If you're the clumsy sort you have absolutely no shortage of protective cases and coatings to shroud your pricey gadget in, but most are
ugly,
bulky, and
likely ineffective. The iBand from Tech21 isn't particularly attractive nor svelte, but after watching the video below there's little doubt about its effectiveness. It's made of a substance called d3o, which is a fancy orange non-Newtonian substance, starting out stretchy and gushy but, when put under pressure, hardening and protecting its precious contents. We've seen this stuff applied to high-impact applications like motorcycle armor, but we're glad to see gadgetry getting a little attention too. The video is a bit curious as it appears that the d3o is just applied around the edges of the case and yet the enclosed device survives a face-down landing, but it's an impressive demonstration nevertheless. Right now the £15 ($25) iBand is only available for the iPhone and iPod Touch, but future gadgets should receive the oobleck treatment soon.
posted August 31st 2009 7:51AM
they're not called iTouches. i always hear people doing this.
To be a complete test, they should have also dropped an unprotected iPhone along side and see if it would be damaged.
im pretty sure an iphone would get smashed if you threw it against the wall like that
let me attest, my iphone dropped from only 3 feet up - my pocket - and the screen shattered. just google iphone screen cracked and you will see hundreds of examples.
I'm quite impressed
I am really impressed. +1 to your impressed
I'm so impressed I'm going to try and buy one-if they ship overseas.
i would think that 'most' protective cases can do this, dropping the phone and the phone still functions.
what most people buy cases for is to prevent chips, scratches and cracks, they never showed it after throwing it against the wall if the itouch was still in perfect condition, im guessing the corners are cracked, if not - then it is a damn good case.
hmm... combine this with an Invisible Shield and you iphone/ipod would be nearly invincible without adding much bulk. (though it would cost $50 for the pair)
Ik! i was thinking of the same thing because this thing doesn't have a back to it, so it could get scratches on the back, but with invisible shield!! Perfect!!!
Where do people get the name iTouch from?
Just a guess, but perhaps rather than say ipod Touch, they just say itouch. Saving that syllable is a great way to reduce your verbal footprint by 33%
They just started using this stuff in lacrosse gloves and other protective gear. Its kind of magical
i wonder how it compares to my SPECK TOUGHSKIN, i never tried throwing my Iphone against a wall but i'm pretty sure it would survive it.
I don't like having a fragile object like the Iphone in my possession as i inflict a very strong and brutal treatment to most of my belongings, well the Toughskin protected my Iphone against impact that would have destroyed it in a regular skin.
If this is better, I'm in for one.
Not impressed with the demo. A friend pitched his Ipod Touch into my wall as hard as he could from 6ft away. Went into the drywall about 1/4", no damage to the Ipod, just a little scuff on the corner. No more iGolf in the house. I'd like to see the drop test with the phone since it's heavier.
Imagine a full body suit!!!
Bullets whizzing off like crazy, jumping 4 floors down landing on your feet to find your intestines in your boots ;]]]]
I'd be more interested in the hard case they have available: http://www.tech21.uk.com/products-mobile-iphone2.html
Looks like the stuff isn't available in the US right now.
Does it blend?
:-) I think the question should be: "Will it no longer blend?"
Shows that hooligans can hold a job :)
I agree that a side by side test would help but think we all know somebody who dropped their ipod touch or iphone without a case and how that turned out... so REAL impressive. I use a rubber paul frank case on my iphone and always throw it around to show people how well it works, but i would NEVER throw it that hard against the wall or off the second floor, although now i am kind of curious to try....
oobleck FTW.
Always good to see some Dr Seuss reference that is well over most people's head.
Anyone old enough to remember Stretch Armstrong? It did a similar thing.
Tim... I dont' remeber reading about these of motorcycle Jackets. Any examples? As for me those invivible naked cases will leik invisibleSHIELD will do...
Raph, there are a few manufacturers making armor out of this stuff:
http://www.d3o.com/products.php?section=4
HYOD makes leathers featuring the stuff, but I don't know whether they're available in the US:
http://www.hyod-products.com/release/0812newsuits/
Same goes for RACER:
http://www.racermoto.com/
Where can this be purchased in the US?
Sure is cool for modern tech, now can the idiot who made the video learn about audio capture? I can't hear what the bloke is saying and it'd sure be nice to fully understand what he has to say... n00bs.
im craving some taffy :)
.
ALRS (Automated Literary Reference System) Auto-Detect
& engadget.com
& Video: Tech21's iBand protective case and its mystical, magical, non-Newtonian goo
& stephenson n snow crash sintered armorgel ooblek flubber non-newtonian
.
His uniform is black as activated charcoal, filtering the very light out of the air. A bullet will bounce off its arachno-fiber weave like a wren hitting a patio door, but excess perspiration wafts through it like a breeze through a freshly napalmed forest. Where his body has bony extremities, the suit has sintered armorgel: feels like gritty jello, protects like a stack of telephone books.
.
Thats awsome.... As an iPhone user, I would love this case, except for the clear plastic backing. Id much rather have the d3o material cover the back aswell.
OMG but.. WIL IT BLEND!? i can't believe nobody asked this :D
SO THIS IS HOW those asian monks get kicked in the nuts without feeling it! Here I thought it was their Shaolin Training.
some things will still break if dropped with this thing on but it should work better than those plain silicone skins at reducing damage.
for some reason I keep thinking about a person bellyflopping into a swimming pool. The water's surface tension and the fact that it doesn't compress makes it hurt like hell when you hit the water so wouldn't your device be hitting the material (that is now hard ) still damage it ?
like if I put my hand under a brick and someone hits the brick with a sledge, the brick is going to still hurt my hand since it is harder than my hand ?
Finally, some goo to put around my fingers to protect them.
Buyer beware. Despite the claim of full access to controls...you don't have any access at all to switch the mute function on and off, just need to check out the reviews on the Apple UK Store here;
http://store.apple.com/uk/product/TS814ZM/A?mco=ODk3OTc2Mg
Or just buy one before you find the reviews and find out for yourself that it renders pretty much all of the controls useless because it is already pretty stiff (think plastic) without the impact.
I had it on within 5 minutes of recieving the package yesterday, then within another 2 minutes it was back in the package and shoved into a dark corner inside a box from whence it will never return.
I had a friend order one at the same time and he had gone through the exact same process last night...his iphone was sporting his trusty old silicon skin.
The dragons' anger may yet blaze...strong concept with poor execution for the wins!
I hate spending on cases! but we can't avoid either
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VDeJ7rLUYU&feature=related
Now this is a test, d2o on Sky News, hitting a guy in the head with a shovel.
pete:
That is precisely why they should :).
hey guys, where to buy both products for iPhone 3GS, in the US shipped? i looked in amazon but didnt find the link someone mentioned on the comments, please HELP.
Got mine from expansys-usa.com, but I don't really recommend it.
hey guys where can i find this on the US shipped for under 30 bucks? links please anyone?
Useless! Just got mine from Expansys and it doesn't even have a hole for the mute switch, and the material covering the volume rocker switch and the power button is too thick to allow either buttons to work! And I've got to say, I thought it would feel softer/squishier in hand. Basically a fail in my book.
Well i ordered mine before the posts hit regarding the covered controls. I sent Tech21 an email but no reply yet. I like the cover except for this problem. If there is no solution (i.e., Tech21 saying "OMG you're kidding, that's a manufacturing defect. Of course you should be able to use the controls without removing the cover. We'll replace it for free."), then i will likely pull out my Xacto or Dremmel and have a go.
Before we all follow each other over the cliff like lemmings i have a few things to ponder over before considering purchasing this product that is the hyped up product of the moment:
1. read the comments on the apple UK website which has been selling this product (slowly) in the UK for the past few years.
http://store.apple.com/uk/search?find=tech+21&mco=ODQ3ODA2NA
A large majority of the positive reviews are highly suspicious as they over-promote the products - about 90% of all positive reviews are from UNregistered users (IE - HG or PF) with only initials rather than genuine registered users (IE - TY from New York) which has a town or location added to authenticate the user. If you are unregistered you cant have purchased anything from the apple site so this is highly suspicious. Worse still, look out for 2 separate positive comments from a 'JR from Bushey' could this be the, er, CEO of Tech 21, Jason Roberts!!
In contrast, the negative views are all from apparent genuine registered users and this makes for much more interesting reading. A full list of problems as long as your arm are written about this product showing the design faults and you can guarantee that they are not written by anyone with a connection or interest in Tech 21 or its products!
2. The utube video on this link shows that even the CEO himself has to take the iband from his phone to use the mute switch, an obvious flaw in the design and contrary to the comments on their website that all buttons are accessible! See if for yourself, its approx 3m45s into the video.
Anyway, the utube link for this video is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4uMTZWh0Rc
Summary: the idea in principal look amazing, in reality its just a badly designed case that has been well marketed. Lets hope that Tech 21 manage to improve this soon! Dont forget the sucessful businessman's formula as follows:
average product + marketing hype + gullible public = big bucks!
WOW! this is a MUST SEE review for the Tech 21 iBand. Make sure you take a look before buying one, it will make the decision for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjKZUiCh_ag