iLounge

Company: Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO)

Website: www.DLO.com

Model: Twister

Price: $25

Compatible: iPod nano

DLO Twister for iPod nano

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By Christina Easton

Contributing Editor
Published: Monday, April 23, 2007
Category: Cases - iPod nano

Pros: A novel flip-closed case that works with both first and second-generation iPod nanos. Unique ‘twist’ design changes the look of the case’s front surface.

Cons: Limited color choice and available attachments. Poorly sewn/glued plastic screen protector.

DLO has had a long history with the iPod, with a wide variety of products including docking stations, boom boxes and cases. Now it has released Twister for iPod nano ($25), which adds a new feature to the increasingly stale flip-style case design. The leather case includes a twisting mechanism that transforms the case’s front flap into either a leather surface or a plaid pattern. The twist is accomplished with nice metal accent bars, which lock into a standard flap-like design when horizontal, allowing your nano’s plaid-covered face to be accessible with a flip of the lid.

Hidden under the front flap, Twister’s play-though iPod holder allows for easy access to the nano’s controls, including the Hold switch, Click Wheel and headphone port, which can accommodate larger plugs. Unfortunately, access to the Dock Connector is only available when the nano is removed from the Twister all together; an easy modification from DLO could have easily corrected this issue.

We were more disappointed to find glue residue and poorly aligned stitching around the sewn-in plastic screen protector, for which we deducted a fit and finish point. Additionally, the plastic screen isn’t the best we’ve seen; it arrived scratched in several places, for which we deducted another point.

It’s a given that Twister deserves a little love in our Special Features category for having come up with the twistable front flap. DLO could have taken the idea further, though: Twister is not available at this time in any other color options or choices, and it does not include any attachments, such as a belt clip or a lanyard. Users will need to determine if these fairly common nano attachments are important to their own personal needs prior to a purchase.

On pure numbers, Twister is a recommendable case, and we think it’s good for what it is. That said, it’s obviously inspired by the overexposed “Burberry Check” design, which has been ‘borrowed’ from the iconic fashion house by numerous companies, and detracts a little from the originality of Twister’s idea. DLO has chosen a fun way of incorporating a classic plaid into the iPod world, but we’d like to see more color, pattern, and material choices benefit from the twist treatment.