IphoneCase
Latest
OtterBox leading the fight against counterfeit cases
When you think of counterfeit Apple products you usually think of fake iPhones or fake iPads, but now popular case makers are now having a hard time dealing with counterfeiters. OtterBox, based in Colorado, is the number one case provider for iPhones and iPads and other smart phones in the American marketplace and in a press release today, the company highlighted the struggles it is having with counterfeiters in the United States and in China. OtterBox has revealed that in 2012 alone the company and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection worked together to confiscate over 118,000 counterfeit OtterBox items. "Its important that consumers understand the difference between authentic and counterfeit product and unfortunately some do not," Rachael Lamkin, associate general counsel for OtterBox said in a statement. "Counterfeit OtterBox cases lead some consumers to believe they just made a bargain purchase, but the low price tag means poor quality and a bad reflection of our brand. That purchase is also counterproductive to developing a strong economy." Anyone who thought that they've purchased an official OtterBox case but now thinks it might be counterfeit is urged to contact the company through their support page.
Mophie Outride review: action-cam case for iPhone can't replace dedicated shooters
Over the years, Mophie has become synonymous with extending the iPhone's battery life. The outfit's range of battery-filled iPhone cases has garnered rave reviews across the industry, and even I religiously used one on an iPhone 3G. In more recent days, the company has cautiously expanded into a few new areas -- namely, building battery cases for non-Apple phones, and creating the contraption shown above. The Mophie Outride is an action-cam case that's designed to be strapped onto helmets, automobile hoods and any other place where your average X Games wannabe would look to capture extreme sports footage. But, unlike the myriad rivals on the market today, the Outride doesn't actually include a camera. Instead, you're supposed to strap your iPhone 4 or 4S into it (an iPhone 5 model has yet to be announced), allowing the smartphone you already own to handle the bulk of the work. At first blush, it sounded like an ideal solution to me. After all, I'm generally in favor of convergence and consolidation, and as an avid traveler, having one less thing to carry (in this case, a dedicated camera) is a godsend. In practice, however, the Outride did little outside of convincing me that GoPro exists for a reason.
Newer Technology's NuGuard KX case: MIL-STD drop protection for iPhone 5
While I was at Macworld/iWorld 2013 last month, I had the pleasure of meeting with the folks from Newer Technology at the OWC booth. One item that they were showing off at the booth was NewerTech's NuGuard KX for iPhone 5 (US$35.00), a case that manages to provide MIL-STD-810G drop protection while not adding a lot of bulk. Let's take a look. Design Looking at the NuGuard KX, you'd probably think that it's just another iPhone case, but the special characteristics of the design are built into the case. Rather than being a two or three piece case, Newer Technology has managed to cram all of the protection into a one-piece structure. There's a "X-Orbing" gel that absorbs impact energy and distributes it to keep your iPhone 5 from being damaged, surrounded by a hard (yet flexible) shell. I recall watching OWC spokesman Alan Bitterman tossing his NuGuard KX-protected iPhone 5 onto the ground at the expo, and figuring that he wouldn't be doing that if he didn't have a lot of confidence in the design. NewerTech had Quanta Laboratories perform and film the drop testing required to get the MIL-STD designation, and the company also dropped a phone from the top of the OWC wind turbine. I can see where Bitterman got his confidence. The NuGuard KX comes in a variety of colors: Darkness (black), Trooper (white), Midnight (blue), Roulette Red, Buzz (yellow and black), Rose (magenta and white), Eagle Shield (tan and brown) and Nubar Forest (forest green). Functionality The NuGuard KX is a piece of cake to install and remove, perfect if you want protection for those times you're hiking but don't want a case on your iPhone 5 all the time. The case has a nice felt-like material on the inside to keep your iPhone 5 from being scratched, a wide hole for the camera and flash, "pass-through" buttons for volume and sleep/wake/on/off, and holes for the speakers, Lightning port, headphone port, and mute button. %Gallery-178897% So, did I go out and test the NuGuard KX by dropping it from the top of the nearby Aspen Grove Apple Store (Littleton, CO) or throwing it on the floor? No. Hey, I need this phone for work... Conclusion Newer Technologies has developed a lightweight, thin, and durable iPhone 5 case that will definitely protect your investment. The NuGuard KX is perfect for any iPhone 5 owner who wants the maximum in protection at a reasonable price and minimal bulk. Pros Relatively inexpensive for a MIL-STD iPhone 5 case Comes in a variety of colors Easy to install and remove Has a lifetime warranty and 30-day money back guarantee Cons None to speak of Who is it for? Any iPhone 5 owner who wants great protection and less bulk Giveaway We have one of these hardy cases available as a 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 February 17, 2013 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a NuGuard KX iPhone 5 case (Eagle Shield color scheme) worth $35.00 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Hands-on with Snappgrip, a case that turns your phone into a point-and-shoot
We normally don't bother to write about iPhone cases here at Engadget, but this one seemed pretty neat. Snappgrip is a case that turns your iPhone into a point-and-shoot camera -- partly for kitsch's sake, but mostly to make one-handed shots easier to pull off. The design is simple: it's just a plastic shell with a shutter button, a dial for controlling shutter speed and a hand grip -- the sort you'd normally find on a compact camera. To use it, you'll need to download the free iPhone or Android app. Interestingly, though, the company is releasing its SDK to developers, so in theory you'll one day be able to use this case with other camera apps. Another quid pro quo: the case only fits the iPhone 4, iPhone 5 and Galaxy S III for now, though the company is considering ways to make the case universally compatible. Snappgrip is priced at $99, but it's not shipping just yet (the Kickstarter campaign, linked below, is still going strong). For now, we've got a quickie hands-on video waiting just past the break.
G-Form takes iPhone case drop testing to a new height: over 100,000 feet
In the past we've seen some videos from G-Form showing their iPhone and iPad cases taking some incredible falls and surviving, but nothing beats this test. The company took one of their new XTREME cases for iPhone ($39.99) that will be introduced at CES next week, popped an iPod touch (fifth generation) into it, and attached it to a weather balloon which also carried a GPS tracking device and a sports action camera. The iPod touch in the iPhone 5 case is dangling below a yellow G-Form case carrying the "instrument package" in the image above. When the G-Form XTREME case and iPod touch reached an altitude of above 100,000 feet, the electronics package was released. Two of the cameras used during the drop shut down due to extremely low temperatures, estimated at -60°F. The devices were picked up unharmed about 41 miles from their launch site, fittingly near Area 51 in the Nevada desert. The cool thing about the new case is that it's much thinner than many competing cases. Like previous G-Form XTREME cases, the new line uses the company's Reactive Protection Technology as an inner core, adds a polycarbonate external shell, and features a third layer of TPE to absorb shocks. The new case is available for order on the G-Form site at this time.
Visa lets iPhone-toting NatWest and RBS customers pay with NFC cases, join the future
Two can play at the UK-banks-with-NFC-payments game. RBS (and by extension, NatWest) is partnering with Visa Europe to roll out TouchPay, a mobile payment system based around an iCarte case for the iPhone 4 and 4S -- sorry, early iPhone 5 owners. In tandem with a native app, the service allows paying for goods at British shops by tapping the phone at a Visa-capable NFC terminal without needing the short-range wireless built-in. Any purchases under £20 ($32) can even skip the PIN code, if you're just in that much of a hurry to get a Pret À Manger sandwich. Only 1,000 of the 9,000 who pre-registered for TouchPay are getting into Visa's wallet-free initiative at this stage, although all NatWest and RBS customers with one of Apple's semi-recent smartphones can participate once a trial run is over. We're just wondering if and when Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone 8 owners get in on the action.
V-Moda VAMP for the iPhone: an analog converter and headphone amp with a $650 pricetag
If money really isn't an issue when it comes to your search for the finest sound possible from your iPhone, V-Moda has a new accessory for you to consider. The company has announced the VAMP: an iPhone 4 / 4S case that converts digital to analog for hi-fi listening. How does it work? Well, the kit uses a 150mW x 2 amplifier to bypass the smartphone's internals to offer the auditory elbow grease needed to adequately power that set of fancy headphones. For controls, you can expect a volume knob, hi / lo gain switch and toggle switch with LED indicator for either Pure or VQ listening mode. There's also an optical audio output for using your phone as a vehicle "for the purest and unparalleled audio listening experience," but you'll have to splurge for an extra cable to do so. In addition to the aforementioned conversion, the aircraft-grade metal add-on provides eight hours of playback from it's own battery -- which can be used as a backup for your Apple handset, should the need arise. Sound good so far? Well, the VAMP is now shipping and will set you back a whopping $650 with $50 of the asking price benefitting the InTheLoop Foundation. You know, if you happen to really love listening to Sigur Rós on the go and are obsessed with high fidelity playback. %Gallery-158052%
Mophie's Juice Pack PRO aims to keep iPhone 4 / 4S protected and powered during wild adventures
Staying true to its peripheral nature, Mophie's outed yet another iPhone companion: the Juice Pack PRO. Although the new power-boosting case doesn't carry as much juice as that Powerstation (not surprising, really), it does offer similar ruggedized aesthetics -- which should come in handy the next time you decide to take your Cupertino handset on a hazardous trip. Mophie notes the Juice Pack PRO can more than double the iPhone 4 / 4S life with its 2,500mAh battery, but the company's also placing a hefty amount of focus on the add-on's water splash, sand, impact and shock protection features -- these, naturally, earned the PRO a MIL-STD 810G (Military Standard) rating on the testing grounds. If all that makes this Juice the one for you, then gather up $130 and head over to the Mophie site to snag one for yourself.
Precise Biometrics' Tactivo for iPhone, iPad locks data by fingerprint and smart card, is overkill for your diary (video)
iOS device security has regularly been a concern of the government, but locking down one of Apple's devices for the government is still fresh. Precise Biometrics hopes to have the problem licked through the Tactivo, a combo fingerprint and smart card reader for the iPhone 4 / 4S (and the iPad, in the summer). Either method keeps data inside an app away from prying eyes, and while they won't tighten the security around the built-in apps, they do make sure a third-party app's data meets US and international government privacy specs without having to use a BlackBerry. We're not surprised that the Tactivo needs to engulf the iPhone in a full case to work its magic, although there's a micro-USB port to keep it powered and synced up. It's all a bit much if you're just trying to make sure your list of high school crushes stays a secret, and the price reflects that -- at $249 a pop, the Tactivo is really meant for agencies and companies for whom losing the data on an iPhone would cost a lot more. Still, if you're running an outfit encouraging BYOD phone use or just really, really want your secret passions to stay private, both the iPhone case and a BioSecrets app are ready today.
FreedomPop Sleeve wants to spread 'free' WiMAX love in the form of a $99 iPhone case
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of free WiMAX? According to FreedomPop, yeah, that seems to be the deal. The outfit, started by one of Skype's co-founders, is peddling $99 WiMAX-equipped iPhone cases that share up to 500MB of free data per month via an embedded WiFi module. The case also extends battery life by six hours and enables FaceTime everywhere you go. FreedomPop Sleeve rumors have been circling the net since December, but now the company is taking things to the next level by officially accepting pre-orders for a launch some time after July 1st. It seems that the company intends to get you hooked on free data in the hopes of selling you premium features later on, such as a VoIP tool and a $0.01 charge per megabyte over the monthly data limit. There's a video of the device in action after the break.
No comment: iPhone case has a "discreet" storage compartment
Have you ever been out and realized you forgot your wallet just as you were going to pay for something? Bummer, right? And it probably makes you wish that Apple would go ahead and build a mobile payment system into the iPhone -- because you never leave your house without that. Now imagine that you're a super cool player, meet a girl, and get invited back to her place for a "nightcap." Being the stud you are, you bypass the drink and get funky the second she closes the door. That's when you reach into your pockets and find your iPhone, but realize you forgot the one accessory every player should carry. Double bummer. I mean, despite all that the iPhone can do, there's no way it can help you in this situation, right? Wrong. Well, wrong if you have the right iPhone case. The aptly named Playa case by Opena aims to ensure that you're never without the means to get your groove on safely. The "discreet storage slot" on the back of the case carries one condom should the need arise. Click on over to Opena's website to place your preorder, playas. And also don't forget to watch the video where an Australian kid explains where he uses the Playa, including ... when walking the dog ... No comment.
iPhone case doubles as a Magna Doodle
I think this is great, and I assume that other "children of the '80s" will agree. The iFoolish is a silly name for an iPhone case that's actually got a working Magna Doodle on the back. Sure, they can't use the name, but that's a Magna Doodle all right. A little magnet on a pen that you can use to draw a series of what I believe are iron filings up to the drawing surface. You've seen these things before -- draw whatever you want on them, and then use the little slider at the bottom to throw off the magnetic field again and then clear the board. Sure, you could just as easily do this on the iPhone's screen itself (and in fact, there is indeed an app for that). But this is the real thing, helpfully attached to the back of your iPhone case. You can pick up the iFoolish for £19.99, which is around $24 US. [via iPhone Savior]
Gizmon iCA Military Edition Case: iPhone protection with a Cold War era spy camera vibe
iPhone 4S owners already know that they have a pretty decent digital camera in their hands. However, if you long for the days of knurled metal knobs, optical viewfinders, and hand-focused lenses, you were pretty much out of luck -- until now. Four Corner Store has developed the Gizmon iCA Military Edition Case for the iPhone 4/4S (US$70.00) that brings all of the look and feel of the classic Leica rangefinder camera to your favorite Apple phone. The case is made of 25 polycarbonate pieces that recreate the Leica look while offering protection to your iPhone. For serious iPhoneographers, there's also a detachable tripod mount on the bottom of the case and a real optical viewfinder for lining up shots. If that's not enough, you can also purchase a macro lens ($45) and a fisheye lens ($55) that click onto the case for extra utility. As for the "lens" on the Gizmon iCA Military Edition Case, it's fake. The "glass" in the center is actually a mirror for lining up self portraits. This über-cool case is available for pre-orders now, and will be shipping on St. Patrick's Day, March 17.
Insert Coin: Aqua Tek S wants to be your desert island iPhone case
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. Have any immediate plans to go to war, escape nuclear fallout or get shipwrecked in the middle of the Pacific? Boy has Snow Lizard got the iPhone case for you. The Aqua Tek S is rugged, waterproof, battery-powered, solar panel-packing and in some cases camouflaged -- all said, it looks to be a beast of an iPhone 4 / 4S case that'll make your Otterbox case look like Samuel L. Jackson in Unbreakable. The twist ending here is that the case is currently seeking funding over on Kickstarter, with less than a month to reach its lofty goal of $75,000. When it hits, it's expected to run a pricey $130. Press info and a video of the case in action, after the jump.
Nissan Scratch Shield iPhone case uses self-healing paint, won't un-crack your screen
Well hey there, butterfingers. Do your smartphone cases often slip from grip, hitting the deck and resulting in a bevy of tiny nicks that leave you self-conscious about your inability to maintain a firm grasp? Well, Nissan (yes, that Nissan) may just have an answer, in the form of a self-healing iPhone case. Naturally, the Scratch Shield -- which we first heard of back in 2009 -- protects your device from garnering unwanted blemishes, but it also features a polyrotaxane-based finish that helps maintain the case itself, covering over small scratches in as little as an hour. Nissan is keeping its magic paint on home turf for the time being, licensing the material to Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo, though the Leaf-maker is also said to be considering a commercial launch later this year. Until then, you'll need to stay strong (gripped), though a self-mend solution may well be in your future.
TUAW visits Scosche at CES
Yesterday we got a chance to stop by the Scosche booth at CES. While we were there, we got to see all manner of items, from the just released to the recent but also pretty cool. Here's what we saw: Kelly's top pick: A new car charger. Why? It has three very important features all in one convenient package! It is not only a dual USB charger, but both ports will charge iPads, AND it's the teeny compact style that just barely peeks out of your power port. It's coming soon, and when it does, I'll be getting several. Victor's top pick: freedomMIC Bluetooth Wireless Microphone. Not only is it a wireless mic that is handy for recording nicer audio when you are shooting with your iPhone, but you can also use it as a remote to start and stop recording, or snap a still photo with your iPhone camera. If you use your iPhone for reporting (as I have done), you'll find this mic super handy. We saw a number of other neat things in the Scosche booth as well. We saw a case with two pieces for the iPhone that has a silicone sleeve to protect the back and front of the iPhone, and then an aluminum Element case style band that buckles around it (think springform pan) for extra protection (and aesthetic coolness). This was really neat to see and very sturdy to use, the latch was solid and it really did look sharp on the iPhone. Plus, unlike the Element, you don't need a tool to get the metal band off. Also there was a really interesting cable. I know, cables aren't THAT interesting, and that's true, until you see one cable transform from one you always have to carry into the other one you always have to carry. Since I basically only need two cables, it was nice to see them both in one. You take the 30-pin end and it lifts up and pivots over, unveiling a micro-USB end as well. Generally I only need to charge on micro-USB, and this way I can have the "emergency" iPhone cable as well without taking up another cable's worth of space. It's called the syncABLE Pro. Speaking of iPhone cables, another nice thing to see was that Scosche has expanded on their line of flipSYNC cables, a compact cable about the size of a car alarm remote that unfolds into a USB charging cable. Now they have the clipSYNC which includes a carabiner-style clip to attach it to your bag, and also a flavor that has a battery in it and is still really compact. One thing I personally liked a lot about their booth was all of the hands-on they had available. There were a lot of companies with things set up under glass or back on a wall where you couldn't really get at them, so it was nice to get the chance to touch all of it and really see what it was like.
Spotted at CES: Skech Trax iPhone 4 case
Today, while checking out the variety of iPhone case options available in the iLounge Pavilion at CES, I saw a display that caught my eye: iPhone 4 cases made from recycled bicycle tires. As a Portlander, I am legally obligated* to follow up on any product that is recycled or bike-related, so I went over and checked them out. They are made by a company called Skech, and I actually got my hands on the Skech Trax case. This is a flip style case (like a steno pad, not like a book) with a nice soft interior and the exterior is made of the aforementioned used tires. This is cool because all the cases are a little different and have some cool texture to them. I also liked that the inside material is available in a variety of colors, and the flap that covers the screen also includes a couple of card sleeves for business cards or ID and a credit card if you need to travel light. It has a hole for the camera, and the top is open for access to power or the headphone jack. There is a magnetic clasp to hold it shut the rest of the time, and the whole thing feels really well put together. Be aware that it is not the most protectionary of cases, but it will keep your keys off the screen while your phone is in your bag, and look reasonably nice outside your bag too. Skech makes a variety of other iPhone cases, but this one stood out and I wanted to show it to all of you. *There was an ordinance passed in 1998.** **Yes, I am kidding.
Boostcase hands-on
It's a myth that phone cases must choose between form or function. Boostcase, which is currently available for the iPhone 4 and 4S, combines both seamlessly. It's a modular system with a 1900mAh battery pack that doubles the life of your device. And, while it does add some bulk, it has two distinct advantages over similar options like Mophie's Juice Pack. For one, the battery is removable -- so you only need to make space in your skinny jeans if you know you're going to need it. Additionally, since it's modular, you're able to customize it to your liking. Batteries are available in black or white, while the simple plastic cases are available in a veritable cornucopia of hues. The Boostpack charges through standard micro USB, and can actually charge your iPhone directly -- eliminating the need for that pesky proprietary 30-pin connector. A battery and case package is available for $80, while standalone plastic cases cost #35. We're told the batteries will also be sold individually for between $50 and $60. Check out the hands on gallery below.
BiKN for the iPhone hands-on (video)
We don't know about you, but we're pretty prone to losing stuff -- everything from our precious phones, to our keys to, occasionally, our fellow bloggers. BiKN is a hardware and software-based solution that allows you to track you loved ones and things using simple 802.15.4 radio tech instead of battery-sucking GPS. The two hardware components that will be shipping later this month are an iPhone case, which connects through the 30-pin connector and tags which you can attach to keys, bags, or the belts of wandering children. You can leash items to you using the free app so that an alarm will sound -- on both ends if the person or item wanders out of a particular range. You can also simply ping them if you've misplaced them. It even simply measures how far away another phone or tag is. And, since it's a two way system with a battery integrated in the case, if you lose your iPhone and the battery is dead you can still find it using one of the tags. A package containing the case and one tag will be available for $100, while a kit with two tags will retail for $120. Additional tags can be purchased in packs of two for $50. Check out the gallery below and the video after the break. Mat Smith contributed to this report.
iPad case claims to boost 3G performance, reduce radiation
Ars Technica has a really interesting article about the fabled proximity sensory in the iPad 3G. I know what you're thinking: "Why does the iPad 3G have a proximity sensor?" Well, if Ars did a proper job at finding and interpreting FCC papers (as I believe they did) it's there to protect users from electromagnetic radiation that emanates from the iPad's 3G antenna. Since distance affects how much radiation is absorbed by a person's body, the iPad 3G's proximity sensor is there to dial down the power of the 3G radio by as much as 75% when it detects that a user is close to the sensor. Less power means less radiation exposure. It also means a weaker 3G signal and slower data rate. However, the 3G signal isn't only dialed down when the proximity sensor comes into contact with a human user. In fact, anything (like an iPad case) will cuts the 3G radio's power. That's why some iPad 3G owners report weaker 3G signals when using their iPad with a case attached. But now a company called Pong Research has come out with a US$100 iPad case that it says will enable your iPad's 3G data to run at full speed even when the case is on. The case accomplishes this via a small hole right where the proximity sensor is located on the iPad. As Ars points out, any case manufacturer that knows about the location of this unadvertised proximity sensor can do the same. However, by just cutting a hole near the sensor you still have a radiation problem. That's where the second big feature of Pong's case comes in: an integrated circuit board designed to take that harmful radiation and redistribute it away from the user's body. Arstechnica tested out both claims (the redistribution of radiation and the boost in 3G signals) and found that the case works as advertised. So if full 3G signal and a lack of pesky radiation is for you, go on over to Pong's site and order a case. If you hadn't heard anything after I said you iPad emits deadly radiation, check out Ars's article for an in-depth description of consumer electronic radiation (hint: you'll be fine).
