes left any observable scratches on the material. Later, once I had applied my invisibleSHIELD to my iPhone, I worked up the courage to try a few fork strokes along the screen of the protected iPhone. Much to my delight, the iPhone and the invisibleSHIELD emerged unscathed.
Texture/Touch
Though this probably isn't a topic of interest in most screen protector reviews, for the iPhone it is. As the iPhone is operated almost exclusively via it's touch screen - it's important to know what a prospective protection material feels like. Something incredibly sticky could potentially inhibit use as might a material that roughs up easily or becomes scuffed.If there's one area where the invisibleSHIELD is less than ideal, and there almost isn't, it's here. After application, once any residual application spray dries off, the screen protector becomes quite tacky. Though light, graceful strokes of a finger won't bother it at all, heavily pressured strokes can drag or "stutter" across the tacky surface. Women (or men, I suppose) with long fingernails might also find invisibleSHIELD catchy.It's worth noting that in the 10 or so days between applying the invisibleSHIELD and writing this review, that the tackiness seems to have reduced significantly. That, or I'm getting used to it.
Overall
Put simply, I've been introduced to a whole new world in screen protection. After a couple of years of dealing with what are apparently bargain basement screen protection products from companies like 3M and Fellowes, ShieldZone's products have significantly upped the bar.
The invisibleSHIELD delivered handily on all of it's promises (though I can't speak much to the "self-healing aspect" since there's been nothing to heal as of yet). It's also more than worth mentioning that all of ShieldZone's products ship completely free and are all covered by a free lifetime replacement guarantee. Even if you need to send your phone in for repair, and have to remove the screen protector first, ShieldZone will send you a brand new one.
The Apple iPhone invisibleSHIELD is also available in a front only model for $14.95. The full body model costs $24.95.Update: This review also applies to the invisibleSHIELD iPod Touch Screen protector.
By Chad Shmukler - Published July 10th 2007
Though it came as a surprise to absolutely no one, along with the Apple iPhone has come an absolute barrage of accessories and other products to pair with your iPhone, leaving all of us with a sea of merchandise to sort through and evaluate. Slowly but surely, feedback will be available on all of these products. Some things, however, are important to be informed about right from the get-go. Depending on the person you're asking, virtually any mobile phone accessory can be considered essential. One that should be, without argument, considered essential for all PDAs is a screen protector. When considering that typical PDAs are commonly more expensive than less featured mobile devices and the usage more intense, protecting one's investment should be considered a must. Thus, the first accessory each one of you should buy for your iPhone (yes, before the fancy Bluetooth headset), is a screen protector.
The problem is, you've got dozens to choose from, most of which aren't worth your money or effort to apply. I've had experience with numerous different brands, all of which came at a relatively high cost (usually around $20 a pack) and offered extremely disappointing results. One other thing that each of these brands had it common was that each required, through various suggested methods, that they be cut to fit your device once arriving home. Consistently, each offered bubbly application results, poor clarity, and a short life span due to the fact that the protectors themselves were easily marred and scratched.
A few weeks before the iPhone was released, I decided to try moving up in the world of screen protectors. After talking to a few trusted colleagues, I decided to make my first foray into the screen protector upper crust with ShieldZone's line of screen protectors, the invisibleSHIELD
ShieldZone makes an extremely boastful array of claims for it's flagship product line, the invisibleSHIELD
Okay, enough, I'm sold. Let's check these out.
The Package
The invisibleSHIELD
Durability
Considering ShieldZone's momentous claims about the durability of the invisibleSHIELD
My scratch test yielded similar results. Using first my trusty fork and subsequently a pair of scissors (opened to expose the sharp blade), I scraped away at another sheet of the invisibleSHIELD
Since you might not believe the scratch test took place, at least this photo shows how
smooth and clear the invisibleSHIELD is even with my hasty application
Application
The installation instructions that come with the invisibleSHIELD urge both care and patience. Due to my lack of the latter, I tend to abandon the former. So, what follows is a description of a hasty application of the invisibleSHIELD
. Luckily, I had my Samsung Blackjack handy to try first, hoping to get better results out of the iPhone as a second victim.
Both applications turned out to be far easier than expected. Using the provided spray and squeegee, it was surprisingly simple to correctly position each piece of the protector. More importantly, smoothing air bubbles out from under the plastic was a breeze. Though other protectors may ship with a similar accompaniment, the invisibleSHIELD application spray is presumably the lifesaver here. Having only performed dry applications before, and achieving less than desirable results, the liquid made the application smooth and effortless. The included squeegee, in my opinion, is heads and tails above using more credit card like tools to smooth out wrinkles and bubbles.
One common sense tip - start with the back first. That way you can get your feet wet on an area of the device where you won't offend yourself by not doing the job perfectly.
Fit
The invisibleSHIELD for the iPhone fits perfectly. It's almost shocking how well it handles the fluid shape of the device. The protector I tried on my Blackjack faired almost as well, but there were a few pieces that I couldn't figure out where to put.
Clarity
So, is the invisibleSHIELD truly invisible? Of course not. Will you, at times, almost forget it's there? Probably.
Once you've completed a modestly capable application (I got good results on my first try), you'll be surprised how clear and unnoticeable the invisibleSHIELD is, even on the non-screen areas of the device where illumination from the LCD doesn't help hide the protector's presence. You'll mostly notice the protector by it's feel, rather than by sight.The screen protector will begin to become more apparent as it dirties, and the invisibleSHIELD
is quite good at picking up fingerprints, dust, and smudges. This, however, is likely no different than the surface of the device your protecting had you not applied an invisibleSHIELD
to it.
Texture/Touch
Though this probably isn't a topic of interest in most screen protector reviews, for the iPhone it is. As the iPhone is operated almost exclusively via it's touch screen - it's important to know what a prospective protection material feels like. Something incredibly sticky could potentially inhibit use as might a material that roughs up easily or becomes scuffed.If there's one area where the invisibleSHIELD
Overall
Put simply, I've been introduced to a whole new world in screen protection. After a couple of years of dealing with what are apparently bargain basement screen protection products from companies like 3M and Fellowes, ShieldZone's products have significantly upped the bar.
The invisibleSHIELD
The Apple iPhone invisibleSHIELD
ZAGG invisibleSHIELD for BlackBerry Curve Review
Search Brand/Device: BlackBerry Curve | invisibleSHIELD
CaseandCover.com reviews ZAGG’s invisibleSHIELD screen protector cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
by Shane Pitman on 25 March 2009
During CES this past January, Neowin had the opportunity to catch up with the guys from ZAGG, makers of invisibleSHIELD, a polyurethane film designed to make your portable devices scratch proof. The invisibleSHIELD film was originally developed to protect the leading edge of helicopter rotor blades, and yes, it's that tough. They had numerous video clips cycling through a presentation that they had setup in a motorhome that depicted numerous stress and scratch tests.
After viewing their presentation and a couple of live demonstrations where they willingly threw their own devices into a bucket of nails and shook them around vigorously, only to emerge unscathed, we were impressed. But we've all tried some of these adhesive protectors before, and they were a pain in the butt to install. We always wound up getting air bubbles, wrinkles, or pieces that just didn't align properly, and consequently ended up curling up around the edges, sliding around instead of staying where they were put, or just flat out peeling off. So to show us just how easy it is to do a proper installation, the guys at ZAGG kindly offered to do a live installation for us, and I offered up my BlackBerry Curve.
And now, 2 months later, here is my Blackberry Curve, still scratch free.
So far, I'm impressed with ZAGG invisibleSHIELD. I've tried several other device protection devices for my Curve, including the neoprene sleeve (which was falling apart) that I disposed of in the video, other adhesive protectors, and non-adhesive "static stick" screen protectors. None of them lasted as long without complications as the invisibleSHIELD has, and none of them had a Lifetime Replacement Guarantee like invisibleSHIELD does. To quote their warranty policy:
The invisibleSHIELD™ purchase includes a lifetime replacement guarantee. We want you to feel safe and secure when investing in your digital life, and that you are confident the invisibleSHIELD™ is the strongest and most durable protection you will find. Purchasing an invisibleSHIELD™ will protect your investment for the life of your device. Proof of purchase and return of original product are required.
The Lifetime Replacement Guarantee is simply what it says: If your invisibleSHIELD™ ever becomes scratched, torn, or damaged in any way while protecting your device, we will replace the invisibleSHIELD™ at no cost to you, for as long as you own your device.
by Shane Pitman on 25 March 2009
During CES this past January, Neowin had the opportunity to catch up with the guys from ZAGG, makers of invisibleSHIELD
After viewing their presentation and a couple of live demonstrations where they willingly threw their own devices into a bucket of nails and shook them around vigorously, only to emerge unscathed, we were impressed. But we've all tried some of these adhesive protectors before, and they were a pain in the butt to install. We always wound up getting air bubbles, wrinkles, or pieces that just didn't align properly, and consequently ended up curling up around the edges, sliding around instead of staying where they were put, or just flat out peeling off. So to show us just how easy it is to do a proper installation, the guys at ZAGG kindly offered to do a live installation for us, and I offered up my BlackBerry Curve.
And now, 2 months later, here is my Blackberry Curve, still scratch free.
So far, I'm impressed with ZAGG invisibleSHIELD
The invisibleSHIELD
The Lifetime Replacement Guarantee is simply what it says: If your invisibleSHIELD
DLO StrapWrap Review
CaseandCover.com reviews DLO cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
by Dan Pourhadi, Macworld.com
Being a student of the collegiate order, as well as a guy who pretends to be a Chicago Loop business-type, I’m constantly carrying a bag to look like I’m on my way to something important (even if sometimes the bag is empty). My iPhone rests in my pocket, pumping tunes to my ears and effectively eliminating any idle communication with fellow public-transportation drones. But keeping it in my pocket is annoying and inconvenient—the iPhone is always bouncing around, clinking with my change from lunch, and extending my headphone wire the entire snag-attracting distance from my ear to my pants. Oh, and it makes my pocket bulge, too.
When I saw the box for the DLO StrapWrap , I let out a soft yelp: exactly what I needed, I thought. And after giving it a try, I was content with its functionality, and only mildly disappointed by its caveats.
The StrapWrap’s exterior is made from neoprene, making it reasonably resistant to the effects of wear-and-tear. It attaches to your shoulder bag or backpack using two adjustable Velcro flaps that wrap around any strap (up to 2.5 inches wide). A “stability clip” can clip to a buckle on your bag’s strap to keep the StrapWrap from sliding. Your gadget slides into one of two stretchy pouches on the front of the case, depending on the gadget’s size (gizmos up to 2.5 inches wide will fit) and how exposed you want it—one pouch offers more protection than the other. You can use the other pouch as a pocket for whatever you can manage to cram in there (for example, earbuds, ID, or credit cards).
The Good: The neoprene feels very durable, and the pouches constrict so tightly that there’s no way your gadget is slipping out accidentally. The Velcro flaps work well to secure the case to the strap—at least they did for my bags—with little slippage. And, of course, the convenience factor is a big plus.
The Bad: Because of its ‘one size fits all’ mentality, the StrapWrap is big, both in bulk and height. For messenger bags, that isn’t really an issue—there’s plenty of room across the chest. But for backpacks, the macho design—and particularly the height, considering that most backpack straps curve—can add a level of discomfort or general irritation that, for some, could be a deal-breaker.
In addition, while the “stability clip” can be useful, if your bag has no buckle or other appendage within reach, the clip becomes nothing more than a nuisance, and there’s no way to remove the long stability strap from the case. You end up either dealing with the swaying, bouncing fabric or shove the strap between the case flaps and your strap. And, of course, unlike bag-straps designed specifically for, say, an iPhone or iPod, there’s also no way to control the functions of your gadget without removing it from the StrapWrap first.
All-in-all, the StrapWrap is a decent bag-strap option, especially for people who may want to bring along different gadgets at different times, but it’s not without limitations.
by Dan Pourhadi, Macworld.com
Being a student of the collegiate order, as well as a guy who pretends to be a Chicago Loop business-type, I’m constantly carrying a bag to look like I’m on my way to something important (even if sometimes the bag is empty). My iPhone rests in my pocket, pumping tunes to my ears and effectively eliminating any idle communication with fellow public-transportation drones. But keeping it in my pocket is annoying and inconvenient—the iPhone is always bouncing around, clinking with my change from lunch, and extending my headphone wire the entire snag-attracting distance from my ear to my pants. Oh, and it makes my pocket bulge, too.
When I saw the box for the DLO StrapWrap , I let out a soft yelp: exactly what I needed, I thought. And after giving it a try, I was content with its functionality, and only mildly disappointed by its caveats.
The StrapWrap’s exterior is made from neoprene, making it reasonably resistant to the effects of wear-and-tear. It attaches to your shoulder bag or backpack using two adjustable Velcro flaps that wrap around any strap (up to 2.5 inches wide). A “stability clip” can clip to a buckle on your bag’s strap to keep the StrapWrap from sliding. Your gadget slides into one of two stretchy pouches on the front of the case, depending on the gadget’s size (gizmos up to 2.5 inches wide will fit) and how exposed you want it—one pouch offers more protection than the other. You can use the other pouch as a pocket for whatever you can manage to cram in there (for example, earbuds, ID, or credit cards).
The Good: The neoprene feels very durable, and the pouches constrict so tightly that there’s no way your gadget is slipping out accidentally. The Velcro flaps work well to secure the case to the strap—at least they did for my bags—with little slippage. And, of course, the convenience factor is a big plus.
The Bad: Because of its ‘one size fits all’ mentality, the StrapWrap is big, both in bulk and height. For messenger bags, that isn’t really an issue—there’s plenty of room across the chest. But for backpacks, the macho design—and particularly the height, considering that most backpack straps curve—can add a level of discomfort or general irritation that, for some, could be a deal-breaker.
In addition, while the “stability clip” can be useful, if your bag has no buckle or other appendage within reach, the clip becomes nothing more than a nuisance, and there’s no way to remove the long stability strap from the case. You end up either dealing with the swaying, bouncing fabric or shove the strap between the case flaps and your strap. And, of course, unlike bag-straps designed specifically for, say, an iPhone or iPod, there’s also no way to control the functions of your gadget without removing it from the StrapWrap first.
All-in-all, the StrapWrap is a decent bag-strap option, especially for people who may want to bring along different gadgets at different times, but it’s not without limitations.
Speck ArmorSkin for iPhone Review
Search Brand/Device: iPhone Reviews | Speck
CaseandCover.com reviews Speck cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
by Dan Pourhadi, Macworld.com
If your friends have nicknamed you Drops McGee, you’re probably on the lookout for an iPhone case designed to minimize the damage of your inevitable clumsiness. Speck’s ArmorSkin For iPhone may not be the be-all, end-all of klutz protection, but it certainly is an attractive option for simple shock-, bump-, and bruise-avoidance. It’s made of a flexible, reasonably-thick plastic polymer covered in what Speck calls a “grippy, rubbery ‘block’ texture”—features that help prevent most booboos while making it easier to grip in your hand—to hopefully prevent drops in the first place. Some mild drop tests here demonstrated satisfying shock protection, sparing my iPhone from the consequences of my indiscretions (I hope).
But the most convenient trait of the ArmorSkin, and one that makes it a winner in its category, is Speck’s approach to belt-clip transportation: The ArmorSkin is a two-piece set: the main case that snugly hugs the iPhone and a belt-clip holder that wraps around the case and secures it to your on-the-go, important-looking waist. Or pocket, if you’re one of those people.
The advantages to this approach make me smile: When you want your iPhone off your belt, you can easily slide it out of the holder and use it as desired. Even out of its holder, the iPhone is still protected by the case itself, unlike belt-clip products where you either have to remove the iPhone from the case/clip entirely, or struggle to get the case on and off your belt. In addition, if you’re entering Dangerous Territory, callously putting your iPhone’s screen at risk for scratches and bumps, you can remove the iPhone from the holder, flip it around, and re-insert it with the screen facing inward. Ultra-effective screen protection, no voodoo necessary.
The clip on the ArmorSkin is lock-swiveling, offering you multiple options if the horizontal look is how you roll. The lock means it won’t be swinging on your belt—a feature that can be either good or bad, depending on your preference.
Plastic never makes for the sturdiest belt-clip on the block, but the Speck clip is at least less-flimsy than those on some of the other iPhone/iPod cases I’ve reviewed. And the clip offers another grin-worthy garnishment: push the clip open far enough, and it snaps into place, turning the clip itself into a convenient stand to prop your iPhone upright on your Starbucks table, desk, plane tray-table.
Unfortunately, and annoyingly, the iPhone’s Home button and volume controls are covered by the ArmorSkin. The button locations are identifiable by etched indentations in the rubbery stuff, but having a layer of skin over the buttons makes it difficult to figure out if you’ve actually pressed them—you get very little tactile response. You’ll spend some time figuring out just how hard you need to push these buttons to activate them, and then some more time getting used to the adjustment. (4 out of 5 stars)
by Dan Pourhadi, Macworld.com
If your friends have nicknamed you Drops McGee, you’re probably on the lookout for an iPhone case designed to minimize the damage of your inevitable clumsiness. Speck’s ArmorSkin For iPhone may not be the be-all, end-all of klutz protection, but it certainly is an attractive option for simple shock-, bump-, and bruise-avoidance. It’s made of a flexible, reasonably-thick plastic polymer covered in what Speck calls a “grippy, rubbery ‘block’ texture”—features that help prevent most booboos while making it easier to grip in your hand—to hopefully prevent drops in the first place. Some mild drop tests here demonstrated satisfying shock protection, sparing my iPhone from the consequences of my indiscretions (I hope).
But the most convenient trait of the ArmorSkin, and one that makes it a winner in its category, is Speck’s approach to belt-clip transportation: The ArmorSkin is a two-piece set: the main case that snugly hugs the iPhone and a belt-clip holder that wraps around the case and secures it to your on-the-go, important-looking waist. Or pocket, if you’re one of those people.
The advantages to this approach make me smile: When you want your iPhone off your belt, you can easily slide it out of the holder and use it as desired. Even out of its holder, the iPhone is still protected by the case itself, unlike belt-clip products where you either have to remove the iPhone from the case/clip entirely, or struggle to get the case on and off your belt. In addition, if you’re entering Dangerous Territory, callously putting your iPhone’s screen at risk for scratches and bumps, you can remove the iPhone from the holder, flip it around, and re-insert it with the screen facing inward. Ultra-effective screen protection, no voodoo necessary.
The clip on the ArmorSkin is lock-swiveling, offering you multiple options if the horizontal look is how you roll. The lock means it won’t be swinging on your belt—a feature that can be either good or bad, depending on your preference.
Plastic never makes for the sturdiest belt-clip on the block, but the Speck clip is at least less-flimsy than those on some of the other iPhone/iPod cases I’ve reviewed. And the clip offers another grin-worthy garnishment: push the clip open far enough, and it snaps into place, turning the clip itself into a convenient stand to prop your iPhone upright on your Starbucks table, desk, plane tray-table.
Unfortunately, and annoyingly, the iPhone’s Home button and volume controls are covered by the ArmorSkin. The button locations are identifiable by etched indentations in the rubbery stuff, but having a layer of skin over the buttons makes it difficult to figure out if you’ve actually pressed them—you get very little tactile response. You’ll spend some time figuring out just how hard you need to push these buttons to activate them, and then some more time getting used to the adjustment. (4 out of 5 stars)
Artwizz SeeJacket Leather for iPod classic Review
Search Brand/Device: iPod classic | Artwizz
CaseandCover.com reviews Artwizz cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
by Dan Pourhadi, Macworld.com
If your car-shopping criteria start with black exterior, black leather interior, and an abundance of that intoxicating new-car smell (while placing gas mileage and comfort towards the bottom of your priorities), Artwizz’s SeeJacket Leather for iPod classic is your kind of iPod case. Its leather coating is thick and exceptionally sturdy, with pressure-resistant panels that provide above-average protection against drops and bumps. The interior is a fabric so soft that the idea of case-caused scratching is laughable. It has an tight—perhaps too tight—belt-clip loop on the back, as well as a fixture for the included lanyard. Out of the box, it has a powerful odor reminiscent of, yes, new car leather. The case also comes with a clear-plastic stick-on screen protector to shield your iPod’s screen from the inevitable onslaught of dust and the constant threat of scratching.
Now that the flattery is out of the way, let’s take a look at the downsides (as in “you’ll be spending $80 every other day to fill up your empty gas tank”). The case is impressively constructed, except for one mind-boggling issue: To insert your iPod, you slide it through an opening…on the bottom of the case. And there’s no strap to keep your iPod from sliding out. That makes the belt-loop all but impractical, unless you wear the thing upside-down. Even if you don’t use the belt-loop, a wide-open bottom (or top, or side, for that matter) can definitely be a show-stopper. What good is a case if you’re constantly worried your iPod is going to slip out in your bag or pocket?
The opening weakens the case’s protection value, too, as the entire bottom edge of your iPod is vulnerable to damage from drops and scrapes. (Of course, the possibility of your iPod sliding out, even just a centimeter, adds an extra layer of risk that nixes the SeeJacket as an ideal choice for people looking for more than smooth leather and a distinctive smell.) (3 out of 5 stars)
by Dan Pourhadi, Macworld.com
If your car-shopping criteria start with black exterior, black leather interior, and an abundance of that intoxicating new-car smell (while placing gas mileage and comfort towards the bottom of your priorities), Artwizz’s SeeJacket Leather for iPod classic is your kind of iPod case. Its leather coating is thick and exceptionally sturdy, with pressure-resistant panels that provide above-average protection against drops and bumps. The interior is a fabric so soft that the idea of case-caused scratching is laughable. It has an tight—perhaps too tight—belt-clip loop on the back, as well as a fixture for the included lanyard. Out of the box, it has a powerful odor reminiscent of, yes, new car leather. The case also comes with a clear-plastic stick-on screen protector to shield your iPod’s screen from the inevitable onslaught of dust and the constant threat of scratching.
Now that the flattery is out of the way, let’s take a look at the downsides (as in “you’ll be spending $80 every other day to fill up your empty gas tank”). The case is impressively constructed, except for one mind-boggling issue: To insert your iPod, you slide it through an opening…on the bottom of the case. And there’s no strap to keep your iPod from sliding out. That makes the belt-loop all but impractical, unless you wear the thing upside-down. Even if you don’t use the belt-loop, a wide-open bottom (or top, or side, for that matter) can definitely be a show-stopper. What good is a case if you’re constantly worried your iPod is going to slip out in your bag or pocket?
The opening weakens the case’s protection value, too, as the entire bottom edge of your iPod is vulnerable to damage from drops and scrapes. (Of course, the possibility of your iPod sliding out, even just a centimeter, adds an extra layer of risk that nixes the SeeJacket as an ideal choice for people looking for more than smooth leather and a distinctive smell.) (3 out of 5 stars)
Incase Fitted Sleeve for iPhone Review
Search Brand/Device: iPhone Reviews | Incase
CaseandCover.com reviews Incase cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
Sometimes you don’t need exotic features, or bullet-proof plastic, or a shell that will protect your iPhone if you dropped it into a volcano. Sometimes you just want a case that does nothing more than snugly secure your iPhone to your belt, protecting it from minor bumps and bruises, and giving it a touch of style that says, “Yes, I care about how my iPhone looks,” without saying, “Look everyone! I have an iPhone! And I’m willing to spend an obscene amount of money to make sure you know I have an iPhone!”
by Dan Pourhadi, Macworld.com
If all you want is elegance and simplicity, Incase’s Fitted Sleeve fits the bill. It’s nothing more than a well-fitting holster with a slick exterior (of either leather or canvas) and a smooth suede interior that doesn’t splotch or scratch your iPhone.
All of the phone’s features are accessible—the headphone jack, dock connector, volume controls, mute switch, on/off button, Home button—and there’s a indented cutout in the back for the camera. Your iPhone slides in through the top of the sleeve, and is secured in the case with a snap-on leather strap that conveniently prevents the slipping and wobbling common with other, strap-less slide-ins.
Of course, nothing’s perfect. The backs of the top corners are exposed, so dropping it on those areas—which is surprisingly common—will still damage your iPhone. The belt clip isn’t removable, either; and while I haven’t had too much time to test the Sleeve, the main complaint about it online seems to be that the clip loosens and weakens the more it’s used. So you might want to check out user reviews at places like Apple’s online store to see if that will actually be a problem for you. (4 out of 5 stars)
Sometimes you don’t need exotic features, or bullet-proof plastic, or a shell that will protect your iPhone if you dropped it into a volcano. Sometimes you just want a case that does nothing more than snugly secure your iPhone to your belt, protecting it from minor bumps and bruises, and giving it a touch of style that says, “Yes, I care about how my iPhone looks,” without saying, “Look everyone! I have an iPhone! And I’m willing to spend an obscene amount of money to make sure you know I have an iPhone!”
by Dan Pourhadi, Macworld.com
If all you want is elegance and simplicity, Incase’s Fitted Sleeve fits the bill. It’s nothing more than a well-fitting holster with a slick exterior (of either leather or canvas) and a smooth suede interior that doesn’t splotch or scratch your iPhone.
All of the phone’s features are accessible—the headphone jack, dock connector, volume controls, mute switch, on/off button, Home button—and there’s a indented cutout in the back for the camera. Your iPhone slides in through the top of the sleeve, and is secured in the case with a snap-on leather strap that conveniently prevents the slipping and wobbling common with other, strap-less slide-ins.
Of course, nothing’s perfect. The backs of the top corners are exposed, so dropping it on those areas—which is surprisingly common—will still damage your iPhone. The belt clip isn’t removable, either; and while I haven’t had too much time to test the Sleeve, the main complaint about it online seems to be that the clip loosens and weakens the more it’s used. So you might want to check out user reviews at places like Apple’s online store to see if that will actually be a problem for you. (4 out of 5 stars)
Ivyskin XyloT3 Reflect Case for iPhone 3G Review
Search Brand/Device: iPhone Reviews | Ivyskin
CaseandCover.com reviews Ivyskin cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
Then again, not everyone is cuckoo for the iPhone’s unadulterated beauty; some are willing—maybe even pining—to slap on an outer layer that not only protects, but also dresses their iPhone. You know, sort of like one would dress a young child before sending him off to his first day of school. The Ivyskin XyloT3 Reflect Case is one such outfit, with a solid-white, hardshell back and a reflective, metallic border lining the front.
by Dan Frakes, Macworld.com
Unlike the Speck SeeThru and many other two-piece, hard-shell cases for the iPhone, the XyloT3 is a shining example of sturdy construction and actual protection. For example, the plastic itself is thick and comfortably durable. And the latches that fasten the case together inspire confidence in their integrity—dropping your encased iPhone a few feet onto the ground won’t cause the case to snap open, flinging your phone into the perilous clutches of The Outside World.
But the XyloT3’s most notable benefit is a feature that defines most of Ivyskin’s other protective cases: it fully protects the iPhone’s screen with a solid layer of plastic. This front piece uses Ivyskin’s Surface Xylo Wave technology, which allows you to manipulate the touchscreen through the protective cover with near-perfect control—something that’s hard to find in other iPhone cases, which, if they include any screen protection at all, usually feature just a piece of stick-on film. The XyloT3’s plastic protects the screen not only from the usual scratches and dust, but from dings and drops as well.
Plus, since the front is reflective, the case doubles as a mirror. No more needing to squint into the shiny Apple logo on the back of your phone to make sure you don’t have any left-over lunch in your teeth. (4 our of 5 stars)
Then again, not everyone is cuckoo for the iPhone’s unadulterated beauty; some are willing—maybe even pining—to slap on an outer layer that not only protects, but also dresses their iPhone. You know, sort of like one would dress a young child before sending him off to his first day of school. The Ivyskin XyloT3 Reflect Case is one such outfit, with a solid-white, hardshell back and a reflective, metallic border lining the front.
by Dan Frakes, Macworld.com
Unlike the Speck SeeThru and many other two-piece, hard-shell cases for the iPhone, the XyloT3 is a shining example of sturdy construction and actual protection. For example, the plastic itself is thick and comfortably durable. And the latches that fasten the case together inspire confidence in their integrity—dropping your encased iPhone a few feet onto the ground won’t cause the case to snap open, flinging your phone into the perilous clutches of The Outside World.
But the XyloT3’s most notable benefit is a feature that defines most of Ivyskin’s other protective cases: it fully protects the iPhone’s screen with a solid layer of plastic. This front piece uses Ivyskin’s Surface Xylo Wave technology, which allows you to manipulate the touchscreen through the protective cover with near-perfect control—something that’s hard to find in other iPhone cases, which, if they include any screen protection at all, usually feature just a piece of stick-on film. The XyloT3’s plastic protects the screen not only from the usual scratches and dust, but from dings and drops as well.
Plus, since the front is reflective, the case doubles as a mirror. No more needing to squint into the shiny Apple logo on the back of your phone to make sure you don’t have any left-over lunch in your teeth. (4 our of 5 stars)
Sena WalletBook Case for iPhone 3G Review
Search Brand/Device: iPhone Reviews | Sena
CaseandCover.com reviews Sena cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
What if plastic isn’t your thing? What if you’re less about the wam, and more about the glam? Then the Sena WalletBook Case is for you. The jewelry-box-like packaging it comes in is an indication of what you’re getting when you plop down the dough for this phone fender: The case is made from high-quality European Napa leather, complete with the high-inducing new-leather smell. Unlike the leather cases that scream “cheap,” every detail of the WalletBook seems carefully conceived and constructed, offering a snug fit for your iPhone. The back and flip-open front panel are thick, solid leather slabs providing adequate protection for on-the-go businesspeople.
by Dan Frakes, Macworld.com
The WalletBook is aptly named: unlike other cases that merely provide a skin for your iPhone, the WalletBook also doubles as—you guessed it—a wallet, offering three sleeves one the front panel for credit cards and cash, along with a clear-plastic sleeve for an ID. But this approach also has its downsides: Because the case’s front-panel flips closed, the iPhone’s touchscreen and other controls—namely, the volume buttons and the Ring/Silent switch—are inaccessible while the front is shut, complicating the iPhone’s role as a music player.
The case’s two panels, front and back, and its snap closure also add bulk: This isn’t a case you can just slide into most pockets. Rather, it seems to be geared towards carrying in a bag or purse. But if you’re a fancy executive with deep pockets (both literally and figuratively), and you’re looking for a well-built, professional-looking, multi-function iPhone case, the WalletBook is right up your alley. (3.5 out of 5 stars)
What if plastic isn’t your thing? What if you’re less about the wam, and more about the glam? Then the Sena WalletBook Case is for you. The jewelry-box-like packaging it comes in is an indication of what you’re getting when you plop down the dough for this phone fender: The case is made from high-quality European Napa leather, complete with the high-inducing new-leather smell. Unlike the leather cases that scream “cheap,” every detail of the WalletBook seems carefully conceived and constructed, offering a snug fit for your iPhone. The back and flip-open front panel are thick, solid leather slabs providing adequate protection for on-the-go businesspeople.
by Dan Frakes, Macworld.com
The WalletBook is aptly named: unlike other cases that merely provide a skin for your iPhone, the WalletBook also doubles as—you guessed it—a wallet, offering three sleeves one the front panel for credit cards and cash, along with a clear-plastic sleeve for an ID. But this approach also has its downsides: Because the case’s front-panel flips closed, the iPhone’s touchscreen and other controls—namely, the volume buttons and the Ring/Silent switch—are inaccessible while the front is shut, complicating the iPhone’s role as a music player.
The case’s two panels, front and back, and its snap closure also add bulk: This isn’t a case you can just slide into most pockets. Rather, it seems to be geared towards carrying in a bag or purse. But if you’re a fancy executive with deep pockets (both literally and figuratively), and you’re looking for a well-built, professional-looking, multi-function iPhone case, the WalletBook is right up your alley. (3.5 out of 5 stars)
Speck SeeThru for iPhone (original) Review
Search Brand/Device: iPhone Reviews | Speck
CaseandCover.com reviews Speck cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
When I bought my iPhone, the last thing I wanted to do was cover its beauty in an opaque layer of stylelessness, robbing those around me of the opportunity to immediately identify the device, and robbing me of the opportunity to bask in that envy. For those as appreciative of the iPhone’s elegance and slick curves as me, a transparent case is the only option. And while Speck’s SeeThru for the iPhone falls in that category, it’s also plagued by the flaws typically inherent in that category’s products.
Posted on Oct 31, 2008 by Dan Pourhadi, Macworld.com
Namely, and most importantly, the case isn’t the most secure—or most protective, or sturdiest, or most confidence-inspiring—compared to the others in this roundup. In fact, the only protection the SeeThru really reliably offers is defense against scratches and scrapes. You insert your iPhone into the hard-plastic case by sandwiching it between the case’s snap-together front and back panels, but one good bump can cause the panels to pop open. Once that happens, all bets are off in terms of protection. Even when the case is on, it just doesn’t feel like the two pieces are securely and reliably attached—there’s too much wiggling and jiggling, and too little guarantee.
But the SeeThru isn’t all bad. It does have the same nifty belt holster as Speck’s ArmorSkin that we reviewed a while back; you can easily attach and remove your iPhone, case and all, from your belt. Plus, you have the option to insert the case onto the holster screen-side-in for maximum screen protection, and the holster’s belt clip transforms into an iPhone stand for hands-free video watching. The SeeThru also comes in some swanky translucent colors, and Speck includes a removable, thin-film screen protector that hinders the touchscreen’s responsiveness slightly less than other, similar products I’ve tested.
When I bought my iPhone, the last thing I wanted to do was cover its beauty in an opaque layer of stylelessness, robbing those around me of the opportunity to immediately identify the device, and robbing me of the opportunity to bask in that envy. For those as appreciative of the iPhone’s elegance and slick curves as me, a transparent case is the only option. And while Speck’s SeeThru for the iPhone falls in that category, it’s also plagued by the flaws typically inherent in that category’s products.
Posted on Oct 31, 2008 by Dan Pourhadi, Macworld.com
Namely, and most importantly, the case isn’t the most secure—or most protective, or sturdiest, or most confidence-inspiring—compared to the others in this roundup. In fact, the only protection the SeeThru really reliably offers is defense against scratches and scrapes. You insert your iPhone into the hard-plastic case by sandwiching it between the case’s snap-together front and back panels, but one good bump can cause the panels to pop open. Once that happens, all bets are off in terms of protection. Even when the case is on, it just doesn’t feel like the two pieces are securely and reliably attached—there’s too much wiggling and jiggling, and too little guarantee.
But the SeeThru isn’t all bad. It does have the same nifty belt holster as Speck’s ArmorSkin that we reviewed a while back; you can easily attach and remove your iPhone, case and all, from your belt. Plus, you have the option to insert the case onto the holster screen-side-in for maximum screen protection, and the holster’s belt clip transforms into an iPhone stand for hands-free video watching. The SeeThru also comes in some swanky translucent colors, and Speck includes a removable, thin-film screen protector that hinders the touchscreen’s responsiveness slightly less than other, similar products I’ve tested.
iDive 300 iPod/iPhone Underwater Case Review
Search Brand/Device: iPhone Reviews | iPod classic Reviews | iPod touch Reviews | iPod nano Reviews | IDive
CaseandCover.com reviews H2O Audio cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
Underwater movie watching and music listening done right
by Rob Griffiths, Macworld.com
If you’re a professional scuba diver, there’s probably one aspect of your career that you really dislike: the interminable decompression stops. For those who don’t know, professional divers tend to dive much deeper, and for much longer, than do recreational divers such as myself. As a result, they build up lots of inert gases in their bloodstream, and these gases need to be purged before surfacing so as to avoid decompression sickness. For example, the US Navy’s dive tables show that a diver spending 60 minutes at a depth of 130 feet must make four decompression stops totaling nearly 90 minutes before surfacing!
As a recreational diver, I don't have anywhere near such requirements—just a three minute “safety stop” at 15 feet of depth. I can easily pass those minutes by just looking around at the undersea environment. But if I had 90 minutes or more to wait before surfacing, the surroundings would quickly turn monotonous. You can’t read a book or magazine, for obvious reasons, and taking a nap isn’t a good idea, either, as you need to maintain your depth and be awake to monitor your equipment. Sounds like a recipe for hours of boredom, doesn’t it?
Until recently, it probably was. But add H2O Audio’s iDive 300 Deep Dive Waterproof Case & Speakers to the mix, and you can use those decompression stops to watch a movie, listen to an audiobook, or be serenaded by your music collection. You can also use the iDive 300 during your dive, as well as while snorkeling and swimming.
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The iDive 300 lets you use your iPhone or iPod underwater to watch video and listen to audio (you can't run apps or use the phone). Specifically, the iDive protects your player down to an incredible depth of 300 feet—recreational divers are limited to 120 feet, and most "waterproof" iPod cases we've tested work only to 10 feet or so. Your iPod or iPhone fits snugly inside the case using several included spacers and trim pieces. The iDive 300's amplified, outside-the-ear headphones—actually small speakers—are permanently connected and can be either clipped to the sides of your mask or tucked inside a dive hood.
How does the iDive 300 let you use the touchscreen on an iPod touch or iPhone, or the Click Wheel on an iPod, through the thick plastic required to withstand the incredible pressures at such depths? It doesn’t. Inside the iDive, you’ll find a circuit board, a dock-connector plug, and space for three AA batteries (for powering the case's circuitry and headphones). You control your player using buttons—for volume, playback, and menu navigation—on the side of the iDive, which communicates with your iPod or iPhone through the dock-connector port. In other words, the iDive is more like an iPod speaker system in a waterproof enclosure than a simple waterproof case (which partly explains its higher price).
How well does the iDive work in the real world? A recent short trip to Cabo san Lucas gave me the opportunity to use the iDive on a real dive, using my iPhone 3G as the audio and video source. After testing the case at home to make sure it was watertight, I set out on the trip, still with a good deal of trepidation over immersing my iPhone 3G in the open ocean!
I needn’t have worried, however, as the iDive performed perfectly. Once in the water with the iDive, I tested both movie and audio playback, and everything worked as expected. I was able to easily navigate menus, start and stop audio and video, and watch and listen to my iPhone while scuba diving. I had a bit of an issue during setup, requiring me to turn the iDive on and off a couple times to get it to “see” my iPhone, but after that, it worked fine.
There’s something decidedly weird about listening to music (not to mention watching a movie) while gliding 60 feet under the surface. The underwater world is usually quiet, with the exception of the noise from breathing and bubbles…but not for me, at least not on this dive. I tried a variety of music, and found that classical seemed to work nicely with the slow, easy pace of scuba diving. (The faster you swim, the faster you use up your air supply, so scuba divers are generally very slow swimmers.)
Using the iDive while diving was reasonably easy, at least in warmer, “no glove” water. The buttons were all easy to press, and I could operate them by touch after I became familiar with their locations. For colder water use, I tested the iDive 300 at home with my light dive gloves on, and the buttons were large enough to distinguish and press. I didn’t, however, bring the gloves on the trip, so I can’t comment on how well the gloves would work with the iDive 300 in the real world.
The sound from the headphones is adequate, if not of the highest quality—I found the sound somewhat tinny, with bass response lacking. I had the speakers clipped to my mask, resting over my ears; I imagine that had I been wearing a dive hood with the headphones tucked inside, the sound might have been better. To be fair, reproducing sound accurately underwater is very difficult, especially at the lower frequencies, so the iDive did an acceptable job, in my opinion. Volume levels were easily loud enough—the amplified speakers did that job with ease.
Seeing the iPhone’s screen also wasn’t a problem, at least not in the water we were diving in, which was generally clear with visibility ranging from 20 to 50 feet. I didn’t see any distortion from the case's plexiglass, which is impressive, given its thickness. I recorded a short movie, below, of the iDive 300 in action at approximately 65 feet (using a Canon SD850 IS in a waterproof housing), so you can get a sense of how it looks. You'll notice that the colors are somewhat off due to the lack of natural light during a scuba dive and the fact that I recorded the video using a compact digital camera.
Being a recreational diver, I got nowhere near the iDive’s 300-foot limit, as our dive ranged between 50 and 65 feet. Still, there’s a fair amount of pressure at those depths, yet the iDive 300 remained perfectly sealed, and all of its controls worked fine. At the conclusion of the 45-minute dive, there wasn’t any sign of water anywhere inside the case.
The biggest problem I had while using the iDive 300 was simply managing the cables it adds to an already cable- and cord-heavy hobby. The headphone cable leading out of the iDive splits into left and right cables after a foot or so. Combine those cables with the buoyancy-jacket inflator, the instrument cluster, and two regulators, and you’ve got a potential tangle on your hands. I did my best to route the cords in such a way that they wouldn’t interfere with the rest of my gear.
Another potential issue with the iDive 300 has nothing to do with the product and everything to do with how you use it: While enjoying your music or movie, you may forget to check your depth, your air supply, the location of your buddy, and/or the direction you’re moving. Overlooking just one of these things while diving could potentially lead to a fatal accident, so it’s critically important that you stay involved with your dive while using the iDive 300.
Macworld's buying advice
Overall, I was very impressed with the iDive 300. While it’s not cheap at $299, you do get what you pay for: It’s amazingly well-engineered, solidly built, and worked exactly as advertised during my time with it. It was relatively easy to set up, its buttons were large and easy to press under water, and there was more than enough volume at the depths I tested it. Sound quality is about what I was expecting, given the difficulties of reproducing sound underwater, and was certainly good enough to understand words and listen to music.
If you just want to use your iPod or iPhone around the pool or while snorkeling in shallower waters, H2O Audio's Amphibx line will handle those needs. But if you’re looking for a well-built, waterproof case that you can use while scuba diving, the iDive 300 is well worth your consideration.
Underwater movie watching and music listening done right
by Rob Griffiths, Macworld.com
If you’re a professional scuba diver, there’s probably one aspect of your career that you really dislike: the interminable decompression stops. For those who don’t know, professional divers tend to dive much deeper, and for much longer, than do recreational divers such as myself. As a result, they build up lots of inert gases in their bloodstream, and these gases need to be purged before surfacing so as to avoid decompression sickness. For example, the US Navy’s dive tables show that a diver spending 60 minutes at a depth of 130 feet must make four decompression stops totaling nearly 90 minutes before surfacing!
As a recreational diver, I don't have anywhere near such requirements—just a three minute “safety stop” at 15 feet of depth. I can easily pass those minutes by just looking around at the undersea environment. But if I had 90 minutes or more to wait before surfacing, the surroundings would quickly turn monotonous. You can’t read a book or magazine, for obvious reasons, and taking a nap isn’t a good idea, either, as you need to maintain your depth and be awake to monitor your equipment. Sounds like a recipe for hours of boredom, doesn’t it?
Until recently, it probably was. But add H2O Audio’s iDive 300 Deep Dive Waterproof Case & Speakers to the mix, and you can use those decompression stops to watch a movie, listen to an audiobook, or be serenaded by your music collection. You can also use the iDive 300 during your dive, as well as while snorkeling and swimming.
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The iDive 300 lets you use your iPhone or iPod underwater to watch video and listen to audio (you can't run apps or use the phone). Specifically, the iDive protects your player down to an incredible depth of 300 feet—recreational divers are limited to 120 feet, and most "waterproof" iPod cases we've tested work only to 10 feet or so. Your iPod or iPhone fits snugly inside the case using several included spacers and trim pieces. The iDive 300's amplified, outside-the-ear headphones—actually small speakers—are permanently connected and can be either clipped to the sides of your mask or tucked inside a dive hood.
How does the iDive 300 let you use the touchscreen on an iPod touch or iPhone, or the Click Wheel on an iPod, through the thick plastic required to withstand the incredible pressures at such depths? It doesn’t. Inside the iDive, you’ll find a circuit board, a dock-connector plug, and space for three AA batteries (for powering the case's circuitry and headphones). You control your player using buttons—for volume, playback, and menu navigation—on the side of the iDive, which communicates with your iPod or iPhone through the dock-connector port. In other words, the iDive is more like an iPod speaker system in a waterproof enclosure than a simple waterproof case (which partly explains its higher price).
How well does the iDive work in the real world? A recent short trip to Cabo san Lucas gave me the opportunity to use the iDive on a real dive, using my iPhone 3G as the audio and video source. After testing the case at home to make sure it was watertight, I set out on the trip, still with a good deal of trepidation over immersing my iPhone 3G in the open ocean!
I needn’t have worried, however, as the iDive performed perfectly. Once in the water with the iDive, I tested both movie and audio playback, and everything worked as expected. I was able to easily navigate menus, start and stop audio and video, and watch and listen to my iPhone while scuba diving. I had a bit of an issue during setup, requiring me to turn the iDive on and off a couple times to get it to “see” my iPhone, but after that, it worked fine.
There’s something decidedly weird about listening to music (not to mention watching a movie) while gliding 60 feet under the surface. The underwater world is usually quiet, with the exception of the noise from breathing and bubbles…but not for me, at least not on this dive. I tried a variety of music, and found that classical seemed to work nicely with the slow, easy pace of scuba diving. (The faster you swim, the faster you use up your air supply, so scuba divers are generally very slow swimmers.)
Using the iDive while diving was reasonably easy, at least in warmer, “no glove” water. The buttons were all easy to press, and I could operate them by touch after I became familiar with their locations. For colder water use, I tested the iDive 300 at home with my light dive gloves on, and the buttons were large enough to distinguish and press. I didn’t, however, bring the gloves on the trip, so I can’t comment on how well the gloves would work with the iDive 300 in the real world.
The sound from the headphones is adequate, if not of the highest quality—I found the sound somewhat tinny, with bass response lacking. I had the speakers clipped to my mask, resting over my ears; I imagine that had I been wearing a dive hood with the headphones tucked inside, the sound might have been better. To be fair, reproducing sound accurately underwater is very difficult, especially at the lower frequencies, so the iDive did an acceptable job, in my opinion. Volume levels were easily loud enough—the amplified speakers did that job with ease.
Seeing the iPhone’s screen also wasn’t a problem, at least not in the water we were diving in, which was generally clear with visibility ranging from 20 to 50 feet. I didn’t see any distortion from the case's plexiglass, which is impressive, given its thickness. I recorded a short movie, below, of the iDive 300 in action at approximately 65 feet (using a Canon SD850 IS in a waterproof housing), so you can get a sense of how it looks. You'll notice that the colors are somewhat off due to the lack of natural light during a scuba dive and the fact that I recorded the video using a compact digital camera.
Being a recreational diver, I got nowhere near the iDive’s 300-foot limit, as our dive ranged between 50 and 65 feet. Still, there’s a fair amount of pressure at those depths, yet the iDive 300 remained perfectly sealed, and all of its controls worked fine. At the conclusion of the 45-minute dive, there wasn’t any sign of water anywhere inside the case.
The biggest problem I had while using the iDive 300 was simply managing the cables it adds to an already cable- and cord-heavy hobby. The headphone cable leading out of the iDive splits into left and right cables after a foot or so. Combine those cables with the buoyancy-jacket inflator, the instrument cluster, and two regulators, and you’ve got a potential tangle on your hands. I did my best to route the cords in such a way that they wouldn’t interfere with the rest of my gear.
Another potential issue with the iDive 300 has nothing to do with the product and everything to do with how you use it: While enjoying your music or movie, you may forget to check your depth, your air supply, the location of your buddy, and/or the direction you’re moving. Overlooking just one of these things while diving could potentially lead to a fatal accident, so it’s critically important that you stay involved with your dive while using the iDive 300.
Macworld's buying advice
Overall, I was very impressed with the iDive 300. While it’s not cheap at $299, you do get what you pay for: It’s amazingly well-engineered, solidly built, and worked exactly as advertised during my time with it. It was relatively easy to set up, its buttons were large and easy to press under water, and there was more than enough volume at the depths I tested it. Sound quality is about what I was expecting, given the difficulties of reproducing sound underwater, and was certainly good enough to understand words and listen to music.
If you just want to use your iPod or iPhone around the pool or while snorkeling in shallower waters, H2O Audio's Amphibx line will handle those needs. But if you’re looking for a well-built, waterproof case that you can use while scuba diving, the iDive 300 is well worth your consideration.
SwitchEasy Capsule for iPhone Review
Search Brand/Device: iPhone Reviews | SwitchEasy
CaseandCover.com reviews SwitchEasy cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
by Dan Frakes, Macworld.com
When we reviewed previous SwitchEasy cases, we noted that those products stood out for offering a better value than similar—and similarly-priced—products from other vendors. SwitchEasy’s $30 Capsule iPhone (4 Stars out of 5) continues that trend by including a slew of accessories in the package.
The case itself, available in black, white, limited-edition pink, and limited-edition “military green,” consists of a front piece and a rear piece. The bottom of the front piece wraps around the back of the iPhone, where it connects to the back part of the shell and locks in place—literally. There’s actually a small, spring-loaded clasp that keeps the two pieces of the case firmly connected to each other; even when I dropped my Capsule-encased iPhone onto hard surfaces, the clasp never came undone, and this front-and-back design lessens the chance that you’ll scratch your iPhone while putting it in and taking it out of the case. The bottom of the case looks much like the bottom of the Incase Slider, but you can still use dock-cradle accessories without having to remove your iPhone from the case; SwitchEasy even includes a Universal dock adapter for use with the Capsule.
But, as I mentioned, it’s the accessories that made the Capsule iPhone unique. In addition to the dock adapter, SwitchEasy includes a headphone adapter (for using any headphones with the iPhone’s recessed headphone jack); two “accented” screen protectors; a clear screen protector; a cleaning cloth; six Tactile Touch pads; and a plastic dock-connector plug. The limited-edition models (pink and military green) also include a small stand for watching videos on your iPhone.
Some of these accessories—for example, the headphone and dock adapters—are very useful. I also like the variety of screen protectors. The clear covering is your basic static-adhesive screen covering with openings for the receiver speaker and the Home button. The two accented protectors cover all of your iPhone’s front, including the metal around the edges and the Home button; covering the Home button keeps dust from finding its way inside your iPhone. These accented protectors also let you customize the look of your case; for example, on the military green model, you get green or tan accents. Because the accented protectors cover the Home button, you first apply two of the included Tactile Touch pads to your Home button; these pads raise the button’s profile so you can use it “by touch” even when it's covered by the protector.
The dock-connector plug, on the other hand, isn’t as useful. It fits loosely enough in the dock-connector port that it popped out when I dropped the case onto the ground. And the fit and finish of the Capsule iPhone isn’t quite as good as that of some of the other SwitchEasy Capsules I’ve seen. For example, the edges around the openings for the Ring/Silent switch, the headphone jack, and the Sleep/Wake button are sharp, rather than the much-smoother edges on the Eco Shield and Slider. Still, it's a solid case that fits well and comes with lots of extras.
by Dan Frakes, Macworld.com
When we reviewed previous SwitchEasy cases, we noted that those products stood out for offering a better value than similar—and similarly-priced—products from other vendors. SwitchEasy’s $30 Capsule iPhone (4 Stars out of 5) continues that trend by including a slew of accessories in the package.
The case itself, available in black, white, limited-edition pink, and limited-edition “military green,” consists of a front piece and a rear piece. The bottom of the front piece wraps around the back of the iPhone, where it connects to the back part of the shell and locks in place—literally. There’s actually a small, spring-loaded clasp that keeps the two pieces of the case firmly connected to each other; even when I dropped my Capsule-encased iPhone onto hard surfaces, the clasp never came undone, and this front-and-back design lessens the chance that you’ll scratch your iPhone while putting it in and taking it out of the case. The bottom of the case looks much like the bottom of the Incase Slider, but you can still use dock-cradle accessories without having to remove your iPhone from the case; SwitchEasy even includes a Universal dock adapter for use with the Capsule.
But, as I mentioned, it’s the accessories that made the Capsule iPhone unique. In addition to the dock adapter, SwitchEasy includes a headphone adapter (for using any headphones with the iPhone’s recessed headphone jack); two “accented” screen protectors; a clear screen protector; a cleaning cloth; six Tactile Touch pads; and a plastic dock-connector plug. The limited-edition models (pink and military green) also include a small stand for watching videos on your iPhone.
Some of these accessories—for example, the headphone and dock adapters—are very useful. I also like the variety of screen protectors. The clear covering is your basic static-adhesive screen covering with openings for the receiver speaker and the Home button. The two accented protectors cover all of your iPhone’s front, including the metal around the edges and the Home button; covering the Home button keeps dust from finding its way inside your iPhone. These accented protectors also let you customize the look of your case; for example, on the military green model, you get green or tan accents. Because the accented protectors cover the Home button, you first apply two of the included Tactile Touch pads to your Home button; these pads raise the button’s profile so you can use it “by touch” even when it's covered by the protector.
The dock-connector plug, on the other hand, isn’t as useful. It fits loosely enough in the dock-connector port that it popped out when I dropped the case onto the ground. And the fit and finish of the Capsule iPhone isn’t quite as good as that of some of the other SwitchEasy Capsules I’ve seen. For example, the edges around the openings for the Ring/Silent switch, the headphone jack, and the Sleep/Wake button are sharp, rather than the much-smoother edges on the Eco Shield and Slider. Still, it's a solid case that fits well and comes with lots of extras.
Incase Slider Case for iPhone Review
Search Brand/Device: Incase | iPhone Reviews
CaseandCover.com reviews Incase cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
by Dan Frakes, Macworld.com
Incase’s $35 Slider Case for iPhone (4 Stars out of 5) , available in glossy white or black, is very similar to the Agent 18 case, above. However, instead of two equally-sized pieces, the Slider Case uses a main piece that slides over the top of your iPhone and a smaller bottom piece. The reason for this approach is that, because the bottom of the Slider covers much more of the iPhone’s bottom edge, you can’t connect bottom-mounted dock-connector accessories, or place your iPhone in a dock cradle, while the phone is in the case. To get around this restriction, the bottom piece of the case is made to be easily removed. It simply slides off, giving you full access to the dock-connector port. When you’re done using dock accessories, you just slide the bottom piece back on.
Although this design works well, keep in mind that if you frequently use such dock accessories, you’ll find yourself removing and replacing the bottom piece of the case many, many times. Over time, this repeated wear and tear could result in scuffs or scratches to your iPhone. I did prefer the Eco Shield’s design in this respect.
Another difference between the Slider and the Eco Shield is that the inside of the Slider includes two thin, low-profile silicone strips—which contact the back of your iPhone—to provide a good grip on the phone without requiring the case to fit so tightly. In theory, these strips should reduce the chances of the case actually scratching the back of your iPod due to dust or dirt inside, although the silicone does leave some marks of its own; thankfully, these marks rub off easily. (Incase also claims the strips offer some shock protection, although the strips are so thin that I would suspect the actual degree of protection to be minimal.)
I especially liked the Slider’s glossy coating, which in addition to being very attractive—especially the white model—was also surprisingly scratch-resistant in my testing.
by Dan Frakes, Macworld.com
Incase’s $35 Slider Case for iPhone (4 Stars out of 5) , available in glossy white or black, is very similar to the Agent 18 case, above. However, instead of two equally-sized pieces, the Slider Case uses a main piece that slides over the top of your iPhone and a smaller bottom piece. The reason for this approach is that, because the bottom of the Slider covers much more of the iPhone’s bottom edge, you can’t connect bottom-mounted dock-connector accessories, or place your iPhone in a dock cradle, while the phone is in the case. To get around this restriction, the bottom piece of the case is made to be easily removed. It simply slides off, giving you full access to the dock-connector port. When you’re done using dock accessories, you just slide the bottom piece back on.
Although this design works well, keep in mind that if you frequently use such dock accessories, you’ll find yourself removing and replacing the bottom piece of the case many, many times. Over time, this repeated wear and tear could result in scuffs or scratches to your iPhone. I did prefer the Eco Shield’s design in this respect.
Another difference between the Slider and the Eco Shield is that the inside of the Slider includes two thin, low-profile silicone strips—which contact the back of your iPhone—to provide a good grip on the phone without requiring the case to fit so tightly. In theory, these strips should reduce the chances of the case actually scratching the back of your iPod due to dust or dirt inside, although the silicone does leave some marks of its own; thankfully, these marks rub off easily. (Incase also claims the strips offer some shock protection, although the strips are so thin that I would suspect the actual degree of protection to be minimal.)
I especially liked the Slider’s glossy coating, which in addition to being very attractive—especially the white model—was also surprisingly scratch-resistant in my testing.
Agent 18 Eco iPhone Shield Review
Search Brand/Device: iPhone Reviews | Agent 18
CaseandCover.com reviews Agent 18 cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
by Dan Frakes, Macworld.com
Agent 18’s $30 Eco iPhone Shield (4 Stars out of 5), available in matte black, is split into top and bottom pieces; you slide these sections over the top and bottom of your iPhone, respectively, and they click together in the middle. The case is a snug fit, but still comes off easily when you want it to. Like all Agent 18 iPod and iPhone cases, the bottom of the Eco Shield is flush with the bottom of the iPhone, letting you use bottom-mounted dock-connector accessories; Agent 18 also includes a dock insert, sized specifically for an Eco Shield-encased iPhone, for Apple’s Universal dock design, allowing you to use your iPhone with dock-cradle accessories without having to remove the case.
What’s unique about the Eco Shield—and what gives the case its name—is that Agent 18 has made it out of “eco-friendly material with minimum carbon impact”—read: recycled plastic—and packaged it using a reasonably-small amount of fully-recyclable plastic and paper. As someone who sees a heartbreaking amount of waste when it comes to the production and packaging of iPod accessories, I applaud Agent 18 for these efforts.
One minor drawback of the Eco Shield is that because the case fits snugly and has no lining, you need to be careful, before putting the case on your iPhone, that both the phone and the interior of the case are clean. Harder pieces of dirt or dust can scuff your iPhone while you’re sliding it in and out of the case.
(Note that the Eco Shield has a small notch on the top and one on each side near the bottom. It appears these three notches provide places for a holster or belt clip to attach; however, Agent 18 doesn’t currently sell such an accessory.) (2.5 out of 5 stars)
by Dan Frakes, Macworld.com
Agent 18’s $30 Eco iPhone Shield (4 Stars out of 5), available in matte black, is split into top and bottom pieces; you slide these sections over the top and bottom of your iPhone, respectively, and they click together in the middle. The case is a snug fit, but still comes off easily when you want it to. Like all Agent 18 iPod and iPhone cases, the bottom of the Eco Shield is flush with the bottom of the iPhone, letting you use bottom-mounted dock-connector accessories; Agent 18 also includes a dock insert, sized specifically for an Eco Shield-encased iPhone, for Apple’s Universal dock design, allowing you to use your iPhone with dock-cradle accessories without having to remove the case.
What’s unique about the Eco Shield—and what gives the case its name—is that Agent 18 has made it out of “eco-friendly material with minimum carbon impact”—read: recycled plastic—and packaged it using a reasonably-small amount of fully-recyclable plastic and paper. As someone who sees a heartbreaking amount of waste when it comes to the production and packaging of iPod accessories, I applaud Agent 18 for these efforts.
One minor drawback of the Eco Shield is that because the case fits snugly and has no lining, you need to be careful, before putting the case on your iPhone, that both the phone and the interior of the case are clean. Harder pieces of dirt or dust can scuff your iPhone while you’re sliding it in and out of the case.
(Note that the Eco Shield has a small notch on the top and one on each side near the bottom. It appears these three notches provide places for a holster or belt clip to attach; however, Agent 18 doesn’t currently sell such an accessory.) (2.5 out of 5 stars)
Review: Otterbox Armor Series iPod Touch case
Search Brand/Device: iPod touch Reviews | Otterbox
CaseandCover.com reviews OtterBox cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
by Doug Aamoth on March 10, 2008
The Otterbox Armor Series iPod Touch case is waterproof, dustproof, dirtproof, sandproof, and drop-proof while at the same time allowing access to most of the Touch’s functions. While the extra added bulk might scare some people off, those who need maximum protection at a not-too-shabby price will appreciate this case.
Features
The Otterbox Armor Series case protects an iPod Touch on all sides with impact-absorbing rubber while allowing use of the touch screen through a thin-but-tough membrane. There’s an external headphone jack that hooks into your iPod’s headphone jack, a rubberized main button, and a belt clip on the backside of the case.
Pros
The Armor Series feels like it can take a beating — like a drop from a moving car and getting run over by the car behind it kind of beating. It feels that tough.
I didn’t test the claim that the case is waterproof up to 3 feet or drop it out of a moving car because I’m not insane and the thought of replacing a device I bought for $400 and use almost every day makes me bunch up a bit. I would, however, take this out to the beach without worrying that I was going to ruin the precious cargo inside.
Also, at $50, the price is nice for what you get. It’s my opinion that too much of a premium is put on “rugged” devices and cases. You could probably find similar cases selling for $80 an up. This seems like a good value if you’re going to be using your iPod in some pretty rough conditions. Those of you in the military, especially, could use this.
Cons
One glaring drawback is that the Armor case makes your otherwise svelte and pocketable device into a considerably larger, plastic-covered device. You’d have to have mighty big pockets to carry this around without using the belt clip or the included lanyard. That being said, it’s being marketed for toughness, not portability.
The second minor gripe is that, while you’re still able to control the Touch, the gentle finger swoops that you’re used to become much more deliberate presses thanks to the membrane that covers the screen. Don’t get me wrong, it’s cool that the screen even works while in this case. It looks like it wouldn’t. It’s just not as elegant. Also, the power button on the top of the iPod Touch gets covered up completely. Not a huge deal since the device will eventually go into sleep mode.
Other Stuff
This could be a pro or a con depending whom you ask, but the belt clip positions the iPod Touch upside-down (notice where the headphone jack is located in the photo on the right).
It works well for looking down and futzing with the controls, though.
Conclusion
The Otterbox for iPod Touch Armor Series case is a great buy for anyone looking for some serious protection. Everyone else could easily get by with a slimmer, cheaper solution. The build quality and the price of the Armor case make it a winner, though.
by Doug Aamoth on March 10, 2008
The Otterbox Armor Series iPod Touch case is waterproof, dustproof, dirtproof, sandproof, and drop-proof while at the same time allowing access to most of the Touch’s functions. While the extra added bulk might scare some people off, those who need maximum protection at a not-too-shabby price will appreciate this case.
Features
The Otterbox Armor Series case protects an iPod Touch on all sides with impact-absorbing rubber while allowing use of the touch screen through a thin-but-tough membrane. There’s an external headphone jack that hooks into your iPod’s headphone jack, a rubberized main button, and a belt clip on the backside of the case.
Pros
The Armor Series feels like it can take a beating — like a drop from a moving car and getting run over by the car behind it kind of beating. It feels that tough.
I didn’t test the claim that the case is waterproof up to 3 feet or drop it out of a moving car because I’m not insane and the thought of replacing a device I bought for $400 and use almost every day makes me bunch up a bit. I would, however, take this out to the beach without worrying that I was going to ruin the precious cargo inside.
Also, at $50, the price is nice for what you get. It’s my opinion that too much of a premium is put on “rugged” devices and cases. You could probably find similar cases selling for $80 an up. This seems like a good value if you’re going to be using your iPod in some pretty rough conditions. Those of you in the military, especially, could use this.
Cons
One glaring drawback is that the Armor case makes your otherwise svelte and pocketable device into a considerably larger, plastic-covered device. You’d have to have mighty big pockets to carry this around without using the belt clip or the included lanyard. That being said, it’s being marketed for toughness, not portability.
The second minor gripe is that, while you’re still able to control the Touch, the gentle finger swoops that you’re used to become much more deliberate presses thanks to the membrane that covers the screen. Don’t get me wrong, it’s cool that the screen even works while in this case. It looks like it wouldn’t. It’s just not as elegant. Also, the power button on the top of the iPod Touch gets covered up completely. Not a huge deal since the device will eventually go into sleep mode.
Other Stuff
This could be a pro or a con depending whom you ask, but the belt clip positions the iPod Touch upside-down (notice where the headphone jack is located in the photo on the right).
It works well for looking down and futzing with the controls, though.
Conclusion
The Otterbox for iPod Touch Armor Series case is a great buy for anyone looking for some serious protection. Everyone else could easily get by with a slimmer, cheaper solution. The build quality and the price of the Armor case make it a winner, though.
Incase Protective iPhone Cover Tested (Verdict: OK)
Search Brand/Device: iPhone Reviews | Incase
CaseandCover.com reviews Incase cases and covers for the iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry. Trusted reviews, from trusted sources throughout the internet.
By Brian Lam, 6:46 PM on Thu Jul 12 2007
This Incase Protective cover is the first piece of iPhone retail-bait I couldn't resist in the Apple store.
The good:
It's the sleekest of all cases in stock there, so it won't make your iPhone look like a Tonka truck; it's rubberized, available in black, red, and grey; and has a neat topographical pattern all over it that supposedly helps grip; cutouts or ridges for all buttons; helps the iPhone fit snuggly in iPod docks.
The bad:
It's isn't actually so skinny that it allows handset to dock with the Apple iPhone dock, despite it being the sleekest around (see photo), requiring me to remove the case or just use the dock cable alone. You should be acutely reminded that this won't help protect your screen, but this isn't so much a fault as a part of the design. (Maybe it'll work well with the Invisible Shield coating. The company says it won't impact the touchscreen's sensitivity, but we've yet to test that out.) As I remove the case for docking reasons, it is starting to stretch out, like a wizard's sleeve. That could be a problem as debris falls in between the sleeve and the iPhone. (I think this would result in abrasions, not pearls.) This should cost $15, not $30, and Incase, you know it.
Verdict: I'm satisfied with it.
By Brian Lam, 6:46 PM on Thu Jul 12 2007
This Incase Protective cover is the first piece of iPhone retail-bait I couldn't resist in the Apple store.
The good:
It's the sleekest of all cases in stock there, so it won't make your iPhone look like a Tonka truck; it's rubberized, available in black, red, and grey; and has a neat topographical pattern all over it that supposedly helps grip; cutouts or ridges for all buttons; helps the iPhone fit snuggly in iPod docks.
The bad:
It's isn't actually so skinny that it allows handset to dock with the Apple iPhone dock, despite it being the sleekest around (see photo), requiring me to remove the case or just use the dock cable alone. You should be acutely reminded that this won't help protect your screen, but this isn't so much a fault as a part of the design. (Maybe it'll work well with the Invisible Shield coating. The company says it won't impact the touchscreen's sensitivity, but we've yet to test that out.) As I remove the case for docking reasons, it is starting to stretch out, like a wizard's sleeve. That could be a problem as debris falls in between the sleeve and the iPhone. (I think this would result in abrasions, not pearls.) This should cost $15, not $30, and Incase, you know it.
Verdict: I'm satisfied with it.