InvisibleShield
Latest
Parenting Tip: Protecting your iOS device from bumps, bruises and bashes
Having a naked iPhone or iPad around kids means living in constant fear of one of them snagging the device and dropping smashing it on the floor. Though the iPhone and iPad are lovely devices when they are undressed, parents who want to keep their devices in pristine condition would be wise to adorn them in a case that protects them from the bumps and bruises of living in a child-filled household. Below you will find our recommended cases as well as other accessories to help you child-proof your iOS device. Cases for the iPhone and iPad The case is your first line of defense in protecting your iPhone or iPad. You'll want to choose one that provides corner protection during a fall and is sturdy enough to prevent your child from denting the device when they bump into a corner. If it has a cover, use it! A coverless case won't protect the device if the screen is impacted. I recently lost an iPad 2 because my child dropped the device and then stepped on the screen. LifeProof LifeProof isn't a super durable case, but it'll protect your device from most minor falls. It'll also protect it from a drop in the toilet or the sink. You can read our review of the LifeProof case for the iPhone 4. As an aside, OtterBox just acquired LifeProof, so I would expect to see the products continue to be sold under the OtterBox umbrella. OtterBox OtterBox makes some of the best rugged cases for the iPad and iPhone. There's the new Armor series that are rugged and waterproof as well as the trustworthy Defender series, which offers robust protection from a fall. You can read our review of the Armor case for the iPhone 5 and our review of the early Defender case for the iPad and the iPhone. Griffin Survivor Series Griffin produces the Survivor series of cases for the iPad and the iPhone, which we reviewed a few years back. The Survivor is a rugged case for the iPhone and iPad that is right up there with OtterBox in terms of quality and price. I've used one on my iPad 2 for years, and it protected the device from many near catastrophic falls. The version I had also included a nice little stand that was great for watching videos. Screen Protector An often overlooked accessory that I always buy is a screen protector. It seems whenever my kids spend any amount of time with the iPad, it comes back gooey and sticky. A screen protector wont do much to protect your device in the event of a fall, but it will make it easy to clean. I have successfully used Zagg InvisibleShield, BodyGuardz and Best Skins Ever screen protectors. Depending on what case you buy, it may come with screen protector as part of the case. You'll want to check out the case you plan on buying before you spend an extra $20 on a screen protector that you don't need. AppleCare Spend the extra money to add AppleCare to your device. The version of AppleCare for the iPhone and iPad, called AppleCare+, will provide you with a replacement device at minimal cost when (not if) the device gets damaged. You are limited to two replacements for the life of the plan.
Rumor: Best Buy inventory system cites March 11 in-stock date for "iPad 3" accessories
To echo the New Yorker's line about musicians and nightclub owners, Apple authorized retailers lead complicated lives. Big-box chains like Target and Walmart have to plan distribution and promotions weeks or months in advance, but with Apple's notoriously tight-lipped ways regarding new products, things can get wacky. We've gotten word from a Best Buy insider that the electronics retail giant expects to have some new accessories in stock as of March 11, 2012 -- see inventory screenshot above. In this case, the items in question appear to be a variety of ZAGG's InvisibleSHIELD device protectors... and they're showing up under a search for "iPad3." Now, you can take all this with the requisite grains of salt; retail inventory anticipation does not necessarily equate to actual stuff on the shelves. But given that this particular product has to be customized for each individual iPad model (to allow for variations in the position of camera, speaker grilles etc. between the revisions and the Wi-Fi vs. 3G units), it's intriguing. One problem though: the 11th is a Sunday, and there's little or no chance that it's the actual on-sale date of the new iPad model. Perhaps this stock of screen protectors will have time to get shelved and settled before a new iPad hits the streets on Monday the 12th.
HTC EVO 4G Shift accessories start rolling into Best Buy
Sprint's keyboard-equipped EVO 4G doppelganger -- the EVO 4G Shift -- is certainly looking like a lock for CES next week, and more evidence of that is literally showing up at Best Buy locations as we speak. Seems that Zagg's InvisibleSHIELDs are being delivered now, confirming both the name of the phone and the appearance of the device itself -- though Zagg isn't shy about using a photo of the phone gussied up in what we presume to bone of its own cases. Who's buying? [Thanks, anonymous tipster]
Best Buy to offer free invisibleSHIELD 4fix to aggravated iPhone 4 owners
It's hard to say for certain what exactly this flyer means, but it sure looks as if at least some iPhone 4 owners will be able to snatch a free invisibleSHIELD 4fix (valued at $9.99 or so) from their local Best Buy. Based on a number of tips that we've received, we're getting the impression that the yellow-tagged retailer could be handing out (and installing) completely free side coverings for any iPhone 4 owner that waltzes into a store, presumably as a proactive measure to fend off returns or to upsell consumers on an entire invisibleSHIELD / separate case. Nothing about this notice makes clear that you actually have to buy your iPhone 4 from Best Buy in order to take advantage, but we probably wouldn't waste a lunch break giving this a go without a verbal confirmation from your local store manager. Until it's made official, of course. Update: We've heard from another tipster that the deal is indeed legitimate, and it's for any human with an iPhone 4, not just those who purchased their phone from Best Buy. We'd recommend calling your local store to double check, but things are looking up. Update 2: Ah, so we've finally received the full skinny from another tipster. The offer only applies to those who purchased their iPhone 4 from Best Buy / Best Buy Mobile or for Best Buy Reward Zone members. Granted, it's pretty easy to sign up for the aforementioned reward program, but those are the stipulations. The official BB name for the product you'll be getting is the Zagg SideShield, which would cost you $9.99 otherwise. [Thanks, Anonymous] %Gallery-98383%
Samsung m850 Dash shows up on accessory maker's site
The Instinct s30 is all well and good, but we've known for a while that this isn't the original Instinct's true successor; those honors are reserved for the m850 Dash. If you want to know exactly what the Dash will look like when it's released later this summer (hopefully), look no further than invisibleSHIELD's website where they're already advertising protection for the phone -- which no one presently has. We suppose the engineers up in Sprint's labs validating this thing might want to keep their prototype units safe, so for that noble service, invisibleSHIELD, we say "thank you." [Thanks, FKL]
Deal of the Day: InvisibleSHIELD products half off
If you've been worried about your PSP getting scratched, whether it be on the screen or the sexy body of the handheld, we've got to alert you to a deal presented on the PlayStation Forums. Seems the InvisibleSHIELD products are all half off right now -- every model of the PSP has their own little protection piece, so knock yourself out. It might be a good idea, especially if you go rock climbing while carrying the PSP in an unzipped jacket pocket. Not that we've had that problem or anything.[via PlayStation Forum]
Invisible Shield now available for the iPhone
Since picking up my iPhone a week ago (has it been a week already?), I've lived in fear of that first scratch. How long will I be able to put it off? I carry my iPhone around like a newborn.That's silly, of course. The iPhone is a tool and should be treated as such. To ease my mind, I ordered an Invisible Shield. We've discussed Invisible Shield a number of times. Basically, it's a super-strong film that you apply directly to your precious, keeping it from harm. I saw a demo at MacWorld a few years ago, and was very impressed.Once it arrives, I'll let you know how it performs. Invisible Shield for iPhone comes with a lifetime guarantee, costs $24.95US and is shipping now.
Deals of the Day: tons of sales, everywhere
These retailers are simply crushing my wallet. My AMEX card is almost maxed out! Here are some highlights from the web:amazon.com [Via CAG]Holiday Sale! Highlights include: Mortal Kombat Unchained $40 $18 Gitaroo-Man Lives! $40 $30 Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins $40 $30 Bounty Hounds $40 $30 Bomberman $30 $18 Power Stone Collection $30 $20 Invisible Shield [Via CAG]Get 40% off screen protectorsGamestop.com [Via CAG]Every Extend Extra only $20Decal Girl [Thanks, Joel!]$6 face platesPlay-Asia [Thanks, Joel!]Talkman for $13
Review: invisibleSHIELD
ShieldZone recently sent PSP Fanboy a sample of their screen protectors. They take on the appearance of a thin plastic film, and help protect it from the crazy things you do to it, you maniac. There are two variations of the product, one that protects the screen itself, and another that protects the entire face of your PSP. Personally, I'd have to recommend the screen protector over the face protector because the installation of the product, although simple, is also quite cumbersome. The film is very durable, but also incredibly adhesive, even to your fingers. It's incredibly easy to trap finger prints on the film, and distort the shield before application. The precision required for the full face shield is a bit demanding: it requires you to align small openings in the plastic nearly perfectly with the buttons on the system itself. This is where many things can go wrong in the installation.Once applied, it takes a bit of effort to squeeze out the bubbles underneath. In the best of scenarios, your system will not have anything noticeable on it, but in the worst case scenario, very obvious bumps will be apparent. Problems should be minimized with the screen protector, as opposed to the body protector because the margin for error is much more forgiving. If you manage to install the product without a hitch, it is surprisingly durable and comes with a lifetime guarantee, which is pretty sweet. The screen shield is $13 on their official website.
MacBook Invisble Shield reviewed
Paul Stamatiou has a MacBook and he is concerned about the possibility of discoloration. What's a geek to do? Why, apply ShieldZone's Invisible Shield plastic protector, that's what.Paul says that applying the shield isn't easy, but it isn't hard either (how's that for a review?) though an extra set of hands is recommended. Overall, if you're worried about sullying your precious MacBook Paul says these are for you.
