If you want to add some color to your iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S but don't feel comfortable doing a full-on DIY color modding and voiding your Apple warranty, Slickwraps might be just what you're looking for. You get a similar style to color mods without the risks of actually modding. Apply them just like you would any screen protector or shield, and when you're done, you've got what appears to be a completely color modded iPhone.

Slickwraps come in a wide array of colors and textures. You can choose from solid colors, carbon fiber, glow, brushed metal, fur, and several others. You can even get a blank canvas pack that allows you to draw on them before applying them to the back of your iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S (great choice if you're an artist or know an artist you can sweet talk into making you a custom job!)

Each Slickwrap comes with the following items -

• Front wrap
• Back wrap
• Bezel wrap
• Screen protector
• Cleaning Cloth

Some kits are back only while others cover the entire iPhone. Just make sure you're aware of which kits are which. The full kits will come with everything listed above. Other kits may not have a front piece, such as the canvas version.

I tried out two different Slickwraps - solid colored pink and blue carbon fiber. The solid colored versions are a bit harder to apply due to the material. It's a bit stretchy and it's not as easy to line it up perfectly. The whole process took me about 30 minutes on the pink version. The carbon fiber only took me about 10 minutes and lined up perfectly from start to finish.

Before starting, making sure you use a cleaning cloth (there is one provided) to wipe down your screen and back plate to ensure that no dust or debris gets trapped under the Slickwrap. You may see bubbles from dirt or dust if your iPhone isn't cleaned off properly prior to application.

I suggest beginning with the front and back pieces first. When you're done applying those, then move on to the bezel.

The bezel portion is on a sheet that will supply you with all the trim pieces you need. The middle piece is universal and will be used for both iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S users. The volume button portion is different so you'll need to pay attention to what version you need to apply. The upper sticker is for AT&T iPhone 4 users only. The bottom sticker is for Verizon iPhone 4 and all iPhone 4S owners. When you're done, you should have one sticker left over.

While Slickwraps may prevent against minor scratches, I wouldn't expect much more than that. They're mainly made to stand out more than they are to protect.

I did try to use bumpers on both versions. The solid colored Slickwraps are thin enough to fit a bumper on normally and comfortably. The bumper fit with the carbon fiber version but it was a bit tight.

Yes, a bumper will cover up the trim pieces so you'll have to decide if you'd rather have the trim or a bit of protection. I don't normally have a case on my iPhone as I prefer the stock look more than anything. And the trim pieces are just too cool to cover up in my opinion.

Case compatibility will widely vary depending on what kind of case you're using and how tight it is around the iPhone to begin with.

The stock Apple dock shouldn't give you any issues. I tested it with both the original solid color variant and the carbon fiber version, which is a bit thicker, and had no issues easily sliding my iPhone in the dock and back out.

The back of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S is super simple to DIY replace. Ordering a colored back adds a third color to the mix and may be something a lot of users may want to play around with.

While trying out the blue carbon fiber Slickwrap I also threw on a solid green back. It added a bit more color and really made the back pop out even more. If you're aiming to make your iPhone stand out, adding a colored back is a great way to compliment the Slickwrap.

The good

• Fairly easy to apply, no need to use water or any kind of liquid.
• Much cheaper than a complete color mod.
• No voided warranty.
• Unique and highly customizable.

The bad

• Solid colored versions are a bit thinner and somewhat stretchy causing application to be a little harder than textured variants.
• The bottom trim piece covers the screw holes. Not a big issue for most but if you want to change out your back, most users may find that a little annoying.

Conclusion

A lot of iPhone owners will appreciate being able to add color and variation without the price tag of a color modification which easily runs well over $100 from most reputable iPhone repair shops and online sources.

Slickwraps are a great way to make your iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S stand out and require no tools or DIY knowledge. These are by far the best no-tools required color kit option I've come across so far.

Buy Now

The SGP GLAS.t Screen Protector is simply the best iPhone screen protector I've ever used. By far.

If you switched from a phone with a plastic screen to the iPhone's spectacular glass screen, then you know how different the feeling is. It's like night and day. Glass is just so much easier to slide, swipe, pinch, flick and use than plastic. For everything from basic navigation to good old game plat, glass is the feeling you want. And it's exactly the feeling the SGP GLAS.t Screen Protector for iPhone gives you.

Although I've used a lot of screen protectors and films over the years, I've never stuck with any of them precisely because they made my beautiful glass iPhone screen feel like cheap, sticky plastic. Every swipe just felt wrong. The SGP GLAS.t Screen Protector suffers from none of that. It feels almost exactly like the iPhone screen. The reason for that is simple -- GLAS.t has a hardness of 8-9H, which they say is three times stronger than regular PET film.

That also makes it incredibly scratch resistant, so contact with keys, loose change, and other common pocket objects isn't a problem. It is a high-density material, however, so if you drop it from high enough it could chip -- but better the inexpensive, easily replaceable GLAS.t than your expensive, not easily replaceable iPhone screen and digitizer, right? The GLAS.t is also specifically designed to break into small, non-sharp pieces so it's not as dangerous as a traditional glass product.

The GLAS.t sticks to your iPhone by virtue of a strong silicon adhesive and once in place it transfers capacitive touch input effortlessly between your finger or stylus and your iPhone. I noticed no missed multi-touch moments or any lag whatsoever. Because it's a solid layer, it will add slightly more thickness (0.4mm) to your iPhone than the almost two-dimensional plastic films, but the difference in tactile feel more than makes up for it. It eclipses it.

While thicker than a plastic film, you'll be too busy loving the feel of the GLAS.t to notice!

Because of the thickness, however, SGP includes several Home button extenders that you can use to make the Home button easier to press. You don't have to use them, they just turn -- for lack of a better term! -- your iPhone Home button from an innie to an outie. You get black, white, pink, and green options. I much prefer the basic black one.

The GLAS.t is also oleophobic, just like the iPhone screen, so it repels oil and finger smudges and is much easier to keep clean. (SGP nicely includes a microfiber cloth to help with just that.)

Included in the GLAS.t package is the screen protector itself, a microfiber cleaning cloth, a cleaning wipe, and 2 white, 2 black, and 2 colored Home button extenders.

The good

• Feels just like iPhone glass -- spectacular!
• Oleophobic for easier cleaning
• Scratch resistant

The bad

• Not as thin or chip-resistant as plastic.

The conclusion

The feel of glass is just so much better than the feel of plastic that once you try the SGP GLAS.t I don't think you'll ever be able to go back. It's easy to put on, easy to clean, it's scratch proof, and it just looks and works so much better than a plastic screen protector. The best compliment I can give the GLAS.t is that after a while it doesn't feel like you're using a screen protector at all, it just feels like you're using the same silky smooth glass surface you've always been using.

It's the best screen protector I've ever used (and a lot of us here at Mobile Nations are now absolutely hooked on them).

$29.95 - Buy now

Crimson makes some colorful, sparkly cases, skins, and edgings for the iPhone, and I know this because while at Macworld 2012, I noticed a couple people sporting them around the antennas of their iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S's. This is what drew me towards Crimson's booth.

Crimson offers many options for adding personality and protection to your iPhone. Currently available is the Aluminum Frame Case and six different types of screen protectors. In the near future, Crimson will be offering skins for the backs and antennas of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. Most of these skins are colorful and sparkly, but there will also be options that are more subtle and "manly".

While visiting their booth, I picked up a purple skin for the back of my iPhone 4S and a purple Aluminum Frame case. I may be enjoying my sparkly skin, but I'll admit to not being a huge fan of the case. The nubby corners are a turn off and add quite a bit of bulk to the overall size of my iPhone. If the corners were small and rounded, I may actually consider using it regularly.

• Variable - Amazon Store link

Japan's Solid Alliance decided that the bar for "crazy earphones" just hadn't been raised high enough and so they've released these adorable/idiotic plastic embellishments which make you look like you have various implements coming out of your ears. For those who may not have already seen the first set of earphones they consisted of: sushi, paws, banana and a large bolt. These 4 new earbuds consist of: an apple with an arrow through it, a knife which looks like it is stabbed through your head, a mushroom, and a little ear.

They'll cost you ¥2000, or about $20 and have a 3.5mm adaptor so they will fit in your iPhone or iPod touch.

So, am I the only one who likes these earphones ? Would you ever buy Crazy Earphones for yourself... or a friend ?

I've become a big fan of snap-together hard cases for my iPhone. I'm sporting a form-fitting hard case with "soft-touch" on my iPhone 3G right now, and my original iPhone is protected by the Griffin Reflect Case available in iMore Store for $24.95. If you still have the iPhone 2G and want an attractive yet functional case, read on for the full review!

Out Of The Box

The Griffin Reflect Case is packaged with a premium cleaning cloth and a static peel screen protector, some welcome additions and added value to your case purchase. Whenever I'm suiting up my iPhone with a new case, I like to thoroughly clean it first to reduce the chance of scratching, so the cleaning cloth is very handy. The screen protector is also a plus -- although the iPhone's glass screen is extremely scratch-resistant, I've found that the use of screen protectors have minimal impact on screen touch sensitivity, yet perform quite well in reducing finger smudges that are inevitable on the glass surface.

Form

As pictured above, you will see the front and back halves of the case and the plastic packaging containing the premium cleaning cloth and the static peel screen protector. The case is constructed of durable polycarbonate to protect your iPhone. The front half is reflective in a chrome-like fashion, adding both protection and style to the front of your iPhone. The back half has a matte black rubberized surface for better gripping, reducing the chance of your iPhone slipping from your hand like a bar of soap.

This Griffin Reflect Case offers full access to your iPhone's multi-touch display, the dock connector on the bottom, as well as the speaker and microphone. The volume rocker, sound switch, headphone jack and power button are also fully accessible. On the front of the iPhone, the earpiece speaker and "home" button are exposed for easy access while the case protectively covers the rest of the phone, again without obstructing the screen in any way. There is also a cutout on the back for your iPhone's camera lens.

Function

The two halves of the case snap together around your iPhone, encasing it in the polycarbonate protection while still offering accessibility to all controls, camera lens and screen. A benefit of this kind of case is that once the halves are snapped together, the case fits snug around the phone and allows no movement. My pet peeve about other cases, particularly rubber, is that softer cases can stretch over time and move ever-so-slightly against your phone, causing small scratches as dust and dirt get between the case and phone. The Griffin Reflect case is hard and inflexible, so once snapped into place, it won't budge a millimeter.

A downside to hard cases is related to their installation - they snap together, leaving an almost imperceptible seam around the phone. This is not a problem until you accidentally drop your phone. Although your Griffin case will offer some protection from the immediate impact, it's inevitable that the case will separate from your iPhone in the event of an extremely hard impact (like concrete, for instance) and your iPhone will be bare-naked and likely scratched and scuffed. For me, the assurance my case will not scratch my phone due to subtle case-slippage is worth the risk of what may happen if I drop my iPhone.

Added thickness is another downside to a case of this kind. The polycarbonate material is protective, but a little on the thick side. Your iPhone will appear less svelte, but it will be well-protected.

Conclusion

The Griffin Reflect Case for iPhone, available now for purchase at iMore Store for $24.95, is literally a snap to put together around your iPhone 2G and offers great protection while still allowing full access to the screen, camera lens, headphone jack and other controls. The reflective, chrome-like front surface is attractive and the matte black rubberized surface on the back offers protection and a more secure grip. Although there is risk of case separation if you drop your iPhone on a hard surface, the protection benefits far outweigh this risk.

Pros:

• Hard polycarbonate material offering maximum protection
• Full access to screen, camera lens and all controls
• Rubberized back is "grippy"

Cons:

• Hard case can separate if dropped on hard surface
• Case adds thickness to iPhone

Rating: 4.5/5

This is a nice speaker dock system. It was designed by a team of folks that includes former Apple design guru Robert Brunner, who was around during the Newton years. It's a nice-looking piece of kit. There's no price yet, as this is a mockup or prototype of some sort. If they make it affordable it will sell like hotcakes. It's apparently being unveiled at CES in a few weeks.