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: Cygnett

Website: www.Cygnett.com

Model: Platform

Price: $40

Compatible: iPads

Cygnett Platform Universal Tablet Stand

As Cygnett's take on the metal and rubber fixed-position tablet stand design we saw a lot of in 2010, Platform ($40) doesn't bring much new to the table: made from silver aluminum, Platform features two wide L-shaped grips to hold an iPad in place, with a gap in the middle for charging access, and rubber on all the points that might rub against the device. A hole in the back provides cable pass-through access. Because of its shape and size, Platform is not really designed to be portable; it just holds an iPad in a video-friendly landscape or portrait orientation on a desk.

Company: Skech

Website: www.Skechit.com

Model: Trax

Price: $TBD

Compatible: iPhone 4/4S

Skech Trax for iPhone 4/4S

Newly debuted by case maker Skech at this year's Consumer Electronics Show, Trax for iPhone 4/4S ($TBD) is a flip-open style case -- a design that we've noted many times before is far less than ideal. But Trax stands out from the crowd because of the material Skech used: rather than traditional plastics or rubbers, the exterior is composed of recycled bicycle tires, making each case somewhat unique, like Better Energy's Tread cases for iPods. The inside is lined with soft felt to help prevent scratching, and there are credit card slots inside the flap. While it is interesting, don't get too excited about it yet; we haven't been able to actually find a place to buy the case online, and Skech doesn't offer direct sales of any of its products.

Company: GelaSkins

Website: www.GelaSkins.com

Model: HardCase

Price: $35

Compatible: iPhone 4/4S

GelaSkins HardCase for iPhone 4/4S

For years, GelaSkins has made decorative stickers for pretty much every consumer electronics device imaginable, including iPads, iPhones, and iPods. HardCase ($35) represents the first time the company has branched out to something different; rather than a sticker, it's a polycarbonate shell for the iPhone 4 or 4S. While we're not enthusiastic about shells for the easily-damaged glass iPhones, the big selling point here is design. As with all of the company's previous products, users get to choose from the hundreds of graphics available on GelaSkins' web site, or create their own. The shell itself is about as standard as they come, leaving the top and bottom edges of the iPhone fully exposed, and featuring one opening for the silent switch and volume buttons. An iPhone 3G/3GS version of HardCase is also available, and costs $30.

Company: Etymotic Research

Website: www.etymotic.com

Model: Ety-Kids3

Price: $79

Compatible: All iPods, iPhones, iPads

Etymotic Ety-Kids3

While there's little controversy over the damage headphones can cause at certain volume levels, some companies have done more than others to protect listeners' ears -- and Etymotic has previously been amongst the most aggressive in this regard for adult in-ear headphones. Now the company has released Ety-Kids3 ($79), a canalphone for children with a built-in volume limiter that effectively halves the maximum output of any connected device. Based on the company's lower-end earphones, Ety-Kids3 includes a three-button Apple remote and microphone, as well as silicone and foam ear tips designed to fit young ears, and a small zippered carrying case. There's also a shirt clip to keep the headphone cables from moving too much when the user is in motion.

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