MacTribe takes a look at the best Summer picks for all of your iPhone accessories and needs, including cases from CellKeeper, iSkin, Case Logic, Vaja, Core Cases, and iPhone battery solutions from Richard Solo, Xpal and more...
CellKeeper
CellKeeper is the ultimate traveling accessory designed to hold your iPhone, iPod, digital camera, gaming device, and other personal electronics in its outer pouch while storing your money, keys, credit cards, license, and more in its wallet-like compartment. This compact caddie can be worn in a variety of ways with the included strap and plastic clip, over the shoulder, around the waist, or on your belt loop. This hands free approach makes life a lot easier when traveling, walking the dogs, biking, skiing, and any other activity where a bulky purse or bag just wouldn’t work. Us MacTriber’s have been testing out the Black Leather CellKeeper, part of the Professional series. I can attest that the wallet/phone holder has been especially useful in riding a cramped rush-hour subway and biking in the city. My iPhone fit in the phone holder perfectly even with its case on. It was easy to remove the phone too from its snapped enclosure allowing for easy phone answering. The CellKeeper is available in a variety of colors and styles in the Professional, Original, Sport, and Sara Simmons collections. Price: Starting at $29.95
www.cellkeeper.com
Core Cases
Core Cases is a company that offers the first metal cases for every type of iPod and the iPhone 3G on the market. Made from aluminum, these cases offer superior protection within a sleek, sexy, modern design. Although the exterior on these cases is tough, the interior comes fully lined with EVA foam. The iPhone case is offered at $29.95 and comes with a free screen protector. Core Cases will also soon be offering laser imaging on the back of their cases, which is completely scratch and fade resistant.Price: $29.95
www.corecases.com
Speck
Speck is definitely a leader in Mac cases. Since the iPhone is taking us by storm, Speck has been hot to trot on its success by releasing a wide variety of cases for it. One of the most fashion-forward iPhone cases around is Speck’s “Fitted”. Available for $29.95 in a variety of fabrics like “Tan Houndstooth” and “Black and White Plaid”, this two-part snap-together case is super soft to the touch and gives you a better grip on your precious iPhone.Price: $29.95
www.speckproducts.com
iSkin
The revo by iSkin has been hugely popular amongst iPhone users, and it’s now better than ever with the revo2. As a case, it’s very protective in is silicone structure that protects both the body and ports of the iPhone and acts as one big gripper, also compatible with the revoClip. The screen of your iPhone is protected with an adhesive-free screen film and iSkin’s infamous VISOR face shield. For $39.99 you’ll get great protection in a fashionable two-tone design.
Price $39.99
www.iskin.com
zCover
zCover continues to put out cases that feature the most durable silicon around. The iSAglove 3G starts at $24.99 and can endure a lot! Try to pull apart the case and it will remain completely unaffected. These models come with a clear protective display film and a microfiber cleaning cloth and for an additional charge you can get the case with a clip, dockable stand, and/or armband.
Price: Starting at $24.99
www.zcover.com
Vaja
Finding an iPhone case that is stylish enough to match the rest of your trendy lifestyle, but durable enough to outlast wear and tear can be very tricky. Vaja, however, is known for producing durable cases that just may be the sexiest on the market. The best part about these cases is that you can design them yourself. There are hundreds of possible combinations from cases with crystals (ivolution Crystal 2) and cases with top covers (ivolution Top) and a broad range of color choices, options to add personalized text, and additional features like adding a clip on the bag. The turn around time on these Argentinean leather cases is about 20 days, but it is certainly worth the wait.
Price: Starting at $60
www.vajacases.com
Case Logic
Case Logic’s name is a testament to the fact that all of its cases are logically made to keep the integrity of the Apple products they are made to protect. Their new line of iPhone cases is no different, offered in a variety of materials from leather to silicone. The business professional may prefer the iPhone Horizontal Case made with black leather, easily clipping on to your belt. The young hipster might go for the iPhone 3G Silicone Cases, which come with two separate cases, one with a pattern, and one without. An especially unique case that Case Logic offers is the True Sport touch, which is one of the only iPhone compatible workout armbands available.
Price: Starting at $19.99
www.caselogic.com
Richard Solo
RichardSolo has solved one of the only problems that I have with my iPhone. The battery situation. Because there are so many functions on the iPhone, the more you use it, the more the battery gets sucked up, and it can be frustrating at the end of the day when you need to make that call or GPS yourself, and you don’t have any juice left. With RichardSolo’s new external battery 1800, you can always have a backup supply of extra power. The battery also comes with a Laser Pointer and LED Flashlight. It is also packaged with a clip to easily attach your iPhone to the battery. The RichardSolo 1800 can be used with all iPhone and iPod models.
Price: $69.95
www.richardsolo.com
i.Sound
Ever been annoyed when your iPhone is dead and someone’s iTouch is already plugged into the family charger? iSound’s new product, Twin Charger, could be just the fix to this worrisome predicament. With two charging docks, Twin Charger allows users to charge any two iPhone or iPod models (except the shuffle) simultaneously. The charger features a sturdy base, custom LED illumination during charging, and comes with a 110/240v AC adapter and interchangeable brackets to accommodate each iPod model. Only available in black.
Price: $39.99
www.isound.net
xPal
xPal is a name that you can trust when it comes to charging your phone, laptop, gaming devices, and really anything you own that uses battery power. All of their batteries are made from Lithium Polymer Cells with the finest quality components. The XP600 “Oliver” back-up battery will not only charge your iPhone & iPod, but it also charges any other kind of cell phone on the market giving up to 3 additional hours of talk time. The battery will automatically shut off when it has fully charged your device. Most appealing is the price, for being such a compatible charger, it’s hard to beat a price of only $19.99!
Price: $19.99
www.xpalpower.com
Mobigrip
It’s a common problem to drop things, but when you’re holding your iPhone, which contains precious contact info, GPS capability, the weather, Internet, and all of your entertainment needs in applications, it’s the last thing you want to drop. Mobigrip has come up with a solution that works with your natural grip to ensure your iPhone is kept safe from falling. It works once the adhesive on Mobigrip’s underside is stuck onto the back of your iPhone (or any other handheld device). Simply put the micro bungee loop onto your finger and your phone is safe. Available in a variety of colors.
Price: $9.95
www.mobigrips.com
iPhone Apps
Viximo
Want to add a little spark to your digital communication? “True Flirt” made by Viximo allows iPhone users, for $3.99 to flirt with their romantic interests. Both parties must each purchase the app in order for usage, but once having it, the fun begins. There are different categories of flirting such as “romantic” and “playful”. You can choose what type of flirt you want to send and view the flirt before sending it. All of the “flirts” are interactive, so once receiving the flirt message, the receiver must follow the flirting instructions like blowing on or shaking the iPhone. It truly is a testament to how far this Apple craze has come and where it can go from here!
Price: $3.99
http://trueflirt.com
PSYCLOPS
For all of us aspiring DJs, or for those who really want interactivity with their music, then the PSYCLOPS application for the iPhone might be just the thing we all need. PSYCLOPS HeadQuarters is an interactive website that now has a mobile version with their application that allows users to make their own music videos from start to finish by choosing a character (all little alien dudes), making a music track, and designing the dance that your alien will perform in the final product. The coolest part is that you can send your creations to friends and family!
Price: $1.99
http://www.psyclopshq.com/
More iPhone
More News
iPad Costs
iSuppli Corp., which generally waits until it can actually get the new Apple product to estimate its production cost, has decided to forgo hands on examination in the case of the iPad. They have--from just looking at it, it's amazing--decided the base model only costs $219.35 for Apple to produce. According to AppleInsider the base model won't make Apple anywhere near as much profit as the 32 GB model with 3G wireless priced at $729...that one reportedly costs only $287.15 to produce.
That's some profit! No wonder Apple execs have said they'd stay nimble on pricing! With demand for the iPad under scrutiny and this week's news that the "Take Picture" hint was removed from the Address Book app in the iPad simulator even we are starting to wonder if it's not worth waiting for the 2nd generation.
Trust us, it's painful to say.
Google Challenges the Internet
"Think Big" indeed. This time, Google is setting its sights on the very way we transmit information and asking people from around the country to nominate their city or state to be included in an ultra-high speed open internet network of Google's building. Set to include anywhere from 50,000 to 500,000 people, this network will boast 1GB per second fiber optic connections that Google reps are hoping will bolster developer creativity, test new ways to build the infrastructure and challenge internet service providers to band together to create a better internet instead of shunning change to maintain their bottom lines.
This is huge news, and we hope our city is on the receiving end of the new interwebs...here's the official Google Blog if you want to read it all in detail or submit your community.
Dogs on Twitter
From the country that's given us karate and karaoke comes the newest iPhone app: that's right, Japan's Index Corp. has announced the release of "Bowlingual," the dog emotion translator. Latest in a long line of technological advances, this app (to be released this summer) analyzes Fido's bark and puts it into one of six categories, like "needy." Or "happy." Then it adds a caption based on the emotion and allows you to snap a photo of your pooch in its current mood; as if that weren't enough it can modify that photo to enlarge your pet's eyes...oh...so cute.
Seriously, the app is set to sell for $5 and will post your pet's barks to Twitter. Silly? Yes. Fun? Probably!!
Will you let your dog speak his mind? Tell us here.
