12 cool cases and accessories
Cool and useful wallets, shells, add-ons and customizations for your smartphone or tablet
id America’s Gasket iPhone case Inspired by the head gasket of a really fast car, this is the case you get for your favourite gearhead. The brushed aluminum holder is available in colours like vintage gold and rally blue, and has a suede inner lining so it doesn’t scratch that precious iPhone 4S. ($29.95; id-case.com)
Speck CandyShell These slick slip-ons for smart phones and tablets look something like those hard candies in grandma’s treat dish. The hard plastic exterior, complemented by a shock-absorbing interior that cradles your mobile device, is all one-piece and flexes for application. Two-tone colour schemes make these cases sweet enough to eat. (US$34.95–$54.95; speckproducts.com)
booqpad Every hip designer has an iPad 2, but in those client meetings they need to be able to take notes, sketch ideas, or just doodle. This agenda is a snazzy case and notepad holder all in one. There’s also a slot for a pen and a folio for any paper those “veteran” account managers insist on handing out. ($49.95; stores.booq.com)
G-Form Extreme Portfolio G-Form cases provide “extreme impact protection” and are perfect for the rambunctious teenager in your life. The one who likes to carry their iPad while skateboarding down the hill. The one who accidentally drops your iPad off the back of the bleachers while watching YouTube videos. Don’t let them test the limits of the protection, though. (US$89.95; g-form.com)
AViiQ Smart Case A perfect complement to Apple’s Smart Cover, these iPad 2 backs are made of aluminum and plastic, providing not just protection but also acting to dissipate heat when that tablet has been running on overdrive. The iPad 2 snaps smartly into the cases that are coloured to match Apple’s magic magnet covers. (US34.99–$39.99; aviiq.com)
Hardgraft Heritage iPhone wallet The European styling of these beautiful wallets is only one reason they’re so perfect as a gift. Crafted from the finest leather and wool felt, they are also very functional, providing pockets for up to eight cards and cash, and with a separate compartment for an iPhone. (US$95; hardgraft.com)
AViiQ portable charging station Business travellers will love this stylish wallet, which combines a four-port USB hub and a single electrical plug in one. No more mucking around with multiple cables and adapters for those with a smart phone, tablet, bluetooth headset and MP3 player. They can keep everything neat, tidy, and zipped up. (US$79.99; aviiq.com)
Custom engraving Nothing says, “I love you,” like a customized laser etching on your sweetheart’s iPhone. HiTech Tattoos, on Dufferin off Queen in Toronto, can also engrave iPads, laptops and any metal, plastic or wood surface. Don’t live in Toronto? Make sure the gadget gets “lost” and ship it to HiTech for a treatment. ($35–$120; hitechtattoos.com)
Blackbox wooden cases Crafted out of red oak and bamboo, and lined with wool felt, these cases, for iPad 2 and MacBook Pro laptops, beg to be handled. Wood is lightweight and strong, both functional and protective. Custom engraving of text and graphics is also available. (US$99–$164; blackboxcase.com)
Scottevest clothes Doesn’t matter how many gadgets your spouse carries around, when they’re wearing Scottevest there’s a pocket for that. The trim travel vests have 22 pockets, including one designed for a tablet computer, and the expedition jacket has an astounding 37 compartments. Even the boxer briefs have a pouch for a smart phone. (US$15–$225; scottevest.com)
Solar-powered battery pack This sleek iPhone 4 case from Eton is also a battery back-up that is powered by the sun. One hour in the rays provides an extra 25 minutes of talk time or 145 minutes of audio playback, and a USB connection means you can sync with iTunes without removing the case. ($80; amazon.ca)
The Victoria internet radio It may look like an old-fashioned radio, but the Victoria is as modern as you can get. It connects to any Wi-Fi connection and provides access to free Internet-broadcast radio stations and podcasts. The Victoria will also charge your smart phone or MP3 player while playing audio files from them. ($229.99; gracedigitalaudio.ca)