Do you want this Game Boy-themed iPhone 4 case? Well, how does it feel to want? Not all that hot from where we’re sitting, that’s for damn sure. Spotted at Incipio’s CES booth, the company put the case together to demo the company’s production capabilities. Sadly, for us, the thing won’t be coming to market at any time in the near future (unless someone in Shenzhen decides to take on the cause, that is). We must say, this is a big improvement over the company’s iPod nano watch bands — and an immense improvement over the guy who shoved an HTC Aria inside his old Game Boy (throwing in a fake iPhone 4 for good measure). Get another look after the break.
The leaks suggested that the Verizon iPhone would have slightly relocated buttons, and it’s true — as you can see in the photo above, the newly revised CDMA antenna notch has pushed the volume and mute controls down a hair from GSM version. That means a lot of cases — Apple’s current bumpers included — won’t fit properly on the Verizon version, although many third-party cases feature an open slot for the buttons that might still work. Either way, we’d bet Apple and third-party manufacturers are scrambling to have compatible cases in stores before the February 10th launch date — just make sure to check yours first if you’re switching from AT&T.
Ever since Apple added Bluetooth keyboard support to iOS, manufacturers have been working to deliver products that add a hard keyboard to the iPhone with at least a little bit of style. We’ve checked out a number of these before — namely the Nuu Minikey and the TK-421 — but we’ve yet to find anything that actually makes it worth the extra bulk (not to mention battery consumption). BoxWave’s Keyboard Buddy is yet another sliding keyboard case built for the iPhone, but is it better than the rest? Read on past the break to find out.
A number of iPhone keyboard cases have popped up lately, from the TK-421 flip-out case (which we reviewed) to the BoxWave Keyboard Buddy. We’ve spent the better part of 24 hours using an engineering sample of Nuu’s MiniKey QWERTY slider for iPhone 4 — expect “a few minor changes to be made” before actual launch — that the company was kind enough to send over. So, how’s it stack up?
Whoa, Nelly! ThinkFlood won’t like this… not one bit. If you’ll recall, the RedEye universal remote dongle was well received, as a simple 3.5mm adapter added IR beaming to Apple’s slate of iDevices. But now, Mashed Pixel has taken the integration one step further, seamlessly embedding an Infrared emitter into a case. Simply pop the Surc around your iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4, download the (free) accompanying app and start programming. Before long, you’ll be dictating your home entertainment setup sans any external accessories, and heck, you may even improve your phone’s reception all the while. The only downside to this approach compared to ThinkFlood’s is that the iPad is obviously not supported, and once you upgrade to the iPhone 5, your trusty IR case becomes a glorified paperweight. If you’re kosher with that, though, you can get your pre-order in now for $69.95, with initial shipments expected to make their way out in Q1 2011.
We’ve been eagerly waiting for iPhone cases with built-in keyboards to hit ever since iOS 4 added Bluetooth keyboard support, but they simply haven’t materialized like we’d hoped — in fact, ThinkGeek’s TK-421 case is the first to hit the market, nearly eight months after iOS 4 was first announced. Now that it’s finally here, we’ve got to ask — is this thing the ultimate iPhone accessory? Does the iPhone actually need a keyboard? Does flipping open automatically make something awesome? Read on to find out.
As the everlasting debate rages on, and brains continue to / not to melt with every passing phone call, Casemate’s taking no chances whatsoever. By collaborating with Pong — a company that makes its ends by “protecting users of cellular telephones from the potentially harmful effects of radiation exposure” — the Bounce was born. For all intents and purposes, it’s a simplistic form-fitting iPhone 4 case (BlackBerry models are en route), available in a foursome of hues and tested to reduce normal cellphone radiation (SAR) by at least 60 percent. Purportedly, the case can redirect your phone’s electromagnetic energy away from your head… right into the brain of some lucky chap sitting next to you on the subway. But hey, at least it serves another purpose: solving that blasted iPhone 4 reception issue. Two birds, one $49.99 dent in your credit card. Propaganda vid is just past the break.
Nuu Mini Key didn’t satisfy your desire for a physical keyboard on your iPhone? Try this TK-421 QWERTY case instead, which sexes up the formula with a swiveling package that hearkens back to the T-Mobile Sidekick. There’s still no extra battery life to be had here, and yes, the keypad connects via Bluetooth, but we’re willing to sacrifice a good bit for a totally awesome hinge and a dedicated number row. Invented, designed and sold by ThinkGeek, gadget stocking stuffer seller extraordinaire, the unit’s priced at a very reasonable $50. Shame it’s not slated to ship till “mid-November” and only then in limited quantities, else we’d snap up two right now. Watch that screen spin right round after the break.
Ever wish your iPhone was less pocket-friendly and more throw-across-the-room-friendly? Then the ArkHippo may just be the case for you. Made of a proprietary material “similar to Crocs shoes,” the case (said to be “coming soon”) promises to let you comfortably rest your iPhone against your shoulder, prop it up to watch a video, or simply toss it around to your heart’s content. Still not sold on it? Head on past the break for a quick video — and don’t worry, we’re pretty sure the final version won’t be made of foam.
Can’t find an official iPhone 4 bumper? Driving yourself mad trying to give your new smartphone white glove treatment? Fret not, as a couple of case makers have outed new iPhone 4 clothing that’s meant to specifically dodge those naughty reception issues that seem to occur whenever your sweaty palm makes contact with that now infamous metal band. Element Case — the same folks responsible for the downright lust-worthy Joule stand for iPad — has just revealed their first iPhone 4 case, the Vapor (shown above). The company claims that its $79.95 enclosure provides an aircraft-grade, CNC’d aluminum frame lined with a shock-absorbent material, the latter of which “addresses iPhone 4 reception issues caused by direct hand to phone cradling.” For now, it’s up for pre-order (shipments are expected to start next week) in black / black and black / pink, with more colors to become available in the future. As for Ivyskin? It’s stepping things up even further by naming its product the “iPhone 4 Reception Case.” No need for subtly, we see. Hailed as the “world’s thinnest polycarbonate shell” for Apple’s latest iDevice, this here sleeve is the one to get if you’re look to minimize added bulk and not cover up any of Cupertino’s design cues. Best of all, this one retails for just $14.99 and ships with both front and back scratch-free body armors. Crazy that it has come to this, you know?
