The Price
$US100

The Verdict
Almost perfect. In our previous tests, wireless iPhone charging usually came by way of an ugly charging pad and an ugly case. In this instance, Case-mate’s charging pad is elegant and compact, but its iPhone case is really something. I’d say it’s one of the very few cases that make the iPhone look better than it does naked. (That’s high praise for me, a guy who never uses cases.)

The sleeve is made of two parts – both plastic – and combine in a locking mechanism that seems secure enough to survive a drop. For something that provides wireless charging components, it doesn’t add that much more heft to the phone than you’d logically feel is necessary. It’s not as elegant a solution as replacing the back panel on a Palm Pre and being basically transparent, but it works, and it protects at the same time.

Charging is also quite fast. In fact, it charges about as quickly as docking it into one of the many iPod docks or iPod chargers you may have lying around your house. So you don’t need to sacrifice performance for convenience. Also, it uses the eCoupled wireless charging spec – not just a proprietary one from Case-mate – so future wireless charging-capable devices you have that also uses the same spec can interoperate with this. Woo.

It’s not all perfect
Despite the Hug being a fantastic case and an overall pleasant experience, there are some bugs we would like worked out. The most important one is the fact that the case doesn’t have a pass-through, 30-pin iPod dock, so you can’t dock this with your computer unless you take your phone out of the case. We can overlook the bottom not being small enough to fit into a standard iPod dock, but at the very least you should be able to sync your phone without having to perform a disassembly every time.

Also, there’s a weird ticking/wheezing sound emitted whenever you place the case onto the charging pad. It’s not loud, but it’s like having an asthmatic bunny sitting next to you the whole day. We’re not sure what’s causing it, it’d be great if the sound could be eliminated entirely.

Until Apple makes a wireless charging version of the iPhone – with wireless syncing too, please – this is a pretty damn good alternative. [Hug]

The case itself is solid, pretty and one of the best cases (period) that we’ve used for the iPhone

Charging is fast – as fast as wired charging

The charge dock is compact and not ugly

Weird ticking noise when charging

Can’t dock or sync with the case on

The prices are set at $US14.95 for an iPod touch or iPhone case, or $US29.95 for a laptop skin – which are available for both MacBooks and PC laptops ranging in size from 13 inches to 15.4 inches. Seriously, these are some of the nicest cases I’ve seen in a while, and I’m betting I’m not alone in my Miller fandom.

It also comes with a free cleaning cloth and plastic screen protector (which I will not be using). It is, unfortunately a little loose, as I think it was meant to accommodate a 1st gen iPhone, too, but nothing unbearable on my 3GS. A bigger issue for you may be the bulkiness, and the grip being so enhanced that this case will not easily slip into tighter pockets.

I like it a lot more than I expected I would. I also find myself compelled to bite into it. This could end up being a bit of an issue.

[Griffin via Gearlog]

I just can’t pick one. [Republica Fashion]

The previous design was a lot sleeker and placed the controls on the side. But it didn’t have those awesome nubs. A test run of those units were shipped to selected people in February, and early feedback plus a “sleepless night” lead to the updated, bigger look.

You’ll need to jailbreak your iPhone, but the iControlPad is supported by some of the biggest iPhone devs (including ZodTTD’s PSX and GBA emulators). If you’re interested in placing a pre-order, sign up for the newsletter over at: [iControlPad]

SeatBuddy is a case with two flexible straps that lets you hang your iPhone on an aeroplane seat tray, a car seat, a glovebox and even on a treadmill — for the benefit of Mr. Chen.

It seems like a very good idea, although the image will get bouncy before your aeroplane crashes in a secret island, or as soon as you get with your car into the bumpy streets of NYC. Honestly, I don’t know what’s the worse fate of those two. [Cnet]