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Review: XtremeMac Sportwrap
November 24, 2009 by Beatweek
New in iProng Magazine: a hands-on review of the Sportwrap armband for iPhone and iPod touch from XtremeMac, priced at $29…
While there are some nicely done hybrid products available, there aren’t a whole lot of pure armband options on the market for use with the iPhone or iPod touch – and for a simple enough reason: how many users really want to go jogging with a device that bulky strapped to their upper arm anyway? In fact a number of iPhone and iPod touch users also keep a nano or shuffle around specifically for exercise purposes. And so the lack of demand for such an armband leads to a lack of options, which generally means far too few good options. Which is why those iPhone and iPod touch users who really do want to wear their device on their arm may view XtremeMac’s forthcoming Sportwrap as more of a relief than anything; it’s not particularly flashy and isn’t perfect, but it gets the job done well.
Neoprene is generally the most comfortable material when it comes to armbands, so it came as no surprise that the Sportwrap felt plenty comfy on my arm once I adjusted the strap to the appropriate size. And the almost-clear material over the screen is easy enough to use the touchscreen through it. I say “almost clear” though because for some reason the chosen material is a bit grainy when you look through it. Not so much a big deal, as it’s not like you’re going to be doing heavy websurfing or reading the fine print of an email while you’re jogging and your device is mounted to your arm, but the blurry screen cover did cost the Sportwrap what otherwise would have been a four and a half star rating. Of course star ratings are comparative, and so the argument for the Sportwrap is helped by the lack of competition in general.
The single biggest issue when wearing an iPhone or iPod touch on your arm remains the fact that the auto-rotation can’t be turned off during music playback, causing the device to go into and out of Cover Flow mode every time you move your arm – but that ongoing fiasco is entirely Apple’s fault. The only real thing that armband fans are likely to fault XtremeMac for is the fact that the Sportwrap isn’t yet shipping.
review by Bill Palmer
*****
Learn more about the Sportwrap at XtremeMac.com.
Comments
Hello Mr. Meeks,When Apple makes an unfortunate choice that limits the practicality of all accessories of a certain type, as is the case here, then it's 100% relevant (and often vital) that such limitations be pointed out in the review - even if the limitation is not the fault of the individual accessory manufacturer.Perhaps the real question here is what your motivations are for commenting on this review in the first place. You apparently have no interest in the product or the category, but it sure does seem like I must have somehow wronged you in a past life :-)Sincerely,Bill PalmerPublisher of iProng Magazine.
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LikeMr. Palmer, you can question my motivations all you want - and I don't believe in reincarnation. I am in fact vested in this particular product (and your review), as I received it yesterday and used it in the exact manner I described - flawlessly - no pretzels needed. On this website, you are presenting yourself as an authority on any manner of issues - which is fine - life is subjective. However, I just want to remind you of the responsibility that entails. Part of that responsibility is understanding, beyond the limits of your readership, the subject you are dealing with. Otherwise, what's the point? Everyone knows that the iPhone/Touch goes into Cover Flow when oriented horizontally. News flash. But you could have added some real value to your review (and credibility) by pointing out the viable, dare I speculate, intended alternative to the perceived "limits of practicality" you unnecessarily presented. If I didn't know any better, I might have been turned off of this product (and all similar ones) by your erroneous description of the unrelated manufacturer's "unfortunate choice".
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Like"...causing the device to go into and out of Cover Flow mode every time you move your arm – but that ongoing fiasco is entirely Apple’s fault." It appears that your accusation of my "random inclusion of off-base insults" is a little like the pot calling the kettle black. But you are right, individuals who can't (or won't) embrace new technology will have to suffer the unnecessary frustrations of their inflexibility... or to your point, flexibility. But in the interest of fairness, I fully understand that "reviewers / critics" regularly make a habit of sprinkling a few negative points in an otherwise positive review in an effort to portray a sense of credibility. I'm just suggesting that in this particular review, you should have worked a little harder at finding something truly wrong with the subject... and not bothered your readers with the unrelated FUD you pulled out of thin air therein.
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LikeHello Mr. Meeks,If you've ever gone jogging/walking/running with your iPhone or iPod in an armband (I have every time I've tested one of these products over the years), then you'd know that there are always going to be times when you stop to rest of a second, either to catch your breath, or because you've been stopped by something like a crosswalk, where you may want to take advantage of the break to go ahead and change the album/playlist you're listening to. In this instance, even when not walking/running, you'll still have to twist yourself into something of a pretzel in order to get the screen exit cover flow and allow you to access the regular controls. While voice over is an option (at least for those with the newest iPhone and iPod models), it's not a feature that all users are going to embrace.Always happy to answer your questions about the review; your random inclusion of off-base insults is unnecessary.Sincerely,Bill PalmerPublisher of iProng Magazine.
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Like"...auto-rotation can’t be turned off during music playback, causing the device to go into and out of Cover Flow mode every time you move your arm..." - Uh, I may be wrong but you're not going to be looking at the screen while you're jogging - in fact, the screen will be off. And it's likely that if you're going to the trouble of strapping an iPhone to your arm while exercising, you'll be listing to it through the earbuds... perhaps the Apple earbuds... which happen to have a microphone... which allows you to utilize an iPhone feature called "Voice Control" and command the iPod functions by VOICE. Mr. Palmer, did you do any research before writing your review?
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