review: Contour Design iSee Case for iPad

Contour Design’s adaptation of its signature iSee case to the iPad is no surprise, as the see-through hard plastic case has been around in various incarnations for the iPhone and iPod for much of the past decade. The philosophy behind the iSee has always been straightforward: even when encased, your device should still be immediately recognizable. And accordingly, with my iPad inside the iSee, anyone can tell it’s an iPad from a mile away. Unless you’re in an environment where you’re afraid it’s going to get stolen right out of your hands, that recognizability is a good thing.

If the iSee’s strength has always been how it shows off your device, its weakness over the years has (depending on the generation) sometimes been that its two piece, front-back snap together design has been easier to attach than to remove. When I saw a pair of coin slots on either side of the case, I momentarily feared that this would be one of those cases you have to use a coin to get open, a nightmare for users who take their device out of the case more than occasionally. But as it turns out, prying the case open with your fingers is fairly easy thanks to those slots, no coin or tool needed, and in my tests I was able to consistently remove the case within about ten seconds. Interestingly, it takes about that long to assemble, as you do have to run your fingers around the entire perimeter of the case to ensure that it’s snapped tight all the way around.

Forty bucks might be a bit much for such a simple snap-on case, but the iSee does have an ace in the hole. A pair of plastic beams fit together in a criss-cross pattern to function as a makeshift stand, sturdier than I thought, and collapsible enough to travel with. The included stand was almost enough to bump the rating up to four and a half stars, but ultimately people are going to buy the iSee because they want a case, not because they’re looking for a stand, meaning not everyone will use it. The iSee itself feels more like a $29 or $34 product.

Not that it factored into the star rating, but the iSee for iPad makes a design choice I wish it hadn’t. The first is the use of frosted translucent clear plastic instead of truly transparent plastic. It’s not devastating, as most of the iPad’s rear surface is just a generic hunk of silver anyway, so it doesn’t look any different. But the iPad’s Apple logo looks needlessly blurry thanks to the use of frosted plastic. And, to my tastes anyway, detracts slightly from the notion that the iSee is supposed to allow your iPad to look exactly like an iPad while in the case.

rating: four stars out of five • price: $39 • ContourDesign.com

review: Griffin Elan Form Graphite Case for iPhone 4

I’m a fan of most hard snap-on cases, and Griffin has another good one for those seeking it – meet the Elan Form Graphite for your iPhone 4.

The EFG is a simple two-piece snap on case that has a textured back with a hard plastic layer on the sides. Inside the case is a soft-touch lining that will help you keep the back side of your iPhone 4 clean and scratch free.

I found the EFG to be nice and easy to apply on your device and just as easy to take off during those times you want to clean your device or just take a break. Unlike some other cases, a simple little pull between the two halves at the top will separate the two pieces in a snap (sorry for the pun).

The texture of the case gives the device more grip when being held, and adds a bit of flair to the plain back. There is a Griffin logo on the back, but it’s pretty minor and barely noticeable so it shouldn’t be a problem. 

I found the plastic sides to also add a better grip, almost as good as something like silicon and the like. A note of interest – the top half of the case is a smoky black, so it’s a bit transparent at the top and bottom.

Wide open spaces are available on the left sides of the case as well as the top and bottom. This means that there is no unnecessary fuss with getting access to getting to the volume buttons and ringer, or getting to the power button and headphones. The best part is that the bottom has plenty of space so your older iPhone cables will still work with this case on. The camera and flash get a nice sized cutout that won’t obstruct with any of your photographs.

I’ve dropped my phone several times (indoors) during the day with the case on and it’s survived without a scratch. Mileage may vary, but I believe that this case is pretty durable enough to survive most drops, which is my experience with pretty much all past Gri ffin cases as well.

If you’re in the market for a snap-on case, then the Elan Form Graphite from Griffin Tech should be a good contender. It’s simple, stylish, protective, and affordable.

review by Christine Chan

rating: five stars out of five • price: $34 • GriffinTechnology.com

review: Moshi iGlaze Case for iPhone 4

Those that are looking for a simple, yet stylish case for their iPhone 4 should look no further than the Moshi iGlaze 4.

This is a simple one-piece snap-on case. There is also included backing protector to prevent any damage that bits of dust and dirt may cause to the glass (the infamous ‘glassgate’ controversy that a certain publication cooked up). The back protector is optional – it is by no means necessary to use the iGlaze.

Getting the device in the iGlaze is really simple – just insert the phone side-buttons first and push the other side into the case. This duo-tone case has a smooth, matte feel that is absolutely a pleasure to touch. There is an overall slim profile to the case, but it protects the back and sides of the phone.

However, like some other snap-on cases, the iGlaze suffers from leaving the top and bottom exposed. If any impact is on these areas, there’s no guarantee that your device may not come out unharmed. The protruding glass screen is also left exposed, so there won’t be any protection if it happens to fall flat on the screen.

Additionally, the volume buttons are left exposed, which means easier access to the controls but that area is also exposed to vulnerabilities. The camera and flash are given a generous cutout that does’t obstruct photos and there is a hole in the back to show off the Apple logo.

To remove the device from the iGlaze, I found that separating the corner of the case (near the ringer toggle) and then pushing in the back of the case will lift the phone. From then it’s easy to get the phone out.

Providing some simple protection, the iGlaze is great if you just want some minimal protection (as long as you are careful with your phone!) that is lightweight, with a bit of style. The feeling of the matte polycarbonate shell is pretty good too. If you’re looking for more though, then this ca se can be skipped over.

This is one of the better one-piece snap-ons I’ve encountered though. Worth a try if you are a fan of these types of cases.

review by Christine Chan

rating: four stars out of five • MoshiMonde.com

review: NuGuard Hard Shell case for iPhone 4

What’s the point of getting a beautiful phone like the iPhone 4 only to end up covering it up with a case that doesn’t show off the natural beauty? Yes, we need to have some protection for a device like the iPhone 4, but it’s also nice to be able to show it off to everyone else, right? Well, the NuGuard Clear from Newer Technology is the solution. The NuGuard Clear is a two-piece snap on case that gives your shiny iPhone 4 protection while allowing the back to be seen by those around you. Getting it on your iPhone is easy, and it’s just as easy to take off. Newer Technology claims that this shell case offers more impact resistance than other polycarbonate shells out on the market. I’m not exactly going to test this claim though, there’s only so many iPhone 4s I can afford. But the case feels solid and secure when it is on your iPhone.

The feel of the acrylic shell offers a good grip when holding it, so you shouldn’t be dropping it anyway. It also does a good job of protecting your device from scratches, dirt and oily fingerprints, all while showing off your iPhone 4′s natural beauty. On the side is a large space for the ringer toggle and volume buttons, much like the other case I reviewed from Newer Technology, the NuGuard Carbon. The same cutout is on the back for the camera and flash. Since this is a two-piece snap on case, it protects the top and bottom of the iPhone 4. The top leaves the power button exposed and the bottom gets a space that is large enough to accommodate older iPhone cables.

Overall, this is a good shell case for your iPhone 4. The only little problem is that there is a logo slapped on the middle of the back. I see this as tarnishing the iPhone 4′s natural beauty, since it’s below the Apple logo and above the ‘iPhone’ text. The logo should be smaller and tucked away towards the bottom, where it’s not as obtrusive. I mean, you’re paying money for the case, why do you need to be walking around advertising it like a billboard? Despite the logo flaw, the NuGuard Hard Shell is a nice protective shell for your iPhone. Recommended.

review by Christine Chan

rating: four stars out of five • NewerTech.com

review: Newer Technology NuGuard Carbon Fiber case for iPhone 4

One piece snap on cases are simple, minimalistic, and add a splash of style to your phone. Newer Technology provides all of this in its NuGuard Carbon case. Snap on cases are some of the easiest things to get on your phone. With the NuGuard Carbon, just slip in one side of the phone first, preferably the side with the buttons. Then just push the other side into the case until it ‘snaps’ together. If you need to get it off for any reason, I find that separating the case from the phone on one side and then pushing the rest out is the easiest way, and is usually the standard way for snap-on cases.

The sides of the Carbon have a soft and smooth texture that gives the device some grip, which is always good to have considering that the iPhone 4′s glass can make it slippery. The back is covered with a carbon fiber pattern that adds a sense of style and texture to aid in getting a good grip on your phone. The ringer toggle and volume buttons are super easy to access with the exposed space for them, so there’s no trouble getting to them like with some other cases.

Since the top and bottom are exposed, the NuGuard Carbon has no trouble giving you full access to the charge sync terminal and the power and headphone jack. The camera is given an ovular cutout that gives the flash enough room without obstructing photos in any way. The only drawback that I can see of the case is that the top and bottom of the device is left open. This means that if the phone is dropped and hits a surface on the top or bottom, there isn’t any protection to save it from cracking or scuffs. But it shouldn’t be a problem for those that are careful with their phones, like I usually am.

If you’re looking for a simple and minimalistic case that will give you some protection while looking good, then the Newer Technology NuGuard Carbon Fiber could be a good fit for you. Ju st be careful with the top and bottom of the device. You’ve been warned.

review by Christine Chan

rating: four stars out of five • NewerTech.com

Konnet PowerEZ Plus battery for iPhone and iPod: review

Batteries which merely snap onto the bottom of an iPhone or iPod have generally been considered a poor man’s substitute for a more expensive form-fitting battery case or battery cradle. But three things are potentially working in the favor of Konnet’s new PowerEZ Plus battery. One is that, for now, there are no form-fitting battery cases or cradles on the market for the new iPhone 4, leaving those users (at least for the moment) looking for universally compatible solutions. The second is that its 1000 mAh capacity is in line with competing snap-on batteries priced at $39, while this one is priced at a mere $29. And the third thing going for this product is the fact that it has a kick-out leg which can be used to prop up your iPhone.

So how does all of the above hold up in real world testing? As far as the kickstand, it’s immediately apparent that it has no value when your iPhone is positioned upright, nor was it likely intended to. But when you lay your iPhone (or iPod touch) sideways, for watching video or perhaps when you want to prop it up overnight on your nightstand as a pseudo-alarm clock, it’s actually surprisingly steady, so long as it’s being used on an evenly flat surface. And the battery life claims held up, meaning that you can count on getting roughly an extra fifty to seventy percent battery life out of your iPhone if it’s fully charged to begin with.

All of that, combined with the price, makes the Konnet PowerEZ Plus the most attractive bottom snap-on battery currently on the market. My only complaint is that unlike most batteries, which begin working when you plug them in, you have to remember to manually turn on the PowerEZ Plus after you plug it in, but that’s minor. I’d still recommend considering a battery case or cradle for your iPhone as they tend to be more practical during active use, but those will generally run you $50 to $100, whereas the PowerEZ Plus is $29 – making it a steal at that price.

rating: 4.5 out of five stars • KonnetOnline.com

Macally Protective Snap-On Case and Stand for iPhone 4: review

The iPhone 4′s Retina Display provides a much more enjoyable experience for all your videos, but who would want to hold the phone the entire time? Well, there’s a case for that. The Macally snap-on case & stand provides a simple, barely there case that also has a kickstand, like the HTC EVO 4G on Sprint.

The kickstand is pretty stable and stiff, so you can easily use it to display your iPhone 4 on a flat surface and kick back and watch videos on it or display photos. You’ll need to have nails or small fingers to get the kickstand out, since it’s pretty firm and flat. There isn’t much else to do with this, though.

Getting the case on is pretty simple – just insert your phone in to the corner enclosures and you’re set. However, getting it out requires a little more work, which I found to be a hassle.

While this case is marked as ‘protective’, I have to question how they find such a case ‘protective’. The only thing it would protect is the back, but it leaves the entire front completely vulnerable. There is nothing to protect the sides of the phone as well as the front glass. If the phone is dropped with this on, I would doubt that it would survive unscathed, or at least half of it. I suppose if you’re not going to use your phone besides watching videos and stuff with the kickstand, you wouldn’t need to worry about the little protection this case offers.

The kickstand aspect is neat, though.

rating: 2 out of 5 stars • Macally.com

iPad case review: Speck Fitted cases

The wait is finally over! Speck’s Designer Fitted iPad cases have arrived. Don’t just protect your iPad, dress it up! With a variety of fun new colors and patterns, you’re iPad can become more than just an entertainment tool; it could become a conversational piece!

This case is made of two hardshell pieces – the back side is made of a Specky fabric design and a front side that lines the edges of the iPad. Put the iPad into the back side of the case first. Make sure the cutouts for the iPad are all properly aligned. Then snap on the top of the case, again, making sure the cutouts for the buttons are aligned. Snap on and you’re done. It’s as simple as that.

One drawback to the case is that there’s no easy way to clean the design side if it got dirty. It is made of fabric, so you have to be careful where you put the iPad. I recommend putting it on top of an iPad sleeve or napkin when you use it. You may want to avoid using it at restaurants or where food is close by.

Unlike it’s iPhone counterpart, the iPad case is much easier to remove. Simply find the bottom opening where the charger cutout is, and start removing it slowly. It shouldn’t take you more than a minute to take the case off.

This case protects the back of the iPad as well as the edges of it. The front part is beveled a bit, so if the iPad was to fall flat face down, it wouldn’t touch the floor. The case is also light and adds more style than weight to your iPad.

The Speck Fitted iPad cases are currently available in the following colors/patterns: Houndstooth Gray, Fadeaway Gray/Black/Green, Fadeaway Gray/Black/Pink, ClassicPlaid Pink & Gray, Black & White Plaid. You can purchase it for $49.95 at SpeckProducts.com.

review: RichardSolo 1800