3 On Your Side: Multi-Function Cell Phone Cases
By Jim Donovan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Whether you're waiting for your new iPhone to arrive, or you're sticking with the smartphone you already have, there's a good chance you keep it in a case for protection. But what else can that case do? New phone cases are always hitting the market but as 3 On Your Side Consumer Reporter Jim Donovan finds, they do more than protect and look pretty.
Christine Mango's iOpener cell phone case does more than protect her phone. It's also a bottle opener and a conversation piece. She says, "It's funny to grab a bottle and say, 'Hey, I'll get that.' People get a big kick out of it."
CNET's David Carnoy says specialty cases do stand out. According to Carnoy, "You get these little interesting little cases that do things like have tools in them, or have little extras that people may or may not use during the day but kind of can have fun with."
One of the hottest trends he's seeing: modular cases that perform multiple function, like the myTask. Carnoy says, "It has an actual insert in it. It has a bunch of tools inside, there's also one for bike tools so you can swap those in and out."
Others cases offer a place for headphones, memory sticks, sound amplification, or even tools to enhance your photos. Carnoy says, "You can attach these little lens attachments to it so you can have a wide angle lens for your iPhone or even a telephoto lens."
And for all those smartphone gamers, a Logitech case doubles as a gaming controller. According to Carnoy, "and it also charges your iPhone at the same time so while you're playing games you can keep a good battery charge."
One phone case in the production phase right now is called the Atomyser. It can spray cologne or hand sanitizer and other cases have small knives or lighters built into them.
Just remember that phone shapes and sizes often change. So if you're always upgrading to the latest and greatest phone you need to put some thought into how much to spend on a pricey case, especially if you're not likely to have the phone very long.
For information on the cases mentioned in this report, click on the links below.
Links:
iOpener:
http://www.west280.com/shop/iOpener.php
myTask:
http://www.thetasklab.com/mytask/stash-iphone5
ReadyCase
CandyShell Amped
http://www.speckproducts.com/candyshellamped
Logitech PowerShell
http://gaming.logitech.com/en-us/product/powershell-controller-and-battery
Unu Aero
http://www.myunu.com/unu-aero-wireless-charging-battery-case-and-mat-for-iphone-5s-5.html
Atomyser
