iLounge

Company: More Thing

Website: www.More-thing.com

Model: Swirling, Diamond 2, Handwoven

Price: $17-23

Compatible: iPhone 3G, iPod nano 4G

More Thing Swirling, Handwoven + Diamond Cases for iPhone 3G + iPod nano 4G

By Jeremy Horwitz

Editor-in-Chief, iLounge
Published: Friday, January 2, 2009
Category: Cases - iPhone 3G / 3GS, Cases - iPod nano

Using the same hydrocarbon design we've seen in a number of other OEM cases, More Thing's Swirling Case for iPod nano 4G ($17) combines a soft rear shell and a hard clear plastic screen and face protector. By comparison, the Handwoven Case for iPhone 3G ($23) and Diamond 2 Case for iPhone 3G ($23) are basically identical to previously released designs, possessing diamond-shaped rear internal indentations that create interesting effects when your iPhone's inside, but lacking screen protection and selling at a higher price than DLO's similar offering. More colors are available: four colors of Handwoven, five of Diamond 2.

There’s little more to say about the Handwoven and Diamond 2 Cases for the iPhone 3G than that they’re less expensive versions of the Illusion Class 2 case released by BTA Workshop in August, 2008, with the same positives—unique designs—and negative, namely the lack of screen protection. Only the slightest difference, a changed contour on the bottom opening, separates the BTA and More Thing versions. Our rating differs solely for the reason that the $6 lower price makes this company’s offering more attractive.

The Swirling version for the iPod nano 4G attempts to apply the same sort of styling to the smallest video iPod, with similarly nice—if not as innovative—looks and incomplete protection. There’s nothing on the Click Wheel, bottom, or Hold switch, but the rest of the nano has clear hard or soft plastic coverage.

Due as much to pricing as anything else, both of these cases are worthy of our strong general recommendation. While there are nice alternatives in cases such as Griffin’s iClear, iSkin’s Solo, and DLO’s SoftShell series, the Handwoven, Diamond, and Swirling cases offer good design and value for the dollar.