The Week in iPhone Cases: I am number four

There seems to be no let up in the tide of iPhone cases—they just keep on coming, dazzling us with cooler and cooler ideas that range from the fashionable, to the practical, to the definitely unusable. That’s great news for your faithful //Macworld// staff, of course, who is more than happy to bring you yet another instalment of our weekly iPhone case roundup!

Gametime Geeks: the company sells a number of cases that feature the officially-licensed logos of NCAA, NBA, MLB, NFL, and NHL teams. These include the Duo Shell for the iPhone 3G and 3GS ($25), and the Hard Case for the iPhone 4 ($30, compatible with all carriers). There is also a Silicon Case for Apple’s most recent handset ($25–$30, compatible with all carriers) and for the fourth-generation iPod touch ($25–$30) for those who prefer a softer feel.

iBattz: the Mojo Removable Battery Case ($80) adds protection and provides extra juice to your iPhone 4 by hooking it up to a 1,500 mAh battery that provides up to six hours of extra talk time, nine hours of video playback, and a whopping thirty hours of audio. better yet, the batteries are removable, and iBattz includes two in each package, doubling its power-extension capabilities at no extra cost (and without adding extra weight to your phone). the case comes in white or black.

ID America: the Cushi ($12) is a sereis of soft foam pads that protect the back of your iPhone 4 while adding a splash of color and a generous amount of attitude to your handset. It comes in a wide range of colour and pattern combinations, each with its own set of six home button covers, a complimentary microfiber cleaning cloth, and a clear adhesive screen protector.

iFrogz: the Bullfrogz ($35, compatible with all carriers) features rugged polycarbonate construction surrounded by a ribbed silicone exterior, providing the perfect combination of robustness and grip for even the clumsiest iPhone 4 users. It comes in black with green accents, orange with black accents, or silver with black accents.

LifeProof: the LifeProof ($70) is one tough case, built to resist water, dirt, snow, and shocks to let you take your iPhone 4 wherever you go, from the beach to the ski slopes. It even comes with a large number of complementary accessories, ranging from swimming headphone adaptors to a bike mount. the case is available in black, white, or pink.

Lootiful: Hey, is that a Gameboy in your pocket? no? then perhaps it’s an iPhone 4 with one of this company’s iPWN! 4 Cases ($18) slyly stuck to its back. Designed to bring a wave of nostalgia back for those of us old enough to remember what Nintendo’s original portable gaming system looked like, the iPWN doesn’t sacrifice protection in the name of looks: its three-layer construction keeps your phone safe from bumps and scratches, and is even designed to keep the screen away from surfaces when you rest the handset face-down.

Otterbox: the company’s Commuter Series case ($35, compatible with all carriers) has been updated with two new color combinations: black and yellow and black and blue. Otterbox’s cases are known for their extremely tough and durable construction, designed for an active lifestyle that requires an extra measure of protection and include a self-adhering clear screen protector.

Speck: the ToughShell ($50) is tough, durable, and versatile. It features three reinforced layers of protection and a detachable holster with a rotating clip that can also be used to prop up your iPhone 4 as a viewing stand. the comes in black, with grey accents—perfect for wearing with a business or elegant dress without being too conspicuous and flashy.

USBFever: a couple of cases from USBFever make their debut this week. the Fall-in-Love ($10) and the Jeans & Money ($10) share the same lightweight, anti-dust construction and fit your iPhone 4 perfectly. they feature printed patterns inspired by love and denim respectively, and feature all the appropriate cutouts to ensure ready access to the handset’s ports and cameras.

Leave a comment

Leave a Reply