Marware’s C.E.O. Premiere for iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS. [$34.95 - TiPb Store Link] is a horizontal case with a belt clip and top flap. Either you love that style or you hate it, but there is no denying their popularity among iPhone owners. Marware has been making iPhone cases since day one and some pretty good ones at that. What did we think of the Marware C.E.O. Premiere?

Follow us after the break!

The Marware C.E.O Premiere has the classic horizontal holster case design that covers your iPhone in a textured, soft leather with quality stitching and an ultra-slim non-removable belt clip. The interior of the case is made up of microfiber cloth which is a welcomed addition that promises not to scratch your device while it is in use.

The flap that encloses your iPhone stays closed with the help of Velcro. Though I would have preferred Marware to use magnets, the Velcro does it’s job. However, when I am in a quiet room and need to get to my phone I’d like to get it out in silence rather than hearing the sound of Velcro tearing open.

The C.E.O. Premiere is designed only to provide access to the headphone port while your phone is inside. This design allows you to listen to music or take calls with the iPhones headset while you are out and about, but like all other cases of this style, no other controls can be accessed when the it’s is closed. Keep that in mind if it’s a deciding factor when you’re looking for a new case.

Marware was kind enough to include a decent screen protector in the package as well.

If you prefer the horizontal case and can get past some of the Marware’s minor shortcomings, the C.E.O Premiere as it’s truly a quality case.

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Review: Marware C.E.O. Premiere for iPhone 3GS & iPhone 3G

Apple TV 3.0 (or Apple TV 3, or Apple TV Take 3) is the just-released third version of Apple’s and Steve Jobs’ “hobby”. And, for good or for ill, its latest feature-set seems designed to keep iTunes’ living room gateway as niche as ever. That’s not to say it isn’t good, because it is (though it does have problems we’ll get into below), but it’s certainly not great. Not yet. And we’re beginning to wonder if Apple (now or ever) even wants it to be?

Preamble 1

Yes, this is an iPhone blog, but just as other SPE Network sites like WMExperts will touch on the big Microsoft picture and Android Central will keep its electric eyes on Google, TiPb tries to include everything Apple that connects to the iPhone ecosystem. So you won’t find a review of the latest Mac Pro, you will find one of the pocketable iPhone’s big screen cousin, the Apple TV. If your interests lie elsewhere, just skip on to the next post. If you are interested, however, follow on after the jump for more!

Preamble 2

I’ve had an Apple TV since version 1.x and I use it every day. For me it’s part of the Apple/iPhone ecosystem and it “just works” to let me use the same music and video on my iPhone and on my TV (and in iTunes on my PC). My living room setup is a 1080p LCD with 7.1 surround (which I put together as cheaply as possible — check out this forum post for more), which I use Apple’s Remote app to control the Apple TV with my iPhone or iPod touch.

Long ago, I ripped every DVD I owned to iTunes format, and whenever I find a movie or TV series I love on sale at Amazon or elsewhere, I buy it, rip it to a Drobo, and box ye old physical media as backup. I also buy via iTunes, especially when they have their sales. I’m exploring going all in on PVR’ing content as well, but I’ll save the rant on how Canada has no consumer protection when it comes to telecommunications, and Canadians have no access to CableCard, mandated unencrypted OTA broadcast signals, etc.

All this by way of saying I have a lot of content and I watch it via my Apple TV a lot, and so the Apple TV 3.0 update is something I take seriously. Apple… well, we’ll see…

Software not Hardware

Apple TV 3.0 is, sadly, a software only update. There’s no new Apple TV gear to go buy. No better chips, no bigger capacity, no added features like TV tuners or 1080p out. If you haven’t bought one before, it’s cheaper than it was a few months ago, but it’s not better. That’s a far bigger problem at this point than the software.

New Look, Tweaked Feel

The user interface for Apple TV 3.0 has been refreshed — at least on the top level. Now, instead of just two vertical menus, a horizontal menu cuts across the top showing off poster/album art for your content. The spots on the left are, refreshingly, reserved for your own media — your most recently added movies, TV shows, music, podcasts, etc. I count 5 spots on mine. The spots on the right show stuff Apple would like you to buy from the iTunes Store. Yeah, it’s like that — Apple TV remains a hard-sell for purchases and rentals. It’s not as bad as it used to be — they’ve even moved your content above store content in the menus, but it’s still the overall purpose of the device. Then again, online rentals seem to be the future of the set-top box, so fair enough…

LP and Extras

One of the major reasons cited for the Apple TV 3.0 update was to add compatibility for iTunes LP and iTunes Extras. If you already have either or both, iTunes will download new versions of the content (?!), but once done, they look great. Extras present similarly to DVD extras, however the interface for the one we tested — Wall-E — was very un-Apple. It wasn’t clear where to click or when. Choosing one option left that option highlighted when, in order to actually use it, we had to navigate over to the artwork, and then notice the dots beneath the artwork denoting a number of different elements to that content. Apple usually nails this stuff, but we’ll test a few more and hope very hard it was an isolated accident.

Note: there aren’t very many iTunes LP and iTunes Extra offerings yet, barely a dozen of each, but expanding it to the Apple TV is a good sign Apple is making at least another “hobby” out of it. We’ll see how well it plays out.

Also note: Are we waiting on iPhone 3.2 so we can get those extras on the mobile screen as well? Sure would be nice to have them if we got them…

Final Thoughts

Apple TV Take 3 it certainly isn’t. Only its elegance, simplicity, and seamless integration for iTunes users makes it a valid alternative against Windows 7 Media Center or competing set-top boxes that offer Netflix (for those in the US) or XVID/DIVX/MKV (for those who get their content… elsewhere).

That, however, is exactly how Apple has positioned it. Want a DVD option? get a Mac Mini. Want portability, get the AV cables with an iPhone or iPod touch. Want to take iTunes content and splash it on your big screen, there’s an Apple TV for that. For now. But “hobbies” only last for so long. If Apple doesn’t make a serious run at “business” with a proper 3.0 (or 4.0 we guess) and updated hardware, we’re guessing it will dwindle into “canceled” before long. And that would be a shame.

Gallery

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Beyond iPhone: Apple TV 3.0 First Impressions and Screenshot Gallery

The BlueAnt Q1 voice controlled Bluetooth headset for iPhone [$109.95 - TiPb Store] is the higher end version of the BlueAnt V1 I tested last month, and came away impressed with. How impressed? It’s a piece of hardware I would recommend it to anyone in the market for a new bluetooth headset. Now that the good folks over at BlueAnt were nice enough to send me the Q1, will I make the switch? For all of the juicy details follow us after the break!

Similar to the BlueAnt V1, this new and improved Q1 boasts many accessories in the package. Along with the sleek gunmetal voice-controled headset you get large and small earbuds, ear hook, USB cable, AC adapter, and a quick start guide.

In my V1 review I mentioned that the Q1’s improvements may not warrant the higher price to upgrade. I can now honestly say I was wrong. From a first glance, the Q1 looks much more visually appealing to the eye but it does not stop there. The Q1 measures 2.16 inches long while weighing in at .30 oz without the optional ear hook attached and .38 oz with it attached. These specifications help make this headset, hands-down, the most comfortable headset I have ever used. Even with the ear hook attached I can easily go a full day wearing it and not feel any discomfort. With the different sized ear buds and the ear hook you are bound to find a great comfortable fit. The controls are kept simple, you have the volume up/down buttons and the BlueAnt button which acts as power on/off, answer/end calls, and enables voice command.

Now lets get to the good stuff – performance. The BlueAnt Q1 simply out shines all of the competition I’ve tested in the performance category in every way except for battery life. My biggest complaint is that the headset gets 4 hours of talk time and 100 hours of standby. Sure that does not sound bad but when the Q1’s older sibling, the V1, gets one more hour talk time and 100 hours more of standby time… it makes me wonder how BlueAnt dropped the ball on that one. Moving on let’s break down the key features.

• Voice Control with the BlueGenie™ Voice User interface
• Multipoint technology allowing you to connect two handsets at once
• Voice Isolation Technology
• Revolutionary Noise Suppression and Echo Cancellation
• Custom internal wind-shields reduce wind noise to whisper

The first thing I noticed with the improved voice control present on the Q1 was speed dialing. On the V1 I found voice speed dialing worked a bit less than perfectly. I’m happy to report that on the Q1 it works flawlessly. You simply go by your favorite contacts stored within your iPhone. A simple tap of the BlueAnt button and a voice command of “Speed dial 1″ will call the first contact stored within your favorites. Not only can you use voice commands for speed dialing but other things such as checking your battery life, answering/ending phone calls, calling back the last incoming call, redialing your last outgoing call, etc… A great feature that 99% of the time understood what I was saying and completed the task.

Another feature, called multipoint technology, is one that some of you out there can appreciate while others will have no use for. Multipoint technology simply means that you can connect two phones to the Q1 at the same time and answer whichever one happens to be ringing. A nice feature for those of you dual-wielding 2 phones such as your beloved iPhone and say your Blackberry. I know with my previous headsets it would be a pain to have to repair the headset to another one of my phones so this is a welcomed feature.

The biggest improvement I have noticed coming from the V1 to this Q1 is all of the voice isolation technologies that are being implemented within the headset have been improved. When I was in a room with complete silence the person on the other end of the line would hear me crystal clear. The big test was how would it perform in a noisy situation. I am happy to report it faired pretty well. While the BlueAnt Q1 does not use a similar technology to the Jawbone’s noise assassin, the DSP technology in the Q1 does it’s job extremely well. The headset places all ambient noises and makes them sound very distant while raising the sound level of the users voice. Not a single caller complained about not being able to understand me or hear me loud and clear. The biggest improvement over the V1 was made in the wind-sheilds. Living in Chicago I had a great environment to test this out. While all wind noise was not erased, the caller on the other end always was able to hear with me clarity, even with a strong city wind smacking me in the face. Job well done.

Overall the BlueAnt Q1 voice controlled Bluetooth headset for iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS is a excellent, top quality headset that should not be passed up if you are in the market for a top of the line piece of technology. Buy it now!

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

BlueAnt Q1 Voice Controlled Bluetooth Headset for iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS

The XGear Nitrous Oxide case for iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS [$37.95 - TiPb Store Link] is a carbon fiber bottom loading hard case that gives you triple layer protection along with a few extra goodies. For the full scoop, follow us after the break!

When it comes to cases, the amount of protection the case provides is the first thing that comes to mind. The Nitrous Oxide is constructed in 3 individual layers that provides phenomenal protection. You get a super soft interior lining surrounded by hard shell case that is wrapped in a layer of carbon fiber. That carbon fiber not only acts as good protection but also provides you with a pretty solid grip while holding your phone. As an extra little bonus, XGear also tosses in a clear screen protector along with a small microfiber cleaning cloth.

As some of you already know, I am not a big fan of hard cases for the simple fact that many, not all, have a tendency to scratch the bezel of your iPhone and sometimes even the phones backing. With the soft interior lining provided you are guaranteed to not scratch your phone. Why all makers of hard cases do not regularly include a soft lining is beyond me.

While the Nitrous Oxide is on your iPhone you have easy access to all of you buttons and ports. Some of you may even feel like it’s too much open space, especially on the bottom, but in my testing I had zero problems with it. The only worry I had before testing was since the case is bottom loading, I was afraid that the phone would slip out if it happened to suffer a drop. However once the case was on, I was comfortable with the fact that my phone would not easily come out. So that’s something that you should not be concerned about. Also, some of you may prefer the open bottom for an easy docking solution.

Overall the XGear Nitrous Oxide Case for iPhone and iPhone 3GS is what it is, a hard case that offers good protection that does not add much size to your iPhone. While some of you may be turned off by the carbon fiber look and feel, others are sure to enjoy it and the Nitrous Oxide will most likely meet your requirements.

Learn more and purchase @TiPb Store>>>

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

XGear Nitrous Oxide Case Brings Carbon Fiber Protection to the iPhone

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 >>>

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

iSkin solo High-Gloss, Streamlined Protection for Your iPhone

The BlueAnt V1 Bluetooth Headset for iPhone 3G/3GS [$68.92 - TiPb Store Link] has been a pleasant surprise as I did not think I’d find another Bluetooth headset that I would prefer over the highly regarded Jawbone PRIME.

For the full scoop follow us after the break!

The first thing you will notice is the amount of goodies that BlueAnt has given you in the package. Along with the actual headset you get a rubberized metal ear hook, translucent ear hook, small and large rubber ear gels, small and large foam tips, gooseneck USB cable, USB adapter, USB car charger, AC power adapter, and last but not least the manual/quicks start guide.

With all of that said, lets get into the fit and performance of the V1. The V1 weighs in at a light .35 oz and is 1.5-inches long. Some headsets can just be flat out annoying after a long period of use, not the V1. It is honestly the most comfortable headset I have tried to this very day. It is so comfortable you may just forget you are even wearing it! BlueAnt claims you will get 5 hours of talk time along with 200 hours of standby. I’ve found that those times are pretty accurate but If you find that 5 hours of talk time is to low for what you need, you can always take advantage of all of the charging options you are supplied with. One thing I did notice was that when my headset was running low on battery, alerted by an audible tone, the person on the other end would claim they could not hear me anywhere near as clearly. It was an odd occurrence that would only happen with the battery drained.

Minus that particular issue, the V1’s dual microphones offer superb voice clarity. While it does not have that amazing background noise cancelation feature of the Jawbone headsets, the V1 does have DSP (Digital Signal Processing) that BlueAnt calls Voice Isolation Technology and it works well. The V1 provides outstanding noise suppression, wind noise reduction and echo cancellation. There are two modes available while you are on a call – Voice Isolation Standard and Voice Isolation Max.

The feature that really makes this headset stand out from the rest is it’s voice user interface which allows you to control most of the V1’s functions with your voice. Pushing one button activates the voice recognition technology and gives you control of all the functions of the V1. If you need assistance, just say “What Can I Say?” and the headset will tell you the commands you can use. When you have an incoming call you will be alerted by the V1 telling you who is calling via telephone number. Unfortunately it can not access your phones contacts to read back names but beggars can’t be choosers.

Overall, I found the BlueAnt V1 to be a high quality headset that is worth every penny of it’s low price. Sure you can spend $100 plus on other headsets such as the V1’s younger brother, the BlueAnt Q1, but why bother when they share almost the exact same features?

My Jawbone is now collecting dust as the BlueAnt V1 is now my new daily driver.

Learn more and purchase @TiPb’s Store >>>

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

BlueAnt V1 Bluetooth Headset for iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS

The RexRegina Hamilton Case [$44.95 - TiPb Store link] is hands down one of the finest crafted leather pouches I have used to date. While this particular type of case may only appeal to a certain crowd, I can not recommend it highly enough for those of you who are fans of the pouch case. For the full run-down read on after the break!

This RexRegina Hamilton case is a perfect fit for any business man or woman out there that is looking for a classy yet simple case to keep an iPhone protected. It is made from the finest leather available directly from the Tuscany region in Italy. And once you get the case in your hands you can instantly feel it’s high build quality.

With it’s slim profile you can slide the case into a computer bag, briefcase, purse or pocket with ease. Within the first couple days of use the fit may feel a bit too snug for your liking but give it time, the leather will break in but not so much that the phone would easily fall out of the case. You can rest easy knowing that the fit is secure. Another nice feature is one that not many pouch cases actually have – access to the volume control and the ring/silent switch. The side height is designed to allow easy access to the controls, which is a welcome addition to a pouch case.

Like I mentioned early, these types of cases are not for everybody, but if you are someone who prefers high quality pouch cases it may be worth your while to give this case a try.

Learn more and purchase @TiPb’s iPhone Store >>>

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

RexRegina Hamilton Case for iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G

The Plantronics Voyager PRO Bluetooth headset [$89.95 - TiPb Store link] sounds great, fits fantastically, and makes you look like something in between a SWAT team member and a Battlestar comms officer.

I’ve said many times before that I have trouble finding a Bluetooth headset that stays in my ear. Admittedly, my ears have been ground-down by years of punches, kicks, and grappling, but even those that came with various types of loops have left me hanging, or just plain left by falling out.

The Plantronics Voyager PRO, which I’ve been using it as my daily driver (literally — it’s the law where I live) for just over a month now, hasn’t let me down yet. It’s larger than some competing devices, but that size is put to good use wrapping over and behind the ear to house the guts of the device, while the slender boom extends down across the cheek. The look is hardcore sci-fi, the sound is crisp and clear, with noise-reduction and a host of control features (and with the upcoming iPhone 3.1, Voice Control will work over Bluetooth as well). Plus, the battery just seems to keep going and going, with 6 hours talk time, 120 hours stand-by.

For complete tech specs and purchasing details, check out TiPb’s iPhone Accessory Store. For more pictures, look below the fold…

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

Plantronics Voyager PRO Hardcore Bluetooth Headset

The Jabra SP200 Speakerphone for iPhone 3G/3GS [$59-95 - TiPb Store link] is a great Bluetooth headset alternative that you really have to try yourself to fully appreciate. I can not recommend it enough.

I’ve been using the Jabra SP200 for about a month now and I can honestly say that I’ve stopped using every single Bluetooth headset I own while driving my car. Simply connect the SP200 to your cars visor, flip the power switch and you are good to go. And go you will – Jabra claims the battery life comes in at 10 hours of talk time and 23 days of standby time. I am happy to report that these claims are dead on accurate.

Now to get to the most important part of a Bluetooth device, sound quality. I was pleasantly surprised on how well not only the person I would speak to sounded, but how well I came across to them as well. Volume is definitely not an issue with the SP200 as not once have I had to turn it up to it’s full capability.

As for controls it’s pretty simple. You have a volume dial, power switch, and a answer/hang up button that also doubles as an redial button. A great feature that I enjoyed greatly was the ability to leave my car without turning the device off. If I was gone for less than 15 minutes, as soon as I got into my car the device would automatically detect my iPhone and connect instantly. After the 15 minutes if you do not get back into your car, it will automatically power itself down. A simple touch of the answer button will make the re-connection. Need more specs?

• In-car speakerphone for hands-free calls
• Easy to use with no installation
• Noise reduction and echo cancellation (DSP)

The Jabra SP200 Bluetooth Speakerphone can be purchased for $59.95 from the TiPb iPhone Store.

• Learn More, See More Images, and Purchase @ TiPb iPhone Store >>

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

Jabra SP200 Bluetooth Speakerphone for Hands-Free iPhone 3G/3GS Action

You purchased a new iPhone 3GS or 3G recently but you are still searching for that perfect case to protect your investment? There are so many options out there in the marketplace that choosing the perfect case can be a tough decision. Today I want to introduce yet another case that you may want to consider, the Belkin Slim-Fit Case for iPhone 3G/3GS. You can purchase the Belkin Slim Fit right here in TiPb store for the low price of $24.95. Follow us after the break to see if this case is the one for you!

Desgin

The Belkin Slim-Fit is a well designed holster case that serves one single purpose, to protect your investment while it is not in use. The case is made up of high quality leather and stitching, with fabric sides and a soft lining that will not scratch your phone. To secure your phone there is a velcro flap that assures you your phone will not accidentally fall out. A nice touch that Belkin added was leaving the bottom of the case open so you can not only attach your charging/sync cable but your speaker volume will not be muffled.

Overall, the case really lives up to its name, as it doesn’t add much bulk to your iPhone, even with a belt clip on the back. Kudos to Belkin.

Daily Use

I am a big fan of holster/pouch cases, and the Belkin Slim-Fit did not disappoint. Your iPhone 3G/3GS will fit perfectly into the case but not so tight to the point where you can not get the phone out quickly if you have to answer a call. The first few times you use it, it may seem like it is tighter than you’d like but rest be assured, the leather does loosen up a bit after a few uses.

The option to use a non-removable belt clip is a nice feature. And the clip itself is very low profile so if you don’t wish to use it, the case still fits comfortably in your pocket.

If there are any downsides to the case, it would be that, as a slide-in holster, the Slim-Fit doesn’t allow you use your iPhone while it’s in the case. Yes, that should be considered a given when purchasing a holster case but it would be a nice bonus to have none-the-less.

Conclusion

Like most holster-type cases, the Slim-Fit only offers protection to your iPhone when it is holstered, which can be a good thing or a bad thing. It all depends on what your preferences are in a case. If you are a fan of similar cases, this one is a great deal. In the end, I can’t help but like this case for what it is – the slimmest belt-clip case I’ve used – ever.

Pros

• Slimmest holster case money can buy
• Offers good protection while your iPhone 3G/3GS is not in use
• High quality materials

Cons

• Can not access your screen when your phone is in the case
• Not dockable

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

Review: Belkin Slim-Fit Case for iPhone 3G/3GS