iSkin’s touch Duo case for the iPod Touch 2G packs a big punch considering that it provides style, functionality, as well as protection. The case retails for a price of $34.99 (a bit pricey for a silicone case) and is available in Diablo (red/black), Sonic (blue/black), Ozone (frosted clear/black), as well as NightHawk (expresso/black). The touch Duo comes with a few free extras including a glare-free and fingerprint resistant screen protector, a ViSOR, as well as an alcohol based cleaning “towel” (the type you get at restaurants) so you can clean the screen before applying the screen protector. The case provides a thick, textured silicone around the edges and corners to provide greater protection along with the ability to hold on the case easier and it feels great. The touch Duo also contributes an integrated docking port protector to protect your 30-pin dock connector from everyday hazards. The screen protector is a nice add on considering it literally covers the screen. Many other screen protectors cover the entire front face of the device while this does not. It’s a good idea that it doesn’t because many times the average screen protectors can interfere with other cases or accessories.
The added ViSOR guard is a good idea, but truthfully, it can get annoying sometimes. It’s meant to be used while the device is not in use (i.e. in your pocket, sitting on a table, etc.) so that the screen will not get damaged. However, you cannot use the device while it is on so you must have to constantly remove it which can be a bit of a pain.
One last fantastic feature that iSkin has pioneered is that the touch Duo has Microban® built-in antimicrobial protection to inhibit the growth of odor and stain causing bacteria. Overall, I would say that if your looking for a silicone case providing style, functionality, as well as protection, you should definitely go for this case (if you’re not bothered by the price).
Apple has sent out invitations to their “Rock and Roll” event scheduled for September 9. The image above was included int he invitation. Most people would probably recognize the lyrics written on the invite to be a song by the Rolling Stones.
In the past, when Apple hosts this music themed event, they normally announce a new iPod version whether it be a new Shuffle, Nano, or iTouch. Recently, there have been news of resellers having a drop in stock volume for their iPods as well as news that Apple with discontinue all iPod SKUs (stock-keeping unit). Could this mean a fresh new face for the ever so popular iPods? Additionally, there has been reports (as well as pictures) of a new iPod Touch 3G having a camera as well as a microphone. No one knows for sure if this is fact or fiction but the reported pictures did seem believable. With this news, Apple might be releasing yet another iPod Touch (nearly one per year).
Throughout the life of Apple’s App Store, we have seen numerous games trying to clone Grand Theft Auto, but so far, none have come close. Gameloft‘s, Gangstar: West Coast Hustle, features an action packed 3D city complete with detailed buildings, stunning landscapes, as well as impressive cars that animate and take crash damage just as they would in Grand Theft Auto. Even the vocabulary that the character’s use is similar.
Gangstar is an almost ideal replica of GTA for the iPhone and iPod Touch. If you’re not in the mood to complete the 50 different missions, you can always drive or walk around exploring the city, shoot at and fight your enemies, or steal vehicles.
You can easily drive around a variety of vehicles thanks to the touch screen controls. You can also aim at pedestrians or other gang members by simply tapping your target on the screen. The auto-aiming feature in the game makes this even easier.
When you’re driving a car you can easily change the radio stations by swiping your finger across the radio or if you don’t like the programmed stations, you can go right ahead and listen to your own music stored in your music library.
Of course, this review has only featured a handful of features that Gangstar has to offer. It is rated 12+ as is available in the App Store for $6.99. Click HERE to download it.
I was given the opportunity to review Core Cases’ Aluminum Slider case for the iPod Touch 2G. Core Cases does make this case for other Apple products such as the iPhone, iPod Classic, as well as the iPod Nano (4th generation). Core Cases does, however, make another type of aluminum case for the iPod Shuffle. There is no doubt that all of their cases will protect whatever device you may be using.
The Aluminum Slider case for the iPod Touch 2G is a great case… one of the best in fact in terms of protection. It does fall a bit short, though, functionality wise. Because the case is made from 100% brushed anodized aluminum, it can withstand almost anything that get’s in it’s way. The inside of the case is fully lined with EVA foam to add a snug fit along with some shock protection from unexpected drops. The exterior holds up fantastically against scratches and dents while the interior keeps your device from getting any type of scratches. As you can see in the image to the right, the case has cutouts for the volume rockers on the left, one for the power/sleep button on the top, another one to reveal the WiFi antenna on the back of the case in the upper left corner, as well as one long cutout on the bottom to expose your 30-pin dock connector along with the 3.5 millimeter headphone jack. There is also a small, curved cutout on the bottom, front face of the case to better display the home button.
I have found that due the curved shaped of the iPod Touch 2G, the case did not form to the device as well as I would have liked. Of course this is understandable considering the fact that it is hard to shape solid aluminum around a curved piece of technology. Because of this, at times it can be hard to access the volume rockers as well as the power/sleep button. From personal experience, this was much better on the first generation iPod Touch. The front section of the case does cover some of the front of the device as seen in the pictures above. Because of this, if the device is dropped face down on a flat surface, the screen will not be affected unless of course it happens to fall on a corner or elevated rock, as is with all cases. The 30-pin charging cord along with the 3.5 millimeter headphone input fit in to their designated inputs without flaw thanks to the bottom cutout. There is also two very small cutouts on the bottom right-hand corner so that a lanyard/string may be attached.
The case is applied to the device by simply placing the back half of the case onto the back side of the device. Once that is done, the front half of the case can easily slide onto the front part of the device. This is better explained and demonstrated in the video review below. The case features one small metal “bump” on the bottom of both sides of the back half so that the front half of the case can stay securely fastened. I have found a minor flaw with this, though, where if the bottom of the case is not resting on any part of your hand, the bottom will slip out slightly if too much pressure is applied while pressing the power/sleep button, again, featured in the video review below. I also noticed this flaw in the first generation iPod Touch model.
Overall, for being made from aluminum, the case will protect the device indefinitely along with providing for a nice design. The case is priced at $24.95 $14.95 (you save $10) and comes in brushed silver, brushed black, or deep purple. For the price being relatively low and the amount of protection you get from this case, I would recommend this case to anyone who primarily is concerned with protection over functionality. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding this case or Core Cases please feel free to leave a comment below or contact us at contact@techgeec.com.
Giveaway
It is extremely simple to be entered into the giveaway for a Core Cases Aluminum Slider case in deep purple. Here are the rules: 1. You must be subscribed to iPT2gGeec’s YouTube channel which you can find HERE 2. You must be following iPT2gGeec on Twitter HERE 3. You must leave a comment on the video review, HERE, starting with your Twitter name followed by your comment. For example, “@iPT2gGeec – I want that case”
The winner will be chosen at random and will be announced on August 31, 2009. Comments posted on this web page will not be eligible.
There have been reports of the next generation iPod Touch to have a built-in camera. These rumors are starting to seem more true as new facts roll in. Below are several pictures and one video of what appears to be the iPod Touch 3G. As you can see, there is a built in camera at the top of the back of the device. These images shown seem to correspond with the rumored third generation cases.
-to show it’s real. If you look at the board, it states Apple 2009 very clear. The 2nd gen AKA iPod touch out now, has 2008 on it. They haven’t revised the 2008 touch. I will compare them in pic in a sec.
-BTW, these phones NEVER leave Apple and this one left but it was a durability test phone, so that’s why the screen is all gridded off and cracked.
-The side by side picture is the inside of the current gen vs the 3rd gen (one coming out in September).
-I acquired this from a guy that I buy parts phones and iPods from. I believe he’s a recycler in ***********, so what most likely happened is that Apple threw this away and he some how got it and sold it for parts.
I was given the opportunity to review two cases distributed by Ideal Case. The two cases were the Cubic Series silicone case as well as the Bubble Series silicone case. Both cases are relatively similar with a few minor tweaks. They are made out of high quality and durable anti-dust material, it covers the entire device to ensure complete protection, it is easily washable, and it offers a fantastic non-slip, grippy surface.
Both cases are excellent, however, there are a few drawbacks. The best aspects of both cases are that they have an elegant shine effect. The cases are completely smooth on the outside. It is on the inside where the designs are incorporated. On the Cubic Series case, there is a continuous pattern of cube-like shapes. The entire case is clear which allows the chrome backing to be seen while the case is being used. It is the chrome backing that gives the case it’s “shine” effect. When the case is not accompanied by the device, it looks as if there are multiple translucent diamond-like shapes on it. The effect takes place when the case is on the device. The chrome backing allows the the silver color to come through, thus enhancing the shapes and giving the 3D effect. This effect has also been incorporated into the Bubble Series.
The Bubble Series case that I was given was blue with translucent circles throughout. Again, the chrome backing on the device shines through the translucent part of the case (the circles) giving it the luxurious shine effect. It was with this case that a had a few, but minor, problems. The edges on this case are much smoother than on the Cubic Series. Because of this, it is a little bit harder to navigate your fingers to the volume rockers and the power button. Another thing that I was a little bit confused about, was why there was a cutout where the WiFi antenna is. The Cubic Series does not have it and it really does not make a difference if there is a cutout or not. This is definitely not a big problem but I feel as though the case would be that much better if there was no cutout.
The grip on these cases is amazing. In the review video below, I show that the iPod (accompanied) by the case is able to stay on my laptop while it is at a nearly 90°. Because the case is able to form so well to the shape of the iPod, one can hardly feel that it is there. Because this case is so thin, it won’t help protect your device as well as some of the other silicone cases, however, it will prevent from scratches, dents, and any other sort of damage. Overall, these cases are two of the best cases that I have. What I like most is not only the fact that they do not collect any lint, but that they both have the “shine” effect. For only $12.99 I would definitely recommend buying one of these cases from Ideal Case.
The iPhone 3.0.1 update was recently released. If you want to jailbreak any iPhone running on iPhone OS 3.0.1, you must use redsn0w 0.8. Do not update to 3.0.1 if you are using an iPod Touch, there is no need to. This post will show a step-by-step tutorial on how to jailbreak iPhone 3.0.1 with redsn0w.
Note:
redsn0w only recognizes iPhone 3.0 firmware (not 3.0.1 yet!), although you are running firmware 3.0.1 you must still download iPhone OS 3.0 firmware for your device.
The recent iPhone 3.0.1 update does not fix the iPhone 3GS hole, so it’s safe for iPhone 3GS users to update. If you downloaded a purplera1nday file or your iBec or iBSS for iPhone 3GS you don’t need to redownload it because it’s identical in this update.
First you must download redsn0w for Windows, Mac, or Linux from here.
redsn0w 0.8 works for Phone 3.0.1, iPhone 3G 3.0.1, iPhone 3GS 3.0.1, iPod Touch 3.0, and iPod Touch 2G 3.0.
1. Download the iPhone OS 3.0 IPSW file for your device and save it to your desktop. Here are the file names for each device, make sure you have the right one:
2. Open the redsn0w 0.8 application to jailbreak iPhone 3.0.1.
3. Click the Browse button.
4. Locate your device’s IPSW file that you downloaded in step 1 and click Open.
5. The redsn0w window will have the “IPSW successfully identified” message. Click the Next button to continue.
6. redsn0w will ask you to “Please select which options you would like to have“. Make sure the Install Cydia box has a check mark and then click Next.
7. redsn0w will ask you to make sure your device is both OFF and PLUGGED IN to your computer. Make sure you plug in your device in to your computer and then turn it off. Click Next once you have done this.
8. redsn0w will now ask you to connect your device in DFU mode, you must do this properly to jailbreak iPhone 3.0.1.
Hold down the Power button for 3 seconds
Without releasing the Power button, also hold down the Home (bottom center button) for 10 seconds
Without releasing the Home button, release the Power button BUT KEEP holding the Home button for 30 seconds
If you don’t do this properly you will get a DFU Mode Failed message and you’ll have to go back to step one.
9. Once your device has successfully entered DFU Mode, redsn0w will show the following message: “Please wait while your device is being jailbroken.Waiting for reboot.” Your device should reboot after this. If redsn0w is stuck on Waiting to Reboot, unplug your USB cable quickly and plug it back in. The jailbreaking process should continue after tha.
10. Once your device has rebooted redsn0w will start uploading the RAMDisk and kernel.
11. After everything has been successfully uploaded to your device, redsn0w will have; the “Done!” message. Your device will now reboot and you should see the Cydia app on your SpringBoard. Your iPhone is now jailbroken!
Yesterday, Apple released the 3.0.1 firmware update for iPhones and iPod Touches. It is advised that if you’re on an iPod Touch do not update considering the only difference is the SMS vulnerability fix. If you’re on an iPhone and are worried about your security, you should update. If not, don’t worry about it.
The case provides a thick, textured silicone around the edges and corners to provide greater protection along with the ability to hold on the case easier and it feels great. The touch Duo also contributes an integrated docking port protector to protect your 30-pin dock connector from everyday hazards. The screen protector is a nice add on considering it literally covers the screen. Many other screen protectors cover the entire front face of the device while this does not. It’s a good idea that it doesn’t because many times the average screen protectors can interfere with other cases or accessories.
