The Griffin Streamline is available from The iPhone Blog Store for $19.95. If you are looking for a running/workout case that is lean and comfortable, then look no further than the Griffin Streamline! Let’s see how it measure up after the break!

Design

The Griffin Streamline is made of a plastic outer rim, a neoprene “sleeve” that holds the iPhone/iPod Touch and an elastic armband; simple. There is a clear plastic cover in the front of the device to protect the screen. This clear cover still gives you the ability to touch and interact with your Apple device.

Daily Use

I have been using the “Couch to 5K” app [iTunes Link] for a while now. for the most part I have been holding my device while I walked/ran. However this case has changed that! Not only is it comfortable and lightweight, but it protects the iPhone (even if you dropped it) and adjusts to just about any arm.

I typically walk/run 3-4 days a week in the early morning. I can’t express what a pleasure it is to run with this case. It does not slip on the arm (really it should lie at almost your elbow and the bend in your arm prevents it from falling off, at least that is my experience. if you try to tighten this or any armband higher up on your arm, my arm will go numb:-) and allows access to the screen while running or resting between intervals. if you need to clean the case (if for nothing else, the build-up of sweat over time) simply wash by hand in cold water with some soap. Another feature that this case has is a reflective trim around the inside edge of the case. The trim is very thin and can only be seen from the front of the case, not the sides. I think it is novel that Griffin added this, but in real life, I don’t think a car is going to see me because of it.

Conclusion

This is bare-bones case with no extra pouches for keys or cash; it is just a well made case that looks good, fits well and does what it is supposed to do; securely hold your iPhone while you workout while keeping it safe and remaining comfortable. At $19.95, this case is a steal and a practical give-me if you exercise with and iPhone/iPod Touch. This case has earned a really high rating.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Holds the iPhone securely
• Neoprene is easily washable
• Armband is adjustable
• Clear screen cover still allows input

Cons

• Basic case, no storage for money or keys
• Reflective trim could encompass more of the case

TiPb’s Rating

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Review: Griffin Streamline for iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G

The Marware Sportsuit Convertible for iPhone 3G is available and can be purchased in the TiPb Store for $34.95. If you are looking for an armband case for your iPhone, this might just be it! Let’s see how it measures up after the break!

Design

The Marware Sportsuit is a convertible armband for the iPhone that is made primarily of neoprene for soft, stretchable, secure use. The iPhone is held in place by a faux leather case with a clear plastic front (to cover the screen) and a strong elastic at the bottom (to prevent the iPhone from falling out). The neoprene is laced with Velcro to adjust to any arm size. The armband comes with the ability to remove the iPhone case component to use separate if desired and there is another optional carry compartment for a couple of keys, cash, etc. 

Daily Use 

When GPS and all of the running/walking apps were announced for the iPhone I was so excited. I thought surely Apple would release their own armband for the iPhone like they have for the Nano and iPod Touch. Alas, this did not happen. Well, thank goodness for companies like Marware for releasing their take on what an armband should do/be for the iPhone. 

First things first. if you have any fear or apprehension of the iPhone falling out while running, you can set those aside. The iPhone fits very securely in the accompanying case. The iPhone is held in by the case itself (very, very snug) and the strong elastic at the bottom. There are no snaps or other contraptions to keep the iPhone in place. This elasticity is sufficient. The encapsulating case is attached to the armband via a plastic snap-in option. This plastic clip attaches to the neoprene armband AND a convenient belt clip; that is right, you are done working out and you can remove the case from the armband and clip it right on your belt with the supplied belt clip. Also, the case has a clear electrostatic cover, so the touchscreen is accessible in the case. Very nice indeed.

The armband is comfortable and does not pinch the arm. The area where the iPhone attaches has a slightly curved plastic piece that conforms to the arm. This adds stability and is also the area which the case attaches to the armband. The accompanying carry compartment is also non-intrusive. It is very small and slides onto the armband just about anywhere you want it. I as able to stuff a key, cash and a credit card into it (hey, you never know when running if you are gonna need supplies, buy a paper, or get some additional water).

While exercising, the armband stayed in place, but not without some effort. I want to make it clear that this is through no fault of the armband, but rather the weight of the iPhone 3G (iPhone 4.7 ounces, iPod Touch 4.05 ounces and the iPod Nano 1.3 ounces). As you can tell, the iPhone is clearly the heaviest of the bunch. Because of this, I found I had to make the armband rather tight. The good news is that the armband held securely through my running travels. The downside is that my arm became “numb” from having to tighten the armband securely enough to where it would not slide down my arm. So, to try to circumvent the “numbing factor” of my upper arm, I tried attaching the armband to my lower arm, just below the elbow. This seems to be more comfortable (and don’t worry, the running apps still seemed to work OK. Most of them register your movement via the accelerometer, and placing the armband lower on the arm, still gives the iPhone the motion it needs to register your movement. 

Conclusion

I really liked the design and flexibility of the armband. I can’t say I am a huge fan of the case as a stand alone case, but it works just fine for what it is made for. The added functionality of the additional compartment really makes things easier for carrying more items with you.

As a quick extra tip, there are a couple of cool apps out there to help you make the most of your new armband. I recommend; iMapMyRun, Pedometer and RunKeeper.

Pros

• Its a sports armband for the iPhone! (Why doesn’t Apple make one?)
• 3-in-1 armband!
• Adjustable armband that will fit anyone
• Soft neoprene elastic texture
• Case is removable
• Extra storage for keys or money

Cons

• Can become uncomfortable for extended periods of time (due to the iPhone’s weight)
• Can be tricky to remove the iPhone from the encapsulating case
• iPhone case is not really useful or flattering if used independently of the armband

TiPb Rating:

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

Review: Marware Sportsuit Convertible for iPhone 3G

Those Nike+ Pictures we reported a few days back? There’s some rumblings that they may be fake. Yes, Apple and Nike are still in cahoots and plan on releasing Nike+ for the iPhone, but the pictures floating around the web are not a production of Apple or Nike but rather some enterprising photoshop expert.

Who knows when we’ll get some solid info on Nike+ for iPhone. Hopefully, Apple and Nike are working on creating a great program that includes some of the features we saw in the screenshots like the ability to map out a running route. There currently is no timetable for Nike+ to be released on the iPhone.

Read

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

Nike+ Pictures May Be Fake, Bummer

We’ve all known that Nike+ was supposed to come to the iPhone, we’ve just been waiting a bit longer than expected. So what has been cooking over at the Nike+ factory? A lot of great features and smart implementation, Nike+ definitely uses the iPhone’s technology to its advantage to create a better user experience and offer a better feature set.

Because of the capabilities of the iPhone, a lot of the stuff that Nike+ used to run on the Mac and on the Web are now being run on the iPhone itself. You’re able to keep track of all the classic stats and maybe even map out your route with GPS. Taking in all these screenshots, Nike+ and the iPhone has the looks of a winner.

ReadVia

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

First Pictures of Nike+ on the iPhone

Need a place to keep your hands free when you hit the gym? Looking for the ideal workout case for your iPhone? The Marware Sportsuit Convertible case for iPhone 3G ($34.95) and original iPhone ($34.95) is a workout case that keeps your iPhone always within reach and your hands free to lift weights, use the yoga ball, run faster etc. It also doubles as a slim-profile sleeve case. And even triples for a clip-on case that is attachable via belt clip. How does it all perform? Does it hold up over time?

Read on for the rest of the review!

What Comes In The Box

• Marware Sportsuit Convertible
• Arm Band
• Belt Clip
• Key Pouch

Design & Fit

What’s unique about the Marware Sportsuit Convertible is its versatility. Marware stresses that you are able to use the workout case as an independent case as well. Though it may look unsightly, the case itself offers great protection with padded backing and edges and a full screen protector.

The Marware Sportsuit Convertible leaves room open for all of the iPhone’s sensors, the camera, ear speaker, and headphone jack. The belt clip works as well as any other belt clip. Most of my testing concerns the Marware Sportsuit Convertible Case as a workout Case.

Usability

In my testing, I found the case to be extremely comfortable and usable. I found the case easy to remove from the arm band and most of the iPhone’s buttons easily accessible. There are gray outlines that detail where the buttons on the iPhone are (not like you would forget, but a nice touch). Though the iPhone does lose some touch sensitivity behind the plastic screen protector, it didn’t seem to be a deal breaker for me. Whatever I needed to get done in the gym—changing playlists, increasing volume, make a quick call—the Sportsuit Convertible handled well enough.

The material of the arm band is great and I rarely noticed my iPhone attached to my arm when running. The velcro attaches well and the arm band is always secure. The quality of material that Marware uses in the Sportsuit Convertible was a great choice. As a workout case, the Marware Sportsuit Convertible succeeds.

Final Thoughts

Though it was a complete pain to remove the iPhone from the case, when it was in the case my iPhone felt safe and secure. There was never an issue of looseness and my iPhone was never in danger of falling onto the treadmill (oh the horror!) or getting smashed by some free weights. Obviously, if you were to use this as an everyday case, the plastic screen protector wouldn’t be the most ideal for heavy touch screen usage, but the Sportsuit Convertible is perfect for a trip to the gym and is rugged enough for any physically demanding exercise.

PROS

• Great Build Quality, Neoprene feels soft
• Secure Arm Band
• Useful Key Pouch

• A VERY, VERY tight fit. A little difficult to remove the iPhone
• Not the prettiest design
• Loses some touchscreen sensitivity

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

Review: Marware Sportsuit Convertible Case for iPhone