The Antique model Steampunk Case for iPhone is one of a few handcrafted iPhone cases by Paul Marsh's Blujoos. Each model is a special edition, limited to 50 pieces, and designed to give your iPhone a unique look you just won't find anywhere else. A model and prop maker from the film industry with over 20 years and 25 films and TV series to his credit, Marsh is pouring every bit of that skill into these cases and it really shows. These aren't stickers -- these are actual 3D castings!

The models are built using carefully chosen parts from watches and clocks, and then a platinum silicone mould is created from the model. Marsh casts the individual cases from a tough, UV protected polyurethane and then -- get this -- impregnates them with metal powders. That's real brass, real bronze, real copper, and real iron powders. That's what gives them the incredible look of rusted, corroded metals. It's beautiful destruction and The effect is simply stunning. It looks like something out of fantasy, like the kingdoms busily assembling themselves during the opening credits of Game of Thrones...

There are currently two models available on Etsy, the Antique which I'm reviewing here, and the Salvage which has a more coppery, almost Lost City of Atlantis look to it.

Both are gorgeous and both are extremely limited, so if you like them, pounce on them soon.

The good

• Exquisite craftsmanship
• Incredible finish
• Unique look and feel

The bad

• iPhone can shift slightly in case
• Bulkier than a mass-produced skin

The conclusion

I absolutely adore the look of and feel of the Antique Steampunk iPhone case by Blujoos. Paul Marsh has put together something more than an accessory -- he's put together a real work of art. If you're a fan of the Steampunk genre, or of fantasy or sci-fi model-making techniques, or simply of unique craftsmanship and amazing design, check out Marsh's work on Etsy now.

$64 - Buy now

Winner of the 2011 iMore Editors Choice Award for favorite iPad case, Pad & Quill is hard at work on a new line of products, including cases specially designed for Apple's new iPad. While there may not seem to be too many differences between last year's iPad and this year's new iPad, when you're dealing with handcrafted designs, and old world materials like wood and leather, it pays to be perfect.

While we're waiting on the new gear, Pad & Quill president Brian Holmes was gracious enough to offer iMore readers %15 off any of their existing models. That includes the Little Black Book for iPhone and iPod touch, Contega, Octavo, and The College Edition for the iPad 2, the Case for the original iPad, and the Cartella for the MacBook Air. They also have cases for both the Amazon Kindle and the Nook, if you happen to have either of those as well.

Italian bonded leather and Baltic birch abound, and the quality is off the charts. (And no, this isn't a sponsored post, we here at iMore are just huge fans of their work.)

So enjoy the teaser image up top, and check Pad & Quill out via the link below. And for this weekend only, use coupon code iMPQ12 to save 15% off your order.

UPDATE: Coupon code has expired, so no more 15% off, but the fine folks at P&Q will still honor it for a 5% discount. Awesome.

Prices variable - Shop now

iHeadCase is KickStarter project for an iPhone case that includes a compartment in the back for you to store your wired headset. There are two versions in the pipeline -- a hardcase and a leather case -- and if tangled, mangled, or lost headsets are a source of frustration for you, they're something you'll want to check out. I had the chance to see the prototypes at Macworld 2012 and they looked good. The storage compartment makes them big, no way around that, but the curved design -- almost Palm Pre like in it's river-stone shape -- minimizes any of the typical issues that size would cause.

It stays true to the aesthetic design ethos of Apple's iPhone 4 yet adds a curve at the back, embodying the smoother lines of the popular 3GS and providing a more natural grip for the phone. It's made of polycarbonate which is very light yet strong and durable. The headphones are stored at the back of the case but uniquely concealed from view. There are no protruding earbuds or visible hanging wires to catch in your pocket. We believe that people who buy an iPhone appreciate its beauty and form as well as its function, and an iPhone 'coutured' with an iHeadCase would easily complement a naked iPhone. Our innovative Headphone Storage System protects fragile earbuds and keeps the cable neatly stored away tangle-free whilst allowing for a fast wind and unwind. Most of the Kickstarter reward levels come complete with standard Apple-style headphones but these are interchangeable if you want to use your favorite brand of headphone instead (most standard headphones are compatible). And a final feature: the back cover when opened doubles as a stand for landscape handsfree viewing.

iHeadCase has two hours left on KickStarter, so hit the link below, check out the pictures and video, and see if it's the case you -- and your headset -- have been waiting for.

Source: KickStarter

"The ability to use the Case-Mate Pop! Case for iPhone in both portrait and landscape modes, at multiple angles, and without worrying about it slipping is simply brilliant."

The Case-Mate Pop! Cases with Stand for the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 is exceptionally protective without being overly bulky. It's one piece which means you don't get multi-layer protection but it also means it's easier to put on and take off. Available in an array of bright, bold colors including pink and white, purple and black, yellow and gray, dark and light turquoise, and black on black, it manages to strike a good balance between functionality and stylish good looks.

This Case-Mate case for iPhone isn't just about good looks, it has a little secret...

The Case-Mate Pop! Case with Stand for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 shows a lot of nice attention to detail. The cutouts around the camera are big enough to ensure there's no problem taking pictures, and no chance of flash-back glare. The mute button is easy enough to access and the volume and sleep/wake buttons are covered but pass-through pressure well enough. The dock cutout, however, while fine with most cables, might give you issues with the chunkier media and car adapters.

Most of the cutouts are wide and the material is soft and protective

Because the case comes up a bit above the front of the iPhone bezel, it also means you can place it face-down on a table and not worry about scratches. Textured sides add to the design but also make it easier to hold onto the Case-Mate Pop! Case.

The kickstand not only supports multiple angles and portrait display...

The kickstand is the big story here. Just as the name describes, the Case-Mate stand pops out from the lower bottom of the back plate, but unlike some others it works in both landscape and portrait more. You can choose two different angles and the slightly rubberized finish prevents it from sliding away and leaving your iPhone to tumble. Well done.

... But can also go landscape, and the rubberized edge stops it from slipping!

Note: Currently on sale in the iMore Canada Store for only Can$27.95!

Giveaway: Watch the video then leave a comment letting us know which of the Otterbox cases you'd love to win!

Last month, I had the pleasure of visiting the OtterBox headquarters in Fort Collins, CO and talk with Jordan about the history of the OtterBox name, the design and testing process, and get a closer look and description for each case series for the iPhone and iPad.

In addition to the interview, Jordan also passed on one of each case series to give away to our readers! Specifically, we have the following:

• Gunmetal Grey / Envy Green Defender Series
• Victory Commuter Series
• Gunmetal Reflex Series
• Black Impact Series

For a chance to win, just let us know which of these cases you would like to win in the comments below!

Japanese car manufacturer Nissan has announced that it will soon be launching a line of self repairing cases for the iPhone. The Nissan Scratch Shield iPhone cases will use a special paint technology that Nissan already uses on its cars. The paint was developed back in 2005 in a joint effort between Nissan, the University of Tokyo and Advanced Softmaterials Inc.

The outer ‘paint’ is made from polyrotaxane, which means that when damage occurs to the coating in the form of a fine scratch, the chemical structure is able to react to change back to its original shape and fill the gap – ‘healing’ the blemish.

Source: TNW

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.

Lauren from Case-Mate gave us a look at all their brand new, shiny and stylish iPhone cases at CES 2012. We all know how much Georgia loves her metallic cases and we don't think she'll be disappointed with Case-Mate's new offerings.

If sparkles and glitter aren't for you, they've still got you covered whether your main concern is fashion, protection, or discretion. Besides brand new designs, some old favorites have been updated with new colors and slightly changed form factors as well.

Both Element Case and Draco Design fixed a lot of the early reception issues and created even more stunning finishes. [Pad and Quill[(http://www.imore.com/tag/pad-and-quill) scaled down their wood and leather for iPhone, while DODOCase opted for a leather sticker instead.

Otterbox got sleeker but no less well defended, while Lifeproof brought a great new product to the protective space. Case-Mate added brushed aluminum to their Barely-There, and BodyGuardz added some Carbon Fiber to the mix.

mophie kept even hard-pressed iPhone 4S batteries going, while Apple slightly tweaked their iPhone 4 bumper to fit the Verizon iPhone 4, which also enabled it to fit the iPhone 4S.

Yup, that's a lot of different kinds of cases, but to keep the number of categories sane, we had to it. They all have two things in common, however -- they're all great and you have to pick your favorite. Vote up top and tell us why you voted they way you did in the comments! These are your awards, so get to it!

Element Case's claim to fame is solid, screw-bound aluminum bumpers for iPhone in hot hypercar-inspired design. Well, with Ion 4 and Formula 4 for iPhone 4, they've switched the metal bumper for high quality plastic cases but kept the Reventon design aesthetic in place. How do their new polymer and polycarbonate cases measure up? We take them for a few laps, after the break!

[Element Case Forumla 4, Element Case Ion 4]

Element Case Ion 4 for iPhone 4

The Ion 4 is a traditional skin case with anything but traditional look and crafting. It's made from what Element says is an "ultra-high impact resistant TPU polymer" with reinforced corners and an aerospace-grade carbon fiber inlaid back plate. (Which just so happen to match the lines and look of their famed Vapor Case line.)

Durable. Light. Hawt.

You don't need a screw driver to take this case on or off either; like any soft case you just slip it over and slip it out when and if needed. However, the extra protection does mean it's a tad bulkier than an ultra-thin silicon skin-type case. In keeping with our car metaphor, this is a Hummer, not a Sidekick. I used it for a week and found it to be really solid, with great grip, and cutouts big enough to fit all my AV and in-car cables.

Sure, an iPhone 4 looks great naked, but glass slips off sofas and glass cracks on tile, so if you want to look good and not have to worry as much about breaks, the Ion 4 literally has you covered.

Element Case Formula 4 for iPhone 4

The Formula 4 is a two-part hard case that once again marries the best of the form factor with the now-classic Element Case flare. Special kudos to Element Case for showing that plastic doesn't need to feel cheap (take a lesson here, Samsung.) The high-impact polycarbonate used for Formula 4 feels clean, solid, and high quality. Once again, they've also got the aerospace carbon fiber on the back, equal parts fun and function, and add a rubbery side panel for extra grip.

Because hard cases aren't as easy to slim in and out of, Element Case went with a two-part design and it works. You can leave the full case on almost all the time, because the cut outs are generous and work with almost all cables, but if you want to dock you can just pull of the bottom and you're good.

If you like the Element Case look but don't want a soft case and need something you can remove faster than a screwed-on bumper, the Formula fits.

It's hard to beat the pure accessory porn that is the Element Case Vapor. It's just ridiculously high end. But it's not realistic to expect everyone to carry a hex key with them for when they need to take it off.

Well now you have alternatives. One piece or two. Soft or hard. Between the two, I prefer the polycarb feel of the Formula, but if Element Case is the way you want to go, you'll be well served by any of them.

(I tried both for a week each and ended up liking the Formula so much I kept it on for 2 weeks. If there had been a white option, I might have kept it on longer. Of course, I kept the Vapor on for a couple months, so we know where my superficial heart really lies...)

We put the original Aquapac and Overboard cases for iPhone 4 through the car wash and into the deep end, so what could we do with Aquapac for iPad 2 and the new Overboard Pro Sport for iPhone? Well, Rene and I had some Amazing Case-style ideas. However, putting the waterproof Acquapac for iPad and Overboard for iPhone through the dishwasher just didn't sound cool. You know what's cool? Putting them head to head in a Bond boat bash!

Do we expect the cases to leak? No, TiPb TV viewers, we expect them to die!

Giveaway: We're giving away one of each case! To enter, just leave a comment below telling us which of these two cases you prefer, Overboard Pro Sport for iPhone or Aquapac for iPad 2, and where you'd like to use them -- beach, bath, shower, hot tub, high speed boat chase with a super hot Bond girl (or guy!)!

(Oh, and telling us what you think about the show can't hurt!)

The Element Case Vapor Pro is the Lamborghini Reventon of iPhone 4 cases -- cold carbon-colored aluminum chassis over space-aged, antenna insulation. And this year is works as good as it looks; on my review unit I didn't drop a bar in over a week of constant testing. Not one, not ever. So while it may still look like a hypercar, it performs even better.

There have been other improvements to the limited edition as well. The bottom has been cut wider to allow for a greater range of dock connectors. An extra portly Monster Cable still might not fit but I had no problems with any recent car or A/V connector I threw at it.

The special edition comes in a box that includes the bumper, a carbon-fiber printed adhesive back protector, 2 extra screws (very welcome), a certificate of authenticity, and a newly re-designed key for screwing the case on and off. Now, instead of a simple bent bar you get a very nice keychain that twists open to reveal the tool. Since it takes a tool to put the Vapor Pro on or take it off, having it handy is paramount should you want to switch to a charge case, put it in a car or A/V mount, or just clean it.

But the Vapor Pro has never been about convenience any more than it's been about economics. Like the Reventon, it's purely about possession. If you want a Vapor Pro, you know it.

[Element Case]

The Nite Ize Crocs o-dial Case for iPhone is the case for Croc-lovers and if that's you it just might be the best thing you've ever seen. If you are way past the Croc wave, however, then this may look more like an accessory abortion. Either way, pro or con, this case is going to be so divisive that I just had to review -- and see it in person. Epic or train wreck? Follow on after the break to find out!

The Nite Ize Crocs o-dial case for iPhone looks like small replicas of Crocs, the foam clogs originally designed for the Quebec spa scene but that have since become popular worldwide. They look so much like the shoes I wonder if they are just small child's Crocs that someone added a belt clip to.

They come with a lanyard and a accessory sleeve so you can put some cash in with your iPhone. What they don't come with is anything is the way of port or button cutouts aside from the patterned "croc" holes. That means you have to treat the Crocs o-dial like a pouch and take your iPhone out if you want to use it for anything.

The Nite Ize Crocs o-dial Case for iPhone is available now from the TiPb iPhone accessory store.

Contest

This seems to be the perfect novelty/gag gift for the tech geek or croc lover in your life. If you have a friend who loves their iPhone get them this case and then take a picture or video of them opening the gift. I would love to see someones reaction to this case! You may make -- or lose -- a friend for life. Either way it'll be funny.

Post a link to the picture or video in the comments below and we'll pick a winner and send them the case of their choice from the TiPb iPhone accessory store.

Pros

• Fun colors
• Looks just like a Croc
• Comes with a accessory sleeve
• Belt clip
• Great novelty gift

Cons

• Looks just like a Croc =)
• No access to ports
• Hard to get phone in and out
• Not very functional

Rating

Gallery

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 2010 TiPb Awards are underway and right now it's time to vote on your favorite iPhone/iPad luxury case of the year. Whether they look good or feel good, whether they'd soft leather or cool chrome. Price isn't the object -- a little or a lot -- just style.

With the debut of the iPad and the all new form factor of iPhone 4, there are lots of new cases vying for your vote, but there can only be one 2010 TiPb Award winner! Choose your favorite in the pole above and then let us know why you chose the favorite you did in comments below. (And if you don't see your favorite here, add it as a write-in as well!)

• Case-Mate Barely There Chrome Case
• DODOCase for iPad
• Element Vapor Case for iPhone
• Marware Eco-Vue for iPad
• Vaja iVolution for iPhone

Ready, set, vote!

O2 is currently advertising on their UK website that they'll have Angry Birds cases for Apple's iPhone 4. Slated to become available for order sometime this month, they'll be offering three different cases featuring the faces of those flying, pissed-off little birds that we've come to love so much.

Angry Birds has seen a lot of success lately -- they're currently topping the favorite addictive iPhone/iPad game in the 2010 TiPb Awards voting -- and for good reason. Apple also recently included Angry Birds in their new App Store Hall of Fame. Heck, even my 3 year old daughter has formed an addiction to this game! We're guessing O2 won't have any trouble getting these off their hands, as they'd make a great holiday gift.

Any UK readers out there planning on ordering one of these cases for their iPhone 4? Any US iPhone owners wish AT&T would offer them as well?

[O2]

The Talon Hard Shell Case for iPhone 4, this version with beautiful artistic print finish, is an extremely affordable way to both protect and personalize your iPhone 4. Ally already looked at the solid color versions, and these are the same except for the artistic prints:

• Contempo Tree, with colorful leaves on a white background
• Midnight Tree, with bright red on pitch black, and
• Starry Night, with impressionist swirls on a purple sky.

Compared to more expensive cases the Talon doesn't have the same level of fit and finish. The edges are somewhat rough. The plastic also isn't particularly durable. If you put it on and leave it on, you wont have any issues. If you want to take it off and put it on repeatedly, you might crack it. (Though for $15 you could buy several).

Since the case goes all the way around to the front, you can put your iPhone 4 face down without worrying about scratching your precious screen. It also goes all the way around the dock port so you might have trouble with thicker 3rd party cables like car adapters.

Overall, just like Ally said, the Talon Hard Shell Case for iPhone 4 is a great way to add fun and color to your device for under $15. It's available now from the TiPb iPhone 4 accessory store.

Pros

• Extremely affordable
• Beautiful designs
• Good protection

Cons

• Poor finish on edges
• Materials aren't durable
• Difficult to remove

This case is all about looks and in that category it delivers in spades. However it lacks in the durability department. Then again, don't they say it is better to look good than feel good?

We're planning something really fun for later in the summer and Otterbox was kind enough to send us out some Otterbox Defender Cases for iPhone 4 so we could start the prep work. If you've used an Otterbox Defender on previous iPhones, you know what you need to know. Same great protection, all new form factor. If you haven't used one before, this is basically the full plate armor of iPhone protection in AD&D parlance. You have the hard plastic inner shell for structural support, the soft silicone outer skin for grip and scuff proofing, and a holster to keep it loaded and ready to go on your hip.

They're just starting to come out, so if you absolutely have to have it as soon as possible, head on over to the TiPb iPhone 4 accessory store and place your pre-order.

Pictures after the break and much more to come!

The TiPb forums are naturally a great place to talk, commiserate, celebrate, get help, and offer advice to your fellow iPhone users. In order to create a new thread of your own or reply to any of the existing threads, you must be a registered member. Becoming a member is easy and free so if you haven’t already head on over and register now!

• Still on the hunt for a new iPhone 4 case? Look no further than the following thread: iPhone 4 Cases.

• The iPhone 4 has one of the best smartphone cameras currently available so after you've taken advantage of it's camera why not post some of your pictures in our forums? Show off your iPhone 4 pictures here.

• The whole reception issue debate continues with some people effected more than others. Chime in on this poll thread and let us know if you are one of those who are suffering with poor reception.

• Miss your jailbreak on your new iPhone 4? Sound off in this poll thread!

See you in the forums!

After the release of iPhone 4 the forums are naturally a great place to talk, commiserate, celebrate, get help, and offer advice to your fellow iPhone 4 users. In order to create a new thread of your own or reply to any of the existing threads, you must be a registered member. Becoming a member is easy and free so if you haven’t already head on over and register now!

• So now all of you early adapters have your new iPhone 4's - are you happy or not so happy with your new purchase?

• Bumper or no bumper? That is the big question. Did you or will you be cough up $29.99 for Apple's case?

• If you are not a fan of the Apple bumper then what case are you using?

• So we are sure you probably heard about some iPhone 4 users suffering from a reception issue - Are you experiencing this problem or is everything all good?

• Want to talk games and apps for your new device? This is the place to do it - iPhone Apps and Games.

See you in the forums!

The PDA Skins Horizontal Organizer Case can be purchased in the iMore Store here and is available in both a microfiber version for $19.95 and a leather version for $39.95. If you have a bit more to carry than just your iPhone, this case can accommodate more items in an organized fashion. I had the chance to use the leather version for a while and can let you know how it measures up after the break!

Design and Quality

I can't specifically speak to the quality of the microfiber version of this case, but the leather version is durable and well-constructed. The stitching all the way around is seamless and the case I used is constructed of quality top-grain glove leather. The front of the case has a Velcro-secured expanding compartment to hold your iPhone or any other smaller item. The reverse side of the case has a standard leather belt loop, Velcro-secured bag-strap latches to secure the case to a carrying bag, and two small metal D-rings to attach an optional carrying strap. It's nice to have several options for carrying the case.

There are two zipper tabs to secure the case closed, and when opened, the case reveals additional organized storage within. There is a pen loop, a removable money insert that holds credit cards and I.D., and other pouches and slots for items you may need with you. The interior of the case is large enough to accommodate other PDAs or phones up to six inches long. This case can be a good travel companion, easily fitting your passport and other personal items. The interior is padded nylon to protect your valuables.

Performance

Although I don't normally use a case of this size, the PDA Skins Horizontal Organizer case is compact and is a great way to carry phone, PDA, pen, small pad of paper, passport, credit cards, I.D., and other sundry items that you want to keep organized while on the go. It is excellent for traveling and I like the several carrying options. For me, the case is a little bulky to carry on a belt for every-day casual use, but for the traveler, it's nice to have the option.

The belt loop is durable and fits most belt widths. The bag-strap latches Velcro firmly in place and make it convenient to attach the case to a larger carrying bag so you still have access to your iPhone and other valuables. A detachable carrying strap is convenient if you need both hands for something else and aren't wearing a belt or other bag with a strap to attach your case to.

With several pockets and pouches inside the case and a convenient pen loop, it's easy to keep the little things organized that you have to or want to carry with you. If you have more to carry with you than just your iPhone, this case is a great option if you need a small compact carrying case for credit cards, money, notepad, pen or pencil, or even your iPod so you can carry your entire music library with you.

Conclusion

The PDA Skins Horizontal Organizer Case, in either microfiber or leather, is a quality case offering several carrying options and will help you keep your mobile items organized. It has the convenient Velcro-enclosed compartment on the outside to carry your iPhone and offers more storage on the inside for your valuables, like credit cards, cash, I.D., etc. Although it's a bit bulky to carry on a belt for every-day use, it's a great travel companion and just a great place to throw all the little items that you would otherwise carry in your pocket or purse. It is durable for lasting use and is a great solution for the business person or traveler.

Pros:

• Durable construction
• Lots of pockets and pouches for storage
• Several carrying options
• Exterior storage for easy access to iPhone

Cons:

• A bit bulky for every-day use (i.e., wearing on belt)

TiPb Rating:

Besides Google (much more on that tomorrow, stay tuned!), there weren't a lot of "iPhone Web Apps" booths. Actually, none that I can remember. What there are a ton of at Macworld are accessories booths. Clearly the accessory market for the iPhone is ramping up quickly and may even near iPod accessory market status sometime soon.

...But it's not there yet. Case in point, I saw probably a dozen different iPod speaker docks -- all of which were "compatible" with the iPhone in flight mode only. Apple is requiring (and rightfully so, I suppose) that accessory makers submit their accessories for their seal of approval, iPhone-wise, so that the dreaded GSM-interference issue is taken care of. I personally wish Apple had managed to handle that on the device rather than forcing companies trying to interact with the Dock connector to re-make their products, but c'est la vie.

Otherwise, the thing to see, iPhone-wise, is cases. There are more skin cases here than you could shake a stick at, but there are some other gems as well. After the break, our three favorite cases at Macworld 2008.

Bodyguardz

Best case of the show has to go to Bodyguardz. Their booth was small, but it was absolutely mobbed. Probably because they were offering a Macworld-only special. Bodyguardz are simple, transparent films pre-cut to fit your iPhone. There are others like them, of course, but these seem quite a bit better than the competition. iLounge agrees, they named Bodyguardz the best of '07.

First off, each package comes with two sets of films for your iPhone, in case you muck up the application or if you want to replace your films later. They also come with a decent set of instructions, the application solution spray bottle, and a squeegee to apply the film.

The iPhone may be durable, but it's not invincible. The Bodyguardz makes your iPhone absolutely key-proof without adding any bulk at all. It also is a sight less slippery than the iPhone itself, to boot.

...and yep, the Phone different store sells 'em for $24.95.

Speck

When I die, it's highly likely that I'll want to be buried with my Timbuk2 Commute Messenger Bag. The thing is attached to my shoulder pretty much any time I'm standing up. So when I was perusing the gobs of iPhone cases at Macworld, I was keeping a special eye out for something I could attach to the shoulder strap of my messenger bag. Speck came to my rescue - their TransPort get the #2 in our Best-Of-Macworld.

They announced the TransPort iPhone case at Macworld. Awkward capitalization aside, it's a great case. It's designed to fit on any shoulder strap by way of large velcro flaps. The iPhone itself slides into a hard plastic holder that firmly keeps the iPhone in place, facing out.

The case also has a removable front-flap that flips down to use the iPhone but generally is meant to protect it from the dangers of urban life. Basically it's the perfect bike-rider's iPhone case.

The downside to the case is that it's not very useful away from a messenger bag, but that didn't really bug me too much -- as I said, my bag is always so close at hand that it's not a big problem for me.

The TransPort case isn't available for purchase yet and Speck couldn't comment on pricing.

Seidio

Rounding out our Best of Macworld is Seidio's Inno.Case -- Speck may randomly capitalize letters inside words, but Seidio one-ups them by adding a period inside words. Take that!

Ahem. The Innocase is a very neat little plastic hard case for the iPhone and the iPod Touch. I like it because it features the ever-popular "rubberized soft touch" feel that makes it very grippable. The Innocase adds very little bulk to the iPhone, but enough that it wouldn't fit in the standard iPhone dock. Seidio handily solves that problem by making the portion on the bottom snap off, as you can see in the first picture below.

Really, though, what caught my eye were the colors - the red and the blue versions are very slick. You can't tell from the pictures below, but the red and blue are a little "metallic" and have the sort of "depth and complexity" of color that make me wish I could actually write about color intelligently. Kudos, Seidio.

The Innocase is also not available yet, but should be in February.