OtterBox Cases

You've heard me sing the praises of OtterBox products in the past, but I'm always wary about brands becoming complacent in their processes after they've realized success. This isn't the case (pun intended) with this case manufacturer.

I first discovered them a few years ago at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and every since I've been buying them to protect my electronic devices. They also have outdoor equipment cases and sleeves for sale, but I usually focus on the phone cases.

Thanks to the folks at OtterBox, I now have a shipment of new phone cases to test out. Here are some photos of the box that showed up on my doorstep and here is what I've found...

By the way, I tested these all on the iPhone 4.

The Impact, Commuter and Defender Series each have a specific role in the company's line - buy only what you need.

Impact is for the least obtrusive amount of protection. It has a silicone outer shell and a screen protector film. That's it. Simple, but enough to keep your phone from daily bumps and dings.

Commuter is a bit more. It's the standard case design a lot of companies are selling for the iPhone. A hard shell wraps around the phone and covers the back and sides. There is a silicone sleeve that keeps the case grippy and adds impact absorption. It also has a screen protector film. Better than the Impact, but still not really enough to let you skip your phone across the pavement without worry.

The Defender is the mac daddy. And it's what I choose every time. The case has built-in screen and camera hole protection, a full hard shell that snaps together at multiple points, and a silicone wrap sleeve with port covers and doors. I have actually skipped my phone across a granite bathroom floor with no damage. I've also dropped the phone a few times and it's still in great shape. You can't even see the dings on the case...that's cool.

So what's the damage when it comes to price? Pretty standard. While the Defender will set you back $50 and comes in eight colors, you can go for less with Commuter at $35 and one color (black), or the Impact at $20 and five colors.

What do I say? You already know. If you don't have a case for your phone, get one. And if you aren't like the purists who maintain that a phone doesn't warrant a cover, then go for one of these. They're made well and protect your phone from pretty much everything you can throw at them.

*I would like to test a waterproof case for the phone, but the only one I've used so far is the Magellan ToughCase and that's a GPS receiver and charger case. A totally different beast. I just hear so many stories of iPhones turning into iPhlushes when people drop them in a toilet, that a waterproof case is likely going to grow in demand.

You can find more details at OtterBox.

Magellan Tough Case - Review by Jeff Cutler

I'm a traveler. I like to take trips around my neighborhood, my city, my region, my country and even into and between other countries. And the device that's served me well most of the time has been a handheld GPS that I bought years ago online.

As coincidence would have it, that GPS is a Magellan Meridian and I've used it for everything from geocaching to plotting where my plane was going.

Now, Magellan has come out with a multi-use device that makes me think I might be done with the standalone GPS I'm so used to carrying with me. This device - and bear in mind that this is a first-look review...I've only had the gadget for a mere 24 hours - is fantastic at first blush. It's the Magellan ToughCase for iPhone and iPod Touch.

What makes it so fantastic? The case is fully sealed, totally protective, and it includes a GPS transceiver that boosts and assists GPS navigation so that you can use your iPhone for even more precise navigation than ever before.

Here are some photos provided by the company and then shots of my iPhone in my hand in the case. Notice the size and the thickness of the case. Not horribly huge, but still a bit of a surprise. The main thing you need to remember is that instead of carrying two devices - a GPS and a phone - you're carrying one.

Further, you are also carrying a charger. Yes, the ToughCase is a charger too. It keeps your iPhone or iPod Touch juiced up nicely.

What you can see right off the bat is that the case is a little bulky. But you need that. If you're going to trust your iPhone to a case, I'm of the opinion that the case you use better be bombproof. This one is. It's solid and waterproof.

Let me quickly list my thoughts on the Magellan ToughCase...

The charger is a great touch. I am always walking around with a cable and a charger plug to keep my phone powered. This removes the need for me to do that.

The GPS just plain works. I love the additional accuracy of the GPS receiver inside. It boosts whatever GPS app or the map application of the iPhone. I'm still monkeying with the settings as it seems that you still need to have some sort of cell or Wifi signal to use the GPS. That might be a sticking point but I'll figure it out soon.

The protection factor is huge for me. I usually carry around an OtterBox case that's almost waterproof and is definitely rugged. This case leaves that in the dust with its waterproof construction and all-around heft.

What don't I like? I'm not sure I like the price - it's $199 for the case.

I really want the case to allow me to sync my iPhone while inside...but it doesn't. This is clearly a drawback of having a completely sealed unit. But having to take the iPhone out repeatedly to add podcasts and files is a bummer. It also makes it possible for dirt and dust to enter the case if you're not careful.

I love the power options. The buttons on the bottom of the case allow you to charge the phone; use the GPS while charging the phone, or just allow the phone to run normally and not deplete the GPS or charge in the case.

And the case comes with an insert for your iPod Touch and all the necessary cables to charge the case.

*Inside the case is a dock that fits the iPhone or iPod Touch perfectly.

It's a good option for anyone who uses their phone as a GPS, travels for work or pleasure a lot, or just runs down their phone incessantly.

I'll let you know what I think after I've used the case for a few weeks in the wild.*

*I'm headed to New Orleans in a week or so to travel around the marshes and Gulf of Mexico to assess and report on the environmental impact the oil spill has had on businesses in the region. I'll be relying on the ToughCase to direct me around the area.

Samsung Behold 2 - Droid-esqe Google Phone

So I broke my iPhone. I'll go into how that happened on my social media blog, but here I wanted to give the quick version of what I like and HATE about the Samsung Behold 2 - a phone running on the T-Mobile network and serving as my current smartphone while I wait for an iPhone fix.

The Samsung Behold 2 - purchased used off Craigslist for $150 - is a good phone. If you're not already spoiled by years on the iPhone OS, it will certainly amaze you. It's not an Incredible, but it works quite well and has the power of the Android Marketplace and community behind it. Let's do a quick list of the good, the bad and the verdict.

The Good
A nice size for a cellphone. It's not an EVO and it's even smaller than the iPhone. Fits in any pocket and any hand.
It's a multi-processor. That means it lets stuff run in the background so you can quickly access mail, Twitter, maps and other apps. No need to start this stuff up. Once they're running, they stay running.
The screen is a nice. It's crisp and clear and color. It's also pretty responsive.
Call quality and speakerphone. Both of these are good. No trouble hearing people and the speaker is really loud.
Camera - fantastic functionality built in with the standard camera. 5MP with zoom, flash and lots of other functions. It's what Apple JUST NOW put in the iPhone 4.0.

The Bad
Battery life. This thing sucks power like an air conditioner or a huge projection television. With so many apps running all the time, I had to install an app killer app so I could stop processes from running in the background. Once I did that I got some battery life back.
The standard keyboard is infuriating. The keys are placed just close enough together that I cannot type any word without having to delete and retype a letter. I don't know if the Behold 2 will learn words, but this is probably the most limiting function for me as I use my phone to type stuff on email, Twitter, Tumblr and sometimes even to blog.
Connectivity. Not the networks - the 3G is AWESOME and fast. No, I'm having a bear of a time trying to transfer information to the phone. Since I had to move to the Behold from the iPhone without warning, the new phone has no contact info in it. In three full days of trying I cannot get the phone to show up as a hard drive and I can't find a way to import my contacts. I may have to give in and go to a T-Mobile store later today.

The Verdict
From what I've learning in my clicking around, this phone is a good option if you got it new and will be ready for another phone after a year. By that time you're reach the limit of the OS and will be ready for a newer Droid.
Samsung has said publicly that they won't be upgrading the OS to 2.0, so the phone is trapped in the dark ages (there is a class-action suit in the works because Samsung told buyers that the phone WOULD get upgrades up to 2.0 and more over time).

I say, if you are new to smartphones, can deal with a touchscreen interface, are smart enough to know how to monkey around with phone settings (it's not hard) and have small fingers, get this phone. It can be had for $150 new with a contract or probably for similar money online.

Let me know what you have for a phone and what you like or dislike about your model. Thanks!

Verizon's HTC Droid Incredible - First Look

Verizon contacted me with the request that I review their new phone - the HTC Droid Incredible - and of course I said yes. I had planned to shop the review to some of my other outlets, but they already had an Incredible in house and were doing their own review of the Google phone. So, here's my take - and a quick video showing how quick the phone is in comparison to my iPhone.

By the way, the phone is not mine to keep. I have to return it to Verizon...as much as I'd like to have it for my very own.

First off, it's slim. As you can see from its profile as it sits next to the iPhone, it's tiny. It fits easily in my pocket and the only drawback right now is the limited number of cases for the phone. There will certainly be dozens of case manufacturers jumping on board, but in many instances they don't want to fill the market with cases for a phone that might not be a great seller. I think this phone will be.

Let's go through the pluses and minuses.

Pluses

Size. It's slim and easy to use.
Operating system. It's on Google and allows users to download apps from the Android/Google Marketplace.
The OS also makes it fast as does the onboard memory - 1GHz processor and 32MB of available memory.
Network. It's on Verizon and I found the signal strength and 3G availability during my test to be great. This isn't a knock on other carriers, just a comment that Verizon's network near Boston is pretty strong.
Camera. An 8MP camera took fantastic photos and also allowed me to take videos with ease.
Lock screen. The lock screen was as easy to use as the one on other phones...even the iPhone...and used a swiping, pattern recognition instead of a typed in password to unlock the phone. Cool as well.
Google integration. If you're a gmail user, this phone syncs immediately and easily so that all your information is suddenly in the palm of your hand. This is fascinating and a little scary. Just remember to lock your phone. But it helps you keep your calendar, contacts and mail all within reach at all times.
GPS/Location. I use Foursquare and Gowalla a lot. The innards of the HTC Incredible had no issue finding me and finding me quickly. This made checking in a breeze. It also made apps like Google Sky Map AWESOME. Imagine pointing the phone at the sky and being able to identify star formations from what the phone tells you. Love that app.

Minuses

Battery life. It didn't really last as long as I had hoped it would. But I was using bluetooth, Wifi, all sorts of apps and definitely putting the phone through its paces. If you shut down the haptic feedback, vibration, volume, screen brightness, bluetooth and Wifi, you're sure to get much better longevity.
Size. Not the phone's actual size, but the keyboard size. Keys - although they are onscreen and not physical - are small just because the form factor of the phone is tiny. I would have liked a key profile that was a hair bigger, but then where would you add the space?
Keyboard function. I'm used to the iPhone and how you use different key sets to get to special characters. With the Incredible, that isn't the case. To get a hash sign, an exclamation mark or a number (and many other symbols and digits) you must hold a key down. This is most frustrating when you're typing in passwords that have different characters in them. After a while I imaging typing would become natural, but it also irked some of the folks I let try the phone during my evaluation.

Random stuff....

In all, I like it. Were I not such an Apple fanboy, I might switch today. I have a Verizon account and could well justify moving to a phone that consolidates all my Google data in an instant.

The camera is cool, works fast and has a flash. All great points.

Contrary to what iPhone folks say, the Google Marketplace has a TON of apps and games and useful stuff in it. I was expecting to go there and find two minesweeper games and a maps app. There are radio streaming apps, the aforementioned star chart thing, Twitter, Foursquare, Facebook and other social networking apps and much more. You won't be wanting for stuff to load on this phone.

So take a look at the video I took, think about the $200 price tag, and make your own decision. I would say this phone wins in my book. At least until iPhone ups its processor and adds more carriers.



More photos and info are easy to find at Verizon as well.

What are you calling on these days? What do you want to be calling on? Have you used the phone? What did you think? Leave your comments here.

Blooming Buds - Fun, Basic Earbuds

Got an iPhone or iPod? Or even a Zune or iRiver? Then you need earbuds. Sure, your device came with a set, but after a while those get grungy and beat up. Why not replace the standard set of 'buds with something that has a bit more personality?

That's where BloomingBuds come in.

These new-to-market earbuds are nearly identical sound-wise and size-wize to the set that comes with your music player. But the fun part is that you can snap decorations into the back of the earpieces to give your headphones a different look.

At $15 or so, BloomingBuds have dozens of snap-ins in categories that are great for boys, girls, men and women. Take a look...



Here are some other designs you can get...



And here's how they plug in, a simple hex snap keeps the inserts secure.



To learn more, go to MyBloomingBuds.com. These items make great stocking stuffers or fodder for under the Channuka Bush.

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