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: Hard Candy Cases

Website: www.Hardcandycases.com

Model: Stylus

Price: $35

Compatible: iPads, iPhones, iPod touches

Hard Candy Cases Candy Stylus and Pen

Unlike the vast majority of iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch styluses we've tested, Hard Candy's new Candy Stylus and Pen ($35) actually has a distinctive look and feel -- it's an almost retro, chromed out combination of a rubber-domed touch pen on one side, and an ink pen on the other, both capped for protection. Though more expensive than many of the styluses out there, it's also comparatively stylish, and lacking only for a shirt clip; you'll need to toss it into a pocket or bag.

Company: Hard Candy Cases

Website: www.Hardcandycases.com

Model: Candy Convertible

Price: $45

Compatible: iPad (2010)

Hard Candy Cases Candy Convertible Case for iPad

Nearly identical to brother company Gumdrop Cases' Surf Convertible -- a direct clone of Apple's official iPad Case -- Hard Candy Cases' ($45) Candy Convertible is a flip-style case that converts into video and keyboard typing stand positions by flipping its front lid backwards. Made from "faux nubuck" -- microsuede in your choice of black or red -- the only major differences are the silver Hard Candy logos on the front and back, and the addition of a tiny business card pocket inside the front lid.

Company: Beyzacases

Website: www.Beyzacases.com

Model: iD Slim, SlimLine + Stripe Sleeve

Price: £35-£140

Compatible: iPhone 4, iPad (2010)

Beyza Cases ID Slim + SlimLine for iPhone 4, Stripe Sleeve for iPad

Made in Turkey, Beyza Cases' new series of leather iPhone 4 and iPad cases all fall into the sleeve-style category that we're not particularly fond of, but the quality of their leather made them worthy of sharing anyway. The company's iPhone 4 ID Slim (£42) cases have wave-like ID card pockets on the front and back, while its SlimLine, SlimLine Stitches, and SlimLine Stripes (£35-£37) cases feature one-, two-, or three-tone leather with embossed logos and stitched-on stripes running across their bodies. All of these cases have entirely open tops and largely exposed top corners; some have large Dock Connector, speaker, and microphone holes at the bottom, while others have tiny breather holes for just the speaker and mic. Soft carrying cases and cardboard shipping boxes are included with each iPhone 4 sleeve. Finally, the Stripe Series Sleeve for iPad (£140) is an envelope-style case with a magnetic closure system and contrast-colored stripes that match a soft interior lining. The leather in each case is full-grain cowhide, with a distinctive texture.

Company: Speck Products

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

Model: DustJacket

Price: $TBA

Compatible: iPad

Speck DustJacket for iPad

Based upon its earlier, same-named case for Amazon's Kindle, Speck's new DustJacket for iPad ($TBA) is a red or black leatherette iPad holder and mount. Designed like a folio, it opens to reveal Apple's tablet computer on one side, and a flap on the other, working together to provide tabletop mounting alternatives. Unusually thick by both Speck and iPad standards, the case uses a swinging hard plastic iPad frame that nonetheless leaves much of the device's side metal exposed; the frame helps DustJacket perform like Apple's official iPad Case for keyboard-orientation mounting, while offering superior viewing angle versatility for videos. It's due to show up on Speck's web site and in stores soon; pricing is yet to be announced.