Case Reviews

Would you pay $1000 for a hand-craft, culturally symbolic iPhone case?

Crunchgear says they're intended "to show how Japanese warlords from the Sengoku period would probably use their iPhones if they lived today":

The so-called JAPAN TEXTURE [JP] series consists of a total of five cases with different designs. Created under the supervision of a historian, SoftBank says each case is covered with special lacquer and gold dust. It takes three to four weeks to make one, which kind of explains the price.

Nothing makes people more paranoid than a shiny new gadget, especially if it's an expensive-to-replace shiny new iPhone 3GS gadget fresh from Apple. Cases can't work miracles, but they can go a long way towards helping you avoid dust and dirt, nicks and scratches, and -- depending on how hardcore you go -- cracks and breaks. Oh, and they can also stylize your iPhone beyond Apple's iconic black and white, if that's how you want to roll.

We'll be rounding up some accessories for new iPhone owners in the coming days, and because we're just as paranoid, we're starting with cases.

We have a few good topics being discussed on the forums today, so lets get right to it.

First up, What is the most over-rated missing iPhone feature? MMS? Copy and Paste perhaps? Something else? Check that thread out and cast your vote!

The kind folks over at Element Case have hooked TiPb up for the holidays! That's right, they were generous enough to drop off a pack of custom tricked-out iPhone cases not just for us to review -- but for us to give away to you, the best dang blog readers, forum posters, and podcast listeners on the interwebs.

These aren't just any cases, mind you. These are the hardcore high-end rigs of cases. Jeremy's already gotten his hands all over them (and took some time out of his hectic holiday schedule to snap the pics above and below) and he says they're well made and built for gaming, with the special bonus of making sure you don't cover up the speaker when holding them (nice touch!).

Thanks to everyone at Element Case for hooking us up, and stay tuned for your chance to take one of these custom TiPb cases home for the new year!

(To check out their whole selection, head on over to the Element Case Shop).

More pics after the break...