iPhone Savior

Phone Club Case Makes iPhone Dudes Look Tough

Yep — now there's finally a Fight Club for iPhone users. They call it Phone Club and there's even an official members only case for that. But remember the first rule of Phone Club  — You do not talk about Phone Club!

Schreer Delights, the same gang of brand rebels who created the wildly popular line of retro Macintosh iPhone cases have unleashed a new set of case designs glorifying an iconic film, smoked bacon and the desire to RAGE all night long.

It will cost you $45 bucks to join the custom case club of your lucid dreams. Feelings of intense anger, rage and self destruction come free upon delivery.

     

[Schreer Delights]

Retro 2 Go Gives Geeks That Gunslinger Swagger

 

I like the idea of using an old school handset with my iPhone, but walking around with the look of a modern gunslinger makes it a whole lot cooler. 

Retro 2 Go was created for those like Lenny Kravitz who rock a Retro Pop or Why You Busy? (YUBZ) handset extension for their smartphone.

It's a belt clip cradle that finally gives your handset the kind of useful and fashionable dangle it truly deserves.

This helpful hunk of geek wear is hand-cast with sturdy urethane resin — priced at $25 and offered in black or clear. The YUBZ handset is not included — that baby will cost you extra.

Expect to see this cool clip-on hanging off the hips of models at Silicon Valley Fashion Week this year. It's ultra-geek chic for the rest of us — city or country dwellers alike.

[Freeland Studios]

I Want This Retro iOS Look For My iPhone!

 

Anton Repponen has imagined a Mac Plus inspired look for his iPhone with iOS '86. This retro classic design concept laid atop the ultra modern iPhone is definitely a must-have for me!

What do you think? — Are you ready for iOS 86?

[repponen live journal]  [wallpaper PNG]

iPhone Dock Hits $1 Million Kickstarter Milestone

 

If you haven't heard of The Elevation Dock just yet or a little Portland-based operation called Elevation Labs, you should know that the company is the first ever to collect over $1 million from Kickstarter and go on to become the largest project in its history.

When Casey Hopkins showcased his aircraft-grade aluminum iPhone charging dock back in December, he hauled in over $165,000 in pledges from some 1,784 enthusiastic Kickstarter backers overnight — all anxious to fund his docking station concept starting at $59 a pop.

Hopkins just collected his epic $1,464,706 in Kickstarter funds, setting a new milestone for the website as he prepares to put in motion production for producing some 15,000 Elevation Docks shipping off to a legion of loyal backers across the globe.

"Thank you to every backer around the world for making this happen," said Casey Hopkins in his eleventh update message since first listing his project online.

"Looking forward to sharing with you as we gear up to put all these docks into production, it should be quite the spectacle."

Elevation Labs recently added the option of custom laser engraving to their little dock that could so companies or individuals can personalize Casey's creation. Unlike other iPhone docks that have come before, The Elevation Dock promises "quick undocking, and it works with or without a case."

The Elevation Dock is a design of unparalleled beauty and simplicity that has resonated with iPhone users who won't hesitate to invest in a premium desktop accessory if it delivers on its promise.

I'm convinced that the legendary tale of success surrounding Casey's iPhone accessory is just getting started. It's as much iPhone dock as it is a work of modern industrial art. Quite the spectacle indeed.

 

[NPR]

Retro Apple Case Maker Overwhelmed By Orders

It only took 48 hours for Schreer Delights to halt sales of their Apple inspired iPhone cases. When the $45 cases which included a click wheel iPod, retro Macintosh, original iMacs and Graphite G4 tower, were posted across several blogs — it instantly triggered a buying frenzy from a legion of iPhone faithful.

"Thanks again to all who ordered the Apple inspired iPhone cases. The response was overwhelming." said Don Schreer on the company's website.

"There was so much interest in the last 48 hours that we were concerned that we would be unable to keep up with demand. Because of the response, we took those items off the blog so that we could figure out some production issues."

There's absolutely no doubt that Schreer has tapped into what appears to be a huge demand for nostalgic Apple branded iPhone cases. His clever "Macintosh iPhone" design is well thought out as well as the company's concept for the 2001 click wheel iPod case.

While Apple may ultimately create legal pressure to shut down sales on these inspired retro designs, it does not erase the fact that a tremendous demand still remains. Creating a product that's too popular is an excellent problem to have.

Schreer Designs expects to fill all orders received in the order they were placed. A date for case sales to resume has not yet been announced.

 

       

[Schreer Delights]

Nothing Is More Romantic Than Dinner By iPhone Candlelight

 

Adding romantic lighting to your homemade Valentine's dinner can be instantly turned into an epic geekfest with the Wood Shop Candlestick Charger. Got wood?

David Stark has designed a $175 all-in-one iPhone charger for the ultra-hipster. Nothing says I love you more than lighting up her trendy life with your iPhone. It's the ideal way to keep your phone at the table without being totally obvious.

Even if you don't use David's wood shop wonder dock, you can still download the ultra-realistic Free Candle app in the iTunes App Store for any occasion.

For those about to romance — we salute you.

[Haus Interior]

Instagram Update Adds Epic Fill Lighting Feature

 

There is already so much to love about the Instagram app for iPhone, but creators of the photo sharing phenom have just added a powerful new image enhancement with Lux. Instagram has delivered a real god send with this magic fill light and rapid photo correction option wrapped into one click.

Lux is a standout feature that transforms underexposed images with a single tap by instantly balancing exposure, adding contrast, detail, and a color boost to photos with the greatest of ease. The effect is most useful for landscapes and cityscapes where shadows can prevail.

Instagram version 2.1 also introduces a simplified user interface and new Sierra effect filter to the app. While some might initially struggle with the improved interface, I could appreciate the changes after spending only a few minutes tooling around on the new version.

I'm confident that the community of over 15 million active users will quickly find these revisions to be a welcomed upgrade.

There is a brief article entitled "Using Lux" posted on the Instagram blog that I think most will find useful.

I'm a full fledged Instagram junkie and can't keep myself from using the app on a daily basis. There's really no downside to joining Instagram's wildly popular lo-fi iPhoneography parade, especially since the price of admission is free.

[Instagram]

Jay and Silent Bob Want To Eat Your Brains

 

Because I'm a huge closet fan of hetero life-mates Jay and Slient Bob, these iconic iPhone cases matter. Kevin Smith is all about pimping merchandise — so why not add iPhone 4 cases to the mix.

You can expect to pay $40 for my favorite comic book inspired "Eat Brains" case, or any other one of the 9 different designs on Kevin's Smodcast website. All of these SModCo iPhone 4 cases are Case-Mate brand so you can be sure they will make a quality fit.

I'm hoping that "Bluntman and Chronic" iPhone cases won't be too far behind. What do you say Kevin?

[Smodcast]

Steve Jobs: His Unforgettable Moments In TIME

 

Beginning in 1982, Steve Jobs appeared on the cover of Time Magazine eight times including the collectible memorial issue released on October 17, 2011 after Apple's beloved CEO passed away. Jobs was featured as the cover story a total of seven times in 29 years.

TIME has done a stellar job making those original articles available online as long as you're a magazine subscriber. Much of the content offers great insight into Jobs during several different stages of Apple's rise to worldwide dominance as a brand.

What's interesting is that Time never did a cover story with Steve Jobs highlighting the rise of iPhone. In fact the April 2007 story which included Jobs in Time's list of 100 Most Influential People, was printed just two months short of Apple's iPhone debut.

The magazine did feature the iPhone up front in November of 2007 as "invention of the year", but it did not seek out Jobs again as a cover story until the launch of iPad in April of 2010.

Jobs' work on the iPhone is also covered in Time's memorial issue which I own in both print form and for iPad. If you don't have a copy, it's worth the small investment to grab one off Ebay or electronically through the official Time Magazine App.

[Time's Steve Jobs Photos]

iVictrola Gramophone Rocks iPhone Like It's 1929

Here's a fresh way to toot your own horn. Schreer Design has crafted a 3D printed analog iPhone speaker inspired by those old tabletop Victrolas sold in huge numbers until the end of the 1920's.

The iVictrola Gramophone seamlessly merges antiquated turn-of-the-century technology with the most sought after smartphone on planet earth.

It comes in two parts, including a sound magnifier horn that adjusts up and down inside of a hallow base. There are several color options, but the basic white model is priced at around $83 dollars.

Even though there are several variations of this same concept on the market, the iVictrola Gramophone has a slick retro appeal with a small footprint that's perfect for bringing a little tabletop wow to any part of the house. For those about to rock — we salute you!

 

[via Shapeways]

What Angry Birds Look Like After The Game Ends

 

I never gave much thought to what those Angry Birds might look like once the game is over. Deviant Artist Scooterek has given us his perfectly twisted vision behind the scenes of the Angry Birds gameplay — once the popular flock of fowl have finished wreaking havoc on a gang of pigs.

The end result is not a pretty picture — but the artwork is wicked cool.

I'm unofficially calling Scooterek's epic collection of illustrations "Battered Birds". The artist has said that Mighty Eagle and a group of pummeled Pigs are soon to follow.

I can't wait!

   

[see the entire Scooterek set @ DeviantART]

Dark Side of the Forest iPhone Case Doth Rule

If you've not yet discovered the amazing artwork of Terry Fan, here's your big chance. While I chose to feature his epic "Dark Side of the Forest" iPhone case, the fun doesn't end there.

I have two more favorites like his other Star Wars inspired "Yodalution" and the whimsical "Everyone Gets Cold" illustration of Bigfoot.

Dark Side of the Forest includes Terry Fan's signature leafing design work, but it was the glowing Empire moon in the background that had me sold. Expect to pay $35 for a snap-on case or $15 for the iPhone skin — all fitted for iPhone 4/4S or 3G models.

[via Society 6]

Flaming Lips Force Siri To Participate In Steaming Pile of Hipster Art

 

Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne has released a "Sound construction piece featuring Lips, Erykah Badu, Siri, and Biz Markie backwards." according to the description of a new novelty music track posted by the band on Soundcloud.

"Now I Understand" may simultaneously be the most important and completely irrelevant new songs of 2012, simply because "Life is beautiful." and "Music gets you high." It is a game changing debut for Siri that proves Wayne Coyne knows what it means to stay hungry and stay foolish.

Listening to Siri saying; "Wayne I don't understand the moon, the stars and the sun," over and over again on this breakthrough work of art helps me realize that applauding underachievement actually feels better when it's done as part of a co-dependant collective online.

There is truly no limit to what a few dangerous minds can accomplish when working together. Imagine if the Flaming Lips had more than a single weekend to work on this 3:04 minutes of haunting inspiration. I'm sure eclectic pop princess Björk is weeping somewhere having realized that she missed out on a tremendous opportunity to shine like Aurora Borealis.

"Now I understand" underscores my sincere belief that the world needs more singer-songwriters experimenting with Siri on underwhelming, minimalistic hipster music far more than it needs doctors and engineers.

Hipster Magazine heralded the Lips' work as; "Immensely obscure and exactingly constructed to give off the vibe that they just don't care."

The Flaming Lips tried something totally different with an iPhone and therefore no one should criticize them. So many people misunderstood Battlefield Earth when it first debuted, but I was not one of them. There—I said it. Somebody had to!

Listen. Radiate. Elevate.

 

[via Soundcloud]   [Illustration by Garrett Morlan]

This Mr. Spock Inspired iPhone Case Is All Ears

 

The original detachable ear, which began as a design school project by Daniela Gilsanz, has now become a new iPhone 4S case series called "All Ears", re-imagined by Worldwide Fred.

All Ears delivers one snap-on, hard-shell plastic case for iPhone 4 or 4S along with 6 full color inserts that include two of my favorite designs, the Mr. Spock Vulcan ear and blood spattered Zombie. I'm hoping for the inevitable zombie Spock ear that could spark a protest from committed Star Trek geeks.

Even though this novelty case will cause more shocks than it will ever be able to absorb, it's definitely a legit gag worth the $12 investment. The reusable case inserts are printed on waterproof plastic ”paper” to ensure extended use.  

All Ears is expected to go on sale through Perpetual Kid sometime in early April, including bi-sexual sets of both His and Hers versions.

You can still grab the original Earonic Case designs for $20 via the CollabCubed shop, but they don't include the must-have Vulcan or zombie kind.

T-Mobile Offering Additional Support to Unlocked iPhone Users Starting Jan 30

Starting on January 30th, T-Mobile will begin offering unlocked iPhone users additional support on their network, according to internal documents obtained by TMO News.

The new support offering which is expected to serve over 1 million current unlocked iPhone customers on the carrier's Magenta network includes “common procedures, information about feature and specifications and other basic device questions.”

“I'm excited about this news. I have an iPhone 4 that is factory unlocked and have been using it on T-Mobile's network since the summer,” one T-Mobile customer told 9to5 Mac.

“My only complaint has been the inability to send and receive picture messages, so this news is promising, because if they offer extra support for iPhone users, maybe I'll get this issue sorted out once and for all.”

Although T-Mobile has not addressed MMS (multimedia messaging service) as part of their upgraded iPhone support, the carrier is planning to update its iPhone website according to the leaked internal document.

"The iPhone space in the Community will be updated to mirror the look and feel of T-Mobile supported device pages and will include integrated Scope of Support."

Nut Sizer App Tells You Just How Big Yours Are

 

Besides being the best iPhone app name ever, the ingenious Nut Sizer ($.99) app makes measuring nuts, bolts and washers simple for both US and metric sizes. I can use an iPhone to measure my nuts and bolts? Count me in!

Developer Robert Soliday, has gone to great lengths to design an extremely simple utility app that makes me laugh out loud every time I use at my Home Depot store.

Since it first launched, Nut Sizer has been updated to allow users to turn the sound on and off along with the animation. I found the inclusion of washer identifications for both ID (inner diameter) and OD (outer diameter) to be really useful.

If you handle nuts on a daily basis, I'm pretty sure you'll find this app a welcomed addition to your your iPhone toolbox. Nut Sizer also contains a handy ruler on board to make measuring other mission critical parts just as easy.

It takes more than just a quality product to get noticed, it takes a huge set of great marketing ideas and a clever name to rise above the rest. After eyeballing a handful of other nuts and bolts apps, Nut Sizer still remains my pick for the most functional app of its kind in the App Store. Although I would suggest using care if you don't employ some kind of screen protection.

It's not a game people. It's a real tool for real men. How big are your nuts?

[Nut Sizer]

iBaby Is A Home Ultrasound Device of The Future

 

This unusual iPhone concept gadget is quite amazing when you understand how designer Jung Jun Hwang has imagined using his iBaby home ultrasound unit.

When you connect your iPhone inside the lid, the removable transducer is used to scan the mother's belly. Once the ultrasound images are successfully captured, the images can be sent off to doctors and family members directly from your iPhone or instantly printed from the iBaby device.

After that little bundle of joy is born, the iBaby device can be used as a functional baby monitor. There was definitely some time and detailed thought put into this fantastical design.

After seeing the iPhone SkyLight, designed to transform your smartphone in to a microscope viewer, I'm convinced that the iBaby might become be a reality sooner than later. I wonder what Apple's Jony Ive would think about this one.

Say hello to iFong, the iPhone of pineapple cakes

A bakery in Taiwan has reimagined their pineapple cake packaging by adding a more iconic, iPhone inspired design. Say hello to iFong.

The bakery's wildly popular pineapple cakes are now being sold under the name iFong, the pronunciation of the word ‘Fong’ literally means pineapple fruit. Each iFong box is filled with 6 neatly packaged pieces of pineapple cake dessert, priced at NT $250 or roughly $8.30 US.

Customers who purchase more than one iFong will receive a branded bag that also carries a very familiar design. Bakery owners are convinced that having iPhone-like packaging will attract more customers to purchase their pastries to give as gifts. They just might be right.

The bakery anticipates that people will be camping out over night and lining up around the block in order to be the first to get their hands on iFong 2 which they expect to release sometime in June.

[M.I.C. Gadget]

Dropping Your iPhone Is Not So Bad In Portlandia

 

The horror of dropping your new iPhone is not that tragic in the altered reality of Portlandia, where fixie bikes (fixed-gear bicycles) rule. iPhone 4S is actually capable of stopping a bullet and surviving a long drop onto hard pavement as evidenced in this video clip.

If you haven't been watching the hipsters of Portlandia, on IFC, maybe this clip will give you the required shove to start. The excerpt below is from "Cool Wedding" episode 3 from Season 2. 

[Portlandia via Hulu]

Philosophy Professor Dances His Way Towards $20K To Fund iPhone Case

 

In January of 2010, David Barnett glued a couple of large buttons onto the back of his iPhone case so he could neatly wrap his headset around them, at that very moment the idea for PopSockets was born.

By day, David Barnett is a Philosophy Professor with the University of Colorado at Boulder, by night he's the mastermind behind a new iPhone case design he calls PopSockets. Just five days after Barnett sought backers to fund his innovative case design through KickStarter.com, he reached his goal of $12,000 dollars and has now surpassed $16,000 with 20 days to go.

The most notable thing driving backers to fund PopSockets is its amazing multifunctional design. It's a case that is equal parts kickstand, a headset management system, pocketless phone clip, a single-hand stand, a cradle for gamers and shoulder stand. The collapsible, accordion-style sockets is what makes Barnett's case concept so wildly original.

But it's been a combination of original design work and Barnett's over-the-top dance moves that has polarized iPhone faithful into committed groups of both lovers and haters. Rather than producing a typical Kicksarter video that leans heavily on walking viewers through product specifications and design details, David Barnett decided to create a piece where he dances his way into funding. It appears that his risky and oddly unorthodox approach has paid off.

"That video just spread like crazy at first," Barnett told iPhone Savior. "I was getting emails daily from around the world, from people I knew in my early childhood."

"One guy actually said; I'll give him as much as he wants as along as he stops dancing." said Barnett.