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Although the iPod is definitely a perfect example of eye-candy design, it is possible to get bored with it. It’s natural. And when that happens, you need to make it look different: get a skin. Of course, you don’t have to wait until you get bored: skins also comes with extra protection, which is never a bad idea. And as far as this goes, the iSkin Vibes for iPod Nano 4G have both the looks and features parts covered.
They come in 7 patterns with funky (and silly, to be honest) names like Croc, Enchanted, Ivy, Orbitz, Tao, Argyle or Camouflage. They’re transparent and patterned using a special method, and you can even virtually try them on your exact mp3 player color to see how it will look.
But appearances aren’t everything: the iSkins not only cover the body of the iPod, but they protect the click wheel and even the docking port (do you really want to know how much dust and crumbs can fit inside it?).
Perhaps a tad pricey at $24.99, but with so many features they’re worth it.
From the land of cases comes another unusual one. Apple products get the attention yet again: your 80GB/120GB iPod Classic can be housed from now on in a Proporta Playback Pack.
Retro is the new cool, so this emulates an old-school cassete tape case. Don’t tell me that you don’t miss the noise those favorite tapes made when you took them out! However, although the case might bring nostalgia, it does look a bit clunky for my taste, honestly.
The good part is that the design allows it to be used as a stand for the mp3 player too. And, best of all, the pack comes with goodies: a Proporta Stereo Y Splitter Cable and a pair of headphones.
Everyone knows how useful emergency chargers are. No one will die without one, but they’re just convenient to have.
But a $6 charger? Not very trustworthy compared to what the official ones from Apple cost. The aptly named Emergency Battery Charger for iPod Nano/Video/Touch/iPhone uses 2 AA batteries and weighs 2 ounces… and that’s about all the info there is.
I wouldn’t put my trust in something that promises so much for so little, but I suppose it’s worth a shot. The loss won’t be big, at least.
The invisibleSHIELD has been around for quite a while now, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t adapt. Since Mr. Jobs announced the changes in Apple products’ design, the range of shields has grown.
The latest addition is the invisibleSHIELD for the iPod Nano 4th Gen. The technology originated in the military, where it was used to protect high-speed helicopter blades from dust, dirt and debris, so a pair of keys will be no match for it.
Depending on how much you want to protect your iPod, you can go for partial (screen-only) or full body coverage. Either way, the cover won’t impede normal usage of the device.
A video demonstration below, to asses the shield for yourselves. (I say it’s pretty damn cool.)
How much under $29.99?
A little: $24.95 on Zagg.com (full body version).
I think religion is one of the last things people would associate with an iPod… unless they use it to listen to sermons. But since some fanboys seem to worship Apple, perhaps an accessory like the iPod Hymn Book Cover has an audience.
Unlike most cases, it needs to be opened to operate the player, which makes it uncomfortable to use. And the “hymn book” association is probably too much even for the most devout fan… but it could come in very handy for bored teens who are forced to go to church. “No, mum, it’s just the hymn book!”
The next step: figuring out how to hide the headphones. Maybe make them look like a rosary?
Back in the day, when I didn’t live my life in front of the computer, I used to do athletics. But when the only available choices were walkmans or maybe portable CD players… running while listening to music wasn’t a possibility.
Now it’s much better, mp3 players don’t skip if they bounce around. The only remaining issue is figuring out the best way to carry them (especially since sports gear sometimes lacks pockets). There’s the armbands and clip cases, but the iStik Case for iPod offers something different: it uses magnets to attach to clothing. It’s very simple. The set has 2 pieces: the case with a magnetic back and a piece of plastic with 4 magnets. By inserting the piece with the magnets under a shirt and placing the case against it, the iPod stays stuck to the clothing. And if it sounds too good to be true… this review on Gear Diary, done by a runner, will prove it’s not.
Ah, technology, why weren’t you there when I needed you…
We all know Apple products are eye-candy, whether we actually buy them or not. And it’s just natural that owners want to protect them (even I, phone case hater #1, would consider one if I got an iPhone). Choosing the manner of protection (har har) is a matter of taste.
If looks are more important, I would suggest the iTabi. This case fits the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPod classic, and focuses on style. The strap comes in two sizes, small and shoulder length, while the case itself has a front pocket that can carry stuff like money or the headphones, so in theory it could double as a very small bag (if you just run to the store to get a beer, you won’t need to carry everything with you).
The downside: it won’t fit in your pocket so easily, but the iTabi is about style, not convenience.
As far as phone accesories go, cases make number 1 on my “most hated” list. I liked to feel the phone keys, not some plastic surface, and I don’t want to extract it every time I want to tinker with the battery or my extra SIM.
A phone case I would consider using is a rare thing indeed. If I had a first generation iPhone or an iPod Touch, the iPhone Battery Case would be on my shopping list. I don’t think there’s anyone who hasn’t run of out battery at the worst moment; this case comes with a simple solution. Basically, it’s an extra external battery, which can be recharged just like an iPhone (using its cable, too). When the device runs out of juice, the baterry will recharge it, and you can even use the phone during the process, no need to wait. The rest of the time, the battery just sits on the bottom of the case (extra points for it being so small).
Too bad it doesn’t work for the iPhone 3G, but a new version is probably in the works.
I was about to deplore the way people can just put a famous movie/TV show/actress on a product and hordes of braindead fans rush to get it… until I realized the amount of Monty Python products I drool over and I decided to shut up.
The again, the Monty merchandise I like has someting special. But the movie connection is the only thing that’s interesting about the Sex and the City GraytLittleSpeaker Portable iPod Speaker. It’s pink, branded by HBO and features “SATC graphics” - i.e. high heels and a martini glass. Other than that it’s just a plain speaker, no exciting design, no super audio features.
For fans only. All Carrie wannabes should have one (as long as you can’t afford her lifestyle, a speaker will have to do).
Gregory is an iPhone eating frog. Fortunately, he won’t swallow your prized cell phone: he will just keep it safe, along with the headphones.
The Gregory iPhone cozy is as cute as it gets and is handmade from wool felt with a plushy microfiber lining. It also fits iPods, so don’t fret if you like it but haven’t given in to the iPhone craze yet.
I don’t like covering my phones or mp3 players up, so it would take something special to make me get a case… Gregory just might be it.
