MobileSyrup.com » Various Accessories

Cygnett London Underground iPhone case series review

Daniel Bader — Sun, 20 May 2012 23:33:32 +0000

I’m a bit of a London Underground geek. From my first visit to London as a child to my recent trip for Nokia World last October, the Tube has become a bit of a quiet obsession. There is a reason for this: the sprawling, managed chaos; the quiet dignity; the storied history. They all appeal to my inner engineer, the kid who marvelled at arches and gawked at airplane designs.

So it was quite a shock to discover that one of my favourite accessory makers, Australia’s Cygnett, had developed an authorized London Underground line of iPhone accessories. While we’ll be looking at three particular models, the website boasts seven distinct designs, each more wonderfully British than the last.

All the cases are made specifically for the iPhone 4S, but are compatible with the iPhone 4. The distinction is made by the size of the camera hole, allowing more light to diffuse from the embedded flash; iPhone 4 cases often caused the flash to reflect against the case, washing out photos in the process.

We’re looking at the TubeTrain, NightLines and DayLines cases. Each are made of high-grade polycarbonate that are a bit thicker than the typical plastic Cyngett case. I prefer the size and weight trade-off, as all three cases feel as though they’d sufficiently protect the iPhone from breaking, even when dropped on its front.

That is because the front of the case juts out ever-so-slightly past the iPhone’s front, protecting against scratches and, hopefully, straight-on drops. The iPhone 4S has been criticized for breaking easily as its metal frame is surrounded by two pieces of thin Gorilla Glass.

As you can see, Cyngett has etched the “Official Licensed Product of Transport for London” on the inside of each case, a lovely addition. Seeing this, the cases immediately became collectors’ items and I can’t wait to complete the set.

The TubeTrain model has transparent glass sides, allowing you to see the iPhone’s metal frame, while the other two have continuous patterns from the back.

I found that the iPhone fit quite snugly in the frame, and was glad to see that Cygnett kept the side open to both prevent scratching and allow for easier access to the volume buttons.

They’re not for everyone — though I have met a few Underground nerds from all over the world — the Cyngett “London Calling” line is a great example of licensed smartphone accessories. I’d love to see a company do the same for the Toronto Transit Commission, as you can already buy licensed TTC pins, t-shirts, buttons and posters.

Each case is $29.99 and Cygnett offers free shipping to Canada. We’ve previously looked at their line of iPhone and iPad cases at CES, and they’re expanding their Android offerings, too.

Incipio Lexington case for the new iPad review

Daniel Bader — Sun, 06 May 2012 01:20:29 +0000

Considering the new iPad wasn’t a huge departure from its predecessor in either appearance or form factor, it’s exciting to see manufacturers tackle the tablet with the same verve as with the previous two.

The new iPad is slightly thicker and heavier than the iPad 2, and many cases either didn’t fit properly or didn’t activate the popular magnetized sleep/wake function. Let’s take a look at Incipio’s newest entry into the foray.

The Incipio Lexington is a new take on the old folio case. It combines a stylish “vegan leather” exterior — a creative term for faux — with a versatile buckle that not only ensures the lid does not flap open in the breeze, but that the two standing positions are secure. Instead of relying on a convoluted system of multiple folds or fallible clips, the Lexington allows its owner to tuck the buckle into the small slot on the case’s rear and orient the iPad in either a media-watching position or the familiar typing angle.

The iPad fits securely in the hard plastic shell, hewing in the corners with a reassuring snap. Once in the case, however, the iPad is difficult to remove, necessitating a rather heart-wrenching pull from its confines.

Unlike Apple’s Smart Cover, the Lexington only has one fold about a third of the way from the left, allowing you to wake your device with a small lift, or to prop your iPad as you see above. The lack of multiple curves limits the case’s ability to fold into the popular “one-handed triangle” shape that Apple made famous with the iPad 2, but the buckle comes once again in handy when the cover is folded back by keeping the lid from drooping. When folded back and “tucked in,” the Lexington adds barely a centimetre to the iPad’s thickness, and is very comfortable to hold in one hand; the inside of the lid is soft and plush, to protect the screen from scratches.

The Lexington protects the iPad extremely well, especially from the bottom. One advantage of the tablet being so secure within the reinforced plastic is that even if you were to drop it with the screen exposed, there is little chance of the iPad popping out from the impact.

All the ports, from the headphones to the speaker, are accessible and protected without being too recessed. Both the typing and standing positions are slightly adjustable depending on how deep the buckle has been inserted into the latch. The typing angle could stand to be around five degrees lower, but it’s perfectly comfortable in most situations.

The Lexington also happens to be extremely stylish, and fits the look of the white iPad extremely well. It’s tight — not too compact, but doesn’t add a lot of girth to the tablet — and the dual-grey shading is very attractive.

The only real issue I have with the Lexington is that the vegan leather picks up fingerprints — splotchy, uneven stains — rather easily, which take a fair amount of work to remove. Most of the time they can be wiped clean with a wet cloth, but over time I fear the Lexington may lose some of its lustre to the fingerprint gods.

At $39.99, the Incipio Lexington is on the cheaper side of iPad cases, but it comes off as being a far more expensive product. It’s stylish, compact and protects well, and but for the penchant for stains, is a fantastic purchase.

Highly Recommended.

X-Doria Dash Folio Felt case review for iPad 2

Daniel Bader — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 01:24:29 +0000

The iPad 3 may be around the corner, but it doesn’t mean the iPad 2 is going anywhere. Even if the current crop of iPad 2 cases are not compatible with the new design, there is going to be a huge market for second-hand tablets and those tablets will still need cases.

To that end, we’re back without another case review, this time the X-Doria Dash Folio Felt. Along with having all the prerequisites for a great iPad case — magnetized screen locking, several stand angles and a comfortable single-handed holding position — the Folio Felt is well made and looks great.

From the outside, the iPad case really does look like an old-school folio, covered with a nice fuzzy felt and leather trim. The inside is all leather, too, which keeps your iPad safe while looking classy. It’s also very smartly-made, dextrously morphing into six different positions: four custom heights for media-watching using the inlaid leather notches, and two that rely on the traditional Apple “Smart Cover” technique, with the back tensed into a right-angle triangle. This allows for easy typing in one position and an almost 90-degree vertical stand in the other.

The case also creates a nice straight edge on the left hand side for easy one-handed holding. There is a problem with this situation, though, and it mirrors the Smart Cover itself: case is divided into sections quite loosely, and the back cover flaps down when holding it in one hand. This doesn’t prove too much of an issue as the cover doesn’t sag low enough to actually interrupt your holding, but it could pose an issue on the subway where the case will knock into other people holding onto the same pole (it happened to me quite regularly.

The Dash Folio Felt keeps the camera and all ports free from obtrusion, too. Due to its versatility, I’ve found it to be one of the best travel companions for the iPad. Typing is comfortable and there are plenty of positions available for tight spaces like airplanes and coffee shop tables. Its internal magnets shut off the iPad’s screen when closed, too.

X-Doria is a new accessory company to North America, and from their excellent showing at CES we expect great things from them in the future.

Check out the Dash Folio Felt. Highly Recommended.

Stuff We Like: myCharge Portable Power Bank 6000

Daniel Bader — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 16:57:40 +0000

We love to stay connected, but that often comes at the expense of having to recharge our myriad devices, and often. myCharge, from the folks at PowerBag, have entered the portable battery cell market in a big way, and since using the Power Bank 6000 I can’t live without it.

The idea is simple: a 6000mAh lithium polymer battery provides up to four simultaneous charging outlets (iDevice, microUSB, miniUSB and USB), three of which are built into the system. At about an inch and a half thick and over 500g, the cell is not a light addition to your bag, but the sheer convenience of having three and a half full iPhone 4S charges is, frankly, delightful.

For the most part, the PB6000 is self-sustaining: power cords are built in for the iPhone and most modern smartphones, though it would be nice to have included a miniUSB to microUSB adapter for those who don’t have need for the mini anymore. The cell itself charges from a microUSB input, so any phone charger that can supply 1.8A at 5V will do the trick. Output-wise, the PB6000 can do 2.1A at 5V, which is more than enough current for multiple devices. If the circuit is overloaded, the entire operation stops and myCharge has devised a way of communicating from which source is the culprit: there are six white LEDs on the front of the device, and the manual defines which ones are lit depending on which output is too high.

The Power Bank 6000 is one of those gadgets you don’t realize you need until you have one, and then wonder how you ever lived without it. It charges relatively quickly, can reload an entire iPad with room to spare, and provides a fourth outlet for general USB charging (though you must provide your own full-sized USB cable).

It’s main competition is the ZAGGSparq 2.0 which provides the same 6000mAh lithium polymer cell without the built-in charging cables but with a built-in wall charger. It’s also slightly more attractive, but at $99.99 only has two charging ports. I’d recommend the myCharge because of the built-in cabling system and its four charging ports.

myCharge Portable Power Bank 6000 sells for $99.99 and can be ordered directly from their website. It also comes in a smaller 3000mAh version for $79.99 and various iPhone-specific chargers.

Speck CandyShell Grip for iPhone 4S review

Daniel Bader — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 15:59:03 +0000

There are cool accessories that you admire and think, “this would be great for someone else,” and there are ones that finegle their way into your life and don’t let go. The Speck CandyShell Grip is one such case for the iPhone 4S. From the moment I placed this on my device it hasn’t left it.

Through six-foot drops, snow puddles and various other mishaps, the Grip has managed to not only protect my iPhone 4S but enhance its daily usability. I credit that to three things, so let’s take a look at it and see if it’s right for you.

When I first held the case it was clear to me that the Grip is aimed at gamers and “rough housers,” those sporty types that don’t mind kicking around their iPhones a little bit. There are four rubber portions positioned to allow for maximum fealty when holding device in both portrait and landscape mode.

The ring around the CandyShell simulates a bumper by adding a few millimetres of rubber between the face of the iPhone and the ground. This ensures that if the phone happens to fall on its face it will not scrape against the floor as it moves. Even better, because of the rubber perimeter, it is less likely to skid. Thanks friction.

Despite looking like two separate pieces, the Grip is a single amalgam of hard plastic and etched rubber. The combination may not appeal to the design purists in the crowd — it is fairly “busy” and not the least bit professional-friendly, but what it lacks in business flair it makes up for in audacity. Available in five colours — yellow, red, blue, white, and black — my yellow sample has kept its shape despite my best efforts.

Speck has chosen to leave the charging and headphone ports open, while covering the power and volume buttons, which I think is smart. One of my most vocal complaints with the Otterbox Commuter series is its tendency to needlessly cover the iPhone charging port, requiring you to remove a stubborn flap of rubber. I find Speck’s choices to be a happy medium, as the volume buttons protrude just enough to be easy to press.

My only issue with the CandyShell Grip? The diffusion ring around the camera is large enough to attract a significant amount of dust, like mosquitos to an oil lamp. I find myself having to daily clean that area. The case also adds a modicum of width to the iPhone 4S, forcing you to readjust the way you hold it when typing.

The Speck CandyShell Grip is immediately one of my favourite “sport” iPhone 4 and 4S cases, and can be had for $34.95.

Incipio Stowaway Credit Card case review for iPhone 4S

Daniel Bader — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:16:53 +0000

Cards — credit cards, loyalty cards, business cards, gift cards — we all have too many. And at a time when people are trying to carry less, not more, on them, lugging around a fat wallet is the last thing they want.

Enter the credit card phone case. It’s an old idea that has been with us since the early days of the iPhone 3G, but lately manufacturers are remixing the idea into something more practical and focused. The Incipio Stowaway is the first in a series of three cases we’re going to be looking at over the coming weeks, and it’s perhaps the simplest. At its core, the Stowaway is a rugged two-stage iPhone case with a small latched compartment for storing up to three cards, or a single card and some cash.

From the front, the case is not the most attractive I’ve seen, at least in the colour I sampled. There are four varieties — blue/grey (seen here), purple/magenta, orange/grey, and black/black — each consisting of a soft silicone insert and a harder polycarbonate that wraps around the sides and back. Think the Otterbox Commuter without the port covers.

The silicone portion doesn’t conform to the front as nicely as I’d like; certain parts curl up slightly, and don’t line align with the hard shell exactly. There in addition to the rear compartment, you’ll get plenty of protection from the elements here. Only a small percentage of the iPhone’s bezel is exposed once installed, and most of the perimeter is guarded by a protrusion of the hard shell itself.

The case adds some significant girth to the iPhone 4S, and a considerable amount of weight, too. Though if you consider that it could potentially replace a wallet when you go out, it’s actually not bad. The Stowaway’s side profile is a little cartoony; the power and volume buttons resemble lego pieces.

Headphone, power and mute ports are all accessible, and the camera hole is unobscured, though I’d prefer it to be a bit larger for successful flash diffusion.

The Stowaway’s compartment latch is extremely secure, though easy enough to open with two hands. If you’re planning on slipping out your credit card while holding a Starbucks cup you’re out of luck; there doesn’t seem to be any practical way to open the latch one-handed.

I managed to fit three cards with embossed numbers in the compartment, and you shouldn’t have an issue getting eight or nine business cards in there depending on the stock.

When unoccupied, the compartment cover doubles as a pretty nice stand for media consumption. It rests at an angle that is comfortable to watch without needing to adjust too much. The hinge is strong and won’t easily break if you happen to knock the phone over when it’s mounted, too.

Overall the Stowaway is a pretty niche case but extremely valuable for those who are looking to replace, or even augment, a wallet. Three cards — driver’s license, debit card and credit card — should be enough for most people going out on a Saturday night. It may look a bit rotund when viewed from the side, but when you pull out a card from the back, no one is going to doubt the Stowaway’s efficacy.

The Incipio Stowaway Credit Card case is available for $34.99 from their website.

Otterbox Commuter case for Galaxy Nexus review

Daniel Bader — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:38:00 +0000

A lot of people ask me about cases for phones, and I tell them, “if you’re clumsy, get a case. If not, don’t.” But not all cases fit into that utilitarian category. The Galaxy Nexus is a stunning phone, without a doubt, and its back cover is rather slippery, but I have a found a case that actually makes the outfit look better.

The Otterbox Commuter case, a series of which I have reviewed quite a few lately, stakes its claim on being as low-bulk as possible while maintaining a rigid enough polycarbonate exterior to protect against impact. As with all versions of the Commuter, there are three parts to the case: the inner silicone, outer hard shell, and an optional dry-apply screen protector.

Since the Galaxy Nexus is a bit thinner and taller than the iPhone 4S, the Commuter case arguably fits it better. Though it adds 2mm of width to the 8.9mm body the phone, inside the snug case, feels far more comfortable to hold in the hand.

The bottom microUSB and headphone ports are covered in silicone flaps, protecting them from the elements, but they open in the reverse direction to most other Commuter models. The left-side volume rocker and right-side power button are extended slightly past the exoskeleton, and respond with a satisfying reverb. The phone’s backing mimics a wood grain, and opens up for the camera, speaker and microphone.

The silicone insert extends a couple millimetres past the front glass, too, ensuring that if the device is dropped on its face it will still be protected. And, because the phone’s bezel is already so thin the case’s minimal bulk doesn’t impede two-handed typing like I found on some other models.

Otterbox makes a Defender series case for the Galaxy Nexus, too, which adds considerably to the phone’s proportions. I find the Commuter case to be the best compromise, and unless you’re looking for colour or design flourishes, this is likely the Galaxy Nexus case to get.

The Otterbox Commuter for the Galaxy Nexus is available from Otterbox.com ($34.95US) and retailers like Future Shop and Best Buy ($44.99CAD)

Otterbox “Livestrong” Commuter case for iPhone 4S review

Daniel Bader — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:01:27 +0000

When we reviewed the Otterbox Commuter case for the iPhone 4S, we loved most things about it, but in some ways it lacked the aesthetic panache of many of its competitors.

Radio Shack (in the U.S.), Otterbox and LIVESTRONG, part of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, have partnered to release a Special Edition Commuter case for the iPhone 4S, and besides having all the pros of its namesake, it improves upon it in a number of ways.

Firstly, the oft-maligned “vanity hole” that showcases the Apple logo is gone in favour of a smooth and unbroken black backing, replete with a tasteful vertical Livestrong logo. The polycarbonate shell, which goes over a soft and flexible silicone “glove” has a more matte texture, and is less rough than the original.

The camera hole is also a bit smaller and tighter, and overall the case feels less bulky than other Commuter cases. Thankfully, the fundamentals haven’t changed: easily-pressed soft nubs cover the power and volume buttons, and the front edge extends just past the screen to prevent scratches to the glass when dropped. As usual, the kit comes with a dry-apply screen protector and a soft cleaning cloth.

This is easily one of my favourite iPhone cases, and goes to show how Otterbox is listening to its customers and changing up the design of its popular cases for the better.

While the Livestrong edition of the Otterbox Commuter is not for sale in Canada, it can be obtained from the company’s website, and in Radioshack stores across the U.S for $34.95.

Otterbox Commuter case for iPhone 4S review

Daniel Bader — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:49:16 +0000

Otterbox is one of the best examples of a quality case manufacturer, and though they’re an established brand their products are constantly referred to as “great surprises” among newfound fans. The Commuter case series is probably its most popular since it combines excellent manufacturing quality and awesome device protection.

The iPhone 4S model has been slightly remodelled from its predecessor, with a larger camera hole for increased flash diffusion. The white iPhone 4S is especially prone to flash issues with case so this nips that problem in the bud right away.

Otterbox is quite generous with the quality of its products: you can tell they use very strong rubber and scratch-resistant polycarbonate shells. The Commuter series has an inner silicone “keeper” and an outer hard case that fits over the more vulnerable parts of the device. It’s worked for years, and despite adding a bit of bulk to the iPhone we are glad they maintained the design.

With the case installed, all of the ports are covered against dust and debris: there is a rather stubborn flap protecting the charging port, and a more cooperative one on top for the headphone jack. Power and volume buttons receive little rubber nubs that protrude 2-3mm and are very easy to press and delineate between without looking.

The Commuter is very shock absorbant and scratch resistant: we dropped our iPhone from upwards of six feet with no perceived damage to the outer shell. All four corners are protected by the outer plastic layer, and the whole kit comes out just far enough to protect the front of your iPhone from scrapes and scratches.

There is no question that the Commuter is a compromise between size and durability. If you are averse to covering up the inherent beauty of your iPhone 4 or 4S, this may not be the case for you. It’s more utilitarian than designer, but it brings its own dual-toned charm. Other than the black-on-black combination, there are five colourful alternatives to choose from.

The Commuter comes with a dry-apply screen protector, for which we have our reservations, but it’s better than nothing. You can purchase the Otterbox Commuter from Future Shop or Best Buy, or from their website for $34.95US.

Speck CandyShell Flip for iPhone 4S review

Daniel Bader — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:38:59 +0000

There are gimmicks and then there are features, and to be honest I don’t know which category the Speck CandyShell Flip falls into.

Its claim to fame is its easy-to-deploy “flip” stand which doubles as an easy slide-in entry for the iPhone itself. But let’s start from the basics. The Flip is made of a sturdy, bright and glossy plastic that looks more like a toy than it feels. In the hand the iPhone is sturdy and secure, though I far prefer the feeling of the CandyShell Grip.

The “flip” itself consists of a rubber hinge constructed out of what seems like a single piece of plastic, or as close to it as you’ll likely find. While it works well in theory, when the iPhone is installed the bottom portion is never entirely even with the top; there hinge always seems on the verge of coming loose.

This is essentially the compromise: in order to facilitate quick entry and exit, and a flexible stand, Speck had to make some decisions. Make the hinge too tight and you risk losing that multi-placement flexibility.

When leaning on its bottom half, the iPhone is in a perfect position for watching movies and browsing web pages. Except that portrait mode is not ideal for the former activity, and we can’t think of many situations in which you’d want to have the phone stationary for the latter.

More importantly, the Flip is designed to allow the phone to sit in most standard iPhone docks without having to remove the case. This is indeed an important advantage of its competitors, as most dock users will attest to. The inside of the Flip is made with a gentle ribbed silicone that absorbs most moderate shocks, while the outer portion is a firm and precisely-milled plastic.

It also cannot be stressed enough how nice the back of the Flip looks. While I could do without the garish blue bezel (the case is also available in white-and-pink and all-black) the overall design is quite attractive. Not only is the easy entry and exit a huge plus, but it prevents the occasional scratches that come with cases that require you to wedge your phone into one side or another.

All the ports are freely accessible: Speck has wisely chosen not to close off the charging and headphone ports, though there are rubber nubs that take over for the metal power and volume buttons. The bezel extends a couple millimetres over the front glass, preventing surface-level scratches when the phone is dropped on its face. In exchange the case feels somewhat bulky, though not quite to the same extent as the Otterbox Commuter.

The Speck CandyShell Flip is available for $34.95 from the company’s website. It is also fully compatible with the iPhone 4.