cases

If you own an iPhone 4 (or 4S) you're probably already using a case. But if you're still looking for one, or want a new one, here's another to consider.

Ballistic announced today its latest case for the smartphone, called Ballistic LS Smooth. It "offers consumers an unparalleled protection" while remaining aesthetically appealing.

Similar to the original Ballistic LS cases, the new case is made of strong materials. It's now thinner and better-looking.

The LS Smooth has four removable Ballistic Corners that protect the mobile device from drops and allows for customization. The new … Read more

My favorite meme from 2011? The sadistic game of marketing one-upsmanship between iPad and iPhone cover makers who subject iOS devices to increasingly shocking forms of abuse.

This year we saw Apple products dipped in lava, dropped from cranes and planes and now--run over by automobiles.

Not to be outdone--lots of those airborne iOS devices landed on the grass, after all--Optrix set out to prove the ruggedness of its own iPhone case. Naturally, the whole violent ordeal was filmed and handed to a PR firm, which thinks CNET's readers "will get a kick out of it." I'm afraid I agree.… Read more

If Indiana Jones were a photographer and needed a camera case, the Cam Crate would be it.

Whether you're braving sandstorms in the Gobi desert, wading through the crocodile-infested Amazon, or negotiating the dense jungles of Sumatra, this rugged case promises to protect your shooter. It's waterproof, mudproof, crushproof, and even shockproof.

Able to fit most dSLRs, the camera case by product designer Matthew Geyster has a quick-access latch that allows users to quickly open and close the container and features a soft, padded interior. It's made from a hardy composite material and comes with a lifetime warranty, as well as a carry strap. … Read more

While our various gift guides and roundups have provided plenty of really great holiday ideas, there are always a few worthy products that get left out.

During the past few weeks, Scott and I have frequently found ourselves at each other's desks, eyeballing cool accessories for laptops and other mobile products that we never got around to reviewing, but nevertheless deserve a nod.

These include portable laptop desks, wireless video connections, and even a few bags and cases, and prices run from a few bucks to a few hundred.

Check out our odds-and-ends collection in the gallery below, and if you have a great gadget stocking-stuffer idea, let us know in the comments section. … Read more

The iMainGo XP delivers big sound on the go for your iPad. With a clever design and relatively easy setup, the iMainGo XP is a great accessory for enjoying entertainment on vacations, picnics in the park, or even adding sound to portable business presentations.

The good

Using Portable Sound Laboratory's sx149 digital music amplifier and four 38mm titanium-coned neodymium high-output speakers pumping out 10 total channel watts, the iMainGo XP's sound is perhaps surprisingly big and vibrant. It is easy to fill any space in the house, your hotel room, or a good radius at the park.

The … Read more

Want to bind your Kindle Fire into a moleskin-style notebook?

Dodocase, the maker of popular bookish cases for tablets and e-readers, has just released its Dodocase for Kindle Fire, and it's a good one.

I parked our Kindle Fire review sample in the case for a few days and it fits really nicely inside the bamboo "tray" (rubberized corners hold the device in place) and the case is thin yet protective.… Read more

The other day I did a best cases and covers roundup for the Kindle Fire and a few readers asked for some equal blog time for the Nook Tablet and suggested I make some case recommendations.

Well, Barnes & Noble makes a lot of nice cases for the Nook Tablet and Nook Color (the devices are the same size, though the Tablet is a bit lighter), but like with the Fire, I'm only interested in cases that convert into a stand. After all, the Nook Tablet is a "media" tablet, and Netflix looks really good on it, so why shouldn't you be able to prop it up properly? … Read more

Element Case is a "boutique" iPhone case maker that's gotten plenty of press for its swanky Vapor line, which now includes the just-shipped $129.99 Vapor Comp Epiphany case you see here.

The Epiphany comes in a microfiber "cleaning" pouch and ships with a second protective molded "travel" zipper case (your full iPhone with the case on it fits in the pouch or travel case).

You also get two interchangeable back plates that are made out soft material that Element describes as Epiphany Blue Ultrasuede and Herrera White Pearl. Oh, just so you … Read more

A steady stream of Kindle Fire cases have headed to stores and Case-Mate has three new ones: the Venture, Tuxedo, and Hampton.

Here's a quick skinny on all of them, ordered by size, least to most expensive.

The Tuxedo ($40) is a slim folio case that Case-Mate says is equipped with built-in and reusable MagicTape, "a double-sided adhesive that doesn't leave residue and never loses its grip." This one folds up into a stand with multiple viewing angles and also includes smart magnets that "put the Fire to sleep while not in use and awaken … Read more