Styles range from fun to smart to classic

Our latest round-up of case offerings for the iPhone 4 turns up three very different offerings from three different companies. Case-Mate's Creatures lineup features colorful, cartoonish designs that turn users' iPhones into monsters and animals that appeal to both kids and fun-loving adults; Primary Case Company takes an efficiency tack with the Paradox Case that claims to be the "last" holster a smartphone owner needs to buy, and accessory design studio TwelveSouth has come up with the BookBook wallet and case that disguises itself as a small tome of the classical variety.

Case-Mate's Creatures ($25 each) feature six different designs: three animals (called Waddler, Gil and Hoot) and three monsters (called Monsta, Frank and Tut). Each design uses the iPhone's built-in camera as either an "eye" or a decoration to enhance the goofy look of the characters. All are brightly-colored silicone cases with raised elements to improve grip, with Waddler and Gil adding little feet or tail "charms" to complete the look.

The Primary Case Company offers a new re-designed, streamlined version of its one-size-fits-all smartphone case called the Paradox ($40), designed to be clipped on and using adjustable tabs on the back of the sunglass-case type design to make a secure fit for almost any model of smartphone. Ideal for those who have to carry a "work phone" during the week or simply have more than one type of smartphone, the genuine leather case features a soft, suede-like material on the inside and a push-up hole to allow quick access to the device.

It can be adjusted to be thin enough for a "naked" iPhone 4, or thick enough to hold a 3G with a case already on it, as well as Android, Blackberry, Windows 7 and other smartphone models. Currently available only in black, other designer colors will be offered beginning in the fall.

Finally, design studio TwelveSouth -- known for its innovative sense of style -- has come up with a "prayerbook" style leather case for the iPhone 4 called the BookBook ($60) that features the classical look of a weathered, bound book with a traditional spine, while doubling as a wallet -- holding ID and credit cards as well as cash.

The case design still allows access to the top and bottom ports, and the iPhone can quickly be "pushed up" from the bottom to expose the camera for a quick picture. The "cover" can be fully folded back to use or stand up the iPhone, and the added functionality can reduce the load of always having to carry both a wallet and the iPhone to just one pocketable device.

Case-Mate's "Creatures"













Primary Case's "Paradox"













TwelveSouth's "BookBook"

by MacNN Staff