The iLuv Skin Case is definitely an extremely thin case. It is made of a soft rubber silicon material that feels extremely smooth to the touch. Some people may be willing to sacrifice a little bit of protection to have a thinner more portable case but in my opinion, this case was more than a little too thin.

If you want something extremely thin and don’t plan on transporting your iPad very far in this case, you should be okay. Other than that, this case is more for looks than anything else.

I wouldn’t say it’s durable by any means. And after taking the case off and putting it back on a few times, the material starts to lose its shape. This is the sacrifice you’ll make by using a case as thin as the iLuv skin case. In my honest opinion, I’d probably step up to a case that is a little thicker. Sure it may cost you a few more dollars but you’ll be buying another one of these pretty quickly since it’ll lose its shape. I’d even go as far as to say if you snag it on something, it will tear very easily.

iLuv makes several other great cases that don’t sacrifice protection when it comes to making a sleek case. I’m not quite sure why they compromised so much on this one.

The iLuv Skin Case is available in the TiPb iPad Accessory Store as well as several other cases. If you already have this case, let us know what you thought of it in the comments.

Pros

• Extremely thin and adds virtually no bulk

Cons

• While it may be thin, it adds next to no protection
• Material feels cheaply made and very flimsy
• No grip means your iPad may be more likely to slip out of your hands

I have just applied the BodyGuardz Protective Skin onto my iPhone 4 ($24.95 in the TiPb iPhone store) and I put at ease about not getting any more scratches on my iPhone 4.

Application can be a little daunting, but if you take a gander at the video above we’ll walk you through the steps. I find the trick is to not be shy about using the supplied spray so you can more easily adjust the screen protector and squeeze out those bubbles. It’s also worth noting that for at least a day after you apply it and sometimes a few days, your iPhone 4 is going to look a little weird – but having used these products for many years I know that the bubbles and ‘fog’ goes away completely.

After the break, a few more thoughts, a small gallery of photos, and a video showing how to apply the protective skin.

Once on, the iPhone isn’t any thicker, of course, and the glass on both the front and back are completely protected from scratches. The rear-skin is open so as not to occlude the camera lens, but that tiny extra thickness also means the lens isn’t resting on a table when you set it down, which I also like.

This particular skin has a glossy rather than a matted finish, but it also adds just a bit of extra grip to the sides and back, which I appreciate. I’ll note too that my iPhone definitely suffers from a fairly serious “Hold Different” Death Grip signal issue and the BodyGuards doesn’t attenuate it. If you’re looking to fix that, you’ll want to get an iPhone 4 case instead of (or in addition to) the BodyGuardz

So while application is a hassle (they include two full skins in the box), once you have it on your iPhone the knowledge that it’s protected from keys, grit, and other causes of scratches is indeed a balm.

You can get BodyGuardz Protective Skin for iPhone 4 from the TiPb iPhone 4 accessory store.

Update: Save 10% on all iPhone and iPad accessories — including BodyGuardz for iPhone 4 — with coupon code TiPb4 until Friday, July 9, 2010! [Sponsored]

This week I had a chance to look at the black FlexGrip case for the iPad by Griffin, available in black, blue, purple and white. The FlexGrip manages to protect and look good. It’s made from silicon, but the slick kind. The case it self is not slippery, but rather it does not stick to surfaces. This is good if you place your iPad in a bag and want to access it easily but bad if you want it to grip on a surface.

I used the case for a couple of weeks putting it in and out of my backpack, laid it on tables, watched content on it, etc.  The only issue I had with the case is that the edge flashings do not grip the iPad’s glass tightly. This is an issue for me as I seem to collect lint where ever I go. I found myself having to occasionally clean out the lint particles. Also, it is important to note that if you use the iPad dock like I do, it does not fit in the dock with the case on.

Ultimately I liked Griffin FlexGrip for iPad. Just be aware of the looser flashings and that it is the slip not sticky silicone.

The Griffin FlexGrip for iPad is currently available for $28.95 from the TiPb iPad accessory store.

Pros

• Durable
• Protective
• Stylish

Cons

• Edge flashing are not flush against iPad’s glass

If you’re looking for a sturdy and transparent skin, the XGear Shield case for iPad for $29.95 may be the case for you.

The XGear Shield is made from dual-compound materials that creates a shock absorbing bumper on the edges. Translation: it has thick edges that fit securely to the iPad that can reduce damage to the corners if bumped. Though not completely transparent, XGear Shield has more of a frosted backing that and not only looks good but totally protects the back and sides of iPad and gives you complete piece of mind from scratches.

There are two things that I really like about this case. The first is how secure it is. There are some cases that fit, but the edges and corners are loose. While this may make for easy removal, I fear it can get caught on something and slip off of the iPad. This is not the case with the XGear Shield. The edges are actually a challenge to put on and remove so you know the case isn’t going anywhere. On the downside, it doesn’t allow for docking with the iPad dock. All of the openings are there, but the power button has given me some challenges. Turning on is easy though by tapping the home button instead.

Video and photos after the break!

Pros

• Protects edges and back of iPad
• Very sturdy Accessibility to all ports
• Fits securely around the iPad’s edges

Cons

• Does not work with iPad dock
• Power button can be a challenge to press
• No color options

The iSkin solo for iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS [$29.95 - TiPb Store Link] has quickly become one of the most popular slim-fitting skin cases available today. To find out why, follow us after the break!

The iSkin solo comes in 4 vibrant high-gloss colors: blue, red, black, and white. At first glance it appears the solo is just another hard plastic shell, and some might worry that it has a higher probability of scratching your phone than protecting it. But have no fear, it’s actually a very soft plastic with the interior being an even softer matte rubber finish that will not scratch your iPhone.

Another perk of this soft plastic is that it’s not tacky like most silicone cases out there. The biggest complaint I hear about silicone cases is the amount of dust and lint they attract. This is not the case with the iSkin solo. So, while it does provide you with a material that will ensure that your iPhone will not go slipping out of your hands, it’s also great news for those of you who put your iPhone into your pocket or purse and want to be able to remove it easily and — lint free.

On the protection front, the solo has you pretty well covered. You get decent protection without sacrificing any functionality. Your screen, docking port, headphone jack, and camera access are readily accessible while your volume and power buttons remain safely protected. As a added bonus, iSkin includes a nice crystal clear screen protector that is equivalent in quality to the ones you can purchase separately. Will the solo save your screen from cracking if you drop it on concrete? Of course not, but it will protect your device from your typical bumps and scratches.

Overall I am a fan of what the iSkin solo brings to the table. If you are seeking a case that provides heavy duty protection, I suggest you look elsewhere but if you want a case that will provide casual protection for every day use along with a a nice sleek look, this would be an excellent choice.

Learn more and purchase @ TiPb Store >>>

Our sibling sites, WMExperts and CrackBerry.com have both, coincidentally, just put up posts that show how to make your Windows Phone or BlackBerry “slide to unlock” just exactly like the iPhone. This may be nothing new, as themes and indeed the ability to theme other platforms is almost as longstanding as it is popular in some circles. iPhone Jailbreakers can even get in on the action with WinterBoard. But here’s the thing, if you’re running a Windows Phone or a BlackBerry, why would you want it to look or behave more like an iPhone? (and yes, the same holds true if you hack your iPhone to look/act like something else).

Do you love the iPhone UI but need functionality it doesn’t offer? Are you locked to a non-iPhone carrier and can’t get the iPhone, so will make do with a skin until your contract expires? Do you just love to be able to configure your phone, your way, and change it up as the mood strikes you?

Personally, I re-install and restore stuff so often, I’ve just gotten used to leaving almost everything I can in its default look and with its default settings, so I’m curious as to how the other side rolls.

Those of you with iPhones, any desire to skin it up like a WinPho or a BBerry? Maybe a Palm Pre? (Have you already?) And to those rocking other smartphones and going for an iPhone-look, how’s it working for you?

Let me start off by saying I’m not usually a fan of any protective skins for any cell phones that are currently on the market. I’ve found that Egrips for iPhone 3G have to sway me in a different direction, however, and I’ve found they can be quite valuable. If you’d like a more confident grip on your iPhone 3G, then Egrips available from The iPhone Blog Store for the price of $14.95, just may be what you are looking for.

For a more in depth look, keep reading after the break!

Design

Egrips are made from a specially formulated silicone elastomer that has an extreme amount of friction that prevents your iPhone 3G from sliding around on almost any surface, as long it is dry. You name it, it will stick — things like car seats, center consoles, counter tops, desktops, laptops and even your shirt sleeve. Egrips are only 0.5mm thick so if you decide these are for you, the days of bulky silicone skins and cases.

In the package you get 4 separate strips to apply to your iPhone 3G. The back piece, two pieces for each side of the home button, and one last piece for the upper right hand corner next to the handset speaker. You may be wondering, where is the piece for the left of the handset speaker? Well that’s an easy one to answer: there is none (it would cover the light sensors). Don’t fret just yet, you can still place your phone face down without it getting scratched. The three pieces do a fine job. Something else worth mentioning here is that Egrips comes in two variations: black (what I went with), or clear.

Usability

How many times have you set your iPhone 3G down on the passenger seat while you were driving only to take a turn and see your precious phone go flying off of the seat and crashing into the door or onto the floor? Scary moments, I know. I was a bit skeptical when I first received my Egrips but I put it to the test by placing my my iPhone 3G on the leather passenger seat in my car and took a nice quick ride. While I was nervous that my phone would go flying, to my surprise it didn’t move an inch. Success!

While some of you who don’t use a case may really enjoy Egrips on their own, I can understand there may be a concern for those who do use a case. I have eight or nine cases for my iPhone 3G, with the Egrips applied to my phone I was able to still use all of my holstered cases. Vertical or horizontal, it did not make a difference. For those of you who use hard cases or silicone cases, I am afraid you are out of luck. That add extra thickness of .05mm is just a bit too much for those types of cases.

A few more questions I had were: how long and how well would it stay on my iPhone 3G and would it stay clean? Honestly, I’ve only been testing out Egrips for about a week and I can say that I see no signs of them coming off anytime soon. None of the corners have peeled up or are showing any signs of that happening, which is a good thing. If you do want to remove it for whatever reason it does indeed come off without leaving any residue or damaging the phone in any way shape or form. Now the other all-important question: how clean would this sticky material actually stay over a period of time? Again, Egrips did not disappoint. What I expected was something similar to a silicone case. You put it in your pocket and when you remove it, it’s covered in lint. Not the case with Egrips, which was nice to see.

Conclusion

So if you are someone who likes the whole “naked” look of your iPhone 3G but you want a little more reassurance in terms of grip, Egrips are just the sort of product you should consider trying out. If you are someone who loves a hard case or simply wants the best protection you can get, you might want to pass on Egrips.

Pros

• Gives you excellent added grip
• Does not add much extra bulk to your iPhone
• Fairly cheap

Cons

• Does not offer the overall protection that a normal case can
• Hinders your ability to use some cases while Egrips are on iPhone

TiPb Rating

So, uhm, hey, remember yesterday how we told you that jailbreaking made your iPhone more powerful and added to the fun factor? Well, this skin is kind of the opposite of that. If you want to remember the unintuitive days of PC and its notoriously pitiful/sucky/failure-of-an-OS current version, well there’s a Vista skin that will frankenstein your iPhone’s beautiful layout into something Redmond would create. You’ll probably be disowned by the iPhone community if you flaunt this in public but hey, to each his own.

Supposedly the demand for this is very high and the creator, Spec-Works, is working his way into Installer.app. I can only hope that this is all a horrible nightmare that I need to wake up from. Though as much as I find this repulsive, I have to admit, this is a pretty well made theme. The icons and folders are on point and the color fits thematically with its PC counterpart.

This is our take: NO.  Like when Neo said it.  NO:

What’s next, a skin based off the Blackberry OS? Heck, even they already think that Vista looks better than that.

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