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- Product: Protection for the iPod shuffle
- Developer: See individual sections
- Minimum Requirements: iPod shuffle
- Retail Price: See individual sections
- Availability: Out now
- Marware SportGrip
- Lajo eXo2 Shuffle Flip
- XtremeMac Bumpers
- XtremeMac Shieldz
- Speck Products Connect & Protect
- Otter Products OtterBox Waterproof Case
- XtremeMac SportWrap
When Apple first announced the iPod shuffle—the iPod that's the size of a pack of gum—I thought, "There's something I'd lose in a matter of days." For some reason, that tends to be a concern of mine. I don't like those little USB flash drives for the same reason, and I think that's why I still prefer desktop computers over PowerBooks. My G5 iMac is always right where I expect it to be; I never have to wonder where I left it.
With the iPod shuffle, though, my concern was premature. Of course dozens of companies were going to release cases to help you keep track of, protect and show off Apple's runt iPod. Below are my thoughts on some of the more readily available ones.
SportGrip for iPod shuffle - $8.95
I guess I'm going to have to learn up front that the iPod shuffle doesn't get the same degree of protection that the larger iPods do. A good example of this is the Marware SportGrip for iPod shuffle. This is simply a silicone shell that wraps around the Shuffle's top, bottom and edges. You stick the bottom of the iPod into a small grip area, then stretch the other side of the case over the top. Open areas on the front and back allow full access to all controls. A latch on the bottom can then be used to attach to your belt loop, a zipper, a lanyard (sold separately), etc.
The SportGrip comes in no less than 10 colors, so you should have no trouble finding something you like. At only $8.95 each, you can probably pick up a couple to match your purses or whatever those concerned with fashion are concerned about matching. You won't get a lot of protection out of this case, but it will do a reliable job of keeping the iPod shuffle attached to you, and you can dock the Shuffle while it's in it the SportGrip by pulling the USB cap off within the case. The negative of this that the USB cap tends to come off with the case whether or not you want it to. Cases don't come much cheaper or easier to use than this, but they also don't come quite as basic.
eXo2 Shuffle Flip - $12.50
The eXo Shuffle Flip offers more protection than the SportGrip, but misses out in a couple other areas. It comes in fewer colors, first of all, although there is a glow-in-the-dark version, and that's pretty cool. It comes with a lanyard instead of a latch, but the SportGrip at least offered the lanyard option. Considering the Shuffle Flip's design, you're pretty much stuck with just the lanyard.
The Shuffle Flip almost completely encases the iPod Shuffle, including the front controls where a thin membrane of silicone allows for easy control. An area on the back is open for the on/off switch, and the bottom flips back to allow you to insert and remove the Shuffle. I found this to be a bit tight, making removal more difficult than it should be. The flip access part allows you to dock the Shuffle without removing it from the case, and you don't even need to keep the Shuffle's USB cover around because the silicone is molded to contain the Shuffle without it. So, although this case offers somewhat more protection than the SportGrip, it's also more awkward to use and doesn't offer as many options for personalization.
Bumpers for iPod shuffle - $19.95
XtremeMac does the competition one better with their color varieties; they give you five in one pop. You pay a bit more, but you still end up with a better deal, overall. There are fifteen colors from which to choose, split into three packs of five. I also like that they're designed to work with the lanyard Apple includes with the iPod shuffle; the Bumpers wrap up all of that. However, the case is somewhat annoying to put on. The silicone lips over the front and the back never seemed to want to stretch all of the way over, and it's awkward to get Apple's lanyard to snap into place once the Shuffle is in the case.
As with the SportGrip, protection is limited pretty much to just the top, bottom and sides. You can keep the Shuffle in this case while docking, but it's not as simple as it was with the SportGrip and the Flip. Still, considering the variety of colors and the security of the Shuffle once it's in the case, the XtremeMac Bumpers aren't a bad way to go.
Shieldz for iPod shuffle - $19.95
The XtremeMac Shieldz are similar to the Bumpers, although these are made of high-strength plastic instead of silicone. The iPod shuffle snaps right in to the same fit the Bumperz provide (again, using Apple's lanyard), although the hard plastic means you have to completely remove the Shuffle to dock it. The plastic offers better protection (only the controls on the front and the entire back are exposed), but the transparent plastic can suffer the same scratches the iPod itself can.
Getting the case off isn't quite as easy as getting it on, and since you pretty much have to push it out by the controls, you could inadvertently start playing music if you don't have the Shuffle locked off. Be sure you check for that battery light. Also check for additional colors, as again, the Shieldz offer three packs of three colors, for a total of nine possibilities. Of all the cases I'll cover in this review, the Shuffle looks best in these, and it gets better protection than with the silicone cases.
Connect & Protect - $29.95
The iPod shuffle may look best in the XtremeMac Shieldz, but no other case offers as much as Speck Products' Connect & Protect. Along with the silicone case that wraps up all of the Shuffle aside from the power button (again, a thin membrane over the controls allows for easy control access), this package provides four connect caps: a key ring, a belt/pocket clip, a latch and a lanyard. Simply swapping out the cap will switch the way you'll be transporting your Shuffle. Getting the Shuffle in and out is a breeze through the opening on the back. It couldn't be more convenient.
On the other hand, I'm not certain most iPod users would need these options. I tend to always use mine the same way, and wouldn't need to swap out transportation methods. Also, a bit disturbing is that there's little to prevent the Shuffle from breaking free from the connector caps. Although that didn't happen to me during the review period, I also didn't put the case through a heavy stress test. That potential for trouble and lack of color options are the only things, however, preventing the Connect & Protect from getting our highest rating.
OtterBox Waterproof Case of iPod shuffle - $27.50
Every time I review a bunch of iPod cases like this, there's always one that's radically different from the rest. In this case, it's the OtterBox. Yes, it's waterproof up to one meter (3.28 feet), but it's the resulting design that helps it stand out. It's very sturdy, it's a bit heavier, and it offers complete protection. Obviously, when you're protecting your iPod from water, you're also protecting it from dust, dirt, sand, etc. When your Shuffle is in this, nothing is getting to it, and yet you still have access to the play controls and the battery checker. You do, however, have to remove it to shut it off.
Obviously, when combined with waterproof headphones, the OtterBox allows you to use your Shuffle while engaging in any sort of activity that would take you near water. I can't imagine swimming with my iPod on, but it can be done with the OtterBox, as can boating or simply walking in the rain or snow. Even without waterproof headphones, the OtterBox is still tremendously useful in that no other case I've reviewed offers better protection. The only serious drawback is that the included lanyard isn't very useful for the activities mentioned above, and it's pretty much the only option for keeping the Shuffle on your person. An armband is available, but you'll have to pay for that separately.
SportWrap for iPod shuffle - $29.95
And finally, we return to XtremeMac with their SportWrap for iPod shuffle. This is designed to keep the Shuffle and its cords out of your way while you're engaging in heavy activity, and that it does quite well. You slide the Shuffle into the back, close the cover to keep it in place (and keep the back of the iPod from scraping against your arm), stick the headphones in through the hole (there's a hole on the top and bottom, so you can flip the SportWrap over to wear on your other arm), then tuck the excess cording behind the stretchable material on the front (provided there's enough cording there to be held in place). You then attach the SportWrap onto your arm with the Velcro fasteners, and you're all set to go do what you do.
The SportWrap comes in four colors, so you should have trouble finding one to match your team's colors. Honestly, I'm not sure why sporting leagues haven't licensed these things yet. I'd pick up a Seattle Seahawks or Minnesota Wild SportWrap in a second. Regardless, the protection here's plenty good, and you have absolutely no worries about the Shuffle falling out of the case. The armband is comfortable and it's easy to get the Shuffle in and out, so it wouldn't be odd to use it as your main carrying case even when you're engaged in lighter activities (provided you don't think walking around the park with an armband on will make you look nerdy). In fact, the only negative thing I have to say about the SportWrap is that it tends to leave velcro residue on your iPod, but that's hardly worth mentioning.
Of course, there are plenty more cases out there (also be sure take a look at Mophie's Song Sling), but these are a good place to start. Cases are almost as important to the iPod as are the songs, after all. Whether you care more about looks or protection, there's a case out there for you, even if it wasn't covered here. Just keep on looking.
Recap:
- Marware SportGrip - 3 out of 5
- Lajo eXo2 Shuffle Flip - 2 out of 5
- XtremeMac Bumpers - 3 out of 5
- XtremeMac Shieldz - 4 out of 5
- Speck Products Connect & Protect - 4 out of 5
- Otter Products OtterBox Waterproof Case - 5 out of 5
- XtremeMac SportWrap - 5 out of 5
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