TamsIJungle

Gadget lovers know OtterBox for its name-giving OtterBoxen, which are extremely sturdy, waterproof boxen that can be used to transport and protect small electronic devices. However, the company has recently begun to offer cases for devices…can their Defender stack up?

OtterBox cases ship in special yellow blisters that have a strange lab or construction-site touch:

A small “manual” is included with each case:

Getting the iPod Touch into the case is a funny procedure – first, the PVC cover is removed from the “skeleton”. The skeleton is then torn apart, the iPod touch is inserted. Afterwards, the process is “undone” – which leaves you with the iPod inside the case:

The iPod remains perfectly functional while in the case – the screen can be controlled through the thin PVC layer with ease. A cutout makes hitting the home button fun:

The power button can be pressed, too:

Ports are covered by flip lids that must be pulled “off” before something can be plugged in – the images below demonstrate what I mean:

In the end, the OtterBox Defender makes an excellent and very sturdy case that will definitely protect your iPod touch from drops and scratches. If the case would also be waterproof, it would be perfect. As it is now, it nevertheless is great – the price of just 30$ makes this an absolute steal and must-have if you can live with the slightly bigger size.

I stumbled across UNIEA at last year’s Hannover-based CeBit fair. The manufacturer’s excellent PR team agreed to provide me with samples immediately. They are the new kid on the block - but can their stuff stack up? Our first test candidate is a “crystal case” called U-Feel…read on for the full test.

UNIEA’s products ship in small blister cases that protect the stuff well - my samples arrived unscratched:

The case ships with a belt clip that can be attached to the back. I personally dislike these due to the higher risk of theft - people who feel like taking the risk will be happy as the clip appears to be pretty sturdy:

Getting the iPod touch into the case is easy. First, the case is pulled apart. Then, the iPod is inserted into the front part. Finally, the “lid” is slid onto the case:

The iPod touch remains perfectly usable in the case. The case’s front contains a “screen protector” that covers the screen. I tortured my iPod quite a bit and found the screen to remain perfectly responsive. A small cutout allows you to access the home button:

Cutouts at the top and the bottom allow you to sync, attach headphones and use the power button:

In the end, the U-Feel is an excellent case for people owning an iPod touch - if you like crystal cases, there is nothing not to like about this one. It offers decent protection and doesn’t get in your way - the zen of cases… The only issue I see availability - as the UNIEA online store isn’t ready yet, you need to find a distributor close to you via their distributor finder…