Hasta La Gadget!

It seems there’s always a better iPhone case around the corner… While I don’t think I have that many iPhone cases, I do have about 8 and unlike some people boast that their iPhones are naked, and without protection, I like to have my iPhone nicely protected, so that I can sell it when I eventually upgrade. That being said, using a rubber band as simple iPhone grip is definitely a cool idea.

If you like the naked iPhone look, but still want to get a better grip on yours, then check out what Instructables user timwikander came up with. You can basically use any thick rubber band and stretch it out around your iPhone, without sacrificing much in looks. While he reports that he was able to drill in a couple of holes to get access to the ports, I think it’s probably better just to remove it when you need access. That way, the rubber band remains tight and secure, no matter what.

If you can find some transparent, thick rubber bands, it might look really good too.

[via GadgetOse]

Earlier this year we happened upon a group that had a completely wild idea for protective skins for smart devices of all kinds: customizable 3D graphics that literally change the way you feel your day-to-day technology. Now Nexgen Skins is ready to launch for real, bringing on a “spare no cost” mentality for the next generation of gadget users. The folks at Nexgen Skins are now happy to announce that they’re officially ready to take orders and make custom-designed 3D skins for a massive amount of devices: everything from your MacBook to your HTC smartphone and back out to your massive desktop machine.

At the moment, Nexgen Skins is working with mostly Apple products outside of the smartphone world, this including iMac, Thunderbolt displays, and even the Apple TrackPad. They are however bringing on skins for the Barnes & Noble NOOK, Amazon Kindle, Samsung tablets, and the iButton by Daulphinz too! Inside the smartphone universe, all bets are off – they’re even making skins for Palm devices.

These skins are able to provide you with a tactile feel to your devices not available in any other protective solution, and aid in shock absorption with thicker material than most other “skin” protective groups – especially if you get one of the really thick designs. You can customize your order or you can select from one of the many pre-made designs they’ve got ready in the lab. Utterly odd they are: Gothic Heiress, Alligator, La Blue Girl, as well as some really fine looking bits like Carbon Fibre and Hardwood.

Have a peek at our talk with Nexgen from CTIA earlier this year:

You can pick your own skin up right this minute over at Nexgen Skins and/or create your own customized skin with their lovely customizer. If you’ve got a device they don’t have, be sure to let them know as well, and get pumped up about the possibility of putting a giant 3D gopher face on the back of your Android device. It’s going to be fabulous!

Nexgen Skins officially launches with custom 3D coverings for smart devices is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Phone cases are becoming quirkier and quirkier. This isn’t the first time that we’ve seen a pepper spray incorporated into the case (remember this one?). However, I think this different and newer variant called the Spraytect works and looks better.

Instead of a bulky and extended case to hold the pepper spray, it’s incorporated instead in the middle of the case so the design doesn’t depart much from that of your typical phone case.

And in case you’re worried about accidental firings, fret not because there are multiple safety mechanisms to make sure that that doesn’t happen – because there’s nothing worse than a face full of pepper spray when you’re trying to snap a picture.

The Spraytect case is available online for $39.95(USD).

[via BlessThisStuff via InStash]

Smartphone cases are a mixed bag nowadays — some are great, some are good, and some are just pretty awful. On top of the fact that cases are a hotly-debated item in the first place, it’s pretty difficult for case manufacturers to get the attention of smartphone users, and only a few have done it successfully. Loop Attachment has made a pretty unique silicone case called the Mummy, and it’s arrived just in time for Halloween. I ended up trying one out for myself to get a first impression and see how well it worked.

Personally, I don’t use a case on my phone since I’m not a huge fan of them to begin with. However, the Mummy case got my attention pretty quickly, and it’s one of the few cases that I was excited to actually try out. Obviously, right away you’ll notice the back of the case makes it look like the phone is wrapped with mummy wrappings (hence the name). The Apple logo and the “iPhone” are still visible, which is some clever design work to say the least. The mummy wrappings also serve another purpose besides just looking cool. You can stick credit cards, IDs, or cash in between the case and the phone, which also makes it a great makeshift wallet.

As with any silicone case, it can be a little difficult to slide your phone in and out of your pocket due to the rubbery texture, but the Mummy actually felt less rubbery, and it slid into my pocket a lot easier than most cases would. However, just like with any case, the Mummy does add a little bit of thickness to the iPhone, which gets rid of one of the features that makes the iPhone appealing in the first place. It can take time to get used to the size difference, but if you love the thinness of the iPhone, you’re probably not even using a case anyway.

The button “extenders,” so to speak, for the volume and power buttons work surprisingly well; they don’t take any more effort to push than normal, which can’t be said with most other iPhone silicone cases sadly. The opening for the ring/silent switch just above the volume buttons is a bit off, but that’s only because the case is catered towards both the iPhone 4 and 4S, which have slightly different placements when it comes to that small switch — not a huge deal there.

I did find it a bit of a nuisance trying to fit a credit card into the back of the case. Loop didn’t make it easy, since you kind of have to jimmy it in pretty good. There were even times where I was afraid I was going to scratch up the back of my iPhone with my credit card. Cash is even worse, since it’s more flimsy than a card. The trick is just to lift up the flaps and slide it in as best you can.

Overall, if you’re looking to get a minimalist and stylish silicone case for your iPhone, I’d probably tell you to get this one, despite the couple of very minor flaws. The case is well built, looks great, and has a one-of-a-kind unique Halloween theme that also works year-round.

Loop Attachment makes the Mummy case for the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and the new iPhone 5 (pre-order only). The iPhone 5 version will be available early next month for a special introductory price of $20. The iPhone 4/4S version costs $25, or you can get a bundle of three Mummy cases for $60.

In a world inundated with iPhone cases of all shapes and sizes, terrible and mediocre, Moshi comes clean with a fashion-oriented collection that adds to their already-powerful set of protectors for legacy iOS devices. What we’ve got here is the Origo and the iGlaze, the second piece being part of the iGlaze collection we’ve had a look before on both the MacBook Air and the iPad 3. The Origo is a honeycomb silicone case that offers shock absorption like no other.

With the Origo you’ve got a dual-tone case that absorbs shock with a design that’s inspired by none other than Mother Nature. Without adding bulk, the honeycomb design here makes for a protectant that you’ll be able to trust – complete with hybrid injection silicone for the bounce that you’d normally be terrified of. This case includes a backside buffer film for additional protection against scratches as well.

The Origo is made with a specialized coating that Moshi promises will minimize lint and hair buildup while it offers extra grip – that’s rare. This case will run you $25 USD and is available in black and white – fun stuff!

The iGlaze is what Moshi calls “understated protection” in that it accentuates the look of the iPhone 5, shielding it without knocking out the Apple-perfected design of the device. Just like the Origo, all of the buttons and ports on the device are perfectly accessible with functionality unaffected by the case. This case also includes a backside buffer film for added scratch protection and the whole package will run you $30 USD. This case comes in black, white, red, blue, purple, pink, beige and clear/XT – the last one is our favorite!

UPDATE: We’ve now got a few hands-on photos with the iGlaze in Silver – hot stuff!

iPhone 5 Moshi cases rain down like jewels is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.