Reviews

Speck Products Cases for the Apple iPod

July 1, 2005

iStyle Leather Case

If you’re looking for a basic iPod case similar to what you would expect to find for a PDA, the iStyle is the case for you. It’s a traditional flip style case with a snap closure and a removable belt clip on the back. Open the case and you’ll find that the interior is trimmed in beige, which is a nice designer touch. The flap is nicely padded for maximum protection. The iPod slips into the top of a “yoke” that holds it securely in the case. While the click wheel is left open, the screen of the iPod is protected by a clear plastic overlay stitched into the leather. This isn’t something I’ve seen in other leather iPod cases, and it’s a nice touch.

The iPod is fairly accessible while in the case, since there are cutouts for the sync/charge port and the headphone jack on the top of the case. And while it’s a bit awkward, you can access the click wheel to increase or decrease the volume or to skip to the next song if the case is attached to your belt with the clip. You can’t fully lift the front flap of the case with headphones plugged in, so it’s a bit tricky but entirely possible. The case freely swivels on the belt clip, so you can turn it sideways when you sit for comfort.

The iStyle is $34.95 and is available at the Speck Products online store as well as major retailers nationwide.

SkinTight

SkinTight is a silicone case for iPod. Several different manufacturers offer these cases, but SkinTight is the first one I’ve seen that’s actually dockable when the iPod is in the case. A clever little seam near the bottom of the case allows it to be slipped off the iPod and flipped forward so that you can then place your music player in the iPod dock. I also like the fact that the sync/charge port on the bottom of the iPod is completely protected when it’s in the case, instead of being open to dust and moisture. If you need to charge your iPod, you can easily flip off the bottom of the case and insert the cable or charger of your choice.

The screen and click wheel are left open, as well as the top of the iPod. That means that SkinTight shouldn’t interfere with any accessories that are attached to the top of the device, such as the iTrip radio transmitter or Logitech’s new Bluetooth headphones. And special texturing on the back of the case provide a much better grip, ensuring that you won’t accidentally drop your iPod or have it slide off the dash of your car when driving.

The SkinTight case is available for several different iPod models. You can get it for the 4th gen iPod for $19.95 in your choice of pink, clear, or blue or $29.95 for a three pack, one of each color. The version for iPod Photo is $24.95 for a single or $34.95 for a three pack. Shuffle owners are lucky to have a choice of six different colors: black, pink, white, green, blue, and red, at $19.95 each. You can get the SkinTight case at the Speck Products online store.

Arm Band

The Arm Band case is the perfect option for iPod aficionados who live a very active life. It provides a hands-free way to carry your iPod while exercising, gardening, etc. The package consists of a SkinTight silicone case with a unique holder attached to an arm band. Slip your iPod into the case and then slide it into the plastic holder; you’ll find that it’s a little difficult, but not frustrating, to do so. The holder magically grips the silicone case and won’t let it go, no matter how much you jog or even how violently you shake it. The holder is reinforced with metal on the inside, where it attaches to the arm band, so that it won’t slip around on the band.

The band itself is black, with strategically placed Velcro connectors that allow you to get just the right fit on your arm. The band adjusts from 8.5 inches to about 15 inches around, so it will fit a wide variety of arms. If you’re a body builder type and your upper arms are bigger than 15 inches around, Speck suggests that you wear the band around your lower arm, below the elbow. The band is made of neoprene and is very soft, almost velvety, to the touch. I didn’t have any problem at all with the band slipping or sliding down my arm, and the iPod felt perfectly secure.

While the Arm Band case has integrated cord clips on each side of the plastic holder, this is also a great reason to get a pair of retractable earbud headphones like the BoxWave product I reviewed a while back (read the article here). Plug them into your iPod and attach the small clip to your collar, and you won’t have any extra cords dangling anywhere, and the cable housing itself also won’t bounce around and annoy you either.

It’s a good deal at only $34.95, since it also includes a clear SkinTight case. In effect you get two cases in one, since you can use the SkinTight all the time, and the Arm Band just when you’re exercising. Get it now at the Speck Products online store.

FlipStand

The FlipStand is a clear plastic case that serves two functions. Slip your iPod into the case through the opening on the top and you’ll find that your music player is completely protected, since both the screen and the click wheel are covered. A top opening provides access to the headphone jack, accessory port, and hold switch. On the front of the case you’ll see a small latch that allows you to open the click wheel cover, which folds underneath the case and forms a stand so you can prop the iPod on your desk. There’s also a belt clip on the back so that you can wear this case on your belt. Even though it’s fixed, not a standard swivel clip, I found that it felt very secure on my belt and quite comfortable too, as the clip is high on the case.

This case is a great option for budget conscious consumers who want a lot of flexibility and “bang for their buck” when purchasing accessories. It offers maximum protection in a small profile and can be used as a desk stand or belt case. I also didn’t worry about tossing it into my gear bag, since the screen and click wheel are completely covered, as is the sync/charge port on the bottom of the iPod. And both the top latch and the click wheel cover latches are strong; they won’t open unless you choose to open them. At only $29.95, for either the 4th gen iPod or iPod mini it’s a bargain. You can get it now at the Speck Products online store.

ToughSkin

ToughSkin is a ruggedized silicone case that offers more protection than the SkinTight case reviewed above. The case material is a bit stiffer and thicker, and there are “bumpers” on the corners and sides that provide additional impact protection. What sets this case apart from other skin cases is the screen and click wheel protection. Each opening has a removable hard plastic protector that fits into recessed points on the case. The screen protector doesn’t actually touch the screen directly, and the click wheel protector flips down for easy access. The click wheel protector attaches to a small protrusion in the case itself, and it could potentially come open accidentally. An opening at the top of the case provides access to the headphone port and hold switch, and the iPod can also be charged with a cable while it is in the ToughSkin.

There’s a swivel belt clip on the back of the case which can be completely removed if you don’t want to use it. You can also remove the belt clip “nub” completely by removing the plastic insert in the back of the case. If you do that, however, you are left with six small holes and one large hole on the back of the case. If you toss the ToughSkin into your bag with that insert removed, the back of the iPod could be scratched by your keys or another sharp object. If you don’t want the belt clip, I’d suggest that you leave in the plastic insert with the “nub” so that the back of the iPod isn’t exposed more than necessary to cosmetic damage.

The ToughSkin is compatible with 4th gen and Photo iPods; you can get it in your choice of five colors (blue, red, black, clear, and orange) for $34.95. There’s also an iPod mini version available for the same price in black, aqua, lime, pink, or clear over pink. Get yours at the Speck Products online store.

Portfolio Skin

This is one of the latest products from Speck, and I’m thrilled to see a mobile electronics accessory aimed squarely at the female consumer. This iPod case is protective, but it’s also a lot of fun too. The Portfolio Skin is the first wallet-style case I’ve seen on the market; open up the front flap and slip your music player into the yoke from the side. It’s easy to remove too, since there are small cutouts at the top and bottom edge that allow you to grip the iPod and slide it out. The screen and click wheel are left open, since the front cover of the case provides ample protection. On the top you’ll find a headphone jack and hold switch opening, and a small cutout on the bottom provides access to the sync/charge port.

The “fun” part of this case comes in the form of four different straps that come with it. The strap is what holds the front cover of the case closed when it’s in your purse or bag. I got the pink version of the Portfolio Skin, which comes with white, lime green, and black straps as well as a matching pink strap the same color as the case. There’s also a white version of this case available that comes with blue, orange, black, and lime green straps. Changing straps is very easy; just unhook the strap from the two silicone “buttons” on the inside of the case, in the spine, snap it off the “button” on the front, and then snap on the replacement.

The Portfolio Skin is super fun (fashionable!), super durable (thicker than traditional skin cases), and super useful— there’s just enough room to slip your ID and a credit card in the case behind your iPod, so you can even think of this case as a super mini clutch when you’re on the go and don’t want to carry a regular purse. It works with any 4th gen or Photo iPod and is a bargain at $34.95.

iGuy

I’ve definitely saved the very best for last; the iGuy is my personal favorite out of all the Speck Products cases. He’s rather different from a typical carrying case, because the iGuy aims to both protect your iPod and give it some personality. The fun factor is definitely there too, since iGuy features poseable arms and solid feet; he’s weighted just right to stand up on your desk. When I first took iGuy out of the package, I was in for a surprise— he’s got a tushie!

There’s a seam at the back of the iGuy, just fold his legs forward to insert your iPod into the case. That same seam allows your music player to sit in the iPod Dock when in the case, since the bottom of the iPod is completely accessible. The plastic insert in the back of iGuy goes in one way or another depending on which iPod you have, to create a perfect fit. And since it’s slick, it also makes it much easier to slide the music player into the case. There’s also a removable screen protector at the top, and the click wheel is left open for easy access. An opening at the top is provided for the headphone jack, accessory port, and hold switch.

Obviously the iGuy was designed for the desktop, and it works quite well. Since I use my iPod as an office stereo, having a dockable case is very important to me. With the iGuy, I have a fun little companion sitting in the iPod dock every day instead of a plain old music player. His bendable arms happily hold my keys, and iGuy even prompted me to clean up my famously messy desk so he’d have a clean and organized place to hang out! Speck is also encouraging people to send in photos of their customized iGuys; check out the iGuy product page on their site for details. The iGuy is $34.95 and is available now at the Speck Products online store.

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