When it comes to your favorite gadgets, do you like to stand out or blend in? Do you spend more money on a fancy case for your phone than what the phone itself is worth? If you answered yes to these questions, you’re going to go Lady Gaga over these Swarovski crystallized cases from Let’s Crystal It. This company has provided handmade crystal studded cases for the iPhones, iPads and Blackberries of celebrities such as Rihanna, Nicole Britt, American Idol, Hungry Girl, and the stars of Glee. Now you can have one too. Prices range dramatically from $24 cases with just a smattering of sparkles, up to full on glittercide cases that will set you back over $470. Full press release after the jump.

Let’s Crystal It Utilizes Genuine Swarovski Crystals for All Major Phone Devices and Dozens of Other Consumer Products

Custom Designs Used by Multiple Celebrities and Corporate Clients Including

Rihanna, Nicole Britt, American Idol, Hungry Girl, Glee, Samsung, and Sennheiser

Greenacres, FL – With 10 years of experience in the crystal accessory and customization industry, Florida-based Let’s Crystal It provides handmade cell phones accessories crystallized with Swarovski elements to consumers and celebrities around the world.

The idea for the company began when the wife of founder Jayme Mortman began affixing crystals to flip-flop style sandals as a hobby. As the custom sandals became popular, the hobby turned into a business that generated substantial interest from customers. The company Let’s Crystal It was born, and enjoyed years of organic growth through word of mouth and eye catching work for corporate clients. Mr. Mortman, President and Founder of Let’s Crystal It said “Both my wife and I had backgrounds in the law industry, and neither of us envisioned running a successful business working in the cell phone industry. We showed initiative as the first to see market demand for crystal decorations and to go forward with fulfilling that demand by choosing only top-quality materials.”

Let’s Crystal It offers truly custom designs for hundreds of cell phones, devices, and other consumer products including office supplies, hair accessories, and books. It has produced hundreds of faceplate designs for owners of the most popular devices including iPhones, iPads, and BlackBerry. “Every product shown on our site is custom built,” said Mr. Mortman.  We have nothing in stock except our supply of crystals, which allows us to duplicate a pattern based on a customer’s photograph or description.”

The company will work with customers to affix crystals to nearly any product imaginable. All of the production is done on site, allowing complete visibility of the process to ensure quality control. Let’s Crystal It’s skilled craftspeople have prior jewelry and art industry experience which allows them to produce stunning custom crystal artwork for customers.

All of Let’s Crystal It’s products utilize genuine Swarovski Elements crystals, sourced directly from Swarovski, the leading manufacturer of precision cut crystals and other luxury products. Special clear adhesives are used to ensure the crystals to withstand the rigors of daily repeated use. “What sets us apart from competitors is the quality of our materials and level of craftsmanship,” said Jayme Mortman, “Using the best quality crystals in the world means our customers receive products that have unparalleled shine and durability. We offer an unmatched six-month workmanship guarantee for all of our products, and will replace broken crystals free of cost.”

Let’s Crystal It produces custom designs for a many celebrities in the music and entertainment industries including Rihanna, Vince Neil, Donna Summer, and Jennifer Love Hewitt. Corporate clients include luxury goods maker Coach, microphone company Sennheiser, and the American Idol television series.

More information, including photos of various custom products can be found at www.letscrystalit.com.

About Let’s Crystal It:

A family business founded in 2000, Let’s Crystal It specializes in custom-made cell phones and accessories covered in Swarovski crystals. The company produces unique designs for both consumers and business clients including the American Idol television series and multiple high-profile celebrities.

Filed in categories: Miscellaneous, News

Tagged: cases

To Bling or not to bling, that is the question originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 28, 2011 at 2:00 pm.

AG Findings Unveils  their new line of cases for the Apple iPhone 4. From Left to Right, we have the Vandelay Case which is offered in multiple colors and patterns. This case has a two-piece design that provides the ability to dock the phone without removing it from the case. It also includes a holster with kickstand. Next we have the bold colored slim and light-weight Beetle case that offers little bulk, but shock absorbing impact protection. Last but not least is the Vent Case which is made of a soft, non-slip silicone to protect your iPhone 4 from everyday damage. The first two cases are priced at $34.99 and will be available soon. The Vent case is available now for $16.99.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: cases, iPhone 4, Spotlight Gadgets

Let the Flood of iPhone 4 Cases Begin originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 24, 2010 at 6:23 pm.

Today case-mate announced 8 new gadget accessories, including 7 new iPad cases. Made from a variety of materials from leather to felt to nylon, there is sure to be a case for every future iPad user. The release also announces the I Make My Case tool for BlackBerry. I Make My Case launched at CES for the iPhone. It’s an online tool where users pull from graphics, imagery and designs from world-renowned artists and re-mix these into their one-of-a kind design. Read full press release and see product photos after the jump.

CASE-MATE UNVEILS EIGHT NEW MOBILE DEVICE ACCESSORIES AT CTIA
Consumers Now Have More Ways to Stylishly Protect their Gadgets with Seven New iPad Products and the ‘I Make My Case’ Online Personalization Tool for Select BlackBerry Models

LAS VEGAS – March 23, 2010 – Case-mate, a designer of innovative accessories for mobile devices, today announced seven new iPad accessories and the latest version of its extremely popular online personalization tool, I Make My Case, which gives consumers the ability to collaborate with trendsetting global artists to create one-of-a kind covers, now for the BlackBerry 9700 and 8520 models.

“Case-mate is committed to giving consumers fashion-forward accessories that support their personal style,” said Shashi Reddy, founder and CEO of case-mate. “We believe that these eight products add unique personality to our growing array of accessories already on the market and give iPad and BlackBerry users new ways to protect their devices with style.”

I Make My Case
First announced at CES 2010 for the iPhone, I Make My Case is now available for the 8520 and 9700 BlackBerry models. I Make My Case is the first Web site of its kind in the mobile accessories space that allows users to create their own original composition by re-mixing the designs of internationally-renowned graphic artists, including Joshua Davis, Deanne Cheuk, Thomas Hooper, Matt Moore, Hannah Stouffer, Ray Frenden, Anthony Yankovic, Nigel Dennis, Shadow Chen, Chuck Anderson and more. Consumers who want the end-result without the effort can purchase a pre-designed case from the site as well.

Designed for true customization, case-mate’s I Make My Case allows users to choose all elements of their case including background color, unique effects and one-of-a-kind illustrations. Using a state-of-the-art 3D sublimation printing process that embeds ink directly into the case, case-mate ensures that the cases will not scratch or abrade with daily use.

Beginning March 23rd, consumers can create their own case for BlackBerry models at www.imakemycase.com/blackberry. Pre-designed cases will be available for $34.99 and customized made-to-order cases will be available for $39.99 per case. Finished cases will begin shipping in mid-April.

iPad Portfolio
With seven new case styles for the iPad, case-mate offers something for everyone:

• I Make My Case: Offering the ultimate in personalization and protection, consumers can remix art from world-renowned artists to create a completely unique, one-of-a-kind case for their iPad.
• Tough: The Hybrid Tough case for the iPad uses the protective power of dual layers. A form-fitting silicone skin surrounds the iPad completely, absorbing each impact or hard knock. Wrapped around the skin is an ABS plastic shell for complete security, adding another level of protection – and making for a firm grip.
• Gelli: The Gelli adds a splash of color while keeping the iPad safe with a fully protective, cutting-edge flexible thermoplastic material. The Gelli is soft, light and sports a unique pattern to guarantee the iPad will stand out.
• Felt Folio: Sporting a side-opening and leather accents, the Felt Folio includes light storage with additional pockets and keeps the iPad secure with a magnetic strap while on the go.
• Leather Commuter: This executive folio made of premium tan leather offers magnetic locks embedded into the case for a sleek protective fit.
• Nylon Folio: Created out of a black ballistic nylon material, this splash-resistant folio is the perfect basic for a minimalistic mindset.
• Stand: An innovative stand for the iPad, the stand offers both landscape and portrait modes for viewing. Its unique design collapses and snaps together for easy storage when not in use.
  

The portfolio of iPad accessories will be available in Q2 and will range in price from $20.00 – $80.00.  All products will be available at www.case-mate.com.

About Case-mate
Launching innovative accessories since 2006, case-mate combines design engineering with cutting-edge materials to protect, adorn and enhance mobile technology. A melting pot of entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world, case-mate believes that there is nothing more important than the freedom of self-expression … our mantra “Freedom To Be Truly You” inspires every creative output, every day. This core principle carries through our products, packaging and partnerships and brings to life case-mate’s vision in a dynamic technology marketplace. To learn more, please visit www.case-mate.com <http://www.case-mate.com> .

Filed in categories: Blackberry related, iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: Blackberry, cases, iPad, Spotlight Gadgets

case-mate announces 8 new accessories at CTIA: 7 for iPad and 1 for BlackBerry originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 23, 2010 at 5:07 pm.

Traveling by air post-9/11 is a hassle. Segregating liquids, removing laptops, pulling tape from camcorders, taking off your belt and shoes – it’s all a royal pain, to say nothing of the juggling act required to recover your stuff on the other side of the x-ray machine and metal scanner. Aerovation is among a small group of companies that has been certified by the TSA to manufacture and market approved cases that allow you to not have to take your laptop out for the trip through the x-ray machine. How do these bags work, and are they worth the effort? We’ll see.

I fly at least once a month, either to our home office or to do training with our help desk. Both of these usually require an overnight stay, which I have reduced to my regular bag, plus clean shorts, socks, shirt and handkerchief and a toothbrush. Everything else I need – shampoo, soap, lotion, etc. is provided at the hotel, along with evening tea and breakfast coffee. This means I don’t have to check a bag (which, with my favorite airline, Southwest, doesn’t cost extra, but can result in a wait or the occasional loss of a few hours.) It also prevents me from being “that guy” who tries to wrestle a roll-aboard the size of a dead yak into the overhead while balancing a laptop bag on my shoulder. (Trips in the early spring, winter and fall can require more, given the need for sweaters and gloves at one end of the trip. But the spring/summer flights are a dream.)

Aerovation has designed this series of bags in two parts: one to hold the laptop and only the laptop, the other to hold everything else. The bags split apart and ride through like an open-face sandwich through the toasting oven at Quiznos®. On the other end, you just need to grab the handle that has connected them, and they fall back together, hooking together with Velcro® to join them back into a single bag. A great plan, and actually, it almost works.

I tested two bags: a laptop bag designed for 15″ laptops,

The Laptop bag. Note the hardware connection. You can actually detach them and only carry one, if you'd like.

and a trolley cart bag, designed to hold 17″ laptops and overnight supplies.

The hardware for the trolley takes up a little room in the third section, but it is solid hardware. The laptop section can be zipped off for carrying separately.

The Laptop bag is actually two bags joined by a common handle and hardware. They can be separated and carried independently, if desired. The laptop compartment is lined in black, entirely covered by instructions printed in bright yellow. (More on this later.) The non-laptop section (easy to spot by the complete lack of instructions) has a zipper that extends from halfway down each side across the top. There are a few pen loops, a tier of credit card pockets, and a pouch that would hold a candy-bar phone on one side, along with some full-size non-gussetted pockets behind. The rest of the section is all one compartment, just like the laptop section. There are also a few tight single-magazine pockets on the outside of the bag, but nothing that’s going to hold anything thicker than a half-inch or so.

The laptop section of the 17" bag. Note the detailed instructions screen-printed onto the lining. I sure hope that information doesn't change. Or maybe they send you a new bag when they do. Who knows?

The trolley cart is actually three compartments: one for the laptop only (up to 17″, and lined in bright yellow with explicit instructions not to put anything else into it — again, more on this later), the trolley and clothing section, and the “other stuff” section, where you would put the usual laptop bag items. This section is similarly configured to the laptop bag, with tight, small, non-gusseted pockets. Again, the laptop section can be detached.

So, the non-laptop pocket on both of these bags is where you’d carry your power adapter, umbrella, iPhone charging cable, point-and-shoot camera, pad holder, pen pouch, business card holder, earbuds, bag of “fluids” (nasal spray, chapstick, eye drops, hand lotion, toothpaste, etc.), and the million other things you usually carry in your gear bag. All this in a single, narrow, pocket-less rectangle of cordura. Is anyone seeing the problem here? Right! – There’s no way to organize and handle this stuff! Placed in a single large square-ish pocket, it all slides down to the bottom. When you grasp the handle to rejoin your laptop section to this part of the case, it’s like trying to meld a book with a football! Nothing seamlessly rejoins, unless you stop, open the “support” area, pull things up, press on the Velcro® to ensure the seal, and zip things back.

Laptop section to the left, gear section to the right. Notice the lump caused by everything being loaded into one pocketless section. Guess what happens when you pick up the handle?

If you only carry a power adapter and two magazines with you, you’ll be fine. Or, as Julie and others have done, if you use packing cubes to organize this area, you would probably not have any issues. But most of the folks I know – especially gear-a-holics – will have too many iPods, chargers, USB drives and other detritus of the life of a modern digital nomad floating around to have it stay this flat. While that doesn’t preclude us from using the case, it does overwhelm the convenience factor of the grab-and-walk on the far side of security – which is the whole point of the system.

There is another thing, which I must mention, because it really drove me to distraction: obsessive labeling on the exterior and within the laptop area. The trolley cart is very professional, and would blend in nicely, except for the bright yellow warning painted on top, beside the handle: “RETRACT HANDLE BEFORE SCANNING.” OK, maybe I’d need to be warned of that once. A simple tag will do. But permanently marking the bag is like tattooing your phone number to the back of your hand. Do they really think I can’t learn this simple fact and not do it? And if I do, TSA will stop me and remind me that I’m an idiot, and I’ll never do it again. Why deface a nice bag this way? (Of course, I remove the airbag/childseat warnings from my cars’ visors. I know not to put child seats in the front, and don’t need to be reminded. Why leave the tags there? My youngest child is 20!) Same goes for the bright yellow & black printing inside the laptop compartment. It totally detracts from the elegance of the case to have 42 rules and regulations silk-screened to the lining.

So, while I really wanted to love this product for the idea, the execution and lack of organizational pockets killed it for me. The excessive overprinting added insult to injury.

Three stars: Four for concept and workmanship, two for design and signage.

15.4 Inch Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag $69.95
Checkpoint Friendly Trolley Bag with Removable Laptop Compartment $199.95

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear, Reviews, Travel Gear

Tagged: cases, gear bags, Laptop Bag

Aerovation Checkpoint-Friendly Laptop Bag and Trolley Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 22, 2009 at 5:22 pm.

If you’re like me, you may have a problem with wanting to keep your new toys shiny. For years, I struggled with this issue on my laptops. For some reason, those “Invisible Shield” type skins never work out for me because I could never get dust and bubbles out of them, and the imperfections bothered me. I like the snap-on shells, but the usually add considerable bulk. So let’s take a look at another shell case, the XGear Shadow case in Premium Carbon for the Macbook pro Unibody.

The XGear case comes in a simple plastic wrap. Nothing terribly fancy. So let’s take a look inside.

The inside is lined with a soft, velvety material.

The bottom half includes cutouts for the disc slot, ports, and even the IR receiver/status light.

The top half is flatter, and is held on by tiny “hooks”.

This picture of the lid shows the carbon fiber detail. I’m not sure if it’s REAL carbon fiber, but it looks awfully convincing and has that shimmery 3-D effect. The entire case is slightly padded and mostly rigid.

The lid also includes a cutout for the Apple logo. The kit comes with a plastic window you can use- or not use- to cover the logo.

Now let’s put the cover on the laptop!

As is the case with nearly every snap-on case I’ve tried, this case does hinder the screen from folding as far as it can. But the difference is slight, and the resulting angle is still perfectly usable.

There is one major problem with this case design: When open, the cooling vent is blocked.

The other problem is weight. The Macbook Pro Unibody I have weighs in at about 5 lbs, 9 oz by itself…

…And with the case (and the little oval window) it weighs in almost exactly 1 lb heavier.

In all, I found the XGear case to be very well built. The narrower tilt angle is still fine, but I’m concerned about the vent slot restrictions. The added weight and bulk was another concern for me as well.

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear

Tagged: Apple, cases, Macbook Pro

XGear Shadow Premium Carbon case for Macbook Pro Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 25, 2009 at 9:15 pm.