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: Ivyskin

Website: www.Ivyskin.com

Model: Quattro-T5

Price: $70

Compatible: iPad (2010)

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.

Company: Ivyskin

Website: www.Ivyskin.com

Model: Quattro 4

Price: $45

Compatible: iPhone 4

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.

Company: PropUp LLC

Website: www.Propupstore.com

Model: PropUp

Price: $25

Compatible: iPad (2010)

PropUp LLC PropUp Stand for iPad

In the grand scheme of things, $25 is neither a crazy price for an iPad stand nor even really all that expensive by comparison with other options we've tested -- PropUp LLC's new PropUp ($25) stand for the iPad is actually one of the least expensive holders designed specifically for that price. But it's made entirely from soft black foam with a "fresh from the factory" scent, and sort of dicey in the utility category: left on a flat surface, it's only capable of keeping an iPad upright in landscape orientation, turning the device into a rocker when it's turned vertically, and the developer suggests that its ergonomic value comes from the soft gripping your hand can do with the bulging back side. It's also depicted as a lap holder for the iPad, tilting the device on a different angle when it's placed on one of your legs, and as a portrait-orientation holder if you're willing to keep holding it down on a flat surface. Both of its possible "top" sides have the same headphone port hole and recessed surface for using the Sleep/Wake Button, while everything else on the iPad save for the corners and central back are left exposed; PropUp is designed to be used without an iPad case. Even if we're sort of lukewarm on what's being offered here for $25, our gut feeling is that the supported usage models may appeal to some users -- the chemical smell and inability to stand unassisted in vertical mode are the only really off-putting parts of the product as-is.