The HTC One resembles the iPhone in many ways: it is crafted from a single piece of aluminum; it has a non-removable cell; and, at least for now, it stands alone at the top of the pyramid as the company’s flagship device. Its high-profile release across multiple carriers has ensured that accessory manufacturers like Mophie worked quickly to create versions of their own most popular add-ons.

Mophie’s juice pack for the HTC One is similar to the recently-released iPhone 5 version, but it’s much, much bigger. Not only does the battery itself have a much higher capacity, at 2500mAh, but the sheer size difference between the One and iPhone 5 necessitates a larger structure around the phone.

Not only does the juice pack add weight, size and thickness to the HTC One, but it protects the phone a considerable amount, from scrapes to falls to knocks.

Like most mophie accessories, the juice pack for HTC One comes in two pieces, a larger bottom piece and a smaller top one that snaps into place once the phone is secured and plugged in. Due to the non-centred microUSB port, the juice pack looks like it has a snaggletooth, but is otherwise unremarkable in its design.

On the back, you’ll find four LEDs that glow white when the charge button is pressed. Next to it is a small on/off switch that begins charging the phone.

The juice pack will charge the phone regardless of battery level; if the phone reaches 100%, the add-on will maintain it there until it is depleted. When charging the juice pack itself, which is done via an included microUSB cable at the bottom, the phone and charger are topped up simultaneously, albeit at a slower pace than either one on its own.

The 2500mAh battery should be able to get your HTC One back to 100% from around 20% or so; though the included capacity is actually larger than the One’s internal battery, it isn’t quite efficient enough to hit 100% from fully depleted.

As a case, the juice pack is a little too big to use as a standard protector — I’d recommend one of HTC’s official cases, or Spigen’s excellent Ultra Thin Air – unless you don’t mind the added bulk. It’s not really the extra weight or thickness that affected normal usage so much as the increased height. The One is already a tall phone, and with the juice pack attached it just felt unwieldy and awkward, especially when used with one hand.

As with most Mophie cases, all the buttons are covered and adorned with rubber equivalents; the power and volume rocker felt extremely spritely and responsive. And because the HTC One projects its speakers towads the user, there was no need for Mophie to redirect sound the way it did for the iPhone series.

Overall, the Mophie juice pack for the HTC One does exactly as it advertises. It almost doubles the length of your phone’s battery but increases its overall weight, height and thickness considerably. While the added bulk won’t be an issue for most people, and all the requisite functions, from access to the camera to pressing the power button, are all present, it’s still a bit too big to use as an everyday case.

For $99.95, the juice pack is excellent value and a fantastic product. It is available directly from Mophie’s website and through select retailers. The black version is shipping now with a silver version coming in mid-May.

Highly Recommended.

So journeying to New York City on amidst the constant buzzing drone of a Bombadier Q400 (they don’t make ‘em like this anymore), I plugged my Phiaton PS 20 Noise Cancelling Earphones, flipped the switch and hoped for the best.

Immediately the incessant head throb disappeared, replaced by a comforting “whoosh” of what was immediately outside my window. The sound didn’t disappear; it was neutralized, like the best kind of nap.

The Phiaton PS 20 are the company’s top-range noise cancelling earphones, and come in white or black with a number of favourable features for the avid traveler. The phones are in-ear, but don’t aim to provide the kind of seal you’d expect from a brand like Shure or Etymotics. There are four rounded rubber tips of varying sizes – I found the largest the only ones that would sit comfortably in my ear without the need for constant readjustment.

The phones provide good sound, though they lack the punchy bass of a more expensive driver. The cord is thin, long and prone to getting twisted. There is a non-removable plastic clip in the middle, driving the noise cancelling electronics and housing the single AAA battery. The piece lacks any sort of microphone or controls for music volume or playback, which comes as a disappointment considering the amount of real estate used. There is a single switch for turning on and off the noise cancellation and a button to mute the signal completely when NC is in use.

The PS 20s are not going to win awards for sound fidelity, as they lack the dynamic range of a more expensive driver. But the headset does a great job at delivering mid-range sound, including pleasing mids and smooth, accurate treble. And, unlike some other noise cancelling phones I’ve used, the PS 20s don’t drop its volume precipitously when the option is turned on.

The phones are well made, and the middle piece is fairly compact, making them truly portable. The earphones have been great companions in my recent travels and coming at under $80, are great value.

The Phiaton PS 20 Noise Cancelling Earphones are available from various retailers including Amazon.com and Headphone Bar in Vancouver for around $80. They are available in white and black.

Recommended

It’s new phone season for many of us, and with the recent release of the iPhone 5, many users are clambering to purchase the right case to suit their personality or their proclivity for clumsiness. As we’ve heard, the iPhone 5 is particularly vulnerable to scratches and dents on its aluminum frame, so it should be no surprise that companies like Cygnett had a full range of cases ready to go at launch.

We’re going to look at two of these cases today: the UrbanShield in black, and the WorkMate in khaki. The former is one-piece combintion of taut polycarbonate on the sides and a shiny, scratch-resistant aluminum plate on the back.

The case is really, really thin; there is barely any protrusion on the front or added thickness to the 7.6mm frame. This means that the UrbanShield fits snug, but provides enough protection to withstand a fall from a fair distance. Cygnett ismarketing the UrbanShield, however, more as a designer case than a protective one, so I’d recommend applying the included screen protector if you’re looking for 360-degree assuredness.

In the hand, the UrbanShield feels amazing. Unlike most shiny, slippery plastics, Cygnett has employed a matte finish here, making it non-slip and almost leather-like in its hand feel. That doesn’t preclude it from attracting fingerprints, however, so you’ll feel right at home with, or without, the case attached.

Finally, the UrbanShield stays truer to the iPhone 5′s original look than any case I’ve used to date. In black, the aluminum back meshes perfectly with the two-tone exactness of the phone’s finish, though it is considerably shinier than the iPhone itself. There is also a white version for those with achromatic tastes.

For $24.99, the UrbanShield is highly recommend for those who want an iPhone 5 case with minimal bulk and an aesthetic flourish that stays true to the phone’s original design.

—

The WorkMate case, which comes in khaki (reviewed) and slate blue, is a little bit different.

Touted as a “shock absorbing” and “impact resistant,” the case was shown off in Cygnett’s popular iPhone 5 drop test (see below) only a day after the phone’s release. It is a two-piece system, like the Otterbox Commuter, with a rounded and unique design.

The first piece is a silicone vest that the iPhone slides into to protect from shocks and absorb impacts. It’s a thick piece of rubber that holds the iPhone securely. The hard shell slides on top, creating a comfortable, slightly thick, combination.

The iPhone is appears in a two-tone military-style getup, with exaggerrated volume buttons and closely-cut holes for the speaker and microphone.

Unlike the Commuter series, the WorkMate does not obscure any of the phone’s openings like the Lightning connector and headphone jack. These, and the mute button, are considerably recessed, however, so be aware of this when trying to connect certain headphones with wide cords.

I can’t say I’m a huge fan of the design mentality behind the WorkMate, and in my testing it added slightly too much thickness to the svelte iPhone for my liking. But I can certainly see the case appealing to those who tend to be less than fastidious with their belongings.

The WorkMate case is available for $24.99 and is recommended with caveats.

Cygnett offers free shipping to Canada, orders over $20USD will incur charges of 13% tax.

The perfect case would be thin, light, protective, and comfortable to hold. It would be made of material that wouldn’t scratch or break; it would allow access to all the major ports; and it would complement the design of the phone.

Case manufacturers have been endeavouring to find that perfect balance for years, and with the emergency of “Hero” phones — namely the iPhone, Galaxy S line, and HTC’s One series, among others — they’ve had plenty of opportunity to cater to different market segments.

Cygnett is an Australian company that has been putting out quality products for a few years now. Unafraid to challenge the conventions of what a case should feel or look like, they’ve collaborated with Australian artists and licensed London Tube assets to appeal to niche demographics.

The Apollo Hybrid case is so called because it has soft, rubberized sides and a hard polycarbonate back to prevent damage from impact. The case is wide — a little too wide for my tastes — but in doing so creates a robust border that extends beyond the height of the phone itself, covering the screen in case of drops to the glass.

The inner lining is grooved and shock-absorbent, and the Galaxy S III sits comfortably inside it, unmoving.

Users have access to all the ports, while the volume rocker and power buttons are covered with nicely tactile rubber material with just the right amount of give. The white backing is made of some tough stuff, and I found it extremely scratch resistant.

The grey border around the phone’s perimeter is a bit thick for my liking, but that’s the only gripe I have with this case. It comes off easily, but stays put. It’s light but protective. It’s attractive without overshadowing the phone’s original design. It’s about as close to perfect as a protective case can get.

For more information, head to Cygnett. The company provides free shipping to Canada.

Highly Recommended

The line consists of five products, with a price range of $39.99 to $109.99 depending on the size of the internal battery.

Sojourn 1000 - 1000mAh – iOS dock connector – $39.99
Voyager 1000 – 1000mAh – microUSB charger – $49.99
Trek 2000 - 2000mAh – iOS stand-up dock and microUSB charger – $69.99
Summit 3000 - 3000mAh – iOS and microUSB charger – full-sized USB and AC plug charging – $89.99
Peak 6000 - 6000mAh – iOS and microUSB charger – full-sized USB and AC plug charging – $109.99

The cheaper devices don’t have much extra battery storage — barely enough for full charge on the average smartphone — but are so inexpensive and portable it doesn’t matter. For $40 you can toss it in your day bag and make sure that you always have enough juice for that emergency phone call.

Both the Sojourn and Voyager have LEDs (and little chimes) to indicate charging levels, and can be charged themselves with a built-in full-sized USB cable. The Voyage, which has a microUSB cord, always came with me regardless of the size of the bag.

Each battery cell, regardless of size, is lithium polymer and rated for 500 recharges.

The Trek 2000 is an interesting beast because, in addition to a standard microUSB slot, it doubles as an iPhone charging stand. With 2000mAh onboard, it can recharge to 100% the vast majority of Android devices, as well as the iPhone 4 and 4S from dead.

The real stars of the show, though, are the Summit 3000 and Peak 6000. At 3000mAh and 6000mAh respectively, they’re both considerably heavier and bulkier than the others, but such sacrifices come with a few notable advantages. First, both battery packs talk. That’s right, when you plug them in, either with the built-in AC charger or using the full-sized USB cable, the Summit and Peak will tell you its charge level in a pleasing female voice. When you plug your phone in, she will say, “Phone charging,” or when unplugging, “Phone disconnected.” They’re completely unnecessary but fantastic little touches that make the devices feel premium.

The Summit 3000 and Peak 6000 have identical designs: there is a grey microUSB cord protected by rubber on one side (in fact, all the devices use the same protective coating for the microUSB) and a green full-sized USB on the other for charging either the battery itself, or a third-party device with a USB input (it performs double-duty as an input and an output). On the front is an Apple iPhone or iPad charger. The Apple charger can output 2.1A at 5V, more than enough for an iPad, and both the Summit and Peak can charge up to three devices at once, for a total output of 3.1A.

The 3000mAh battery in the Summit can charge the average smartphone twice; the 6000mAh in the Peak four times. They’re amazing little tools, and for $100 essential for road-trippers, frequent travellers or just heavy users.

The myCharge line is available exclusively at Best Buy and Future Shop, and is currently available.

Both cases are available in multiple colours, notably black, tan and red, and are priced $40 apart. At $120, the Portfolio may seem a tad expensive, but you get a full-fledged business companion, including eco-friendly pen and notebook, four credit cards pockets and space for an ID. The middle flap turns over to reveal a beautiful suede insert and space for the iPad itself. The case then closes with a stylish snap.

The Magnetic Florence is a bit simpler: it provides the same enclosure style as the Portfolio without the accoutrements; this keeps it extremely thin and easy to transport. An added bonus is the tab on the back of the case that allows for two stand styles, one for typing and the other for media watching. The nature of the Portfolio’s middle section preempts the ability to stand, though you can finagle a way to prop it at a nice angle for comfortable reading.

Both cases are compatible with both the iPad 2 and the new iPad’s magnetic sleep function, so the device turns on and off when the lid opens and closes.

Back to the Portfolio, it’s hard not to be impressed with the craftsmanship of the folio; the individual stitches to the feeling of the leather to the suede lining all scream premium. Even the clasp closes with a satisfying click. Sure, I’d have loved to see something other than ‘Staples’ on the notepad and pen — this is a $120 case, remember — but the overall high quality seems to make up for it.

The Sena Cases Magnetic Florence is available for $79.95 and the Florence Portfolio is available for $119.95, plus flat-rate shipping to Canada.

Recommended

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.

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.

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.

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.