18 October 2004
by Noah Kravitz
Reviews Editor

Contour Designs and iSkin have released new versions of their popular iPod cases to fit 4G (click wheel) versions of Apple's digital music player. We took a look at both the Contour Design Showcase and iSkin eVo2, and liked them both. Both cases offer full protection against bumps and scratches while affording access to all controls and ports. The eVo2 is slimmer and sleeker while the Showcase offers the added protection of its hard-shell and rubber case. Let's take a closer look.

iSkin eVo2 -- $29.99, iskin.com
iSkin's eVo2 is based on their original iSkin design, but updated with features iSkin says their customers asked for: Tighter fit, improved belt clip, and see-through screen protector. The eVo2 is made from 100% silicon and finished with a slip-proof grip and backside dot cutoouts for ventilation. Four raised "pegs" on the back keep your iPod elevated just enough to let airflow beneath the unit when it's laid flat on its back. While I've never had a problem with either a 3G or 4G iPod overheating, this is stil a nice design touch on iSkin's part.

Silicone is soft and shock absorbant, and also easily produced in a rainbow of colors, which means eVo2 is not only lightweight and comfortable in the hand, but it also comes in nine colors including four "Glo Series" hues that glow in the dark when backlit by your iPod. The non-Glo Sonic Blue iSkin sent us definitely jazzes up iPod's cool white look. Front, top and bottom cutouts allow access to all ports and controls, and while many top-panel accessories (Griffin iTrip/iTalk, Belkin Voice Recorder, etc.) and Apple's dock cables fit through the cutouts perfectly, I was disappointed to find that my Monster auto charger is a hair too large to fit through eVo2's bottom port. The bottom port cutout is actually a flap which provides protection for the iPod dock port when not in use -- a nice touch.

iSkin beefed up their detachable belt clip on the eVo2, and the result is a slightly bulky but very sturdy-feeling clip that rotates. The clip can also be removed entirely, leaving behind a very small post on the back of the case.

All in all, I like eVo2 quite a bit -- so did the couple of testers I lent it to. Both applauded its sleek, form-fitting design and screen protector (though they generally didn't use the belt clip), and said they really liked how its color made their iPod more fun. They also said that while thirty dollars seemed like a lot for the case at first, they'd probably gladly spend that much to protect their iPod in style. I agree.

You wouldn't want to drop your iPod from too high up with just eVo2 protecting it, but then again you wouldn't want to drop it, anyway. Whether you clip it to your belt or throw it in your bag, eVo2 will keep your iPod safe from everyday scratches and bumps while letting you dress it up in color (iSkin's website is now advertising colored screen protectors coming soon, as well). Our review sample also came with a clear plastic zippered accessory pouch, which iSkin is currently offering as a free bonus with purchase of an eVo2.

Contour Showcase 4G -- $32.95, contourdesign.com

Maybe you're the kind of guy or gal who likes to live on the edge. You know, rock climbing, mountain biking, that kind of thing. Or maybe you're just accident prone. Dropping dishes, slipping on banana peels, walking into walls, such is your lot in life. Either way, you might need a bit more protection for your iPod than the silicone eVo2 can provide. Contour Design's Showcase 4G is for you.

Showcase is built on a dual-layer design, layering shock-absorbant rubber over a hard plastic core to provide what Contour calls "the maximum amount of protection available for your iPod." While it's hard to judge between this and metal cases like Mattias' iPod Armor, there's no disputing the solid protection Showcase will afford your iPod.

The rubber layer, which covers all but the front panel of the case, has a nice soft feel that's easy to grip. The front panel is made from clear plastic with a cutout for the click wheel, and additional cutouts provide access to the top and bottom panels. The case opens clamshell-style with a hinge on one side and a substantial clip closure on the other. The included removable belt clip attaches with a spring-loaded design. Like the case itself, the clip isn't particularly small, but it is both quite sturdy and mounted horizontally, which is great for running and other activities.

My only two complaints with the original Showcase -- neither of which became an issue until it had logged months of daily use -- were that the attractive white case got quite dirty and the belt clip eventually broke. The latter was my fault, as I pulled too hard while trying to blindly unlip the unit from my pocket one day on the subway. The problem with the white case getting dirty? Well, Contour solved that by offering the Showcase 3G in a variety of colors. Showcase 4G is currently available only in black and white. Contour sent us samples of both, and the black is really, really cool looking. If James Bond were ever to take his iPod skiing in the Swiss Alps, knowing he'd likely wind up wanting his tunes for a dangerous, high-speed chase, he'd tuck it away in the black Showcase. Seriously.

The Showcase does negate some of iPod's amazing small-ness, but it also affords it premium protection. It's certainly small enough to use everday (I did for months), but also not as sleek and light as other solutions available. The choice is yours -- if you really want to keep your click wheel iPod safe, you'll be hard pressed to find a better solution than Contour's new Showcase 4G.

Both iSkin's eVo2 and the Contour Showcase 4G are available direct from the manufacturer's websites. Compare prices at PCPrices.

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Noah Kravitz runs the Technology and Culture blog Threebase.com. He is an educator, musician, and writer who now lives in Oakland, CA and is the author of Teaching and Learning with Technology.