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:

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Company: SwitchEasy

Website: www.switcheasy.com

Models: Cara

Price: $50

Compatible: iPad

SwitchEasy Cara for iPad

Virtually every folio-style case released thus far for the iPad is made from fabric or leather, so the interestingly hex-textured, molded plastic Cara ($50) immediately stands out from the pack. Form fit to the iPad with precision-cut holes for ports, speakers, the orientation switch and the Sleep/Wake button, Cara mixes glossy and matte textures to produce a design that looks and feels really unique. The front flap stays closed with a nice plastic side clasp, and SwitchEasy includes port covers, two video stands, and screen film to guarantee the appeal of the total package.

Company: Gadget Freeway

Website: www.Gadgetfreeway.com

Model: iPad Pillow, iPad Shoulder Bag

Price: $29-$69

Compatible: iPad (2010)

Gadget Freeway iPad Pillow + iPad Shoulder Bag

Though each of these new iPad holders from Gadget Freeway may initially cause a little head scratching, they both struck us as worth sharing. First up is the iPad Shoulder Bag ($69), a faux leather carrying case that's a little different from anything we've seen before: there's a front flap that opens up with plastic claps, revealing the iPad's screen inside, plus a rear accessory pocket. What's interesting about the Shoulder Bag is the adjustable shoulder strap, which makes it easy to carry, and the slim, highly protective design. While it may irk some prospective users by covering the Home Button, volume buttons, and either the entire top or entire bottom due to the lack of holes in the case, the tailoring decision could also appeal to users who don't use three of the iPad's sides too much. The other item is the iPad Pillow ($29), a puffy fleece pillow with a zippered iPad compartment on one side, and plenty of stuffing on the other. Using a plastic interior rod, the Pillow lets you rest your iPad firmly in a portrait mode recline, with a somewhat less supported landscape resting position, as well. While it's easy to imagine both of these products receiving tweaks to further improve their appeal, they're both pretty good starting points for the time being.

Company: OtterBox

Website: www.OtterBox.com

Model: Impact

Price: $20

Compatible: iPhone 4

OtterBox Impact Series Case for iPhone 4

As much as we really like and even seriously appreciate the design work that goes into OtterBox's higher-end cases, its cheaper Impact Series Case for iPhone 4 ($20) isn't quite as impressive -- Impact borrows some of Commuter and Defender's design touches while sacrificing protection and really shaving down the price. On a positive note, the case has really grippy sides, Home Button coverage, and covers for the Sleep/Wake and volume buttons, all positives for a case at this price level. On the other hand, the dust-gathering black rubber case continues the family's unfortunate trend of exposing the rear Apple logo, something we continue to really dislike and wish would disappear from all Otter products; here, the glass there and surrounding the camera remains open for scratching. All of the microphone, speaker, camera, and headphone ports are left open, none surprising except by reference to Otter's uber-protective flagship model. The next time we blow out the candles on a cake, our wish will be for no more Apple logo cut-outs... Otter, can you make our wish come true?

Company: Belkin

Website: www.belkin.com

Model: HDMI, DVI + Optical Cables

Price: $20-$30

Compatible: Apple TV

Belkin HDMI, DVI and Digital Optical Audio Cables for Apple TV

Occasional forays into the lucrative iPod and iPhone accessory business aside, Apple typically leaves the task of selling cables to others, and has done so for the Apple TV since its 2007 debut. Though XtremeMac was originally chosen as the Apple Store's primary vendor of HDMI and optical cables for the launch of the first-generation Apple TV, Belkin subsequently became Apple's developer of choice, selling HDMI to HDMI, HDMI to DVI, and Digital Optical Audio cables designed to match the original gray, silver, and white model. Now that the second-generation Apple TV is available, Belkin will be re-issuing the cables in matching black versions but keeping the other specs identical, offering 6- ($20) and 12-foot ($30) versions. The HDMI to HDMI cable will work on both Apple TVs for video and audio, while Optical will do the same for digital audio; the HDMI to DVI cable is somewhat of a question mark for the second-generation Apple TV at the moment. All three use high-quality cabling and chromed out plastic jackets, with copper and gold connectors at the ends.