Georgia, Seth, and Rene talk about copy-cat apps, iMovie vs. Avid, Launch Center, Jailbreak apps for iOS 5, as well as cases with stands, iPhone guns, and glowing Apple logo mods. This is Apps & Accessories Live!

• Subscription information coming soon! Right now you can enjoy Apps & Accessories Live in the iPhone & iPad Live fees!

Meta

• February is fitness month at iMore and Mobile Nations! [iPad 3 giveaway!]
• Don’t forget we give away a ton of stuff!

App News

• Apple removes copy-cat apps from the App Store, doesn’t address larger issues
• iMovie vs Avid Studio: iPad video editing app shootout
• Readdle Remarks brings note-taking and PDF annotating in one to iPad
• Book Palette for Mac offers 10 beautiful templates for iBooks Author
• iMore app picks of the week for February 4, 2012 [Giveaway]

Jailbreak Apps

• BiteSMS vs Messages+ for iOS 5: which should you use?
• LockInfo vs IntelliscreenX for iOS 5 jailbreak: which should you use?
• Hands-on with Zephyr for the iPhone and iPod Touch [Jailbreak Apps]

Launch Center

• Launch Center puts Messages, Facebook, Twitter, a flashlight, more in your iPhone Notification Center

Accessory News

• Xappr Gun turns your iPhone into an FPS dream machine!

• Ten One Design announces Pogo Sketch Plus capacitive stylus for iPhone and iPad
• Hands on with the Jot Touch, a pressure sensitive stylus by Adonit

• Incipio SILICRYLIC case with kickstand for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 vs. Case-Mate Pop! Case with Stand for iPhone 4S, iPhone 4

iPhone Mods

• iFixit Thirsty Bag for iPhone, iPad review
• iFixit iPhone transparent rear panel mod kit review
• Hands on with the glowing Apple logo mod for iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S

Hosts

• Georgia (@GeorgiaTiPb)
• Seth Clifford (@sethclifford)
• Rene Ritchie (@reneritchie)

Credits

You can reach all of us on Twitter [@iMore](http://twitter.com/imore), or you can email us at , or leave a comment on the website when the show goes live.

We’re here every Sunday night at 6pm Pacific, 9pm Eastern, 2am GMT, and our companion show — iPhone and iPad Live! — is at the same time, on the same channel, on Wednesday nights — www.iMore.com/live

For all our podcasts — audio and video — including iPhone and iPad Live, ZENandTECH and Superfunctional, Iterate and Girls Gone Gadget and more… see MobileNations.com/shows

If you haven’t already please subscribe to all our shows in iTunes and leave a rating. It helps people find the show and means a lot to us!

Thanks to the iMore Accessory Store for sponsoring the podcast, and to everyone who showed up for the live chat!

“The Incipio Hive Honeycomb dermaSHOT Silicone Case for iPad 2 looks interesting and feels great but it doesn’t fit exceptionally well around the edges, ruining the overall affect.”

The first thing you’ll notice about the The Incipio Hive Honeycomb dermaSHOT Silicone Case for iPad 2 is the look. It’s covered in more hexagons that a Dungeons & Dragons map. This honeycomb texture isn’t superficial either — it’s thick and structural and designed to absorb shock and keep your precious iPad from being hurt by accidental bumps or drops.

The hexagram design will stand out from a crowd -- if that's what you want!

The hexagons are a bold look for Incipio, something you’re either going to love or hate. I like that they’re taking risks and doing something different.

The feel is wonderful. The Incipio Hive Honeycomb dermaSHOT Silicone Case for iPad 2 is soft but not slippery or slimy. It almost feels like it’s been covered in baby powder, but that’s probably just the anti-static coating.

The major flaw in the design, however, is that the Incipio Hive Honeycomb dermaSHOT Silicone Case for iPad 2 is too soft to stand up to the long vertical edge of the iPad 2. It lacks both the elasticity to stay tight and the structure to keep position. And so the Incipio Hive Honeycomb dermaSHOT Silicone Case for iPad 2 hangs from the mid-point and makes me feel like it could just slide off at any moment. I don’t know if the case is too big or they just need a better material.

The same material that makes it soft and easy to put on also makes it more difficult to stay on

On the bright side, the Incipio Hive Honeycomb dermaSHOT Silicone Case for iPad 2 comes in black, red, and gray, slips on and off easily, and exposes all the ports. It also comes with screen cleaner and a screen protector to keep the front safe and sound.

The Good

• Excellent grip
• No stickiness
• Screen protector included

The Bad

• Side edges aren’t snug enough
• Highly distinctive look

The conclusion

The Incipio Hive Honeycomb dermaSHOT Silicone Case for iPad 2 looks interesting and feels great but it doesn’t fit exceptionally well around the edges, ruining the overall affect. It was just too loose.

• $29.95 – Buy Now

The giveaway

Simply leave a comment below telling us how the Incipio Hive Honeycomb dermaSHOT Silicone Case for iPad 2 could make your life easier and you’re entered to win one of your very own! Giveaway starts now and ends Sunday, February 5 at midnight PT. U.S. shipping address required for delivery.

When it comes to iPad 2 cases, everyone has an opinion on which type is best — hard, soft, waterproof, leather, or skin case

There are advantages and disadvantages to all styles of iPad 2 case. Do you value form or function? Style or security? Gloss or grip? Protection or low-profile? A lot will depend on what you do with your iPad. A construction site has different iPad case requirements than a vacation on the lake or a trip to a trade show. And now that all the basics have been covered — how many little black iPad cases can one girl or guy own? — manufacturers are getting more creative with materials and molding. iPad cases can now be about fashion and fun as well. Cool colors, terrific textures, and niche needs are all being covered now. And the very best iPad 2 cases bring all of that together, and more.

iPad 2 hard case: Otterbox Defender

People who love iPad cases love Otterbox. It’s a perennial favorite. With triple layer protection, it’s the ultimate iPad case for those who need their iPads ruggedized for work, travel, or just for kids. It even comes with a shield-like front cover that can double as a typing or movie-watching stand.

• $59.95 – iMore store link

iPad 2 soft case: Hive Honeycomb dermaSHOT Silicone

Incipio has been experimenting with new and unusual textures in their iPad 2 cases lately, and with the Incipio Hive Honeycomb dermaSHOT Silicone it’s really paid off. They’ve added extra grip to both sides of the Hive Honeycomb to make it more comfortable to hold onto while gaming, and it manages to avoid being both slippery or tacky at the same time.

• $29.95 – iMore store link

iPad 2 waterproof cases: Overboard

Until Lifeproof comes out with an iPad 2 case, Overboard is my go-to companion for everything from baths to beaches. The Overboard not only has room for your iPad 2, but you can keep some cash or credit cards in there if you’re traveling, and if you drop it in water, it’ll even float.

• $44.95 – iMore store link

iPad 2 keyboard cases: ZAGGfolio

The ZAGGfolio is an iPad 2 case that packs in a keyboard and is best suited for road warriors, or anyone who needs to pound out some serious productivity on the go. When not in use, it protects your iPad from harm, but quickly folds out into full on work mode.

• $99.99 – ZAGG link

iPad 2 leather cases: Pad & Quill Contega

Pad & Quill’s Contega case for iPad 2 takes the now familiar hipster moleskin style to a new level, incorporating a hidden pocket and cover that can fold up into a stand. It’s lacquered Baltic Birch, finely bonded Italian leather, expertly handcrafted for your iPad 2.

• $109.99 – Amazon store link

iPad 2 luxury cases: White Diamonds

Okay, the White Diamond iPad cases aren’t all about protection — they’re about stunning good looks. With amazing artwork and glittering Swarovski crystals, these cases are only for those who want to deck out their iPad 2 with serious bling.

• Variable – White Diamonds link

iPad 2 film cases: BodyGuardz

If you want a lot of scratch protection with as little bulk as possible, BodyGuardz for iPad 2 has you covered. Literally. We’ve taken nails, stones, and children to it and almost a year later, BodyGuardz have kept our iPad 2s sensationally scratch free. BodyGuardz won’t stop drops or bumps, but it will kill scratches dead.

• $19.95 – iMore Store link

Live at CES 2012, accessory maker Incipio showed us their new lineup of iPhone cases, including their first cases made of recycled materials.

• Code is a three part case that includes interchangeable, shock absorbing, translucent hexagram inserts for extra shock-absorbing power.
• Le Deux has a padded aluminum backplate that provides a subtle, simple design with interter-changable parts for a customized look.
• Kross incorporates a mechanical shock-absorbing design and a Santoprene center to provide extra protection against drops and impact.
• Specialist is also shock absorbing and ready for rugged use, but is slimmer and sleeker for those who want easier portability.
• Eco Case is the traditional Silicrylic design with a new, environmentally friendly bio-plastics and recycled plastics materials.
• Hive Response brings the honeycomb look and extra-grip feel of Incipio’s iPad and iPod line to the iPhone in a variety of fun colors.

Again, we’re seeing case makers trying to figure out what they can do now that protection is covered and differentiation is the key.

Live at CES 2012, accessory maker Incipio shows us their next-generation Offgrid Pro case for iPhone. The big difference with the Offgrid Pro is that it has user-swappable batteries so that if you’re going to be away from power for a really long time, you can back just as many 1700mAh cartridges as you need.

The Offgrid Pro will be available “soon”, and will ship with two batteries, the charger, the case, and the band.

We had a chance to take a close look at the Eton Mobius battery case for iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S here at CES 2012. This case not only features an 1800 mAh battery backup system but a solar charging panel on the back as well. Set your phone face down to gain a solar charge.

While Mophie and Incipio also make battery backup cases, Eton is unique in how they designed the case. Instead of having to force your phone into a slide case which may cause damage to the dock, the Mobius case slides to allow easy placement. Once your phone is in the case, snap the dock connector in place.

The Eton Mobius is currently available for $80 USD.

The Incipio DRX case for iPhone 4 is, in my opinion, one of Incipio’s best cases to date — and they’ve made some very good cases. Everything from the way it feels in your hand to how it adds virtually no bulk to your iPhone makes it a great investment. It also offers decent protection as well.

Click through for a complete review and some pictures!

The first thing you always notice when putting on a new case is how it feels in your hand. This case feels great. The material is slick but not slick enough that your phone is going to go flying out of your hand. It’s also extremely easy to put on and take off. I’ve had it on for a little over a week and it doesn’t seem to stretch out or lose its shape either.

Your buttons are all covered which means no dirt or dust can get in there. Covered buttons normally mean they are harder to press. That’s not the case with the DRX. The buttons are just as easy to push as they are when there is no case on the device. The case also produces a click feedback when pushing the buttons, which is nice.

The case comes all the way around and over the top of the antenna band which means you can set your phone face down for privacy and not have to worry about whether or not your iPhone screen is going to get scratched. The dock connector, headphone jack, and vibrate switch are easily accessible as well. I haven’t had any issues with any chargers, official or third party. They all fit perfectly. So do my Bose headphones.

The DRX provides a pretty substantial level of protection as well. It’ll protect you from moderate drops. If you plan on throwing your iPhone into a wall, I can’t promise any case would protect it except an Otterbox. Overall, if you are somewhat careful with your iPhone and just want a case that’ll protect you from moderate accidental drops, this case is perfect. You can find the Incipio DRX case in the TiPb accessory store. If you use this case or something else, let us know in the comments!

Pros

• Easy access to all ports and buttons
• Slim design means no added bulk
• The material is somewhat slick, slide it in your pocket and pull it back out just as easily (sans all that pocket lint!)
• Easy to take on and off without the case losing its shape over time
• The case curves around the screen edge, so setting your iPhone face down is a non-issue

Cons

• Not meant for heavy duty protection. Moderate, yes. But don’t throw your iPhone into a wall and expect it to come out unscathed
• Dust can sometimes accumulate around the edges of the screen by the corners of the case

You asked us to put the Otterbox Defender head-to-head against the Incipio Destroyer in a proper, traditional Smartphone Experts style review and… I thought to heck with that. We’re doing an Amazing Case episode of TiPb TV. No, not a Jiu-Jitsu death-match or scratch test or water torture, this time we’re taking the Defender and the Destroyer out onto the frigid Canadian slopes, we’re putting them up against ice and snow and mud and rocks — we’re literally putting our butts on the line to stress test them for the TiPb nation!

We’ve previously taken a look at how to put on and take off the Destroyer and how to install and remove the Defender. This time we took them… sledding! Now the Defender’s outer layer is silicon (Destroyer puts that layer inside) and non-stick might be great for grip but not for racing down a hill. So we had to take that off. Destroyer is also literally screwed together. With differences like that, could it be a fair test? Could we figure out which one would best keep your iPad protected (and me alive?)

Hit play and find out!

[Special thanks to @marcedwards from Bjango for the 1-star rating t-shirts. Meh!]

The Incipio NGP Matte Case is made from semi-rigid next generation polymer (NGP) that is tear and elongation resistant. Even though the case is rather thin, there’s no denying its durability. It also provides necessary friction to keep the iPad from sliding from your lap while still feeling soft to the touch. Although the Incipio NGP Matte Case is tear resistant, it is not scratch resistant. I have only used this case while at home, yet the back has obtained some prominent scratch marks.

This skin allows easy access to all ports and buttons. To provide some additional protection, the case covers the volume and power buttons, however,the material is molded to fit over the buttons perfectly, so it is still very easy to use them.

The Incipio NGP Matte Case is available in five stylish colors: black, confetti, sage, gunmetal, and cerulean and is available in the TiPb iPad Accessory Store. If you’re looking for a good durable skin case, be sure to check this one out!

Pros

• Tear and elongation resistant
• Thin, yet durable
• Covers volume and power buttons for extra protection
• Includes screen protector and cleaning cloth
• Available in 5 colors

Cons

• Scratches easily

Should you go around with a naked iPhone or do you need a case? If you do need a case, what kind should you get? That’s a question we get asked all the time and it’s the topic for the third episode of our new, conversational video podcast, TiPb TV.

Rene and I discuss the pros and cons of bare, barely there, and full on armor for iPhone 4. We also show off several of our favorite cases including the Case Mate Chrome and Ivy, the Incipio Ultra Light, the Golla Bag, the Otterbox Defender, and more.

We take on the argument of case vs. case vs. naked, the cost and benefits of protecting against the bumps and scratches of avoiding bulk. So if you’ve been trying to decide which type of case is best for you, or if you’re daring to go bare with no case on at all, we’ll help you make the best choice possible.

Watch along and then leave us a comment and tell us — which case, if any, do you use?

The Incipio Destroyer Case for iPad is a cute name for something that’s supposed to protect your precious iPad, but protect it does. Like a tank. Seriously. It bloody well comes with a tool to secure it on and off! Does that make it difficult? Not really. I found it rather intuitive actually.

Check out the video above to see me give a try, and there are a few pictures of the final results, after the jump!

[Sponsored: If you want an Incipio Destroyer Case for iPad of your very own, pick one up at the TiPb iPad Accessory Store.]

This week I am looking at the Incipio Silicrylic Case for iPad. This is a two-part case not unlike the Case-Mate Hybrid Touch Case where you have a silicone inside layer and a hard outside layer. The goal being to provide extra durable shock protection.

As you would expect you have the typical openings in the case for the 30-pin connector, speaker, headphone jack and rotation lock. The power and volume controls are covered by silicone, but still function. I found putting on the case was a little easier than other models of this case type offering the same style and function. However, it also has the same weakness; the top and bottom portions of the silicone layer are not very secure and can easily be moved or nudged with little effort. Of course this is because it is difficult to add any rigidity to the silicone case covering the connecting port and speaker, but there has to be a way…

I did find the case to be quite protective and even covered the edges onto the screen to protect any accidental iPad face-plants. As a side bonus, the Incipio Silicrylic Case does come with a screen protector for iPad and a wipe cloth. These are nice additions that you don’t receive with other cases and in my mind sets them above the competition in this regard. The Incipio Silicrylic Case for iPad is available in four color combinations: Black/Black, White/Grey, Confetti/Charcoal, Lime/Charcoal for $47.95 in the TiPb iPad accessory store.

Pros

• Durable
• Easy to take on/off
• Nice color selection

Cons

• Does not fit in Apple Dock
• Top and bottom of case are still “loose”

I have just finished my stint with the Incipio Feather Ultra Thin Case for iPhone 4 (hence-forth “Feather”, that title is just way too long). What can I say? I like! The really thin nature of the case and the grip it provides is really nice. Plus, there are some extra benefits too. Keep reading to see all you get with this awesome case.

The first thing you will notice when you open the packaging for this case is that you get more than just a case, you also receive two surface protectors and a cleaning cloth. This is a very nice value for the price of this case ($23.95). The case itself is, as described, light and thin. It adds minimal thickness to the iPhone 4 and has a nice grip too it. I often refer to this as “grippy” plastic. Not slippery, but adds enough traction to be useful and stick in your pocket. The cut of the case is very precise. The back is completely covered except the camera and flash exposed. The case is very flush against the back with no real room for lint to enter. The sides flush as well. In fact, once you slip on the case, it can be a challenge to take it off. This, is a good thing.

The only issue with this case is that it does not protect the screen at all. For example, Apple’s bumper case extends past the glass to prevent any accidental scratches, etc. So, to remedy this and make the case as thin as possible, Incipio kindly includes two surface protectors. To make it easy for you, they even include an applicator for the surface protector. The side of the case only extends to cover the height of the silver antenna, so there is still about a millimeter or so of glass exposed. Even with a screen protector, it is possible that the glass could crack if hit at the proper angle.

This is easily one of the best cases for the iPhone 4 if you like this style of case. It isn’t rubber, but plastic, grips well and keeps the device thin and comes with two surface protectors. This case not only looks awesome, but protects in conjunction with the included protectors. Oh, and if you want colors, there are a whopping 12 colors to choose from.

You can find the Incipio Feather Ultra Thin Case for iPhone 4 at the TiPb iPhone 4 accessory store.

Pros

• Really light and thin
• Solid protection
• Grippy feel
• Lots of colors

Cons

• Case offers no frontal protection (includes surface protectors though)

This week I am taking a look at the Incipio Executive Folio black leather case for iPad. This case not only looks good but is super thin. There are no pockets in the case other than the area to slip in your iPad. The flap secures with a tab of leather that tucks into a leather loop.

The fact that this case uses real leather is nice; no “pleather” here. You can smell it as soon as you take the case out of the packaging. The inside is a very soft suede. I feel very safe sliding my iPad in and out of it. Since it is so soft, it slides in smoothly too. Sometimes with these types of cases the iPad won’t slide in smoothly and can get stuck on a corner, etc. I have not found that to be the situation here.

The only concern I have with this case is that the leather tab that closes the external flap is only sewn on in two places. It feel that over time, it might easily tear. My case has not torn, but if you watch the video, I show you what I mean.

Overall, this is a slim case that will protect your iPad from daily bumps and grinds. There is not any real padding for falls, but it seems to had handled the daily abuse I was able to give it just fine.

The Incipio Executive Folio black leather case for iPad is available now from the TiPb iPad accessory store.

Pros

• Slim
• Genuine leather
• Soft suede interior

Cons

• I feel over time the latch may tear

Incipio dermaSHOT case for iPad is high-density silicone protection in black, pink, green, or blue. As a bonus, it’s designed to protect your precious iPad without collecting excess and annoying lint.

It’s not the thinnest skin in the store but the thickness does provide extra protection against those little bumps and scrapes that would otherwise impact the device. (Except for the area directly over the Apple logo on the back — that’s left thin and translucent of course…)

The incipio dermaSHOT case for iPad includes a screen protector and is available now from the TiPb iPad accessory store.

Pros

• Nice feel
• Good protection for a skin
• Includes screen protector

Cons

• Edge flashing not well trimmed

TiPb review rating

Everybody has his or her own definition for the perfect iPhone 3G Case. Some may want a hard plastic case, others prefer rubbery silicone cases but most prefer a case that is non intrusive and more importantly, offers protection while adding minimal bulk. The Incipio dermaSHOT Silicone Case for iPhone 3G ($14.95) is a rubber silicone case that tries to offer a layer of protection without adding much thickness. How does it perform?

Read on for the rest of the review!

Design

The Incipio dermaSHOT Silicone Case for iPhone 3G is a fairly simple case that offers protection for the backside, side, and corners of the iPhone 3G. There are multiple color options and the case also includes a clear plastic screen protector.

The material used in the Incipio dermaSHOT is a very soft and malleable silicone. It is unique among competitive products because most silicone cases opt for the thicker, rougher material. This soft silicone design choice is both good and bad, it feels great in your hand because it almost conforms to your grip but at the same time is also susceptible to stretching and loosening.

The Incipio dermaSHOT covers the entire back of the iPhone 3G leaving a hole for the camera, headphone jack, and the silent switch. The volume controls and sleep/wake button are protected via a thicker rubber that offers protection but also easy access to its controls.

Overall, the design is extremely simple—it doesn’t offer home button protection and doesn’t attempt to over complicate things with a sophisticated design or gimmicky options. It is as straight forward as any iPhone 3G case can be and comes in what seems like every color of the rainbow.

Usability

The case fits really well around the iPhone 3G—it is made out of a softer silicone material that wraps solidly around the iPhone yet offers a certain tactile feel that most other rubber cases do not. Specifically, the case feels soft and has a certain amount of depth to it, there’s a give to the case unseen in most rubber options. The extra grip that the case offers is a great touch and really feels good in hand.

Because of the softer, more malleable material of the Incipio dermaSHOT, it seems like it’d be more susceptible to stretching and loosening. Many silicone cases face this problem—the added grip of rubber cases is great but after removing the case a few times it no longer fits as exact as before.

The Incipio dermaSHOT avoids permanent loosening and stretching by using the softer material, it kind of bends towards your movement. Meaning, if you press the sleep/wake button the top of the case is pushed down as well. This is a well implemented compromise, though the case doesn’t offer skin-tight coverage, it also does not permanently stretch. If you’re expecting an exact form fitting case, the Incipio dermaSHOT isn’t that case—but if you want longevity in your silicone case, the dermaSHOT is perfect.

My only gripe with the case is that its cut isn’t the most laser-accurate exact. There seems to be excess materials in the opening for the silent switch. The lines are also not as clean as I would like but that’s probably being nit picky. Overall, the design is fair and the protection is more than adequate. I would recommend passing on the clear plastic screen protector because it deters from the sensitivity of the iPhone 3G’s touchscreen.

Final Thoughts

The design of the Incipio dermaSHOT is simple and basic. There will probably be folks that complain that it is perhaps too plain, but the case does its job—it offers great protection and won’t stretch over time (compared to competing products). If you’re looking for an eye-catching product or head turning design, the Incipio dermaSHOT is simply not for you. But if you want a design that fits great around the iPhone 3G, offers above-average protection, and a multitude of color options at a very affordable price ($14.95), you probably can’t do any better.

PROS

• Feels Great in Hand
• Adds Minimal Thickness to iPhone
• Offers Above-Average Protection
• Many Color Options

CONS

• Plain and Basic Design
• Stretchier than Most Silicone Cases

FINAL RATING: