iLounge

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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Company: Capdase

Website: www.capdase.com

Model: Karapace

Price: $16

Compatible: iPhone 3G, 3GS

Capdase Karapace Protective Case for iPhone 3G + 3GS

It's no secret that we're not fans of the numerous modestly protective semi-shells that have been released over the past year or so for the iPhone 3G and 3GS, and strictly speaking, Capdase's new Karapace Protective Cases ($16) are no better: they have the same goofy-looking Apple logo cutouts as we've seen in innumerable Korean and Chinese OEM shells, plus two more holes at the bottom for a wriststrap that isn't included, and basically no front bezel protection. But they're cosmetically a little cooler due to some translucent metallic finishes that range from straight silver to blue- and red-tinted, alternating with a red and black version that has clear coat on top of a seemingly random metallic trace pattern. Due to their translucence, the blue and red cases tend to get washed out on a white iPhone 3G or 3GS; they all look equally good on black iPhones, but also attract fingerprints like crazy. Capdase packs them with cheap-looking neoprene sleeves, plastic video clips, screen protectors and Apple logo protectors.

Company: iKit

Website: www.iKit.com

Model: NuFlow

Price: $40

Compatible: iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS

iKit NuFlow Charger Dock + Amp

Billed as an iPhone audio amplifier that requires no power, iKit's NuFlow ($40) is a hollow plastic shell with a speaker grille on the front and a mini USB port in the back. Holes in its iPhone dock enable it to pass any iPhone's sound into its amplification chamber, achieving a volume increase of "up to 10 decibels," while a USB cable and European-only wall charger are included if you want to sync and/or charge the iPhone inside. It's also capable of being turned on its side with the iPhone plugged in to perform in widescreen mode.

Company: Kensington

Website: www.Kensington.com

Model: USB Car Charger

Price: $20

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

Kensington USB Car Charger for iPhone and iPod

Car charging accessories are common but rarely sexy; most companies these days seem to be competing to make last year's chargers smaller rather than adding major new features. Kensington's new USB Car Charger for iPhone and iPod ($20) is a prime example, packaging a black USB-to-Dock Connector cable with a very small charging bulb -- it's only a little taller than the third-generation iPod shuffle. Merely for charging rather than audio-out, it's the smallest car charger we can recall seeing, and reasonably priced.

Company: H2O Audio

Website: www.H2OAudio.com

Model: Surge Sportwrap, Surge Pro

Price: $60-$100

Compatible: All iPods, iPhone*, iPhone 3G/3GS

H2O Audio Surge Sportwrap + Surge Pro Waterproof Headphones

As twin followups to last year's impressive Surge waterproof earphones, H2O Audio's new Surge Sportwrap ($60) and Surge Pro ($100) offer different spins on the earlier theme. Both are packed with numerous rubber and new foam eartips to help the earbuds get a comfortable seal with your ears; Sportwrap has an integrated headband designed to support the original Surge's dynamic driver earbuds on your head for running, surfing, and other applications, while Surge Pro uses new and improved balanced armature audio drivers for what H2O says to be superior sound quality. Both are designed to be used with waterproof cases or armbands, sold separately, and can be submerged to depths of 12 feet without problems.