iLounge

First Looks

Welcome to our new, continuously-updated First Looks - a collection of previews showing brand new iPod, iPhone and iPad accessories that we’re currently in the process of testing. Here’s what’s hot right now:

1 2 3 > Last »

Company: Speck Products

Website: http://www.speckproducts.com/

Model: CandyShell Edge

Price: $40

Compatible: iPhone 5

Speck CandyShell Edge for iPhone 5

As similar as some of its core products may look from generation to generation, Speck definitely works to improve its already best-in-class designs. The most recent example is CandyShell Edge for iPhone 5 ($40), the newest member of the CandyShell family. Like the others in the line, it combines layers of rubber and plastic in a thoroughly protective, yet slim, body. The big update this time is to the buttons: now, instead of rubber jutting out of the top and side, plastic button protectors are molded into the case, sitting nearly flush with the rest of the body. They're meant to increase tactility while preventing accidental presses. Additionally, an thin extra line of rubber has been added between the plastic and thick rubber layers, creating a pinstripe effect that allows for three-color customization. It's a little over-complex for our tastes visually, but hopefully future Edge variations will include two-toned options.

Company: Speck Products

Website: http://www.speckproducts.com/

Model: SmartFlex

Price: $30

Compatible: iPhone 5

Speck SmartFlex for iPhone 5

If Speck's SmartFlex for iPhone 5 looks familiar, that's because it's essentially the same thing as PixelSkin HD. The all-rubber case includes volume and Sleep/Wake button coverage, and dedicate holes along the bottom for the Lightning and headphone ports. One big difference is that instead of the "pixels" -- the raised squares on the back -- running in in straight rows and columns, they're positioned diagonally, and tilted slightly to create light-assisted variations in color. Button protectors and the Speck logo each have a separate color from the rest of the case.

Company: Belkin

Website: www.belkin.com

Models: Dyle Mobile TV

Price: $130

Compatible: iPad, iPad 2, iPad (3rd-Gen), iPhone 4/4S

Belkin Dyle Mobile TV for iPad + iPhone (Dock Connector)

Announced in January 2012, Belkin's Dyle Mobile TV ($130) is a TV tuner for the iPhone and iPad, arriving a year and a half later with some pretty serious caveats. Reliant on the all-but-discontinued 30-Pin Dock Connector to connect to Apple's devices -- but compatible with Apple's Lightning to 30-Pin Adapter -- the black plastic Dyle Mobile TV sports a telescoping silver metal antenna to pick up local over-the-air TV broadcasts, as well as a watch battery compartment for power. A carrying case is included to make it easier to tote around when it's not in use. Once you load the Dyle app, you're prompted for a bit of demographic information to help the software figure out the local stations you can tune, providing a clean-looking list of options on the screen. Unfortunately, Dyle's service for whatever reason is location-restricted -- a coverage map showed no service at all in our area -- so the app can't actually display anything here for the time being. We'll revisit the accessory in the event that local support is added, but we were surprised to find it useless here given the lengthy development time.

Company: Jison Case

Website: www.jisoncase.com

Model: Luxury Leather Smart Case for iPad mini, Quilted Leather Cover for iPad, Quilted Leather Cover for iPad mini, Vintage Real Leather Smart Cover for iPad

Price: $84-$200

Compatible: iPad 2, iPad (3rd/4th-Gen) + iPad mini

Jison Case Leather + Leatherette Cases for iPad 2, iPad (3rd/4th-Gen) + iPad mini

We originally passed on reviewing Jison Case's iPad protectors when we first saw them last winter, but a second and somewhat improved shipment has arrived. Luxury Leather Smart Case for iPad mini ($200), Quilted Leather Cover for iPad ($92), Quilted Leather Cover for iPad mini ($84), and Vintage Real Leather Smart Cover for iPad ($97) are all takes on leather or leatherette folio-style cases. They offer different folding lids, and different material textures, but have essentially the same iPad-covering body. The camera, headphone port, microphone, side switch, connector port, and speakers are all exposed, as they should be. Jison Case decided, however, to leave the Sleep/Wake and volume buttons covered with material -- not with properly elevated, padded shields, but just covered over as if they're not there at all. On some, pressing down with unusual force can activate the buttons, but at least one of the cases we tested had an unusable Sleep/Wake Button. This is the same issue that led us to pass on the original cases, but since the company has yet to fully remedy the issue even after receiving our comments, we present its offerings as they are.