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Forty bucks for an iPhone case? Scam of the century. Here are seven cases that will keep your new iPhone 4 pristine and cost less than a couple of apps. More »

An Etsy-preneur has created what might be the cutest phone accessory of all time: a hand-stitched felt iPhone case ($38). The all-felt pseudo iPhone exterior even comes with little felt app icons. You can almost hear the squeeees coming through the internets!

The case is purportedly used to protect your touch-screen talky box from scratches and your other pocketware. But who are they kidding? This felt sleeve is an adorable icebreaker that will let people know that you are an adorable person with adorable sensibilities.

The same Etsyan also offers a leather version of the iPhone case ($45.75), but if you’re the kind of person who finds this concept adorable and buys things on sites like Etsy, then there is a good chance that you are friends with vegans. Which is cool. And I’m sure your vegan friends would be cool if they saw your new leather iPhone case, because they’re the kind of vegans who tout their lifestyle choices by quiet example, not by browbeating. They never said a word when you both went to that new restaurant featuring neo-American pub fare and you ordered that veal burger with a fried egg on top and then didn’t finish it. They never bring up the time in college you bought that pair of leather pants and let them sit in your closet because you didn’t feel confident enough to pull off the leather-pants look. But, deep down inside, they are judging both you and your choices as a consumer. So, for the sake of your social life, go with the felt.

Well, it didn’t take long for the Apple Peel 520 to go from pioneering phone-maker to competition. Enter the tPhone, an also derivatively named and similarly positioned device that attaches to an iPod Touch and turns it into a phone. This one packs a 1,200mAh battery, 50 percent larger than the Apple Peel, but offsets that by existing as a “super-duper thick” hard case that clips on to the Touch. It naturally also offers a SIM slot and a dock port, augmented by a handy microUSB port on the side. It’ll set you back ¥700, about $100, so you’re paying a bit of a premium over the $75 Apple Peel. Worth it given the extra bulk and cost? That depends: just how big are your pockets?

tPhone competes with Apple Peel 520, turns your iPod Touch into a chubby phone originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’re sick to death of iPhone and iPod Touch cases that are just the same old silicone shell, then get a gander at Robotector. While this compact bot looks like he wants to smash, in reality he just wants to protect–and be your pal. Sure, he’s not going to fit all the way into your pocket, but pics on the Web site show that he’s meant to fit halfway in with his arms sticking out, as if he were curious where you’re going next.

There’s one shape of Robotector, but in four colors and designs. Designs are printed on the back, as well. The case sells for $24.99, but with tax and shipping is around $33. Note that Robotector currently works with the iPhone 3G/3GS, not the iPhone 4. Also, the site only shows the silver version, while the promotional e-mail showed blue, black, while, green, and red versions, as well. A note in the e-mail says “For all new colors not listed on the website order must be placed by email only,” so drop a note if you want a different color. The case includes screen wallpaper that matches the robot’s look.

Look, we get it — it’d be fairly easy to slice up the surface of a Magic Trackpad if thrown haphazardly into a bag full of apartment keys, ink pens and syringes, but aren’t there more economical ways of protecting your investments than this? Not that we blame WaterField Designs — who happens to make some of the best cases and sleeves in the industry — but the Trackpad Slip and the Trackpad Socket are most certainly tailor made for a slaying on “Really? with Seth and Amy.” For those who can’t find a free padded compartment in their existing briefcase or laptop tote, the Socket is a dead-simple padded pouch, while the Slip is a slim ballistic nylon case with a soft, lightly padded liner and a half dozen trim options. Shipments start today, with pricing set for $12 / $25, respectively. Don’t count on getting any support from fellow tree huggers should you skip over your monthly Sierra Club donation in order to get one, though.

Continue reading WaterField serves up Magic Trackpad cases: because your old sock just won’t cut it

WaterField serves up Magic Trackpad cases: because your old sock just won’t cut it originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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