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G-Form drops an iPod touch in a case from 100,000 feet, rivals Felix's antics (video)
Just because Felix Baumgartner set records by jumping from 128,000 feet doesn't mean he has a lock on stratospheric freefall stunts: see G-Form's latest video (after the break) as proof. In keeping with the tradition of launching a case line and then subjecting it to abuse on camera, the company dropped a new Xtreme iPhone 5 case from a balloon that reached 100,000 feet before it and its payload -- which actually happened to be a 5th gen iPod touch -- fell to the Nevada desert. Not surprisingly, that we're hearing about the story means the drop went as planned -- apart from needing some time to warm up after a plunge through -60F skies, the MP3 player emerged in fine shape. Is the freefall a publicity play that won't affect how anyone uses an Xtreme in real life? You bet. Still, it's one of the more dramatic drop tests we'll witness, and evidence the case can take some exceptional abuse; after all, it's not every day that our mobile devices reach terminal velocity.
G-Form Extreme Sleeve 2 for iPad ups the ante on iPad protection
The Extreme Sleeve 2 from G-Form is protective enough that you can drop a bowling ball on your iPad and it will survive the impact. Though I didn't go to such extreme measures, I did try the Extreme Sleeve 2 and can confirm that the US$70 sleeve offers exceptional impact protection for everyday use of your iPad. Design The G-Form sleeve is a semi-bulky case made of G-Form's RPT (Reactive Protection Technology). It's a composite blend of PORON XRD material and proprietary G-Form materials and technology. The material is flexible, and slightly squishy. It reminds me of a 1/4-inch thick piece of very firm memory foam. The outer skin is rubbery and smooth to the touch, but not slippery. The indentations on the case surface make it easy to grip and provide protection during an impact. The case also has a beefy zipper to hold your iPad safely in its place. Unlike the original sleeve, the Extreme Sleeve 2 has improved edge and zipper protection to keep your iPad safe and sound inside the protective casing. It's roomy enough to fit the iPad 2 with a Smart Cover, but not one with a Smart Case. The Smart Case-enclosed iPad is a tight fit and I noticed that it stretched out the stitching on the sides of the sleeve a bit. Functionality I have a handful of children, which gives me ample opportunity to test the durability and protective qualities of a product. I usually use an OtterBox case on my iOS devices, but I removed the bulky case from my iPad 3 and replaced it with the Extreme Sleeve for a few weeks. I'm happy to report that the G-Form sleeve did an excellent job protecting my iPad from everyday accidents and falls. On several occasions, my iPad was dropped to a wood floor, as well as stepped on and sat on by children under the age of 10. In all these cases, the iPad emerged unscathed. Nestled in the sleeve, I tossed the iPad in the back of the car, dropped it in the wagon while apple picking and carried it around while shopping. Once again in these circumstances where a device will get bounced, buried or bumped, the tablet emerged without a scratch. Conclusion I would trust the Extreme Sleeve 2 to protect an iPad under most normal circumstances. I used the case without being extra cautious with my iPad and the G-Form sleeve protected the iOS device the entire time. It was also reassuring to know that my iPad was safe inside the sleeve -- I did not panic when my one-year-old took off with my iPad and threw it to the ground before I grabbed it away from him. Though it's fantastic for normal oopsies, I didn't test the sleeve under extreme circumstances as I was not prepared to risk my $600 iPad 3. It's worth noting that G-Form's one-year limited warranty covers the sleeve itself, but not any damage to the device. If you accidentally drive over your iPad with your car and it breaks inside the sleeve, G-Form is not responsible for your broken iPad. Pros The G-Form Extreme Sleeve 2 is a very protective sleeve that doesn't add too much bulk to the iPad. It has a beefy zipper and stitching that looks like it will last for years. Cons The Extreme Sleeve 2 holds only a naked iPad or one with a Smart Cover. It won't hold an iPad with a bulkier case. Because it is a sleeve, you have to remove the iPad to use it. Who is it for? Anyone who wants a protective case for their barely clothed iPad. %Gallery-167795%
G-Form pulls a hat-trick with iPhone case hockey video
It wouldn't be a proper G-Form product release without the accompanying outlandish promotional video. So, when the company offered up its new iPhone 4/4S case, it made its way to an empty ice skating rink, grabbed a hockey stick and went to town, showing how the thing holds up to the punishment of an 82 mph slapshot. The case incorporates the company's favorite shock absorbing substance, Poron XRD and comes in two styles: X Protect and Extreme Grid. They'll run you $40 each, when they ship at the end of the month -- the video below, on the other hand, is free.
Encased iPad survives 1300 foot drop, because why not?
The folks at G-Form make athletic pads and rugged iPad cases, but they must really hate Apple's tablet over there. Not only did they drop a bowling ball on it and drop it out of a plane at 500 feet, but now they've doubled that distance, throwing a couple of encased iPads from a parachute at a height of 1300 feet (almost 400 meters), complete with movies playing. Since you probably wouldn't be watching the video below if the iPad broke, the case indeed does protect the devices (though that case does look a little worse for the wear). In a review of G-Form's cases, we liked the protection a lot, but I agree -- it's not a very good looking case, and especially if (like me), you like to keep the iPad's form factor lean and sleek, it's not a good choice for that either. But then again, if you're in a situation where you absolutely need to protect your iPad and aren't worried about how it ends up looking, it certainly seems like G-Form's protection is a good way to go. [via TechCrunch]
Rugged gadgets put to the test in Engadget labs, wanton destruction ensues
Lets be honest, we've all had those moments where we've wanted to hit our phone with a hammer or throw our laptop against the wall. Generally though, we resist those urges, knowing full well that it would spell the end for our precious gadget. There's a special class of rugged devices though, that are designed to withstand anything you throw at it -- or throw it at, as the case may be. We took a few of these beefy products, as well as one Extreme Sleeve for your non-military grade electronics, and put them through a battery of tests that would turn your average gadget into an unrecognizable pile of silicon and plastic. Head on after the break for a dose of dramatic destruction porn and to find out how this bevy of brawny portables held up against our gratuitous onslaught.
G-Form Extreme Sleeve gives new reasons to throw a MacBook out a window (video)
Extreme products make people do extreme things -- take, for example, all of those phones we've dumped in glasses of water and various things we've run over with cars. When it comes to demonstrating ruggedness, G-Form is no slouch. After dropping a bowling ball on its iPad case (iPad inside, naturally), the company hit YouTube again to toss a MacBook encased in a new Extreme Sleeve from a 20 foot balcony -- a fall it survived unscathed. These heavy-duty cases are made up of PORON XRD, a flexible material that absorbs 90 percent of impact energy, which the company also uses it to make things like skateboarding knee pads and biking accessories. The laptop case starts shipping on May 31st for $69.95, so heads up when walking under windows this summer. Extreme press release and video of gadget abuse after the break.
iPad survives 500 foot fall from airplane thanks to G-Form Extreme Sleeve
Companies like G-Form enjoy wowing people with products that protect your device under the most extreme conditions. This time around, the team took an iPad, slipped it into their Extreme Sleeve and dropped it from an ultralight airplane. Similar to the iPhone that plummeted from a plane, the iPad fell over 500 feet, flipping through the air and landing with a resounding thud in a grassy field. After retrieval, the iPad emerged from the sleeve fully functional with nary a scratch. The helmet cam attached to the outside the Extreme Sleeve did not fare so well and, unfortunately, broke on impact. Unlike the Otter Box, which is a rigid and bulky case, the G-Form Extreme Sleeve uses PORON XRD, a flexible and thin material known for its ability to absorb impacts. The sleeve is lightweight and flexible, yet protects your iPad 1 and iPad 2 from harsh falls and impacts. The Extreme Sleeve comes with a life-time guarantee and is available in black and yellow. Folks can pre-order one now for US$59.95, and they will begin shipping on May 2. Read on to watch the falling iPad and the reactions of the enthusiastic team at G-Form. [Via ZDNet]
