Based upon the company’s earlier Aluminum Sliders for iPods and iPhones, Core Cases’ new Aluminum Slider Case for iPod nano 4G ($20) and iPod touch 2G ($25) update the previous foam-padded aluminum shells for the latest models. While the iPod nano case comes in four colors, the iPod touch version is sold only in three, with silver the only version not depicted.
Finally, after many requests, the iPod touch version of Aluminum Slider includes a clear film screen protector—previously absent from the company’s touchscreen cases—plus dotted side grips. What it has gained in protection there, however, it has lost elsewhere; the side buttons are fully exposed, and more of the iPod’s glass face is left uncovered above the screen.
Holes are also left for the rear antenna, Sleep/Wake button, and bottom, permitting the use of virtually any accessory; no Dock Connector cover is included.
The iPod nano version is a little dicey this time. While it has an integrated hard plastic screen protector that we liked, we experienced problems in fully removing the plastic covering it’s shipped in, such that pieces of the plastic stayed stuck in the screens’ corners. This detracted from the otherwise good looks of the case, which leaves a little too much of the nano’s top open, as well as its full bottom and Click Wheel, permitting easy use of the controls and connection of accessories but not doing enough to shield these parts from damage.
Past nano cases came with optional Dock Connector covers; these don’t.
Overall, both of these cases fall into the B+ category: we liked the metal, liked the looks, and liked the prices. We didn’t like the added iPod touch body exposure—an issue with metal that can be fixed with the right lining—and thought that the nano version was solid but a little sloppy in execution.
