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iFrogz Frosted Luxe iPhone 3G Case Review

Michael Levine — Tue, 11 May 2010 03:23:00 +0000

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When we visited CES in January 2010, a new area was announced to showcase Apple based products and peripherals because of a recent change to the annual Macworld show. While there were some great new products being debuted, we noticed one type of product that was abundantly available, iPhone cases.

After visiting more than 30 booths with iPhone cases, we noticed only a handful of companies were innovating beyond the basic silicon skin case. One of those companies was iFrogz.

We really like what we saw with the iPhone Frosted Luxe cases. Available in several colours, the two piece case slides together, providing protection from scratches and drops. The case also extends a few millimetres above the screen, which would prevent the screen from making contact with the ground, should you drop it.

The case provides access to all buttons and with a larger opening around the headphone jack, it can fit all types of headphones. Featuring a velvety ‘soft touch’ feel and the option to swap colours if you have multiple cases, you’ll always have a phone that can match your outfit.

You can buy the case online at ifrogz.com for US$29.99 or browse their site for more iPod, iPhone, iPad or Blackberry cases.

iPod Shuffle Gets Action Jacket

Carys Mills — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 02:00:28 +0000

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Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO) is releasing an Action Jacket for the new iPod Shuffle this weekend.

The jacket, designed for the new and easy to misplace iPod, will also feature an extra pocket to keep belongings like cash or keys. The one-size-fits-all armband is resistant to water.

It will be available at Best Buy stores starting April 5 for $19.99.

Review: iPod Touch Leather Sleeve Case from Belkin

andPOP Staff — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:45:39 +0000

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If nothing else, Belkin holds up to its promise of creating a stylish case for the already sleek iPod Touch. The slim leather case covers the entirety of the iPod Touch, while still allowing access to the screen, hold switch and dock connector. The case also comes with a thin, clear plastic sticker to put on the screen of your iPod Touch to prevent scratching, while still allowing you to use the full capabilities of the touch screen. The case is very visually appealing – the particular one I used was black leather with white stitching.

While Belkin’s iPod Touch case does an excellent job of protecting the device, not all of its features are worthwhile. The packaging of the product accentuates the “secure Velcro strap attachment” the case has, but it’s not really worth anything. The strap attachment is too small for a belt, and is really only suitable if you want to have your iPod Touch hanging off your key chain. I often use my iPod while working out or walking long distances in the city, so when I’m looking for a case I want it to be able to stay securely in place while I’m moving around. The case doesn’t provide that at all, but, as previously mentioned, its going more for style than for practicality.

Overall, I would recommend the Belkin case for someone who is simply looking to make sure that their iPod Touch isn’t going to get scratched or smeared – but in the most stylish way possible. The case is made out of a very durable, quality leather material and should last for a few years. Other than that, I would recommend going for a cheaper case or a case that will stay secure in a variety of situations.

OtterBox Announces New Protective Case for Blackberry Pearl

andPOP Staff — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:06:51 +0000

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OtterBox has announced a new hard case for Blackberry Pearl. The OtterBox 1936 was released for the Pearl 8120 and 8130. The new case is available in Yellow or Black and comes with a belt clip as well.

The case allows access to all of the Pearl’s features and also is compatible with the magnetic battery saving feature Blackberry’s use when they are put into a case.

The protector case (part of the Defender series) can protect against drops, water and dust:

Environmental Protection:

Drop and Shock

* Protected up to 36” to plywood on concrete

Water Protection

* Protected against dripping water

Dust Intrusion

* Protected against solid objects greater than 1mm

Waterfield Designs Introduces Hard And Soft Cases For MacBook Air

andPOP Staff — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:00:11 +0000

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Waterfield Design has unveiled their latest laptop cases, introducing both a hard and soft case for Apple’s newest notebook, the MacBook Air.

The new “HardCase” is made of leather and ballistic nylon, and is also customizable.

Customizable options include a choice of hardware—matte black or nickel; a choice of colors for the underside of the flap — black, kiwi, or pink; and different sizes for fit on any Apple laptop.

A removable, Suspension Shoulder Strap with a built-in, non-sliding, shoulder pad suspends the load.

The HardCase is available for a pre-order prices ranging from $229-$249(USD) depending on customizable options.

The SleeveCase soft case is a nylon shell with a neoprene interior, built for the size of the MacBook Air. The SleeveCase is also customizable and comes in several different types. Options include: either a horizontal or vertical orientation, and adding a strap to the sleeve and use it as a stand-alone case. Other
options include a front flap for added protection and the “Piggyback,” a detachable gear holder for accessories.

The SleeveCase will sell for $39(USD).

More information on both cases is available online at www.sfbags.com

Shuttle Around Your Laptop With Convenience and Care

Daniel Levine — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 01:32:03 +0000

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Product: Shuttle (Laptop Case)
Company: Higher Ground (Shaun Jackson Design)
Link: highergroundgear.com/ and http://www.sjdesign.com/

The ability to use your notebook computer in its carrying case is nothing new. In the past, I’ve had a chance to look at the Tekmod and Omni by Teksyl (and available at www.radtech.us), both of which accommodate using your computer in its case. These bags we’re cool, but I wasn’t in love with the idea of using your computer in its case.

I’ve been using a 15″ Shuttle from HigherGround for the last couple weeks. The Shuttle works similar to the Tekmod and Omni in that it too is built around the idea of being able to operate your computer without fully removing it from the case. I still don’t know if the “in case” design is right for me, but personal needs aside, this is a really great case.

Higher Ground describes the Shuttle as a “compact sleeve”. If you’ve ever seen a laptop sleeve before, one look at the Shuttle and that comment might seem a little perplexing. The Shuttle is certainly bulkier and any typical sleeve I’ve ever seen and definitely wouldn’t fit in a standard backpack (though its not designed for that either). The bag could more appropriately be described as a cross between a sleeve and a full fledged laptop bag. Leaving aside the semantics for a minute, sleeve or not, this bag is still great and does exactly what it’s supposed to.

The design of the bag has some great features. Not only does the Shuttle look good, but it helps keep your laptop looking good too. The inside of the Shuttle features four rubber-topped mounts (adjustable) that keep you laptop slightly elevated from the bottom of the case; beneficial for heat dissipation while using your laptop and for added support while carrying. A velcro fastened strap keeps your laptop from moving around inside the case, which had room for my MacBook Pro and a textbook (I don’t suggest lugging the case around with a heavy textbook as the tight squeeze likely adds unnecessary strain on your computer). The inside top of the case has a neatly embedded CD/DVD holder for 10 discs. This is great for holding movies, games or backup discs.

The outside of the Shuttle features a convenient pocket designed to hold papers, pens, drives, your computer plug or just about anything that will fit in it. The outside pocket it is sealed by a Velcro flap. One design feature that I really liked about this bag was that the pocket can be accesses/opened even further by undoing the zippers that seal the sides of the pocket. This might seem like overkill to a simple pouch in the front of a bag, but it proved to be really convenient for larger objects or even something a simple as not making too much noise by ripping open the Velcro.

For support, the frame of the bag is very well enforced and the front and back of the bag have a nice foam padding. Because the case isn’t fully hard-shelled, it won’t protect your computer if something were to hit the front or back faces of the case.

The bag can be carried in three ways. A handle, like that you would see on a briefcase, and a shoulder strap allow you to carry the bag in traditional ways. An optional backpack strap for about $10 allows you to carry the Shuttle like you would an ordinary backpack. My preferred method of carry was the traditional shoulder strap. The backpack straps are a nice addition but take away from the functionality of the case. Even though they take about 20 seconds to assemble and disassemble, the case is not fully operable when the straps are on as it doesn’t fully open. The straps weren’t uncomfortable, but they don’t have any padding, and weren’t particularly comfortable either. I wouldn’t recommend this addition unless you find yourself doing ALOT of walking or biking (or anything else where you might need both hands).

Overall I liked this case, but found it too much on the fence between a full out laptop bag and a sleeve. With that being said, I don’t want to take anything away from the quality of the bags build, which certainly wasn’t overlooked. I had a hard time deciding who would use this kind of bag. College/University students have too many textbooks for this case and business people need something more sophisticated. This case would be great as a second alternative bag, for use in the summer (when people don’t have tons of other things to lug around) and for high-school students.

Ranging in price from $39.95 – $49.95 (plus 9.95 for the backpack strap) the Shuttle delivers good value at the price and is definitely worth a second look.

More information can be found at higherground.com or sjdesign.com or you can call and speak to a representative at their offices at 888-662-4300.

New XSKN Camouflage iPod Cases

Daniel Levine — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 18:50:29 +0000

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Just in time for the holiday season, XSKN has launched two new products for iPods.

The iBuds, an accessory for iPod headphones, will amplify music, block outside noise and enhance basstones. According to XSKN, they are also thin, soft, comfortable and washable. At US$4.95 for three pairs, they definitely seem like a great buy for your Christmas stockings.

To go along with that great present in the stocking, take a look at the iART REVO, just announced for iPod Nanos. They come in three colours. The “1st Snow Camouflage” is your traditional green, black and white camouflage design while the two other designs – “Beach” (yellow, blue, black and white) and the “Code Blue” (light blue, dark blue, black, gray, white) – take a plunge from the traditional camouflage look. At US$29.95 for the silicone art case, screen protector and twist clip, they’re a cool looking, hip alternative to the standard five iPod Nano colours.

We’re hoping to get our hands on these products soon to do a full review, but for now, you can check them out the same way we did at www.xskn.com.