The image was sent in to BGR and is purported to be a photo of AT&T’s internal inventory list, showing a total of 7 new Case-Mate cases designed for the iPhone 5. There are a few color options and the cases appear to come in three different types, including a hard case, soft case, and an iPhone 5 skin.

Some iPhone 5 case designs by Case-Mate were leaked in renderings earlier this month. Case-Mate also posted an ad banner on its website, suggesting that Apple would launch both the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5. However, Case-Mate later said that the banner was purely poking fun at current speculations and denied having any knowledge of Apple’s next-gen smartphone.

Once again, we won’t have to wait for long to find out the real deal. Apple’s “Let’s Talk iPhone” event is scheduled for next Tuesday, October 4 and we’ll be there live blogging, so keep it here at: http://live.slashgear.com/

TUAW contacted Kelly Richardson of Otterbox regarding the banner and the leaked case images, to which she explained that the images were of prototype packaging, but that the cases contained within were not for the iPhone 4S. It’s still unclear as to how those images leaked though.

And as for the banner, Richardson explained that the message was merely to reflect the current speculations going around in the blogosphere and that Otterbox would support both models should they be released.

“We’re not even quite sure ourselves,” said Richardson. “Like many, we are watching the rumor sites and using information to plan ahead as much as we can. We do not have any confidentiality agreements with Apple.”

The Case-Mate renderings show the next-gen iPhone with a slimmer profile and rounded, tapered edges. It also shows that the backing, which is peeking out from the cases’ camera openings is aluminum, which again aligns with previous reports. The overall shape of the cases look very similar to what we’ve seen in previously leaked case designs from other third-party accessories makers.

We’ll likely be seeing more leaks like this as we approach the launch date for the iPhone 5, which is rumored for an unveiling on October 7 and shipping October 15. The major software update with iOS 5 and the iCloud is expected to launch on the next-gen iPhone with recent reports suggesting a roll out of the update to current iPhones starting October 10.

[via BGR]

This case is the newest addition to Pelican’s already fantastically large set of hardcore cases. You’ve got the choice here of either the standard 1075 HardBack Case or the 1075CC HardBack Case with Netbook Liner. What’s that, you don’t have a Netbook anymore because it was foretold that the Netbook was dead? It may be time for you to check out the last of that breed (or perhaps the first in the resurgence:) the Verizon Compaq Mini CQ10-688nr, the first 4G LTE netbook on earth. But of course you could still toss your iPad 2 in there just as easily.

This case is the most hardcore piece of protection for your flat piece of hardware you’re likely to find, having a lifetime guarantee of excellence to boot. The dimensions of this case ring in at 11.38″ x 8.19″ x 1.63″ (28.9 x 20.8 x 4.1 cm) and its watertight gasket makes sure that even after its fallen down a mountain, getting dropped in a lake won’t harm your device inside. There’s an easy-open latch that remains shut no matter what you toss at it (unless you want to open it, of course,) and an automatic purge valve makes sure water and dust stay out while it balances air pressure throughout.

This case has an ever-so-convenient Pick N Pluck convoluted lid foam, a removable shoulder strap, and is good for any piece of electronics including external hard drives. This case again has a lifetime guarantee and is watertight, crushproof, and dust proof. You can get a quote on how much you’re going to be spending on this case today!

This isn’t the first extreme video G-Form has offered the world in order to gain some viral attention, and we’re pretty sure it’s not he last. If you’re in to the idea of keeping your iPad safe from basically any kind of punishment, especially dropping it off a tower, G-Form’s Extreme Portfolio Case appears very much to be the solution for you. This case uses a portfolio-style case employing Reactive Protection Technology or RPT to keep your device safe. Reinforced with polycarbonate and bumped up with RPT corners for ultimate protection against evil of all sorts.

This particular model has an adjustable easel stand, an inside pocket for documents, and a reversible zipper that’s able to convert the case to a doubly-protective tablet format. This case also, it’s important to mention, isn’t specifically sized for the iPad only. It also fits tablets like the XOOM, and I bet if you plopped basically any other 10-inch tablet in there it’d fit fine as well. Reverse zip it! It’s time for some double-base action!

AND of course it’s time to watch some more extreme videos – it’s that time again! First let’s watch one with a MacBook Pro sleeve dropped out of a window, then lets head to another iPad case being dropped out of an airplane, and of course, there’s a wild Japanese video where they figure out how to break some things inside the case – be forewarned, it’s epic!

Waterfield Designs alredy makes bags and accessory cases for laptops, cameras, tablets, and other devices like the Nintendo DS. The Keyboard Travel Express appears to have the same quality of their other products, however we will reserve our final word on the Travel Express for a hands-on. It is probably a little large for carrying in a purse, but not everyone carries a purse so the Travel Express could conveniently carry all the accessories for your tablet in one place.

It might have been nice to have the iPad or tablet carried with the accessories, but there are already lots of tablet cases and covers on the market. The case has a bit of a bulgy look to it. It doesn’t look quite as clean and presentable as we would have wanted. It seems to look better, more square and modular, with only the keyboard inside and not all the other accessories. The retail is set at $49, available now.

[via WaterField]

Rather than leather or vinyl, which can be bulky, ASUS has used a rubberized fabric for the Transformer Sleeve Case, finished in dark grey with a flocked inner lining to avoid scratching the rear of the Eee Pad. Of course, without Apple’s array of nifty magnets, ASUS relies on more traditional methods to keep the sleeve in place. The tablet slides into the case at the fold, with a flap of material that tucks in to keep it there. It’s a snug fit, so we don’t have any concerns of the Transformer tumbling out. A tiny piece of Velcro keeps the front cover closed.

ASUS has provided cut-outs for almost all the ports: there’s a slot in the flap for the power/sync cable, notches on both edges for the HDMI and headphones sockets, as well as the power/lock and volume keys. On the back is a hole for the 5-megapixel rear camera, so that you can shoot photos and video without removing the slate, while the front-facing webcam isn’t covered by the case’s bezel. In fact the only things blocked are the microSD card slot and the docking clamp holes along the bottom edge; even the speakers get a perfunctory double-line of holes so that you can hear them.

What you can’t do, however, is use the Sleeve Case and the Eee Pad Transformer’s Keyboard Dock at the same time. Even if the slate’s docking clamp ports were open, the case – despite being close-fitting – adds too much bulk to slot in. Now, admittedly we can’t see many people choosing the carry both the Keyboard Dock and the Transformer separately, since you may as well click them together and then drop the ensuing smartbook-replacement into a netbook sleeve, but it does add an extra fumble if you suddenly decide you want to hammer out a longer email.

Still, as with the iPad 2 Smart Cover, the ASUS sleeve props the Honeycomb tablet up at two angles, one of which is intended to make typing with the on-screen keyboard more straightforward. The front panel bends back, folds, and the edge tucks into the flap on the rear of the case. With the resulting wedge at the top, the Eee Pad is held up at a shallow angle for typing; stood up on the wedge, and it’s useful for standalone media viewing. It’s a little more fiddly than the Smart Cover’s magnets, but works reasonably well all the same.

Upright it feels stable, though we were conscious that tapping the touchscreen could make the Transformer rock back in a mildly concerning way. A steadying hand made us feel a little safer. We’d consider the ASUS Sleeve Case more of a scuff-preventer than true all-purpose protection, though given the Gorilla Glass and the generally sturdy build of the tablet itself, perhaps it’s all that’s required for dropping the Eee Pad into a bag.

At $39.99 or £39.99 in the US or UK respectively, ASUS is asking more than Apple does for a Smart Cover. On the one hand, the Transformer Sleeve Case does protect the back and edges of the Android tablet, which the Smart Cover leaves open on the iPad 2; on the other, it lacks the clever magnetic clasp and automatic wake-from-standby that Apple offers. We’re guessing that many will bypass it altogether, given that it seems intended for those without the Keyboard Dock accessory. In the end, while it works as billed, the cost doesn’t seem to line up with the Transformer’s own competitive price tag. The ASUS Sleeve Case with Smart Stand works, but it isn’t the obvious buy that the Eee Pad itself is.

For more on the Eee Pad Transformer, check out the SlashGear review.

The Latch is a strap system that is designed to wrap around the corners of the iPad when it is inside either the Defender or the Commuter cases. You can also use the Latch without a case on the iPad to make the tablet alone easier to grip. The Latch has a padded handgrip that is adjustable to fit the hand of the user.

It also ships with an additional elastic strap with Velcro attachment and an adjustable lanyard. The Latch includes a screen cover and an s-biner utility clip as well. When used together these accessories allow you to attach the iPad to the headrest of a car seat and lots more. You can also connect the tablet to your leg as well. The Latch is available right now for $49.95.

You can not only cover the front of your pad when your moving it from place to place, you can stand it up horizontally and vertically. When you fold the Smart Cover back, the iPad 2 is automatically awakened, this entire process working with the smooth use of magnets. When you fold the flaps back down, the iPad 2 falls back asleep.

This new Smart Cover comes in polyurethane or leather, has micro-fiber lining to clean the screen, adds what Apple says is minimal weight and thickness, and has an auto-align feature that works when the magnets grasp your device. The poly case will run you $39 while the leather case will cost you $69. Out of the gate there will be 5 colors for either model, 10 in total.

Videos after the cut

As for the differences, the new case is supposedly thinner and won’t accomodate a first-gen iPad, with the shape of the mount suggesting a flat back and tapered sides. There’s also a larger speaker cut-out and a rear camera hole; apparently the supplier also showed off – but wouldn’t allow photographs of – an iPad 2 rear panel, complete with camera port but no Apple logo quite yet.

Meanwhile, MIC Gadget took the opportunity to ask about the smaller iPhone, and the supplier reckons it is indeed on the way. Last we heard, Apple wasn’t reading an iPhone nano as much as a cheaper variant, with lower-spec internals but the same size display so as to avoid iOS developers having to rework their apps.

[via GottaBeMobile]

Ballistic has announced that it has a new line of cases that are made specifically to fit the Droid X, HTC Evo, and the Samsung Fascinate. The cases available for the new smartphones include the Ballistic HC and the Ballistic SG. The more protective of the two is the HC with a five-layer protection system.

The HC protection system includes a screen protector, inner soft TPU layer, impact resistant middle layer, and a soft outer TPU layer. The final layer is silicone and the case comes with a holster since its probably to thick for your pocket. The SG is a three layer offering with soft silicone inner layer, impact resistant polycarbonate middle, and a soft outer TPU layer. The cases are available now (the SG for the Evo will come late next month) in retail stores for $34.99 to $49.99.

The change in layout is to accomodate the new antenna design, which has seen a new notch appear just above the side controls for ringer and volume up/down. Apple’s official Bumper case – which the company gave out free to iPhone 4 users complaining about the so-called antennagate issue – has a hole cut out for the switch, but that doesn’t line up properly with the new Verizon model.

What that means is that, despite the two new phones being almost identical outwardly, users crossing over from AT&T to Verizon will not only have to pick up a new handset but new bumper cases and skins. That’s going to frustrate a lot of people, certainly, and potentially cause an accessory bottleneck in the early days of the Verizon iPhone 4′s availability from February.

More on the Verizon iPhone 4 in our hands-on.

A company called Power Support has announced that it has a new protective film for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The new film is called HD Anti-Glare and it has a matte finish on the film to help reduce the glare when you are using your device. The film has a surface that is less grainy than other films on the market to reduce glare allowing it to have less of an impact on the screen quality when you are watching video.

The company has also announced that it has a new Air Jacket case with a self-healing coating. The Air Jacket is a very thin clear plastic case that you can barely see on the iPhone. The new coating is able to eliminate minor scratches on its own to keep the case from getting cloudy looking over time. The company will be at CES showing these new products along with other accessories.

More rumors swirled about a half-size iPad that suggest Apple may be working on a smaller version of the iPad. That would be no surprise even if Jobs did already say 7-inch tablets are DOA. A geek took some sticky notes and a string of Christmas lights and hacked them into a way to show which of his pals were online. The lights the geek used are the GE Color Effects GE-35 LED sting and the LED data bus was hacked to create the IM status device.

Coloud has been making headphones that are sports and super hero branded for a while now and those were cool. The company has now rolled out an epic R2-D2 themed set that is really cool and sell for a tick under $50. The rumor that will not die made another round this week with the Verizon iPhone said to be coming right after Christmas. The device is also said to be an LTE handset.

A phone design concept popped up by researcher Fabian Hemmert that has tactile feedback. The phone could hold your hand, blow on you, and kiss you. This will single handedly bring new meaning to phone sex me thinks. One analyst is saying that a new HP webOS tablet is set to hit the market in March 2011. BMO Capital Markets analyst Keith Bachman cites sources in Asia for the tip.

A group of Japanese guys got together and created cool skydiving simulation using Google Earth, a projector, and some fans. The result looks pretty fun and more realistic than you might expect. German doctors made a claim this week that the world has been waiting to hear for decades. The doctors claim to have cured a patient of AIDS using stem cells and other techniques.

GNU Founder Richard Stallman stated this week that the Google Chrome OS is careless computing. He points out that when your data is stored on a company machine rather than your own machine you lose some of your legal rights. An awesome DIY Tron Skatecycle was spied early in the week and the thing has glowing wheels that look like the new lightcycles. The device started out as a device skate cycle called the Freerider.

A cool map of the world that highlights Facebook relationships shows just how connected we are globally. The map shows 10 million pairs of friends out of the 500 million people on the social network. Analysts said this week that they think a Verizon iPhone will gain users mostly at AT&T’s expense. That would mean that the number of new users to the iPhone with Verizon offering one would be less than some might expect.

Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg was named the Time Person of the Year for 2010. The magazine says that the site founded by Zuckerberg has changed the way people relate to each other. Tablet sales in the business world are predicted to double according to a ChangeWave survey of businesses. Most of the businesses want to use the iPad and 7% of the businesses surveyed say they already give employees iPads.

A cool new way to raise money for charity has been unveiled by Google. Money for each opened tab on the Chrome browser will be given to charity with a new “Chrome for Cause” program. A wild looking stringless guitar from Misa Kitara has surfaced. The guitar uses a touch screen for strings and can be pre-ordered now for $849 on a normal plastic version of $2899 for an aluminum version.

A crazy self-sterilizing door handle won a Concept Design Award. The thing is really cool and kills off germs on its own. Door handles transmit more germs and illness than I care to think about. Geeks and Lego never fail to impress and this cool T-800 bust made from Lego is no exception. The statue even has glowing red eyes and base has tiny Lego skeletons inside.

For most of us, the largest utility bill is electricity. A concept home has debuted that is square and covered in solar panels to generate electricity. The panels power the hot water, lights, AC and all else in the concept and might even have power to sell back to the electric company. I have never seen a house key that was cool until the Keybrid turned up. The key has a ring integrated into the design and can be used as a money clip or clipped to other things. You can pick up a pair of the things for about $17.

Word Lens for the iPhone is an app that can translate signs in a foreign language so you can read them. The app is cool and it only works for printed text (naturally). PDP is showing off its cool Tron: Legacy controller that is licensed by Microsoft for the Xbox 360. The controller has glowing orange lines and sells for about $50.

EA has some of its coolest iPhone and iPad games on sale right now for the holidays at 99 cents. There are a bunch of different games available from Tetris to Madden NFL and more. A live video demo of the Notion Ink Adam tablet surfaced from the company for us all to drool over. The tablet looks pretty cool to me, check out the video for yourself here. Thanks for reading this week’s edition and have a Merry Christmas!

At the time I write this, the case is not on the Speck website, but it will land on the site here when it launches. Speck notes that it will also be offered in the T-Mobile stores to buy along with the phone. The new case is the PixelSkin HD and it comes in two colors. The case has a blocky square design that makes the phone easier to grip.

The case also allows users to access the kickstand for propping the phone up. It comes in black or pink colors and will sell for $29.99. The grid of blocks is matte finish with the layer under the blocks having a shine to them. The case is very nice looking.

The battery has 2000mA of power and uses lithium polymer tech. The battery promises 40 more hours of music and can extend your talk time up to six more hours, and your gaming time for up to ten more hours.

The case has a kickstand on the back to prop the iPhone 4 up in landscape orientation for watching videos hands free. A button on the back illuminated a LED battery indicator can be pressed to show how much power is left in the battery pack. The case fits the iPhone 4 only and is white. The MSRP is not announced at this time.

Mophie, whose Juice Pack Air has become synonymous with slide-on iPhone cases, is tipped to have ordered in excess of 100,000 cases in time for the holidays, on the assumption that they would go on sale on Apple’s shelves. As it is, though, the Juice Pack Air for iPhone 4 is only available through Mophie’s own site and AT&T stores.

The issue – if indeed one exists – appears to concern Apple’s choice of glass for the back panel of the iPhone 4, which unlike the fascia is seemingly not toughened. “They’re evaluating every case one at a time,” the source claims, “they’re being very vigorous. We’re still waiting for a final verdict.” Slider cases for the iPhone 3GS and earlier models are available, since the physical design is different. Apple has not responded to requests for comments.

Meanwhile there’s also the Kensington Folio Case for iPad, a faux-leather flip case that has an adjustable stand to prop up the Apple slate whether you want to enter text or watch videos.  It’s priced at $39.99, while the Kensington KeyFolio is $99.99.

There’s not much in the box: the case itself, a short USB to microUSB to charge it, and a poorly translated user guide. Made from reasonably convincing black imitation leather, the KeyCase has a strong dual-magnet clasp and a snuggly fitting section for the iPad to slot into. Cutouts leave the home button, power/sleep, microphone and headphone socket, volume rocker, orientation lock and dock connector accessible, and there are holes punched through to line up with the speaker on the bottom edge.

The keyboard itself is decidedly rubbery, the keys more Spectrum ZX than a regular Bluetooth ‘board. Layout is a mixture of Apple’s regular keys and and iPad-specific buttons, including Home, volume up/down/mute, play/pause, skip-forward, skip-back and search. There’s also a keyboard button which can show or hide the on-screen keyboard (which, when the KeyCase is paired, automatically stays hidden during text entry).

On the top right of the keyboard is a large Connect button, which puts the KeyCase into pairing mode (or resumes the Bluetooth connection should either iPad or keyboard go into sleep mode), and on the side a microUSB port for charging and a tiny power switch. The latter is the one particularly cheap-feeling part of the KeyCase, and we wish they’d gone for a sturdier toggle. Three blue LEDs show Bluetooth, charging and power status.

Pairing proved straightforward, a matter of powering on the keyboard, holding down the Connect button and then choosing the “Keyboard” entry from the iPad’s Bluetooth menu in the settings page. After typing in a passcode on the KeyCase we were ready to go; subsequently all we needed to do was turn the KeyCase on and it would reconnect (though you can also force that by tapping the Connect button briefly).

With rubbery keys you can’t expect the best typing experience, and sure enough the KeyCase isn’t going to replace a proper hardware ‘board. Travel is relatively shallow, and there isn’t enough clicky responsiveness to each button to feel entirely confident. At 8.25 x 3.5 inches it’s obviously considerably smaller than a a full-sized keyboard, too.

That’s not to say it’s unusable, however. Once we learned to trust the KeyCase and ignore the lack of feel, we were able to pick up a decent rate that exceeded by a minor margin what we could regularly manage with the on-screen keyboard. Being able to use shortcuts like cmd+left/right to jump to the start or end of a line, option+left/right to jump a word at a time, and ctrl+up/down to page up or down is particularly handy, as is highlighting text using the shift and arrow keys. You can then copy/paste with the regular Mac shortcuts too.

Unfortunately there’s no easy way to use the iPad’s spelling correction from the keyboard – you have to actually tap the underlined word to see the alternatives – and sometimes iOS’ touchscreen-centricity still shows through. While you can trigger a search using the KeyCase, you then can’t move down through and select the results with the arrow keys; only tapping the screen works. Similarly you can’t dismiss pop-up notifications with the enter key, only with a finger.

You’re limited in screen angle, too; there are various rubber ridges above the QWERTY layout, but we found ourselves wishing we could tilt the iPad back a few more degrees. It’s fine if you’re working at a desk, less so if you were trying to make the most of an airline tray-table.

Battery life is estimated at up to 90hrs continuous use or 100 days standby; we’re still yet to reach the end of our first charge. While the original KeyCase design had an Apple dock connector for recharging, it was replaced with microUSB for legal reasons. That means you’ll have to carry both a microUSB and Apple power cord to charge both KeyCase and iPad, which is frustrating.

The cynics will probably ask why, if you’re looking for a hardware keyboard, you opted for the iPad in the first place rather than a (likely cheaper) netbook. There’s plenty to be said for having the option to type or simply to rely on the touchscreen, and the KeyCase also does a reasonable job of propping up the iPad for media consumption. At roughly 9.75 x 8 x 1.25 inches it’s pretty much in line with a bare netbook, and remember you’re also getting sturdy protection for your iPad as well.

At £59.95 from GearZap (roughly $99.99 in the US) that puts it on the expensive side for an iPad case and more expensive than Apple’s own iPad Keyboard Dock or regular Bluetooth keyboard. Nonetheless, with the latter you’d still have to buy a case for mobile use. The rubber keys won’t be to everybody’s taste, but with some practice they’re more usable than the on-screen version; text editing is also quicker thanks to the shortcut support. This is unlikely to be the last keyboard case for the iPad we see reach the market, however, and a hard keys version would likely be significantly more productive.

Charging the 4,400 mAh battery is done via microUSB port, which also works to recharge the iPad itself and sync it with iTunes, so you can finally leave Apple’s proprietary cable at home.  An LED charge indicator, soft-touch case and “speaker deflectors” – which redirect the sound from the iPad’s speaker on the bottom edge, so that it’s funnelled out the front instead – round out the package.  It’s up for preorder now, priced at $129.99.

Press Release:

Kensington® Announces New iPad Accessories to Deliver Continuous Power and Protection Everywhere You Go, Anyplace You Stay

Smart Made Simple™ Accessories Provide iPad Enthusiasts with the Power to Stay Productive Longer, In the Car or On-the-Go

Redwood Shores, Calif. – September 13, 2010 – Kensington Computer Products Group, a worldwide leader in delivering smart made simple™ computing and smartphone accessories, today introduced three new iPad accessories to help boost productivity for users of the tablet computer on-the-go or in the car. Kensington’s connectivity enhancers are designed to be the breakthrough iPad accessories for users in need of extra versatility and best performance everywhere they go, anyplace they stay. The clever new products are a natural extension of Kensington’s celebrated line of smart made simple computing and smartphone accessories, now offering power and protection to bring unlimited use to the iPad.

Kensington’s PowerBack™ Battery Case with Kickstand and Dock is an innovative, all-in-one design that integrates battery charging, protective casing, three-position kickstand and dock abilities. The built-in charger provides up to five extra hours of power for iPad, while the simple slip-on case protects the tablet computer in a compact and easy to carry form factor for use in all environments. The PowerBack’s kickstand adapts to individual user needs by offering three convenient viewing modes for iPad: portrait mode is best for photo viewing and web browsing, landscape mode makes video watching a joy, and typing mode makes texting and emailing via iPad easy and comfortable.

Eliminate the need for multiple chargers with the Kensington Wall Pack Duo Charger that simultaneously powers two iPad, iPhone, or iPod devices from a single wall outlet. Featuring a low profile design that is ideal for everyday use at home or in the office, the extra power source also includes a detachable USB sync cable to sync devices from a computer. Kensington’s PowerBolt™ Duo Car Charger offers a quick charge on the road to both an iPad and iPhone, iPod, or other mobile device, and features two power ports to simultaneously renew energy for maximum efficiency.

“We recognize that the iPad is the next generation of personal and professional technology, creating a new demand for convenient power and protection for an everyday digital lifestyle,” said Juan Rodriguez, Senior Global Product Manager, Kensington. “We strive to develop products that help deliver user efficiency and complement all environments in which mobile users spend their time, regardless of whether it’s at home, on the road, or in the air.”

At the June 2010 Worldwide Developer’s Conference, Apple announced its extraordinary success in iPad sales with an estimate that there is one iPad sold every 3 seconds. Since then, the high demand for the product continues to grow from business users in particular. In fact, according to a recent report by BusinessWeek, the future enterprise device of choice for mobile workers will be an iPad. As today’s workforce relies more on the tablet computer to complete business tasks and transactions, accessories that extend connectivity of the iPad will become essential to achieving productivity.

But, not all is lost. While, yes, Apple is indeed ending the overall program, which meant owners of the iPhone 4 could cash in a problem with their antenna and get a free case (whether they really had a problem with their antenna or not). It also meant that Apple’s return policy was “upgraded” from 14-days to 30, and the traditional restocking fee of 10% was waived. But, those two features are going back to their old ways: purchasing an iPhone 4 after September 30th means you only get 14 days to try out your new device, and if you do choose to return it, you’ll have to fork over that 10% restocking fee.

But, again, all is not lost. Apple is canceling the third party free case program, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t get an iPhone 4 Bumper case for free. The only catch is that your iPhone really, really has to have a problem with its antenna. You can either call into Apple Care and talk to a representative there, and voice your concerns with them over the phone, or head into your local Apple Store, and talk to an employee there. If it’s determined that your device is suffering from antenna issues, Apple will happily supply you with a free Bumper case.

Here’s the quote from Apple’s site, directly:

“We now know that the iPhone 4 antenna attenuation issue is even smaller than we originally thought. A small percentage of iPhone 4 users need a case, and we want to continue providing them a Bumper case for free. For everyone else, we are discontinuing the free case program on all iPhone 4s sold after September 30, 2010. We are also returning to our normal returns policy for all iPhone 4s sold after September 30. Users experiencing antenna issues should call AppleCare to request a free Bumper case.”

So, Apple’s keeping up with the problem — they’re not just cutting off support entirely. While they’re now saying it’s plaguing less customers than they normally thought, they are still admitting that the problem exists, and they’re going to do what they can to fix it. So, judged on a case-by-case nature, if your iPhone 4 is suffering from its own version of “antennagate,” then all you have to do is go through the right channels and you’ll get it taken care of.

[via Apple]

So far it seems he’s managed to hack apart one old Newton and craft a custom bay for the Apple smartphone, doing some re-logoing along the way.  A simple hatch door keeps the iPhone 4 in place, and we’re guessing there’ll be some sort of pass-through cable arrangement so as to charge and sync the handset without necessarily needing to remove it from the case.

This seems like one of those ideas that’s guaranteed to spawn various third-party cases, so if you haven’t a spare Newton of your own – or can’t bring yourself to sacrifice one to replicate Charles’ project – then you likely won’t have to wait long until commercial versions are available.

[via technabob]

That’s because each SIM clips into a special adapter that then snakes round the side of the iPhone 4 and into the regular SIM tray.  A transparent plastic shell keeps everything safely in place, and there’s no need to cut the cards beforehand.

Now, you can’t have both SIMs active at the same time – that’s a limitation of the iPhone 4, sadly – but you can apparently switch between them without having to reboot the Apple smartphone.  According to USBfever, you can simply pick the correct card from the SIM Applications menu in the iPhone 4′s settings, and after a minute or two it flicks over.  You’ll need to be running iOS 4.0.0/4.0.1/4.0.2 for that to work, though.  The adapter case is on sale now, priced at $28.99.

[via Gear Diary]

The images come straight from Chinese vendor X-Doria, and as you might expect, they outline (quite literally) what you should be expecting to have in your pocket after Apple officially announces them on September 1st. As for the cases themselves, it looks like they’re designed with a similar housing as the second- and third-generation iPod Touch devices, but this time, as you can clearly see, there’s a point in the corner that’s been cut out. That’s expectedly for the camera.

As for those small square things above the bigger cases, those are supposedly for the sixth-generation iPod Nano. The case seems to be created specifically for a touchscreen device, as the entire back of the gadget would be covered, but the whole front would not be. And considering we’ve heard rumors that the new Nano will lose that trackwheel, we’re beginning to think those earlier leaked images of the iWatch (or whatever) were indeed showing off the iPod Nano. There’s no confirmation yet, but remember September 1st — that’s when Apple’s expected to get all official on this.

[via Electronista]

The setup is relatively straightforward: a QWERTY keyboard with an accompanying folio iPad case with all the right cut-outs to make carrying both devices simple.  Thanks to Bluetooth, connecting the two doesn’t require a cable – there’s a dedicated pairing button to reconnect – and the keyboard’s battery is apparently good for up to 90 hours active use or 100 days standby.

What remains to be seen – aside from whether the BL-BKB76 actually gets a (presumably rebadged) release in the US and/or Europe – is how good the keys are to actually type on.  If they’re flexible silicone, as the company’s name might suggest, then the finger-feel might not be much improved over the regular on-screen ‘board.

Update: Looks like the iPad keyboard case is already on sale in the UK; GearZap sell it for £59.95 ($92) though it’s currently listed as out of stock.

[via Wireless Goodness]

Apple Bumper

The Cupertino company’s own case for the iPhone 4 is more accurately a rubber band that fits around the outer edge and gives some degree of knock protection while leaving the front and rear of the smartphone open.  Button and switch access is preserved, as is the headphone port and dock connector.  Buying one yourself would normally cost $29.

Belkin Shield Micra

The Shield Micra is a thin, skin-like case that adds little bulk to the iPhone 4.  It has cut-out holes for the controls, headphones socket and dock connector, together with the camera on the back.  It would normally retail for $25.

Griffin Reveal Etch

The Griffin Reveal Etch for iPhone 4 is another skin-style case, with rubberized edges and a hard polycarbonate back panel.  It too has cut-outs for the controls and ports, and adds 1.6mm to all the dimensions of the Apple smartphone.  It would normally retail for $29.99.

Griffin Motif

The Motif is made from a smoked polyurethane plastic that’s stiffer than a regular silicone case but more flexible than the polycarbonate back panel on the Griffin Reveal Etch.  It has a smooth finish and is scuff resistant, and includes cut-outs for the controls and ports.  It would normally retail for $19.99.

Incase Snap Case

The Incase Snap case for iPhone 4 is yet to get a product page on the company’s site, but judging by the existing iPhone 3GS/3G version it’s a simple clip on transparent back cover that protects the rear and edges of the handset.  That leaves the front and controls open, together with the ports.  We’re expecting it to retail for around $24.95.

Speck Fitted

The Speck Fitted case for iPhone 4 is another hard case, this time with a soft-touch coating.  It comes in two sections, front and rear, with the smartphone sandwiched in-between.  It retails for $29.95.

Speck Pixelskin HD

The Speck Pixelskin HD is a rubberized case which stretches to fit over the iPhone 4.  It has cut-outs for the ports and buttons, push-through volume controls and a repeating pixel pattern on the back with contrasting matte and gloss black plastic.  It retails for $29.95.

So, there are your choices: which will you go for?  Let us know in the comments!

Now, Apple did warn that deliveries could take anything from three to five weeks, but this is still on the long side of things.  While we can only imagine that supplies of cases will be dwindling fast, considering how many iPhone 4 buyers there are out there, for the delay to be this long only a few hours after the case program started doesn’t bode well.  Our advice would be to get your order in sooner rather than later; let us know what your estimated ship date is in the comments.

[Thanks Freddy!]

The app follows word earlier today that Apple had begun refunding those who bought a Bumper through the official Apple Store online, with money automatically being returned to the payment method initially used (and including shipping and taxes).  However that does mean that those iPhone 4 owners won’t be able to choose a second case under Apple’s scheme, only get a refund for the Bumper they’ve already bought.

Right now there are only black cases available, and aside from the official Bumper you can take your pick from the Belkin Shield Micra, Griffin Motif, Griffin Reveal, Incase Snap Case, Speck Fitted and Speck PixelSkin HD.  Expected delivery time is three to five weeks, and the app checks your handset’s IMEI number so that you can’t get more than one.

In order to qualify, you need to have bought your iPhone 4 before September 30th (obviously that’s not a problem right now); however, if you bought it prior to July 23rd 2010 you need to apply for your free case no later than August 22nd.  Everyone else has 30 days from the point of purchase to apply.  You can download the app here [iTunes link].

Meanwhile the company has promised a similar refund scheme for those who picked up a Bumper in-store, though the nature of that refund process is yet to be announced.  However those who picked a third-party case won’t be seeing any money back, though Apple has said it will be including some third-party models among the free options offered to new buyers between now and September 30th.

OtterBox has put the Defender case through lots of fancy testing to make sure of it, but the short version is that because the iPhone 4′s antenna bridge isn’t getting touched by a human hand, you won’t see the attenuation issues that prompted Apple’s press conference last Friday.  The case also gets access to the various hardware controls around the smartphone, and is dust, shock and bump resistant.

Meanwhile two further iPhone 4 cases are due from OtterBox, the Impact Series and Commuter Series, with varying degrees of protection versus bulk.  The OtterBox Defender case for iPhone is available now, priced at $49.95, while the Impact and Commuter cases will be $34.95 and $19.95 respectively.

Press Release:

From the Retail Box to an OtterBox, Defender Series for iPhone 4 Revealed

Fort Collins, COLO. – Apple® enthusiasts can now take their new iPhone® 4 from the retail box to an OtterBox™ as the Colorado case manufacturing company unveils its Defender Series™ case. Impact Series™ and Commuter Series™ cases are coming soon.
“We set the bar high for quality and durability,” OtterBox founder and CEO Curt Richardson said. “Extensive research and testing is done to ensure our cases are precision-fit and proven to withstand abuse. Great design takes time and we are confident to now deliver our signature Defender Series protection for the iPhone 4.”
Now available, the original multi-layer case provides the most rugged protection available for the iPhone 4. First, a polycarbonate shell made of hi-impact, shatter-resistant material is installed. Built into the shell is a clear Multi-Touch display screen cover as well as a clear cover for the Apple logo cutout on the backside. Finally, a silicone skin wraps around and locks into the shell resulting in a unified, nearly indestructible solution. Also included is a holster-style swivel belt clip.*
The black OtterBox Defender Series case for the Apple iPhone 4 has been officially NAC tested to address the loss in signal strength. Test results indicate this case solves the antenna issue by acting as a dielectric between the two antennas of the device. No loss of signal strength occurs when using the iPhone 4 in a Defender Series case.
Coming soon, the OtterBox Commuter Series case features two layers of device security for a completely new level of innovation. A silicone mid-layer and a polycarbonate shell combine to provide protection from bump and shock, while the self-adhering screen protector defends from scratching. Similar to the Impact Series, the Commuter Series will offer coverage for the iPhone 4 power button, volume rocker and home button. Additionally, this line provides silicone plugs for the charging port and headphone jack that flip open for access.** Customers can sign up online to receive notification about case availability.
No one does a silicone skin like OtterBox. The OtterBox Impact Series, also coming soon, is a single layer silicone skin, yet far from simplistic. With inner coring to dissipate shock away from the iPhone 4, this case option will provide durable protection and innovative features. Silicone covers the power button, volume rocker and home button to protect from dirt and dust, yet does not interfere with functionality. The charging port and headphone jack remain open and accessible.*** Customers can sign up online to receive notification about case availability.
All cases will accommodate every feature of the iPhone 4 with tight precision including proximity sensors, ambient light sensors, secondary mics and speakers. For full technical specifications for each series, visit the product pages at www.otterbox.com/iphone-cases/iphone-4-cases/.
Time spent worrying about potential damage to the new iPhone is now over. OtterBox Defender Series protection has arrived.
About OtterBox:
Built upon fundamentals of hard work, innovation and perseverance, OtterBox is a leader in the production of premier protective solutions for global handheld manufacturers, wireless carriers and distributors.
Incorporating creativity and cutting-edge design into every product, OtterBox creates sleek and durable cases that offer reliable device protection to complement any lifestyle.
OtterBox was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colo.
For more information, visit www.otterbox.com or call 888-695-8820. We’ve Got Technology Covered.
Notes:
*Defender Series cases NOT protected against water. Will provide some added protection against bump, shock and dust.
**Commuter Series cases NOT protected against water. Will provide some added protection against bump and shock.
***Impact Series cases NOT protected against water. Will provide some added protection against bump and shock.

Google showed off a new app that it created called Google Open Spot. The app lets you share locations of open parking spaces, which is a great thing for those who live in a very crowded area. A very slick looking HTC 1 Android concept device turned up that has a minimalist design and all kinds of sexy. We certainly hope the concept phone makes it into production.

The class action lawsuit against Apple and AT&T over the exclusive agreement for the iPhone got the green light this week. In dreamland, the suit would result in exclusive handsets being banned.

We got our hands on the cool new AT&T Samsung Captivate smartphone and did the unboxing the thing Monday. The little handset has a 1GHz Samsung Hummingbird processor and a 4-inch Super AMOLED screen. Consumer Reports withheld their “Recommended” rating for the iPhone 4 this week. The reason was the issue with the iPhone 4 antenna reception.

Apple started deleting any threads on its support forums that mentioned the Consumer Reports rating withholding. Apparently deleting threads means that it never happened. The iPhone 4 was officially unlocked this week. To unlock the device apparently required a complete rewrite of the ultrasn0w software.

Intel posted its Q2 2010 numbers this week and announced that it had the best quarter in the history of the company. Intel cited strong demand from enterprise customers as part of the reason for the record results. Sony unveiled the NEX-VG10 camcorder mid-week that has interchangeable lenses. The camcorder can use some of the same lenses as the firms DSLR cameras. PR experts stated early in the week that a hardware recall on the iPhone 4 was inevitable. The experts figured that the most important thing to Apple was their image and the iPhone 4 would be recalled over the bad antenna.

Insiders are claiming that late in 2010 we will see iPads with OLED screens land. The new iPads would be smaller devices than the original according to the insiders in 5.6-inch and 7-inch sizes. iOS4.1 landed this week and fixed the issue with signal bars on the iPhone not displaying correctly. The iPhone antenna issue was left the same though.

HP announced late in the week that it was postponing its plans for an Android tablet. The tablet was expected in Q4 and the Windows 7 and WebOS tablets are still on track. Rumors that Apple was working on a new smaller and thinner MacBook Air floated around late in the week. The new Air is said to use an 11.6-inch screen.

Wicked Lasers put the cease and desist letter that Lucasfilm sent about the cool Spyder III Pro Arctic laser on eBay. The winner gets the letter and other materials that Lucasfilm sent demanding the laser be pulled from the market. Rumors than an Apple engineer warned about the antenna issue back ion 2009 surfaced. Supposedly, some of the carrier partners had the same fears for the antenna.

Apple denied that any engineer warned of a possible issue with the iPhone antenna on Friday. Apple told Bloomberg that the rumor was simply not true. We posted up a review of the iMo Monster 10-inch touch USB monitor Friday. The screen worked as we expected overall, though we wished for a more flexible stand.

Brother unveiled a new type of battery Friday that has a separate generator and can produce power from vibration. The batteries could be used in a remote control that gets a charge from shaking the device. Apple held a press conference Friday to talk about the iPhone 4 antenna problems. Anyone who expected a recall was mistaken, free cases all around is the fix.

Apple reports that it considered every option to address the issue with the iPhone 4 antenna. However, recall was not at the top of the list. Jobs did note in the keynote that they can’t make enough bumpers and will offer a choice of cases. That’s all for this week’s edition, thanks for reading!

“Consumer Reports believes Apple’s offer of free cases is a good first step. However, Apple has indicated that this is not a long-term solution, it has guaranteed the offer only through September 30th, and has not extended it unequivocally to customers who bought cases from third-party vendors. We look forward to a long-term fix from Apple. As things currently stand, the iPhone 4 is still not one of our Recommended models.” Consumer Reports

Key among the reviewers’ complaints seems to be the fact that Apple aren’t refunding those iPhone 4 owners who bought third-party cases, and that the Cupertino company themselves admitted that the free cases aren’t a long-term solution.  In the Q&A session, Jobs told reporters that Apple would be looking for alternative solutions while simultaneously offering free Bumpers and other cases up until September 30th; after that point, there could be a different approach to dealing with the signal issue.

The news will likely come as another disappointment to Jobs and Apple as a whole, with the CEO saying the company had been upset by the unexpectedly negative reviews.  All eyes are on the Apple engineers now, to see if they can come up with the “long-term fix” Consumer Reports – and others – seem to expect of them.

Meanwhile Chet envisages a pass-through dock connector on the bottom that would allow users to recharge and sync their iPad without having to remove it from the case.  Unfortunately, the fly in the ointment is that the iPad doesn’t officially support external camera accessories – though we have seen one from a third-party – and lacks the software support, too.  Still, that’s surely nothing that could stand in the way of the jailbreak community.

[via Yanko Design]

The reason for the NVIDIA certification? It probably has a lot to do with the fact that the case has been modified to accommodate NVIDIA’s two newest GPUs — the GTX 470 and 480. Additionally, the entire chassis has been designed with the thermal system its main priority, and its management is crucial to the fundamental attributes of the case.

Features wise, there’s 11 5.25-inch bays. You can also shove six 3.5-inch hard drives in there, or one 2.5-inch model if you prefer. You could also shove one SSD in there, too, for good measure. Like we said, that thermal management is crucial for the case, and that’s why we’re not surprised that the companies worked together to create an entire duct system to help cool the GPUs. As for pricing, you’re looking at only $219 for this amazing case.

[via Far East Gizmos]

There’s also a 1,840mAh battery in there too, which Magellan reckon is sufficient to double your iPhone’s runtimes, while the SiRFstar III GPS chipset is accurate down to three meters.  It’s not just usable with the company’s own RoadMate software, either; just about any GPS app in the App Store should get the positioning boost.

You can’t exactly call the ToughCase slick or minimal, but there’s full access to all the regular iPhone/iPod touch controls together with indicators showing its own battery status.  A mounting clip on the back lets it be easily used with Magellan’s various in-car, bike and other mounts.  It’ll work with the iPhone 3G and 3GS (though not the iPhone 4) together with the iPod touch 2nd- and 3rd-generation, and is available now priced at $199.99.

Press Release:

Magellan GPS Launches Rugged, Waterproof ToughCase for iPhone and iPod touch

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (June 29, 2010) – Magellan GPS today launched the ToughCase, a refined yet rugged protective case, giving iPhone and iPod touch waterproof capabilities, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and outdoor professionals.

Available worldwide, featuring built-in GPS, ToughCase enhances the accuracy of location-based and GPS applications for iPhone 3G and iPod touch, while protecting the device and providing unmatched accessibility to all iPhone and iPod touch features.

“The ToughCase is the ideal solution for all outdoor users. From kayakers to golfers, mountain bikers to construction workers, it provides a level of protection and performance previously unavailable in other cases,” said Justin Doucette, Director of Product Marketing for Magellan GPS. “The ToughCase protects against harmful elements such as dust, rain, mud, water and snow.”

The unique case design allows 100 percent access to Apple’s revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface, allowing users to receive and place calls while the device is protected. The ToughCase meets IPX-7 waterproof standards, enabling the device to be submerged at a depth of 1-meter for up to 30 minutes. The integrated 1840 mAh battery will double the life of the device based on normal usage and the built-in high sensitivity SiRFstar III GPS chipset delivers up to 3 meters of accuracy.

The ToughCase is compatible with iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch (second and third generation). The ToughCase will be available at MagellanGPS.com and Apple Stores at www.apple.com. The ToughCase retails at an MSRP of USD $199.99.

ToughCase extends Magellan’s comprehensive solutions for iPhone and iPod touch, which include the Magellan RoadMate turn-by-turn navigation app and the Magellan Premium Car Kit – an innovative 3-in-1 vehicle mount for the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G and second and third generation iPod touch enhancing their performance as a hands-free navigation solution.

The Magellan RoadMate turn-by-turn navigation app is available for $49.99 from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.

About MiTAC Digital Corporation

MiTAC Digital Corp. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MiTAC International Corporation and promotes and sells products and services under the Magellan brand name. Magellan assists people to travel, work and play with leading portable navigation and positioning solutions across multiple consumer markets. Recognized as an industry innovator, the company is the producer of the award-winning Magellan RoadMate series of portable car navigation, outdoor and mobile navigation devices. MiTAC Digital Corp. is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif. For more information on Magellan, visit http://www.magellangps.com.

Update: We’ve now tested the strips, and things aren’t as clear cut as Fusion of Ideas might suggest. More after the cut.

We’ve covered StealthArmor before, reviewing the company’s protective films for the iPad, and if you’ve seen our iPhone 4 unboxing then you’ll have already spotted the custom panels they’ve done for the new smartphone.  The important bit for the signal issue is the side-edging strips, which bridge the gap between the two antennas and mean holding the iPhone 4 with slightly damp or sweaty hands won’t see your calls dropped.

Fusion of Ideas are sending us some edge strips for us to try out, but they’re already available as part of a full iPhone 4 protection pack (that includes the rear protector and the edges) starting from $25.  A screen protector sheet is $15.  As well as various more eye-catching finishes – including customs – which kick off at $45, the company has clear and brushed aluminum StealthArmor options if you want to keep your iPhone 4 looking pretty much stock.

Video demo by Fusion of Ideas for StealthAmor

UPDATE 1: We got to work early this evening to test Fusion of Idea’s claim but it’s still inconclusive. A quick test of holding iPhone 4 with our left hand DOES NOT yield a better reception with the applied material, as you can see for your self from the pictures below. This is a pretty BOLD claim by Fusion Of Ideas. -Vincent

UPDATE 2: Results of our test of Fusion of Idea’s claim = Doesn’t work

Holding iPhone 4 with on the left hand-side with Carbon Fiber material from Fusion of Ideas does not yield more bars as claimed by the company.

Not holding the iPhone 4 on the left hand side resulted in full bars.

Press Release:

STEALTHARMOR BY FUSION OF IDEAS VIRTUALLY ELIMINATES* “APPLE® DEATH GRIP” ISSUE ON IPHONE® 4

06.24.2010 – As Apple enthusiasts test out the new iPhone 4, it’s been noted that there have been problems with cellular reception. Whether the issue lies with mobile carrier, AT&T, with the device itself or possibly a combination of both, today a Fusion of Ideas customer and new iPhone 4 owner pointed out that when wrapped in custom StealthArmor protection, his iPhone 4 reception issues were significantly reduced and, after repeated tests, even eliminated completely.

StealthArmor for iPhone 4 by Fusion of Ideas offers full body device protection, including a front screen protector, a custom back available in nine sleek finishes and custom side pieces that not only preserve the stainless steel material but also provide a unique buffer between the iPhone 4’s sensitive built-in antennae and the user’s hand, which may result in minimal, if any, interruption or interference of cell reception.

Starting at $25, StealthArmor for iPhone 4 is available for purchase online at www.fusionofideas.com/stealtharmor. For customers in Southern California, they are welcome to visit the Fusion of Ideas retail store located within Orange County’s premier shopping destination, The Irvine Spectrum Center.

Please stay tuned for more information about StealthArmor for iPhone 4 and other exciting products from Fusion of Ideas. And don’t forget to visit the newly re-designed Fusion of Ideas website at www.fusionofideas.com.

Speck’s iPad case follows on from their Fitted Case range for Apple’s smaller mobile devices, the iPhone and iPod touch. Basically they’re a hard plastic shell covered in a fabric finish; there are various patterns available, some less outlandish than the check of our review sample.

Fitting the case is straightforward: the bezel and frame snaps off so that you can slot the iPad in-between it and the back panel. There are broad cut-outs for the dock connector and speaker along the bottom edge, together with the volume and orientation-lock switch on the side and the lock button and headphone socket on the top.

Once inside there’s no wriggle-room for the iPad to move about, and we’d certainly be a little more confident about dropping the tablet onto a table than in its bare state. Of course, there’s no display protection – Speck don’t even include a self-adhesive screen guard – so you’ll probably still want some sort of sleeve for transporting the iPad in your bag.

If you’re used to resting your wrist against the edge of the iPad while using it, you may find the slightly raised rubber bezel frustrating. Still, if you drop the tablet perfectly horizontally onto a flat surface then it might stop the screen from smashing. There’s also no kick-stand or way to prop the iPad up, as you get integrated into Apple’s own folio case, and you can’t dock the iPad into the Keyboard Dock while the case is on.

At $49.95 the Speck Fitted iPad Case is less obtrusive than Apple’s folio but $10 more expensive. Though it will arguably provide more impact protection to the back of the tablet, it does leave the front exposed – Speck sell an iPad screen protector, but you’d have to budget another $24.95 – and you may find yourself looking for a second case or sleeve. If you’re more worried about scratches to the aluminum back of the iPad when you leave it on the coffee table then the Speck is the case for you; those wanting 100-percent confidence when it’s in their bag may want to look elsewhere.

The device is called the Power Skin and claims to be the world’s thinnest external battery and protective case for the iPhone 3G and 3GS. The case has a pass through USB port for charging the case and the phone at the same time. It also has a 1200 mAh battery with double the capacity of the iPhone battery alone.

The Power Skin also comes in eight different two tone color combos. Along with the Power Skin, the company has also unveiled a new charger called the PocketPal. It claims to be the world’s smallest mobile phone charger and has a folding plug for easy carrying. The device sells for $19.95 alone with the Power Skin retailing for $69.95. A combo kit with both devices sells for $79.95.

While the iPad seems reasonably durable, thanks to Apple’s use of lashings of aluminum and glass, as we said in our review we can see owners being particularly cautious about potential cosmetic blemishes. However, part of the tablet’s appeal is its slender profile, and so cases – like, admittedly, Apple’s own – tend to add more than a little bulk.

The alternative, then, is skin-style protection. These generally work in one of two ways: either a non-adhesive stretchy sky, usually made of silicon, which you pull over your iPad, or a set of adhesive panels which add even less to the dimensions but aren’t really suitable for daily swapping. GelaSkins’ range falls into the latter category, using a 3M-developed adhesive film that comes either in a variety of patterns or as an option to create your own.

For the iPad, the GelaSkins set consists of a back panel which covers the entirety of the aluminum back plate (including the Apple logo) and a front frame for the screen bezel. There’s also a matching wallpaper which you can set, to make the effect a little more seamless; some wallpapers basically repeat the back pattern, while others – like the eBoy designs – are different front and back. The plastic finish is smooth but still grippier than a naked iPad.

Application is ridiculously simple, with the 3M film somehow managing to avoid the air bubbles we expected to have to deal with. You’ll want to take a moment to get everything lined up straight, and spend a few minutes making sure the front and back of the iPad are clean, but you can certainly have them fitted in a matter of minutes. Should you decide you’re tired of the design, the GelaSkins peel off leaving no residue; it’s worth remembering that they’re not designed to be reused after removal, though if you were particularly careful we suppose you could probably re-apply once.

For $29.95, are the GelaSkins worth it? If you’re completely paranoid about damage then you’ll probably still want to opt for a regular case; while a GelaSkins-clad iPad will happily resist most scratches in a bag, the skin won’t do anything to protect against impact damage. If you’ve already got a well-padded rucksack, though, intend to keep the iPad only for home or office use, or merely want to brighten up its design – there are 86 regular GelaSkins, and of course you can upload your own images and get a custom one for the same price – then a whole separate case might be overkill. We certainly feel happier about scratch-resistance with the GelaSkin in place, and while we’d be more enthusiastic with $10 knocked off the price tag and the ability to (officially) use them more than once, we can’t fault the product itself.

According to Wrapsol, the new Ultra film protects from falls of up to 6-feet. Shock absorption properties are not something that is normally found in a film. Wrapsol makes films that are pre-cut for the iPhone, iPod, Blackberry, DROID, and Nexus One as well as other devices.

The film applies in three steps with no liquid needed in the application process. The company says that the adhesive helps to remove air bubbles as well for a smooth install. The film starts at $24.99.