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:
Company: Speck Products
Website: http://www.speckproducts.com/
Model: GeoMetric
Price: $30
Compatible: iPod touch 4G
Speck GeoMetric for iPod touch 4G
Modestly updated from the iPhone 4 original, GeoMetric ($30) is just a smaller version of the angled, semi-matte/semi-glossy case previously released for the iPhone 4. It has an entirely open face and substantially open bottom, with considerable top, side, and back protection.
Company: Griffin Technology
Website: GriffinTechnology.com
Model: AirCurve Play
Price: $20
Compatible: iPhone 4
Griffin AirCurve Play
We hadn't really expected Griffin to release a sequel to its 2008 iPhone passive sound amplifier AirCurve, but here it is: AirCurve Play ($20) has been redesigned for the iPhone 4, preserving its predecessor's clear hard plastic waveguide design, changing the position of the iPhone from "docked" to "relaxing inside," and adding both a rubber sleeve to protect the iPhone's body, then a flip-out metal stand to keep everything upright. Capable of increasing the volume of the iPhone 4 while providing pass-through microphone and Dock Connector port holes, AirCurve Play is now pitched as ready for everything from FaceTime to audio, videos, speakerphone calls, and alarm clock use. It's still sold for the same low price, and promises 10dB of volume enhancement.
Company: Griffin Technology
Website: GriffinTechnology.com
Model: StudioStand
Price: $50
Compatible: iPad (2010)
Griffin StudioStand for iPad
Good news: Griffin's new StudioStand ($50, aka Studio Stand) is exactly the sort of case we've been hoping for since the iPad was released in April, combining a solid black hard plastic playthrough design with a fold-out rear stand that's ready for action. By action, we mean it's capable of holding the iPad in landscape or portrait mode, then flipping back into the rear shell with only a modest increase in profile. The only bummer: unlike Griffin's Standle, which added both a stand and a handle to the iPad and proved difficult to initially assemble, StudioStand's bezel guard is easy to snap onto the rear shell, but a real challenge to get off if you need to free your iPad for some reason. If you never plan to take your iPad out, it's definitely worth considering anyway -- the plastic is surprisingly resilient and the case feels solid.
Company: Griffin Technology
Website: GriffinTechnology.com
Model: AeroSport for iPod nano
Price: $20
Compatible: iPod nano 6G
Griffin AeroSport for iPod nano 6G
As the latest and simplest in Griffin's line of AeroSport armbands for iPods and iPhones, AeroSport for iPod nano 6G ($20) is a black elastic armband with a hard plastic mount for the sixth-generation iPod nano. Adjustable thanks to Velcro on the rear of the band, AeroSport enables you to clip the nano to a location other than your shirt, with its headphone port and Dock Connector facing left or right rather than up or down; you turn the screen of the nano to your preferred orientation after mounting.
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