First Look: Marware FlexiShell Dash / Dot, MicroShell + SportGrip Gamer

Four new iPod touch 4G cases from Marware include several of the more innovative designs we’ve seen from the company in recent years. FlexiShell Dash ($25) and FlexiShell Dot ($25) are both soft clear plastic cases that include built-in button and wrap-around bezel protection, differing in their rear designs. Dot includes a large collection of small rubber dots that can be used to transform the back of the case into your choice of nearly limitless patterns and designs, while Dash instead uses LCD clock-like angled dashes; both require you to pull the little pieces off of rubber sheets and install them inside the FlexiShell before inserting the iPod. The dot and dash pieces have all been cut properly from the rubber sheets they come on, but their backing material comes off with them too, making installation a little difficult — similarly, the little pieces can come out of the case when you’re removing the iPod touch. Another case, SportGrip Gamer ($25), is made from rubber with novel front finger grips for holding the iPod touch during gaming, and pull-open rear grips that can hold earphones or your fingers for stablization. Last is MicroShell ($20), a very typical hard plastic shell that offers only limited coverage for the device, distinguished from some rivals by 0.7mm thickness and soft touch metallic rubber finish. The top and bottom of MicroShell are totally open, as are the side buttons. None of these cases includes the screen film and cleaning cloths previously included with Marware products.