Reviews by The Church of Apple

Tag: case

  • Forward LifeJacket iPad Case Review

    The Forward Lifejacket iPad Case is a Tank case for the iPad designed to protect it from any submersion of water, so now the problem of dropping your iPad in the toilet is solved. Kidding aside, the case protects your iPad when you know you will be in water environments such as on a boat, near a body of water, or even under water. It is available for $94.99. Let’s see if this is the waterproof iPad case for you.

    Form

    Don’t expect this case to be the nicest looking case you have used. It is a tank. It makes the iPad turn from one of the thinnest “books” you can use to one of the thickest. Similarly, it turns from light to heavy with the addition of this case. One could simply say, bulky is the word for the dimensions of the case. It is made up of a black, hard plastic that would take a tank to dent it. The case is awkward to use because there are several hatches on the case that keep it closed. The back looks like the backing of a bland looking stereo receiver backing, except without all the ports of course. Protecting the iPad’s screen is a sheet of a see-through screen protector. The only color on the case is the white and blue logo of the company, all of the rest is a bland black color. Inside the case, there is no clear way of putting the iPad in the case. The only way I see is to just lay it on top and close the lid. The inside of the case also looks bland and cheap. Of course, don’t get me wrong, the case is not cheaply made, it just has the appearance of it, particularly on the inside. The case does not fare well in the form category, but how can a tank be nice looking anyways?

    Function

    If it’s one thing this case does well it is to protect. This case will protect your iPad from drops and from water. In fact, it does it so well, it’s military grade. I tested it myself and it indeed passed the submersion test. Of course, I’m not one to want to submerge my device if I don’t have to, so I took it out before testing. Unfortunately, there is a price to pay to get this protection. First of all, we’ll start at putting the iPad in. There are four hatches that you need to open to get the case open. I wouldn’t normally complain about this but you have to have strong hands to open this case. People with weak hands will not be able to open this case. The hatches just hatch it closed too tight to even be able to open it. Next, after you pry it open, there is, once again, no clear way to put the iPad in. There are no corner things that you attach to the corners of the iPad or anything of that sort. You just put the iPad in and hope it is even, because if it’s not, you’ll have to reopen and adjust and try again. After you close the case, you will discover that a few key features have been stripped of their use. The camera, volume buttons, sleep/wake buttons, charging port, headphone jack and the rotation lock switch are all inaccessible. That’s right, you can’t listen to music in your headphones nor the speakers since they are almost entirely blocked, you can’t turn the rotation, you can’t change the volume of the music you can’t hear, you can’t charge the iPad while in the case, and you can’t even turn the iPad off. What is the point of using a device if all of it’s primary functions are blocked even if it does provide military grade protection from drops and water. If the case protects your device but the device isn’t usable, what’s the point? Unfortunately, this case did not do well in it’s function either.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Military-grade protection

    Cons

    -Too thick and heavy
    -Weak aesthetics
    -Hard to open
    -Questionable placement of the iPad
    -Limited functionality, too limited for most to sacrifice for the protection

    Ways to Improve

    To be honest, Forward should consider a complete overhaul of it’s case. As a matter of fact, I believe much time and resources should be put into R&D to fix the many problems of this case while still keeping protective abilities, even if one has to sacrifice the thinness of the iPad for it. If that was all one sacrificed, I would use the case. However, so much is stripped away that it renders the iPad useless.

    The case very much reminds me of communism. We’ll take away your rights in exchange for protection. Your right to audio, turning your iPad off, switching the rotation and even charging the iPad are stripped away. Of course, you can get these rights back if you open the case (remember, difficult to open) and take the iPad out. Then, after you take it out, you won’t ever put it in again. The case receives a 1 star from me, for at least providing protection for the iPad. Unfortunately, the costs are too high to keep that protection. Besides, who’ll drop it in the toilet anyways?

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

  • Maroo Drogo iPad Case Review

    The Maroo Drogo iPad Case is a leather iPad case. It is has a twist to it’s design. There is a cool dragon design on the case designed to celebrate the year of the dragon. The case is available from Maroo for $99.99. Let’s see if this investment of a case is the right case for you.

    Form

    Let it be clear, this is real leather. That may be what is driving up the price of the case but the fact that it is real leather is appreciated since real leather makes a very strong case. One of the things that caught my attention with this case is it’s neat design. You would have to see it yourself to appreciate it as I am certain that I could entice you with my descriptions of it. What I will tell you is that the design is that of a dragon in order to celebrate the year of the dragon. It’s main black color and yellow trimmings, however, give more of an impression of a Japanese ninja bike. No doubt about it though, this case has a great design, better than what I have seen in any other case so far. In addition, the case is made sturdy and well. The craftsmanship on this case is stunning. The iPad is held in by a tough silicon piece surrounded by yellow leather. The case also has a strap inside so you can strap the iPad to your hand. In addition to that, it has two pockets. One to put a credit card or two in and the second to perhaps store some papers. Don’t expect this case to be light, the leather with the silicon holder adds weight, and thickness. This is not without a return though. The added thickness protects the iPad very well. All in all, the case has strong aesthetics.

    Function

    As I mentioned, the case is strong and it will protect your iPad. There is no doubt in my mind that this case will protect your iPad well. The case also has a good stand. It can be put in the standard keyboard position or the viewing position. The case has easy access to all ports and does not block any of the cameras. I appreciate that the case has the pockets that it has for storage of notes and cards. The case has the magnet attachment that we have come to know and love since the introduction of the iPad 2 and the SmartCover. However, the magnets on it are weak and the case is too easily opened. The solution to this on the case is using the provided straps. These, however, are a hindrance and I personally do not use them. The problem with the case accidentally opening due to the weak magnets is the fact that when opened, the iPad will turn on and waste battery. Therefore, it is my recommendation when using this case to put the auto lock on 5 minutes if you are someone who has their setting on “Never auto lock” like myself. The price of this case is definitely a deterrent from buying this case though. The case is real leather and does protect the iPad well but $99 is a lot to spend on a case. The case does have it’s upsides and downsides but overall it is a good case.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Great design
    -Real leather
    -iPad is held firmly in place
    -iPad is well protected in the case.
    -The stand works well as it should

    Cons

    -Weak magnets
    -Straps provided to hold the case closed are a hindrance
    -Expensive

    Ways to improve

    The thing I would do to improve the case is to add stronger magnets since the ones in the case now are too weak to reach the magnets in the iPad due to the thickness of the case blocking it. The price is something that they may need reevaluate too.

    To conclude, this case is a strong one. It will protect your iPad and the design of the case is something to marvel at. There are a few main cons to this case like the magnets and the price. This case receives four stars from me.

    Also, please check out the following sites for Maroo. I was requested by Maroo to put these links.

    http://www.facebook.com/maroolifestyle
    http://www.twitter.com/maroolifestyle
    http://www.youtube.com/tvmaroo

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

    Images courtesy: Maroo

  • RooCase Origami Dual-View Folio for iPad mini

    The RooCase Origami Dual-View Leather Folio for iPad mini is exactly what it’s name implies. It is a case for the iPad mini and a nice one at that. The case is only $9.90 at Amazon. Let’s see if this cheap in price case is cheap in quality or not.

    Form

    This case actually is very nice on the aesthetic side. The case is pretty solid. The front cover folds into different origami styles for different ways to stand the case. I really like this feature as it adds more possibilities for stands than the standard bifold or trifold cases have. The case is made in five colors, all leather. It is made in black, red, green, purple and pink all of which seem like great colors. The case is pretty solid in terms of structure and it is made well. There is definitely well-done craftsmanship on this case. The case allows for easy access to all the ports. The camera, also, is not blocked. In addition, there is a small flap that is on the case that you can put your stylus on. This definitely comes in handy for people who keep a stylus for their iPad with them. The quality of this case reminds me of the iPad cases that Snugg sells. Aesthetically, it’s one of the better cases I have reviewed.

    Function

    I am not usually a fan of folio cases. They have been too thin to provide any protection for my iPad. This case is an exception to that rule. Despite it being light, this case is very protective. It is hard cased enough to protect your device while still keeping it light. Another thing I like about the case is the unique origami stand. The stand allows for 4-5 different viewing angles, handy for typing or watching. Of course, the best angle is to hold the iPad yourself and the case makes it quite comfortable to hold. In addition, I appreciate the slot for a stylus as I do use one sometimes. I feel as though this case is a great value for the money.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Great aesthetics
    -Solid Case
    -Great, unique stand
    -Slot for stylus
    -Cheaply priced but not cheaply made

    Cons

    -None

    How to Improve

    At this time, I see no reason to make any changes for improvement.

    This is a great case and for less than $10, you can not go wrong. If you have an iPad mini, even if you already have a case, get this one. It is on sale for $9.90 at Amazon from it’s listing price of $49.99. Five stars for a great case and a great price.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

  • Uncommon iPod touch 4 Custom Capsule Case Review

    The Uncommon Case is a customizable case where you can add your own image to a case for the iPod touch. The image goes on the back of the case and is a great conversation piece especially when you have a picture of your dog on it or a picture of your kids. What the case looks like is all up to you. The case is available from Uncommon for $34.95. Let’s see if this very personalized case is for you.

    Form

    The form of this case is very interesting. The design of the case is not made by the company. With this case, it is made by you. You make the design, whether it be an image of your pets, family, your favorite whatever, it’s all up to you. I personally put a picture of my dog on the case. You can choose whatever you want. In terms of quality, the case is made of a durable material. You drop the case, the iPod touch will probably not be damaged. The case has a hole for the camera and has a protector on the wake/sleep button on top and the volume buttons on the side. The case color can be just about any color you can come up with. I put my dogs picture with a black background which I think is the best way to go since it makes the picture stand out but it is all up to you. You can also put a caption on the image if you want and in any font. The case is slim and light, it adds almost no profile to the iPod yet still keeping it protected. This case is the most customized case I have seen and thus the best in form.

    Function

    The case does protect the device well. There is a side bumper should it fall face down onto the ground. This will prevent the screen from breaking. The ports are protected well and I appreciate that all the ports are easily accessible. The power button is hard to press but it does seem to get easier the more you use it. The case has a camera hole so the camera doesn’t get blocked. The case is easy to take off as well. The case will not take the contents of your pocket with it when you take the iPod touch out of your pocket. The case is really more of a “Form” case since the impressive feature is the customizing of the case. It’s a normal case but, with your own image on it, it’s not. It’s your own customized case and I know that a lot of people, including yourself, would like. In addition to the case, a big part of the experience is the creation of the case. The designing of the case is a multi-part but simple process. All you do is add images, resize it the way you want it, add a caption, choose the color of the case, save and you are done. The process is almost fun, designing your case and seeing what different cases you can make. You can even save multiple designed cases, choose the best one and then buy that one. The customization of this case and it’s thin profile made me replace my OtterBox iPod touch case with this one.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Personalized to your liking
    -Protects the iPod touch well
    -Slim profile
    -Access to all ports
    -Easy to design cases on the Uncommon website
    -Easy to take off the case (not that you would want to)

    Cons

    -Difficult to press the unlock/lock button on top at first

    Ways to improve

    The only way to improve that I could see is to get rid of the piece that covers the unlock/lock button. It would make it easy to press the button.

    This case is a great case. One of the best I have reviewed because of it’s customizability, slim profile and easy process to customize the case. This case easily earns a 5 star review from me.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

    Images Courtesy: Uncommon

  • Pong iPhone 5 Case Review

    The Pong iPhone 5 Classic Case is an anti-radition case designed to protect you from radiation and to protect the phone from damage. The Pong iPhone 5 Classic is available for $59.99. Let’s see if this case is right for you.

    Form

    The case, in my opinion, needs some improvement aesthetically. The cases come in one solid color. The come in black, red, silver or purple. They all look like great colors. The case has all the appropriate cut outs for ports and camera. Personally, I do not see the same quality in this case than the rugged series. I do not know how well it would hold up in a fall. Furthermore, this case has omitted front protection altogether. I would fear for the glass on my iPhone 5 if I were to keep it in this case. The case is, however, light. It adds almost no weight to the phone. The case is a backing only and because of this, it feels incomplete. While the case is sturdy, your phone will meet concrete some day and this case will not stop the phone from being damaged.

    Function

    This case has 3 criteria for which I am reviewing it on when it comes to the function. How well does it protect? How much battery life is conserved from using it? and How much better will the reception be when using this case? We already know that it blocks radiation but that we can not test that ourselves to be certain. Therefore, those three criteria are fair. First, the case is not a protective case. If you want a protective case, this is not it. This case is more for people who want a thin, light case and are willing to risk damaging their phone for that and that actually turns out to be a lot of people. The second thing they promise this case will do is protect you from radiation. This I can not confirm from you but I will say this. Pong is a trustable company. They have posted their results from an independent lab. Wired, a independent news company posted results from the lab on Pong’s website and I recommend you check it out. I can not test it myself but I believe they are telling the truth about it’s ability to reduce radiation directed at you. In addition, Pong declares that this case will increase cell signal and battery life (when using cellular). This, I can confirm. In a day of a lot of talking, I saw a battery life increase by about an hour or more. This is because of the efficient signal performance in the case. Also, I saw an increase in signal by about 1-2 bars depending on the location, enabling me to use the phone in areas I couldn’t because of too weak of a signal. The case fails to deliver in protecting your phone but it delivers in protecting you from radiation, providing a stronger cellular connection and conserving battery.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Strong material on the case
    -Comfortable grip
    -Ability to protect you from radiation
    -Preserves battery life
    -Improves signal

    Cons

    -Failure to protect the front of the case against anything
    -Not as protective as the Rugged case

    Ways to improve

    I saw that the company added a screen protector in with the iPhone 5 case which is good but it doesn’t provide protection against falling the concrete. I would recommend putting a bumper border on the case so that the phone will not be hit by concrete when it falls out of your hands.

    This case is not the best I have reviewed. It doesn’t protect well. However, it does have a few things that I like including the anti-radiative properties it has and the increase in battery and signal it provides. My recommendation to a customer who has the iPhone 5 would be to try the iPhone 5 Rugged case instead. The little extra money you pay will go a long way. I give this case 3 and a half stars.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

  • Pong iPhone 4/4S Rugged Case Review

    The Pong iPhone 4/4S Rugged Case is an iPhone 4/4S case that is supposed to protect your phone from breaking when dropped and to protect yourself from dangerous cell phone radiation. Perfect for tween girls who have their phones glued to their hands or face!:) It will protect them and the phone. The case is available from Pong for $79.99. Let’s see if this is the anti-radiation case for you.

    Form

    First I would like to say that this case has some great colors. I was sent both the blue and the red cases and I can not choose between the two, they are both great colors! The case is simple enough. It is a one piece case where you just pop in your phone and then your phone is protected. The case is simple looking but that is a good thing. Quite frankly, it’s nice to look at. You have the black edges all around the phone and then the wonderfully colored backing. It feels light, but it does pack a lot in terms of protection. There are, of course, holes for the ports such as a hole for 30 pin dock connector port and speakers, and as well as the camera and the vibrate button as well. The case is only a bit thicker than the phone itself but considering that it is a case that could go against Otterbox in terms of protection that is something to be valued. Heavy duty cases tend to be thick and heavy but this case is an exception. The case is good to hold, it feels firm and it feels as though you have a complete grip over the phone when you hold it. Even when in ButterFingers’ hands, it will not slip out. Despite the fact that it has rubber edges, it does not pull the other contents in your pocket out of your pocket when you pull the phone out of your pocket. The pocket itself won’t come out either. Fortunately, they figured out how to stop that phenomenon. Overall, the case aces in it’s form.

    Function

    There are a few things that this case promises. First, it promises to protect your phone if dropped. That is absolutely true. Your phone will most likely not scratch if it is dropped from a 8-feet ladder to the concrete ground. Therefore, this case may be used by people who drop their phones a lot. The case, of course, will protect the phone from scratches. Mostly. If there is something that scratches the open glass on the front of the phone, it will scratch. It will not be scratched should it fall face down since there is a significant bumper between the phone and the floor when it lands screen down but scratches against the side of an object or an object that comes in direct contact with the glass front will not be protected against. In that case, I would recommend getting a screen protector since, to my surprise, Pong does not supply one. This accidental contact is with almost every case however and should be avoided by the user. I do wish that they included a screen protector but the fact that the screen could get damaged inside the screen opening is always a risk no matter the case. Therefore, it is not a fault of the case. The second thing they promise this case will do is protect you from radiation. This I can not confirm from you but I will say this. Pong is a trustable company. They have posted their results from an independent lab. Wired, a independent news company posted independent results from the lab on Pong’s website and I recommend you check it out. I can not test it myself but I believe they are telling the truth about it’s ability to reduce radiation directed at you. In addition, Pong declares that this case will increase cell signal and battery life (when using cellular). This, I can confirm. In a day of a lot of talking, I saw a battery life increase by about an hour or more. This is because of the efficient signal performance in the case. Also, I saw an increase in signal by about 1-2 bars depending on the location, enabling me to use the phone in areas I couldn’t because of too weak of a signal. There is a nitpick about the case I should address though. It is difficult to reach the ringer/silent switch with one hand. This was something I could do with other cases, but it is no big deal. The case delivers on it’s promises. It is a case I would highly recommend.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Great protection
    -Ability to increase signal reception
    -Reduces power drain on the battery by “doing some of the work for the phone”
    -Great aesthetics
    -If it is true, it blocks harmful radiation from your body (when we had begun making cigarettes, we did not know the effects on the body, well we don’t know the effects of the cell phone on the body so why not be safe than sorry?)

    Cons

    -Screen protector not included
    -Hard to reach ringer switch

    How to improve

    The only thing I can think of is to include a screen protector. If there was a screen protector included, I may not have mentioned its reduced ability to protect the front if it came with a screen protector.

    For $79.99, you are getting one heck of a case. A case that can protect your phone, protect you from radiation, improve your reception and improve your battery life! Who wouldn’t want that?! I can easily give this case 5 stars. This case is a great case that I would recommend to anyone.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

    Images Courtesy: Pong Research

  • Alpatronix iPhone 4/4S Battery Case

    The Alpatronix iPhone 4/4S Battery Case is a case for your iPhone that can provide more hours of battery to your phone. It charges your iPhone while it is in the case as long as the case has been charged. It is available from Alpatronix for $39.99. Let’s see if it is the iPhone case for you.

    Form

    There are a few things to point out about this case. First, it does feel good to hold. It feels as though you are holding the phone when it isn’t in it’s case. The same glass feel on the back on the iPhone is on this case. That does come with a downside though. It has fingerprints all over the back. The case doesn’t add any width on the front as it does not have a part to protect the front. It does, however add depth to the back. It also adds length on the bottom. That and the depth to the back is expected due to the fact that it has a battery in it. It actually has a slim profile for a battery case. The bottom has a button to turn the case on so that it will charge the phone. The case comes in black, pink or blue and all the colors look nice. On the sides are your port access. On the left side is the volume and ringer control access, on the top the lock button and headphone jack and on the bottom is not a 30 pin connector but a micro-USB connector. The holes for the speakers on the bottom seem terribly short but the sound from the speakers is unaffected. One thing I wish that you could get rid of are the blue lights that are always lit up so you can see the battery remaining on the case. While it’s a great idea to have the ability to know how much is remaining, the lights are annoying since they are on whenever the case is on. However, the form of the case is pretty solid.

    Function

    The case does a great job in keeping the phone charged. The phone will last from morning till bedtime no matter how much you use it. That little extra juice keeps the phone charged throughout the day. The case also will protect the back very well from it being dropped. All ports are easily accessible with the exception of the 30-pin port. The speakers are not hindered by the case. The case shows the amount of charge it has left but it does keep the indicator light on which can be a nuisance. The major problem I have is the lack of protection for the front of the case. The case offers zero protection for the glass front of your phone. If you drop your phone on the glass part of the phone, it will break. The case will not protect the glass screen from the evils of the solid concrete or hardwood floor. In addition, another problem I have is the fact that the case has a micro-USB port instead of a 30-pin. If I wanted to plug the iPhone into a dock, I would have to take the iPhone out of the case and plug it in that way. Fortunately, it does come with a Micro-USB cord to plug the phone in the computer should you need to. This will charge and sync the phone with your computer. The Micro-USB port eliminates support for many docks and speakers however unless the said docks and speakers have USB ports. Since not many of them do, people will have a problem with that. In short, it is a bumper case with the backing as an extra power source. This case doesn’t have front protection and it does not work with many docks.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Charging is very effective
    -Case feels good to hold
    -Battery indicator
    -All ports are accessible
    -Protects the back of the phone well

    Cons

    -Does not protect the very vulnerable glass screen
    -Micro-USB port discontinues the use of many docks and speakers
    -The battery indicator light is always on in the front and it can get annoying

    Ways to improve

    The company can improve this case in two ways. First, either make the case easy to open so you can get it in a dock faster or better yet add the 30 pin connector into the case despite the added dimensions it may cause. Second, the company should add protection for the front by adding bumpers along the front edges.

    This case does what it says it will do. It will provide you extra battery time so that you can FaceTime and Siri all you want without worrying that your phone will die within a few hours. In fact, put it on full brightness if you want to as well. The trouble starts where the concrete meets the glass screen. The trouble IS the fact that the glass and the concrete CAN meet. The lack of protection for the front is a terrible idea and while this case is great for extra battery on a whim, I can’t see it replacing my non-charging case just yet. The lack of protection and the docking limits are the line in the sand. Without these flaws, I would definitely be using this case but because of them, I must avoid it. The case, with it’s great battery but not so great protection earn it 3 stars.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

  • Gumdrop Drop Tech Series iPhone 4/4S Case

    The Gumdrop Drop Tech Series iPhone 4/4S case is a case available for your iPhone 4/4S. It is a very rugged case durable enough to handle many falls. It is available from Gumdrop for $44.95. Let’s see if it is the case for you.

    Form

    The case definitely is one of the stronger cases I have seen in terms of material. One of the cases I received was black and the other one was light blue and pink. As I received a guy’s case with one solid color and a women’s case, I can’t evaluate the different colors available. However, from the pictures, I see yellow and blue, orange and blue, white and black, black and red, pink and white, green and black and purple and pink cases, they seem to be good colors. The first color is the primary color, the color the rubber part of the case is and the second color of the combination is the outline inside the case. The case is made of a soft but firm rubber material and is easy to hold in the hand. The case is a bit bulky and adds some weight to the phone but then again, what really protective case doesn’t. The case does end up being white after I take it out of my pocket though as the residue from my pocket, and the pocket itself, come out with the phone. This is a concern for me not only aesthetically but also in how it’s function is too. The case does have port protectors, however despite other cases I reviewed in the past, this case has the port protectors attached to the case, which is a plus for me. The case also has a screen protector. The case is durable, protective and, if you buy a colorful case, colorful but it does raise a few red flags for me such as your whole pocket in your jeans coming out with it and the hundreds of white specks that come out with it also.

    Function

    I felt that if I were to drop this case from my second story, my iPhone would still be in the same great shape it was before the fall. That said, the case is extremely durable. It definitely beats the Otterbox case despite that case being THE case that everyone says is the most protective. I think this one is more so. The screen protector is a plus for me as well as the port protectors. A note about the screen protector; you don’t have to put it on yourself, it’s built into the case. This is great since you don’t have to deal with those annoying bubbles. The camera is not blocked and the case will not cause issues with the camera. The speakers are also not hindered when using this case. All the ports but the silent switch, despite being protected, are easy to access. The silent switch on the side is a bit more difficult to access. There are a few concerns I have with this case though. It is a hindrance taking the phone with this case on out of your pocket. This I think really only applies for men and teenagers of either gender as women tend to put their phones in their purse and not their pocket. Those that put your phone in your pocket you will have some trouble. First off, the black case and a pocket don’t mix. After you pull out the case, white particles cling to your case like glue and it looks tacky. This applies to all cases but especially the black one. In addition, the rubber part of the case will require you to reset it every time you take it out of your pocket. As the case sticks to your pocket, the rubber part will unhinge off of the inner durable plastic part of the case and you will need to reset it. If you have used an Otterbox iPod touch case, you will know what I am talking about. Resetting it is not difficult at all but it definitely is a hindrance on using your phone with the case. Also, you texting teenagers out there listen up, the case does not allow easy access to the letters on the left and right extremes of the keyboard when you put it in portrait, such as q and p. However, these letters are more accessible when you turn it over to landscape mode, which is the preferred texting orientation. However, those that like to text in portrait or those that use their keyboard in portrait, you will have a tough time typing the q and the p. Despite these flaws however, the case still protects very well and I think that they did a good job with the case.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -STRONG case
    -Aesthetically in great shape, the rubber feels good to the hand
    -Port protectors; most ports are easily accessible
    -Camera not blocked
    -Built in screen protector, don’t have to mess with the put on yourself kind

    Cons

    -Rubberized case will take your pocket and it’s other contents with it when you take the phone out of your pocket
    -Texting may be hindered through the difficulty of reaching q and p on the keyboard in portrait viewing mode
    -The silent/vibrate switch is difficult to access
    -A bit heavy and thick

    Ways to improve

    I believe that there are a few ways to improve going forward. First, use a material that will not stick to your pocket. A non-stick cover is something that is needed here without losing any of the ability to protect. Second, lower the depth so people can type on the keyboard without their finger hitting the side of the case. Third, allow easy access to the silent/vibrate switch. Perhaps add a rubberized switch that goes over it and extends down to the actual switch, see a LifeProof iPhone case for more detail. Additionally, find a way to cut down on the thickness. Skinny jeans and this case don’t go well.

    The case is definitely one of the more protective case I have used. However, so was my iPod touch Otterbox case and I took that one off of my iPod touch because of some of the same reasons as the cons listed here. However, this case offers even more protection and durability than that case did. The case does have some (major) kinks to get out, however those that don’t care about the hindrances I described this is a great case. As I do care about these hindrances, I can evaluate this case at a 3 and a half star rating. The case knocks it out of the ball park in terms of protection but strikes out in some key areas.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

    Images Courtesy: Gumdrop

  • Snugg iPhone 4/4S Anti-Radiation Case

    The The Snugg iPhone 4/4S Anti-Radiation Case is exactly as the name implies. It is a case for your iPhone that blocks the radiation from going to your head. There is science to prove that radiation does indeed enter your head after prolonged use of the cell phone due to the rays of cellular radiation being right next to your head for a long period of time. Prolonged use of cell phones and the radiation it brings may be harmful to our head. The FDA says it doesn’t bring health affects that it knows of but the risk when using a cell phone does increase. The anti-radiation part comes at a premium on this case. The case is $49.99 from Snugg. Let’s see if it is for you.

    Form

    I have to admit, when it comes to the form of the case, I was surprised in a good way. The case did seem like it was fairly durable, not sure if it is durable enough to handle a big fall. The material it was made out of was firm to hand, as it should be. The case is only in black but it does look pretty sleek. It didn’t add much weight or width to the phone and it fit comfortably. The case does not stick to your pocket when it is inside the pocket which is a good thing. I have used cases in the past where my whole pocket came out along with my phone, chasing bits of paper that I had stored in my pocket was never fun. The case looks as though it would be cheap and that it would bend but when I tried bending it, it held up pretty well. However, I am not sure if the case would hold up in a fall. The case has all the appropriate cut outs and it doesn’t have the annoying port protectors, which since I found out that some cases ship with those pesky things, I have been on the look out for ever since. They are almost always a negative. Overall, the case does have good build in terms of material and what it should be like aesthetically.

    Function

    This is where things get a little tricky. The case is supposed to protect the iPhone in case it falls so it will prevent the phone from breaking. However, despite the fair build quality, it doesn’t seem as though it would hold up in a big fall. Albeit big falls don’t happen everyday but I would not feel comfortable with my phone in this case if I kept it a high counter over hard floor. It may break. With other case, I wouldn’t do that. However, despite this, it is the first case I have seen that involved a bit of science. The case, according to Snugg, reduces Cell Phone Radiation or SAR by 92% and Hot Spot Radiation or EFI by 90% so it does do well in protecting our heads (testing performed in private labs, chance of false claims). Long term use may reduce the risk for cancer, brain tumors, Alzheimers, Parkinson’s, Fatigue and headaches. Therefore, this case may not be the best in protecting the phone but it does protect your health and that is what is really important.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Radiation protection*
    -Aesthetically pretty well made
    -Protects phone from minor falls (drop from your hand) and scratches

    Cons

    -Won’t protect the phone from bigger falls
    -Pricy

    Ways to improve

    Snugg has always amazed me with their cases and this case definitely was an interesting one. If I were Snugg, I would look into putting more protecting material into the case to protect the phone better. It may sacrifice it’s low width but I think it is a good trade off, the main purpose of a case usually is to protect, right? Also, unless the material they use to make the case is expensive, they need to lay off the price. No iPad case on their site is priced that much.

    The case may not be the best in terms of protecting your phone but it does the job. It does a better job of protecting you than the phone. If it can protect me from the radiation like it says it can and if San Onofre decides to burst, I’ll be sure to use this case. I give the case 3.5 stars for it’s protection of the user but not so much protection for the device.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

    Images Courtesy: Snugg

    *The claims that Snugg have made may or not be true. As I am not a radiologist or a scientist, I can not test to see if it actually does protect you from harmful radiation as it advertises. Many companies have made false claims before and I can not guarantee that Snugg is not one of these companies. I have based this review on Snugg being honest and the tests correct. If evidence proves that they have lied, this review will automatically be reduced to zero stars. If you have any information about the validity of their claims, please contact the Editor-in-Chief or leave a comment.

  • LifeProof iPhone 4/4S Case

    UPDATE: This case saved my phone today. I fell on a platform near water and it fell out of my hand and landed in the water. A friend of mine jumped into the water and got my phone out and it worked just as it did before I took it out, like nothing happened. I give my highest recommendation to this phone case.

     

    The LifeProof iPhone 4/4S case is a waterproof, dirt proof, snow proof, and shockproof iPhone case available from LifeProof. The case comes in eleven great colors and is available from LifeProof directly for $69.99. This may seem expensive but I’ll tell you why it is money well spent especially when you like to be able live your life with your phone in hand whether in water, snow or dirt.

    Form

    The aesthetics of this case are some of the best I have ever seen in an iPhone case.

    The case will transform your iPhone into another color. For example, I received the green case to review (LifeProof was actually so courteous as to ask what color I would prefer). I have people comment “How did you get your iPhone green?” and “That’s a great color”. It is kinda cool for people to ask how you made your iPhone your favorite color and all you did was put a case on it. From what I can tell, the other colors look really cool too. Also, if you want to just see your iPhone with no color, they sell a see-through case too. As I mentioned before there are 11 colors (excluding the see-through) to choose from so you have plenty of choices.

    Another thing I really appreciate about this case is that it has a very thin and light profile adding almost no profile to it. According to LifeProof, it adds just 1.5mm to your phone. If you have the iPhone 4S, it will be about 10 mm, which in comparison to other cases is nothing. It is the thinnest iPhone case I have reviewed.

    The material in which it is made is great. The outside is a big screen protector with the edges and back being a polycarbonate frame that protects the iPhone very well. The case is also non-stick material, therefore it will not stick to your pocket (like my OtterBox case for iPod touch will).

    I am very impressed by the aesthetics of this case. In terms of aesthetics, it is actually the best I have reviewed.

    Function

    The case is called LifeProof and it is done so because life happens. Phones go in water, they get washed, they get dropped, they get dropped in water, they get snowed on, they get dirt on them, they are thrown, they are spilt on and they are scratched. Everything listed here and more is protected by this case. It literally is lifeproof.

    Every port on this case is protected, the dock, the headphone jack, the cameras, the screen, the buttons. Every opening that’s possible on the phone can not be invaded by water. If it is one thing this case aces in, it’s protection and that is what we seek in a case isn’t it?

    The case not only protects your phone but it also doesn’t add much thickness to it like the OtterBox does, for example.

    The screen protector on it does not hinder the performance of the touch screen of the phone and that is important.

    The case also adds a double AR coated glass lens for the camera to improve picture quality.

    The speakers and mic holes are water proof but that doesn’t hinder their ability. In fact, it improves it! The case somehow makes it sound like the music is coming out of the whole case, the acoustics in it are very impressive. It is something I have never seen in a case. It is something quite remarkable.

    There is one thing I have a minor concern about, however. In order to use the headphone jack you need an adapter to plug the headphones in since the case is raised above the headphone jack too much for the headphone to reach it. Of course the workaround for this is simple, just keep it plugged into your headphones. However, if you use multiple accessories that use the headphone jack, you’ll need to hold on to it. This for me isn’t a problem because I use headphones only so it doesn’t affect me much.

    The headphone jack, by the way, has a port protector in it to prevent the water or whatever you may to go in there. I have been notorious for disliking these pesky protectors when I reviewed the SwitchEasy cases. However, this case is fine since the company also sends a holder that clips onto your headphones that holds the protector so when you take out your headphones, it can be found easily and you can put it back on. It also comes with a backup protector. The dock is protected with an attached protector.

    Going along the same topic, it can not go onto a dock without an extension that you need to buy from them. However, this is the case with most cases and I am not at all surprised at that note.

    Despite these few negatives, I feel the positives far outweigh them. This is, by far, the best iPhone case I have reviewed and I honestly think it will be the best one for a long time.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Great aesthetics
    -Great color choices
    -Great protection from water (all cases have been water-tested before leaving the factory)
    -Does everything to protect your phone
    -Improves camera and speaker
    -All ports protected very well

    Cons

    -Headphone adapter can be a nuisance for some
    -Docking problems

    This case has many great qualities about it that far outweigh it’s cons. I have been reviewing cases for a while now and this case has to be one of the best I have reviewed. I use it everyday, and I can imagine that in the not so distant future, it will save my iPhone from accidents related to water. I can do more with my phone now and I don’t have to be afraid that I’ll drop it, get it wet or get it dirty because this case has me covered. It has a few cons but these are easily offset by the protection and looks it provides. I easily give this case five stars. Great job LifeProof on your great case!

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe