Baby's Got a Brand New Case!

My beloved iPhone has a new case.  While I was in Texas, I noticed that its stylish fuschia CaseCrown polycarbonate slider case was starting to deterioriate.  The finish was crackling.  I didn't like that, although I LOVED the color of the case.  So back I went to research other cases.

I've always heard good things about the Otterbox cases.  The buzz is that they provide superior protection and that their design is well-thought out.  What had kept me from getting one in the past was that the cases were rather bulky.  However, I came across the Defender Realtree Hybrid Case and I really liked the design.  It has a hard inner case with a built-in screen protector and then an outer soft silicone cover for that but the thing doesn't feel like you are holding a military walkie-talkie.

I wasn't real keen on lots of the color combinations but I DID like this camo-cover.  It comes in several variations.  OK, they could have thrown in a chickadee or two or a deer or a turkey for me but I don't really mind just the bare-bones trees.  My brother joked around and said, "Gee, if you drop this in the woods, you'll never find it."

I told him, "All I've have to do is wait for someone to text me and follow the sound of the "moos" or wait for someone to call me and just follow the sound of bagpipes."

I'm not mechanical at all so I sure would have been up the creek without a paddle if I'd tried to get my iPhone into the case just going by the instructions printed on the inside of the box.  Luckily the company has very easy-to-follow installation videos on Amazon and their website.

I've had the case now for a week and am quite pleased with it.  I was wondering how that built-in screen was going to affect my touchscreen but it works as well as it always did.  Everything else fits great.  The cut-out openings in the case are right where they should be and I really feel like my phone is well-protected.  Oh, and it also came with a holster with clip that doubles as a stand.  I don't plan to use the holster but I might use the stand if I want to view something on my iPhone horizontally.

A Novel Use?

When my iPhone 4S was on order, I blogged about my search for the right case/cover for it.  The result was the BookBook case shown above.  It seemed perfect for someone who loved reading as much as I do.  But then I got my iPhone and started using the case.  Alas, it wasn't as perfect as I had hoped.  The size and weight was great, it felt just right in my hand, and the protection it offered my phone was wonderful.

The drawbacks were several major ones that I just couldn't get around.  The main drawback was the fact that there was no cut-out for the rear-camera.  Whenever I wanted to take a picture, I had to undo the tab at the top (cleverly disguised to look like a bookmark) and push the phone up partially from the bottom of the case until it cleared the holder enough for the camera lens to be usable.  The second drawback was when I wanted to talk on the phone, I had to fold the cover back onto itself and hold it that way while I talked.  It felt stiff and awkward.   The BookBook case also was advertised as being usable as a wallet/credit card carrier.  I knew from reading reviews that it wouldn't hold many cards.  But if I put three cards in there, it was very difficult to push out the one in the clear vinyl.  I guess the thought was that you could just keep an ID there and flash it at folks who ask for an ID instead of having to take it out all the time.  Also, if I put several bills in the wallet part, I could barely pry the credit cards out because it made things so tight.  In all fairness, it would probably loosen up over time since it is made of leather.

So I did some more research and finally settled on a colorful CaseCrown Glider case for my iPhone and I'm quite pleased with it.   I love the color, it feels wonderful, and I can easily put it in my special FM transmitter device that I use to listen to podcasts and music through my car's stereo.  That left me with the BookBook case.  Should I try to sell it?  I REALLY liked its uniqueness and the feel of it.  What to do?

I decided to adapt it to hold my miscellaneous credit cards, ID cards, and store cards. I have so many of these darn things that they don't all fit in my regular wallet, which I reserve for the really important cards like my driver's license, military ID, debit card, bookstore card, and insurance cards.  I WAS using a separate wallet for the other cards but it was bulky and took up space in my purse.  Looking at the little BookBook, I decided it would be perfect for these auxiliary cards.

I took the little "dummy iphone box" that had come with the case, cut off the top end, reinforced the sides with packing tape, and voila!  I now had a perfect little container to hold my extra cards.  In they went.  The velcro tab that was designed to hold the phone in place works perfectly to keep the cards from sliding out. I can also put several cards that I use more frequently on the other side of the case in the card slots.

My new system has been working great.  It's perfect for its new use.  In keeping with the literary theme of the case, "All's well that ends well."

Disguised as a Book

BookBook Case for iPad

Wow, this company ships quickly!  I ordered my BookBook cases on the 24th of October and they arrived today, the 26th of October.  Talk about a pleasant surprise.  Let's take a look at the iPad case, shall we?

Here is what the case looks like before you put the iPad inside it.  There is a leather thong-type strap that hooks around a leather circle.  There is an elastic strap on the top of the side where your iPad goes as well as two leather tabs on the bottom that the iPad slides into.  The inside is a nice soft suede that provides a non-scratch surface that won't damage your iPad screen.

Here is how it looks with my iPad inside the case.  I had to take my Smart Cover off the iPad but all that means is that I have to put it to sleep myself now and not expect it to go to sleep automatically like it used to when I'd close the cover.

BookBook case set up as Stand

When you want to use this case as a stand, you slip the top of your iPad out of the elastic and take the leather strap out from behind the iPad.  It sounds fussy but indeed, it is a very quick operation.  Now you put your iPad back under the elastic and then fold your case open, taking the leather strap around, under, and back to the little circle thing (sorry, I don't know what the official name for it is), and then adjust the angle you want for the stand before wrapping the strap several times around the circle to secure your stand.

iPad in Upright Stand Position

 Reverse the procedure when you are finished using your iPad in the "stand" postition.  When you aren't using it with the "no-hands" approach, you can just hold it like you would a book on your lap and it will stay open while you manipulate your screen as normal.

 BookBook case Spine

Put your iPad in sleep mode or turn it off when you're done using it and zip up your case and this is the end result.  It looks just like a book.  How cool!

BookBook iPhone case 

I also got my case for my new iPhone 4s (which still hasn't arrived).  I wanted to show you how the two cases compare in size.  If you've ever seen a pocket-size New Testament, my new iPhone case is about the same size.

Waiting for my new phone

Now I just have to get my new phone and then I'll take out the "dummy" filler and slip that baby in my new case and put a few credit cards and my driver's license on the other side and I'm good to go.  Oh, guess I'd better slip a twenty in there as well, in case I get hungry for a snack.

Device Cases for Booklovers

If you've been reading my blog, then you know that I LOVE to read.  Books have been some of my favorite things since I was just a kid.  In the past few years, I've changed the way I like to read books, preferring now to read them electronically on either my Kindle or on my Nook.  Still, it's nice to give the appearance of a book and with that in mind, I've found some covers for the technical gadgets in your life that will show others that you are a fellow booklover.

1.  Zazzle has a wide variety of iphone cases for booklovers.  Check out the selection at this link.
http://www.zazzle.com/for+book+lovers+iphone+cases

2.   This vendor has got to be one of my current favorites. BookBook makes covers for iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and MacBook Air. Right now I have a cover on order for my iPhone 4s and my iPad and when they arrive (well, and when my iPhone arrives), I'll be sure to post a review of these covers for you up here on the blog.

3.  DodoCase covers can be simple or more elaborate like this Fantastic Flying Books of Morris Lessmore Case for iPad:

4.  Gelaskins offers covers for Kindles and Nooks like this one designed by Colin Thompson.  You can also submit your own photo which they can make into a custom skin for you and they do a great job.




Nedrelow - offers simple traditional book covers that you can personalize with your own custom texts or purchase with text the company offers.



So what are you waiting for?  Go check these companies and their products out and see how you can advertise your love of reading.