2010 iPod + iPhone Buyers' Guide

First Looks

Welcome to our new, continuously-updated First Looks - a collection of previews showing brand new iPod and iPhone accessories that we’re currently in the process of testing. For additional peeks at new accessories, check out our Free iPod + iPhone Book 4 and 2009 iPod + iPhone Buyers' Guide, already available online. Here’s what’s hot right now:

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NRNot Rated

Company: SwitchEasy

Website: www.switcheasy.com

Model: Capsule Rebel M

Price: $28

Compatible: iPhone 3G, 3GS

SwitchEasy CapsuleRebel M

Based heavily upon the prior CapsuleRebel for iPhone 3G, SwitchEasy's new CapsuleRebel M ($28) adds an extra "M" for "Menace," referring to the distinctive animal bone-shaped rear spine of the case, while boosting the price a little for the new design and some new pack-ins. Both the white and black versions of the CapsuleRebel M come with separate white and black Dock Adapters, as well as two Dock Connector covers, and at least one headphone port protector -- our black case came with two, the white case with one. Twin screen protectors, a video stand, and the two-piece plastic case are all also in each package, collectively making these some of the most protective and frill-laden cases we've ever seen for the iPhone 3G + 3GS.

NRNot Rated

Company: Dots Gloves

Website: www.Dotsgloves.com

Model: D105 + D110

Price: $15-$20

Compatible: All iPod touch and iPhone models

Dots Gloves D105 + D110 Gloves for iPhone + iPod touch

Your fingers are the key to using the iPhone and iPod touch, so how can you enjoy these devices in the sort of cold weather that requires hand protection? Less expensive than the original model D120, Dots Gloves' model D105 ($15) and D110 ($20) offer solutions in the form of acrylic yarn gloves with special fingertips that permit three fingers per hand to interact with the big icons on either device. The thinner D105 and thicker D110 are both straightforward, cuffed gloves with no inner lining, but they're comfortable and warm enough for late fall and light winter weather; a little extra pressure is needed to make your fingers capable of selecting icons, but the gloves do otherwise work as expected.

NRNot Rated

Company: Vestalife

Website: www.Vesta-life.com

Model: Firefly

Price: $130

Compatible: iPod 4G/5G, classic, mini, nano, touch, iPhone, iPhone 3G/3GS

Vestalife Firefly Speaker Dock for iPod + iPhone

Only a handful of companies truly understand how to riff on Apple's industrial design, and Vestalife is one of them: as the developer of the original Ladybug, it has just finalized three new speakers that build upon that breakthrough expanding globe shape, each with iPhone compatibility, three color schemes -- black chrome with soft touch silver, black, or red finish -- and individual twists. Ladybug II ($100) is physically larger and more powerful than the original model, but otherwise the same in shape and features, while lowering its price. Firefly ($130) is roughly the same size as Ladybug II, but with softer curved wings that look even cooler when closed, and open more narrowly. Mantis ($180) has a powerful subwoofer, a large base, and massive metal grilles for its wings. All three run off of international wall adapters or four AA batteries, and are packaged with audio cables, five Dock Adapters, and an identical Infrared remote control. Photos don't do full justice to their rounded beauty.

NRNot Rated

Company: Vestalife

Website: www.Vesta-life.com

Model: Mantis

Price: $180

Compatible: iPod 4G/5G, classic, mini, nano, touch, iPhone, iPhone 3G/3GS

Vestalife Mantis Speaker Dock for iPod + iPhone

Only a handful of companies truly understand how to riff on Apple's industrial design, and Vestalife is one of them: as the developer of the original Ladybug, it has just finalized three new speakers that build upon that breakthrough expanding globe shape, each with iPhone compatibility, three color schemes -- black chrome with soft touch silver, black, or red finish -- and individual twists. Ladybug II ($100) is physically larger and more powerful than the original model, but otherwise the same in shape and features, while lowering its price. Firefly ($130) is roughly the same size as Ladybug II, but with softer curved wings that look even cooler when closed, and open more narrowly. Mantis ($180) has a powerful subwoofer, a large base, and massive metal grilles for its wings. All three run off of international wall adapters or four AA batteries, and are packaged with audio cables, five Dock Adapters, and an identical Infrared remote control. Photos don't do full justice to their rounded beauty.

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