First Look: Griffin FlexGrip Case for iPad

We’ve been anxious to see Griffin’s iPad version of FlexGrip ($30) in person since it was first announced, and here it is: a silicone rubber skin with distinctive rear ridges that have been designed to make the iPad easier to grip. A Sleep/Wake button protector is built into its top surface, with separate holes for the iPad’s headphone port and microphone, plus a side hole for the volume and screen lock features, and bottom holes for the speaker and Dock Connector. Four colors will be available.

On May 13, 2010, iLounge published The Complete Guide to iPad Cases and Protection, a multi-page comparison of over 70 different iPad cases and film protectors, sorted by genre. The following details were added to this piece by that comparison article; please click on the link above for additional comparative discussion of similar protective options.

Griffin’s supposed to be in the process of fixing FlexGrip, which we received in pre-release form and noted was a little off in fit. Since then, we haven’t seen the updated version, which jumped in price by $5; our expectation based on the version we’ve seen is that the case will be on the very thin side relative to most competitors—a potential issue for the iPad—but will be highly accessory compatible on both the top and bottom, with partial button coverage. The rear grips taper inwards rather than outwards, and help more in portrait than landscape orientation. We’re interested to see if it gets better.