WaterField iPad Wallet, Hard Candy Stylus and Pen, Griffin Technology iPad Tablet Stand, and Griffin Technology Elan Passport Graphite iPad Folio Case
Guest iPad gear review by Jackie Richards – Part Four. Many of the items reviewed below will make great stocking stuffers any time of year.
iPad Wallet
Company: WaterField Design
Price: $79 U.S. (plus optional straps and D-rings)
WaterField’s iPad Wallet has an clever design for storing and carrying an iPad plus an Apple Wireless Keyboard and several accessories. It is a premium all-weather product. The construction and design are stylish, attractive, and suitable for men and women. This tote can be ordered with or without two kinds of strap and/or D-rings, as customized from the company’s web site. Six outer colors are available.
The Wallet’s rectangular shape is enhanced by genuine leather edging, in addition to rugged outer material. Interior padded pockets “keep your iPad and Keyboard separate and safe,” according to WaterField, and that claim is accurate. A loose premium nylon mesh rear pocket is deep enough for a small purse, several cables, or a book.
SportShell Convertible
Company: Marware
Price: $59.99 USD
There will soon be a bazillion (is that a real number?) cases for the iPad. Choosing the “best” one can become something of an exercise in futility as they all offer some feature twist the other ones don’t. The case, or cases, you ultimately select will be based on your own need, or how and where you intend to use your iPad.
Elan Holster Metal iPhone 4 Case
Company: Griffin Technology
Price: $34.99
When I was evaluating the Elan Form Graphite iPhone 4 case, I was also working on evaluating Griffin Technology’s Elan Holster Metal case for the iPhone 4. Unlike the Form Graphite, the Elan Holster Metal case is a case that sits horizontal on your belt and provides wrap-around protection for your iPhone 4.
Otterbox Defender Case for the iPad
Company: Otterbox
Price: $89.95
When I found out about Otterbox’s new Defender Series case for the iPad, I jumped at the opportunity to review it. I’ve reviewed other cases for Otterbox in the past, so I’m already familiar with their attention to detail and quality workmanship that is put into their cases. I couldn’t wait to see what they had for the iPad. I wasn’t disappointed.
I couldn’t help but smile when I opened the Defender case. The packaging was of Apple-caliber, with the placement of everything well thought out. The Defender case for the iPad comes with three layers of protection. The hard plastic inner layer provides rigid durability. This is surrounded by a softer silicone cover that cushions minor impacts and provides scratch resistance. A protective screen film helps to prevent marring of your iPad’s screen, while a hard plastic shell that can be snapped onto either the front or back of the iPad serves a dual purpose as a stand. It’s the ultimate package for your iPad.
As is the case with other Defender series cases from Otterbox, getting the case onto your device takes a bit of work. Fortunately, Otterbox provides illustrated instructions for getting the case on and off without much difficulty. It does take some effort to get the silicone tabs to line up with the slots of the inner shell, but with some coaxing, they go in with an amazing fit. The result is well worth the effort. Your iPad looks stylish in a matte black finish that gives the impression that it’s part of Apple’s design for the iPad.
Speck Cases for iPhone 4
Company: Speck
Price: $24.95 – $29.95
http://www.speck.com
No surprise to anyone by now, your iPhone 4 probably needs a case, if not only to keep it from suffering connection and reception errors, but to protect the finish as well. And you might just want to protect that glass from drops and bumps too. Yes, I know, you can get one for free from Apple (for a short time), but personally, I did not see one in their free collection that I actually liked.
So I went looking for other cases, and the first place I went was Speck! I have one of their cases on my MacBook Pro, and another on my iPod touch, and really like them both, so what better place to start. Speck has a few new designs out for the iPhone 4, and I looked at three different cases.
Otterbox Defender Case for iPhone 4
Company: Otterbox
Price: $49.95
http://www.otterbox.com
Until now, cases for the iPhone 4 have been scarce. With both the front and back of the phone being made of glass, most of us worry about breakage for good reason. I was fortunate enough to find an Apple bumper for my new iPhone while visiting an Apple Store in Charleston, SC. I’ve been using this bumper as my primary case, but while proudly showing off the beauty of the hardware, the bumper doesn’t offer much protection for the iPhone’s back glass.
In true form, Otterbox has has solved this dilemma by delivering what amounts to armor for your iPhone with its new Defender series cases. As someone who spends a lot of time outdoors with my phone, I really appreciate the thought Otterbox has put into the Defender. Don’t let the higher price-point scare you, the Defender’s built quality and functionality fit the price.
Which style of iPad case is best for you? Let’s look at three different models, with our guest reviewer, Howard Nemerovski.
Eco-Vue for iPad
Company: Marware
Price: $45 plus shipping (available worldwide)
http://www.marware.com
iPad SoftGloss Case
Company: iFrogz
Price: $30
http://ifrogz.com
Sleeve for iPad
Company: Rickshaw Bagworks
Price: $30 to $60, depending upon custom materials of your choice
http://www.rickshawbags.com
Marware’s Eco-Vue is similar in design and function to the Griffin Elan Passport Folio iPad case that I reviewed here last month. Eco-Vue is constructed with an attractive, sleek genuine eco-leather outer shell. You can read about eco-leather at the product’s web site here. There are dozens of user reviews, mostly raves, linked on the same company web page.
iPad Bubble Sleeve
SRP: $49.99
Squish Skin
SRP: $39.99
Company: Hard Candy Cases
http://www.hardcandycases.com/
Hard Candy Cases have carved a niche in the highly competitive area of iPad cases and skins. I had the opportunity to test two of their many protective products, the durable and colorful Bubble Sleeve and their silicone Squish Skin.
I gave the Bubble Sleeve a good workout on a recent road trip to San Diego. I was comfortable tossing the enclosed iPad onto the back seat of the car because of the type of protection the Bubble Sleeve offers. The case is made from EVO-foam with a soft interior lining. The exterior bubbles not only give the appearance of added protection, but they actually work. I believe anyone who gives their electronic devices a harder to usual workout would appreciate the durability of the iPad Bubble Sleeve.
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ColcaSac Kindle Case
Company: ColcaSac
Price: $34.95
http://www.colcasac.com/kindle_case.html
I’m going to put it out there right at the start: the ColcaSac Kindle Sleeve isn’t the most attractive Kindle case out there. It’s not made of soft, fine leather, or have a fancy designer name. But is that what’s most important in protecting your precious Kindle?
ColcaSac is a company in Utah that makes handmade sleeves for Kindle, MacBook, iPhone and iPad. We spend a lot of money on our technology, so it’s important that it’s protected. My ColcaSac Kindle Case fit the bill nicely.
Macally BookStand iPad Case
Price: $49.99
Company: Macally
www.macally.com
The iPad case market is booming and Macally is one of the companies diving right in with a bunch of offerings. The BookStand is one of their higher end cases coming in at a price of $49.99. Is it worth the money? Read on.
To start, the BookStand is a case that mimics a book. It has a front, a back, and a spine. It opens like a book, but instead of pages inside it has an iPad. The case itself covers the front and back of the iPad nicely (when closed). The only side that is covered is where you would have the spine of the case. When opened the only coverage on the iPad is the back and the four corners holding the iPad into the case. While this may not be the best protection, it does leave easy access to controls and connections. It also makes for easy installation, something I am finding is not common is many iPad cases.
When closed the case has a strap that holds the case closed when transporting. The material is a nice and soft and I have no worries about it scratching the iPad. The model I tested was gray, but a black model is on the way.
The great thing about the BookStand is that the cover folds back behind the iPad and becomes an easel. The strap straps in making it very secure. In my tests I have propped the iPad up on a stool using the BookStand and it works perfectly. When in this form the iPad can be propped almost straight up in landscape mode or more reclined to help with typing. This is the best feature of the BooksSand.
Overall, I really like the BookStand. IMy main complaint is that the sides are exposed when traveling. When the case is open it really doesn’t do much protecting. If you want a case for protecting your iPad from falls I suggest going with a different model.
If you are looking for an easel-like case for your iPad that is lightweight, great looking, and easy to use this one is worth checking out.
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PRIMA SELECT Premium Leather iPhone Flip Case
Company: Prima, Inc.
Price: $42.95
http://www.primacases.com
The Weeks Division of MyMac Labs get plenty of iPhone cases to review. Some are better than others. Unfortunately, Prima’s Premium Leather Flip case does not fall into the “better than others” category.
While our review case was nicely made of leather, with several slots for credit cards or licenses, Prime seems to have not understood what makes a useful iPhone case.
Here are a few problems I discovered in the first five minutes of using the case:
1) The case itself is well made, using good quality leather.
2) The flip case has a snap to keep the cover closed. A snap is a better choice than a magnet, according to Prima, as iPhones and magnet don’t get along too well together. That’s nice, but the snap is on the -back- of the case, so it’s awkward to unsnap. Moreover, the snap needed an excessive amount of pressure to snap shut. The manufacturer says the snap should loosen up with time. I did not use the case enough to verify this.
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DLO Action Jacket for iPod Nano, 2nd generation
Company: Digital Lifestyle Outfitters
Price: $29.99 MSRP
http://www.dlo.com
For well over two years now, I’ve been using a DLO Action Jacket for my iPod Shuffle, primarily when I’m running or working out. When I upgraded to an iPod Nano, 2nd generation, it was only logical that I also upgrade to DLO’s Action Jacket for iPod Nano, 2nd generation.
Running 2-plus miles, usually five times a week, can put the iPod under a lot of stress, primarily from weather and high moisture, as in sweat. I’ve learned that the DLO Action Jacket does a great job of preventing harsh conditions from impacting upon the iPod.
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