Ipod Touch Case – Speck – CandyShell

If there is one tool that allows me to stay connected to both BSCreview and BSCkids while I am at home or when I am at a wi-fi hotspot, it is my Ipod Touch. I surf the web with the device, but lately I have also used the Ipod Touch to do some light reading of PDFs, books and other things I might not have time for. Now, I have been through multiple cases for my device, and each one of them left me angry or wanting. I decided it was time to take my search to the internet and find a case that I would actually be happy to use. And, oh yeah, it also has to look nice. The CandyShell case by Speck was at the top of my prospect list, so I was thrilled to be able to review it. Let’s take a look at the feature list from Speck’s website.

Lightweight, flexible one-piece design combines the insulation of a skin with the durability and sleekness of a hard shell

Glossy outer hard shell slips in and out of pockets easily and protects from scratches

Colorful, contrasting rubberized interior offers extra shock absorption from drops

Includes cleaning cloth and removable screen protector film for extra scratch resistance

Openings to all ports & controls

So how does this case excel over the other cases I had the unfortunate opportunity to own before this one? One of the prior cases I tried was the kind that has the built in screen protector and is two pieces that snap together to enclose the unit. The problems are that the place where it snaps together can get loose, it also does not allow for a replacement screen protector, and sometimes debris can actually get inside the case itself. I also owned a case that had cut-outs for the power button and the volume button that allowed dirt to get in, as well as not fitting a different type of headphone jack very well. I have also owned cases that lessened the range of wi-fi for the device. They can all be thrown in the garbage, as the CandyShell case has made me a believer.

The case itself is a slick piece of protection with a classy look to it. It is something you want to show off to your friends, and you are not embarrassed to bring out of your pocket. I went with the white; it has perfect corner accents in rubber with the speck logo, and the buttons are also rubber to match the interior of the case. The case is easy to grasp, and the rubber corners feel comfortable and look good. The rubberized buttons for the power and the volume controls work well, and they are sealed to keep any junk or grime from getting to your device through those areas. This is a great feature. Having the interior of the case rubberized also gives another added bit of protection, as I found out personally. Someone knocked my Touch off a rather high counter at work, and the case and the device came through with flying colors–not a scratch or problem. The way you insert your Ipod into the case lends itself to a rather small lip around the screen portion, which means that if the device falls on the screen side it falls on the rubber portion of the case. Good thinking, Speck. It is also very easy to remove the Ipod from the case.

Since this is not an enclosed case, you will be applying a screen protector on the front. Well, Speck does not come with your run-of-the-mill screen protector; they have the ShieldView Screen Protector, and it has a nice anti-glare thing going on. It also has a bit of a texture feel, as well, that allows for precision finger-work even with the screen protector in place. Based on previous experience, I can say that this screen protector lets my fingers act like they are touching the original screen of the device directly, which I could not say for previous cases. I used a business card to smooth out the bubbles after applying, but if you keep everything clean before applying with the cleaning cloth they provide, you should be good to go.

If an Ipod Touch Case could be called sexy and elegant, the Speck Candyshell would be the case in question. Overall I love this case, based on both looks and functionality. Double thumbs up to Speck and the CandyShell.

You can also check out the installation video below, which also doubles up as giving you a video demo of the product.