review: Griffin FlexGrip Case for iPhone 4
November 21, 2010 by Christine Chan · Leave a Comment
Those looking for a great flexible shell-type case should look no further than the Griffin FlexGrip for the iPhone 4.
The FlexGrip is a simple one-piece, synthetic rubber shell that wraps around your iPhone 4 perfectly to protect it from dust, dirt, scratches, and anything else life can throw at it. You can get it in and out of your pocket without collecting any pocket lint or other debris stuck on the exterior.
When the FlexGrip is on, it does what the name implies – it adds a nice, strong grip to your device. A ribbed groove runs along the sides that add more grip when the device is in your hands. I rather like this groove because it really does make a difference compared with similar cases, such as the iSkin Solo.
The material used in the FlexGrip is similar to the Solo that I’ve reviewed before, but i notice that the FlexGrip doesn’t get as oily after extended use and is a bit ‘grippier.’
Additionally, the entire back is revealed through the transparent synthetic rubber material, so you can still show off your iPhone 4 and that glorious little Apple logo. There is no branding on the back of the case like with the iSkin Solo, but the Griffin branding runs on the bottom of the ribbed groove sides. This is great, because it’s nicely tucked away.
The FlexGrip leaves the volume buttons and ringer toggle open, so there’s no fuss with getting to these buttons. The headphone port is also left open, and the camera and flash get a perfect cutout that does not obstruct photos. The charging port and bottom mic and speakers are left open so there are no problems with using older cables and accessories.
I did find the power button got a bit harder to press down due to the case covering it. It’s a bauble that goes over the power button but when I need to press it, it requires a bit more force to push it down. I’ m not sure why this is, though I have a hunch it’s because the material is a bit firmer than others like the Solo. But this is only a minor problem, and one that you’ll probably get used to over time.
The front is protected with a bit of lip from the case, which provides a bit of lift to the front glass. This is so it won’t touch any flat surfaces directly and should be safe from drops.
Like most cases, you should also take the phone out every now and then to clean. With the FlexGrip, this is extremely easy to do, since it just comes off just by peeling it apart from the phone.
So if you are looking for a good shell case for your iPhone 4 that will show off the beauty of the device, then check out the Griffin FlexGrip. It’s simple, grippy, protective, and comes in four colors to add some flair to your device.
review by Christine Chan
rating: five stars out of five • price: $19 • GriffinTechnology.com
review: iFrogz Soft Gloss Case for iPad
November 3, 2010 by Daynah · Leave a Comment
The iFrogz Soft Gloss iPad case is simplicity with a little pizazz! If you ever slipped into those jelly shoes back in the 80′s, you’ll feel right at home with this case.
This clear case features a radial circular pattern etched on the interior, highlighting the beautiful AppleTM logo in the back.
Putting the iPad in the case is quite easy. Just slide one corner at a time and it’s in. There are cutouts for all ports and buttons on the iPad, making all functionalities accessible. The case covers all the edges of the iPad, protecting it from any potential bumps and scratches.
What makes this case stand out is the beautiful design. You get ouu’s and ahh’s when you carry your iPad around in this. It’s sleek, compact, and should fit in most iPad sleeves and bags. It makes a fashion statement while protecting your iPad! It’s a total blast from the past!
The iFrogs Soft Gloss is available in three retro translucent colors — pink, blue, and clear. You can get them for $29.99 at iFrogz.com
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars · $29.99 · iFrogz.com
Griffin Reveal case for iPhone 4: review
August 23, 2010 by Christine Chan · 1 Comment
Do you have the iPhone 4 Bumper from Apple? Or did you consider getting it but was afraid of the surprising lack of protection it offered for the back glass panel? Want a solution? Well, Griffin has a case for that.
The Reveal Case is pretty much what the Apple Bumper should have been. The concept is pretty much the same – rubbery plastic material that wraps around the sides of your iPhone 4. There’s just one difference – the back is protected with a layer of clear plastic. No more bare and unprotected glass back but it’s still shown so you can proudly show off your iPhone 4! The front remains bare though.
The rubber material covers the volume buttons and power switch. Unfortunately the Reveal case does not have sleek metallic button covers like the Bumper does, which was one thing I loved about the Bumper. However, unlike the Bumper, the bottom opening is big enough to fit older iPhone cables, something the Bumper fails at doing.
The headphone port is easily accessible and the camera and flash are in a perfect ovular cutout that has no obstruction when taking photos.
I did notice that since this is made of a more rubbery material, the edges of the case on the screen can be easily pushed off the screen when enough force is applied. This is bad because then dirt and grim can easily get in the crevices when you’re not looking. This results in a lot of cleaning sessions. The dirt and debris can also show through the plastic backing, which can get really annoying if you’re OCD about that stuff like I am.
Because of the snug fit and plastic back, it may be a bit more work to get the device out of the case, since you can’t push it out like with the Bumper.
Overall though, if you want a case that still shows off your beautiful iPhone 4 but offers more protection than the Apple Bumper (which doesn’t offer much at all, really), then this is definitely the case to pick.
rating: four stars out of five • GriffinTechnology.com
Speck PixelSkin HD Case for iPhone 4: review
July 26, 2010 by Christine Chan · 3 Comments
Speck’s PixelSkin HD case for iPhone 4 is similar to the original PixelSkin case that I’ve previously reviewed, however, the blocks on the back of the case are smaller. It’s advertised as “18 dpi” as compared to the 4 dpi of the original PixelSkin. And if you had to choose between the two, the HD is the way to go. Here’s why.
Unlike the original PixelSkin, it’s not as ‘rubbery,’ so I haven’t noticed much of the stickiness that causes dust and dirt to get stuck on the case. The entire one-piece case has a matte finish on the rubber, combined with the shinier plastic that is in between the tiny block pattern on the back. These smaller blocks combined with the matte finish give the case an overall better grip and feel than the original version.
There is dust that seems to collect occasionally around the edges of the screen. However, the case is so easy to take off and put back on that this really isn’t a problem.
There are side and top button guards that add extra protection.The opening for the ring switch is also spacious enough for those with larger fingers to be able to reach in and toggle the switch easily without hassle. The bottom also leaves enough space for the device to be compatible with older iPhone/iPod cables.
I would say that this is one of the best cases out in the market right now. This is also one of the free cases that Apple is offering for the iPhone 4 Case Program, and probably the best one offered. So either way, it’s definitely worth it.
Rating: 5 stars out of 5 • SpeckProducts.com
Speck PixelSkin case for iPhone 4: review
July 7, 2010 by Christine Chan · 3 Comments
Speck’s PixelSkin case for the iPhone 4 is another silicon skin that goes over the entire device. It provides a much thicker skin than the other silicon case I tried out from Macally, which is great for more shock absorption. This also adds more lift to the glass than the Macally case, so the front and back glass panels will most likely survive a fall or any impact. The square pattern on the back of the case will provide a better grip. The silicon material also makes the entire device a bit more slip resistant on flat surfaces.
The skin itself has openings only for the headphone port, silent switch, and for the 30-pin connecting port. The holes on the back for the camera and LED flash are perfectly cut, which shows that there has been some time perfecting the fit for the iPhone 4.
The silicon material does not feel sticky in the hand, not even when you slide it into you pocket. It does, however, become a little harder to take out smoothly when pulling out of a pocket, and as a result, it will collect dust and debris on the silicon. Especially in other places where there may be dust, it may get attracted to the rubbery surface, which will be especially noticeable on black (the sample that I received). Though this may be less of an issue with lighter colors.
I also feel that it’s important that the PixelSkin case also does not leave the entire bottom open, however, it leaves enough space for the 30-pin connecting port to work with older cables. This is because the new iPhone 4 USB cable has a smaller plastic lip on the 30-pin part than the previous models. As a result, most older iPhone cables would not work with Apple’s own Bumper case (I’ve tried) because of the smaller opening that the Bumper leaves. So Speck decided to make the opening in the medium range, so that it would not leave too much space open for dust to collect, but also big enough to make it compatible with older cables.
A great silicon case, but I have to knock it down a bit because of the tendency to collect dust on the surface.
rating four out of five stars • SpeckProducts.com
review: Griffin Outfit case for 5G iPod nano
June 15, 2010 by Christine Chan · 2 Comments
The Griffin Outfit case for the iPod nano 5th generation is one of the more comfortable cases I’ve had the privilege of reviewing. Although it’s a given that Griffin Tech is almost a household name given its mainstream popularity, anyone with an iPod nano 5th gen should consider this case. I’ll go over why with you right now.
First, it’s one of the simplest cases to install onto the iPod nano. The design is a two-piece slide-together form, meaning there is one piece for the bottom half and another for the top half. Simply put the iPod in one of the pieces and then slide the other piece into place. Ta-da! Taking the case off is easy as well – just have both pieces in your hands and gently slide them apart. I prefer this style of case over the 2 piece snap-on shells that I’ve reviewed before.
Second, the feel to this case is especially nice as well. It’s a silky smooth, satin-like feel. The case is also frosted (white or black) and is matte, so you won’t see your fingerprints all over like with glossy cases. If there are scratches, they will be very faint on the case, and at least it isn’t on the device itself. It leaves both the top and bottom open for easy access to everything. However, the screen is left out open, which may be a minor annoyance if you’re the super picky type about having the screen protected at all times (but then you’d have a screen protector, right?).
I have yet to drop my device (and quite frankly would rather not) but this case seems sturdy enough to survive through a fall without coming apart, because it takes a bit of force to pull the halves apart. Overall, this is my favorite case for the iPod nano 5G so far. It’s simple, feels good, and protects your shiny iPod nano. If you’re in the market for an excellent case for your iPod nano 5G, then I’d look no further than the Griffin Outfit.
rating: five stars out of five • available at target=”_blank”>GriffinTechnology.com
review: iTiki for iPhone
April 13, 2010 by Bill Palmer · Leave a Comment
Silicone rubber iPhone cases aren’t typically the best candidates for unique styling; typically you get your choice of colors and that’s about it, as they’re all generally shaped and structured in the same manner. Some rubber cases try to get fancy by using thicker material and then etching into it, and while that’s generally the formula that TikiCase uses with its iTiki for iPhone, this case isn’t really any bulkier than the best of the non-etched rubber cases on the market.
The conceptual idea behind the case is that it’s a Tiki God, complete with a snout carved into the front, legs on the back, and little teeth surrounding the iPhone’s screen, as if the case were eating the device. This kind of themery won’t work for everyone, but it’s a fun design nonetheless. The port cut-outs are generally done well (the vibrate switch could be a little more accessible, but I’ve seen much worse elsewhere). My only concern with the case is that the teeth, small as they are, tended to get bumped into by the tip of my finger when tapping items on either the very top of the very bottom of the screen. The teeth didn’t actually get in the way of operation or slow me down any; it was just a little annoying. If the teeth were positioned an eighth of an inch further away from the screen, it would be a complete non issue.
Not everyone’s cup of tea, but in an era where most soft silicone iPhone cases look pretty much the same, it’s nice to see the iTiki being physically and conceptually unique while not being so bulky as to be impractical in the process. Choice of orange or blue.
RadTech introduces Gelz for iPad
April 6, 2010 by Beatweek · Leave a Comment
RadTech has introduced the Gelz silicone rubber case for iPad. The Gelz comes in a choice of black, white, or purple, sells for $24.95, and is available immediately. The bottom of the case peels back for full physical compatibility with iPad-compatible docking devices. The company claims that its use of “low-tack, medium density” silicone will help prevent the buildup of lint on the case, an issue with some silicone cases. The material is 1.2 millimeters in thickness.
Gelz for iPad is available at RadTech.us.
review: iSkin Solo and Solo FX
March 12, 2010 by Bill Palmer · Leave a Comment
Easy to attach and remove, the Solo plants itself in the upper crust of one-piece rubber iPhone cases by covering the iPhone’s volume and top buttons in such a way that you can still use them, rather than leaving them exposed as some of the more budget-oriented cases on the market do. But beyond the small raised “iSkin” logo on the back, there’s very little about the Solo that makes it seem like it’s an iSkin case, save for the pair of contoured cutaways that run up the bottom half of the case’s back.
The Solo FX, on the other hand, offers a stylistic flair for three dollars more by making the case translucent and including a series of circles on the back which give the case some life, but it’s still nothing to write home about stylistically.
What ultimately makes the Solo and Solo FX recommendable, then, is the fact that they’re protective (the aforementioned button coverage), easy to use (the aforementioned ease of removal), and the fact that screen film comes bundled with the product. Fans of iSkin’s usual flair for striking design will be disappointed here, but those users looking for solid protection and ease of use won’t go wrong – unless they consider its price tag too high for such a simple case, as the seemingly inflated $29/32 price did nearly cost the Solo a half star.
Learn more about the iSkin Solo and Solo FX for iPhone 3G and 3GS at iSkin.com
review: Deos
March 9, 2010 by Bill Palmer · Leave a Comment
These pair of thin soft silicone rubber pieces slides onto the left and right buds of your Apple earbuds and covers the entire outer shell and stem while slightly recessing the speaker grilles. The good news is that I found them easy to slide on and to remove, and more importantly, they didn’t make wearing the Apple earbuds any less comfortable or block the grilles in a way that would affect the audio. The flipside is that my experience in testing thin silicone products is that they’re more adept at protecting against cosmetic scratches than impact-related damage, meaning that this product is realistically more about styling than it is about protection. This might be best evidenced by the fact that while the simple silicone Deos that I’ve tested here sells for a mere ten dollars, the company also offers sparking and diamond-studded versions of the product at higher prices.
My advice on iPhone and iPod earbuds remains the same: spend a few bucks and get a pouch to carry them in. Or better yet, spend twenty bucks on in-ear earbuds, and then carry them in a pouch. But if you’re more interested in making your existing earbuds look more stylish, while adding a layer of possible protection, I can report that the Deos does indeed work as advertised.
Learn more about Deos at DeosLive.com
Scosche kickBACK for iPad
January 29, 2010 by Bill Palmer · Leave a Comment
Scosche has announced an upcoming iPad version of its kickBACK iPhone case. The kickBACK P for iPad will employ the same combination of clear hard plastic and rubber currently employed on other kickBACK models, and will include the now-familiar kickstand leg on the back which can be used to prop up the iPad either horizontally or vertically.
According to Scosche Executive VP Kas Alves, “We pride ourselves at consistently being one of the first accessories manufacturers to market with leading edge products following an iPhone, iPod, or now iPad announcement. It’s that ability to react quickly without sacrificing quality that has helped us develop necessary accessories like the new kickBACK.”
Perhaps answering the question of how iPad casemakers plan to address the fact that the device’s screen can’t be used while covered, even by clear hard material, the kickBACK P will come with thin clear screen film. The ship date is listed as “spring” and no pricing has been announced. Scosche promises that this is the “first of an entire line” of iPad accessories to come.
Review: OtterBox Commuter series
October 12, 2009 by Beatweek · 5 Comments
New in iProng Labs: a hands-on review of the new Commuter and Commuter TL dual-layer iPhone cases for iPhone 3G and 3GS from OtterBox, priced at $34 and $29…
review by Bill Palmer
Dual layer cases consisting of an impact-resistant outer hard plastic shell and a shock-absorbent soft rubber interior are some of the most protective cases on the market and, when done right, can be among the most stylish as well. But it’s a tricky task, as the combination can be a real pain to assemble if not smartly designed – which is perhaps why relatively few vendors have tried. A handful of names come to mind in this realm, but OtterBox isn’t one of them. The company has instead long been known as the maker of waterproof and element-resistant cases, and the Commuter and Commuter TL represent its first foray into mainstream cases that you don’t need a special reason (swimming, working in the mud, etc.) to consider buying.
Both cases offer a rubber skin (black on the Commuter, choice of colors on the TL) with play-through coverage of the iPhone’s top and side buttons, and peel-back coverage of its headphone and docking ports. The hard plastic shell then snaps over top of the rubber, leaving almost every millimeter of the iPhone covered, save for its front face (film is included) and small holes for the silencer switch and speakers.
Where these cases diverge is that the less expensive model surprisingly turns out to be the more desirable product, at least based on my tests. The plastic on the Commuter wraps around to the iPhone’s sides, which is laudable, but makes it a pain to attach the plastic piece without the rubber repeatedly sliding out of alignment. But the plastic piece on the TL doesn’t extend to the sides, making it almost effortless to attach and remove – a more than worthwhile tradeoff, as the iPhone’s sides are still covered with ribbed rubber with the TL. Also, where the Commuter oddly exposes the iPhone’s rear Apple logo to the elements, the TL smartly covers it with see-through plastic. And that’s before you even get to the fact that the TL comes with color options. The Commuter is solid, worth the hassle if you really want maximum side impact protection. But the Commuter TL is one of the best iPhone cases ever made.
Learn more about the Commuter and Commuter TL at OtterBox.com.
Review: XtremeMac Tuffwrap
New in iProng Labs: a hands-on review of the new Tuffwrap rubber case for iPhone 3G and 3GS from XtremeMac, priced at $19-$29…
review by Bill Palmer
Most open-face iPhone protection these days comes in the form of a shield that protects its back and sides but not its top and bottom nor the frontmost edge of its easily scratchable chrome bezel, so in that sense XtremeMac’s Tuffwrap is something of a breath of fresh air. A full blown case, the one-piece soft rubber Tuffwrap fully covers the bezel all around, along with the entirety of the iPhone’s top, bottom and sides, save for small cut-outs for the ports and controls.
But understandably, you’re probably more interested in hearing about the dizzying array of colors and color combinations that the Tuffwrap series is offered in. You can opt for anything from straight-up yellow to a blue center outlined in orange, or an all-pink design with white swirls on it. Take your pick, according to your own tastes. I’m not sure how many of the “yellow-lined pink” models XtremeMac expects to sell, but the option is there nonetheless.
Back on the practical side of things, the Tuffwrap comes with not only screen film but also a clear hard plastic stand, similar to the one Apple included with the iPod touch – but this is much larger, nearly three inches in length. In addition to being larger than it probably should be, the stand slants the iPhone back a little too far when stood up horizontally (though still stable), but works nicely when the iPhone is stood sideways for watching video. I’ve seen a few other cases come with better stands, but cases most don’t include one at all, so it’s tough to complain about the inclusion of one here.
My one complaint about the case itself is that the cut-out for the silencer switch is too small to be easily accessed, which should or shouldn’t play into your buying decision depending on how often you typically access it. The Tuffwrap is so new that it’s not yet available for order on XtremeMac’s website, and it’s unclear where each model falls within the $19-$29 suggested MSRP, so our star rating will have to wait until then.
Learn more about the Tuffwrap at XtremeMac.com.
Review: Scosche kickBACK S
August 13, 2009 by Beatweek · Leave a Comment
New in iProng Labs: a hands-on review of the kickBACK S rubber and plastic case for iPhone 3G and 3GS from Scosche, priced at $35…
review by Bill Palmer
That the new iPhone 3GS has a physically identical body to last year’s 3G model has given accessory makers the opportunity to take another swing at revamping their existing iPhone 3G products, often times in a creative way. In the case of the Scosche kickBACK, whose original claim to fame was the kick-out leg on the back which allowed the iPhone to be propped up horizontally for presumably watching video content, that means evolving from an all clear plastic body in the original version to a mixture of clear plastic and black, pink, or grey rubber on the new kickBACK S. Despite the nomenclature, this new version of the kickBACK works with both the 3G and 3GS.
The combination of soft rubber around the edges and clear plastic in the center means that your iPhone has impact protection where it counts, but can still be largely recognizable as an iPhone (even from the back) while inside the product. And generally it’s a very well done product. The top button and volume buttons have play-through rubber bumps over them, the cut-out for the vibrate switch is of the right size, and so on. The kick-out leg on the back is sturdy and can be adjusted for slightly different viewing angles. The iPhone itself is easily inserted and easily removed.
What keeps the kickBACK S from greatness is that it’s just barely technically a case. Thanks to the iPhone’s seemingly bulletproof screen and the fact that it needs to be touched frequently, iPhone users have largely decided that they’re okay with their screen being either completely exposed or covered by thin clear screen film. This means that most iPhone cases barely have any material on the iPhone’s front surface. But the kickBACK S has none at all, its rubber siding stopping about a millimeter short of even covering the entire silver bezel. That’s fine for the “shield” or “sled” products that cost $10-$15, but at $35 the kickBACK S is too expensive to lump into that group, even if it does beat the pants off of all of them. Based on my tests the iPhone isn’t going to accidentally fall out of the kickBACK S no matter what – not even if you shake it violently. But the lack of full bezel protection seems an odd choice for an otherwise excellent product. Is my gripe a big deal or just a minor concern? You can decide.
Learn more about the kickBACK S at Scosche.com
Review: Incipio Tribal Case
July 30, 2009 by Beatweek · Leave a Comment
Some cases fall into the category of just plain strange looking, and Incipio acknowledges this with its Tribal case by branding it as part of its “LAB” series of “experimental concepts and ideas.” The Tribal starts off as a fairly standard thick soft silicone rubber slip-on case but owes its uniqueness to the series of swirling “tribal” grooves carved into its back and sides. And these are no mere surface grooves, as the non-carved portions of the case are about twice as thick as the carves themselves.
The result is a case that looks vaguely as if vines had started growing across the back of your iPhone, and has a three-dimensional feel in your hand. It does a nice job with the corners and the cut-outs, including play-through coverage of the volume buttons and top button, keeps the rubber plenty thick on the corners where it’s most needed for drop protection, and comes with thin clear film for the screen. Even the screen itself is nicely recessed within the body of the case.
In other words, once you get past the initial “what is that all about?” reaction, the Tribal turns out to be a well-done case. The only real caveat is this is one thick case – in fact it’s as thick as Mophie’s Juice Pack Air which has a built-in battery. But if you find the odd styling to be attractive, and if you’re willing to accept the thickness of the case in exchange for the impact protection it provides, the Tribal is a solid option.
Learn more at MyIncipio.com
review by Bill Palmer
Tekkeon myCase for iPhone
July 8, 2009 by Beatweek · Leave a Comment
Having seen one open-faced soft silicone rubber case after another since the iPhone first launched in 2007, these days it takes something out of the ordinary to pique my curiosity in the category. Tekkeon’s myCase did just that with its three dimensional back surfaces, ranging from musical notes that rise just a bit above the surface, to palm tree leaves that do the same.
Aside from the unique designs on the back of each model, the myCase is pretty standard fare when it comes to one-piece silicone cases: you slip your iPhone into the front cut-out, pull the four corners into place, and smaller cut-outs around the sides give you access to everything. The play-through material covering the volume buttons and top button are a nice touch, but I did find that the cut-out for the vibrator switch was a bit smaller than it should be, and accessing it did take a little bit more digging with my fingernail than it should have.
In fact when I first applied the case, the cut-outs didn’t quite line up in general, and I had to stretch the rubber a bit in order to get them to line up. After that one time, things lined up just fine when putting the iPhone into the case, indicative of the fact that silicone does sometimes stretch in the wrong directions and has to be realigned.
But while the case is fairly average as a silicone case in terms of functionality, the unique designs on the rear surface are the reason you buy this case, and the reason for its above-average rating.
Learn more at Tekkeon.com
Incipio Silicrylic for iPhone
July 6, 2009 by Beatweek · Leave a Comment
The combination of hard plastic and soft rubber represents one of the more protective and often interesting-looking case designs out there, which makes it unfortunate that we don’t often see such cases come to market (Contour’s Showcase and iSkin’s Duo being notable exceptions). Incipio’s Silicrylic case, whose name is a clever combination of “silicone” rubber and “acrylic” plastic, is the new kid on the block in the category for iPhone 3G and 3GS.
The Silicrylic consists of a slip-on soft rubber case which can be used by itself but whose contours just beg for the included hard plastic shell to be snapped on top of it. The result is a mix of scratch protection and impact protection that includes rubber along the edges, both rubber and plastic across the back, and most importantly, rubber and plastic wrapping around all four corners, which tend to be the most common impact point when an iPhone is dropped). The styling is less flamboyant than that of some other rubber/plastic combo cases, thanks to the fact that while the Silicrylic comes in a number of different color choices, the rubber and plastic for each model are the same color (although you can order a two-pack for $5 more in order to mix and match colors).
Continuing with the full-body protection theme, the Silicrylic comes with screen film and a cloth for wiping down the screen before applying the film. Also included is a small piece of plastic (similar to what comes with the iPod touch) that allows you stand your iPhone up at an angle vertically, but sadly not horizontally (it’ll topple over).
In all, the Silicrylic is an extremely solid choice, not so flashy perhaps, but scores high on protection, color choice, and what’s included in the package.
Check out iProng Magazine’s 42nd issue featuring a cover story interview with the Black Eyed Peas, a hands-on look at the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3.0, and the top fifty accessories for iPhone and iPod. Also interviewed: Butterfly Boucher, Davy Knowles, Endless Hallway, Gretel, Kingsfoil and much more.
