Along with being an avid tech-guy, I am also a die-hard sports person as well.
I enjoy exercising or working out daily; to including running, weight lifting,
tennis, basketball, etc. When I workout, running and weight lifting in particular,
I prefer listening to music (to get me through the pain and suffering). iStik
promises a better way to have your music with you while working out. The company
and product names are the same. iStik (the company) currently only produces
two iStik cases, one for the 2nd generation Nano and one for the 3rd generation
Nano. But according to their website, they are developing iStik cases for other
mp3 players as well; to include the iPod Touch and iPhone.

The feature that makes the iStik unique is the Neodymium (aka, rare-Earth)
magnets embedded in the back of the case and back plate. The magnets sandwich
the material of your clothing, allowing you to securely place your iPod Nano
anywhere on your outfit.

The iStik encases your iPod Nano within a transparent, Lexan polyarbonate housing.

The case is nicely made and is well fitted for the Nano. The two pieces of
the case click together and once connected will not come apart easily. It would
take a significant impact or force to have the case release the Nano accidentally.

The only two parts of the Nano that are exposed are the scroll wheel and base of the iPod
(lock switch, connector port, and earplug hole). These openings allow for easy access
to the scroll wheel and the ability to connect the sync cable or NikePlus dongle
to the base of the Nano.

The Neodymium magnets are very strong and once the case and backing are together
it takes a good amount of force to separate them. The magnets are so powerful,
iStik warns you to keep them away from hard drives and pacemakers. Since the
Nano is a solidstate device, magnetic fields should not be an issue.

Once in place, the Nano stays on your clothing reasonably securely. However, it
flops around quite a bit while running. No matter where on my shirt I placed
the Nano it continually moved around.

It moved much less when I placed it on my
shorts. I found that I liked the iStik/Nano far better on my shorts for both running and
weight lifting.

Overall, iStik, Inc. has developed a relatively innovative case design. The
iStik allows you to securely place your iPod Nano anywhere on your clothing
while working out or just puttering around the house. For those Nano owners
who want easy access to their iPod or their iPod slips out of your pocket while working out, you
should consider the iStik.

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear

Tagged: Case, iPod, iPod nano, Plastic

iStik iPod Nano Case Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 31, 2008 at 1:37 pm.

Are you an iPhone owner that lives or works in an area that has weak AT&T GSM coverage? I’ve had some issues at Gadgeteer HQ (my basement office) as well as my desk at my day job. Seeing a ‘no service’ notice at the top of my iPhone’s screen can be quite annoying, so I was very curious when the folks at Griffin Technology asked if I would like to review their ClearBoost Antenna-boosting case.

According to the packing details, the ClearBoost case “Dramatically improves the reliability of your iPhone connection”. Let’s see if that claim is true…

Package Contents

ClearBoost case
Cleaning cloth
Static peel screen protector

Available only in Black, the ClearBoost is a hard polycarbonate / rubber play through case make specifically for the iPhone.

Upon taking the case out of the packaging, I was immediately struck by the fact that there did not appear to be any special connectors built into it to plug into the iPhone. The back section of the ClearBoost has a rubber covered antenna nub built into it that has been tuned for AT&T’s 850 MHz GSM network.

The bezel portion of the case unsnaps to reveal what looks like copper traces on the lower area of the bottom half of the case. These copper traces are covered with a thin layer of clear plastic.

When you place the iPhone in the bottom section of the case, the copper traces line up with the area where the iPhone’s antenna is located. But, there isn’t a physical connection. I don’t pretend to be an electronics genius, but I would think some sort of connection would be required for boosting to actually work. I later learned that the visible part (traces) in the case make a capacitive connection to iPhone’s built-in antenna. Hmmm, ok.

The top portion of the case securely snaps over the bottom section to provide protection from daily abuse. There entire face of the iPhone is open and unobstructed. On the Left side, there is a cutout that allows access to the Mute and Volume switches.

Another cutout in the top of the case gives you the ability to plug in headphones, access the SIM card slot and power button. You’ll also notice the antenna nub in the center. It looks like the iPhone is sticking it’s tongue out at us, doesn’t it? ;o)

An opening on the bottom reveals the speakers and docking connector. On the Right side, you can see a slot where the two halves of the case meet. To remove the case, you can use a flat head screw driver or a coin to pop the case open at this point.

As a case, the ClearBoost gets no complaints from me. It feels hard, rugged and protective. Now let’s see if it can boost our signal too.

Does it boost?

When checking signal strength, a person’s first instinct is to check to see how many bars the see in their signal meter. That’s exactly what started to do after placing my iPhone inside the ClearBoost case. But then I remembered the document that the Griffin phones sent me to read before proceeding with my review, so I retrieved it, read it and learned that the number of signal bars is not the best reception indicator. Here’s what they say:

“You might assume that the most obvious way to test ClearBoost’s effectiveness would be to
check the number of bars displayed in the “bar graph” on the top of iPhone’s touchscreen with
and without ClearBoost. It’s important to note, however, that iPhone does not use signal
strength exclusively when determining how many bars to display on the bar graph. The bar
graph is a calculated value based on several factors referred to as a “signal quality estimate.”
In short, it’s a graphical representation of a very complex calculation. Depending on your area,
available signal, and several environmental factors, the bar graph may not update when your
iPhone is placed in ClearBoost, even when there is signal gain.”

So, how are we going to determine if the ClearBoost actually helps our signal, if we can’t trust the signal meter? We put the iPhone in field test mode and compare cell tower strength with and without the case. To do that, you just bring up the dialer and ‘call’ *3001#12345#* When you do this, you’ll be presented with a menu that let’s you see all kinds of technical information. But for this review, we’re only interested in the cell information.

This screen will display information about the cell towers that you iPhone can see, and will list them in order of the strongest signal to weakest signal.

The first set of numbers shown is RX: -xx. This value represents the amount of signal your
iPhone is receiving from that specific cell tower, measured in dBm. This is the number to watch when comparing the reception benefit of the ClearBoost case. So, for example, a value of -111 would indicate very reception, whereas a -60 would indicate very good reception. If a tower is showing a value at or below -106, you probably will not be able to make a call at all.

With all that in mind, let’s get on with the tests… In an attempt to be thorough, I tested in four different locations and recorded the best signal after at least 45-60 seconds of monitoring.

Basement Office laying flat on desk (signal meter 1 bars):

Without ClearBoost: -98
With ClearBoost: -98

Basement Office standing up on desk (signal meter 2 bars):

Without ClearBoost: -90
With ClearBoost: -94

Main Floor near window laying flat on table (signal meter 3 bars):

Without ClearBoost: -90
With ClearBoost: -91

Main Floor near window standing up on table (signal meter 3 bars):

Without ClearBoost: -91
With ClearBoost: -95

Outlet Mall (signal meter full bars):

Without ClearBoost: -48
With ClearBoost: -56

At my Dad’s (signal meter full bars):

Without ClearBoost: -75
With ClearBoost: -75

As you can see from my informal testing, the ClearBoost case didn’t appear to help increase reception. As a matter of fact, it actually appears to make it worse…

After a day’s worth of testing, I’ve come to the conclusion that relying on the ClearBoost case to make your iPhone’s reception stronger, will probably end in disappointment. As a case, it will protect your iPhone, but as a signal booster, it will fail to impress…

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related

Tagged: Case, iPhone, Plastic

Griffin ClearBoost iPhone Antenna-boosting Case Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 19, 2008 at 6:22 pm.

Cases for iPhones are a dime a dozen in as much as they are all pretty much alike in design and function. I don’t envy companies that sell these products as it has to be very difficult to come up with ideas to make their offerings unique enough for consumers to take a second look and ultimately make a purchase. Today I want to show you the Wave case from Griffin Technology. Let’s see if it is different enough to catch your eye…

Upon first glance, it doesn’t appear to be much different than all the other iPhone cases in retail land.

Package Contents

Wave case
Cleaning cloth
Static peel screen protector

Made of a polycarbonate material and available in Red, Pink, Orange, Green, Blue, Black, and White, I was sent the Pink version. Normally, I’m not a big fan of Pink, but I actually like this shade. The translucency reminds me of Gummy Bears.

The Wave case is comprised of two parts. A bottom section and a front bezel, both of which has a soft and slightly rubberized texture.

To use this case, you first place the iPhone in the bottom section.

Then notice how the top and bottom parts of this case have curved sides.

The top section doesn’t just snap over the bottom section like most cases of this style. Instead, it sort of interlocks…

The top bezel bottom curves fit over the bottom section curves and then the top bezel top curve fits under the bottom bezel top curve. Confusing? It’s really not and it’s a unique way to keep the two sections securely in place.

A large cutout on the Left side allows easy access to the mute switch and volume controls.

An opening in the top gives access to the earphone jack, SIM card slot and power button.

A bottom cutout reveals the speakers and docking connector. It won’t be a surprise that the added thickness of this case will make it unusable with the dock included with the iPhone. Standalone cables work fine though.

In hand, the Wave case gives your iPhone a helpful, non slippery grip and help protect the back and sides from everyday abuse. I like the feel of this case and the look. It’s simple, but stylish. If you’ve been trying to find a case for your iPhone that is useful and a bit different then all the other clone cases out there, you might want to give the Griffin Wave case a closer look.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related

Tagged: Case, iPhone, Plastic

Griffin iPhone Wave Case Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 19, 2008 at 8:00 am.

Do you prefer a simple case for your iPhone, or one that has all sorts of extra features built in? I think that there is a fine line between getting more for your money and having too much of a good thing. Let’s see where the GizMac Titan Clear case falls in that range…

A least you won’t need a chainsaw to open the packaging! ;o)

Package Contents

Play-thru case
Plastic holster
Screen protector
Screen polishing cloth

The Titan Clear case is made of scratch resistant polycarbonate plastic and is available in Clear, Smoke and Pink translucent colors. I was sent the Clear version for review.

the Titan can be purchased with or without a belt holster ($24.99 without the holster). As you can see, I was sent the holster as well. The case itself is a two piece plastic shell.

The top and bottom halves of the case snap securely around the iPhone, covering all but the entire display. I’m not sure how well this case would fare if you dropped it on a sidewalk or hard floor, but it shouldn’t have an problems protecting the sides and back of your phone from everyday abuse.

There are ample sized openings for the volume and mute switch, as well as the camera, earphone jack, power button and docking connector. You won’t have any problems adjusting the volume and muting the device while it is in this case. It won’t fit in a docking cradle though… You’ll need to use a cable to sync and charge.

The plastic holster can be worn vertically or horizontally on your belt and the iPhone can be inserted facing out or into the holster. I’m not really a belt-clip / holster kinda girl, but I do like the fact that you can insert or extract the iPhone with one hand.

The main feature of the Titan Clear case is that it has a stand built into the back half of the shell. To open it, you have to wedge your thumbnail under it and swing it up. Guys won’t have a problem with this, but women with long nails may have difficulties.

By default, the stand opens to allow you to set the iPhone on a flat surface in a landscape orientation. This works great for watching an inflight movie on an airplane tray table.

If you want to prop the iPhone up in a vertical orientation, just pop-out the secondary stand, snap the main stand back into the back of the shell and voila! Small rubber bumpers are attached to the case to keep the iPhone from sliding around when in either position.

The GizMac Titan Clear case is one of the more unique offerings currently available to protect your iPhone. As just a case, I think it is a bit bulky because it adds an additional one ounce to the weight of the phone. On the other hand, the benefit of the the dual purpose stand does add to its value, if you often watch movies or view other content on your iPhone.

So the bottom line is that if you need a belt-case, that also has the ability to morph into a desktop stand, the GizMac Titan fits those needs nicely. If just need a case that will protect your iPhone without a bit of extra bulk, I suggest looking elsewhere.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related

Tagged: Case, iPhone, Plastic

GizMac Titan Clear iPhone Case originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 22, 2008 at 11:30 am.

iPods are a great way to lessen the monotony of exercise. Their compact size makes them easy to carry with you nearly anywhere. However, electronics and water tend not go together which makes using an iPod while swimming problematic. After my recent arm surgeries I have have been swimming regularly as rehabilitation. It’s a good workout, but quite boring. Since one of my new year’s resolutions is not to electrocute myself, I was very interested in trying out the Otterbox iPod Swim Kit.

First Impressions

The kit includes a set of H20 waterproof headphones, an Otterbox 5th generation iPod case, and removable armband.

I have one minor problem with all of the Otterbox cases I’ve owned: The packaging is extremely difficult for me to open. More often than not, I end up cutting myself in the process of opening clamshell casing. Luckily, my friends and coworkers have seen me struggle with this, or else I might be targeted as a suicide risk! The packing on this Otterbox case is made of the same, tricky to disassemble plastic. Thank goodness the packaging for the earphones and armband were much easier to remove.

As usual the construction quality of Otterbox is exceptional. The seals are tight, the hinged clasp is easy to open and close. I love that Otterbox clasps always make such a satisfying “snap” when they are properly closed. The shatterproof plastic chassis has significant improvements to previous models, such as a sleeker design and click wheel access.

I was especially excited see the H2O Audio headphones firsthand. Designed to fit around the back of the head, the white neck-wrap is made of a lightweight plastic with silicone earplugs that also serve as earbuds.

The armband, created to replace the built-in belt clip, is made of neoprene lined with silicone bumps to keep it secure on the biceps while swimming. It is secured with velcro to make it adjustable within a variety of biceps sizes.

Testing

I tested out the kit in a variety of wet environments: swimming in a pool, soaking in a bathtub, and walking in the rain.

Swimming is wonderful exercise for the body, but I find my “Type A” brain gets bored rather quickly. This is where the Otterbox set impressed me. The case fits the iPod snugly, allowing complete clickwheel access.

The included H20 earphones sit well on my head and fit snugly in my ears. I do not use earplugs while swimming, but I found that very little water leaked into my ears while in use, so this may also be a suitable alternative for those who have ears sensitive to chlorine.

I especially like Otterbox’s armband attachment. I am usually not a fan of armbands designed for full-size ipods as they tend to loosen during exercise and wiggle down my arm. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the adjustable band stays secure even during vigorous swimming. The neoprene dries quickly and be rung out and stowed in a gym locker. I also tested the armband in a swimsuit drier and it appeared to be quite durable. However, since the drier I used for testing is labeled “swimsuits only” I was asked to discontinue this by the locker room attendant at my gym. I decided it was best not to test the durability of my membership contract at the same time as the durability of the armband.

During my bathtub testing, I used only the case and the headphones, allowing the ipod to dangle directly into the water. Usage in the tub offered similar results to swimming in a pool. I was however, surprised to discover that the case does not float in the water like some of my other Otterbox products.

Water tinted pink for visibility

I live in a city where there are far more rainy days than sunny ones, so testing the waterproof kit while walking in the rain is a natural environment for me. Usually when I listening to my iPod and it starts to rain, I tuck my iPod into a pocket or bag and leave the headphones to be exposed to the rain. Although I had no doubts of the safely of my equipment while using the Otterbox case and H2O headphones, I found the kit to be too cumbersome for day-to-day outdoor use.

Overall, this is a great set of products to allow you bring your iPod in the pool, but the bulkiness of the case makes it impractical for outdoor rainy-day use.

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear

Tagged: Case, iPod, Plastic

Otterbox iPod Swim Kit originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 18, 2008 at 6:00 pm.

The Mophie Illuminator project started earlier this year at MacWorld 2007. Attendees doodled product ideas and submitted them for the community to vote on. The Bevy iPod shuffle case, keychain, bottle opener, is the first such product to come out of this project.

I was disappointed in this product from the moment that I opened the box. The first thing that caught my attention was the packaging. The Bevy is only a $15 keychain, but it comes packaged in a plastic container with a cardboard insert and another plastic insert to hold the product in place. It just seems a bit too much in my opinion.

The Bevy is a clear plastic shell surrounding a thick aluminum plate. This plate comes in 5 different colors including: Green Blue, Pink, Orange and Silver. Yes, these colors match those of the iPod shuffle. I was sent the Blue Bevy to test.

The back side of the Bevy has an open cavity that can accept the iPod shuffle.

With a little pressure, the shuffle snaps into place. The cutout in the middle of the Bevy allows for unhindered access to the main navigation buttons on the front of the shuffle.

The back (clip) of the shuffle is exposed and not protected while inside this case. As you can see, the back of my shuffle is considerably scuffed up from keeping the Bevy in my pocket while keys were attached to the included key-ring.

There are also cutouts for the earphone jack and…

the power and shuffle switches on the top and bottom of the audio player.

The ends of the Bevy have been designed to have grooves so that you can wrap your earbud cable around the entire case. I found this feature to be somewhat useless given the fact that there isn’t a clip to hold the ends of the earbuds to keep them from unwinding. If you pay attention to how you’re winding the cable, you can use the shuffle’s own clip to hold one end of the earbud cable, but this is not a very convenient solution. Also the grooves are just barely deep enough to accommodate the cable from stock iPod earbuds.

Besides holding your iPod shuffle, your keys and your earbuds, the Bevy can also double as a bottle cap opener. I find this to be an odd feature to include, but hey, that’s just me. You have to remove the shuffle in order to use the Bevy for this job. I found removing a bottle cap with the Bevy to be a little difficult because it is hard to get the leverage needed when the opener is so short. I was able to do it though after a couple of tries.

The Mophie Bevy is the first product released from the Mophie Illuminator project and for $15, I guess I can’t complain that much about it. But it really doesn’t seem to be all that useful in my opinion. Here’s hoping that the next product that they release is a better one.

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear

Tagged: Case, iPod, iPod shuffle, Plastic

Mophie Bevy iPod shuffle Keychain and Bottle Opener originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 6, 2007 at 9:19 am.

Some cellphone cases are designed to be stylish, some cases are designed with function in mind. Some companies eschew size for durability and design cases to conform with military specifications for protection against impact, dust, and water. Otterbox is one of those companies.

My Un-met Case Need

Although my everyday life is hardly considered a battlefield, I do like the outdoors. I also like my Treo 650. Hiking, fragile electronics, and me do not have a good track record together. My 650 needs military-grade defense from my meredyth-grade clumsiness. When I saw that Otterbox released a case specifically designed to protect the Treo under harsh conditions, I decided to give it a try.

First Impressions

Constructed from black ABS plastic and grey rubber grips, the Otterbox 1920 Treo Case is a crush resistant, drop resistant case made for the Treo 650 and 700 models.

The screen is protected by two layers: a ridged external panel to protect the LCD from physical harm which flips up for access to the internal soft “membrane” that safeguards the screen against liquid damage while allowing interaction with a stylus. The stylus is stored externally by a clip along the right side.

Just like a tank is not the most efficient way to transport 4 people, the 1920 is not the smallest case on the market. It is substantial in size as well as in protective features. From antenna to microphone, this case wards your smartphone from drops and weather.

To give you a size reference for the case, here is my ex-football-player-turned-geek husband dramatically modeling the Otterbox 1920.

My first thought after opening the package that contained my Otterbox 1920 was “Can I actually carry this around?” After a quick bit of research on the Otterbox site, I discovered that there is a belt clip kit available, which I decided to also review with the case.

The belt clip accessory kit is sold separately ($19.95) and includes the tools necessary to install the clip on the rear shell.

Installation and Usage

I’ve been using the 1920 for the past few weeks in a variety of situations. To assemble the case, insert your Treo into the top half of the shell so that the camera lens on the back of the phone lines up with the clear portal in the back of the case.

Then, starting at the bottom, slide on the rear panel.

To seal the case, hook the latch into place.

The belt clip kit has clear instructions that make installation easy. There are a few parts on the rear portion of the case that are swapped out to accommodate the clip. Once installed, the clip withstands over 130 pounds of force and the release mechanism is difficult to inadvertently engage.

Palm Functionality

Despite its size, the 1920 feels good in the hand. External buttons on the case make the keypad accessible, it took me a bit of time to get acclimated to using the keypad as some of the keys are not marked.

The side selection keys are also usable through the case.

One major drawback is that the ringer mute switch is covered by the acrylic top and the case must be removed to access.

The outside of the case has a place to hold a stylus. I used an old spare stylus while testing, in the event that the clip did not hold. During my weeks of testing, the stylus held firmly in place, yet easy to remove when I needed it.

The internal screen membrane is thicker than most screen protectors and requires slightly more stylus pressure. This extra thickness is to protect the screen from water and dust, so I think that it’s a good trade-off. However, if you use a fingernail as a selection tool on the screen it is very difficult through the membrane. The screen is slightly less bright through the membrane, but not significantly more than other screen protectors that I’ve used in the past.

Phone Functionality

Again, even though the 1920 case is bulky, the rubber grips made it comfortable to hold up to my ear while using the phone.

However, the protective shielding within the Otterbox 1920 does dampen the sound on the microphone and speakers quite a bit. I’ve found three workarounds to this drawback: First, bluetooth headsets work very well while using the 1920 case. I have not observed any signal problems while testing with a variety of headsets.

Second, there is a Palm utility called VolumeCare. I downloaded a trial version of this while testing, and this utility does the trick of making the volume loud enough to overcome the dampening effect of the case. As a side note, I like this utility solution so much, I may purchase a license when my trial period runs out.

Lastly, the bottom of the case has a moveable rubber flap so that a wired hands-free headset can be used. This flap also allowed for syncing and charging through the case. Any of these solutions solved the problem sufficiently for me.

Life Functionality

One of the things I liked the most about this case is the security I felt while using it. While clipped onto my pocket, I accidentally ran into numerous doors, tripped down stairs and got caught in the rain. The entire time my phone was secure and dry. During my adventure with a flight of stairs, I lost a shoe but my 1920 stayed clipped to my pocket! I likely will not use this case everyday, but it’s going with me whenever I go hiking, to amusement parks, or the beach.

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Case, Palm, Palm OS related, Plastic

Otterbox 1920 Case for the Treo 650 and 700 originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 30, 2007 at 2:19 pm.

You know how everyone loves Vaja cases because of the sheer number of color combinations available to buyers? Well now you can have that same experience, but with iPod silicone skins. ifrogz gives you over 1,000,000 design options with their wrapz, bandz and screenz sets. Yes, I did say 1
million! Prepare for choice overload…

Case sets are available for the fourth generation iPod, iPod Photo, Video and nano. Your ifrogz set will arrive packaged in a thick vinyl ziploc style bag.

The wrapz are the main silicone skins, which are available in 20 different colors. This case is a bit thicker than some similar products that I’ve reviewed in the past. Although it feels thicker, it is soft and pliable, which makes it easy to insert and remove your iPod. Nubs on the back side of the case improve grip-ability.

Bandz surround the outside edge of the wrapz. The wrapz have a channel that runs along the edge, so that the bandz will stay in place. You have 21 color options for the bandz. A hole in the bandz allows you access to the earphone jack. The dock connector and hold switch remain covered while the bandz are in place. This part of the ifrogz set is mainly to add to the customization features.

The only problem with the bandz are access to the earphone jack. There is a circular access hole that you can plug the earphone into, but since the band is so thick, it sometimes causes the earphone connector to pop out.

In addition to the wrapz and bandz, the sets also include your choice of screenz/wheel art. The screen part is a clear plastic overlay that is similar to a PDA screen protector. It sticks (with very mild adhesive) to the entire front face of the iPod. As such, it protects the display. Then, the wheel art overlay sticks over the top of the screenz. With two layers of material covering the click wheel, I was a little worried that they would effect the sensitivity. My fears were unfounded though. I had no problems using the wheel to scroll, play, pause etc.

I would have to say that these silicon skins are the nicest that I’ve reviewed thus far. The only part of these sets that I find a little superfluous is the band. I think they more trouble than they are worth. Yes, the band protects the dock connector, but you have to remove the band in order to plug in the docking cable. It also can cause the earphone jack to pop out.

The ifrogz case sets allow you to protect your iPod from everyday wear and tear, while giving you so many color / design choices, that you’ll be hard pressed to pick just one set.

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear

Tagged: Case, iPod, iPod nano, Plastic

ifrogz wrapz, bandz and screenz iPod Case Sets originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 1, 2006 at 2:56 pm.

Rhinoskin
has long been known for their rugged PDA cases. Back in the day,
you weren’t a ‘real’ gadgeteer unless you had a Rhinoskin Titanium
case for your PDA. These days, Rhinoskin sells protective cases for
all types of small electronics. Sorry, no Titanium as far as I can
tell, but how about a combo clear plastic and aluminum case for
your Apple iPod Video? Let’s take a closer look.

This play through case is refreshingly unique. It’s not often
that you find an iPod case that doesn’t look like every other iPod
case on the market. The iPod Video Aluminum Hardcase is made
specifically for the 30gb or 60gb iPod Video. It has a clear thick
scratch resistant polycarbonate face and an equally thick brushed
silver colored 100% aluminum back.

As you can see in the image above, there are thin neoprene
strips affixed to the interior of the case. These strips keep the
iPod protected from scratches and shock, while also allowing the
iPod to fit snuggly inside the hardcase.

The aluminum backing is brushed, so that it does not attract
fingerprints. There is also a removable threaded metal belt clip
post. At the top there is a slot for the included lanyard (not
pictured).

When the iPod is fully inserted, the cutout for the click wheel
matches up perfectly, allowing for easy and comfortable play
through access. Since the entire face of this case is clear, you
will have no problems viewing the iPod Video’s display.

There is a cutout on the bottom of the case that allows for
access to the sync / charge port. Connecting the USB cable is not a
problem while the iPod is in this case.

The entire top of the case is open, so access to the Hold slider
switch and earphone jack is not an issue. The only problem with the
open top is that if you put the player (while in this case) in a
gear bag with other objects, there is a potential that those
objects will come into contact with the iPod and scratch its
finish…

As you can see, this case does add some thickness to the
ordinarily thin iPod Video, but even so, the protection that it
affords is worth it. The empty case weighs in at just 2 ounces, so
it doesn’t really make the iPod seem that much heavier in my
opinion.

From what I can tell, the plastic face of the case is glued to
the aluminum. I wasn’t so sure how secure it really was until I
tried to pull it off; it didn’t budge.

As you can see from the picture above, there are rubber grip
strips on each side of the case. These help prevent an accidental
drop.

Also included with the hardcase is a Stuffbak loss prevention
service label. Stuffbak is a service where you can register your
devices in case of loss. Just put the sticker on the outside (or
inside) of the case and hopefully if you lose your iPod and an
honest person finds it, they can go online and find your info to
get it back to you.

Rhinoskin’s hardcase for the iPod Video is a well made, good
looking case that provides protection from every day wear and tear
to your favorite digital audio player. If you’re looking for a play
through solution that is a bit different than all the others out
there, this one might be the one for you.

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear

Tagged: Case, iPod, Metal, Plastic

Rhinoskin iPod Video Aluminum Hardcase originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 1, 2006 at 11:00 pm.

Marware has been busy creating a whole slew of cases for the Apple iPod nano digital music player. I’m going to give you a peek at their 3 latest creations. A mussilicon cover, leather credit card wallet case and a sporty case that can be worn on your belt or arm.

Sport Grip

This silicon cover is similar to others that I’ve reviewed from Brando and Pivot. It is available in 10 colors: Black, White, Grey, Blue, Purple, Pink, Red, Orange, Yellow and Green.

Left to Right: Pivot cover, Marware cover, Brando cover

There are a couple of difference between the Marware cover and the others that are worth mentioning. First of all, the actual color of this cover seems to be brighter and not as translucent as the others. The silicon material also feels a bit thicker than the Brando and Pivot covers.

All of the cutouts line up with their intended features. The cutout around the click wheel is tapered instead of blunt cut, which is a nice touch.

Included with the Sport Grip are protective clear stickers for the click wheel and display. The adhesive used for these stickers feel very light. I don’t think the stickers will leave any residue when removed.

Connecting with the dock or a charging cable is not a problem.

Access to the hold switch isn’t an issue either.

The only thing that keeps me from liking this cover better than the Brando cover (my favorite), is that lint and dust seems to stick to it slightly more than the others. Despite that fact, the Marware cover is less expensive than the other two.

Price: $9.95

C.E.O. Card Wallet

If you’re wanting to combine your wallet with your nano case, this one will do the trick as long as you don’t have too much cash or too many credit cards. Available in Black, Tan, Pink and Red, this full grained leather case fits well in a coat pocket.

This is a book style case with nothing to hold the cover closed. The outer part of the wallet is padded and somewhat stiff.

The interior has one vertical slot that can hold folded cash or credit cards. The opposite side of the wallet has a holster for the nano. The nano slides into the holster from the top, where it is held securely. The back of the holster is lined with soft suede and there is a clear plastic protector sewn into the display area.

The cutout for the click wheel lines up just fine, and the earphone jack at the bottom is equally accessible. You will be required to remove the nano from the wallet in order to charge and sync music though.

Although this case would not be big enough to replace my regular wallet, it is made well and will protect your nano from everyday wear and tear.

Price: $24.95

Sportsuit Convertible

This is more of a case system than just a case. It can be used with the included hand-strap, belt clip or armband, and is available in Blue, Grey and Black.

The case is made of stretchy orca-skin neoprene, with clear plastic covering the face of the nano.

On the back of the case you will find a Multidapt clip connector like those used on Krusell cases.

The nano slides into the case from the bottom. Once fully inserted, the bottom flap can be tucked up into the case like a shirt tail. A small circular cutout for the earphone is cut into the flap.

You can use this case with the included hardcover by pressing it face first into it. Then the Multidapt spring clip or the arm band clip can be attached depending on the way you want to wear the case. You can also attach the case to the armband without the hardcover.

While it’s cool that you can use this case in different ways, I found actually using the nano while inside it, to be a bit harder than usual. The bottom part of the clear plastic window on the front isn’t quite big enough. As a result, using your thumb to scroll though artists or songs doesn’t feel as smooth as it could. My thumb would brush the bottom of the cutout causing the scrolling to slow down.

There’s also the issue that you have to pull out the ‘shirt tail’ in order to sync / charge with a cable or dock. While this isn’t a really difficult task, it does require a bit of wrestling due to the tight fit.

If you’re an active person, the Sportsuit Convertible will surely be a useful accessory for you and your nano.

Price: $29.95

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear

Tagged: Canvas, Case, iPod, iPod nano, Leather, Neoprene, Plastic

Marware Apple iPod nano Cases originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 5, 2006 at 2:05 am.

I love my Apple iPod nano because it’s teeny tiny and sexy. Problem is, it scratches if you even look at it cross eyed. Mine developed light scratches all over the face within the first day of light use. ( Since Apple failed to include a case of any kind with the player, I resorted to keeping it in an old Vaja leather pouch (they used to ship their PDA cases in little drawstring pouches years ago), then I moved up to the WaterField nano case. The WaterField was fine for transporting my nano to and fro, but not so fine for interacting with the player while in a car, etc. As a result, I’ve been on the lookout for something better and I think I have found it in the Pivot iPod nano silicone case.

Available in 9 different colors: Black, Blue, Deep Blue, Green, Grey, Orange, Pink, Purple, and White, this product is more like a skin than a case. If you have never had a silicone case for your PDA, music player, or phone, they are thin, soft, elastic, rubber-like covers that provide your device with protection from everyday abuse.

The nano easily slides into the case by inserting the bottom into the display area cutout. Once inside, the nano is totally enclosed except for the display cutout, click wheel cutout, hold switch cutout and dock connector / earphone cutout. I can understand all of these cutouts, but wish the display had some type of protection since it is very easily scratched.

In the old days of silicone cases, dust, dirt and lint seemed to magically fly out of the air and take root on the outside of these cases. Not so with this skin, as it has been created using Organic Anti-dust Technology. Not sure exactly what that might be, but it seems to be true as far as I can tell.

There are only two other notable features of this product. One is an eyelet for an included white cotton handstrap. The other feature is a belt loop on the back of the case. It’s actually just two narrow cutouts that you can thread a belt or arm band through.

I like this case / skin because it is play through and it adds very little to the overall size weight of the nano. You get 2 skins for $22. One is white and you can choose the other color. The only thing that would make this product perfect would be a covering over the display. As is, this Pivot and the almost identical Brando version are my current favorite nano cases.

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear

Tagged: Case, iPod, iPod nano, Plastic

Pivot iPod nano Silicone Case originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 26, 2005 at 7:45 pm.

The Brando Apple iPod nano case / skin / protector is extremely similar to the Pivot iPod nano case already reviewed here. Available in 9 different colors: White, Green, Purple, Brown, Light Blue, Orange, Blue, Black, and Pink, this skin has the same design except for 3 differences…

Difference #1 is the addition of a second strap eyelet and location of eyelets. Instead of being located at the bottom of the skin, they are located at the top (like ears). The included plastic covered cord with metal lobster clips, clip to the eyelets to allow you to wear the nano like a necklace.

Difference #2 is that the click wheel does not have a cutout. Instead, there is a thin silicone covering over the wheel that still allows for play-through access. The extra layer of material over the wheel does not hinder scrolling or button pressing whatsoever.

Difference #3 is that Brando is charging $17 for one skin, while PDAir is only charging $8. Not sure the covering over the click wheel is worth the extra $9 charge… Maybe if there was also a covering over the display which really needs the most protection.

I like this skin just as well as the Pivot skin as they are the same (save the covering over the click wheel). It also works fine with my DLO TransPod and regular iPod dock. I say go for the Pivot skin as it is less expensive and you two of them.

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear

Tagged: Case, iPod, iPod nano, Plastic

Brando iPod nano Silicone Case originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 26, 2005 at 10:43 am.

The iPod shuffle is Apple’s only audio player that has been designed to withstand day to day abuse that average people can deal out. The shuffle doesn’t have a display to scratch, or chrome to mar. It is made of rugged plastic that can withstand multiple drops, flings and tosses. Unlike the full sized iPods, minis and Nano, this player does not require a case to protect it. But, that sure hasn’t stopped companies from designing them anyway. Once such company and product is the C4 iPod shuffle Clip from Clips4.

Available in 4 colors: Piano Black, Non-colored Translucent, Lime Green Translucent and Pink Translucent. Clips4 sent me all four colors to take a look at. The green and pink look almost like glowing neon, while the clear and black look… clear and black ;o)

The C4 clip adds very little bulk and weight to the already small shuffle player. A naked shuffle weighs 1 oz., while a shuffle inside a C4 weights in at 1 oz. That’s right, the weight of the C4 is so minimal, that my electronic scale can not even tell a difference.

The clip has a 2 piece design. The front is solid except for a circular nav button cutout.

The back is solid with a pocket clip. The clip is thin and flexible. It isn’t tight enough to hold on to the material of a regular cotton shirt. I did a test where I fed standard 3 x 5 inch index cards under the clip to see how many it would take before I could hold the C4 (with the shuffle inside) upside down by the cards without it falling off. It took a total of 10 index cards under the clip. My next test was to see how much pressure it would take to snap the flimsy feeling clip off the back of the C4. I didn’t have any way to measure this, but I found out the clip is stronger than what I thought it would be. It didn’t snap off until I bent it almost 180 degrees around. That said, I still feel that it is much too thin and flimsy to trust it to hold your shuffle securely.

There is a thin groove that runs along the bottom edges of the main shell. The back plate slides into these grooves and snaps securely shut.

When the shuffle is inside the C4, it is completely protected except for the nav button cutout.

The back plate covers the power button and battery status button… This means you’ll have to slide open the plate to access these controls. Depending on the C4, this may or may not be a pain in the rear. The clear C4 was very hard to open, while the green one only required reasonable effort. You’ll also be required to remove the shuffle from the C4 when you need to sync / charge with your computer.

The C4 iPod shuffle Clip is one of those accessories that you really don’t need all that much, but it doesn’t hurt to have anyway. The only problem is that the C4 seems a bit too expensive for such a thin, light weight plastic cover. Especially since the clip is so lame. All that said, I do like the fact that the C4 goes almost unnoticed as far as adding bulk and weight to your audio player. The neon colors are pretty cool too.

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear

Tagged: Case, iPod, Plastic

C4 iPod shuffle Clip originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 7, 2005 at 7:33 pm.

Protecting the gorgeous display on the Sony Playstation Portable is a big deal to owners of this popular handheld gaming device. Besides housing the PSP in a case when it is not in use, you also have to consider some type of protection when you’re actually playing games on it. Brando has a simple product that might just take up permanent residence over your PSP’s display. The Crystal Cover II is a plastic screen protector that covers almost the entire face of your device, giving you see-through and play-through convenience.

When you buy this product, you receive a thin plastic cover and a replacement thick rubber joypad cover.

The Crystal Cover rests right over the existing display and is held in place with 2 screws that thread into the PSP.

When attached, the cover adds very little to the weight and size of the gaming device.

The included rubber joypad cover may be an asset or hinderance, depending on the player. At first I thought it would work out much better than the thin profile one included with the PSP. But once I started playing games with the new pad in place, I realized that the additional height made my thumb cramp up. So, your milage may vary.

There are cutouts for the 2 sets of buttons on either side of the PSP. These cutouts match up perfectly allowing easy game play.

Viewing games or video content through the Crystal Cover II is just as nice as when this protector is not in place. The only problem that I noticed was the fact that dust under the cover tended to show up as black specks on the screen, reminding me of dead pixels. Also the Crystal Cover seems to scratch pretty easily… I guess it’s better that it get scratched other than the PSP though.

The bottom line is that this product will protect your display from scratches. I’m just not sure that it’s any more valuable than a stick on protector or just using a bit of caution.

Filed in categories: Portable and Console Gaming

Tagged: Plastic, PSP, Screen Protector

Brando PSP Crystal Cover II originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 30, 2005 at 7:56 pm.

If you’re an extreme type of person, then you need an extreme type of case to protect your toys while you’re out doing extreme things. There’s nothing worse than getting dirt or sweat on your mp3 player while you’re out doing motor cross in the mud. Not that I’ve ever taken my Apple iPod shuffle mp3 player with me while riding a motor cross bike. Ok, I really don’t have a motor cross bike. But if I did have one, I wouldn’t take my iPod shuffle with me unless it was housed securely in an OtterBox case.

This case is the only play-through, rugged, waterproof (up to 3ft / 1m) case available for the shuffle at the time of this writing. The case is made of thick clear plastic that will protect your shuffle in the event of a drop. A rubber seal along the edges of the case keeps your player dry and free from dirt.

The case has a clamshell design, with a hinge at the top and a latch at the bottom. The cover opens to about 45 degrees. To insert the shuffle, you just slide it onto the earphone jack that protrudes from the top of the case. Once you close the cover and snap the latch shut, the shuttle will be protected from falls, water, dirt, sand, etc.

A standard sized 1/8″ headphone jack extends out of the case so that you can either plug in your Apple earbuds, or any other set of earphones.

While in the case, you can control the player with the rubber button on the front. The controls match up with the actual shuffle controls for Play/Pause, Next/Prev, Volume Up and Down. Pressing this rubber button takes a little bit of force, but not too much. You can feel the tactile feedback from the shuffle when pressing the buttons. On the back of the case there is a rubber button that when pressed shows the battery status. Unfortunately there isn’t a way to turn the shuffle on or off while it is in the case. You have to open it to perform this action. Phooey.

This case comes with a removable lanyard that you can attach for wearing the case around your neck.

This isn’t a welterweight case. It actually weighs 3 times as much as the shuffle. But you do get a lot of added protection from this added bulk. As a test, I put my shuffle in this case, latched it, and put it in a bucket of water for 30mins. I put a plate on top of it so it wouldn’t just float on top. After the time was up, I dried off the case, opened it, took out the shuffle, turned it on and listened to some tunes. )

But wait, there’s more… For an extra $14.95, you get this neoprene arm band holster that allows you to wear this case on your arm. This is great for working out at the gym or swimming.

I’m not really an extreme person and don’t do many extreme activities, but if you are extreme and you have an iPod shuffle, this case is something you should definitely consider.

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear

Tagged: Case, iPod, Plastic

OtterBox for iPod shuffle Case originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 20, 2005 at 1:13 pm.

When I first saw this product advertised on one of the many gadget news sites that I surf every day, I almost blew Diet Coke out my nose. What moron would actually buy this thing?! Then I came home a few days later to find one of them in my mailbox staring at me! ACK! Now I would have to review it… Me thinks that SpeckProducts is not going to be too happy with me this time around.

So what is it? The iGuy is a white rubber Gumby suit for your 4th Generation iPod. Awww, look at the cute little butt…

There are cutouts for the main scroll wheel, earphone jack and hold switch. A clear plastic window covers the display.

The iPod slides into the suit through the rear area. It can fit the all 4th gen versions (20 – 60gb) by employing a hard plastic spacer insert.

So what cool features does the iGuy have? Wellllll, its arms are bendable. Not really easily bendable though. You may actually need a freaking pair of pliers to bend them. Ok, I’m exaggerating a bit. Besides having posable arms, you can make the iGuy sit down on your desk or the dock. Wheeeeeeee!

That’s it. Yes folks, all this can be yours for the amazing price of $35! Am I being a big stick in the mud for not seeing the point of this product? Is there something wrong with me for being annoyed at it? Maybe… I think this video pretty much sums up my feelings on the subject.

Click to view video

If you have actually purchased the iGuy, I want to hear from you! Be sure and comment through the review comment area link below.

Price: $34.95

Pros:
I really can’t think of any…

Cons:
Expensive
Useless

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear

Tagged: Case, iPod, Plastic

SpeckProducts iGuy originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 27, 2005 at 6:50 pm.

(Horizontal and Vertical) for Treo 650 (Proclip item number
229012) vs.
Seidio Shield Holster
for Treo 650

Proclip swivel clips

Seidio swivel clip

Seidio

Price: $24.95 for the
Proclip Belt
Clip Holster, $27.95 for the
Seidio Shield Holster
 

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Belt Clip, Case, Palm, Palm OS related, Plastic, Screen Protector

Proclip Belt Clip Holster vs. Seidio Shield Holster originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 30, 2005 at 12:00 am.

Product Requirements:
Device:
palmOne Treo 650 Smartphone

The palmOne Treo 650 smartphone is
an expensive device that deserves to be protected from everyday abuse. Most
people that own this phone will immediately seek out a case for it. It’s
difficult to find the right case that is best for you. Some people are not happy
unless their phone is completely covered on all sides by leather or metal. Then
there are other  people who take a minimalist approach in order to prevent
their PDA/phone from becoming a bulky brick.  If you’re looking for a
minimal case, then this silicone product from
Brando might be just what you’re looking
for.

Available in Ice or Blue, this thin, soft, non-sticky, flexible rubber case
adds very little bulk to the Treo. What it does add is protection to the sides,
back, top and bottom of the device. The gripping nature of the silicone also
helps to keep the Treo from slipping out of your hand.

Cutouts allow access to the Hotsync port, microphone, earphone, keyboard,
display, status LED, camera, stylus, speaker, IR port, SD slot and speaker
toggle. The side volume rocker button and front face navigation / application
buttons are covered by the silicone material. Using the buttons through the
material is not a problem though as representations of the buttons are molded
into the silicone. This does not hinder tactile feedback whatsoever.

I’ve never been a big fan of these type of rubber cases as they tend to
attract lint and dust. So far this one has not done that, but I was sent the Ice
version, so it’s hard to see if dust is stuck to it.

As long as you understand that this case will not protect the display or even
protect the whole device all that much in the event of a drop, then this cover
is an adequate way to keep your Treo’s shell from scratches and wear.

Price: $20.00

Pros:
Doesn’t add bulk to the phone
Adds better gripping to the phone

Cons:
Screen isn’t protected
May attract link and dust

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Case, Palm, Palm OS related, Plastic

Brando Treo 650 Silicone Case Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 6, 2005 at 12:00 am.

Product Requirements:
Device:
iPod shuffle 512mb and 1gb digital audio players

So you have yourself an iPod shuffle
huh? These little digital audio players are pretty rugged devices and do not
require much in the way of protection. But of course that is not going to stop
accessory makers like SpeckProducts
from making them available for those of you that are just plain paranoid about
your gadgets. ;o)

The SkinTight cover for the shuffle is available in single packs or in a 3
pack. The singles are available in Black, Pink, Clear, Blue, Green and Red,
while the 3 pack comes with Black, Pink and Clear.

The covers have a 2 piece design. One piece is for the main body, and the
second piece is a replacement cap that snaps on to the USB connector.

To cover your shuffle, you sort of wiggle it into the skin through the square
power cutout on the back. Don’t be a dork like I was and forget to take off the
USB cap before trying to insert the shuffle into the skin…
<sigh>

The shuffle fits perfectly into the cover. You could say that the fit is skin
tight. ;o) As far as protection, everything is fully encased in the soft rubbery
material that the cover is made of.

The only cutouts are for power, earphone jack and the USB connector.

On the top of the cover there is an embossed navigation button that mates
well with the actual button beneath it. You can easily press the button through
the cover with no loss of tactile feedback.

I’ll admit that I am not a big fan of rubber skin type covers because they
tend to attract lint and dust like a magnet. This is really noticeable on the
black cover, but not as much on the other colors. That said, these covers do
offer you a way to customize your iPod shuffle while also helping to keep it in
pristine condition.

Price: $29.95 (singles available for $19.95)

Pros:
Protects the shuffle from scratches
Play through design

Cons:
Rubber material attracts lint

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear

Tagged: Case, iPod, Plastic

SpeckProducts iPod shuffle SkinTight 3-Pack Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 29, 2005 at 12:00 am.

Product Requirements:
Device:
iPod 20 and 40gb digital audio players

SpeckProducts
has a new iPod product just for those of you that are tough on your stuff. The
ToughSkin is a rubber cover with added thickness on the sides and corners. 
Made of shock-absorbing, tear-resistant KRATON plastic and available in Black,
Clear, Orange, Blue, and Red, the ToughSkin also comes with hard plastic
protectors for the display, touch wheel and a removable belt clip.

After opening the ToughSkin package that was sent to me, I realized that this
product was more complex than their other offerings. The ToughSkin actually has
6 pieces to it.

1. The main skin
2. The hard plastic touch wheel protector
3. The hard plastic display protector
4. The hard plastic rear plate
5. The belt clip nub
6. The belt clip

This skin can fit both the 20gb and 40gb
fourth generation players. Since the 20gb player is
thinner than the 40gb model, a spacer is required. This is where the plastic
rear plate comes into play. The plate has little peg feet that protrude out of
the plate. If you have a 20gb player, you orient this plate so these feet are on
the inside of the skin. If you have the thicker 40gb player, you turn the plate
so that the feet stick out the back of the skin by way of small circular
cutouts.

The belt clip nub can be removed and reattached on either side of the plate.
Or, you don’t have to use it at all, if you don’t wish to.

Ok, here’s the thing that immediately frightened me with this product: iPod
with a shiny chrome back sliding across a hard plastic plate with hard plastic
posts sticking out of it. Am I the only person that thinks this is a
really bad idea? I mean, the back of my iPod will scratch if I even look
at it funny. I can only imagine what it would look like if I tried to insert it
into this skin with that plate installed.

Since I have the thicker 40gb player and could use this skin with the plate’s
feet facing away from the chrome back, I took fate into my own hands and went
ahead and inserted my player into the case through the display cutout. Happily,
I felt no scraping as I did so. With the plate in this orientation, it will not
harm (at least in my experience) the chrome back on a 40gb player.

Once the player was encased in the ToughSkin, I inserted the display protector
and touch wheel protector. The finished product does look pretty nice… In use,
I did find that having a cover over the touch wheel was really more trouble than
it was worth. It is slightly annoying to have to open the cover whenever you
wish to scroll through a song list or interact with the player. I think
SpeckProducts would be better off using a thin membrane cover such as the one
used by
Otterbox in their iPod case.

There is a cutout on the bottom of the ToughSkin to allow for sync/charge
with a cable. A cutout on the top of the skin allows for earphones, but not for
most accessories such as the iTalk. The
rubber is just too thick around the cutout to allow most accessories to fully seat
in the connector.

Should you buy this case? I would tell 20gb iPod owners to pass on this one.
Even though I can’t verify that it will scratch the back of your player, I would
be very apprehensive to even give it a try. If you’re a 40gb owner that needs
extra protection for your player, then I would say that this product will give you
what you want as long as you don’t mind opening the touch wheel cover whenever
you need to access it.
 

Price: $34.95

Pros:
Protects the iPod from scratches and bumps

Cons:
20gb players require the use of a hard plastic insert that looks like it could
easily scratch the chrome back of the player
Rubber material attracts lint

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear

Tagged: Case, iPod, Plastic

SpeckProducts 4G 20 and 40gb iPod ToughSkin Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 29, 2005 at 12:00 am.

Product Requirements:
A PDA that measures under 5.5" long x
3.5" wide x 0.9" deep

When I reviewed the OtterBox
Armor 3600
back in 2003, there was no doubt in my mind that I had just discovered the "Humvee
of PDA Protection." No case I had seen, or that I have since seen, has even come
close to offering delicate electronics such perfect protection when they
are used in abnormally harsh conditions.

However, this solution was aimed more at larger sized PDAs, such as the
HP iPAQ 5455,
which I used for testing at the time. Those with shorter or more shallow devices
would have found the Armor 3600 to be a bit of oversized overkill, though I am
sure that there were some who went ahead and used one anyway, out of necessity.

Now OtterBox is offering a rugged solution for the more compact PDAs and the
people that use them in extreme conditions, the
Armor 1900.

Like the 3600 model previously reviewed, the Armor 1900 is not a case for
those that only need to add a bit of screen protection to their PDA. It is for
people who have to cope with the harshest conditions that can be thrown at them,
as they are using their electronic device.

The OtterBox site lists the features of the Armor 1900 as:

To begin, the Armor 1900 has a very rugged appearance. Available in either
Midnight Black and Fluorescent Yellow and accented with gray, this case has an
abundance of latches, sealed ports and usable features.

Lets take a look and see if the 1900 lives up to its predecessor…

Universal fit for smaller form factor PDAs:

The Armor 1900 measures 6.57" (16.7cm) tall x 4.64" (11.8cm) wide x 2.2"
(5.6cm) thick at it’s largest points. Its interior is shaped so that it can hold
a device measuring no more than 5.6" (14.1cm) tall x 3.5" (9cm) wide x 0.9"
(2.4cm) deep.

Instead of using a series of removable pads to push the PDA to the front of
the case, the Armor 1900 uses a clever Velcro strap suspension system which
keeps the PDA tightly held next to the replaceable write-through membrane and
it’s plastic border.

Flexible, fully sealed
interactive screen membrane:

The membrane is a thin sheet of clear flexible
plastic. You can write on it directly with a PDA stylus. As long as you don’t
write so heavily that you gouge holes into the membrane, it will remain
waterproof. Over time, this membrane will probably show wear, and when that
happens replacements can be
ordered.

The interior of the case is composed of unlined plastic, but since the PDA
should not really touch anything but the screen membrane, its plastic border and
the Velcro suspension system, it is unlikely that the PDA will become scratched
while in the case.

As you might have guessed by the case’s name, the
HP iPAQ 1900
series perfectly fits…

A flip-up cover protects the touch screen when it is not being written upon.

Flip-up hard screen cover:

As mentioned, the screen of the PDA is protected by a
clear plastic flip-lid. This cover will swing approximately 180º,
either in the down and fully closed position, or standing straight up. I was
pleasantly surprised to find that the lid would more or less stay up on its own
when flipped to the upward position, but I suspect that over time it will not
keep the same tension. Missing is the more secure closure system that the Armor
3600 utilized. By this, I mean that the flip lid is not held securely shut when
it is in the down position, it can be easily raised..

Waterproof, crushproof,
drop-proof ergonomic design:

Here you can see it in our hot tub. So yes, I would
call it waterproof and the Armor 1900 also floats.

According to the OtterBox website, "All OtterBox cases
- from the original OtterBox case to the innovative Armor 3600 for PDA
protection — feature a closed-cell neoprene o-ring that seals out water – no
matter how harsh the conditions. Independent tests show OtterBox cases keep
valuables dry to depths of 110 feet – even in chilly Alaskan waters."

The case is crushproof in the sense that heavy items
will not cause it to collapse upon the PDA. I tested this by once again
convincing Steve to balance his 200 pounds on the screen cover of the case.
However, the Armor 1900 is so much smaller than the 3600 previously tested that
he wasn’t able to put both feet on it…

I didn’t care to drive over the case or put it under what might be
considered a truly destructive crushing weight, but for those of you that
want to know if the Armor 1900 can take that kind of abuse, there is a picture
of an Otterbox under a Jeep’s wheel on their website…

photo courtesy of OtterBox

Drop proof? Yes, and for two reasons…

Adjustable neoprene hand strap:

First, because if you are using the strap attached to
the back of the case there is virtually no chance that you will drop the
enclosed PDA. The hand strap is made of thick stretchy neoprene with adjustable
Velcro ends that fold back upon themselves for a perfect fit. When using the
strap, the case is securely held in the user’s hand, with virtually no chance of
being dropped.

Of course, if the user needs a more hands-free way to
carry the case, there is also an optional neck lanyard kit.

photo courtesy of OtterBox

The second reason that the case is drop-proof is
because if the user happens to be a total klutz (like me), the case will survive
a long fall onto concrete without the PDA inside getting damaged. Yes, I did try
that test out multiple times (on purpose) from about a height of 4′ onto
a wooden floor. The PDA and case survived in fine shape, though on about the
fifth drop the flip lid did pop off..

Quick access to CF and SD slots
through the top of the case:

The entire clear top of the Armor 1900 can be opened
to allow direct access to the SD or CF card slots at the top of the PDA.

There are even different sized PODs available that can
accept taller GPS cards or scanning modules that may need to be added to the
PDA.

 
 

From left to right: large POD, medium POD, and the Scanner POD
with a hardened scratch-resistant lens, photos courtesy of OtterBox

The only area where you might find that there is limited to non-existent
accessibility is in regard to the voice record button and the Infrared port. On
the iPAQ 1945, these are both located on the left side, which is of course
covered by the hard case. The record button can be re-mapped if you need it, but
there is no way around the placement of the Infrared port – you’ll just have to
do without using it when the PDA is in the Armor 1900. I hardly ever even use my
IR port, so it’s not that big of a deal to me.

Headphone/headset access:

There is a rubber plug on the left side that a headset
cord can be threaded through. Once the cord is through and the plug has been
replaced, the PDA is once again safe from water, dust and dirt.

Note the rubber gaskets that are present on all of the removable pieces of
the case. These are a major line of defense against dust, dirt and water. They
should always be kept clean and periodically inspected for deterioration.

Quick access to PDA connection
through the bottom of the case:

Unlike other ruggedized cases that require the removal
of the PDA for syncing or charging, the Armor 1900 has a large rubber plug that
pops off the bottom to allow direct access to the port.

There is even a serial port connection that can be
added to the bottom of newer model iPAQs that share the standard 22 pin bottom
connector.

photo courtesy of OtterBox

External stylus holder:

The left side of the case has a molded rubber stylus
holder, which will keep the use from having to keep one stowed in their pocket.
This also allows the user to use a slightly thicker stylus than the one that
fits in their PDA’s silo.

Price: $99.95
Available in black or yellow

Pros:
Rugged, waterproof/dustproof/crushproof  protection for your PDA
Many accessories to make case work for your unique needs
Easy access to most ports on the PDA

Cons:
No access to Infrared port
It’s big and expensive – but if you need it, that won’t stop you

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Case, PDA, Plastic, Pocket PC

OtterBox Armor 1900 PDA Case Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 8, 2005 at 12:00 am.

Product Requirements:
Device:
3rd, 4th, and Mini iPod versions

We’ve reviewed several products from
OtterBox in the past. The first review was posted in
1999, then
another in
2002, and yet another in
2003. These
three reviews were all for watertight PDA cases, but OtterBox isn’t just about
PDAs, they also sell cases for tablet computers, cigars (I’m not kidding!) and
Apple iPods. Today I’m going to tell you about their iPod case. We first saw
this watertight case earlier this year at
CES in
Las Vegas.

The OtterBox is a play through case that protects your digital audio player from
water, sand, dirt, dust and even drops. Available in 5 colors: White, Pink,
Green, Blue and Yellow, the OtterBox has an integrated clip that can be used on a
belt or with the optional arm band. There are versions of this case available
for the Mini, 3rd and 4th gen iPods.
I was sent the 4th gen version.

Made of slightly flexible, but thick plastic, this case is definitely rugged!
It is comprised of two pieces. The bottom portion of the case is lined in grey
rubber with a foam mat on the floor of the shell. An extra mat is included if
you intend to use this case with 20gb 4th gen iPod. My 40gb unit only requires
one mat.

At the top of the case, there is a headphone cable pass-thru insert. The case
comes with a total of 3 different inserts. One for use with the stock Apple ear
buds, one for the Apple remote and one for generic flat two wire style ear buds.

The iPod presses into the bottom half of the OtterBox with a little pressure.
Once seated, it feels quite secure.

The top portion of the case has a hook that mates with a ridge on the other
half of the case. This hook acts as a sort of hinge to close the OtterBox. A press
fit latch at the top snaps the lid shut with a medium amount of pressure. Once
closed, your iPod is completely encased and protected from the elements. While
the OtterBox will protect your device from water, it is not to be considered
waterproof. Just water resistant.

There are two windows in the face of the case that allow you to fully
interact with the iPod. There is a full sized flexible membrane over the display
and a circular membrane over the touch wheel. The window over the display is
clear enough to see the menus, but is a bit foggy. I’m not sure why they decided
to go with a membrane here, as they could have just used a solid clear plastic
window instead. As is, the flexible rubber membrane tends to adhere to the
display in places, causing a slight bubble effect. This effect reminds me of
when you put a screen protector on your PDA incorrectly…

The membrane over the touch wheel is texturized and allows for easy
scrolling. The membrane is flexible enough to press the middle select button, as
well as the four points on the wheel edge (Menu, Prev, Next, Play/Pause).

In use, the case is bulky and does add weight (4 oz.) to your audio player.
That said, the OtterBox is a great case to use while camping, fishing, boating, at
the beach, hiking… I could go on and on… Basically, if you want to protect
your iPod from moisture and dirt, this is the probably the best solution so far.

Price: $49.95

Pros:
Fully enclosed iPod protection from water and dirt
Lined with rubber for shock absorption.

Cons:
Membrane over display tends to stick to it, making the display slightly
difficult to read
Bulky

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear

Tagged: Case, iPod, Plastic

OtterBox for iPod Case Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 21, 2005 at 12:00 am.

Product Requirements:
Device:
Apple iPod Mini
 

Introduction:

When I first got the Ipod mini, I was very impressed by the slick clean lines and the anodized metal casing. It was very small (about the same size as my cell phone) and the casing seemed durable. Three days later, I quickly discovered that it was very easy to scratch the metal casing (after having two dings appear from minor scrapes) because the supplied belt clip left the ipod mini exposed to the elements. In addition, putting it in your pocket could cause the screen to get scratched by loose dirt and keys (although I do not know why anyone would keep keys in the same pocket as their mini).

Speck Products to the rescue:

The Speck Products iPod Mini skin comes in a pack of one or three with available colors clear, blue, and green. There is also a similar case for the 3G (reviewed by Julie) as well as the older ipods. The skin is made of shock-absorbing soft flexible rubber (called KRAYTON) and is about   .080 inches thick with negligible weight (about 1oz). The rubber is also supposed to be scratch resistant

First Impressions:

When I first saw the case, I was expecting a hard rigid shell. Instead, I was greeted by the soft flexible rubber that felt very nice to touch. This was a good first impression. Now the easy part was over, I had to put the skin on the mini. Putting the skin on was no easy task because you had to literally force the mini inside. I guess the skin is made this way to ensure a tight “skin” fit. Once the skin is on you wriggle it around a bit to make sure the cut-outs for the wheel and the skin are lined up properly.

The case has two main cut-outs, one for the screen and one for the clickwheel. In addition, there is a slit on both the top of the case and the bottom of the case. The top slit allows access to the headphone/remote control port as well as the hold button while the bottom slit allows access to the bottom connector/port of the mini. The case also has some vents on the back.

I believe that these vents were a design trait carried over from the older generation ipods which needed some places to dissipate heat. This is not a problem with the newer generation ipods as well as the mini and this makes this feature strictly for aesthetic purposes. In addition, the skin has a removable lanyard which is in the middle of the two cut-outs (or slits) on the top of the skin.

The two-week test:

Now the initial impressions are over, it was time to subject the case to a rigorous day to day test which will closely simulate the conditions the case and the mini will be subjected to under normal usage.

Test 1: Day to Day usage

When using the case daily to listen to music during commutes to class and work, I used the supplied lanyard (or neckstrap) which was pretty cool. It allowed me to have close access to the mini so I could easily navigate around the menus without having to unclip it from the supplied belt clip. This feature also circumvents the use of a remote because the mini is in very close proximity. However, if you are using regular headphones with a long cord, it becomes a bother because the cord hangs down and it can get tangled. However I use the Sony MDR-EX71SL (it has a short cord) headphones so this was not a problem. Another way I used the case was the good ol’ fashioned way of putting it in my pocket. Because of the sturdy rubber, I did not worry about the mini getting scratched. However, because there is no screen protector built in (although I custom cut a Fellowes protector on my mini screen) there is still the issue of loose dirt and keys scratching the screen. In addition, there is a tendency for dirt and dust to get stuck in the inner parts of the cut-outs. This turned out to be a really annoying problem and it happens anytime you put your mini in a closed place such as a bag, pocket, or a purse.

The final way I used the skin (along with the lanyard) was by looping the lanyard around one of my belt loops and then putting it in my pocket. With this done, if I drop my mini when bringing it out of my pocket, it will still be hanging from my belt loop. This is quite ingenious but I doubt that the makers of the skin had this in mind. Nevertheless, it is still a cool option.

Test 2: Use in the gym

So far the speck case has performed excellently so now I decided to get a little bit ambitious and take it with me to the gym. Because the belt clip supplied with the mini cannot be used with the skin, I was forced to either use the supplied lanyard, or to put the mini in my pocket. Unfortunately, both options are not ideal for mid to heavy exercising sessions because the mini tends to bounce around too much. However, if you do not intend on jogging or moving around too much, then it will work just fine for you. On the upside, because of the thickness of the skin, it offers superb protection. I dropped it a couple of times and it bounced back unscathed. In addition even though there is no built in screen protection, the screen is recessed therefore if you drop the mini face down with the skin on, the screen will not get affected. Overall, I think the skin will be perfect for use in the gym if it had a supplied (or optional) clip or armband because the thickness does not allow the ones supplied by apple to be used with it.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I believe that the Speck products ipod mini skin is a hit, with very few misses. It accentuates the natural ergonomics of the ipod (which I believe it should, after all it is a skin) and it makes the mini easier to hold and use. The supplied lanyard makes the skin more versatile by offering alternative ways to cart around (and display of course) your mini. On the downside, there is no screen protection. In addition, the case (and the supplied lanyard) tends to get dirty real easy especially if you keep it in your pocket, bag or purse.

However, the above problem could be solved by buying a darker color skin (I believe the supplied lanyard is always white though) to summarize this review, I commend Speck products for their work on the skin and I believe that anyone who buys it will be satisfied with the style and protection that It has to offer. It wins my stamp of approval

Price: $19.95 ($29.95 for 3 pack)

Pros: 

Easy to grip
Superb protection
Does not add too much bulk
Supplied lanyard works like a charm

Cons: 

Gets dirty too easy
Added bulk does not allow you use belt or arm clip
No built in screen protection

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear

Tagged: Case, iPod, Plastic

Speck Products iPod Mini Skin Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 24, 2004 at 12:00 am.

Product Requirements:
Device:
PalmOne Tungsten T3
 

6/16/04 See updates in red below

For the most part, I have used an aluminum hard case with all of my handhelds but I am always looking for something different to try. I bounce around the U.S. regularly and when I’m not doing that I’m out in the field. Protection and back-pocketability are key factors for me in a case. When I saw the Crystal Case by Proporta, I thought the ability to view the screen while closed and the flip top would be worth trying.

The Proporta Crystal Case is constructed of a scratch resistant polycarbonate plastic which has not gotten a scratch yet. Although, I do not keep the T3 and case in the same pocket as my keys. The T3 clicks into the case, the sides of the case hug the PDA, and pegs on the back of the case further hold it in place.

The slider mechanism is very easy to use while in the case. The reset button can be easily accessed as well.

The cover that protects the screen can be flipped open 135 degrees. The hinge is strong and durable… I was able to bend the cover to 180 degrees with no ill affect. The flip cover stays shut once clicked into place.

All the key elements are accessible. The controls, power, and voice recorder buttons, secure digital card, and stylus are all accessible with the case closed (when the case is flipped open the stylus can’t be taken out).

The best feature of the Crystal Case is the ability to view the screen with the cover shut. My son enjoys watching his shows on my T3 and points out important moments/things and touches the screen (sometimes too hard). This case allows him to do that with the screen completely protected…

A con for some users is that you can’t put the T3 in the cradle while it is in the case. However, you can use the travel charger/sync cable while in the case.

This case would not save your T3 from a substantial drop but will protect it from bumps, minor falls, and scratches.

You actually CAN hotsync while the T3 is in the Proporta Crystal Case if you open the slider.

Price: $23.95

Pros: 

Decent protection
Perfect fit
‘Fit-like-a-glove’ form-factor
Can see the screen with case closed
Controls accessible at all times
Price is very reasonable

Cons: 

Not ‘back-pocketable’
Can’t hotsync while in the case
PDA isn’t completely encased

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Case, Palm, Palm OS related, Plastic

Proporta Tungsten T3 Crystal Case Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 28, 2004 at 12:00 am.

Product Requirements:
Device:
HP iPAQ 1900 series Pocket PC
 

Ever since I got my ipaq 1945 for Christmas, I’ve dreamed of the perfect case for it. Is this case it? Read on to find out…

When I got received the SpeckProducts iPAQ 1900 series case, I did a little dance. I absolutely fell in love with this style case after I read Julie’s iPod Skin review (I’m one of those viewers who reads every single review-reguardless if I am interested in the product or not!). I have previously owned Speck PDA Screen protectors that I bought off of eBay, and I have come to love the comapany. They stand for quality and support in my book.

The iPaq skin is available in 3 colors: lime, blue, and clear. Speck sent me the clear. If you like more than one, you can get a 3-pack.

This case is very similar to the iPod Skin, reviewed by Julie. In fact, it is made of the exact same material. This rubbery material (called KRATON) acts as a shock absorber to help prevent damage to the PDA. It weighs only 1 oz and is about .1 inches thick. The PDA is entirely enclosed in skin—except the sync port, record button/IR window, stylus silo, SD card slot, headphone jack, and select button. The case’s back is “ribbed for comfort” and ease of grip. The entire case is textured, so I’m not sure how well the grips help, but whatever. Under the ribs is the speck logo.

The case also has a clear plastic window. This allows you to look up a quick phone number or appointment without ever opening the case. It does have a place to grab hold of it to open it, and it opens to about 130 degrees. I love the built in screen protection, and the convenience of the window!

The power button and app buttons are covered in skin. The skin actually makes the power button a lot easier to press, it now takes almost zero force to turn on and off the PDA. The same for the left, right, up, and down D-Pad buttons. The app buttons are covered, and this makes them a little stiffer to press, compared to naked buttons. They’re not impossible to press by any means, but not as easy. One of my major complaints about the case is the select button. It is left uncovered, but it is very difficult to press. Nearly every time, I find myself pressing either the left or right buttons on the D-pad. This is, even on a naked PDA, small and difficult to press, and is exacerbated by the thickness of the case.

Insertion of the PDA is very simple. You simply insert the PDA into the window opening and stretch the case over the PDA, then replace the window cover.

Another complaint I have is the reset button is covered. This isn’t that big of a deal, as you can simply poke a hole out of the case with a pocket knife or X-Acto knife. It’s fairly simple. I made a small “X” with my knife, and resetting is a breeze!

My final complaint is the packaging. It is that darned plastic bubble packaging that I completely loathe. I think they should make it the type that can come apart by “buttons” at the top. Instead, it is the typical fused plastic that can only be opened via atom bomb! No, seriously, I just used a knife, but it is very thick, and I had to do more “sawing” that I felt necessary.

Once you “customize” this case by cutting a reset hole, there is no need to ever take the PDA out, as you can sync the PDA using the cable you got with the PDA. I don’t have the cradle, so I can’t comment on that. I love this case, it is officially replacing my Belkin leather case! Thanks, Speck!

Price: $24.95 for one, $34.95 for a 3-pack

Pros: 

Shock-Absorbing Material
Great Screen Protection
Better Grip on PDA
Doesn’t add much noticable weight or thickness

Cons: 

No Reset Hole
Select and App buttons harder to press

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Case, Plastic, Pocket PC

SpeckProducts iPAQ 1900 Series Skin Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 29, 2004 at 12:00 am.