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A new breed of iPhone case could prove extremely convenient--or burden you as effectively as it protects your gadget.

Wallet/iPhone case hybrids look to cocoon your smartphone while providing a place to store your cash, credit cards, and ID. Obviously, the idea is that you'll no longer have to carry both a wallet and your phone in your overburdened pockets if you combine the two.

That convenience comes with a risk, though, since keeping all your eggs in one basket is only sensible if you make sure you never lose the basket.

Two manufacturers developing early players in the wallet cases pitch offered up their products for a cursory look. The Callet is simply a soft rubber iPhone condom (sorry...) with two pockets molded into the back. For $20, it offers basic but adequate protection with a tactile surface that prevents you from dropping the phone while keeping your cards and money tucked in sticky place.

The only potential structural problem might arise with prolonged use, as the thin rubber will wear. It might be best to use the Callet only on occasions when you'd like to be less weighed down or you're dressing lighter. … Read more