iphone cases

iPhone cases come in all shapes and sizes. Well, OK, the shape and size tend to be pretty uniform, but there's certainly no end to the variety and versatility of iPhone cases.

Like the one that adds a tripod mount. And the one that adds a fold-out keyboard. And don't forget the licensed "Star Wars" iPhone cases and custom photo iPhone cases.

Now, for those people who feel the pen is mightier than the thumb, there's the binder-clip iPhone case. Designed for the iPhone 4 and 4S, it adds a mini-clipboard to your device -- ideal for those times when you want to jot a few notes, old-school.… Read more

I'm actually kind of surprised we haven't seen an iPhone case like this already, but Ego is calling its Hybrid Series USB Case for the iPhone 4/4S a "world's first."

Yes, this one features a slide-in USB drive that's available in six color options and 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB storage capacities. The case itself also comes in different colors, and Ego says that when you add up all the possible color combination, the total comes out to 42. However, your color options for the USB stick vary by capacity.

The 4GB stick comes … Read more

Otterbox has a teaser video out for a new iPhone 4/4S case that it says is the toughest case the company's ever made.

Set to ship June 24, the Armor Series case is dust proof, drop proof, waterproof, and apparently crush proof. No word on how much it will cost, but I'd been hoping Otterbox would have something new that offered increased protection while hopefully not adding any bulk.

Otterbox has been one of the big smartphone accessory success stories but it has faced increased competition from upstarts like Lifeproof that have put out more durable, slimmer … Read more

Once upon a time, only the coolest (and wealthiest) people had mobile phones, and those phones were the size of a large guinea pig. This magical time was known as the 1980s.

If you pine for the days when acid wash jeans and Phil Collins ruled America, then ThinkGeek's Retro iPhone Case is for you.

Slip your iPhone into this case and lose all pretense to having a sleek, modern telecommunications device. All of a sudden, you have a brick-sized 1980s phone to go with your "Miami Vice" pop-collar jacket and gelled hair.

This honkin' huge case … Read more

I first posted this roundup not long after the iPhone 4 hit stores and it's been through several updates, and now only includes cases that fit both the iPhone 4 and 4S and carry the "universal fit" tag.

Update, May 15, 2012: Added Griffin Survivor and Gumdrop Drop Tech Series.

As I've said before, how you choose to protect -- or not protect -- your iPhone is a matter of personal preference. But if some heavy-duty shielding is what you're looking for, this is the list for you.

While I tried to pick tough, protective cases that look good and don't make your iPhone too bulky, a few of the cases have more extreme designs that aren't necessarily intended for everyday use. I should also note that some of the more rugged cases can be a bit of a chore to remove and aren't friendly toward iPod docks and certain charging accessories due to how recessed the ports become when the case is on. … Read more

NEW ORLEANS--When Apple introduced the iPhone 4 in 2010, it sported a new radical design with a full sheet of glass on its backside. While striking, the design didn't take kindly to drops on the sidewalk and the wrap-around antenna presented some unfortunate attenuation problems.

Neither scenario was best for consumers, but it also created a boon for anyone eager to make an iPhone case. And at the 2012 CTIA, it was clear that there's a lot of innovation behind such a practical product.

I began my last morning at CTIA visiting with Tech21, a London-based company furiously … Read more

In case you missed it, I wrote about iSkin's Year of the Dragon Aura iPhone case a couple of weeks ago. While it didn't quite make the official arrival of the Year of the Dragon, which kicked off on January 23, it came close, and is now shipping.

The case isn't exactly a bargain at $44.95, but it is pretty sweet (the dragon is etched into the metal back) and iSkin's offering up a promotion code to CNET readers for use on its site.

Just type in CNET-15 in the promo code box at check out to get 15 percent discount. That will basically get you free shipping and save you a few bucks. I know, not a bargain, but hey, it's something. … Read more

G-Form, the company behind those videos showing an iPad surviving a drop from a plane inside a G-Form ultrarugged protective sleeve, is finally going small: yes, there's now a G-Form iPhone case, and it looks like it means business.

No word on when this will actually be available, but we do know a price: $39.99. When we get more info, we'll fill you in. For now, have a look at this video of an iPad going up to the edge of space in a G-Form Extreme Sleeve.… 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