Posts Tagged otterbox
Speck and Otterbox iPad Covers for Family Travel
The summer road trip and air travel season will soon be upon us! Forget about gas prices, packing, and plane tickets…is your iPad ready for all the abuse? We don’t travel long-distance without ours, and while our boys (ages 12, 10, and 7) are old enough to pay the device proper respect, accidents still occur. We’ve tried half a dozen cases over the course of the last few years, dragging them along on countless road trips, weekend getaways, and flights. Below, you’ll find our top picks for traveling with kids.
Speck SmartShell:
Right out of the box, we encased our new iPad2 with the Apple SmartCover, only to realize that ‘hey wait a minute…this thing offers next to no protection!’. We liked the simplicity of the SmartCover, however, and the fact that it saved our battery life with its sleep/wake feature, so we paired it with Speck’s SmartShell. The SmartShell is a very simple case that fits around the back of the iPad to protect it where the SmartCover does not, and since it’s designed exclusively with the SmartCover in mind, the two work perfectly together. The SmartShell is made of semi-opaque plastic that takes scratches and dings in stride, and even has a magnetic strip at the back to which the SmartCover connects when the iPad is propped up. If you like the sleek, minimalist features of the SmartCover but need the back protected, the SmartShell is for you. The only downside: the kids complain that the thin design makes it hard for them to get a good grip on the iPad while gaming.
The SmartShell matches the colors of the SmartCover perfectly, so you can either coordinate or mix-and-match. Pick one up at the Speck site for $34.95, or Amazon.
Otterbox Defender:
I’ve long been an Otterbox fan because it protects like no other cover. (I’ve used the Commuter and Reflex cases for my iPhone for as long as I’ve owned my phones.) Like most Otterbox designs, the Defender for iPad2 is heavy and a bit cumbersome, but if you want absolute full protection, in my experience, this is it. Its design is three-fold: first you have the hard plastic shell (with foam interior), then the silicone membrane. Over all that, you have the plastic shield. We really are talking full armor here.
The upside: I love-love-love the Defender’s shield design, which works as a detachable stand for viewing and typing. Unlike other stand designs, which can be awkward or even useless, the Defender’s is sturdy and well-constructed. I can type easily on the iPad’s screen while using it, and that’s saying something. The downside: because of all the pieces to the cover, it can be difficult to take on and off, and dirt specks and debris easily get into the cracks between the case and the iPad screen. (Or at least this occurs in our house.) Pick up an Otterbox Defender case on their site for $89.95 or at Amazon for considerably less.
Speck Wanderfolio:
Despite my Otterbox loyalty, the Speck Wanderfolio may be my new favorite iPad cover. It’s not too big and bulky, but not too thin and flimsy. It is, if you’ll pardon the cliche, just right. Made of a plastic shell and either faux or real leather, depending on the version you opt for, the front cover folds over portfolio-style, and opens with a magnetic clasp which also activates the sleep/wake function. Inside the padded cover, you get a secret (or not so secret) panel that opens to sleek passport and document pockets. If you don’t use that section (as we usually don’t) just snap it closed, and you’ll barely know it’s there. The back of the iPad is fully covered by the Wanderfolio, and the case adjusts for pretty decent display/viewing options. (Not as awesome as the Otterbox stand feature, mind you, but still quite respectable.)
The Wanderfolio is slightly more bulky than the SmartShell, but not half as much so as the Otterbox, making it solidly protective without going overboard. Pick one up in one of four colors at Speck for $69.95, or on Amazon. And if you have a Kindle or Kindle Fire, Speck makes a Wanderfolio for those as well.
If you still haven’t found what you’re looking for, check out Ramsey’s review of the G-Form Extreme. They say that while covered in the G-Form, you can drop a bowling ball (or hefty toddler) on your iPad. I’m not sure I’ll try it, though!
Note: All the above were tested using our iPad2. If you’re sporting the new iPad, double-check that the cover will fit before buying. Speck has an entire page devoted to the new iPad.
Posted by Amy in Business Gear, General Gear, Kids and Family on April 17th, 2012
Protect your iPad with the Defender by Otterbox
I remain unconvinced of the perfection of an iPad as a travel computer, though I do think it’s one of the best ways to make your friends look at pictures of your vacation. I have a first generation iPad that I bought for a project and I do enjoy using it as a reader, a browser, and for pestering my friends with photos of penguins. I find Apple hardware to be a bit hothouse flower in nature, the pretty brushed metal surfaces get smudged, the touch screen gets scratched. Their machines are just a little too delicate.
There’s a whole array of companies cashing in on the fragility of these devices. Indeed, if you’re going to drop the cash on an iPad, you want it to last, of course. And if you’re going to haul your iPad with you around the planet, you really should find a way to protect it. That’s where Otterbox’s Defender comes in. The Defender wraps your iPad in bumpers and hard plastic, and includes a screen protecting sheet. Pack your iPad in this superhero suit and it’s ready to go out into the world.
Getting your iPad suited up is a little bit tricky. You’ll need to follow the instructions in exactly the order they’re presented, otherwise you’ll find yourself trying to get the iPad back out of the case to apply the screen protector. This isn’t easy, in fact, it’s so counter-intuitive that a number of people have made YouTube videos showing you how to remove the case. Once I’d watched three videos too many, I was able to remove the iPad, no problem, and then, apply the screen connector before putting the case back on.
The case adds substantial weight to your iPad, there’s no two ways about it. You can carry it around without the easel base that also comes with it, but I found that I liked the base for two reasons. One: It’s quite nice for table top reading. Two: Flipped over, it makes a nice full case for your iPad. It protects the screen even further when it’s not in use.
The rubber bumpers around the edges have protectors for all the buttons and jacks; you won’t get the dreaded fluff in the headphone jack situation using the Defender because the jack is covered over when it’s not in use. (The phone cases have this feature, too, and it’s a good one.) The silicon surface is very non-slippery to the touch — your iPad won’t fly out of your hands or slide across the table, and even the easel has grippy little foot pads.
I feel a lot more secure schlepping my iPad around when it’s wrapped in this protective housing. The Defender runs about $80 dollars directly from Otterbox and comes in two models, one for the first generation iPad, one for the iPad 2. They’re slightly less on Amazon and eBags, so check prices there, too.
- Learn more: Protecting your Gear: Otterbox Cases
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Posted by Pam in Business Gear, General Gear on June 24th, 2011
Gear Protection: Otterbox Commuter Case for HTC Tilt 2
The folks at Otterbox continue introducing new models to protect more varieties of cell phones, MP3 players and other gadgets. And now my HTC Tilt 2 smartphone is protected from bumps, scratches and dings with the Commuter Series case.
This case doesn’t add a lot of bulk to the phone. Installation is a snap—literally—for the case’s three layers. A two-piece polycarbonate case surrounds the phone, but still allows access to the slide-out keyboard and all other buttons and features.
There’s a silicone middle layer. And a self-adhesive screen protector is also included.
The Tilt 2 Commuter case provides perfect protection while carrying your phone in a pocket, bag or purse. It is not designed to protect against water, though.
The Otterbox Tilt 2 Commuter case retails for $34.95, with significant discounts available from Amazon.
Of course, Otterbox makes cases for other popular phones and gadgets, including the iPhone and iPod Touch.
Many of us make a considerable investment in travel gear. And carrying it on the road subjects it to extra perils. Otterbox can protect your investment and help your gear last longer.
Posted by JohnG in Business Gear, General Gear on August 16th, 2010
Update: OtterBox Cases Protect Valuable Gear
I’m pretty fanatical about protecting my gear on the road. After all, I’ve spent so much I’m afraid to add it up made a considerable investment in travel gear and want to protect that investment.
The folks at OtterBox get it right with the best protection I’ve found for my iPod Touch. The company is rolling out updates for its popular Defender series and also previewed a new Tandem Series at 2010 International CES.
I used an earlier version of the Defender case on my Touch, but had a little trouble with what looked like an oil slick while using the touchscreen. There were workarounds, but the latest version performs perfectly right out of the box.
Before trying OtterBox, I was using a leather case that looked nice but didn’t provide much protection, along with a separate screen protector. The Defender case does it all with three layers of protection. There’s a hard plastic case that snaps around the device, a built-in screen protector and a silicone case that fits around the outside.
It’s all designed to protect the Touch from drops, scratches, dust, shocks and bumps—but not water. And it does that without adding a lot of bulk. The Defender case is actually about the same size as the leather case I was using before, with little protection from the knocks on the road. And the silicone cover gives your hand a secure grip when holding it.
The touchscreen on the Defender case works just as it should—responsive like the screen protector isn’t even there. There are silicone plugs to protect all the ports on the Touch, such as the docking plug and earphones. And, to show the thoughtfulness in the design, there’s a hole in the back of the silicone portion of the case so it doesn’t hide the familiar Apple logo.
The Defender Series for the iPod is compatible with the second- and third-generation Touch. OtterBox also offers other cases for the iPod Nano and Classic, iPhone and other phones, smartphones and PDAs.
The Defender case for the iPod Touch retails for $29.95, a reasonable price compared to the cost of breaking an iPod or scratching the screen. It comes in black only and is available directly from the manufacturer or from Amazon.
Meeting and corresponding with some of the folks from OtterBox, it’s easy to tell they have a commitment to quality. I’ll give the latest Defender case five out of five stars for protecting my gear from the many bumps in the road while traveling.
Posted by JohnG in Business Gear, General Gear on May 17th, 2010
Protecting Your Gear: OtterBox Cases
Because travel gear can involve a sizable investment, I like to protect mine from unexpected bumps, scratches and grime. Finding the right case has always been a challenge, with many hours spent in store aisles and searching online.
So when a friend told me how well an Otterbox protected her smartphone, I had to find out more. The folks at Otterbox sent me a case to try on my iPod Touch and I quickly became a believer. This is one serious and well-made case.
I chose the Defender case, which has a three-layer design. There’s a patented, thin membrane that covers the screen, but doesn’t get in the way. You can still use all the touch gestures, but the screen is protected from scratches, fingerprints and dust.
But OtterBox goes beyond just protecting the screen. There’s a high-impact polycarbonate shell, or skeleton, that snaps around the entire player. Then the third layer is a silicone skin that wraps around to cushion any bumps and shock.
The silicone skin also gives me a better grip on the Touch, making it less likely to slip out of my hand.
And OtterBox does an excellent job of staying out of the way. Besides not interfering with use of the screen, there’s a hole near the top for the speaker and silicone plugs that allow easy access to the charge and sync port and the headphone jack.
The only thing that doesn’t work on the iPod Touch with the Defender case is auto brightness. No great loss, though. I turned off auto brightness soon after getting the player because I didn’t like the feature.
Don’t expect it to protect your iPod from a swim in the lake, though. The Touch Defender case does not protect against water, though OtterBox does offer a line of waterproof boxes. But for other types of abuse and hazards, it should stand up well.
The one annoying thing about this case is what appear to be air bubbles—some describe it as looking like an oil slick—that can form between the protective cover and the screen. The company’s Knowledgebase suggests one way to get rid of the problem is to also use an anti-glare, matte-finish screen protector, which involves additional cost. I tried a non-matte screen cover and it didn’t help.
Otterbox also suggests, with a link to a YouTube video, a way to get rid of the “oil slick” using baby powder. It sounds simple. But any solution that takes a 10-minute video to explain isn’t all that simple.
The company recently upgraded its Defender case for the iPhone, so the “oil slick” appearance should not be an issue for that model.
The Touch Defender case retails for $29.95. OtterBox cases are available direct from the manufacturer and at many online stores.
My colleague, Kara, recently tried a different model from the OtterBox line for her new Blackberry. The company also unveiled its new Tandem line recently at 2010 International CES and we’ll check out and review those cases in the weeks to come.
OtterBox makes cases for dozens of popular music players, iPhones and other smartphones, PDAs and GPS units, in colors ranging from black to pink. If you can work around the “oil slick” effect on the Defender iPod and iPhone cases, it’s a wise choice to protect your valuable gear and keep it working longer.
Rocking iPhone/iPod Devices for your Home, Office & More at iHome!
Posted by JohnG in General Gear, Travel Light on January 19th, 2010
