The company created the accessory featuring a full backlit keyboard, battery indicator, smart typing, dedicated lock key  and more. The design and aesthetics of the device does resemble the physical keyboard found on old BlackBerry phones.

The Canadian smartphone manufacturer was quick to notice the similarities and sued Typo. BlackBerry won an injunction however, in response the keyboard maker launched second-gen model called Typo 2 which they believe does not infringe on BlackBerry’s patents.

According to a new report published by The Hollywood Reporter, BlackBerry has filed a second lawsuit against Typo alleging that Typo 2 continues to infringe on BlackBerry’s intellectual property.

The court announced an award of $860,000 to BlackBerry as Typo continued selling its original keyboard despite the injunction. BlackBerry has now demanded for for “enhanced and exemplary” damages for Typo’s continued infringement.

Since iPhones’ introduction in 2007 now every smartphone features touchscreen keyboards. Some device makers initially did try to differentiate their offering from the iPhone by offering a physical keyboard however, that strategy hasn’t worked too well as such phones have clearly not become a huge success.

Typo and Typo 2 caters to a niche segment that still prefers the old-school physical keyboard typing experience. Typo 2 design features flat keys that reduces its resemblance to BlackBerry’s keyboards however, it blocks the home button / Touch ID sensor on the iPhone 6.

Are you a fan of Typo 2 for iPhone? What do you think about BlackBerry suing Typo Innovations LLC? Let us know in the comments below.

The iPhone 5 looks wonderful straight out of the box, however, you may want to give it some protection, add to its looks and still keep the the lightweight and slimline design. If that’s the case, (no pun intended), then a skin may be just what you need.

iCoverSkin have just released a new range of their iPhone skins specifically for the iPhone 5 which allow you to choose between different front and back plates so that you can keep the 2 tone design live and well, although taken up a notch with the range of 10 styles to combine.

There are two different finishes to choose between, brush or carbon fibre, and then a range of colors to choose from making a total of 100 combinations to customize your phone.

The choices don’t end there though as once you have you skin combinations you can pick and choose which parts to apply and which not to, so you can go from a complete skin covering including front, back and side. Or you can choose the minimalistic look and just emphasize the apple logo on the back of your iPhone.

The skins adhere very easily and securely thanks to the 3M film that’s used, although it also allows you to reposition them if your initial alignment is not quite accurate enough.

These skins are also made to stick to the iCoverSkins screen protectors to you can fully protect your screen from bumps and scratches without the bulk and weight of a case.

The Mix and Match case will cost you $24.99 but that’s before you use the special 30% discount for our readers that the first 20 purchasers get to benefit from.

How to Redeem the Coupon:

1. Visit iCoverSkin.com
2. Select desired products by clicking “Add to Cart”.
3. When finished, click “Checkout” button.
4. Provide shipping information and click “Apply” at the bottom.
5. Select Shipping Method.
6. Enter the redemption code TouchReviews2 into the “Coupon code” field on the right and click the arrow button.
7. Use PayPal or Provide credit card information.

Rating: 4/5

What we like

• Endless combinations
• Sleek and stylish
• Easy to use

What to know

• May not offer all the protection some need

Gallery

So you’ve got your new shiny iPhone 5 and now you’re worried that the large, beautiful retina display may get scratched despite it’s toughness.

Well I’ve used many of the leading contenders in the screen protector industry including those that use a liquid to ensure a clear and solid adhesion and they’ve always been my favorite. So when I received the Ultra Screen Protector from iCoverSkin which doesn’t use a liquid adhesion method I was skeptical.

The screen protector comes packaged with the lint-free cleaning cloth that is key to successfully applying it and after a thorough clean I was ready to apply it. The screen protector comes sandwiched between two plastic sheets which each have two tabs which conveniently include instructions on how to proceed.

First, you use the tab to reveal the silicone adhesive coating which you can then place down onto your iPhone 5’s screen. The screen protector adheres easily and it’s forgiving enough that it allows you to reposition it if you align it incorrectly the first, second or even third time!

The ability to reposition the screen protector is also key to ensuring that you don’t get any air bubbles stuck under the screen and once I had the screen protector in position I only had a few bubbles left and they were easily removed with a simple fingernail to ease them to the edge and then off of the screen.

Placement of the screen is only one part of what makes a good screen protector of course and the the other is how it looks and how it is to use. Well in the case of the iPhone 5 Ultra Screen Protector from iCoverSkin.com it also succeeds on these two counts also.

More than any other screen protector that I’ve used it truly is an invisible screen and to the touch it even feels good, providing a solid and responsive touch for both a finger and a stylus if you choose to use one.

But here’s the best part. The iPhone 5 Ultra Screen Protector from iCoverSkin only costs $5.99! And that’s before you use the special 30% discount for our readers that the first 20 purchasers get to benefit from.

How to Redeem the Coupon:

1. Visit iCoverSkin.com
2. Select desired products by clicking “Add to Cart”.
3. When finished, click “Checkout” button.
4. Provide shipping information and click “Apply” at the bottom.
5. Select Shipping Method.
6. Enter the redemption code TouchReviews2 into the “Coupon code” field on the right and click the arrow button.
7. Use PayPal or Provide credit card information.

And while you are saving money on the screen protector you can also purchase a skin as this screen protector is specifically made to be used beneath one of their skins.

What we like

• Great price
• Amazing invisible look
• Easy to apply

What to know

• Why you didn’t buy one sooner!

If you are one of the millions of people who has invested in the $99 Apple TV that amongst other things allows your to AirPlay you iPhone and iPad to your big TV then you are used to having the sleek black box sitting on your shelf.

Now though you don’t have to settle for what Apple thinks is stylish, instead you can add your own design to the little black box and it’s remote as long as it matches one of the 4 colors/styles that you can get from iCoverSkins.com.

Just like the skins that iCoverSkin.com produce for iPhones and iPads you can now skin your Apple TV and while you probably don’t need it to protect your device from knocks and scratches, making it stand out or even match you rooms style is another matter.

As with all of iCoverSkins.com’s products they adhere to the Apple TV snuggly and securely and have cut outs for all the inputs on the back of the devices and the remote sensors and power light on the front.

The kit also comes with skins to cover the Apple TV remote so that it can complement the Apple TV and again it fits accurately to expose all the buttons and the battery cover too.

The Apple TV skin kit from iCoverSkins.com costs $14.99 but that’s before you use the special 30% discount for our readers that the first 20 purchasers get to benefit from.

Rating: 4/5

How to Redeem the Coupon:

1. Visit iCoverSkin.com
2. Select desired products by clicking “Add to Cart”.
3. When finished, click “Checkout” button.
4. Provide shipping information and click “Apply” at the bottom.
5. Select Shipping Method.
6. Enter the redemption code TouchReviews2 into the “Coupon code” field on the right and click the arrow button.
7. Use PayPal or Provide credit card information.

What we like

• Accurate cut skins
• Matches all your Apple devices
• Applies easily

What to know

• An easy way to make a statement

Gallery

Apple is now selling a new adapter for charging the iPhone 5 and other iOS devices that use the new Lightning connector. Previously, Apple sold the Lightning to 30-pin dock connector, allowing users of the older generations of the iPhone to use their existing chargers and accessories on their new devices. The latest adapter, Lightning to Micro USB allows any customer with a Micro USB charger to also charge their new iOS devices on their existing chargers.

This means that users of smartphones such as Blackberry’s and a multitude of Android phones that moved over to the iPhone will now be able to use the chargers from their older device. The adaper was initially sold to European customers only, as EU laws require that phones sold in Europe be able to charge via MicroUSB.

EU only requires that the device or manufacturer of the device to simply allow support for Micro USB as opposed to including an accessory for customers. By introducing the new adapter in the United States as well, Apple has now satisfied EU requirements and has provided US customers with yet another charging alternative. However, it does come at a price as the new Lightning to Micro USB charger will cost users a rather hefty $19 before taxes and shipping.

{Via MacRumors}

The New iPad more than any other tablet is not only a consumption device but also a creation device and that’s certainly the case when it comes to art. And one of the key accessories for any artist who is working with the iPad is a stylus.

While there are many stylus out there a whole genre specifically for the artist are now available and we’re going to look at some of the best here. If you’re looking to paint your first masterpiece or are just drawing for fun some of these styluses may be just what you are looking for.

LOGiiX – Stylus Diamond – $34.95

The Stylus Diamond form LOGiiX is a precision stylus which is a great tool for those times where attention to detail is the core requirement. The stylus may look like a pen with its black styling and clip but where the pen nib would be a plastic disc resides instead.

This plastic disc is the key to the precision of the LOGiiX Stylus Diamond but it takes a bit of getting used too, if you do though there is no beating the precision. The tip is flexible so that the stylus can be used at multiple angles.

The one problem I have with the Stylus Diamond is that the clip is fairly low down on the barrel of the stylus which means it can sometimes be uncomfortable which is not ideal if you’re going to be using it for long periods of time.

For the $34.95 price tag you will not only get the stylus but you’ll also get a spare tip and 5 clear tip protectors that would add extended life to the tip. The LOGiiX Stylus Diamond is a professional looking stylus and while providing good precision lines for artists it would also work to write freehand on the iPad and look good in the boardroom.

PenGo Creative – Brushpen – $39.99

For the price of one stylus you are getting 3 with the Brushpen from PenGo Creative as not only do you get two different sized styluses but also a brush stylus all of which can be easily swapped in and out.

Both ends of the Brushpens’ barrel are available to put the interchangeable nibs into meaning that you can quickly and easily use the one that you need at the time while the other end can be covered with the pen lid which has a clip attachment too.

The 3 nibs certainly feel different on the iPad screen with the brush nib specifically providing a very smooth and natural feel for sweeping paintbrush style strokes.

The 3 nibs provide great value for money and having choice at your fingertips could be just what you need as an artist.

Sensu – Sensu Brush – $39.99 – TOP PICK!

The Sensu Brush from Sensu is not only a tool that artists can use to create works of art but is a work of art in itself. The metal barrel of the Sensu Brush is a smooth solid mirrored face and feels great in the hand.

With both a stylus nib and a brush available it’s the nib that is available by default and it provides a soft yet solid tip to use on the iPad or any other touchscreen device. The brush end meanwhile is hidden inside the shaft and can be access by pulling the on the nib end of the stylus, reversing it and re-attaching it to the barrel.

With the brush stylus in place the stylus doubles in length which provides excellent balance for the more sweeping style that the brush stylus allows. And if it’s at all possible it looks just as good in this form than when the nib is used.

The brush is slightly harder than the other brushes that are available and whether that is a good thing or not will be a personal preference. It’s also at the more expensive end of the price scale but quality comes at a price and quality plus style is what you get with the Sensu Brush.

Studio Neat – Cosmonaut – $25.00

You may think that once you’ve seen one stylus you’ve seen them all and that it’s difficult to tell them apart. That’s not the case with the Cosmonaut from Studio Neat as you can forget everything that you’ve previously thought of what a stylus is. From a style perspective at least the Cosmonaut is the crayon of the art world.

As one of the shortest styluses we’ve looked at it makes up for in diameter for what is lack in length and with a thick rubber sleeve encasing the entire shaft and nib it’s pretty weighty too and feels solid and sturdy in your hand.

Despite it’s size it feels great in the hand especially when used for extended periods of time and while it may not provide the fluid movement of a brush stylus it works great across a range of iPad apps that we tested it with as well working as a writing implement too.

The Cosmonaut may not look conventional but it’s a great stylus which thanks to it’s sturdy design is going to last you a long time at with a $25 price tag provides great value for money.

adonit – Jot Pro/Classic – $29.99/$19.99 – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

adonit provide a range a quality styluses all of which provide slight alternatives on the same theme and that is precision, control and style and they all use a precision disc that enables the user to draw and write in detail and provides the most pen/pencil like experience.

Because of the ball point style tip you get to hold the Jot Pro like a pen and it includes rubber grip at the bottom end of the shaft to provide a more comfortable feel and certainly lends itself well to being used for long periods of time.

The ball point style tip could be a make or break it deal for some people and I certainly found that it took awhile to get used to it, once I did however it was worth it.

The Jot Pro is also magnetic which given the fact that the iPad is too it means that you can keep you stylus attached to your iPad for safe keeping. My iPad has a skin on the front and while the Jot Pro would stick to it the connection wasn’t the strongest, however, without the skin it was a much better connection.

If you are going to be to a lot of precision artwork then the Jot Pro comes highly recommend.

The Jot Classic offer many of the benefits of the previously mention Jot Pro but at a more attractive price.

The Jot Classic uses the same ball point tip for precision use and the same pen/pencil like experience however there is no rubber grip and it’s not magnetized.

For just $19.99 though it’s a great entry level price and a great opportunity to find out if the ball point tip is right for you.

oStylus – Original/Dot – $39.00/$38.00

Along with the previously discussed Cosmonaut the oStylus is one of the more uniquely styled styluses. It’s a thinner shaft than most styluses and the barrell is one solid piece. The cold aluminium shaft feels good in the hand and its lightweight makes it feel very comfortable in the hand.

Both the Original and Dot oStylus use a precision disc still nib for drawing with the Origianl using a much larger disc than the Dot which using the same size disc as the other styluses that have been discussed.

While both the Original and Dot oStylus allow excellent precision drawing the benefit of the Original oStylus with the larger disc with a hole in the middle of it which will allows you to easily see what you are drawing as you do it which I found to be very advantageous at times.

Both versions also include replacement vinyl film dots which are used on the discs and that provides additional value to the oStylus.

Nomadbrush – Compose – $35.00

The compose stylus from nomadbrush provides the most paint brush like experience of the stylus we’ve reviewed. From the narrow shaft and two-tone color scheme it certainly looks the part and with two interchangeable tips you also have options when it comes to the feel of the stylus.

The first tip provides the most paintbrush like experience with it’s long soft bristles, despite the softness of the bristles though it still provides a great response on the iPad especially when used with an app that provides a painting option. (In this case Paper by FiftyThree).

The second tip still has bristles but they’ve been cut much shorter and provide a more original stylus type experience which provides a good contrast to the other tip.

The two nibs screw in and out and while this provides a secure connection it can be a little fiddly to switch them out, not that you should ever be doing this in an emergency!

The Compose from Nomadbrush is a great stylus for those looking for the most paintbrush like experience.

Ultimate iPad Stylus Guide for Artists Gallery

ClickStik Bluetooth Remote + Camera Stand Review

“The best camera is the one that’s with you” is attributed to Chase Jarvis and that has never been more true with the quality of camera that are now in cell phones, specifically the iPhone 4S and of course the just released iPhone 5.

There’s no disputing how good the photos are that the latest generations of iPhones produce, however there are times when you want to be in the photograph. If that’s the case you currently only have a couple of options. You could do one of those at arm length self portraits or you’ll either need to trust your iPhone to someone else to take the photo for you.

Now, though there is ClickStik, a bluetooth remote for your iPhone’s camera and a tripod for your iPhone which allows you to remotely take photographs with your iPhone while being up to 30ft away.

Pairing your device with the ClickStik takes just seconds and with only one button on the remote it’s very self explanatory whether you take the time to read the instructions or not. The tripod is a little trickier to configure.

Firstly it comes in two pieces, the stand collapses for easy travelling and is secured in place when not in use by a velcro strap that doubles as a binding should you want or need to strap the stand down if you are taking pictures under conditions that require it.

Secondly the phone is held in place in a three point holder which will hold your device both with and without a case which can then be screwed to the tripod base. Your iPhone can also be accurately positioned based on your need thanks to two hand bolts that allow you to loosen, move and tighten with ease.

The product is made of plastic and overall the build quality is pretty good. The only piece I have questions about is how strong the phone holster is as it feels that any over zealous usage could result in a break.

Using the Bluetooth adapter to take your pictures couldn’t be easier either. The remote won’t work with the stock camera app so after downloading the free ClickStik app from the App Store and launching it, taking pictures is only a click away.

There is little if no lag between pressing the remote’s button and the photograph being taken and the pictures are automatically saved to your Camera Roll to.

Obviously as the pictures are saved to your Camera Roll you can use them with any app you like but the ClickStik app does include photo editing options itself in which you can add effects, frames, stamps, text and other effects directly in the app. Now, while this is no Instagram it does provide nice options and allows you to share directly to Facebook, Twitter and email should you want to.

At $49.99 the ClickStik offers great value for money, infact with both the tripod and the Bluetooth remote you are getting to tools for the price of one and if you take a lot of photo’s with your iPhone this would be a great tool to add to your iPhone’s Camera accessories.

What we like

• Easy to setup
• Remote and stand in one pack
• Free app with added features

What to know

• May not hold up to over zealous handling

ClickStik Camera Stand Gallery

More and more children are getting access to touchscreen devices these days. Whether it’s their own device or using one of a parent, sibling or friend they are become more and more intune with them. Because of this, iPhone / iPad accessories are being made specifically aimed at children and the world of styluses is no different. Here we look at some that while not all specifically aimed at children would certainly appeal to them.

LOGiiX – Stylus Pro Jr – $19.95

While not directly aimed at children the Stylus Pro Jr could be the ideal stylus for a child. Not only is it small and perfectly formed but it also attached to the headphone socket on the device to keep it from getting lost when not in use. The bullet sized stylus has three raised ridges around it that make it easier to grip despite it’s small size. It’s size doesn’t lend itself particularly to writing but for gaming and drawing it works very well. While the ability to attach it into the headphone socket is a nice addition and always keeps it handy pushing it into there can be a little tough especially for smaller fingers. However, after some time this did become easier. At under $20 the price could be a little pricey for some where the potential to getting easily lost is quite high.

Studio Neat – Cosmonaut – $25.00 – TOP PICK

There is one type of writing implement that every child has used and is one of the only writing implements that is only used by children and that’s the crayon. Harnessing on those two facts comes the Cosmonaut from Studio Neat which couldn’t look less like a crayon if it tried, all be it a giant one! The large size of the Cosmonaut could make it difficult to handle for smaller hands but the wooden stylus is completely covered wrapped in black rubber and makes it incredibly comfortable to hold, draw, write and play games with. It’s solid design also makes it rugged and long lasting and that’s pretty important when children are going to be pushing it to its limits. It has an iconic look and one that may turn a few heads too. If you have a child that likes to have something a little different then the Cosmonaut could be the stylus they are looking for.

iChic Gear – Phantomus – $15.00

The Phantomus bright colors and style will certainly grab the attention of the children in your life. Coming in either blue or pink the fun colors are made even more attractive to the children in your life thanks to the ghost like apparition that fits to the top of the stylus. The ghost to will certainly appeal to younger children and can be used either just as a stylus topper or when the stylus is not in use to cover it and keep it protected. The Phantomus stylus is very light, especially with the top removed although with it left on it provides a nice balance to the stylus. At $15 the iChic Geat Phantomus is one of the cheapest stylus that we’ve seen and with good build quality, fun design it could be a great option as your childs first stylus.

Kuel – Stylus Pen H10 – $12.95 – HIGHLY RECOMMEND

The Stylus Pen H10 from Kuel is the cheapest stylus that we’ve seen but that doesn’t mean that it’s cheap in any other aspect. The small sized stylus comes in a range of colors which provides a lot of options for anyone looking to try out a stylus for the first time or for a pocket sized option that’s not going to break the bank. The stylus is another one that can attach to the headphone socket of the iPhone or iPad and this means that it’s not going to be easy to mislay should that be a problem for you. Because the connector to the headphone socket is connected to the cap of the stylus you don’t have to keep pulling it in and out to use it. Just unclip it in and out of the cap to use and store again when not in use. The Kuel Stylus Pen H10 is a fine stylus at a great price and comes highly recommended.

scribbly.co.uk – Scribbly – £9.99

The Scribbly stylus from scribbly.co.uk is another stylus that is built in the image of another well known writing instrument that everyone is familiar with and that’s the marker pen. From the large, white barrel shaft to the thick nib and clickable lid the scribbly won’t look out of place alongside your other permanent markers, however I wouldn’t suggest that you use it on your wipe board and keep it for your iPad or iPhone instead. The large barrel certainly makes it a comfortable stylus to hold and it’s light too which makes it ideally suited to the younger user. It works well for everything that you would want to use a stylus for although I found it especially suited to drawing, sketching and note taking. So, that’s our ultimate guide to stylus you can purchase for your iPad suited best for children. There are many scribbling, drawing apps in the App Store and now there’s a stylus just just for that.

iPad Stylus Guide Gallery

During Apple’s music event, the company introduced the new iPhone 5, 7th gen iPod nano and iPod touch 5G (fifth generation). Following the announcement of all these products, they went on to introduce a new product called EarPods, replacing the older headphones shipping with the iPhone 4S and fourth gen iPod touch 4G.

The Cupertino company noted that they have already shipped 600 million of the older headphones and expect EarPods to be a success. EarPods are an entirely redesigned headphone solution for Apple’s iOS products, bringing better sound quality and better technology to the headphones shipping with the current lineup of Apple products.

Apple designed the EarPods by studying the geometry of a user’s ear, and spent over 3 years developing a pair that would give the same sound quality as in-ear headphones without creating a seal on the user’s ear. EarPods have a directed speaker that deposit sound directly into the user’s ear canal instead of emitting sound in one general direction like the older headphones.

The new headphones also feature a series of ports, one located on the back of the headphones and one on the bottom to create airflow within speaker, allowing it to emit crystal clear sound. EarPods will ship with the new iPhone 5 on September 21st, and with the new 7th generation iPod nano and 5th gen iPod touch 5G in October. Apple is also selling the EarPods individually for $29, now available online and in retail stores.

There is clearly a market for cases that prevent the more clumsy amongst us from damaging our beloved iPhones. Two of the most prevalent cases in that market at the moment are the Otterbox and LifeProof cases which not only protect your investment from drops but in the case of the LifeProof case from water too.

Well now there is a new contender to the crown in the shape of the Cellhelmet case from cellhelmet.com which not only promises to protect your iPhone from damage but is willing to put it’s money where it’s mouth is in the form of a years worth of accidental damage coverage for a whole year.

Think about that for a second, you purchase a case for $44.99 and not only do you get a good looking case but you also get a unlimited repairs and one full replacement for just the cost of a $50 handling fee per claim. Even with the handling charge it’s still a pretty staggering really!

Beyond the insurance the case offers a few benefits over its competitors in its space. Firstly the case has a good slim line form factor especially compared to the Otterbox which means it’s not going to add too much bulk when you are carrying it. Secondly it doesn’t have a built in screen protector like both the previously mentioned case, so if you like the direct feel of your iPhones glass then this is the case for you.

The case is made from a strong rubber case which balances the benefits of providing protection to your iPhone along with the benefit of being able to easily access all buttons and ports but also makes it easy to take on and off of your iPhone should you wish too. (Please note, your iPhone is not covered by the accidental damage insurance if you aren’t using the case at the time!)

The cases come in a clear or smoke shades and can be customized further by the use of 2 interchangeable backplates that fit inside the case to provide additional protection and a level of color customization. That being said the backplate barely showed through on the smoke version of the case that I had.

Overall the quality of the case is solid too, it feels likes it’s protecting your phone and while the smoothness of the rubber may not appeal to everyone it provides good grip and is robust. The only slight negative point about the case is some remnants of the machining process being left on one side of the case, it’s only a minor point though.

If you want to protect your iPhone and don’t want the bulk of the Otterbox or the restricted access of the LifeProof case along with a year long insurance policy against accidental damage then you should head over to cellhelmet.com and check out their Cellhelmet iPhone Case.

What we like

• A year of insurance
• Solid protection
• Customizable

What to know

• Minor machining defect

Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone 5 next month, with reports that there may also be two new cases introduced alongside the fifth gen iPhone. However, prior to this announcement, Apple has added a new color to the Bumper case line-up, the first change to case line since its introduction with the iPhone 4. On Tuesday, Apple went ahead and added a (PRODUCT) RED version of the Bumper case for the iPhone 4S / 4 to the already available assortment of colors.

Currently, Apple offers black, white, blue, pink, orange, and green, all of which were introduced in 2010 and did not experience any major changes, aside from a change in ringer switch size to accommodate the iPhone 4S.

This is not the first time that Apple is offering (PRODUCT) RED products, with the Cupertino company offering a red iPod nano and Shuffle, iPad Smart Covers, iTunes Gift Cards and now the Bumper. (PRODUCT) RED products from Apple sends a portion of the sale goes towards the Global Fund in helping to fight AIDS in Africa. The red iPhone 4S / 4 Bumper is currently shipping in 4-6 days from the Apple Online Store, as opposed to the normal Bumper which ships in 24 hours.

{via 9to5 Mac}

When I only had one set of earphones in the house keeping them up together was never an issue, however as my family has grown, so has the number of earphones that are lying around the house. At the same time I find then nobody in my family, including me apparently have the time to wrap up their earphones carefully once they’ve finished using them.

Because of the above I’m often left with the task unravelling a tangled mess of wires which then hang in a twisted mess between my head and my iPhone, it doesn’t look good, it doesn’t feel good and more importantly it reduces the life of the earphones too.

These are the problems that Quirky is looking to resolve with their bargain priced Wrapster Headphone Cord Organizer which you can buy direct from their website for just $6.99.

The Wrapster Headphone Cord Organizer is a single, small piece of flexible plastic which wraps around at both sides producing two tubes which not only allows you to wrap your earphones around them securely when not in use but also allows you to keep the Wrapster attached to your earphone cord while in use should you wish too.

It feels well made, keeps your cords in great condition and is available in four colors. That being said it would be nice if more colors were available or even custom colors especially if they expect you to keep them attached to your earphones while you wear them.

It also has multiple uses as when you’re not using the Wrapster to store your earphones you can use it to stand up your iPhone 4 or 4S in landscape mode. Now while this secondary purposes is a nice addition it’s not particularly sturdy and so I wouldn’t recommend purchasing this solely as an iPhone stand as you will be disappointed, even at the cheap price.

Storage for earphones is unlikely to be a top priority for everyone but if you are one of those people who use earphones regularly then getting a storage solution should be a priority and at just $6.99 why wouldn’t you?

What we like

• Small and perfectly formed
• Easy to use
• Great price point

What to know

• More color options please!

Bumpers have been an option for your iPhone ever since the iPhone 4 was launched and thanks to the fact that the iPhone 4S uses the same form factor they’ve continued to be used and have even been transferable for those people that have upgraded from one to the other.

This market has been dominated by Apple who have sold theirs for a dollar under $30 in a variety of covers and the Apple bumper in black has always been my go to case.

There is a new challenger for the crown of the bumper market in the form of the iCoverSkin Bumper though and it offers a couple go significant differences to the Apple alternative.

The first one is pretty obvious in that the top, bottom and sides of the bumper are clear allowing the sides of the iPhone to be seen and if your iPhone is wearing a full skin such as the ones that you can also purchase from iCoverSkin.com then that will show through as well, while you still benefit from the protection that you get from the bumper.

The other significant difference is the strength of the bumper which is constructed from a more rigid plastic than the Apple alternative while still providing a snug fit and access to all ports and buttons.

The irony in this case is that in providing such a form fitting bumper for the iPhone it can result in any skin that is being used on your device from being pushed up around the edges of your phone especially if you take it on and off regularly.

The iCoverSkin bumper comes in a choice of either black or white and can be purchased from iCoverSkin.com for $19.95 at present though you can get 50% off of that price using the steps below:

The coupon code is TOUCHREVIEWS. Offer expired Jul 31, 2012.

How to Redeem the Coupon:

• Visit iCoverSkin.com
• Select desired products by clicking “Add to Cart”.
• When finished, click “Checkout” button.
• Provide shipping information and click “Apply” at the bottom.
• Select Shipping Method.
• Enter the redemption code TOUCHREVIEWS into the “Coupon code” field on the right and click the arrow button.
• Provide credit card information.

Enjoy!

What we like

• Rigid plastic offers strong protection
• Clear sides provides great visibility
• Competitively priced

What to know

• Snug fit can push up skins if used

CASELLET Review

When heading out of the house you always have to make sure that you have at least 3 things, your iPhone, your keys and your wallet. Head out of the house without 1 of these items and you could be in trouble, arrive home without one of them and you could be in an even worse position!

Having fewer things to worry about would certainly make things easier and using the CASELLET iPhone case certainly achieves that as it’s part iPhone case, part wallet. (Although it has to be considered that if you do lose this will you are out you will lose both your iPhone and credit cards).

The case part of the CASELLET clips around the two sides and provides full protection for the back and sides of your iPhone while leaving all buttons and ports available to be used without having to take it out of the case.

The difference comes though when you turn the CASELLET over to reveal the wallet part of the case. It goes without saying that this adds considerable bulk to your iPhone but considering that you combining two items the overall size probably provides a net gain in the amount of space it takes up.

The wallet is held close by a plastic push in button which is secure but can take a little getting used to until you can open it quickly and swiftly. It also snaps shut securely leaving you confident that the contents are going to stay where they are meant too.

I’ve being using the CASELLET for a few days now and although it took a little getting used to, both in respect to opening the case and thinking that I’d left my previous wallet at home it now feels quite comfortable. If fits nicely in your hand when using it for texting, emailing or as a phone and even doesn’t feel too bulky when using it as gaming device.

The CASELLET is made from tough plastic and has a brushed aluminium back plate which gives it a good look, the white case on the white iPhone looks particularly stylish, but it is also available in pink and black. There are a few imperfections in the case but only show up under close inspection.

Providing both functionality and style the CASELLET could provide a great alternative to carrying both an iPhone and a wallet with you everywhere you go and is available from CASELLET’s website.

Would you consider combining your wallet and iPhone case together? Let us know in the comments below or send me a tweet at @4forkssake.

What we like:

• Two accessories in one
• Secure fit
• Easy access

What to know:

• Obviously bulky
• A few imperfections
• Lose your phone and your wallet at the same time!

CalypsoPad Review

Some companies get the Apple ethos, some don’t, in the case of Calypso Crystal they definitely get it, simplicity, quality, beauty is everything you get when you buy a CalypsoPad  for iPhone from them.

So what is a CalypsoPad I hear you ask, and that would be a valid question as it’s not an accessory that I, or you, have seen before. The CalypsoPad is part dock, part carpet for your iPhone and it’s purpose is to be a safe place for your iPhone to lay down on your desk, table, cabinet or any other place that your iPhone lives when it’s not in your hand or pocket.

The CalypsoPad in reality is a piece of premium Italian leather slightly larger than the iPhone itself with a magnetic clip at the bottom to hold the charging cable securely in place and prevents it from falling down the back of the cabinet/desk/table when you disconnect your phone.

Designed to lay flush on the piece of furniture that you place it on it’s not going to be practical if you need your device to be standing up to view it.

The quality of the accessory is immaculate with beautiful detail in the stitching which highlights the design perfectly, and if you love the smell of leather you won’t be disappointed either as it smells great!

CalypsoPad is not going to be for everyone as if you have a case on your iPhone why would you need a pad to lay it on, however it is beautifully designed and crafted and will look good on your desk.

If you are interested in taking a look or even purchasing a CalypsoPad it’s available in two colors and costs just $39 direct from their website.

Would you purchase a product like this? Let us know in the comments below or tweet me @4forkssake.

What we like:

• Simple design
• High quality
• Smells great!

What to know:

• A product that you didn’t know you needed!

Wood iPhone Case from Photojojo Review

We’ve all see wooden iPhone 4S cases before, maybe not in person but certainly in magazines and on gadget shows. They make seem great in theory but are they really practical or should they just remain a novelty item?

Well about 10 days ago I recieved a wooden iPhone 4S case from Photojojo, a company more renowned for its camera accessories than its iPhone cases, and I’ve been using it ever since.

The twist with this case that enables it to fit in with the other items sold at Photojojo is the fact that the case is modeled to look like a camera.

The case comes in two parts, the top half slides down over the top of the phone while the bottom slides up and interlocks with the top piece. It’s a snug fit and the lining on the inside of the case ensures that the case doesn’t easily slide off.

The finish is smooth and the whole case is lighter than I expected to be and if you’re worried that you may get a splinter I don’t think you have anything to worry about.

The case provides easy access to all the ports and buttons including the camera lens. The camera design on the back acts as iPhone camouflage when taking pictures making it look like, from some angle at least, like you are using an old school camera.

If you’re concerned about the environment then there is no need to be as the trees used in these cases come from sustainable forests and while at $42 it may not be the cheapest case you can get its certainly eye-catching and unique. You can purchase the case from here plus they’ll throw in a free screen protector too!

The wooden iPhone 4 / 4S camera case from Photojojo is both quirky, unique and practical in equal measure making it an easy decision to purchase if you want to stand out from the crowd, especially if you have a passion for photography.

What we like:

• Snug fit
• Quirky design
• Light weight

What to know:

• Camera lovers only?

When the iPhone 4S was released with its improved rear facing camera it quickly become one of the most popular devices for taking pictures. Of course that’s also due to the fact that as Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist Barry Staver once said in regard to what’s the best camera, “It’s the one you have with you.”.

There are now multiple accessories that you can add to your iPhone 4S to enhance its photo taking qualities and the latest is the Olloclip a three in one pocket sized kit that includes a Fisheye, wide-angle and macro lens.

One of the great things about the Olloclip is it’s size and the fact that all the lenses are in one piece with the macro lens being accessed by unscrewing the wide-angle lens. This means that it’s very easy to carry with you especially given that it comes with it’s own little carrying case.

The lens fits the top left corner of the iPhone, coincidentally exactly where the iPhones camera lens is! It slides into place with a slither cut out to fit over the sleep button and while it fits tighlty enough to stay in place while taking photo’s you won’t want to throw your iPhone around too much as the Olloclip may fall off.

With the lens in place you are ready to take your pictures, presuming you’ve remembered to take the lens cap off of course! The results are pretty impressive, using my beloved Mini Cooper as my inspiration I first took a picture without a lens and then two shots, one with the wide-angle lens and another with the fisheye, the results of which you can see attached, and both impressed me very much, especially the additional real estate that was added to the wide-angle photograph.

Some additional shots from closer up emphasized the fisheye results and all of these were taken within seconds of each other thanks to how easily the Olloclip is to switch out. I then moved inside to take some shots with the macro lens.

Using a dime I took a picture as close as I could both with and without the Olloclip macro lens and considering I was inside using artificial light I was still impressed with the the results especially considering the slight camera shake! I look forward to attempting to getting some closeup shots outdoors of some wildlife once the weather warms up a little.

The Olloclip retails at $69.99 and is available via their website given the impressive results that it produces it’s well worth it. It a pocket sized powerhouse that really packs a punch.

What we like:

• 3 lenses in one
• Great results
• Pocket sized

What to know:

• Not the most secure fit

Gallery

Etymotic mc3 Headset + Earphones Review – Big Sound and Big Quality are a better than a Big Name Endorsement

Although the large over ear headphones seem to be all the rage again thanks specifically to a few big name endorsements I’ve never been a fan of the bulk of them, especially wearing them out and about. So I’ve always stuck to the inner-ear type and predominantly I’ve been happy with the ones supplied with all my iOS from Apple.

These standard earphones have always sufficed, but there is definitely a point at which if you spend a little more money you get a lot more quality, the question remains whether it’s worth it or not. So for the last week I’ve been listening to my music, podcasts and audiobooks using the Etymotic mc3 earphones with my iPhone 4S.

As Apple and other companies have proved design and packaging are half the battle in making any device a success and Etymotic have taken that approach too with their elegant packaging and beautiful accessories.

The whole package contains the earphones with built-in mic, 4 sets of different eartips, spare filters, wire clip and a pouch to keep it all in.

The eartips were the first thing that drew my attention due to their distinct and different shapes. The earphones come pre-installed with a set on and I have to admit I was a little disappointed with how they felt and, because they didn’t fit perfectly, how they sounded too.

So my next task was to fit another pair of eartips to see if they would fit better and while the grey industrial style eartips certainly didn’t look that special they fitted snuggly and securely and when I turned on the music I could tell that I had chosen the right ones.

I have worn them for a little over two weeks now and not only are they comfortable but they produce great sound for both spoken work, podcasts and audiobooks and music and because they have in-line controls and a built in mic they are ideal for the iPhone as you can take calls and use Siri while wearing them.

This is only half of what you are getting when you invest in a set of Etmotic earphones as you also get their iPhone App “Awareness!” which you can download for free from the App Store and then enable all the features with the code you are provided with when you register your earphones.

The Awareness! App takes the listening experience to a whole new level although it does take a little while to get used to it. With the multitasking app turned on your earphones become environment aware, with the mic listening to your surroundings and acting on what it hears.

This can range from stopping what you are listening to completely, lowering the volume or feeding the sound that it hears through to your earphones. As I said this can seem a little odd at first but once you have used it a few times it makes listening to audio an even better experience, especially when you are out and about and need to be aware of your surroundings.

The addition of this app takes what are a great pair of earphones to a wonderful pair of headphones and for this reviewer I will never skimp on earphones again.

You can even upgrade to what Etymotic call ‘Rock Star status’ by teaming up with a local hearing specialist to have a pair of personalized custom fit earmolds. I haven’t done this but at for an additional $100 this could be a serious option especially if you have to wear earphones for many hours at a time.

What we like:

• Choice of eartips
• Free Awareness! app
• Inline mic
• Great sound

What to know:

• You’ll wish you had them sooner!

Mophie Juice Pack Air Case for iPhone 4S & 4 Review: Never Run Out of Battery Again

The Mophie Juice Pack Air is a battery life extender case. I often find myself running low on battery on my iPhone 4S when I put it through a long day of use. By adding minimal bulk to your phone, this accessory allows you to charge your iPhone 4S with the battery that is built into the case.

The first thing a case has to do for me is pass the eye test and the Mophie case certainly does that. It comes in 3 colors: red, white and black. I went with the black version and was very impressed with how sleek and smooth the contour of the phone looks with this case. Sure it adds bulk but don’t forget that this case’s main objective is to keep your battery alive.

The case virtually doubles your battery life, allowing you to enjoy up to 36 extra hours of audio and nine extra hours of video playback, in addition to the battery life of your iPhone. The juice pack air is also a winner of a CES Innovations 2011 Design and Engineering Award.

The Juice Pack Air is super easy to affix to your phone as it is two pieces that come together to protect your phone. Its only vulnerabilities are of course the face of the phone like any case and the open top section of the case. The openings on the case fit great and allow your to use all ports without adapters except the port on the bottom which i will dive into more a bit later. The back has somewhat of a rubbery feel which makes the phone easier to hold on to in my opinion.

My favorite part about this case is how it adds the additional battery. Not just by acting as another battery but instead by charging the iPhone’s battery when you flick the switch on the lower left side of the case. I thought this was a great idea and love the fact that I can flick the switch when I see fit and it isn’t set to some predetermined amount. Another very cool aspect of the case is the battery meter at the bottom of the case. There is a button that you press and four LEDs next to it that tell you how much charge is left in the case so you always know how much power you have.

The cons of this case are few and far between but there are a few that I must mention. First, the case does add some bulk and usually that is a show stopper for me but with the additional battery you gain from this case I think its worth it. Also, the Juice Pack Air uses a micro USB plug instead of the standard apple cable. This could be troubling for people that rely on docks frequently or don’t feel like purchasing additional cables. I was able to pick up a few additional cables on Amazon with minimal fiscal set back.

When I charged my phone with this case at night, the LEDs on the bottom blinked. Don’t get me wrong it’s nice to know its charging but it will light the room up if not positioned properly.

Overall the case is great but there are definitely a few things to know going into it. If you are looking for a case that can add additional battery without making your phone look archaic, look no further. Give the Mophie Juice Pack Air a try.

What we like:

• Added Battery Life
• Sleek Look
• Functionality

What to know:

• Bright LEDs when charging
• Cable type change
• Added bulk to phone

LifeProof Case Review for iPhone 4S: The Only Case You Need

The number of iPhone 4S sold over the holiday period continue to astound  and this can only mean that the numbers of people carrying an iPhone 4S with them continues to skyrocket.

There is of course an inherent risk in carrying around such an expensive investment with you everywhere you go and that’s in damaging it by dropping it, getting it wet, dirty or scratching it with a million and one things that it comes into contact everyday. And this increases if you take part in any activity in which you want to have your phone with you or if you are simply clumsy!

For as many ways that there are to damage your iPhone there are as many cases to protect it and I’ve had many of them. However, whichever case I’ve had I always felt that I’ve still had to protect my iPhone 4S especially from the inherent fear of water damage. This is no longer the case though as my iPhone is now wrapped in in a LifeProof case.

The LifeProof case is like nothing I have ever had, a case that protects your iPhone from drops, dirt, extreme temperatures and most importantly for me water, yes water. I’ve lost a couple of devices via water, one a simple drop out of a shirt pocket into a bowl of water and another via a trip through a washing machine. I also always have my iPhone with me in the bathroom, in the kitchen, by the pool, in fact it never leaves my side so having it in a case that protects it from any potential exposure to water has to be a good thing.

One thing that has put me off of other full protection cases have been the bulk of the cases, this is not the situation with the LifeProof case though as while it inevitably adds bulk it’s the minimum amount required considering the protection it offers.

The LifeProof comes beautifully packaged in a box that both shows off the case itself and all of the protection it offers. The total package contains the LifeProof case, a cleaning cloth and an adapter for the headphone socket which enables you to use your LifeProof with headphones and keep it waterproof and a spare headphone socket plug.

Putting the case on your phone correctly is key to ensuring that it stays water tight and this is covered by a range of videos that are made available to you to watch via the LifeProof website. All the videos are iPhone compatible of course and aren’t very long but are definitely worthy of a little of your time to ensure you do things correctly.

One of the steps that is highly recommended is the thorough cleaning of your iPhone to ensure that it remains both water tight and free from dust inside the case that could scratch the device. This is easily done with the supplied cleaning cloth and then you are ready to fit the case. To be fair putting your iPhone into the case is no different than any other similar full cover case, the only differance is that you need to ensure that not only is the seal around the top, bottom and sides of the case is free from dust, hairs or any other debris but is also fully snapped shut.

The final steps are to insert waterproof headphone plug and the door that allows access to the charging port at the bottom of the case. These two items enable you to fully use the case with the LifeProof case on, removing the headphone plug allows you to fit most headphone jacks while opening the charge port door enables you to charge your phone. Obviously opening both of the access points will deem the case not watertight any more, however LifeProof have thought of that too and that’s where the included headphone adapter comes in.

The headphone adapter screws into the case provides a watertight seal and still enables you to plug in your headphones while the dock extender that can be purchased seperately will allow any 3rd party adapter to connect to your iPhone while keeping your phone LifeProof’d too.

I’ve been using the case for about 3 weeks now and I’ve found no urge to remove my iPhone from my case, in fact the confidence that the case provides allowing me to enjoy my iPhone even more than I used to, if that’s possible! All the buttons are accessible and the built in screen protector works very well, in fact as a former user of an InvisibleScreen I’m impressed with the touch control and feel that I get with the LifeProof screen protector that’s not stuck to the iPhones screen.

In the time that I was using the LifeProof case I have been debating testing the waterproof feature of this case. At first I was reluctant, however after using the device with wet hands in the kitchen and bathroom and also while out in the rain with no detremental affects I decided to take the plunge as I had no reason to doubt the authenticity of LifeProof’s claims.

The videos that LifeProof providers demonstrate the case’s attributes are impressive, however due to my vicinity to a beach I decided that I would have to go a little lower in the production value department, the results can be seen below but are equally as impressive and I look forward to putting my LifeProof to the test further the next time I go on vacation.

Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast, sports person, have young children or are quite simple prone to clumsiness LifeProof is your only option when it comes to iPhone cases, in fact as soon as you wrap you iPhone in one the only question you’ll be asking yourself is why you didn’t do it earlier.

What we like:

• It really is waterproof!
• Slim form
• Maximum protection
• Looks great
• Produces great underwater videos!

What to know:

• May need extender to fit docks

Gelaskins for iPhone 4S Review: If you like changing your iPhone 4S cases on a regular basis but find that too expensive, or you want protection without the bulk of a case then a skin from Gelaskins for iPhone and iPad may be just the solution for you.

Gelaskins offer hundreds of adhessive covers for all your devices but on this occasion I was looking for something to protect the iPhone 4S of my wife and I. The buying process was easy and seamless via www.gelaskins.com, you can either browse through the 100’s of designs or design you own. While I messed around with the design tools I ended up choosing a couple of pre-designed covers and quickly went through the check-out process.

As I’m pretty impatient I paid a little extra for for fast delivery and a few days later the package was delivered in a flat cardboard envelope with my Gelaskins safe and undamaged inside. Needless to say I didn’t wait too long to get them adhered to the two devices.

The brief documentation that comes in the package recommends that you watch a video showing how to apply the skin and so that’s what I did. I watched the video on my iPhone 4S and 3 mins later I was ready to go. The video confirms most things that you probably already know, especially if you have applied something like this before but the 3 minutes is not wasted.

As recommended I gave my iPhone 4S a thorough cleaning before I started to ensure a strong fix to my device and then went about peeling the back piece from it’s backing paper. The skin has raised ridges across its sticky side to allow any trapped air to escape and to allow for repositioning. Only limited repositioning was needed on both the back and side pieces and I was able to firmly push them down and lock them in place pretty quickly. There are cut outs for the camera and side buttons and the all matched up perfectly.

Moving to the front of the iPhone 4S I was a little surprised, and dissapointed, to find that there were just pieces for the top and bottom of the screen instead of one whole piece including pieces down each side of the screen as I don’t feel this gives 100% protection and depending on the design leaves two blank areas.

The two pieces provide cut outs for the Home Button, Camera, Light Sensor and Speaker and while some of the pieces can seem tricky to pull out a trick that is shown on the video is to push down onto the iPhone the piece that you are try to remove and let it stick to the phone and then pick it off afterwards.

Getting the front pieces lined up was a little trickier but it wasn’t difficult and the whole process from beginning to end took no longer that 5 minutes and I was really happy with the results. The final piece of the process was to download the Gelaskins iPhone App from the App Store and get the wallpaper to accompany the given skin. This was easily done and also enabled you to customize the brightness of the wallpaper so that you could have different wallpapers for both your Home and Lock Screens.

The overall appearance is very nice especially with the matching wallpaper and with a few days of heavy use already there is no noticeable wear or tear on the skin. The skin provides a little more grip than the iPhone without a case but not as much as some cases can provide and doesn’t include a screen protector either.

At around just $15 per skin Gelaskins provide a great way to spice up you iPhone and any electronic device that you may have.

What we like:

• Easy to apply
• 100’s of designs
• Design your own skin

What to know:

• No front side pieces

Holga iPhone 4S / 4 Camera Lens & Filter Turret Review: The camera on the iPhone 4 left a little to be desired especially when taking pictures inside or when the lighting wasn’t great, however the iPhone 4S fixed this issue and more so with the improvements made to the camera and is now regarded as one of the best point and click cameras available.

There are also hundreds off apps out there that will add special effects to your pictures after taking them. Now though you can add special effects as you take the picture with the Holga iPhone 4/4S Camera Lens & Filter Turret.

The Holga iPhone 4/4S Camera Lens & Filter Turret is a set of 10 separate lenses attached to an iPhone case which clips to the back an iPhone 4 or 4s. The fit is a good, snug fit and aligns the lenses with the camera lens perfectly. Because of the snug fit though if you have any type of skin on your case. specifically down either side of the phone the case can leave some marks on the skin and will require care when snapping the phone in and out of the case.

Once attached the lens turret rotates with ease and securely snaps into place with each rotation to lock the next lens into place and you are ready to take your pictures with the default camera app with the selected effect in places.

There are 10 lenses in total although with one being an empty hole for taking normal pictures without removing the case there are actually 9 effects that can be achieved with the device.

The 9 lenses are:-

1. Dual Image Lens
2. Triple Image Lens
3. Quadruple Image Lens
4. 60mm Macro Lens
5. Red Heart Filter
6. Red Filter
7. Green Filter
8. Yellow Filter
9. Blue Filter

These different lenses certainly have a significant effect on your pictures, this is especially evident with the dual, triple and quadruple lens, see sample photos for more details. However, my favorite lens is the 60mm macro lens which enables you to take clear and detailed close up shots, something that the iPhone camera alone is not capable of.

The case obviously adds significant bulk to iPhone and with the turret attached it’s not something that you would want to keep on at all times, however it is well made and feels like it will last a long time.

At $30 this could be a significant purchase for any iPhone 4/4S owner, however the macro lens alone makes it well worth the money as it will add a significant additional option to your photography, add to that the quirky fun that can be had with the other lenses the Holga iPhone 4/4S Camera Lens & Filter Turret is a great purchase for any iPhone 4/4S owner that wants to take their photography to the next level.

Head on over to the Photojojo Store to check out the Holga iPhone 4/4s Camera Lens & Filter Turret.

What we like:

• Solid, well fitting case
• Easy to use, no app required
• Great macro lens

What to know:

• Too bulky for general use

iFrogz have a huge range of products and and the ‘Luxe Original’ case for iPhone 4S / 4 itself comes in a choice of 8 color combinations which, if you had more than one of the cases, would allow you to mix and match thanks to the 2 piece style that allows the top and bottom piece of the case to slide together over your phone.

The case itself comes encased in a plastic/cardboard combination and it’s nice to find that it’s possible to get into it without having to result to scissors, knives or a blow-torch!

The case feels solid even before it’s put around the phone and the inside of the back of the case is lined with velvet to both protect the back of you iPhone and provide a snug fit.

As mentioned previously the case is split approx. a third of the way up and simply snaps apart allowing you to slide each piece on to the iPhone snapping securely together as they meet in the middle.

The case adds no more bulk to the iPhone than an Apple Bumper does and provides protection for the back of the phone as well, while also leaving all ports and buttons available to keep the phone fully functional. This is especially the case for the charging port which is left wide open and will allow the largest of connectors to fit.

Despite the solid feel of the case it’s also soft to the touch, unfortunately like the iPhone itself it does pick up smudges and fingerprints easily especially if you have greasy fingers. The good news is though that those marks can also be wiped off easily.

The LuxeOriginal case by iFrogz provides an excellent amount of protection without losing anything in style. This is especially the case if you go for one of the color cases. It can be purchased for around $30 (ZAGG online store) from the iFrogz website and all other good stores.

What we like:

• Strong protection
• Velvet inner seal
• Not too bulky

What to know:

• Picks up smudges easily

Gallery

iPhone 4 Telephoto Lens Kit Review: I’ve always been happy with the camera on the iPhone 4. OK, its never going to compare to a digital or SLR camera but as a point and click camera that you will always have with you it does a great job.

However, everything cam be improved upon right so that is why I splashed out $35 for a iPhone 4 Telephoto Lens Kit from www.photojojo.com. With 48 hours my parcel from Photojojo had arrived and I excitedly opened it.

It appears that Photojojo took inspiration from Apple in their packaging which is very stylish, simple and effective. The black box opens up to reveal the contents and there are quite a few pieces for your $35. The package contains the following items:-

• iPhone 4 Case with lens attachment
• Long focal lens
• Tripod
• iPhone holder
• Cleaning cloth
• Bag

One of the reason I went for this kit was the fact that it came with a tripod that would fit the iPhone included in the price and the iPhone holder and tripod fit together well allowing both vertical and horizontal picture taking.

Before placing your iPhone 4 into the tripod though you’ll need to fit into the provided case. The case is a simple black case that protects the back and sides of the iPhone allowing full access to all the buttons and connectors. There’s not protection for the front of the case so if you are that way inclined you’ll need a screen protector for your phones screen.

The major difference between this case and any other case you may have owned before is the adaptor that surrounds the camera lens that enables you to screw the long focal lens to your iPhone. The lens screws into the adaptor easily and securly providing a good, sturdy, solid fit and it it feels secure as you use it either in the tripod or held in the hand.

The included tripod works very well and is well made considering its bargain price and it’s easy to clip and unclip you iPhone in and out of it. With the lens attached you iPhones camera provides 8x magnification and it produces some great results both at taking close up shots of far away objects and of long distance views.

I’ve been using the lens all day today with some great results. The first opportunity was some great close up shots of my children playing. Usually I would need to be right up close to them to get decent pictures but with the 8x optical zoom I was able to sit back at relax while they played. After that I headed outside to take some long shots and again the results were excellent. Use of the manual focus is required to get the strongest results but thanks to the strong connection to the iPhone case this is easily done.

Just as when using the iPhone camera on it’s own lighting is all important, this is emphasized however when using the lens as it covers the flash making it unusable.

What makes this simple attachment even better is the customer service that is provided by Photojojo. Beyond the speedy delivery the invoice is full of cute remarks including the ‘OMG, Craig! Your Photojojo goodies are heeeeeere!’ header and the rather bizarre inclusion of a small plastic dinosaur in the packaging takes the service from a good one to a great one with a wonderful attention to detail.

Not only am I very happy with the little camera attachment that upgrades my good iPhone 4 camera to a great one but added to that the great service I can highly recommend adding this Photojojo to your favorites list.

Gallery

Our accessories store has been updated with iPad 2 cases which offer complete protection for you new tablet while offering elegant and sleek design.

Case-Mate’s new ‘Walkabout Case for Apple iPad 2′ really stands true to its name. It’s a top-opening leather case which makes is really easy to take the device out and then put it back inside. Two magnets on the top flap make sure that your device is secure and stays within the folio case. This case is available for $74.95.

Incipio is offering a “felt textured pouch” which is lined with soft suede and features an easy opening for easy access to your iPad 2. The closure is protected with velcro and a strap which ensures the security of your device. The wool texture offers a trendy look and is a nice light weight case for your iPad. You can buy this case for $27.95.

Incipio has the same folio case in leather too which is “lined in luxurious soft suede”. If you are looking for a professional folio case then this is a great option. It’s thin and very elegant in style. The ‘Executive Folio’ case comes in black and brown colors, perfect for anyone looking to carry the iPad to their office. This executive folio for Apple iPad 2 is available for $56.95.

If you are looking for more casual cases which offer more functionality like a stand for watching movies or are more like Apple’s smart cover then you can checkout some great third-party alternatives to the iPad 2 Smart Cover.