Funky, Chic and Cool iPod Cases

Debbie Ann, from Cute-Cases.com, makes all kind of cases for all your gadgets. She has a new line of 100% Organic Hemp Cases that I adore! They are all natural, strong, and come in a variety of fun and funky colours!

They range in price from $30 to $34, depending on which gadget you have. Check out her hemp case collection at www.cute-bags.com.

I like to listen to my iPod at night. And I'm prone to knocking it off the bed. Enter, the iFlop animal. Not so much a case as something to snuggle your iPod.

These animals connect to any iPod through a line-in plug that is hidden in a pocket. The headphones on the animals are actually two speakers that will play your music while you relax. No batteries required.

I can't wait to get the penguin!

iFlop animals are available from Linens 'n Things and they retail for $19.99.

These are the most unusual cases I have seen. They look like they belong on a Las Vegas stage rather than in your backpack!

Each HotRomz is handmade by designer Debbie Ann. They are constructed from various types of fibres (including organic hemp!) and come in a multitude of colours. You can even design your own. HotRomz are available for all models and can also be customized with a hand or neck strap.

www.hotromz.com

I cannot begin to describe my delight when I saw this Funky Monkey ipod case from FunFriends. I have no idea how functional it is, but it is *cute*!

And if monkey's aren't your thing, they have cows, dogs, pigs, koalas and tadpoles. They retail for $14.99 USD and can be purchased online or in a number of retail stores.

So this is a little different from your standard case. The Kenpo jacket lets you plug in your iPod and control it right from the sleeve of the jacket. No fumbling with gloves in the winter time to change your tunes or worrying about dropping your iPod in a mud puddle.

We received a review copy of one of the jackets and put it to the test over the course of a week of commuting with a 3rd generation iPod. Here's what we experienced:

* The jacket itself is really high quality. We had the MKT-010 model. It is well made and comfortable.

* Hooking up the iPod on the inside of the jacket wasn't 100% intuitive. We were able to plug all the connectors in correctly, but we had a hard time understanding how to put it in the inside protective pocket. We checked the pictures on the tags and on the website. We ended up bending one of the cords (the one that connects to the bottom docking slot). It would be nice if there were openings in the top and bottom of the pocket.

* There is an extra headphone guide loop about halfway up the inside of the jacket near the zipper. Very helpful! It prevents your earphones from just falling out of your jacket if you take them off.

* The controls on the arm are relatively intuitive. Once we figured out the 7-second lock functionality, we were generally able to listen to and change music. Occasionaly we would have to pull the iPod out and toggle the hold switch.

* While the controls are intuitive, the actual buttons don't always align with the printed controls on the sleeve. It took a bit of fiddling to figure out where to press the buttons to get a result.

* Some jacket models have a protective flap over the controls on the arm. This seems to be a good idea from a security perspective. As one of the testers put it "I felt a little conspicuous standing downtown late at night fiddling with easily fence-able electronics".

* Those of us who tested it tended to be somewhat ambivalent and felt that once you got used to it, it was a probably a useful device, depending on your lifestyle. However, our youngest tester, a 10-year old girl, loves it unabashedly and wants one immediately in her size and style!

Kenpo's Jacket for iPod is available in 15 men's and women's styles, has a suggested retail price range depending on style from $89 to $189 and is available from a variety of retailers.

a.b. sutton, a husband and wife design team, has designed and created handtooled leather cases for your nanos, ipods and ipod videos. Some are slip cases and some are the more traditional "book" cases.

These cases are customizable to the hilt. You can specify leather colour, thread colour, type of monogram or design, silk inlay for the monogram or design as well as the lining, font for the monogram. It's pretty crazy. The basic designs seem to start around $50 and can go up to about $175 depending upon the options you choose.

a.b sutton

The holiday season is approaching. Don't forget that you're not the only one who needs a new festive frock -- so does your iPod!

Check out this gold metallic number from Dune. Compatible with your iPod Nano and only a mere £12.00, this case comes with a fancy wrist strap and a little diamond-esque "D".

Dune ships throughout the United Kingdom and has international stores in the UAE and Qatar!

Have you gotten the new Shuffle yet? The one that is just bigger than a silver dollar. Worried about keeping it safe? And what to do with the earbuds?

Well Mophie has got it all worked out for you. Their new Meuva Wraptor takes care of both issues! The clear Lexan case protects your little gem. And the grooves on the sides and ends let you keep a tight rein on your unruly earbuds.

It retails for a mere $10. A small price for safety and comfort.

I'm not sure what my obsession is with flashing lights these days (maybe I'm trying to get in the Christmas mood?), but the MiLites from B2 caught my eye. A flashing case for your iPod. But don't worry, it has a separate power source so your tunes will still last as long!

This is the "loops" model. It comes in 5 others. The website says they fit any model except for the Mini and the Shuffle. You can buy direct from B2 online or other select retailers.

The miLites retail for around $20 USD.

The CHARM shuffle cases from TuneWear are one of the best integrations of fashion and technology that I've seen. Seriously, how cute is this?

The CHARM shown here is Flower Power. There is also HoneyBee, Lady Bug and Butterfly. CUTE!!

The CHARMS are originally from Japan, but they have a global distribution network. Check 'em out. They retail for about $20 USD.

Tunewear's Website

Have you ever taken your iPod video to a party and just gotten "ho, hum, zzzzzzz" reactions from your friends? Well, aside from the fact that they are probably just jealous, now you can ensure that you will get people up and dancing with the DISKO case from Griffin.

This polycarbonate case has multiple colour LEDs built into the case. They are motion activiated and move through 5 different motion-activated sequences. It comes in both black and white and retails for $29.99.

Visit DISKO at Griffin Products.

The Knox from Mophie is one sexy little case. You can tuck your new iPod Nano in one side and a little cash plus credit card in the other. Everything nice and safe in aircraft grade aluminum. And of course, you can keep right on jammin' while your Nano is safe from prying eyes.

Mophie has a whole line of amazing cases designed for your Nano. Check out the whole Relo line.

Oh my. It's an iKitty. For your Nano. A good way to keep your tiny Nano safe and protected on your desk.

Access the controls on iKitty's tummy. Plug in your Nano via your iKitty's bum (go to the website to check out *that* picture :-)

The iKitty is made by Speck Products; they have a dealer list on their site. I found it on ThinkGeek for $24.95.

Purrrr....

What do you get when you combine an empty cereal box, some reclaimed textiles and odds and ends of ribbon? Some very cool cases for your iPod from Debris.

Debris was founded by Breigh Stanfield, a creative in North Carolina. Briegh designs cases for all generations of the iPod as well as cases for the DS Lite (for all you gaming gals out there!) The case shown here is one of about 50 for the 5g iPod Video. Breigh uses some unusual fabrics to create some great designs (like purple leopard-print velour? she's got it).

Head on over to Debris Design. In addition to great cases for your gadgets, Breigh also has a whole collection of clothing and accessories.

www.debrisdesign.com

One of my favourite spots on the web for desktop patterns and icons is PixelDecor. Now, via Decal Girl, you can have PixelDecor's cool, clean retro designs as iPod skins.

There are over a dozen colour and pattern combinations for all flavours of ipod (as well as the mac mini). Designs are printed on premium grade adhesive vinyl and then covered with a clear protectant layer. Screen protectors can be ordered as an additional item. Prices range from $2.99 to $6.99 depending on which iPod you have.

PixelDecor
PixelDecor Skins at DecalGirl

Does anyone pay attention to the mini anymore? Poor neglected discontinued player.

Well, fear not. Your mini can look as hip and cool as ever in one of the stylin' cases from Mixx. Shown here is the "Spiro" design, so called because of the spirograph patterns (you do remember Spirograph, don't you?!) The cases feature a snap strap that you can snap onto your purse or beltloop.

And hey, if you don't have a mini, Mixx makes these neoprene cases for the iPod Nano, Video and the general model as well. You can visit their site to see their different designs, but purchasing is for wholesalers only. They recommend that you purchase at Parakeet33.

Check out Mixx

Sometimes (a lot of the time) it's a bit awkward to just have your iPod laying on your desk, especially if you're trying to watch a video (you need your hands for reaching into the popcorn bowl!).

Now, Brenthaven offers a cool "easel style" case for your iPod -- so you can reach the controls better and check out the screen without having to lift it up. Perfect for video iPods!!

The easel comes in this dressy pink, or good old black. Retails for only $29.95 on the Brenthaven site.

Brenthaven's Easel iPod Video Case

I don't think these are available in North America yet .. but they are so cute! S/U/R/A is an importer from Hong Kong. I've tried to locate local dealers on the Internet, but to no avail. But in the meantime, enjoy the kicky look of an iJacket for the iPod, the Nano and the Shuffle.

You can see more colours at S/U/R/A's site.

Some of us are a little too rough on our iPods (you know who you are) and we need the extra protection that the TurfWrap Accent from XtremeMac offers. These cases are made of two-toned silicon and offer optional inserts to protect the clickwheel and the screen. The back is nice and grippy to prevent sliding off your dash.

And the TurfWrap also comes in models for the Nano, the Shuffle and even the Mini. These are some good lookin' cases .. and you can get a three-pack so you can change your case with your outfit or your mood. Prices start at $19.95.

So check out XtremeMac's Cases and don't forget to browse their Iconz series; I like the one with Homer Simpson.

If you want to look fashionable and feel eco, then Solio's TREAD case is for you. Fashioned from Columbian truck tires, the TREAD protects your Nano with waterproof rubber. The interior is lined with synthetic nubuck lining. It has a convenient storage trick for your headphones and will function as a flip stand for the Nano.

And it comes in fuschia (and some other colours to boot). What else could you want in a case?

Check out the TREAD case at Solio's Store. While your there, make sure you browse over the their Solio Charger. It's a charger for all your gadgets that is solar powered. Wicked cool!

The TINPOD is part limited edition art, part protective gadget gear. Designed by art collective, Kollective.de, and illustrated by artist, Kurt Ketchum, the TINPOD encases full-size iPods (no nanos, minis or shuffles) in a sturdy tin case that is lined with 3mm of neoprene. The top has ports for the headsets.

A TINPOD is $16.95 and can be ordered on their site.
www.thetinpod.com

Amden Designs knows that on the weekends, your iPod just wants to *chill*. So they created the iSweats ... a little grey hooded sweatshirt for your iPod (full size, all generations). Only $20, and $.50 from every order goes towards buying winter clothing for Sioux children in North Dakota.

http://isweats.net/

These may not *protect* your shuffle, per se, but WOW it will look HOT! Currently sporting over 50 designs, Shufflesome produces "outfits" (aka vinyl stickers) for your Shuffle. All designs are created by independent artists. You can submit your own for consideration. Or, if you work for a company that would like its identity put on a Shuffle sticker, they will work with you to do that.

www.shufflesome.com

Also, check out Shufflesome's Blog

This is another one that falls into the "no protection, but really cute" category. iAttire makes costumes for all iPod models. Fairy princess outfits, pirate costumes, even a bunny suit (this is so cute, I can't stand it). All for your ipod. Seriously.

These boxers come in polkadots and hearts. Your choice. Maybe a matching set for you and your special someone's nanos?

Costume's range in price from $10 to $60.

www.iattire.net

Podstar offers a line of iPod Nano and iPod Video cases that are to die for ... or at least to make a trip to the firey depths for. The entire line is named Diablo and there are eight different models for the Nano and Video. They are all made of high grade silicon and come with some kind of screen protector and either a neck strap or an alluminum hook.

All the models have fun little writeups. This is the Red Rumble model for the Nano. He is a Bouncer and dislikes long-winded explanations!

Podstar

When rockin' out to the tunes on your iPod, you want to get the best sound possible. The modaphones from v-moda cancel noise and boost your bass ... and look real funky when they do so.

Check 'em out!