How you choose to protect--or not protect--your iPhone is a matter of personal choice. Sure, plenty of people like to leave their iPhone naked, reasoning that any protective cover diminishes its sleekness. But the majority of iPhone owners realize it's probably a good idea to give your precious device some degree of armor, particularly if you don't like the idea of seeing your iPhone's lovely finish dinged and scratched up over time.
Going rugged isn't always pretty.
If that's the kind of heavy-duty shielding you're looking for, this is the list for you. Now, we can't guarantee all these cases will protect your iPhone--and particularly its screen--in the event it gets dropped or has a large object fall on it, but at least they give it a better chance of surviving unscathed.
While we tried to pick tough, protective cases that look good and don't make your iPhone too bulky, we should point out that a few of the cases have more extreme designs that aren't intended for everyday use. We should also note that some of the more rugged cases can be a bit of a chore to remove and aren't friendly toward iPod docks. And finally, before slipping your iPhone into any of these case, be sure to wipe your iPhone off carefully because having any bigger dirt particles wedged between your case and the back of your iPhone or the chrome trim can lead to scratches.
Click on any image to begin slideshow.
Note: The top 20 is listed in alphabetical order, not by ranking. If you don't agree with our choices or feel we missed some, please submit a comment, and we'll consider making changes in our next update of the list.
(Credit:
iSkin)
iSkin's colorful, form-fitting Solo line of iPhone cases has some of the slicker designs out there. Now the company has come out with the "special-edition" Solo FX SE, which sports a "luxurious outer surface treatment" that combines an "understated" matte finish with a "subtle," embossed, designer pattern.
Available in Onyx (black), Cosmo (pink), and Ice (white) for $34.99 (list), the Solo FX SE is the only Solo infused with Microban antimicrobial product protection that iSkin says prevents the growth of odor-and-stain-causing bacteria on the product.
This Solo is also the first to come with two different protective-screen films: one that's clear and one that's mirrored "and comes alive when the iPhone goes to sleep."
Comments? Anybody like iSkin's iPhone cases?
Perhaps you remember Case-mate's 99-cent cardboard iPhone "recession" case, which we wrote about back in September and deemed one of the better product publicity stunts in recent memory. Well, Case-mate is now hosting a decorate-your-recession-case contest with users submitting photos of their creations. The pic with the most votes wins a Suzuki moped from the '80s.
We gotta say, the entries are pretty amusing, and while cardboard is never going to look upscale, the decorated cases are pretty hot in a sort of avant garde way.
Check out the slideshow below and feel free to let us know your favorite. We'll add more photos as entries come in (thanks to Case-mate for allowing us to post them here).
Note: The contest ends at 11:59:59 p.m. ET on November 30, 2009. To enter, visit recessioncase.case-mate.com.
When it comes to in-flight movies, it's hard to beat the convenience of an iPhone or iPod Touch.
But comfort? That's another story. Either you're holding the device upright for 2 hours or propping it awkwardly on the tray table (where the slightest turbulence can knock it over).
I speak from experience when I say that both methods can leave you with strained eyes and a sore neck.
Enter SeatBuddy, which straps your iPhone or Touch to the seat in front of you for comfortable, hands-free, close-to-eye-level viewing.
As you can see in the video, the SeatBuddy is basically a rubberized case with straps that allow it to hang over the top of the seat-back tray table (which must stay closed, natch).
What you don't see in the video is that you can affix Velcro tabs (included) to each strap, thus allowing you to secure the SeatBuddy to a treadmill or the back of a car seat (by wrapping the straps around one of the headrest's poles).
I think this little gizmo is reasonably priced at $19.95 (plus $3.95 for shipping), though obviously there are other solutions that cost less.
For example, if all you need is a stand that'll keep your iPhone propped up on a tray table, it's hard to beat the $5 GoGo Stand (which, incidentally, fits in your wallet).
And don't forget my all-time favorite: The do-it-yourself iPhone business-card stand.
Of course, those solutions don't have quite the same go-anywhere appeal as the SeatBuddy, which also leaves you more room to move around in your seat and reduces the eyestrain that comes from looking downward for hours at a time.
What do you think? Is this the answer to a frequent-flier's prayer, or is $20 too much to pay when you can accomplish more or less the same thing with an airsickness bag?
I got the Jesus phone and a Platinum Plus card. Isn't that enough street cred for you?
(Credit: Dong Ngo/CNET)I'm not a fan of protective case for gadgets (which, as long as they function, are fine the way they are, even with a few scratches). For this reason, the only things I've put on my iPhone 3GS so far, and only when I travel, are the Mophie Juice packs, which add more battery life to the phone.
I just, however, found a new protective case that I actually am going to use more regularly, for the sake of convenience. It's the Case-Mate I.D. case.
Unlike other protective cases that try to be as slim as possible, the I.D. case deliberately bulks out at the phone's back to create a small pouch that's just large enough to fit two credit cards or, in my case, my driver's license and a library card (yes, I read).
Of course, you can swap these out for any two cards you want. The point is this is very convenient, especially when the iPhone is something a lot of us don't want to be separated from. And I would like to stress the inseparable notion, as you definitely don't want to lose the phone and the two important cards attached to it.
Despite the added functionality, the case actually only adds another 2.5 mm (about one-tenth of an inch) of thickness to the phone, compared with other purely protective cases.
Other than that, the Case-Mate I.D. is very much like most protective cases. It comes with an easily attached protective film for the phone's screen and another protective layer for the back of the phone (so the card won't mess up all the fingerprints you've gathered).
The Case-Mate I.D. works with both the iPhone 3G and 3GS. It comes in eight colors and costs $30, which is a little more expensive than other cases that add no extra usability to the phone.
(Credit:
Case-mate)
Marketing and PR folks take note. In one of the more brilliant publicity stunts in recent memory, iPhone accessory maker Case-mate is going downscale. Really downscale. And green, too.
It's created a 99-cent cardboard "recession" case along with free "Sharpie Script" personalization (yes, some dude or dudette will inscribe your case by hand). And these babies can be bought in bulk: Case-mate is offering 10 for $7.99.
I'm impressed. This is something you'd expect to see from the Onion News Network, not from a real tech company. And while the recession has hopefully ended, plenty of people are still hurting, even a couple of iPhone owners.
Here's the FAQ on the case, in case you want to buy one:
Q) Is it waterproof? A) No, so don't put it in the dishwasher.
Q) Is this case flammable? A) If you light it on fire it is.
Q) Does it come assembled? A) No, see our animated gif for a step-by-step demo!
Q) What device does this case support? A) iPhone 1G, 3G, and 3GS.
Q) How does this case stay together? A) It has locking tabs at the bottom and top of the case, as well as an adhesive strip to keep the case held together.
Q) Can I use this case to microwave my frozen pizzas? A) I don't see why not, although we can't ensure quality taste.
Q) Will this case make me awesome? A) I think that goes without saying.
Q) Is there a warranty? A) No, it is cardboard, after all.
Q) Can I get a paper cut on my ear while using this case? A) My first guess would be no, but anything is possible, we don't promote unsafe use of the recession case.
Q) How long will the case be sold? A) As long as it needs to be to get us out of this recession! Or while supplies last.
Q) Does it come with a screen protector? A) No, we are in a recession!
Q) How long will the product last? A) Forever as long as you don't destroy it!
Q) Is this case made from recycled cardboard? A) 100 percent of only the best for you!
Q) Will the product scratch my device? A) No! its cardboard not brick!
Q) Is the CM logo impressed on the case? A) This is known as the "people's case."
Q) Will this product be sold at Case-mate retail locations? A) Nope! The recession case is sold exclusively here at case-mate.com!
Comments?
(Via Engadget)
The Grabit 3-in-1 not only holsters your iPhone, but also recharges it.
(Credit: Geeks.com)The Grabit 3-in-1 is a belt-clip case. It's a battery pack. And it's a kickstand for easy iPhone viewing. (It may also make julienne fries--I'll have to double-check on that.)
Geeks.com has the Grabit 3-in-1 iPhone holster for $19.99, the lowest price I've seen anywhere.
Alas, shipping will run you a fairly ridiculous $9, but you can save a couple bucks by applying coupon code GEEKBERT at checkout.
The Grabit features a swiveling, spring-loaded belt clip that can pop out to hold your iPhone upright on a flat surface. (It should also do well at horizontal positioning for movies and the like.)
The real trick up the Grabit's sleeve is its 1,050-mAh battery pack, which effectively doubles your iPhone's battery life.
The pack doubles as a rubberized, quick-release holster--one simple press of the upper clip and you can pull the iPhone free.
(If you want to see more and better photos, check out this listing on eBay--where the Grabit is selling for $29.98, plus $5 shipping.)
The only real downside I can see is that the Grabit keeps the iPhone facing outward, making it more susceptible to accidental damage. On the other hand, an inward-facing design would eliminate the kickstand advantages.
Also, there's no mention of iPhone 3GS compatibility, though I'm not sure why. Most other iPhone/iPhone 3G-compatible battery packs also support the 3GS. My guess is this one would work, though it's just that: a guess. (If anyone knows for sure, please say so in the comments!)
This isn't the only product of its kind. Case-Mate offers a similar battery extender/belt-clip case, but it sells for $79.99--and doesn't pull kickstand duty.
For about $27 out the door (with shipping and the aforementioned coupon code), this seems like a pretty sweet accessory for iPhone owners. I'm seriously considering getting one myself.
Summer in Texas this year is hot, but not as hot as the debate over the iPhone 3GS overheating, an issue circulating the Internet for several weeks now. The debate finally came to a head when some users blamed white iPhone 3GS discoloration on overheating and only worsened when Apple updated the heat advisory for the iPhone 3GS.
After some users interpreted Apple's advisory as an admittance of guilt over the widely reported overheating issue and Apple responded that it was merely updating a technical document to cover the iPhone 3GS, a French site--FrenchiPhone.com--is claiming that certain cases discolor the white iPhone 3GS when exposed to heat.
(Credit:
frenchiphone.com)
FrenchiPhone reports (English Translation):
- After numerous calls to Apple technical service and maintenance of contact with a level 3 (engineer) the problem seems to come not from a hot 3GS but contact with some covers! This was evident by ourselves on a device with a small sticker (a warning not to listen to music too loud) remained stuck, part of the hull below remained white.
- A simple solution to the problem is to clean the back of the iPhone with alcohol, tested by myself I can confirm that it works and reassure you it is safe for your precious.
While this problem sounds relatively insignificant, we haven't heard of similar issues with previous iPhones. Does the new color transfer indicate that the 3GS runs hotter than its predecessors? What do you think--are the heat problems about the iPhone 3GS much ado about nothing, or something to worry about? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
It sure doesn't take these third-party add-on makers long to slingshot off the momentum of a new iPhone announcement. The latest company to step up to the plate is iLuv, which just announced the immediate availability of a new accessory line designed specifically for the iPhone 3G S. The selection is made up almost exclusively of cases, with one car accessory thrown in for good measure. Check out the gallery for pricing and details.
Following a long wait after my first blog, I finally got my hands on Mophie's Juice Pack Air for the iPhone 3G. The company announced the availability of the accessory Tuesday with a price tag of $79.95.
If you own an iPhone 3G, you know how bad the device's battery life is, especially when you have 3G, GPS, and Wi-Fi turned on. For this reason, extended batteries, such as the original Juice Pack from Mophie are a must. However, this juice pack is rather bulky and doesn't cover the top of the phone. This is where the Juice Pack Air comes into play.
The new Juice Pack Air is thinner, though not by much, and has a top part to make it a complete protective case for the iPhone 3G while doubling the phone's battery life.
Unfortunately, the Juice Pack Air comes with a Micro-USB port, instead of the Mini-USB port that's used in many handheld devices, including the original Juice Pack. This makes it a little inconvenient to use. Other than that I liked it.
Before making the purchase, make sure you read the full review of the unit here.
