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Apple's MagSafe Duo Charger is 22 percent off at Best Buy
Best Buy has discounted Apple's MagSafe Duo wireless charger by $30 as part of a bigger sale on Apple accessories including iPhone cases.
Bison iPhone 5/5s Wallet: Carry it all without the bulk
The Bison is an amazing animal that evokes the old West. Rugged, independent, and able to withstand weather extremes without blinking, they roam the new West in herds that are growing each year after being hunted almost to extinction in the late 1800s. It's fitting that Bison Made, LLC chose the beast as its namesake, as the company produces unique and ruggedly built leather products. Today we're looking at the company's iPhone 5/5s Wallet (US$75.00), which provides a comfortable home where your iPhone can roam, and you'll also have money to pay (sorry, I can't think about bison without thinking about "Home on the Range"). The design of the Bison iPhone 5 Wallet is extremely simple: take a piece of beautiful, supple leather in natural, whiskey, Malbec, or jet finishes, and roll it into an overlapping cylinder shape. Flatten that out and provide strong stitching in two locations, and you have a case that not only holds and protects an iPhone 5 or 5s, but also features a "wallet" for carrying cash, credit cards, and IDs. I like the looks of the iPhone 5 Wallet. It's streamlined, unlike some other really large leather wallet cases I've tested. However, my idea of a wallet is something that can be securely closed, and this design leaves both ends of the card pouch wide open. Sure, the pouch is snug enough that chances are very good that nothing's going to probably fall out, but I'm paranoid. Now, for a $75 wallet case from a luxury company, I have a few beefs about the Bison. First, the inside is just leather. I'd expect the "backside" of the leather to have been bonded to some soft felt made from yak belly fur, but no, it's just the other side of the leather strip. Second complaint? That price. I mean, come on. Other companies that make luxury iPhone wallets in the same price range, Pad & Quill for example, at least seem to put some work into their products, adding things like elastic bands to keep things closed, actual credit card slots and see-through ID slots. Or how about DODOcase, which makes a similar minimalist case out of leather and waxed canvas but at least lines it with soft cotton and prices it for $25 less? Maybe I just don't get the entire "luxury product" genre. At least the Bison iPhone 5 Wallet is very stylish, very lightweight, protects the iPhone (I found I had to actually "dig" to get mine out, so maybe it's a bit too protective), and should get better-looking with age as it gets that leather patina. Conclusion If you happen to be in one of the luxury good retailers listed on the bottom of the Bison Made web page, need a nice looking iPhone wallet, and a $75 purchase for a beautifully finished piece of leatherwork, go for it. Those who might need more room or organization in an iPhone wallet, or who would like to spend less money might want to look elsewhere. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Have an iPhone 5 or 5s that you'd like to carry in style? We've got one of these Bison iPhone 5/5s wallets in a "whiskey" finish that we're rarin' to give away, and some lucky TUAW bronc-buster is going to ride away into the sunset with it. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before September 22, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Bison iPhone 5/5s Wallet valued at $75. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
This might be the most dangerous iPhone case you can buy
Novelty iPhone cases are nothing new, but while most are simply weird, this one could get you in some serious trouble. The peculiar design is modeled after an item from the Japanese manga and anime series Attack on Titan, but to your average Joe, it looks like something much more sinister. With a pistol-style grip, metallic coloring, and massive pull-switch, it would probably get plenty attention from anyone who spots it in a crowded public place. In short, it looks like something that could set off a bomb, which isn't exactly the kind of thing you want to be carrying around with you right now -- or ever, really. The case is currently up for pre-order with a scheduled retail debut in August, and you can pick one up for around US$40, but if you're not prepared to deal with a whole lot of questions from people who spot it, and potentially from law enforcement, it might be the kind of thing you just leave on your shelf as a collector's item.
Nobody would bother stealing your iPhone if you had this case
There's a lot of talk these days about ways to prevent smartphone theft. The iPhone's kill switch feature seems to be doing a pretty good job of curbing iPhone thefts, and that's definitely a good thing, but I have a feeling this creepy case from Japan might do an even better job. If nothing else, it'll probably scare at least a few would-be crooks away before they even realize what it is. The case is modeled after a giant isopod, and unlike other such cases from Japan, it's designed with a seriously disturbing amount of detail. With almost frighteningly realistic legs, mandibles, and a scale-like external shell, the limited edition case holds your precious iPhone snuggly in place while looking endlessly discomforting. The creepy crustacean is available for order from Japan, but be warned; it won't be gentle on your wallet. The case, which comes in two colors, is priced at US$80 and $120, depending on which shade of nightmare you prefer.
This case would probably prevent a lot of iPhone thefts, too bad it's apparently crap
Everyone knows that smartphones are a hot target of thieves these days. They even have a special name for techniques used to snag iPhones from unsuspecting victims. But you know what nobody is stealing these days? Flip phones. Well, aside from the out-of-touch criminal who is still all about the Motorola RAZR, I suppose. This case by Thumbs Up UK turns your iPhone into a flip phone, adding a big 'ole top lid and thick plastic casing. I can't imagine anyone would be looking to pilfer this from your bag or dashboard, so it might do a good job of curbing the trend of iPhone thefts for anyone who lives in an area where such things are common. Unfortunately, it's apparently a total piece of junk. To be totally clear: I have never touched one of these cases myself. I was going to order one of these goofy cases just for fun, but I can't find a single satisfied customer anyone on the web. Customer reviews are all totally scathing, noting horrible build quality and, predictably, complaining about the size. The size arguments are of course a bit silly, since the point is to make it look like a gigantic communications device from yesteryear, but stories of the device literally falling apart are definitely worrisome. So unless there's an Internet conspiracy to keep this case from selling, it's not worth the US$20 it would take to get it to my doorstep. If a seasoned iPhone accessory maker would put some thought into a case like this, we might come away with a functional, theft-reducing piece of hardware. Until then, I guess making my iPhone look like an old eight-track tape will have to do.
iLuv Selfy iPhone 5/5s case sports a built-in camera remote
Accessory manufacturer iLuv has just done something impressive in the world of iPhone cases -- they've created a new line called Selfy that revolves around an iPhone 5/5s case (US$49.99 also available for iPad and iPad mini) with a slide-out wireless remote built into it for taking the perfect selfies. In this review, I'll let you know how Selfy works, and also tell you about the line of accessories designed to work with the case. At the end, you've got a chance to win an iLuv Selfy of your very own. Specifications Dimensions: .57 inch thick x 2.38 inch wide x 5.06 inch tall Weight: 2.1 ounces (59.5 grams) Materials: Thermoplastic polyurethane exterior, polycarbonate interior Available colors: Black, Pink Design Highlights The Selfy ecosystem revolves around the case, which has a Bluetooth wireless remote built into the back of it. Slide that remote out of the slot on the back of the case, pair it with your iPhone, and then use it with any photo app on the iPhone that can use the volume buttons as a shutter release. Turn on your iPhone and press the button once to establish the pairing again, and a small red LED flashes every few seconds to let you know that you're ready to use your hands-free camera remote. The remote is large enough to hold comfortably in your hand, and you're certainly not going to lose it. It's held securely in the slot on the back of the phone. The remote has a watch-type battery in it, so eventually you'll need to replace it. Fortunately, that's rather simple to do. The Selfy case is a bit thick, about the same as a Mophie Juice Pack Helium battery case. However, the back is curved from side to side, making it very comfortable in the hand. The bottom ports are uncovered, as is the mute switch. Wake/Sleep and volume toggle buttons are covered. Now, about that Selfy ecosystem. These cases are just starting to ship this month and not all accessories may be available, but the idea is that you'll be able to trade out the remote for a mini tripod, a car mount, a handlebar mount, a helmet mount or vented helmet strap, or a connector for a GoPro camera. These accessory mounts are expected to have a price tag between $19.99 and $24.99 each. Functionality Highlights Setting up the Selfy the first time is a piece of cake -- you just remove the remote from the case, pull a plastic tab to expose the battery to the interior contacts, and then press on the remote button for about four seconds. The red LED begins flashing, indicating that the device is ready for pairing. Head on over to the Bluetooth settings on your iPhone and connect to the Selfy, and you're ready to go. Placing the iPhone into the Selfy is fairly easy, as the interior material flexes a little. Once the phone is in the case, taking a photo with the remote means just firing up the appropriate app (for example, Camera or Camera+), setting up the camera the way you want it, and then pressing the remote button. It can also be used to start and stop video with a push of the button. I found that the range of the Selfy remote was fairly consistent with most Bluetooth devices -- once the remote and iPhone were about 30 feet or so apart, the connection failed. Conclusion iLuv's Selfy line is actually quite smart -- the company is hoping that you'll buy the protective case with the built-in remote as a start and then buy one or more of the mounts. While the case feels a little chunky, it's actually comfortable in the hand and offers good protection. The remote is sized perfectly for most hands and is large enough to avoid loss. With a SRP of $49.99, the Selfy case is priced reasonably as well. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Like to take a lot of selfies? Then you're going to want the Selfy case! Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before May 6, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a iLuv Selfy iPhone 5/5s case valued at $49.99. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Speck CandyShell AMPED iPhone case: Review and giveaway
Accessory manufacturer Speck has come up with something rather new and different for the iPhone 5/5s: a protective case that also promises over twice the sound output from your iPhone speaker. The US$44.95 CandyShell AMPED was released today and uses a unique case design to amplify sound from your iPhone without using any electronics or your precious power to do so. Check it out, and then enter to win one of two CandyShell AMPED cases we're giving away. Specifications Dimensions: 2.50 x 0.58 x 5.13 inch (6.35 x .9525 x 13.0175 cm) Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 grams) Materials: Polycarbonate shell, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) interior Available colors: black/slate grey, cadet blue/Caribbean blue, bubblegum pink/flamingo pink Design Highlights From the outside, the Speck CandyShell AMPED looks like some of Speck's other glossy cases. But as with so many things, it's what is inside that makes all the difference. Rather than use electronic amplification that would help chew up your iPhone's battery life, the AMPED channels the output from the speaker through what is essentially the 21st century equivalent of one of those big horn speakers on late 19th century/early 20th century phonographs. A gradually expanding "horn" shape winds around the back of the case, with sound escaping through a series of holes on the left side of the case. Does it work? Well, you'll have to read the Functionality Highlights below, but Speck says that the AMPED sound power was tested to the ISO 3745:2021 acoustic sound quality standard, so there's certification that it does. The case also exceeds MIL-STD-810G drop test standards, so you're getting protection as well as amplification. Pass-through buttons help out with the volume toggle and on/off switch; the mute switch is left uncovered. Speck says that the AMPED case can help out in a lot of situations. They recommend using it for conference calls in small businesses that can't afford a Polycom conference phone, to assist the elderly or hard-of-hearing, to share videos and music with friends without an external speaker, and to actually hear a phone ringing at the bottom of a purse or backpack. Functionality Highlights To test the AMPED, I played a few songs and made a few speakerphone calls with and without the case installed. The volume on the iPhone 5s was left at about 50 percent for the tests. When listening without the case, I had the speakers on the bottom of the iPhone pointed towards me; with the AMPED installed, the speaker "holes" on the rear left side of the case were pointed in my direction. While the sound did appear to be amplified (and in fact, I could feel the back of the AMPED vibrating), it seemed to be somewhat more amplified on the lower frequencies than higher. That being said, music sounded less vibrant -- but louder -- to me when playing through the AMPED. Likewise, voices on the phone also sounded louder. If I have one complaint about the AMPED, it's that the glossy polycarbonate shell picks up fingerprints rather easily. It's also somewhat slick, which increases the probability of having the case drop out of your hand -- but then, that's where a protective case comes in handy. Conclusion If your iPhone 5/5s speaker just isn't loud enough for you, or if you have to do a lot of speakerphone calls with your iPhone, then you should give the Speck CandyShell AMPED consideration when you're looking for a case. It's lightweight, relatively thin, provides amplification and definitely protects your iPhone investment. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway We have two -- count 'em -- two Speck CandyShell AMPED iPhone 5/5s cases to give away. One is your basic black and slate grey, while the other is the sparkling bubblegum and flamingo pink combo. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before April 29, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Two winners will be selected in a random drawing and each will receive a Speck CandyShell AMPED iPhone 5/5s case valued at $44.95 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Pelican ProGear Voyager iPhone 5/5s case: Solid protection at a reasonable price
Pelican Products, Inc. today announced a new rough-and-tough case for the iPhone 5 and 5s -- the Pelican ProGear Voyager (US$50). The case will only be available at AT&T retail stores and through a special AT&T website, or you can take a chance at winning one in a TUAW giveaway. Specifications Dimensions: 5.3 x 2.6 x .6 inches (13.5 x 6.58 x 1.5 cm) Weight: 1.6 oz w/o holster, 3.1 oz with holster (45.36/87.88 grams) Available colors: Black, white, pink Design Highlights Pelican ProGear is designed to take whatever life throws at it -- drops, dust, and potential scratches. The case has four layers of protection built in, and comes with a screen protector to keep scratches from occurring on your iPhone's touch screen. For all of the military-grade protection, though, the case looks remarkably thin. We tested the white model, which is highlighted with gray accents around the exterior. In use, doors cover the Lightning and headphone ports, as well as the silent mode switch. The power switch and volume toggles are covered with pass-through keys, so the entire phone is nicely encased in a dust-free zone. For those who love to carry their iPhone pride publicly, Pelican throws in a holster clip that can be adjusted for either vertical or horizontal carry. Functionality Highlights Many rugged cases are difficult to install, but Pelican smartly designed a coin slot into one corner that makes it easy to pop the case open. Once you've installed the iPhone 5/5s, it's just a process of squeezing the edges until they snap together. The holster can also be used as a multi-position stand for the phone. A small metal piece behind the holster clip can be pulled out to block the spring-loaded holster clip open. The stand feature works well in both portrait and landscape orientation. It should be noted that despite looking like a waterproof case, the Pelican ProGear Voyager is not advertised as either waterproof or water resistant. Conclusion While the Pelican ProGear Voyager won't supply the level of protection that you might get from a LifeProof nuud or OtterBox Defender case, it's also priced more reasonably than either of those cases. iPhone 5s owners will need to decide just how much protection they need -- if drop, dust and scratch protection is sufficient, then the ProGear Voyager fits the requirements at a reasonable price. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Be the first kid on your block to get a Pelican ProGear Voyager case for your iPhone 5 or 5s. You don't even need to go to the Apple Store to get it, either -- just enter this giveaway! Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before April 22, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Pelican ProGear Voyager iPhone 5/5s case valued at $50 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Crowdfunding roundup: All Kickstarter this week
Every week, TUAW provides readers with an update on what new or significant crowdfunded Apple-related projects are in the news. While our policy is to not go into detail on items that haven't reached at least 80 percent of their funding goal, this update is designed to give readers a heads-up on projects they might find interesting enough to back. Note that we're not covering those "projects" on Indiegogo where people are trying to get someone else to cough up money for a new computer or tablet... From Kickstarter: The SITU Smart Food Nutrition Scale is a project that is close to home -- it's the brainchild of our buddy Michael Grothaus, who struggled with weight problems until he hit upon the idea of weighing and tracking his food. Fast forward to today, when he's Kickstarting SITU, a smart food scale and app combo that works to help you achieve your goals. SITU beams food weight information to the app, which then instantly displays the nutritional values for whatever you're planning on putting into your mouth. If you just want to track calories, keep an eye on sugar, or watch salt intake, the SITU scale and app will help you do it. The project launched today and seeks £35,000 in funding -- it's already at £1,602 after just a few hours. Sure, there are a lot of fitness trackers for the amateurs out there, but what if you are a real athlete? The XBand Speed Pro Agility and Acceleration Trainer project seeks funding to begin mass production of devices (an body module, finish line module, smartphone adapter) and an app to help aspiring athletes train for speed. With 35 days to go, the XBand Speed Pro project has but a scant $688 pledged towards a lofty $150,000 goal. But who knows? Perhaps there are enough budding football, basketball, baseball, or track professionals out there to get this one funded, and it would certainly be much more affordable than hiring a full-time coach. Now here's an idea that will make your keychain even more bulky than it already is -- the PulsePak mini battery pack. It's designed to give you just enough juice to handle an emergency. The 300 mAh battery pack will last for up to four months on a charge, so you'll need to set a reminder to plug it in at least three times a year. At this time, the PulsePak team is aiming at Android devices with a mini-USB model, but by pledging $2 or more and giving the team the word that you'd like an iPhone version, they'll consider development. With about a month to go, PulsePak only has $815 pledged toward a $25,000 goal. The guys who made the popular EverDock are back at it again with a new project that is soaring towards funding. The EverDock Go is billed as a universal card dock for iPhone and Android, and FŪZ Designs is already at about 70 percent funding with 44 days to go. The device slips into a cup holder in your car and can be used with any type of charging cable -- Lightning, 30-pin Dock connector, micro-USB, or whatever comes out next. At Macworld/iWorld 2014 I saw an iPhone case that had an assortment of tiny screwdrivers built into it, and while that's useful, tiny screwdrivers do not make a complete toolkit. MyTask builds a little toolbox into the back of an iPhone case that contains some tools that are actually useful. There are actually three different versions planned -- Bike, Urban and Stash -- that all have slightly different tool sets. The Bike version (below), for example, contains three tire patches and a tire roughener, flathead and Phillips screwdrivers, two spoke wrenches, four box wrenches, six Allen wrenches, two tire irons, a pedal and axle wrench, and a bottle opener! It's about 30 percent funded with 19 days to go -- I hope this one gets pushed over the top by TUAW readers before the bike season kicks in. I'm not sure about this Kickstarter. The Recoil Armband uses an armband to hold your iPhone in place while running or riding, and then has a retractable "leash" to make sure that even if you drop your phone, it's not going anywhere. While it is only 2 percent funded, there are 41 days to go in the campaign. If you're aware of any other crowdfunded Apple-related projects, be sure to let us know about them through the Tip Us button at the upper right of the TUAW home page for future listing on the site. And no, we won't post projects that are predominantly oriented towards the world of Android.
Kenu Highline case and security leash keeps your iPhone 5/5s from wandering
Those pesky iPhones can sometimes act like little kids or pets, seemingly wandering off on their own. An iPhone can easily slip out of a pocket unnoticed, do a backflip out of a purse or backpack, or fall from a hand while you're taking a photo. Designers at Kenu took notice of this tendency and came up with the idea of the Highline case and security leash (US$34.95, available for pre-order with delivery beginning at the end of April) to keep your favorite smartphone from walking off or jumping away from you. Design Highlights The Highline is made up of two pieces: a clear polycarbonate case to keep your iPhone protected, and a coiled leash with a clip on one end and a Kevlar loop on the other. The idea is that you put the iPhone into the case, clip the leash onto it -- there's a special little notch on the case that receives the clip -- and then use the Kevlar loop to attach the other end of the leash to a zipper pull, belt loop, purse strap, or another fixed spot. The leash stretches quite a bit, so using the iPhone for talking or even taking photos at arm's length is not an issue. If you drop your iPhone, you can be fairly sure that it's not going to hit the ground; when connected to my belt loop, the iPhone only dangled down to my knees when I let go of it. The clip is a brilliant design. There's a small tab that goes into the Lightning port on the iPhone 5/5s, while the other side of the clip has a bump on it that fits into the notch that I referred to earlier. While it securely holds onto the bottom of your iPhone, it's not hard to remove -- just use your thumb to lift up the clip from that notch on the back of the case, and pull. Functionality Highlights When I saw the Kenu Highline for the first time, my first thought is that I wish it had been available for me when I was on my recent trip. We spent some time in a major South American metropolitan city where pickpockets are quite common, so I left my iPhone in the safe in the hotel room while I could have been using it to take photos and looking at maps. With the Highline, I would have felt more confident that the iPhone would have remained with me. The Kevlar loop will be familiar to anyone who has put a wrist strap onto a point-and-shoot camera before. Kevlar makes it much more durable than the usual string that's used, and I found that it seemed easier to loop onto things and remove as well than the string loops. Finally, I like the clear plastic case. I have a gold iPhone 5s, and it's usually hidden in a Mophie Juice Pack Air case. It's nice to actually get to see that beautiful gold finish in the Highline case. Conclusion The Highline is a really smart idea, and Kenu has done a bang-up job of bringing the idea to reality. While the case won't be available until the end of April, I think it's a brilliant product for anyone who wants to keep a constant leash on their iPhone 5 or 5s. Me? I'm planning on using this while at Macworld/iWorld 2014 this week. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible
Pelican Protector Series: Crushproof protection for your iPhone 5/5s
Pelican makes some amazing cases for shipping delicate equipment, and over the past few years they've brought their design expertise to play on Apple devices. Back in October I took a look at their ProGear 1070CC hard case for MacBook Air, and today we're looking at a case that can keep your iPhone 5 or 5s safe from drops... the Pelican ProGear Protector Series case (CE1150) for iPhone 5/5s. Specifications Price: $39.99 (available for less from online retailers) Dimensions: 5.25" x 2.71" x 0.51" (13.3 x 6.9 x 1.3 cm) Weight: 1.44 oz (40.82 grams) Materials: Elastomeric copolymer interior, engineering grade polymer outside Colors: Black/Dark Gray/Black, White/Black/White, Dark Red/Black/Red, Dark Gray/Orange/Dark Gray, Dark Teal/Light Gray/Dark Teal Available accessories: vehicle phone mount, bike phone mount, sport armband Lifetime warranty Design Highlights While the Pelican ProGear Protector Series case isn't going to keep your device safe from water or dust like LifeProof's tightly-sealed cases, it's also much less expensive and can keep your iPhone from getting damaged from the most common type of accident -- a drop. The case comes in a variety of colors, some of which are actually quite fashionable. The teal and gray version, for example, is attractive and different from what you'll find from a lot of case manufacturers. Our test case was gray and orange, providing a nice contrast and looking like a "sport case". The inside of the case is a softer elastomeric copolymer that cushions the iPhone 5/5s, while the exterior is made of a much stiffer material. Like many protective cases, the CE1150 keeps the top and bottom of the two-part case firmly latched together with a series of "teeth" that engage and pull the two parts together. The front cover of the case wraps around the screen edge, ensuring that the screen is totally protected from drops. About the only situation where you might still destroy an iPhone screen with one of these cases installed is if the screen happens to hit a projecting edge; think of the screen hitting a sharp rock and you'll get the picture. Functionality Highlights The case is fairly easy to install and remove, which is a relief after some of the wrestling matches I've had with protective cases. To install, simply place the iPhone's backside onto the back piece of the case, then slip the top into place and start squeezing the two sides together until the "teeth" latch all the way around. Like all of Pelican's products, the CE1150 has a nice, solid feel to it. The volume rocker on the iPhone is covered by a pair of marked buttons, and the on/off switch also has a pass-through button that covers the iPhone's button. The bottom of the device is wide open, although recessed into the case, and the mute button is also uncovered. Now, while the CE1150 will keep your device from scratches or even breakage during drops or if it happens to get captured under something that would crush an iPhone in a silicone soft case, it bears reminding that it does not include a screen protector to keep your screen safe from scratches or direct impact, nor does it have the ability to be dropped into water. If that is the level of protection you need, then you'll want to spend the extra money for a LifeProof case or something similar that's going to keep your device intact. Frankly, this case is an oddity. Most Pelican cases meet MilSpec IP54 for water resistance or the ever-popular 801G for drop resistance. There's no such standard applied to the Protector Series. Conclusion Pelican's Protector Series case for iPhone 5/5s provides a good level of protection from everyday mishandling at a very reasonable price, but it's definitely not the case for those iPhone users who need waterproof and shockproof capabilities. That makes this case a bit of an oddball in the Pelican family, as we're used to seeing military-grade protection from the company. Rating: 2-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible
Griffin wants to dress your iPhone 5/5s in Harris Tweed
Harris Tweed is a beautiful, durable and warm handwoven cloth that has been handwoven by islanders in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland for centuries. Now Griffin Technology brings you officially licensed Harris Tweed cases for the iPhone 5 and 5s. There are two options for these totally fashionable cases: a traditional Harris Tweed Case (US$39.99) and the Harris Tweed Wallet for $59.99. By saying that the case is traditional, I'm saying that it's a pretty normal iPhone case made out of sturdy and protective polycarbonate. Added to the back is a layer of that beautiful Harris Tweed fabric in either a black or brown color. Our review case used the black herringbone material, and it adds a surprising amount of class to what would be a rather boring case. The tweed adds a nice soft, yet grippable backing to the case to keep it from sliding out of your hand. The Harris Tweed Wallet is truly classy, featuring a leather bifold wallet with either a black or brown Harris Tweed herringbone fabric on the front and around the spine. Our review case used the brown fabric, and I was amazed and amused to find that it perfectly matched the color and pattern of a Harris Tweed jacket I purchased 30 years ago. The wallet has three card slots (I was able to fit six IDs or credit cards into the slots during testing), as well as a large and easily opened cash slot. A nicely crafted leather bezel holds the iPhone in place, but allows for easy removal of the phone for attaching an Olloclip lens, for example. Both products are extremely well made, and it's surprising that they're as inexpensive as they are. For the fashionable tweed-lover on your holiday gift list, the Griffin Technology Harris Tweed Case or Wallet for iPhone 5/5s would be a very welcome gift. We're going to give away a case or wallet to two TUAW readers. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before December 18, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. Two winners will be selected. One will receive a Griffin Harris Tweed Case (black herringbone) valued at $39.99, while the other will receive a Griffin Harris Tweed Wallet (brown herringbone) valued at $59.99. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
The Nodus Access Case: It doesn't suck (but it does have micro-suction)
So here's a common dilemma. You've dropped a cool chunk of change on an iPhone or an iPad and you want to protect it from life's bumps and thumps, but you don't like the conventional case options. Perhaps you want something a little more premium-feeling than the traditional plastic. Perhaps it bothers you that Apple's cases have narrow cutouts that won't work with your favorite headphones. Perhaps you'd like something that protects the screen of your iPhone in your pocket, but most cases only wrap around the sides and back. Perhaps you find all cases a problem, because you also like to use accessories that rely on a naked device, such as docks, car mounts or the Olloclip. Most cases that grip the device snugly enough to be secure also end up being tricky to remove the device from, so simply pulling it in and out of the case isn't ideal. What if there was an answer to all this, a case that offered good protection, a premium feel, and yet could let you remove your device instantly for those times when you need it to be naked? Nodus, a company founded by two British designers, have an answer for your consideration: the Nodus Access case, which is soon-to-be-funded on KickStarter. A tour of the Access Case Let's do the boring conventional stuff first. Like most of these sort of "wallet-folio" style cases, the Access is made out of a single piece of leather that wraps around the front and back of your phone or tablet, providing front-and-back protection. When you want to use the device, you open the wallet up, and either leave the flap to the one side, fold it right around the back, or (in the case of the iPad version) fold it into a stand. Then there's the unique bit: the attach mechanism by which the Access Case holds your device. Most of these sorts of cases use a hard shell glued into the leather that clips around your phone, which sometimes are tricky to remove the phone or tablet. The Access Tablet swaps this for a sheet of micro-suction material. To the touch, this feels only slightly tacky; but the surface is actually made up of tiny suction cups. Offer up a flat surface such as the aluminum backing of an iPad or iPhone and the suckers grab on with astonishing force. When you want to take the device off again, just grab the device in one hand, the case in the other, and pull - surprisingly hard. I remember Marco Arment writing about an iPhone dock that used this tech to great affect, but until I handled it for myself I hadn't really realized how well it works. The Nodus video has a quite dramatic demonstration of swinging the iPhone around held on only by the suction pad, and I was initially skeptical but the first time I tried it (and realized how much force it takes to remove the iPhone again) I realized it isn't showmanship: it really does hold your phone perfectly securely. Nodus assure me that the suction pad doesn't wear out and should last indefinitely. It can lose stickiness if it becomes gummed up with fluff or dirt, but a simple wipe with a damp cloth or a dab of a piece of sticky tape to remove lint brings it back. One thing to be aware of: the case provides no protection for three of the edges of your phone. It's not something you'd want to throw into a pocket alongside keys and change that could scuff your iPhone's bezel. Evaluating the case Disclaimer: my opinions below are based on a pre-production sample of the Access Case for iPhone 5 that Nodus's Alex Jack was kind enough to loan me. Obviously, the design may change between this prototype and the final product. Also, as you can see in the pictures above, my case has been in my pockets for a couple of weeks and has picked up a little pocket lint; I deliberately left that in place to show how the case looks after some use. The good: The Access Case is made out of very high quality materials; Nodus says it is using "the best Italian leathers" and I can believe it. Stitching is flawless and the velvety microfiber inner coating is just as pleasant to the touch as the buttery leather. Alex told me that on my prototype the micro-suction pads were cut by hand rather than with a production laser cutter, but I've examined it minutely and I honestly cannot tell: the workmanship is very precise. My prototype was in black leather with a shiny finish; I also like the look of the more weathered-looking brown leather shown on the Kickstarter page. Alex tells me this is probably, although not definitely, the leather Nodus will use if it meets the first stretch goal and unlocks the black color. I also liked how you can use it for impromptu headphone storage by winding the cord around the leather hinge and leaving the actual headphones dangling out of the end. Note, however, that although this works fine with Apple's newer EarPods it doesn't with the older style headphones -- the cable on the latter is slightly too short to wrap neatly. Most of all, I was impressed by how, well, stylishly grown up the Access Case feels. It's been mentioned by the Men's Style section of FHM Magazine and I can see why. Everyone I've shown the case to has been very impressed by it. I didn't get to go hands on with the iPad version of the Access Case but I can imagine it's very useful. It offers sleep/wake magnets in the front cover and can support the iPad at three different angles, from a shallow rake good for typing to an upright position for watching video. It can also work with the iPad in portrait or landscape orientations; you just detach it from the micro-suction pad, rotate it, and re-attach it. The bad: Although I really liked the case overall, there are some small things you should be aware of if you're thinking of backing the Kickstarter. I initially found the case very reluctant to stay shut, because there was a lot of "spring" in the still-new sheet of leather where it was folded around the phone. This wore off after a couple of days. However, I then found the small suction pad that sticks to the front of the iPhone had lost a bit of stickiness. I think it picks up finger grease from the front of the phone and thus gets dirty, whereas the rear suction pad doesn't. A quick wipe with a damp cloth was enough to restore it though. The small pocket on the front of the iPhone case is large enough to store a single bank card or a few folded banknotes, but probably not much else; I found it bulged a bit with two cards and stopped the closing suction pad from making good contact. You won't be able to replace your wallet unless you're extremely minimalist in what you carry. When placing the iPhone into the case, I initially found it quite difficult to get the cut-out in the back lined up with the camera lens and flash. Alex tells me they are looking at tweaking this however and may make the cut-out larger in the final version so pinpoint accuracy is less important when placing the phone into the case. In any event, I quickly adapted and can now do it without trouble (you just need to get your eye in for exactly where to put the phone down onto the micro-suction pad). One final caveat: the Access Case does make your iPhone a little tricky to use one-handed, especially with the left hand, or to do two-thumb typing where you hold the base of the phone. Initially I found both of these almost impossible. I would fold the front flap around behind the phone but it wouldn't sit flat; then while using the phone it would bounce around uncontrollably. Again, this was exacerbated by the newness of the case and the corresponding springiness of the leather where it folds around. That's become a lot better with use but I still occasionally find myself taking the phone out of the case for prolonged one-handed use (mostly when I'm in the supermarket using OurGroceries). Wrap up The Nodus Access Case is something genuinely new, which is pretty rare in the iOS device case game. Its use of micro-suction pads are a genuinely useful innovation over traditional means of attaching a case to your iPhone or iPad. Nodus is certainly a firm to watch and I wish it every success with its Kickstarter campaign. The Access Case is currently on Kickstarter, with 25 days to go until it closes. It's already met its primary funding goal and is making good progress on its stretch goals. An Access Case for iPhone or Samsung Galaxy 4 will cost you £39 (approx $64) from the Kickstarter -- that's a big discount for backers; the RRP after launch will be £70 (approx $115). The iPad mini version is £69 ($113) and the full-size iPad case, which works with the 2/3/4 and Air, is £79 ($130).
Flashing iPhone cases are a sight to behold
There is no shortage of clever and interesting iPhone cases out there, but VanD's line of polycarbonate light-up cases may just take the cake. The cases take advantage of a toggle in iOS that allows users to set the LED light on their device to flash upon receipt of an incoming call or text message. In iOS 7, this can be enabled by going to Settings > General > Accessibility and then toggling on "LED Flash for Alerts." Gizmodo writes: Using the same principles as fiber-optic tables, these clear plastic cases from VanD harness the light from your iPhone's flash to internally illuminate, revealing etched patterns and designs. But as is typically the case, you really have to see these babies in action to fully appreciate their unique appeal. The cases, compatible with both the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5, cost US$19.99 and feature an assortment of designs just begging to be lit up. Below is an example of what a VanD case looks like when not illuminated.
Proporta carbon fiber iPhone case gets the shotgun treatment, survives
We've heard of Lightning charge cables being able to deflect bullets, but here's an iPhone 5/5s case that's built with a carbon fiber lining that can take a shotgun blast at 20 yards. Proporta's Leather Case with Carbon Fiber Lining (US$59.95) takes a blast from "Uncle Barry's shotgun" and is none the worse for wear when it is recovered by the film crew. The company also has an iPad mini with Retina display case that has survived the shotgun test. If you happen to be going out duck hunting with someone who has lousy aim, it might be worth it to buy a bunch of these and place them around your body... Just sayin'.
Findables: iPhone cases with an identity
There's something new in the crowded iPhone case market: cases with an identity. Findables has a line of iPhone cases that include a small, unique QR code that can be tied -- through a free iPhone app -- to your social network accounts. That same code can even help others return a lost iPhone to you. Let's take a look at the Findables FlexWrap (US$29.95) and FlexStand ($29.95) cases, and then you can have a chance to win one courtesy of Findables and TUAW. Both the FlexWrap and FlexStand cases look like run-of-the-mill iPhone cases, crafted out of the usual polycarbonate material in multiple colors. The FlexWrap is a protective shell, while the FlexStand has a fold out stand to make watching videos a breeze. But as I noted earlier, the big selling point for both of these products is the tiny QR code on back of the case. When you get one of the Findables cases, you download the free app from the App Store and then use it to scan the QR code and create a Findables profile. That profile can contain links to a number of social networks, including Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Instagram, LinkedIn, Google+ and more. Now when you meet someone and they just happen to have a QR code reader app on their device (standard for Android, not so much in the iOS world), scanning that little code on the back of your iPhone case sends them to your Findables profile. From there, they can link to you on all of those social networks, so it's akin to a QR code business card. The Findables app also gives iPhone users a way to read QR codes if they don't currently have an app that will read them. Of course, a quick glance at the App Store reveals a number of other QR-friendly apps that your friends can download to read your Findables case. Findables also touts the cases as being useful for returning a lost iPhone to you, although I frankly can't see how it would be any more useful than Find My iPhone. Conclusion Findables has produced an iPhone case with an interesting twist; tying a personal profile to a QR code imprinted on the case. The cases are reasonably priced and should do a good job of protecting your iPhone investment. Pros QR code provides a link to a personal profile; show someone your case and let them scan it to get information about you. Reasonably priced and well made. Findables FlexStand has a very usable flip-out stand design that's great for watching video without holding your device. Cons New friends and business associates will need to have a QR code-reading app installed on their device to be able to access your information. Who is it for? Anyone who would like an inexpensive iPhone 5 case that provides a relatively simple way for others to find out more about you through a web-based profile. Giveaway TUAW and Findables have two cases to give away. One's a FlexWrap, while the other is a FlexStand. Both cases work with the iPhone 5 or 5s. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before October 20, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Two winners will be selected. One will receive a Findables FlexWrap case (black) valued at $29.95, while the other receives a Findables FlexStand (blue with orange highlights) valued at $29.95 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Change the look of your iPhone 5c case with CaseCollage app
With the iPhone 5c, Apple for the first time introduced color to its iPhone lineup. What's more, Apple upped the color ante by concurrently releasing perforated iPhone 5c cases in an assortment of colors. While some folks seem to enjoy the tremendous number of color options afforded by the 5c and the accompanying cases, not everyone shares that enthusiasm. The solution? A new app called CaseCollage that allows users to create and print iPhone 5c backings to fill up the circular openings which result from the iPhone 5c case. The app description reads: CaseCollage for iPhone 5c provides an interactive way to add personality and design for the new 5c case. Use the case holes as frames for your artwork, friends, and interests. Merely create and print for endless custom cases. Features: • Add and arrange photos from your phone, Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, or Picasa • 250+ colors, letters, patterns, and clipart • 35 circle-spaces to arrange and create your design • Share your CaseCollage with friends and family • Print a copy for your own case or for others The app is free and provides a neat way for users to really customize their 5c device to their liking. Check out a video demo of the app in action below.
Booq offers Complete Protection Kit for iPhone 5s and 5c
Booq is best known for its stylish protective bags for iPads and MacBooks, but last week they surprised the iPhone accessory market by announcing the Complete Protection Kit for iPhone 5s and 5c (both US$34.95). Booq's unique idea is to keep the focus on Apple's amazing product designs, and as such they've created extremely thin snap cases (one black, one clear) that are protective, but somewhat understated. According Booq's lead designer S. Kema Subsomboon, "We've heard so many people say that they wish they didn't have to have a case on their phone because they love the iPhone the way it is. That was the thought process behind the kit; thinking about the beauty of the iPhone and the complete protection it deserves in an intelligent and simple way." In addition, each kit comes with a tempered glass screen protector. For the 5c, you can take advantage of covers that adhere to the home button and offer even more protection. The clear case is perfect for those who want to show off the sleek silver, gold or space gray finish of the iPhone 5s, or for people who want to protect their iPhone 5c, but want to keep the colorful shell of the device in front of the public. We hope to get one of the Complete Protection Kits for iPhone 5s soon and will have a full review at that time.
Portenzo Alano SLIM and HardBack wallet cases for iPhone 5c/5s
I've got to admit that I've been really happy with the current trend of combining iPhone cases and wallets. They're both items that you carry around in your pockets, so why not take the functionality of an iPhone case -- protecting your iPhone -- and combine it with carrying around credit cards, IDs, and cash? Of the many wallet cases I've reviewed over the last couple of years, two of the nicest are the Alano SLIM (US$44.95 to $64.95, plus add-ons) and HardBack ($34.95, plus add-ons) from Portenzo. Let's take a look at these stylish cases, and then readers have a chance to win one from TUAW and Portenzo. The design of the Alano SLIM starts with a slim leather "booklet" that surrounds the iPhone. The cover is held closed in transit with a Moleskine-like elastic band, perfect for making sure that it's not going to flop open and expose your iPhone screen to scratches. The leather covers come in eleven different finishes, ranging from a faux antique American passport to a rich dark chocolate leather. The HardBack uses fabric on the outside instead of leather, but is just as nice -- some of the designs sport bright colors or patterns, while others are less flashy. One add-on feature of the HardBack case is the Intellistand, a way of folding the case origami-style to stand it up in landscape mode. Your iPhone isn't surrounded by plastic or wood, meaning that you have unfettered access to all ports and buttons at all times. So how does the phone stay in the Portenzo case? Simple -- there's a nanosuction GripPad (replaceable) on one side. Just align your iPhone and slap it onto the super-sticky material, and it is held in place. Need to remove your phone? No problem -- just give it a good tug and it comes off, leaving no residue. The Alano SLIM's wallet has two main pockets into which you can slide a couple of IDs, credit cards, and maybe even some cash. On the other hand, the HardBack wallet uses a "expandable folder" type of construction that can hold much more -- although you really don't want to overload it. Now, about those add-ons that are noted with the pricing. Portenzo uses a "build your own" model for these case/wallets, so the base price of the Alano SLIM cases does not include the wallet bits (that's an additional $20). The HardBack has two possible add-ons; the $20 wallet parts and the $4.95 Intellistand. That means that a decked-out Alano SLIM can cost as much as $84.90, while a fully-loaded HardBack checks in at $54.85. How do they look? Well, we received a "US Passport" model Alano Slim with all the trimmings and a Dark Blue HardBack with the Intellistand and wallet. Take a look at the images (I just placed the iPhone 5 on top of the GripPad instead of removing it) and you can see the amount of love put into the construction of the cases. Conclusion Portenzo's Alano SLIM and HardBack cases are well-built and beautiful, although somewhat pricy -- especially for the Alano SLIM. Pros Unique designs, especially for the Alano SLIM line Quality construction Easy to remove and re-install the iPhone HardBack's Intellistand works well to hold the iPhone in a landscape orientation HardBack's wallet expands to hold a lot of cards and cash Cons Alano SLIM is quite pricy once the wallet feature is added on Who is it for? The person who wants to ditch the wallet and do it in style Now it's your turn to have a chance to win one of these two cases. Note that the review cases are compatible with the iPhone 5 and 5c; the model for the iPhone 5s might need a slightly larger camera cutout on the back to house the True Tone flash. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before September 20, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Two winners will be selected. One will receive a Portenzo Alano SLIM wallet case valued at $84.90, while the other gets a Portenzo HardBack wallet case valued at $54.85 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Apple's back in the dock business and now making cases
Looking at the iPhone accessory page today after the Apple Store came back online, two things were immediately noticeable. First, Apple has a pair 'o docks available for the new 5c and 5s -- both sell for US$29, and the only difference appears to be the shape of the port that you drop your phone into. Apple is also getting into the case business -- as you'll remember, the company made a bumper for the iPhone 4 / 4S, but has never made a full case for an iPhone; it's always left that up to third-party manufacturers. For the colorful iPhone 5c, there's a "hole-y" case for $29 that you can mix or match with your phone. For the iPhone 5s, the company also came out with a line of $39 color cases, some of which are a little... odd. We're also hearing from a number of case manufacturers who will have cases for the new devices coming out this week. Keep tuned to TUAW for all the highlights.
