Accessorize Mobile » protection

Review: Skinomi Techskin For the BlackBerry PlayBook

Susan — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:44:24 +0000

Skinomi Techskin promises to protect your wireless devices with a clear screen protector and even colored skins to save your device from wear and tear. I had to see what the Skinomi screen protector is like. The quality is worth the investment. Check it out…A description of the Techskin is as follows:

TechSkin is the best solution for maximum scratch protection for your device. It is the toughest scratch protection film in the world made of the same material used to protect luxury cars, military aircrafts and NASA space shuttles. TechSkin has the ability to resist some of the highest level of abrasion combined with “self healing” capabilities

Features of the Techskin are:

The clearest film on the market
The toughest protection film on the market
The ultimate scratch-resistant film for your gadgets and devices
Adds protection to your gadgets and devices without bulky cases
Keeps the device manufacturers’ original sleek design
Grip-improving ridges assure smooth feel while making the device easier to grip and hold.
Easy to install film cuts that maximize coverage while minimizing customer’s efforts.
The clear “Protection for Perfection.”
Lifetime replacement warranty

While similar to the popular ZAGG Invisible Shields, there’s another difference off the bat which is price and shipping. Skinomi offers free shipping to the US and Canada, where ZAGG is free shipping with orders of $29.98 or more to 48 US states. I chose black carbon fiber to see how it would look.

When I ordered my Skinomi, it didn’t take long at all to come in. The price of the carbon fiber skin protector with a screen protector was only $29.95 with free shipping, compared to that of ZAGG which is $54.98. For $24.95 you can get the full clear Skin Protector compared to ZAGG’s $29.99. The box comes included with instructions, screen protector, liquid applicator, skin, and an installation card to squeeze out air bubbles and water. There’s also a card to let you know there’s a lifetime warranty on the skin!

Skinomi Preparation Tools (Be sure to have these on hand) for Skins:

Skinomi box
Lint free cloth
Scissors
Hair dryer

After removing the contents of the box, I cleaned my BlackBerry PlayBook, cut the box open for the instructions, and began reading the instructions which are easy. Clean your device, wash your hands, and have a lint free cloth available. Turn off the device and remove the battery if possible. Identify the screen protector and find where it will align with the screen of your device, spray your fingers and the top sidesof the screen protector, and peel off after making sure that the front is wet. Now align the screen protector lining it from the top or bottom, or side, but carefully lay it down. If you make a mistake or misalign, just lift up and wet and realign to avoid the screen protector getting pulled out of shape. While you’re lining up your screen protector and laying it out, use the installation card to help squeeze out the excess water. Use the lint free cloth to help absorb the excess water. The installation is very easy. Take your time and don’t worry, it’s going to look great so long as you make sure you’re in a dust and lint free environment.

I found this screen protector to be the easiest one I’ve ever attempted to install. The directions do state to let it dry a few hours or overnight. Any streaks or slight imperfections will disappear within a few days. Now the skin. The hairblower will assist you in installation. This part is liquid free. In this part I unstick the skin and align with the device, making sure the camera is open and aligned with the skin. Slowly lay it flat, smoothing out air bubbles from the top to bottom. Take care to stick the sides to the device, and smooth accordingly. Now turn on the hairblower to a medium setting and carefully heat the device, all while smoothing it out. The heat will help the skin to stick and as it cools adhere tightly. I am very impressed with the skin for keeping my device protected. The screen protector looks like liquid glass which is nice and shiny.

Also included with your order is a 25% off coupon for other purchases. After a few hours or overnight you can turn your device back on and after 24 hours the screen protector is nice and invisible except for the feel. It doesn’t interfere with the sensitivity of the touch screen, but it does have a different feel to it. If you want just the screen protector, Skinomi has those available for only $16.95. With the lifetime warranty, you need only one for the device, as long as you install correctly. What Skinomi prides themselves on besides customer service is that their skins do not have the orange peel look so it’s your device sealed in protection with no change to the look except a glossy screen.

The pros to this skin is the pliable material and how easy it is to install. It’s made easy for you. The skin is easy, and the screen is easy so long as you take your time.

The only con I could find with this skin is that I didn’t know about Skinomi sooner. If you’re serious about protecting your device, and want a screen that’s going to do it at a reasonable cost, then your search is over. The materials are top of the line, customer service is amazing, as they don’t wait to return your questions. Every detail is as close to perfect as they can get. After seeing the results of the Skinomi Techskin, I had to order one for each of my wireless devices, including my BlackBerry. The skins are available for several wireless devices, so it’s not just for BlackBerry, but other manufacturers as well. Overall rating: 10/10.

Here’s the video for installation as well, which you’ll find helpful.

You can purchase the Skinomi Techskins and Screen Protectors from Skinomi here

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Belkin to Release Apple iPad Sleeve Cases for $39.99 each

Accessorize Mobile Team — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:06:56 +0000

Over the next month few months we expect to see tons of new iPad cases, and the latest to jump on board is Belkin. Recently they announced the upcoming launch of three sleeves for Apple’s new iPad tablet. The three new cases will be available in two different color options (Perfect Plum / Violet Mist and Black / White), and are expected to launch Spring 2010. Pricing is listed at $39.99 each.

Press Release:

(Compton, CA) – January 28, 2010 – Belkin presents three new sleeves-Vue, Max, and Grip-to protect your new Apple iPad while you’re on the move. These 10-inch sleeves are designed with reinforced panels to fully protect your device’s touch screen from scratches, while still offering storage for other media devices such as an iPhone, media reader, or earbuds.

The iPad user is one who is moving from place to place, so we’ve designed our cases to protect the device from this movement and activity. People will be using their iPad often to get online, so they’ll need easy access to them and, similarly, they’ll need their case to be gripable but also protective. The textured surface of the Grip Sleeve gives you a stronger grip on your iPad to prevent drops.

Because iPad users aim to be always connected, they tend to carry additional gadgets-such as a smartphone-that need to be stored. The Vue Sleeve features a windowed pocket that lets you easily find your accessories as well as store them. The Max Sleeve’s unique pleated design expands to accommodate all your accessories. It also collapses flat when storage is not needed for a slim profile, able to fit into a larger bag.

From our consumer insight research, we’re learning that people want to be able to connect to the world-their friends,family, the Internet-at any given point in time, whether at the doctor’s office, waiting in line at the grocery store, or even in a café. The new iPad unlocks the opportunity for these always-connected people, allowing them to read books, play games, watch movies, send emails, listen to music, browse the Internet, and much more. Belkin’s new Vue, Max, and Grip Sleeves not only protect your iPad, but give you instant access to it as well as your other accessories.

Review: OtterBox Commuter TL for iPhone 3G/3GS

Accessorize Mobile Team — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:51:20 +0000

For anyone who doesn’t know me I’m pretty rough on my electronics, and when I got my iPhone I knew it would be just a matter of time before getting beat up, unless I protect it. Previously I’ve had OtterBox cases to protect my BlackBerry, but I’ve never used one on my iPhone. In the past I’ve used OtterBox cases for on my BlackBerry Bold, Storm, and Tour so it only seemed right to give it a shot on my iPhone 3GS. For those of you that don’t know OtterBox provides three different style cases for the iPhone, depending on the level of protection you’re looking for. I decided to test out the one in the middle called the Commuter series, which features a silicon skin wrapped over by a hard protective plastic shell. The Commuter TL cases for iPhone come in a 7 different colors, including the white and blue ones seen in this review.

The Commuter TL Series has been designed to ensure that you never have to go without protection, or style. Both the charger port and headset jack on the iPhone get covered by a rubber plug to ensure dirt, dust and pocket lint don’t get in there. The side volume keys are also covered by the silicon skin, with raised buttons so you know what your pressing. One of my favorite parts about the Commuter Series is that OtterBox has left a circle cut out for the Apple logo on the back on your iPhone, and has the clear plastic shell cover it to ensure protection still. Yet again another example of protection and style in one. The only thing that doesn’t get covered on the this case is the camera lens and ringer switch. I recommend checking out the gallery below for lots of live shots of these cases in action so you get the point. Just in case you were wondering what colors OtterBox offers the Commuter TL series in. They’ve got black, blue, lime green, purple, red, white, and yellow.

Final Thoughts:

I say this with nearly any OtterBox case, but you simply can not go wrong. The OtterBox Commuter TL brings style with several different color options, and just the right amount of protection. I like the hybrid mix of silicon skin, and hard plastic shell. I’m also looking forward to OtterBox’s new Commuter TL shells which will allow you to replace the standard clear plastic shell with colored ones to mix and match. I recommend this case to anyone looking for great protection, and doesn’t want to sacrifice style and size. The Commuter TL Series is at a great price point of under $30, and will make a great present this Holiday season.

Where to Buy and Pricing:

The Commuter TL Series is priced great in my opinion at $29.95 each. You can purchase it directly from OtterBox.com and take your pick of colors from there. The Accessorize Mobile Shop carry’s a wide variety of OtterBox cases, however we don’t have the Commuter TL Series for the iPhone in-stock just yet. On another note OtterBox now ships internationally! Check out their site for more details on that.

Pros:

Provides just right amount of protection
Great color options available
Lots of grip
Includes screen protector in box
Great price

Cons:

Bottom lip of silicon skin doesn’t like to rest flush (not huge issue)
Screen protector could be a little higher quality

Rating:

Accessorize Mobile’s Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Gallery:

ZAGGskins: Custom invisibleSHIELD’s for your Mobile Phone

Accessorize Mobile Team — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:28:13 +0000

If you’ve ever seen the original InvisibleSHIELD then you may have heard of Zagg, the company behind InvisibleSHIELD. Well ZAGG recently introduced new ZAGGskins, which are custom printed invisibleSHIELD’s. They’re available for tons of devices, including the Motorola Droid, Palm Pre, BlackBerry Tour, Bold 9000… just to name a few. Once you select your device you will have the option to choose pre-printed designs, or upload your own. Prices start at $19.99 USD. For complete details visit zaggskins.com.

Press Release from ZAGG:

ZAGG Unveils New ZAGGskins(TM) Product Line

Next-Generation Covering from Electronics Innovator Combines Personalization and Protection

SALT LAKE CITY, Nov 19, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) — ZAGG Inc. (NASDAQ: ZAGG), a leading producer of electronics accessories for protecting and enhancing the mobile experience, including the popular invisibleSHIELD(TM) and ZAGGaudio(TM) brands, announces a new patent-pending method for personalizing and protecting consumer electronics. ZAGGskins(TM) combine customizable, high-resolution images combined with the scratch protection of ZAGG’s invisibleSHIELD, and are available to ship worldwide beginning tomorrow, November 20, 2009.

To create a ZAGGskin, customers select from a library of designs or upload their own high-resolution personal photos or images. The printed image, custom-designed for their device, is then merged with the exclusive, ultra-tough, patented invisibleSHIELD film, which allows customers to both protect and individualize their gadgets with a single product.

“People connect with their gadgets on such a personal level that customizing the appearance is almost second nature,” said Brian Packer, VP of Marketing of ZAGG. “ZAGGskins allow you to choose the outer appearance of the device, plus it adds the amazing scratch-proof benefit of the invisibleSHIELD. It is the perfect combination of style and substance, making it unique in the marketplace.”

ZAGGskins will be available online at www.ZAGGskins.com beginning November 20, 2009.

“We are dedicated to protecting and enhancing the mobile experience at ZAGG, and ZAGGskins are a perfect fit for that philosophy,” said Robert G. Pedersen II, President and CEO of ZAGG. “Not only will our tech-savvy customer base love the ZAGGskins, but we believe the personalization options will attract many new customers from outside of our traditional demographics. This product line will be an integral part of reaching ZAGG’s overall goals and will revolutionize our industry.”

For information about ZAGGskins, please visit www.ZAGGskins.com. For more information about ZAGG or any of their product lines, please visit www.ZAGG.com.