We try to be positive about most things here at MY iTablet - after all, there's no accounting for taste, especially when it comes to aftermarket accessories like cases and those dangly Hello Kitty charms you see on people's cellphones. But missed opportunities in good design are vaguely upsetting all the same, and I must confess that's what I thought when I saw WaterField's latest range of cases for the iPhone.
Pictured before the cut is the iPhone Smart Case, made apparently from a "smooth, eye-catching material" with ultrasuede lining and rubberised grips. It's available in six colours and with three different styles - basic slip, shoulder-strap friendly flap or belt-clip - and is priced at $35 to $39. I also think - personally - its pretty ugly. The stitching bulges, the edges are misaligned and, despite WaterField boasting its "less than an inch thick" it looks oversized and clumsy.
The Suede Jacket, above, is another missed opportunity. When I read the name I was expecting to see a Vaja-esque fitted jacket for the iPhone, protecting its chrome and giving a tactile surface to grip. What it actually is, is a fake-suede sock. At least it's only $9.
Finally, and most distressing of all, is the WaterField iPhone Travel Case - which looks to my jaded eyes like a travel wash bag. Available in three sizes and six colours, it may have padded interior pockets and self-locking zippers for all your accessories, but does it really have to be so bland? It's also priced at $35 to $39.
Perhaps I'm being harsh, but when you look at some of the colourful, tactile and beautifully-designed options out there, you wonder who might pick the WaterField designs. You can check out some of the opposition in the MY iTablet Store.
i just put on GuardFilm and tho it doesn’t cover all the corners, it looks darn invisible and for $13 (shipping included) seems darn good to me
So, besides the fact that this post was an obvious attempt to hawk the products that you sell at your cookie cutter bargain chinese-goods store. (Which, I really wish consumers who purchase from “your store” really knew the various outfits that are run out of the same office. It’s almost hilarious) you’ve got a couple of things seriously wrong.
Do you know ANYTHING about the company that you made this post about? Where is your journalistic integrity on this one, spanky?
The products from Waterfield are, consistently, some of the most highly praised bags, cargos, and cases in the electronics industry. Not only are their designers legendary when it comes to producing products that are easy to use and 100% functional, but their customer service is literally impossible to beat.
Some consumers take pride in what they purchase, those consumers tend to buy Apple products and bags from WaterField design.
And, against whats out there? Half the products in your store are some of THE WORST, the worst of the worst, iPhone cases on the market. Shame on you. Faulty clips, plastic that scratches, and rubber that stretches. Nice job practicing what you preach.
“Fake-Seude”? Wake up. http://www.ultrasuede.com/contents/index.html
Here is a thought: Instead of finding pictures on the internet and flaming them to increase your revenue, why don’t you actually USE the products that you plan on “reviewing”?
http://www.ohgizmo.com/2007/09/04/ohgizmo-review-waterfield-designs-iphone-cases/
This website is debatable.
Thanks for your comment, Philip; unfortunately it got mismarked as spam by Akismet (probably because of the links), hence my only seeing it now. I’m glad you’ve had positive experiences in the past with WaterField; as I made clear in my article - which never purported to be a review, only a launch report - these are my own personal views on the appearance of their iPhone product range.
As for “finding pictures on the internet and flaming them”, WaterField actually sent us the press release and asked us to comment/post about it. No, I’ve not tried them out myself but if I had it would be obvious because I wouldn’t be using stock photos (we always use our own images for reviews) and I would be commenting on the ease of use, functionality and, perhaps, customer service which have so impressed you.
Incidentally, I’m not sure what I should be waking up to about Ultrasuede; it’s a synthetic suede-like material, as far as I’m aware, and while lovely I’d prefer real suede. Again, personal stance - as made clear in the article.
Your comments about the MYiTablet store would be better posed to our retail partners, Smartphone Experts Commerce, whose link can be found in the store. They’re always keen to hear feedback and suggestions for products to be added to the catalogue.