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: Uncommon
Website: www.getuncommon.com
Model: Deflector Case
Price: $35
Compatible: iPhone 4
Uncommon Deflector Case for iPhone 4
Using the same impressive photo-inking technology found in its earlier iPhone 3GS Capsule Cases, Uncommon has returned with a new starter model called Deflector Case for the iPhone 4 ($35). Deflector is only a partially protective shell, wrapping around the iPhone 4's sides and back without providing front, top, or bottom coverage, but it provides a large enough canvas for you to upload a 2000x2000-minimum photo or piece of artwork, then wrap it around most of the iPhone 4's glass and metal body with a glossy finished hard plastic frame. Once again, the quality of the inked-in image transfer is very impressive -- the peacock here looks extremely close to the original depth-of-field-aided photo we uploaded to the web site -- and the turnaround time from submission of the image to receipt of the case in a simple, eco-friendly bag is impressively quick. Obvious issues include the limited scope of coverage offered by the shell, and a repeat of the Capsule Case's prior issue: it snaps on so tight that you'll wonder whether you'll be able to take it off without damaging your device. But Deflector looks so nice with customized imagery that you mightn't want to remove it.
IvySkin Quattro-T5 Case for iPad
Extremely expensive by plastic iPad case standards, IvySkin's Quattro-T5 ($70) is a metallic-sheened, soft touch rubber-coated hard plastic shell with a touch-through glass screen protector. The concept behind Quattro-T5 is essentially to offer an almost completely protective solution with the ability to morph into a battery pack-assisted "SmartCase," though IvySkin didn't provide the battery pack for testing. Without the pack on, the case's standard rear shell has side grips and four total rubber feet to keep the device stable on a flat surface, plus speaker, microphone, and headphone port holes that are very closely tailored to the iPad's. Each case comes with rubber button covers that we had some issues with after initial installation, finding that the Sleep/Wake and volume controls were being pushed down due to the way the covers are designed; careful repositioning will be necessary to make sure all the button covers work properly. The colored cases actually include swappable colored rubber feet, plus two sets of button and port covers, including fully detachable Dock Connector covers; the black case most likely mimics the company's Quattro 4 iPhone case by including only black rubber pieces. IvySkin also includes a really nice screen cleaning cloth with its own carrying bag and hook.
IvySkin Quattro 4 for iPhone 4
Reworked from the company's earlier, similarly-named iPhone cases, Quattro 4 for iPhone 4 ($45) remains a metallic-sheened soft touch rubber-finished hard plastic case with a touch-through glass screen protector. This version of Quattro 4 includes rubber Home Button, Sleep/Wake Button, and volume button covers -- in one color if you order black, two colors if not -- plus a screen cleaning cloth. The bottom of the case is substantially open for accessory connection and speakerphone use, with a very small headphone port hole.
Company: GelaSkins
Website: www.GelaSkins.com
Model: GelaSkins for iPhone 4, iPod touch 4G
Price: $15
Compatible: iPhone 4, iPod touch 4G
GelaSkins GelaSkins for iPhone 4 + iPod touch 4G
Over time, the artwork in GelaSkins' collection of sticker options for Apple devices just continues to improve in quality and variety, as evidenced in the latest set of GelaSkins for iPhone 4 and iPod touch 4G ($15 each), which arrived here with updated GelaSkins for the iPad. The drill's the same from generation to generation: GelaSkins wraps high-quality art prints around Apple's devices using 3M adhesive material that's capable of being removed and reused, though the iPhone 4 and iPod touch 4G skins improve upon some of their rivals by offering wrap-around side protection and matching partial face shields -- top, bottom, and screen coverage are missing. As always, Lock Screen graphics to match the artwork are available from the company's web site. Each iPhone 4 or iPod touch 4G GelaSkins package includes one set of front and back stickers and a cardboard drink coaster featuring work from a notable artist, used to keep the sticker from bending during shipment. We're seriously more impressed every year by the art licensed by this company; see the GelaSkins for iPad First Look for more examples, including Marvel Comics art.
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