iPhone cases area mixed blessing: yes, they protect your precious handset from bumps and scratches, but they also tend to add bulk and detract from the appearance of the cellphone.  So Case Mate are asking for trouble if their so-called Naked iPhone Case doesn’t live up to expectations.  From the pictures it certainly looks relatively low-profile, and the fact that it covers the whole iPhone should mean protection is as good as you can hope for from something not made to, say, US military ruggedization specs.  However, Case Mate have another claim to fame for their case: apparently the screen protector uses a patent pending “electrostatic membrane”.

Why is that so important?  Well, Case Mate say that it’s the only screen protector that lets you use the iPhone as if it weren’t in a case or sleeve at all; that, in fact, it “mimics the way the iPhone screen works”.  Impressive claims, but their site is pretty low on details (and testimonials, too, though we’ll let them off as it’s a new product!)

Basically, what you’re looking at is a discrete way to protect your iPhone from bumps and scratches, while keeping it looking unhampered, at least to the casual glance.  No, it won’t promise to boost reception like Griffin’s ClearBoost, but then again it doesn’t look like a brick is humping your iPhone either.  It’s available now priced at $34.99.