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Review: iPod CasesReviewed By: Kirk Hiner Review Date: April 28, 2003
While walking through some mall the other day, I think it may have actually been one down near Columbus, Ohio, I saw a store that gave me the shivers. No, not Gateway Country, and not The Gap. Not this time, at least. I can't actually remember the name of the store, I only remember the products; cell phone accessories. That's it. Not cell phones, mind you, just accessories. Just little things you can attach to your cell phone to personalize it, I guess. After all, how do teen girls of the 21st Century develop an identity and relate to others if not through their cell phones? I focus on teen girls not to be sexist, but because the accessories being sold were all butterflies and unicorns and glitter. The word "accessories" doesn't quite so much move product for teen boys, I guess. Now, I don't own a cell phone. God forbid I should ever be forced into it, I'll leave it off all the time, and only put batteries in it when I'm not using them for something more important and useful such as the DVD remote or Mattel Electronics Football II. I do, however, own an iPod, and there are certainly countless accessories available for that, as well. They tend to be a little more functional and less colorful than those at the cell phone store thing, but they're accessories nonetheless. We've covered some of these before, all of which can be found in our hardware reviews section. Here, I'm going to focus on just one add-on for the iPod; cases. Cases aren't as necessary these days as they were when the iPod was first released, as Apple now includes a case with your iPod. However, this is somewhat like getting a mouse with your computer. The Apple Mouse is adequate, but you can do better at a fairly low price. Here's how: iGlo The iGlo is an iSkin that glows. Get it? I reviewed the iSkin as part of my look at iPod travel accessories, and I liked it quite a bit. The silicon case looks sharp, is comfortable to hold, and prevents sliding. Unlike every other case listed here, it also doesn't get dented scratched up (although it can tear if you really wanted it to). It comes in an outrageous number of colors, and it's one of the cheapest of the bunch at only $19.99. The iGlo costs a bit more at $24.95. What do you get for the extra five bucks? The ability to find your iPod at night. That's about it. Well, I suppose you could wave it around quickly to amuse and amaze your friends next time you're camping out, but you'll have to remember to charge the glow with your flashlight for a while.  Oh, you do get one thing more...an odor most fowl. The iGlo gives off a stench so powerful that the health department may decide to quarantine to your house. Joe here at Applelinks assures me the smell disippates after a few washings, but I didn't want to get close enough to it suffer through a few washings. The iGlo is still an attractive case. It's kind of cool in the same way that the back of Spencer Gifts is cool. However, it's not the most functional; no protection for the iPod screen and no belt clip. If your iPod spends more time on the go than sitting on a desk somewhere, the iGlo is probably not the best choice. Even if your iPod's not likely to get banged around much, I'd still recommend the regular iSkin (still one of my favorites). It looks and feels just as nice, it costs less, and its stench won't clear out the subway car. On second, thought, maybe the iGlo does have its advantages... iSee
Also included is a belt clip and a small, plastic carrying case that can be attached to the bottom for iPod earphone storage. Pretty handy, if you even know where your iPod headphones are. I never used mine...I hate those little things more than I hated the hockey puck mouse, but it was smart of Contour to keep them in mind when designing their case. The only real drawback to the iSee is that it's easily scratched up. Despite the rubber feet on the bottom of the case to keep it from sliding around, it was only about a week or two before my iSee was looking pretty shabby. But hey, that's better than having a shabby looking iPod, and the plastic of the iSee has proven stronger than I would've thought. At $28.95, it may be the best value here. FlipStand
The FlipStand is made from fairly rugged plastic. It has a clear window that protects the iPod screen. It has a detachable belt clip. But, it's main selling point is that the scroll wheel cover flips back to create a stand in much the same way that some picture frames have that piece in the back that opens to brace up the frame. The FlipStand is like a Transformer...the Optimus Prime of iPod cases. The iPod itself is inserted through a top hatch which then locks into place to secure the iPod. The fit is snug for the new 20GB iPod, but the others require the insertion of one of two provided adhesive pads to hold them in place. Getting these pads into the proper place requires almost surgical precision, as they tend to stick to the walls of FlipStand before you want them to, and then have to be yanked off and reinserted. The more I did this, the more wrinkled the pad became until it was almost impossible to get it in properly. You either have to get it right the first time or just don't expose the adhesive backing. That might be the best idea, as the FlipStand will then be ready to go should you upgrade to the 20GB model. One other minor annoyance is that the FlipStand does not provide easy access to the FireWire port or the iPod's locking switch. If you need to get to these, you'll have to flip open the top latch which also requires removing the headphones. Still, although it costs a bit more than some of the other cases, it could ultimately save some cash since you won't have to buy the extra stand. iPod Armor
The top of the iPod Armor allows easy access to the lock, headphone jack and FireWire port even when it's closed. It doesn't, however, allow access to the scroll wheel or the screen, but that's the whole point. When the iPod Armor is shut, it's shut. It provides solid protection for travelling or more rigorous activities...you know, in case you're the type to listen to your iPod while playing rugby, kick boxing or running into brick walls until you lose consciousness. The aluminum can (and will) get scuffed up, but most of these markings can be washed or buffed off. The negatives? The case flips open at the bottom, making it somewhat awkward to access the scroll wheel. Also, there's no padding on the pack of the iPod Armor, so it tends to slide around on desks (the PodHolder is your solution to this problem). Also, the optional belt clip is an additional $5.00 above an already comparatively high price. Just please, for the love of all that's holy, don't be putting little rainbow and flower stickers on your iPod. We don't need them looking like those iMacs of lore.
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Cool Mac Gear• iPod 1G-2G • iPod 3G • iPod 4G • iPod Mini • PowerBook-iBook • Keyboard Skins • Garageband
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If you're really into showing off the iPod, however, you'll want the iSee. This little guy is made of clear plastic that allows the iPod's true colors (or lack thereof) to shine. The iPod slips comfortably into the case, and the lid--which does cover the iPod screen--is then slid down overtop of it. Simple. The 20GB iPods fit in just fine, while the 5 and 10GB models do require the non-visible rubber inserts included with the iSee.
Although the name sounds to me like some kind of trick I might like to teach my dog, the FlipStand does, in fact, do just that. It flips open to stand on its own. That's certainly a unique feature amongst iPod cases, but it's up to you as to whether such a feature is needed.
Now, if ever an iPod case did cry out for a stand, it'd be the iPod Armor. This device provides some serious iPod protection. It's the chastity belt of iPod cases. When it's closed up, your entire iPod is encased in an aluminum shell completely lined with a thin layer of foam. The case latches up tightly when it's closed, and can be somewhat difficult to open. It's also somewhat difficult to get the iPod out of the iPod Armor, but all annoyances stop there.