One of the biggest gripes a lot of iPhone 3G/3GS readers have is battery life. Now this is mainly due to not being able to put the iPhone down to give it a rest, but we now have another solution to your iPhone addiction. Enter Case-Mate’s Fuel Case for iPhone 3G/3GS, which is available in TiPb’s store for $74.95. For a full review, follow us after the break!

Design & Usability

The Case-Mate Fuel Case for iPhone 3G/3GS is integrated with a 2300mA Lithium Polymer battery, Case-Mate says it will add up to nine hours of additional talk-time, up to seven hours of internet browsing, up to eight hours of video, 24 hours of audio, and 250 hours of extra standby time.

The times that Case-Mate claims are pretty much dead on. If you have trouble putting your iPhone down and typically end up with a dead battery sometime during the day, Fuel is the right case for you.

Usually when I get into my car after a full day at work I would have 20%-30% of my battery left. With the Fuel I’ve been leaving with anything from 80% to being topped off and that’s still with some juice left in the case itself. Not too shabby. I think it’s also important to note that you do not need to remove the phone from the case to use the iPhone in any way, including phone calls.

On the bottom front of the case you will find 3 built-in LEDs that allow you to see exactly how much “Fuel” you have left and a power button that allows you to turn the charger on or off as you see fit. Both of these are nice little bonus features.

To charge the case you only have one option — you must use a standard 5-pin USB cord. One is included but it would be nice to have the option to charge the case without using my laptop. On the plus side, Fuel fully supports syncing while iPhone 3G is docked into the case.

One nice features Fuel has that other iPhone charging cases lack is a belt clip that rotates 180-degrees. This sounds great but unfortunately Case-Mate dropped the ball on this one. I found myself worrying about the lack of protection on the upper half of my iPhone and the screen. Since you have to place the iPhone face-out, the screen is left completely unprotected. This means you have to be careful not to bump into anything or you will damage your device.

So, the next possibility would be to place the phone in your pocket. There’s only one thing wrong with that — the belt clip is not removable. Granted it still would be a tight fit without the clip due to the added size it gives the iPhone, but the option would still be better.

As to the belt clip itself, it does it’s job well. Rest assured, your iPhone is locked in place and will not fall out on you.

Conclusion

Even with the complaints about the belt clip, I still like this case. The pros outweigh the cons by far. I found myself using the case at work around my desk and at home when I was lounging around. Even though the size adds to the iPhone it still feels good in the hand while using it.

Overall the Case-Mate Fuel Case for iPhone 3G/3GS does it’s job and it does it very well. Since Apple chooses not to make the iPhones battery replaceable companies like Case-Mate have stepped up and offered us some solutions. For $74.95 you can’t go wrong with this one, Fuel will give your iPhone the boost it needs to easily make it through your entire day and, in some cases, days.

Pros

• Battery life as advertises.
• Feels good in the hand
• Reasonable price
• Ability to sync while your iPhone is in the case
• Works with the new iPhone 3GS

Cons

• Lack of screen protection
• Belt clip is not removable
• Case only chargeable via micro USB cable

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Review: Case-Mate Fuel Case for iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS

[Ed: New Case-Mate Vrooms in new spectacular colors now available in the TiPb iPhone Store! - Rene]

The iPhone 3G certainly has a ton of case options. Everyone has their own take on what constitutes a good iPhone case—some prefer silicone, others want a hard plastic, some prefer loud cases, others search for more subtle options. We take a look at a lot of cases here at TiPb and there’s a different qualification for the case we’re about to take a look at—this falls under the ‘fun’ category.

The Case-Mate Vroom for iPhone 3G ($14.95) is a subtly-fun designed rubber case. From afar the Vroom case looks like a basic, black silicone case that protects the back of the iPhone 3G. Upon closer inspection, whoa what?! The back has tire tread!

Is this merely a gimmick? How cool is it?

Read on for the rest of the review!

Design

Come on. Laugh a little. Ease up. The Vroom case for the iPhone 3G is funny and a definite conversation starter. I mean, it’s a tire on your iPhone 3G! You could even come up with a far-fetched story on how you custom made the case with your old car tire’s or even say its a special edition made by Goodyear or Michelin. I mean, a tire on your iPhone? What other crazy designs can we get?

Jokes aside, the Vroom case is a basic black rubber case that protects the full back of the iPhone 3G while leaving room open for all of the iPhone 3G’s functions. It even comes equipped with a plastic screen to protect the iPhone 3G’s touchscreen. We’re not fans of those plastic touchscreens preferring to go with Bodyguardz or Invisibleshield for cases like these.

But in all, I think it looks great and adds a ton of character to the iPhone 3G.

Usability

The rubber is a lot different from other silicone cases I’ve encountered. Instead of a soft, grippy feel the Vroom case is harder and slicker. I don’t prefer this finish because it doesn’t offer the same amount of grip as other silicone options but I think that’s just a matter of preference.

What’s great about the Vroom case, other than the design of course, is that it doesn’t add much thickness to the iPhone. I found that the case was really easy to hold and didn’t change the contours of the iPhone 3G. And though the rubber is a bit different than most cases, I feel like it’s a stronger grade. Instead of being just a sleeve or a skin, this feels like true tire rubber. I guess it succeeded in its intended effect, right?

But this case does have its fair share of limitations—more thought was put into its design than its actual construction. It attracts lint and dust very easily, I could never really manage to keep the case clean. This may be more of a color issue than anything since dust simply shines on a black case.

Also, this is personal preference but I don’t like it when a case ever-so-slightly exposes the chrome rim around the iPhone. I feel as if you’re going to cover the back of the iPhone you might as well go the extra millimeter to cover the chrome rim.

But in all, the Vroom case offers just enough protection. It’s not going to be mistaken as an OtterBox but it definitely does a good job in preventing nicks and scratches from daily routine.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for pure protection, this case probably isn’t for you. I won’t lie, there are better options for you if protection is your biggest concern. For starters, take a look at the TiPb store.

But if you like quirky designs and/or conversations revolving your iPhone 3G case—hey, this is as good as it gets. Let me tell you, when I was testing out this case, I got numerous compliments and questions about its origins. I found that I personally LIKED the case enough to ignore its limitations.

Though it only offers middling protection—this is the case I reach for most for my iPhone 3G.

PROS

• Great, Fun Design
• High Quality Rubber
• Adds Minimal Thickness

CONS

• Offers Average Protection
• Attracts Dust

FINAL RATING:

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Review: Case-Mate Vroom for iPhone 3G

The Case-Mate Barely There case for the iPhone 3G, available for $19.95 from the TiPb iPhone Store, is designed to accomplish several things:

• Protect your iPhone from minor impact and abuse (e.g. bumps and scratches)
• Do so without adding significant bulk or making it un-pocketable (if that’s how you roll)
• And to look good while doing it.

How well does it hit these targets, and what if anything could it do better? Find out in our review…

I’m not a huge fan of cases. More often than not, my iPhone goes commando in my pocket. Well, almost. I have a sticker-skin on it to protect from minor scratches since the plastic iPhone 3G backing is so prone to them. I do worry, however, that one day I’ll drop my pride and joy and that same plastic backing will chip or crack on me. Living with that fear in the back of my mind is what drove me to try out a few options, starting with one that’s as close to naked as a hard case can be.

Design

Case-Mate’s Barely There case comes in a rainbow of colors. Enough to make the latest gen iPod nano jealous. Case the rainbow. Seriously. Black, white, red, orange, purple, pink, and blue are your options. Being somewhat stalwart and sedate myself, I went with black.

It covers the back and sides of the iPhone 3G, with cutouts at the corners to increase flexibility and aid in getting it on or off. Cutouts are also provided for the controls, speaker, mic, and dock port, and a hole is cut in the back so the big Apple logo on the iPhone can represent. Fandom rejoice. Everyone else scratch your heads and hope nothing spears it right in that target spot.

For the front, in lieu of armor, Case-Mate provides a fairly typical screen protector.

Usability

Slide your iPhone in, volume buttons first, and the other side flexes and snaps into place securing your iPhone in its protective shell. Simple, direct, easy. Win.

For the screen protector — it’s a screen protector. Clean thoroughly. Apply carefully. Squeegee down deliberately.

day in, day out, the case just does what it’s supposed to from that point on — protect your iPhone from the abuse of casual use. Living up to it’s name, it often times felt like it really was barely there, adding nothing appreciable to the in-pocket experience, and even giving a tiny bit of extra, and appreciated, heft in-hand.

It’s not coated in soft-touch, so there’s really no added security when it comes to actually preventing drops, but it feels tough enough to survive a pretty good whack. And hey, if you break it, at least you’re only out an Andrew Jackson and not the heap of Ben Franklins a new iPhone would cost you.

Of course, the front is covered with only a thin plastic film, so while you still get the scratch protection, dropping it face down will offer nothing in the way of similar impact resistance.

Problems? A couple minor ones to start, mostly to do with fit and finish. The edges in the corners were left a tad sharp. Don’t get me wrong, nothing skin-piercing here, just enough to give you an annoying poke. A little extra rounding off in the factory would have been appreciated.

Likewise — and I preface this by saying I have a sticker-skin on top of my iPhone 3G which might have caused just a millimeter or so of extra girth, creating the problem — plastic interiors make me to worry about cases causing scratches as much as they prevent them. I saw some depressions on my sticker-skin. No idea if that would have translated to anything on a bare iPhone back, but a little more inside finish at the factory would be reassuring here as well.

Being a complete and single unit case, it’s not compatible with all dock-port accessories. Anything slim and at the end of a long cable, like the standard USB sync that comes with the iPhone, should do you fine. Any kind of cradle, however, will almost certainly require you to remove the case first.

Lastly, the added size, even while minimal, will of course make it incompatible with some holsters and pouches. Without a belt-clip option, this case seems pretty much targeted at people like me — those who prefer not to have cases or case-like trappings at all.

Again, just like the product name promises — this case is barely there.

Conclusion

For those who prefer nothing to come between them and our iPhones, the Case-Mate Barely There case is definitely worth a look. In the eternal compromise that comes between comfort and protection, Case-Mate strikes an excellent balance. And, since Apple in its infinitely looped wisdom only offers the iPhone 3G in black and white models, the Case-Mate is also a great way to splash some color on your unit while keeping things lean and still getting some added peace of mind.

Pros

• Strong and flexible
• Easy application and excellent fit
• Wide range of color choices

Cons

• Edges and inside could have better finish
• Not compatible with some dock-port accessories
• Not compatible with all holsters/pouches and no belt-clip option

TiPb Accessory Review Rating

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Review: Case-Mate Barely There Case for iPhone 3G

The Case-Mate Dockster Leather Case for iPhone 3G is available and can be purchased in TiPb Store for $34.95. If you are looking for a case that is slim and dockable, then this case might be for you. Let’s see how it measures up after the break!

Design

Daily Use

Placing the case on your iPhone could not be any easier; simply slide the top end on, then slide the bottom end. There are no buttons to snap, no clips to latch; they just slide together easily. Once the two pieces of the car are together, they are secure. I did not have to worry about one side slipping or falling off. The other benefit of this case is it adds a little extra grip too without become too think. The leather feels really nice in your hands and solid plastic frame adds piece of mind if it is dropped.

Docking the iPhone is easy, simply slip off the bottom end and yo are in business. I was very surprised at how easy it was to do.

Conclusion

Pros:

• It is dockable!
• Attractive leather finish
• Sturdy plastic supportive frame
• Thin
• All ports are very easily accessible

Cons:

• I really can’t find any pertinent negatives with this case
• A variety of colors, currently black-only

TiPb’s Rating:

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Review: The Case-Mate Dockster Leather Case for iPhone 3G

The Case-Mate The Hipster for iPhone 3G is available and can be purchased in the TiPb Store for $34.95. If you are looking for a leather hip-case for your iPhone, this might just be it! Let’s see how it measures up after the break!

Design

The Case-Mate Hipster is constructed of hard plastic both on the back of the case and the molded over the front. The case is fitted with leather all around it, including the back and belt clip. The inside of the case has a soft, felt-like material. This is a nice touch knowing your iPhone 3G won’t receive any nasty scratches from within the case. The cover is held in place by a magnetic button.

You also receive (as a bonus) a cleaning cloth and screen protector as part of your purchase (both are included from Case-Mate).  This is a first, and a nice welcome; I have reviewed other Case-Mate purchases, and this is a first to have these included in the box. 

Daily Use

So with extra attention, I realized that this essentially a plastic form-fitted case with felt on the inside and leather on the outside; the iPhone was a very tight squeeze to fit. This initially made me apprehensive. However, I began to realize that there would be no harm done to my iPhone and that the “tight” nature of the case meant that the iPhone 3G was not going to easily fall out.

The latch made me a little worrisome at first as well. You seem I am used to a Velcro closure on my current case. It closes, and it takes a little effort to open. This case has a simple button closure that stays closed by a magnet, built into the button. The two issues I have with the magnetic button are: A) the fact that it is magnetic means it is not as secure as the velcro that I am used to and B) when I close the outside flap, it has to match up exactly with the button on the case to close properly.

So, I have listed my initial concerns with this case. How does it fair after a few weeks of use?

Perfectly. For the most part.

The tightness I experienced with the iPhone 3G fitting into the case eventually gave way to a more “glove” fit. I liken my experience to that of blue jeans: at first, they might be tight, but they eventually “fit”. This was a welcome relief. My other concern wasn’t as clearly addressed over time. The button eventually homed in and clasped properly. However, I still have concerns whether it will stay closed if the case were to drop. The only consolation I have is that the iPhone is held very securely still, even after using it a while.

Oh, and I almost forgot, the belt clip works just fine… it clips on your belt. I wish there was more to say about that, but there isn’t

Conclusion

Pros:

Cons:

• Magnetic button closure is not as secure as I would like

TiPb Rating:

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Review: Case-Mate The Hipster for iPhone 3G

Ever wish you could keep prying eyes away from your iPhone? Always paranoid that strangers can read all your sensitive e-mails, bank account information, and stock portfolios? Well here’s the solution: the Case-mate Universal Privacy Screen Pro for iPhone ($19.95). It prevents those snoopy people from peering over your shoulder and keeps your information private by offering a viewing angle of 45 degrees.

Read on for the rest of the review!

What Comes In The Box & Application Process

• -2″ x 3″ Privacy Screen
• -Graph Sheet (for sizing)
• -Screen Cleaning Cloth
• -Applicator card

The instructions states that one must cut the privacy screen to match the size of your phone screen. Luckily, the maximum size of the screen fits perfectly around the iPhone’s screen. Manually cutting the privacy screen would have been a tediously unnecessary step for a product that should already be tailor made for your phone. (note: Another reason to buy an iPhone! Sorry Blackberry & Treo Owners, have fun cutting!)

The application process is fairly simple. Unlike many protective film covers on the market, the Privacy Screen attaches to the iPhone through static cling. Just line up the iPhone’s screen with the Privacy Screen and it just sticks. I haven’t experienced any problems with the Privacy Screen falling off, it’s as if some sort of voodoo magic binds the two together until you want to remove it. An added bonus is that the Privacy Screen works flawlessly with film protectors such as the invisibleSHIELD and BodyGuardz.

Usage

After applying the Privacy Screen, there is no discernible difference in the iPhone’s screen quality. Which is quite amazing considering how dark the tint looked before putting it on the iPhone. Pitting an iPhone with the Privacy Screen on against an iPhone without, the screen quality and brightness is in essence, the same. The only difference is that the iPhone without the Privacy Screen offers minimally deeper blacks, but in all, you’d be hard pressed to notice the Privacy Screen has been applied.

In short, the Privacy Screen really works. When viewed at an angle, the iPhone’s screen is darkened and unintelligible. Even at a closer angle, the Privacy Screen will look hazy to onlookers. Only at a direct angle can you begin to determine what is on the screen. For those looking for a privacy screen, the Case-mate is extremely effective and the ideal solution.

For better or worse, the Privacy Screen attracts the same amount of fingerprints and grease as the iPhone’s glass screen. Also, unlike other non-privacy film protectors that change the iPhone’s tactile feel, the Privacy Screen feels exactly the same as the iPhone’s glass screen. The Privacy Screen is also prone to scratches, though unnoticeable when the iPhone is turned on, the scratches are a bit of an eyesore when the iPhone’s screen is off.

My biggest concern about the Privacy Screen is the dust build-up along the edges. Because the Privacy Screen covers only the actual screen of the iPhone and not the entire front face, dust will get caught along the top and bottom edges of the film. Also, probably because of the type of material used to lessen the viewing angle, the Privacy Screen is very thick.

Final Thoughts

The Privacy Screen succeeds in deterring those nosy folks who peer over your shoulder. You can safely examine any sensitive documents without fear of anyone copying down that information. As a privacy filter, the Case-Mate is the best solution on the market.

With that said, I believe that the product can be improved by offering protection to the full face of the iPhone rather than just the screen itself. Though it is understandable to not expect the same materials in products like the Invisibleshield and the Bodyguardz, covering up the entire front face would attract more potential buyers and alleviate the dust build-up problem.

However, a benefit of the screen-only protection is that the Privacy Screen can be used and re-used because of its easy application process. Thinking about going out to the local coffee shop but think too many people would peer over your shoulder? Just slap it on and have your worries be gone. It is not as permanent as other full body skin protectors.

The Privacy Screen should be considered a BUY for anyone looking to protect their iPhone from wandering eyes but those considering it for screen protection should look toward the invisibleSHIELD and BodyGuardz.

Pros

• Very Easy to Apply
• Screen Quality and Brightness is Unchanged
• Dramatically Decreases Viewing Angle
• Texture of the iPhone’s Glass Screen Remains the Same
• Made of High Quality Materials

Cons

• Dust Builds Up Along the Top and Bottom Edges
• Does Not Cover the Full Face of the iPhone
• Prone to Scratches

Overall: 4/5

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Review: Case-Mate Universal Privacy Screen Pro for iPhone