Ask anyone who has ever dropped his iPod and you'll likely get an earful on the importance of proper protection. The potential pitfalls for today's portable electronics are many, from greasy fingers to crowded sidewalks to just plain clumsiness, and with newer, better-than-ever products available from Apple, an ounce or two of prevention is worth a couple-hundred-dollar's-worth of cure, a.k.a. replacement.
Enter Speck Products' multiple lines of cases for just about any current iPod and iPhone. Uniting "ooo, pretty" esthetics and some cutting-edge materials, Speck's accessories are as practical as they are fashionable, a wise addition to our routine as we suit up for the game of life. For a limited time, select Speck Proudcts cases also qualify for a free MP3 promotion at Amazon.com, details below.
TechStyle Case for iPod shuffle 3G
Yes, the iPod shuffle is a marvel of minimalist design, tiny beyond belief and devoid of the typical buttons found on most other MP3 players. It's also small enough to swallow or at the very least get lot pretty easily, and so a proper case will not only protect it from the abuses of real-world living but also make it easier to find. It's also a lot neater to store the shuffle and its headphones (and possibly the USB adapter cable, too) in a case than simply stuffing it into a pocket. (Not that I've ever done that.) Speck's TechStyle case is tough--yet stylish, hence the name--on the outside, smartly designed on the inside with cable management and a holder sized perfectly for the little guy. Snap it in, zip it up, toss in a briefcase and off we go. (With the included adapter, TechStyle is perfectly suited to both the second- and third-generation models.) In Black, Blue, Pink and Purple, $19.95 each.
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Anybody else out there have big, honking man-hands? I'm resigned to the fact that I'll never play the piano, and I'll probably always feel a little nervous handling my wafer-thin iPod nano. And now that I'm shooting video with it as well, a more secure grip would certainly be a plus. Enter the textured, angular look and feel of the PixelSkin, crafted of smooth, soft, snug-fitting silicone that feels good in the hand, adding unmistakable presence without adding a lot of girth. PixelSkin provides a serious layer of protection while maintaining full access to all necessary controls, with an all-important peephole for the newly added camera. This handy little number is currently available in Black only, $19.95.
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ToughSkin for iPod classic
For sheer capacity and iconic design, the iPod classic is hard to beat, making it a perennial favorite, but with a hardworking hard disk drive spinning away inside, it needs a strong defense, even if it's too shy to ask. ToughSkin is a "ruggedized" (yeah, I think they made it up) case that can enhance both the durability and style of 80GB, 120GB and 160GB-capacity models. The protective rubber second-flesh has a pleasant feel all around, with a convenient belt clip around back and an always-welcome screen protector for the front. A perfect accessory for folks who like to travel with a week's worth of video or months' worth of music. Choose Black or Clear at $29.95 each.
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Never before has the flexibility and protection of a soft rubberized case been combined with the durability and scratch protection of a sleek hard shell in a seamless single-piece design. CandyShell's soft, colorful rubberized interior keeps your iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS insulated from life's bumps and knocks, while the shiny outer hard shell protects it from scratches and lets you slip it in and out of pockets easily. For $34.95, we have our pick of eight colors/combinations, with some of Speck's catchiest names yet: BatWing Black, AquaBerry Blue, BubbleMaker Pink, WaxStick White, JamJar Purple, Purple/Pink, Red and Green.
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More Information:
DEAL ALERT: Now though December 31, 2009, receive $5 FREE Amazon MP3 music downloads with the purchase of select audio items, including Speck Products iPod cases!
