We're posting our weekly news roundups a day early this week,
because we taking a long weekend to attend my son's wedding.
Congratulations, Brian and Michelle! dk
Mac notebook and other portable computing is covered
in The 'Book Review, and general Mac
news is in Mac News Review.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
News, Reviews, & Opinion
Apps & Services
Protection
iPod Deals
These price trackers are updated every month.
News, Reviews, & Opinion
Adobe Flash Professional CS5 Applications for
iPhone
PR: Flash Professional CS5 will enable you to build
applications for iPhone and iPod touch using ActionScript 3. These
applications can be delivered to iPhone and iPod touch users through
the Apple App Store.
A public beta of Flash Professional CS5 with prerelease support for
building applications for iPhone is planned for later this year. Sign
up to be notified when the beta starts.
At MAX 2009, Adobe showed a number of applications and games for
iPhone that have been built using a prerelease version of Flash
Professional CS5. These applications are available now for you to
download from the Apple App Store:
- Chroma Circuit
- Trading Stuff
- Fickleblox
- Just Letters
- South Park
- That Roach Game
- Red Hood
A public beta of Flash Professional CS5 including support for
building applications for iPhone is planned for later this year.
The tooling update allows developers to use Flash technologies to
develop content for iPhone and iPod touch, devices that were previously
closed to them. Developers can write new code or reuse existing web
content to build applications for iPhone. Because the source code and
assets are reusable across the Flash Platform runtimes, - Adobe AIR and
Flash Player - it also gives developers a way to more easily target
other mobile and desktop environments.
The new support for iPhone applications in the Flash Platform
tooling will not allow iPhone users to browse web content built with
Flash technology on iPhone, but it may allow developers to repackage
existing web content as applications for iPhone if they choose to do
so.
Flash Player uses a just-in-time compiler and virtual machine within
a browser plugin to play back content on websites. Those technologies
are not allowed on the iPhone at this time, so a Flash Player for
iPhone is not being made available today.
Flash Professional CS5 will enable developers to build applications
for iPhone that are installed as native applications. Users will be
able to access the apps after downloading them from Apple's App Store
and installing them on iPhone or iPod touch
Developers can deliver applications built with Flash Platform
tooling just like any other iPhone application. This will require the
developer to be a member of the iPhone Developer Program and follow the
program guidelines.
A developer certificate from Apple is required in order to test and
deploy applications to iPhone.
* Delivery through the App Store requires participation in the
iPhone Developer Program and approval of the application by Apple.
Link: Adobe
Flash Professional CS5 Applications for iPhone
AT&T Allows VoIP over Cell Network for
iPhone
Macworld's Dan Moren says:
"All engines, full reverse! That's the order AT&T seemed to be
giving on Tuesday when it announced that it would be altering its
existing policy to allow Internet phone applications such as Skype to
place calls over the iPhone's cellular data connection."
Also see Vonage Goes Mobile: First of New Calling
Applications Now Available (below)
Link: AT&T
Changes Tune, Allows VoIP over Cell Network for iPhone
iPhone OS Takes 40% of Mobile Web Market Share
AppleInsider's Neil Hughes reports:
"The iPhone and iPod touch dominate most of the world in the mobile
Web browsing battle, taking a 40 percent global total that bests rival
Nokia, a new study has found.
"In its latest Mobile Metrics Report released Wednesday, AdMob
discovered that the iPhone OS market share has increased 7 percent in
the last six months, while Nokia's global share has dipped from 43
percent to 34 percent. Research in Motion carries 8 percent in the
August report, Android with 7 percent, and Windows Mobile with 4
percent."
Link: Apple's
iPhone OS Takes 40 Percent of Web Market Share - Study
How Bell Canada Got the iPhone
Fortune's Philip Elmer-DeWitt says:
"A Bell Canada press statement Tuesday made official what the
Canadian press has been reporting since Monday: that the company, in
partnership with Telus Corp. will start carrying Apple's iPhone in
November.
"The deal puts an end to the exclusivity that Rogers Communications
(RCI) has enjoyed - to the dismay of many Canadian iPhone owners - for
more than a year."
Link:
How Bell Canada Got the iPhone
AT&T 3G MicroCell to Offer Unlimited iPhone
Calling for $20 Extra
AppleInsider's Prince McLean reports:
"AT&T customers who live or work in one of the company's many
pockets of poor or dead 3G service will soon have the option to pay $20
extra to obtain unlimited calling over 3G using their own Internet
access."
"Bundled with AT&T-supplied Internet (if available in your
area), the monthly fee drops to $10, and with AT&T Internet and
landline service (if you also pay to have one of those old plugin type
phones), the monthly fee goes away entirely."
Link: AT&T 3G
MicroCell to Offer Unlimited iPhone Calling for $20 Extra
iPhone, Android, Pre Trump Others in
Satisfaction
Electronista reports:
"Modern touchscreen phones like the iPhone, Android devices and the
Palm Pre are proving to be much more enjoyable to use than conventional
smartphones - at times in spite of their networks, according to a CFI
study. About 83 percent of US iPhone owners are satisfied with their
phones while the other two touch-first platforms, Google's Android and
Palm's webOS, are close with 77 percent each. In comparison, 73 percent
of BlackBerry owners can say the same while those using Palm Treos of
different varieties claimed 70 percent satisfaction."
Link:
iPhone, Android, Pre Trump Others in Satisfaction
Troubleshooting Your iPod touch
MacFixIt's Joe Aimonetti says:
"We don't do a lot of iPod posts here at MacFixIt, though with the
rising popularity of the iPod touch, I think keeping tabs on one of
Apple's hottest products is a pretty good idea. If you're finding
issues with your iPod touch, there are some basic first steps you can
do that could possibly save you from a trip to the Apple Store or a
phone call to AppleCare."
Link: Troubleshooting
Your iPod touch
Apps & Services
Vonage Goes Mobile: First of New Calling
Applications Now Available
PR: Vonage has launched Vonage Mobile, its first mobile
calling application for smartphones. Vonage Mobile is a free
downloadable application (app) that provides seamless, low-cost
international calling while on WiFi or cellular networks*. Once
downloaded, the service saves customers more than 50% on calls to
dozens of countries versus the rates charged by wireless carriers while
providing far more convenience than calling cards. Vonage Mobile will
be available for download on the iPhone, BlackBerry and iPod touch at
vonage.com and the iTunes App Store later today.
With Vonage Mobile you can call around the world from home, a WiFi
hotspot, or while traveling around the country. Vonage Mobile is easy
to use. There are no access numbers or new phone numbers to give to
friends and family. Simply enter an international number or select a
contact from the existing contacts on your iPhone or Blackberry and hit
send. Vonage does the rest.
This app will give customers exceptional per-minute rates to any
country they want to dial. In the fourth quarter 2009, we will enhance
the app to include the popular Vonage World plan that was introduced
for home service in August. This enhancement extends the ability to
make unlimited calls to over 60 countries for one flat monthly fee to
mobile users, giving customers the choice to pick the plan that fits
them best.
"Our new mobile app is an important step in establishing Vonage as a
software technology company that enables high-quality voice and
messaging across any device in any location, providing great value over
any broadband network," said Marc Lefar, CEO of Vonage.
Vonage Mobile beats the competition on value, convenience and
ease-of-use
- Rates are better than traditional wireless and landline carrier
rates
- Lets you make calls while on WiFi or cellular networks, providing
full mobility
- Uses your existing contact list - just click and dial - no extra
steps
- Utilizes your existing cell phone number so the people you call
will recognize who is calling
- Real-time balance updates and the ability to automatically
replenish funds in your account
- No more trips to the store to buy calling cards, no 800 numbers or
access codes, and no connection charges
"When developing Vonage Mobile, we focused on creating a more
convenient alternative for customers who use calling cards or WiFi only
applications," said Mike Tempora, Senior Vice President of Product
Management for Vonage. "Vonage Mobile is easy to get and use, and gives
customers the best possible calling experience from a trusted
provider."
*iPhone allows calls on both cellular and WiFi networks. BlackBerry
allows calls over cellular networks. iPod touch allows calls over WiFi
networks. Service subject to minimum monthly usage fee, taxes, and
certain other fees. Forfeiture rules apply. See Terms of Service for
details. There are important 911 limitations when using Vonage for
Mobile service. See vonagemobile.com/tos for details.
Link: Vonage
Adobe's First iPhone App Now Available
Adobe blogger John Nack says:
"It's certainly not the flashiest (no pun intended) application, but
I'm happy to see that LiveCycle Workspace Mobile for iPhone is
available via the iPhone App Store. This simple app gives customers an
easy way to review & approve items (expense reports, purchase
orders, loan applications, etc.)."
Link:
Adobe's First iPhone App Now Available
IBM Adds iPhone Support to Lotus Domino
The Register's Austin Modine says:
"IBM is rolling out a new version of Lotus Domino today that
introduces native support for the iPhone. The software update now lets
users automatically sync email, contacts, and calendar data over the
air to their Apple handset."
Link:
IBM Adds iPhone Support to Lotus Domino
BabySitter2Go
PR: Digital Chocolate has announced that BabySitter2Go is now
available on the App Store. BabySitter2Go is perfect for entertaining
your toddler or young child and putting him/her to sleep with a
popular, classical nursery rhyme melody.
BabySitter2Go comes with Rattle mode, Drawing mode, and four
interactive and educational scenes including Garden, Ocean, Jungle, and
Naptime. The game leverages the devices' innovative Multi-Touch user
interface allowing players to easily tap or swipe at pigs, stars,
submarines, butterflies and more.
"BabySitter2Go is much more than just an educational game, it's a
world of imagination where your child can explore different
destinations and entertain him/herself for hours," said Trip Hawkins,
CEO of Digital Chocolate. "This is a great way for parents to keep
their children busy and have them learn at the same time."
BabySitter2Go is available for 99¢ from the App Store on iPhone
and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/. There is also a free
version available that will provide a limited number of levels.
Link: BabySitter2Go
American Family Insurance Launches Cell Phone Apps
to Expand Customer Self-Service
PR: American Family Insurance is making it much easier for
its customers to conduct insurance business using their cell
phones.
The company has unveiled new cell phone applications customers can
use to file a claim, pay insurance bills, check their accounts and
locate the nearest American Family agent.
The new applications are designed for Apple iPhone and Blackberry
Storm users. A new, streamlined version of the company's Web site is
also available to all mobile phone users.
"Our customers are doing more from Web-enabled phones and other
portable communication devices," says Bill Simon, American Family
Insurance's digital marketing director. "People rely on mobile
technology so they can do business with us from virtually anywhere at
any time."
The new applications and mobile Web site deliver a better user
experience on mobile devices with smaller screens and potentially
slower Internet connections. By eliminating much of the graphic and
multimedia extras, the clean interface quickly links users to business
functions.
The iPhone and BlackBerry applications are downloadable programs
that allow the user to quickly access commonly used functions of the
company's Internet site. For example, the new applications will allow
customers to immediately report a claim from the scene of an accident
and even locate nearby vendors that can help repair their vehicle.
The iPhone application is now available for download from the iPhone
App Store and amfam.com. The BlackBerry application (for the Storm
model only) will soon be available from amfam.com and from the Built
for BlackBerry store.
Many mobile phone users access the Internet on a mobile device other
than an iPhone or BlackBerry. Like the iPhone and BlackBerry
applications, the American Family mobile site will have fewer graphics
and multimedia, making it easier for users to navigate it on a small
screen. It will be optimized to display the site correctly on any
mobile device making the request.
Based in Madison, Wis., American Family Insurance offers auto,
homeowners, life, health, commercial and farm/ranch insurance in 19
states. American Family ranks 388th on the Fortune 500 list and is the
nation's third-largest mutual property/casualty insurance company.
Link: American Family Insurance
TouchPad 2.0 for iPhone and iPod touch
PR: Montreal based Edovia announces a new version of TouchPad
for iPhone and iPod touch. TouchPad 2.0 now includes a media remote,
which now makes three devices in one app. Tired of having a keyboard
and a mouse laying around in your living room? Get rid of that lousy
setup with TouchPad!
Use your iPhone or your iPod touch to remotely control you computer
through WiFi. With TouchPad's intuitive use, you'll feel right at home
if you have already used a track pad on a MacBook. It's almost like
having a micro laptop in your hands! The new 2.0 version now makes
TouchPad a very complete tool that is very easy and fun to use.
New Features:
- Media remote that mimics the Apple Remote
- 4 finger gestures (Expose and Switch applications)
- New extended keyboards (arrows, page up/down, shortcuts, etc.)
- More languages supported
- More responsive
Feature Highlights:
- Super-easy setup
- Modifier keys (Ctrl, Option/Alt, Cmd, Shift)
- Tab, Esc keys included
- 1 finger, 2 finger, 3 finger and 4 finger gestures
- Vertical, horizontal scrolling
- Swipe left or right with 3 fingers (Back and Forward)
- Horizontal and vertical orientation supported
- Pad still works while keyboard is visible
- Easy to use Connection Manager
Requirements:
- Supports with OS X 10.5 (Leopard), OS X 10.4 (Tiger)
- Windows and Linux not supported
- Connects through a WiFi connection and Bonjour
- Screen Sharing or VNC server required
- QWERTY, QWERTZ and AZERTY keyboards supported
- iPhone, iPhone 3G, 3GS, iPod touch (1st & 2nd gen)
TouchPad 2.0 is $3.99 and available exclusively through the App
Store. Promo codes available upon request.
Link: TouchPad
for iPhone and iPod touch
Random Ideas Announces Free 3G 32 GB iPod Touch
Giveaway
PR: Random Ideas has announced the release of Edibles 2.5,
which includes the ability to search a food database containing over
500,000 food items. This food database was contributed primarily by
users of Edibles over the last nine months.
To show our gratitude to these users, we're going to be giving away
a brand new, 3rd Generation, 32 GB iPod Touch to one of them. The
winner will be chosen at random from among all Edibles Online users on
October 31, 2009 at Midnight, MST. No purchase is necessary. To enter,
simply sign up for a free Edibles Online account.
This is a great opportunity, if you have an older iPhone or iPod
Touch, to upgrade to the latest technology. Alternatively, if you know
someone who has been thinking about getting an iPod Touch and who might
be interested in Edibles or Edibles Online, have them sign up, and
maybe they could win!
Jiva DeVoe, Random Ideas founder, and Chief Software Craftsman said,
"We're happy to give back to our users who have given us so much over
the past year. Without them, we are nothing. I'm looking forward to
drawing the name for the giveaway on October 31!"
Random Ideas, LLC has set up a special web site specifically for
more information about the giveaway. Please visit it for more
information including the official contest rules. This contest is void
where prohibited or restricted by law. Employees of Sponsor and family
members of such employees are not eligible to enter.
Link: Edibles
Eye Glasses Gives iPhone Users Some Optical
Help
LoopInsight's Peter Cohen says:
"I'm depressed to realize I actually find this app useful, but my
vision is going. Too many years of toiling away in dimly lit
monasteries working on illuminated manuscript, I expect.
"Eye Glasses is a brand new app from Freeverse that can help keep
you from squinting. It's like having a pair of virtual bifocals."
Link:
Eye Glasses Gives iPhone Users Some Optical Help
Coupons.com Expands to Include Mobile Phones and
12,000+ Hyper-Local Offers
PR: Coupons.com, Incorporated, the leader in digital coupons,
today announced that it expanded its industry-leading digital coupon
offerings with three new major initiatives: Save to Card coupons that
can be loaded directly onto supermarket loyalty cards; Show & Save
coupons, including over 12,000 hyper-local offers that can be redeemed
directly from a mobile phone; and new applications for mobile phones,
including expanding the company's digital coupon network to mobile
phones and an upgrade to its critically acclaimed Grocery iQ
application.
"For over a decade, we have been transforming the multibillion
dollar coupon industry by ushering coupons into the digital world that
were traditionally distributed via newspaper inserts," said Steven
Boal, CEO of Coupons.com, Incorporated. "Today's announcement provides
a road map for the future of the coupon industry. A future in which
coupons are accessible to consumers 24/7/365 at home, at work or on the
go and a future in which manufacturers and retailers have more tools at
their disposal to reach those consumers in order to move their products
off store shelves."
New Ways to Save
In addition to offering the largest selection of online printable
coupons available anywhere, Coupons.com now offers coupons that can be
saved to store loyalty cards as well as coupons that can be displayed
on mobile devices for redemption at checkout.
Boal continued, "Since the launch of mobile coupons, manufacturers
and retailers have struggled to incorporate multiple digital coupon
providers into their marketing plans. With today's launch, Coupons.com
offers a unified digital coupon solution to address this complex
problem, backed by the Coupons.com brand and our industry-leading
digital coupon network."
Save to Card
"Save to Card" allows shoppers to save coupon offers directly to
their store loyalty cards.
Shoppers simply register their loyalty cards at Coupons.com or
across the Coupons.com digital network of over 2,000 sites, browse
available coupons with the "Savings Card" tab on their mobile device or
computer and select the offers they want to save to their card. When
the consumer's loyalty card information is entered at checkout, coupons
are automatically deducted from the total all without the need for
clipping or scanning printed coupons. Mobile users can even browse for
offers and add coupons to their loyalty card while they shop.
The Coupons.com Save to Card capability works with loyalty cards
from Safeway, VONS, Dominick's, GENUARDI'S, Randalls, Tom Thumb,
PAVILLIONS and CARRS. These brands span over 1,700 stores in the
Western, Southwestern, Rocky Mountain, Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic
regions of the United States and in Western Canada.
"Our customers are always looking for savings and have already saved
millions of dollars with the printable coupons that Coupons.com
provides on our Web site," said Mike Minasi, President of Marketing,
Safeway Inc. "Now with the ability to save Coupons.com coupons directly
to their Club Card, shoppers have the flexibility to use coupons the
way they prefer either printed or on their loyalty card."
"Coupons.com already enables us to engage with consumers using
printable coupons on the extensive Coupons.com network and directly via
our brand's Web sites. Now, we are excited to extend the reach of our
coupon offers through Coupons.com's Save to Card," said Roxie Lowther,
Director of Business Development at Litehouse Foods, makers of the
popular Litehouse dressings, dips and sauces. "With the new capability,
Coupons.com provides a single solution for all our digital coupon
needs. A single vendor saves us time and effort, but it also saves us
money, because it foils the stacking of multiple coupons for single
unit purchases, which is an issue currently facing manufacturers using
multiple digital coupon partners."
Coupons.com's clients include over 20,000 retail outlets, including
those operated by CVS, H-E-B, Kmart, Kroger, Safeway and Walgreens.
Additional retail chain partners for its Save to Card program will be
announced in the near future.
Show & Save
"Show & Save" enables shoppers to save an electronic coupon on a
mobile device and then show that coupon on the device at checkout at
the local retailer or service provider.
With the Coupons.com iPhone application, users simply browse a list
of available coupons and click the ones they want. They can also browse
coupons from nearby retailers and service providers based on their GPS
location and even pull up a map leading them directly to the merchant
offering the savings. Shoppers can browse offers ahead of time or
browse at the point of service, and simply show the coupons right on
their phones for savings.
Users can also access Show & Save coupons from their computers
using the new "Local" tab at Coupons.com. Shoppers simply print the
offers and present the printed coupons to the issuer at checkout.
Over 12,000 offers are available today via Coupons.com's partnership
with Money Mailer and other providers including savings from local
restaurants, retailers, and services from pizzerias to plumbers and dry
cleaners to dog walkers.
"With shoppers looking for savings now more than ever, Show &
Save coupons are a great opportunity to save money at local
businesses," said Steven Gray, COO of Money Mailer Direct Marketing.
"With their Show & Save offers, Coupons.com is providing our
thousands of retail and services customers a new avenue through which
to advertise their business, which allows Money Mailer to become an
even more integral part of our customers' marketing budgets."
Additional Show & Save offers will continue to be added from
Coupons.com's network partnerships, including newspaper and local
television stations for which mobile coupons are a value-added tool for
their ad sales efforts.
Coupons.com also announced new partnerships with several leading
mobile application providers to integrate Show & Save coupons into
local and location-based services to deliver savings directly to their
users. Partnerships include a new relationship with Loopt, whereby the
companies are collaborating to integrate coupons from Coupons.com into
Loopt's interoperable social-mapping service. Loopt allows individuals
to use their location to discover the real world around them enabling
them to find the people, places, and events that mean the most right
here and now using their mobile phones. Loopt is available across all
major U.S. carriers and supported on over 100 different mobile handset
models.
"By integrating Show & Save coupons from Coupons.com into
upcoming versions of our applications, the Loopt community will be able
to take advantage of special offers from the leading retailers and
services around them that they care about the most," said Eric Carr,
Vice President of Location Technologies at Loopt.
Additional integration partnerships were announced with Sherpa, the
location-triggered discovery application developed by Geodelic, and
Aloqa's award-winning app that automatically notifies users of popular
places, great events, recommended bargains, and Facebook friends close
by.
Coupons.com Mobile Applications
"Our ongoing goal is to provide shoppers the coupons they want, when
they want them, wherever they want them," commented Boal. "Our new
mobile couponing offerings further extend our reach and also attract an
even younger demographic to our platform."
Grocery iQ 2.0
Grocery iQ is the critically acclaimed iPhone and iPod touch
application for creating and managing grocery lists. Touted as the best
grocery list management application by the New York Times (July 9,
2009), the application recently has been a Top 25 Paid application and
the Number 1 Paid Lifestyle application in the Apple App Store.
Version 2.0 introduces important new features, including:
Barcode scanning Use the iPhone camera to scan bar codes on product
packaging to automatically add items to grocery lists. Why bother with
pen-and-paper lists that are easily misplaced or left at home? As soon
as you finish a product, simply scan the barcode before you throw it
away and Presto!, it's added to your shopping list no writing or typing
required.
Integration of coupons
Grocery iQ now includes coupons from Coupons.com so users can browse
coupons and add items to their shopping list by simply selecting coupon
offers. The application also automatically matches coupons for items on
grocery lists, when offers are available. Users can also browse and
select Save to Card coupons. Users can print their shopping lists
wirelessly via HP printers or send lists to an email address for
printing from a computer.
Synchronized list sharing
With synchronized list sharing, multiple users can share a single
shopping list. Someone already in the store doing the shopping? No
problem, just add a last-second item to your Grocery iQ list at home
and it is automatically displayed in real time on the list of the
person shopping in the store. Or, split up in two different parts of
the store with the same list and get the shopping done twice as
fast.
Version 2.0 builds on the popular features of previous versions
including ability to: create one or more lists for multiple chains or
store locations; add items to your shopping list by simply entering the
first few letters of a brand or product or by typing the barcode; add
commonly purchased products to an easy-to-access list for quickly
creating new lists in the future; and automatically arrange items based
the aisle layout of the local grocery store.
Grocery iQ version 2.0 is priced at 99 cents and available as a free
upgrade to previous versions. The product will be available soon at the
Apple App Store. Versions of Grocery iQ for Android phones and other
mobile operating systems are in development and will be released in the
near future.
Coupons.com Application for iPhone
"Coupons.com" is a new application for the iPhone and iPod touch.
The application includes Coupons, Savings Card and Local tabs that make
it easy to browse and select printable, Save to Card and Show &
Save coupons.
Users can print coupons wirelessly on their HP printers or send a
link to their email account, which will take them to Coupons.com where
their coupons are already clipped and ready to be printed.
"The HP iPrint application revolutionized printing from the iPhone,"
said Antonio Rodriguez, Chief Technologist of Inkjet and Web Solutions
at HP. "We are thrilled to be working with partners like Coupons.com on
integrating our iPhone printing technology into their applications and
helping shoppers get the most out of their iPhone and HP printer
investments."
The Coupons.com application is free to download and will be
available soon at the Apple App Store.
Coupons.com Mobile Interface
Coupons.com Mobile is a completely new version of Coupons.com that
optimizes content for viewing in mobile Web browsers and will soon be
available to support Web-connected devices, including WAP-enabled
mobile phones.
From any Web-connected device, including basic Web-enabled mobile
phones, users can easily browse Coupons.com offers and select the ones
they want. When they are finished selecting offers, a message is sent
to their email address with a link to Coupons.com where selected
coupons are clipped and ready for printing.
Users can also browse and select available Save to Card coupons and
save them directly to their loyalty card.
"Our mobile offerings will appeal to the fast-growing world of
mobile phone users who are downloading and using a new breed of
connected, location-aware applications," said Steve Horowitz, CTO of
Coupons.com, Incorporated. "We are building the Coupons.com mobile
experience to ensure that all users can use Coupons.com on their
devices from sophisticated smart phones to web-enabled feature phones
to save on the brands they love, trust and buy every day."
Link: Coupons.com
Protection
OtterBox Commuter & Commuter TL
Series Cases for iPhone 3G & 3GS
PR: As an avid iPhone user, you exemplify the definition of
cutting-edge, but the cool fad will quickly fade with a scratched or
dented iPhone.
Introducing two new case lines from OtterBox for the Apple iPhone 3G
and iPhone 3GS: the Commuter and Commuter TL Series. Fusing rugged
elements from the Defender Series line and sleek characteristics from
the Impact Series, the Commuter and Commuter TL offer the best of both
worlds.
"These new cases combine the most innovative features from
previous lines to give customers style and protection," Curt Richardson
said, founder and CEO of OtterBox. "The Commuter Series is an inverse
design of the Defender; the hard plastic is now on the outside of the
case with protective silicone on the inside. This new design slims-down
the size and changes the look and feel of the case."
Both case lines were custom designed to highlight the true beauty of
the iPhone in three slender, yet sturdy layers*:
First, a self-adhering screen cover protects from scratches (touch
screen remains completely functional).
Second, a silicone skin wraps over the device to protect corners
from bump and shock. Dust intrusion is reduced with the use of silicone
plugs over audio port and dock connector.
Finally, a smooth one-piece, custom molded polycarbonate shell hugs
tightly around the silicone allowing the case to slide easily into a
pocket or purse.
Looking for a case to sport during the workweek? The OtterBox
Commuter Series is the perfect sidekick for a lunch meeting, business
trip or workout. A fortified polycarbonate shell wraps around the top,
bottom and side grip areas of the case for a sleek feel, which also
enables a smooth transition in and out of a purse, pocket or briefcase.
The corners of the iPhone are protected with durable silicone to
safeguard against bumps and shocks. Users can also choose between two
optional accessory kits; each kit includes three interchangeable
colored shell options, coming soon.
Want to individualize your iPhone? The OtterBox Commuter TL Series
will be sure to draw attention from every trendsetter in town,
available now in black and coming soon in six eye-catching colors.
Inner coring along the vertical sides offers added protection and the
textured exterior side grips provide an ergonomic feel and stylish
detailing. Don't worry Apple lovers; the logo is safe and protected by
a transparent polycarbonate shield.
"Color has been a huge interest for our iPhone customers and we're
eager to fill that need," Richardson said. "The new Commuter Series
offers optional, interchangeable color shells and the Commuter TL comes
in a variety of colorful choices that enable users to individualize
their OtterBox."
Both Commuter and Commuter TL Series cases come with a microfiber
cleaning cloth and installation card for easy application of the
self-adhering screen.
