Welcome to our latest edition of First Looks – a collection of previews showing brand new iPod accessories that we’re currently in the process of testing. For additional peeks at new iPod accessories, check out our Holiday Buyers’ Guide and The Free iPod Book, already available online. Here’s what’s new for this edition:
New Accessories for Fifth-Generation iPod (with video):
Capdase Soft Jacket Diver for iPod 5G – Click Here for Details
This simple silicone rubber case for the fifth-generation iPod comes in two sizes (30GB/60GB) and different colors, each with a clear screen protector, a silver wrist strap, and either black or white detachable belt clips.
iSkin eVo 3 for iPod 5G – Click Here for Details
The newest version of the eVo case design from iSkin uses a textured, single-colored silicone rubber body, a highly unique clear plastic face protector that goes on the outside of the silicone body, and a detachable RevoClip belt clip system for the back. Virtually complete protection is afforded with the design.
iStore iCandy for iPod Video – Click Here for Details
These generic silicone cases for specific-sized 5G iPods include film, lanyards, and rear slots that can be used with your belt.
Kesari Case-Ari for iPod Video (5G) – Click Here for Details
This clone of Vaja’s popular iVod series of leather cases lacks frills, but is made in 30GB and 60GB sizes. In addition to being a little less taut than Vaja’s originals, film is used instead of integrated screen and Click Wheel protectors, cheap belt clips are used instead of thick ones, and the nice interior and exterior touches of Vaja cases are absent, replaced by cheaper fabric and embossing. A lower price is the offsetting factor. And there’s an interesting packaging no-no: Kesari has even cloned the Made For iPod logo on all of its otherwise nice boxes.
Kesari Full-Face Screen Protectors for iPod Video – Click Here for Details
This three-pack of clear film protectors for the iPod with video is a new competitor for products such as Power Support’s Crystal Film, with the advantage of having extras in each package just in case your originals come off.
Noreve Tradition for iPod Video – Click Here for Details
This PDA-style leather case for the fifth-generation iPod uses your choice of four leather colors, and includes a detachable plastic belt clip. You purchase the case in one of two sizes – 30GB or 60GB.
Pacific Rim Technologies Gel Shield for iPod 5G – Click Here for Details
This three-pack of slotted-back silicone cases for the 30GB fifth-generation iPod includes film protectors, a lanyard, separate lanyard headphones, and the thinnest armband we’ve ever seen. The slots can also be used for belt mounting.
Speck Products Cloud FunSkin for iPod 5G – Click Here for Details
Back and better than the iPod nano version of Cloud, this “fun skin” lets you give your 5G iPod substantial coverage that looks (but doesn’t feel) cloud-like. Along with a plastic interior sizer for 30GB iPods, a screen protector and belt clip are included.
Speck Products Grass FunSkin – Click Here for Details
Another “fun skin” from Speck is our much-appreciated black or green Grass case, which provides a unique textured plastic body for the latest 30GB and 60GB iPods. Along with a plastic interior sizer for 30GB iPods, a screen protector and belt clip are included.
Speck Products SkinTight Armband for iPod 5G – Click Here for Details
Talk about evolution – Speck’s new SkinTight Armband makes major strides over the iPod nano version, with a much-improved case design that offers proper iPod bottom protection (flip-open) and substantially better top protection. The armband can be used with or without the case, which is sold in two separate sizes for different iPod thicknesses.
New Accessories for iPod nano:
Capdase Soft Armor Explorer Style for iPod nano – Click Here for Details
This “Explorer Style” case is one of the coolest we’ve seen for the iPod nano to date. Each case – available in a number of colors – comes with two sets of hard screen and Dock Connector covers, one clear and one tinted. Pop the hard cover off and the nano’s Dock Connector is exposed, or leave it on for protection. A cushioned lanyard – a little odd, but okay – is also included. The only real problem is a nano headphone port suited only to Apple’s earbuds.
Capdase Soft Bib Set for iPod nano – Click Here for Details
This two-pack of iPod nano-grabbing shells lets you pick either a lanyard shell or a belt clip shell to use with your nano, assuming that you don’t – ahem – mind exposing your nano’s entire front face.
iStore iCandy for iPod nano – Click Here for Details
These generic silicone cases for iPod nanos include film, lanyards, and rear slots that can be used with your belt. This is the first nano silicone case we’ve received with weird-looking marks on the rubber.
Kesari Case-Ari for iPod nano – Click Here for Details
Like the 5G version of this case, this clone of Vaja’s popular iVod series of leather cases – here made for iPod nano – lacks frills.
In addition to being a little less taut than Vaja’s originals, film is used instead of integrated screen and Click Wheel protectors, cheap belt clips are used instead of thick ones, and the nice interior and exterior touches of Vaja cases are absent, replaced by cheaper fabric and embossing. A lower price is the offsetting factor. And there’s an interesting packaging no-no: Kesari has even cloned the Made For iPod logo on all of its otherwise nice boxes.
Kesari Full-Face Screen Protectors for iPod nano – Click Here for Details
This three-pack of clear film protectors for the iPod nano is a new competitor for products such as Power Support’s Crystal Film, with the advantage of having extras in each package just in case your originals come off.
Pacific Rim Technologies Gel Shield for iPod nano – Click Here for Details
This three-pack of slotted-back silicone cases for the iPod nano includes film protectors, a lanyard, separate lanyard headphones, and the thinnest armband we’ve ever seen – a bit narrower than the one that comes with Pac Rim’s 5G version of Gel Shield. The slots can also be used for belt mounting.
SwitchEasy Capsule for iPod nano – Click Here for Details
This two-piece case does a few really smart things, and a couple of not as smart things. The front and rear shells are a mix of transparent and opaque plastics in your choice of colors, and a matching lanyard is included, as is a cool colored Click Wheel protector. But insertion of your nano into the shell can be dangerous if not done properly – you can actually pry off the nano’s Hold switch – and the lanyard’s a bit hard to attach. A good design, if you’re careful.
Winzz iFace nano – Click Here for Details
This series of cases has a novel twist: interchangeable fabric “faces” that attach and detach from the iPod nano pouch with Velcro. You buy a core version of the case, then your choice of faces to attach.
New Accessories for Current Model iPods – Multi-iPod
Capdase USB Power Adapter for iPod Series – Click Here for Details
This alternative to Apple’s USB Power Adapter includes a full set of internationally compatible wall plugs, enabling you to use your iPod overseas by attaching a standard USB-to-iPod cable (not included). The name is highly similar to an earlier, different-looking product by Capdase, but can be identified by part number AD-250-BS.
DLO AutoPod for iPod with Dock Connector – Click Here for Details
This simple car charger includes a three-color light to indicate charging status, a Velcro pad set to attach the iPod cable to the charger bulb when not in use, and your choice of either white or black body colors.
