6 amazing iPhone X cases and why we love them

Your shiny new iPhone X is beautiful, but thanks to its all glass back and front construction, it’s also incredibly fragile. We’ve tested a whole slew of iPhone X cases and have put together a list of our favorite ones. All of the 6 cases listed below offer ample protection for the iPhone X, and they are compatible with wireless charging.

1. Nomad’s Rugged Case – X

Most rugged cases are protective but they tend to be downright ugly. Fortunately Nomad’s Rugged Case – X offers serious protection alongside a sophisticated leather look. The case is made of Horween leather on its back side that gets better looking as it ages, with scratches adding to its character.  Our case has been getting scuffed up yet has managed to become even more attractive! The case features a tough rubber TPE bumper and it offers 10 feet drop protection. You can pick up the Nomad Rugged Case – X for $44.99.

2. Mujjo’s Full leather wallet case

Mujjo is offering another great leather case for the iPhone X, but this one sports quite a thin profile, which is why we like it so much. The case adds minimal bulk and weight to the iPhone X, while offering substantial protection, with the case’s front side being raised enough to protect the display during a drop. The full-grain leather feels great to hold in your hand and doesn’t get greasy. The case also packs in a super slim card slot that can hold 2 to 3 cards. It also features a wide cut out at its bottom side, which helps ensure that it will be compatible with most charging docks. Mujjo’s Full leather wallet case for iPhone X retails for €41.24 and is available in a choice of 4 colors.

3. Incipio Octane

Incipio’s Octane case offers plenty of shock absorption protection in a thin profile. The case’s Flex2O TPU textured bumper is not only protective, but it makes the iPhone much easier to grip. The back side of the case is translucent enough to allow you to subtly show off the Apple logo. Incipio’s Octane case retails for an affordable $24.99 and is available in a choice of 5 colors. The Octane Lux (shown above) offers a similar design but it ups the ante with metallic accent bumpers and retails for $44.99.

4. Speck Presidio Clear + Print

Speck’s Preidio Clear is a 2 layer case that is so confident that it will protect your phone, that it offers a lifetime warranty. The case comes in a selection of translucent designs that includes bicycle prints, floral prints, and even a fun pineapple pattern. However, beware that the case is quite difficult to take off of the iPhone X. Speck’s Speck Presidio Clear + Print retails for $44.95.

5. Incipio Carnaby Folio

For those who prefer folio / wallet style cases, the Incipio Carnaby Folio is an excellent choice. The Carnaby offers a pretty slim profile with 2 slots to hold a few credit cards. It’s also able to switch into a super convenient stand mode with a horizontal or vertical position. Its grey fabric cover offers a neutral but professional look. Incipio’s Carnaby Folio retails for $49.95.

6. Incipio TheMintGardener Collection

Incipio has collaborated with Seattle-based artist, Sarah Simon for a series of three cases.  The Wild Thing Case is made of a single layer of durable TPU, with a scratch-resistant coating, so it should wear quite well. The case is quite thin, yet offers ample protection. But what we especially appreciate is that it lets you show off your iPhone X’s back side while still throwing on a touch of snazzy art. You can pick up the case for $29.99.

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6 amazing iPhone X cases and why we love them originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 29, 2017 at 12:00 pm.

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Gift Guide: Gear for the EDC enthusiast

You know the type… they always seem to have a little pocketknife, pen, tool or cloth for every situation, jumping in at the right time to help you open a package or clean up a little mess. Jacob and Janet have teamed up to create this list with the hopes that something will catch your eye for that special someone, or yourself. 

Recycled Firefighter – Nomex Handkerchief

This fire resistant and absorbent Nomex handkerchief comes in several handsome colors and is a great pocket companion for all your other EDC things. It’s 11×11” and looks to be one of the top reviewed items on their site.

Price: $24 • Recycled Firefighter

Taylor Stitch – Raw Brass Keyhook

Cast from raw brass, this minimalistic keyhook looks great and will only look better with age as it develops a natural patina. It will last basically forever and goes with just about everything.

Price: $32 • Taylor Stitch

Standard Goods – Good and Well Co. Cologne Balm

Sometimes you need a little scent boost to feel refreshed in the middle of the day and these little cologne balms are perfect for a quick dab of olfactory goodness. They come in natural scents like sandalwood and black spruce needle.

Price: $20 • Standard Goods

Quiet Carry – Q2 Titanium Key Organizer

The Q2 consolidates 4-8 keys within a titanium housing and also incorporates a locking blade with your choice of blade type – multitool, bottle opener with a knife blade or clip point blade. Note from Julie: I reviewed their Bandit keychain knife and recommend it as well made useful little knife.

Price: $68 • Quiet Carry

Draplin Design Co – DDC Stuff Sheath

There are lots of us who carry around a little notebook to jot down ideas in, like a little Field Notes pad or Moleskine Cahier, only to have them mangled by a denim back pocket. So Draplin Design created a leather sheath for wrangling your small notebook, receipts, note scraps, tickets and whatever else you might have bouncing around inside your bag or pockets.

Price: $39.99 • Draplin Design Co.

Keyport Slide 3.0 key organizer

The Gadgeteer has reviewed every iteration of the Keyport Slide, and we recently reviewed the Slide 3.0, the newest version.  It’s available with four or six ports to hold a combination of key slides and tools like USB flash drives and pens.  The normal slide plates can be replaced with one with a flashlight, a knife blade, or one with both a flashlight and a TrackR locator.

Price: $39 for the four slot; $49 for the 6 slot
Read our review
: Keyport Slide 3.0 and Pivot key organizers review
Where you can buy one: Keyport

Snake Hook

When you carry light without a gear bag, you may want something to make sure your keys don’t fall out of your pocket. The Snake Hook attaches to your belt to secure your keychain.  The Snake Hook keychain hook (also known as a pelican hook, key loop, or belt hook by some) is made of solid brass in the USA.  It measures 2-5/8″ long x 3/8″ wide x 5/8” deep.

Price: $24
Where you can buy one: Snake Bite Co.

True Utility FIXR Multi-tool (20 tools in 1)

The True Utility FIXR multi-tool is like having a toolbox in your pocket.  This little powerhouse is packed with twenty tools: various screwdrivers, wrenches, box cutter, pry bar, bottle opener, nail cleaner, bicycle spoke wrench, ruler, cutting blade, wire stripper, and more.  It’s 3.3″ X 1″ X 0.35″, so it won’t take up much room in your bag or pocket.

Price: $12.13
Read our review
: True Utility FIXR multi-tool review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Snake Bite Church Key Bottle Opener

Most bottle/can openers I’ve seen have one rounded end for popping off bottle caps and one sharp, pointy end for punching holes in cans.  These days, most beverage cans come with pop-tops, so many can openers now only have the rounded end for bottle caps.  The Snake Bite opener has only a pointed end – actually an end with two points.  The two points allow it to fit over a bottle cap, so you can still open a bottled beverage with it.  And they will, of course, allow you to punch two triangular holes in a can.  Why do you need the holes when you have a pop-top?  The holes vent the can, resulting in a less foamy, less bubbly pour.

The Snake Bite Church Key is made of 302 stainless steel.  It’s covered by a 6-oz vegetable-tanned leather sheath that’s held together with a military-grade kydex holster rivet and hard-drawn nickel-plated steel split ring.  It’s available in a variety of leather colors and special editions.

Price: $25
Where you can buy one:Snake Bite Co.

LighterBro multitool sleeve for BIC lighter

LighterBro multitool sleeves turn a standard or a mini BIC lighter into a multi-functional pocket tool.  Depending on the model, you’ll add tools like knife blades, scissors, screwdrivers, awls, rulers, and more.  The sleeves are made of Japanese steel for strength, and they are available in a variety of colors and toolsets.  You’ll need to supply your own BIC lighter.

Price: $10-20, depending on size, color, and toolset
Read our news post
: LighterBro turns a BIC lighter into a multi-tool
Where you can buy one: LighterBro

Titanium Innovations IlluminaTi CA1-TI Flashlight

This little keychain flashlight has a titanium body for strength and a CREE XP-G G2 LED bulb and OP reflector for brightness and endurance.  It’s rated IPX-7 for water-resistance.  It uses a common AAA battery (Li, NiMh, or alkaline; alkaline is included).  By twisting the barrel, you turn the light on through a low, medium, or high setting.

Price: $49.95
Read our news post
: Titanium Innovations IlluminaTi Flashlight
Where you can buy one: BatteryJunction

PK-TPE-BK Tactical Pen & Writing Instrument

This pen might literally be mightier than the sword, in every sense of the word.  It’s made of CNC machine milled high-grade aerospace aluminum, measures 5.75″ long, and weighs 1.6 ounces.  It has a threaded cap that can post on the lethal-looking end when you are using the included Fisher Space Pen refill for writing.  Screw the cap over the pen when you are using the pointy end for “taking names”.

Price: $169.95
Read our post
: This PK Design Labs tactical pen is made of nightmares
Where you can buy one: PK Design Labs or Amazon

BIC 4-color 3+1 Ball Pen and Pencil

You’ve probably seen those BIC pens with the blue and white barrels and the four different colors of ink: red, blue, green, and black.  This version has a silver and white barrel, and it has replaced the green ink with a 0.7mm mechanical pencil.  There’s a push button on the top of the pen that advances the lead, and there’s a white pencil eraser under the clear cap on the push button.

Price: $5.48
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Fisher Space Pen

Fisher Space Pens were created for astronauts to use in the rigors of space.  They’ll write through water or oil spots on paper; write at any angle, even upside-down; even write in zero gravity – so they should be able to handle anything you experience in your day.  The pens come in various sizes, including the very compact Bullet version shown above.  They come in various colors and in different designs, so you can find a pen that suits your needs.

Price: $17,89 for matte black bullet, shown above.  Prices vary for other models.
Read our post
: Did you know that there’s a Fisher Space pen for your backpack?
Where you can buy one: Amazon or Fisher Space Pen

Timbuk2 Blue Bottle Coffee Travel Kit

This won’t fit in your pocket, but it might prove a vital piece of equipment for the coffee addict.  Timbuk2 has stowed a Porlex mini hand grinder (burr), Blue Bottle travel dripper, two porcelain-covered steel Falcon enamelware tumblers, and two Timbuk2 Zarf cup covers into their own perfectly-sized travel bag.  The kit comes with some filters and some beans to get you started.

Price: $125
Read our news post
: Brew your coffee your way with this Timbuk2 travel kit
Where you can buy one: Timbuk2 Designs

Knomo Elektronista Crossbody / Clutch Bag

The Elektronista is made by Knomo and designed in conjunction with Danish blogger and broadcaster, Christiane Vejlø.  We first told you about it back in 2015, and it’s still available today.  It may seem like just a feminine gear bag, but it’s actually a portable charging station for your mobile devices.  It’s big enough to hold a 10″ tablet inside, plus there are lots of pockets and pouches to keep your phone and smaller gear neatly organized.  A detachable strap allows you to wear it crossbody or carry it as a clutch with the strap removed.  It also comes complete with a 5000mAh battery and micro USB charging cable; you’ll need to provide your own Apple cable, if needed.  The Elektronista is available in either leather or a splash-resistant material.

Price: $269 for leather; $199 for fabric, with some colors on sale at $99
Read our news post
: Here’s the ultimate charging clutch for the gadget-loving woman
Where you can buy one: Knomo

ParaWallet paracord wallet

This bi-fold style wallet may not be as sleek as some wallets, but it could save you in extreme circumstances.  It’s made of 50+ feet of 550 lb 7-strand paracord that can be unraveled and used to help you feed yourself or get yourself out of sticky circumstances.  It also has a ferrocerium fire starter rod, a stainless steel emblem, and tinder (hidden inside tag) so you can start a fire.

Price: $65
Read our news post
: You can catch a fish and start a fire to cook it with this wallet
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Pearl Compact Mirror and USB Battery Pack

Multifunctional items are the key to traveling light, and the Pearl compact Mirror and USB Battery Pack has three functions in a small package.  It’s about the same size as a mirrored compact, and inside you’ll find both a regular and a magnifying mirror so you can check your hair before heading to that meeting.  But it also packs a 3000mAh battery inside that can be used to recharge your mobile device or to power the ring of LEDs around one of the mirrors.  The LEDs help you see yourself better in the mirror, and they can even function as a flashlight in a pinch.

Price: $20-30, depending on color
Read our review
: Pearl Compact Mirror and USB Battery Pack review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

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Gift Guide: Gear for the EDC enthusiast originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 27, 2017 at 12:00 pm.

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Gift Guide: Speakers and headphones and earphones oh my!

Here is a collection of audio related gift ideas that Kathleen and Bill created for the music lover on your holiday shopping list! 

Douni A5 Bluetooth speaker: This portable speaker (measures 8.6″ long x 2.9″ wide x 3.5″ high (218 mm long x 74 mm wide x 88 mm high)), has great audio quality for its size, good Bluetooth range, decent battery, and works well. It’s also very affordable.
Price: $69.99
Where you can buy one: Amazon
UE Megaboom: This is the larger cousin of the UE Boom 2. Because it is larger, it also has deeper bass and yet remains portable (diameter: 8.3cm (3.3”). Height: 22.6 cm (8.9″)). The audio quality is crisp and clear and the speaker is waterproof, shockproof, allows you to pair it with another Megaboom to create a stereo pair, will play up to 20 hours on one charge, and charges in about 2.5 hours. The speaker also has an app that gives it added functionality like Alarm features and Block Party (three separate devices can pair with the Megaboom simultaneously to play music).
Price: $169.75 – $199.99
Read our review: UE Megaboom review
Where you can buy one: Amazon
Jaybird X3 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones: These headphones allow you to create and save your own sound profile via the MySound app and save them directly to the earbuds. They work for about eight hours and charge in about 1.5 hours. You should be aware that these require a proprietary charging cable (included with your purchase), so don’t lose it!
Price: $128.00 – $129.99
Where you can buy one: Amazon
MPOW Swift Bluetooth 4.0 Headphones: These headphones sound great, play for nearly seven hours, charge in about two hours, and fit well (although, since all users are unique, this will vary). They are also very affordable. Keep an eye out for sales as these earbuds have fluctuated in price over time ($25 – $36).
Price: $25.99 – $36.35
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Master & Dynamic MW50 wireless headphones: This Wireless headphone sounds as good as it looks and it looks terrific. Heck, it even sounds a bit better than Master & Dynamic’s more expensive MW60 wireless headphone. How cool is that?

Price: $359
Read our review: Master & Dynamic MW50 review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Audeze iSINE 10 planar magnetic in-ear headphones: They have an Apple Lightning cable, they are open back, they are an incredibly small planar magnetic design, they sound terrific and they are a total game changer.

Price: $349
Read our review: Audeze iSINE 10 review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

FiiO X1 II high-resolution music player: Fiio now makes a small, affordable digital audio player (DAP) that can play high-resolution files without being expensive. Despite a touchy scroll wheel, it’s small and easy to use. Plus, it now has Bluetooth, unlike the original X1.

Price: $99
Read our review: FiiO X1 II review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Focal Listen Wireless headphones: Focal makes some incredibly expensive headphones. These aren’t them. But that doesn’t mean they’re not good. They’re quite good—comfortable, warm sounding and affordable, especially by Focal standards.

Price: $219
Read our review: Focal Listen Wireless review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Audioengine HD3 wireless speakers: They’re not as powerful as Audioengine’s wonderful HD6 speakers, but the HD3 speakers are small, affordable and sound way better than they should. They are as much speaker as most people will ever need for desktop or small room use.

Price: $319
Read our review: Audioengine HD3 review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

V-Moda Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones: Despite their cost, these may be the best headphones for the money in 2017. When wireless, they sound great. When wired, they sound even better. Plus, V-Moda will customize them for you.

Price: $348.90
Where you can buy one: Amazon

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Gift Guide: Speakers and headphones and earphones oh my! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 26, 2017 at 3:12 pm.

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Gift Guide: Apple Watch accessories

Here are 7 gift ideas for the most popular smartwatch on the planet (at least for the time being) and the people who own one or might be getting one for Christmas.

The Ultimate Cuff Apple Watch band

There are many watchbands for the Apple Watch on the market, but most of the non-Apple bands tend to just be 3rd-party clones of the Apple bands.  If you’re looking for something different, The Ultimate Cuff bands will add a stylish metal band.  The bands are available in a variety of colors and styles.

Price: $98-122
Read our review
: The Ultimate Cuff Apple Watch will make you feel fancy
Where you can buy one: The Ultimate Cuff

 

JETech 38mm Buffalo Apple Watch Band

Because Apple Watch Bands are so easy to change without special jeweler’s tools, I’ve bought 10 or so bands since I got my first Apple Watch Sport on release day.  One of my favorite bands is this JETech Apple Watch Band made of buffalo leather.  I got mine about 1.5 years ago, and the price has dropped to less than half what I paid for it.  I hope that doesn’t mean the quality has degraded because my red band for my 38mm Watch is richly colored and very supple.  The metal clasp is flat and doesn’t feel uncomfortable on my wrist when I’m typing.  Even at the $25 I paid, I felt that this band is a very worthy competitor for Apple bands at a fraction of the cost of their leather bands.

Price: $5.99 for black; $9.98 for red
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Xuan Tai Paracord Apple Watch Band

Most Apple Watch Bands allow you to change the appearance of the Watch, but the Xuan Tai Paracord band adds some survival functions to it.  If you ever find yourself in a situation where it’s needed, you can quickly unravel the 7-strand, 550 paracord material.  The clasp has a compass, flint fire starter kit, whistle, and knife blade.  It’s available in a few color choices and in 38mm or 42mm sizes; it comes with the Apple-style band lugs to attach to the Watch.

Price: $12.00
Where you can buy one: 38mm at Amazon, 42mm at Amazon

 

Belkin Valet Charge Dock for Apple Watch + iPhone

If space on your nightstand or work desk is at a premium, you’ll benefit from the Belkin Valet’s whole-lotta-functionality in a small footprint.  The Valet Charge Dock for Apple Watch + iPhone works with all iPhones with a Lightning connector and with all versions and series of the Apple Watch.  The Watch charger is wireless, but the iPhone charger is not.  The height of the Lightning connector can be adjusted for use with many cases.  The watch charger can be used with any bands, and it even comes with a form to support watchbands that do not open, like the Milanese.  Both chargers are powered by a single power cord, saving space on your surge protector, too.  The Belkin Valet is available in silver, rose gold, and black.

Price: $129.95
Read our review
: Belkin Valet Charge Dock for Apple Watch + iPhone
Where you can buy one: Apple

 

Timeframe Apple Watch Charger

Ever grabbed your Apple Watch in the morning only to find it had slipped off the charging puck’s sweet spot and hadn’t charged at all?  Save yourself from that disappointment with the Timeframe charger from Ten One Design.  You slide your Watch into the Timeframe, so it’s hugged into place.  It comes in both 38mm and 42mm sizes, ensuring the charger makes perfect contact with the Watch.  It works both with bands that open flat and loop bands.  Timeframe even lets you use the Watch in Nightstand mode.

Price: $24.99
Read our review
: Ten One Design’s Timeframe charger for the Apple Watch has an ejection lever
Where you can buy one: Ten One Design

Bucardo Apple Watch Cover

If you know someone who would love an Apple Watch but they don’t like wearing a watch on their wrist, you might want to consider turning the Apple Watch into a pocket watch with a cover from Bucardo.

Price: $119.40 to $219.00
Where you can buy onewww.bucardo.com and Amazon

Pad & Quill Leather Apple Watch Case

This full grain leather case holds the magnetic charger and extra watch band when you’re traveling.

Price: $4246
Where you can buy onePad & Quill

 

 

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Gift Guide: Apple Watch accessories originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 25, 2017 at 2:10 pm.

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Giveaway: Win a ReoLink RLC-410 outdoor home security camera

We have teamed up ReoLink to give away one of the RLC-410 home security cameras. Click through to see the details and rules. One winner will be selected at random when the contest ends on 11/27/17 at midnight.

1st Place Prize is 1 ReoLink RLC-410 super HD outdoor home security camera

Check out our ReoLink RLC-410 4MP Fixed Lens PoE Security IP Camera review for more details about this camera and visit ReoLink’s pages:

Reolink Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReolinkTech/
Reolink Twitter: https://twitter.com/ReolinkTech
Reolink Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reolinkcams/?ref=badge
Subscribe to Reolink: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEHKZX6fFVtWd4tnnRkzrMA?sub_confirmation=1

Product link: https://reolink.com/product/rlc-410/
Prize value: $64.99

How to enter (please read carefully – any missed steps and your entry will be disqualified):

Between now and 11/27/2017 midnight EST leave a comment on this page answering the questions below.

What is your favorite family holiday tradition?

Get a 2nd bonus entry by subscribing to our newsletter:
You’ll receive 3 emails a week with latest post info. Subscribe here.
If you’re already a newsletter subscriber, let me know and you’ll get a 2nd bonus entry.

Get a 3rd bonus entry by tweeting:
The Gadgeteer and ReoLink are giving away a home security camera. Enter contest at https://the-gadgeteer.com/2017/11/24/giveaway-win-a-reolink-rlc-410-home-security-camera

Get a 4th bonus entry by linking to The Gadgeteer home page on your Facebook timeline.

Make sure you come back to this page and leave a separate 2nd comment stating that you subscribed to the newsletter, a 3rd comment with a link to your tweet and a 4th comment with a link to your Facebook post. To get the links for Twitter and Facebook, just click the time stamp of your post and it will give you the page with that post so you can grab the link.

At some point on 11/28/2017, I’ll choose one random winner using random.org. The winner will be contacted by email and will have 48 hrs to claim their prize. If I do not receive an answer to my email in that time period, I’ll do other random.org drawings until the prize is claimed.

Rules:

1. Only one entry per person (warning: I check IP addresses).

2. Gadgeteer writers and their immediate family members may not enter this contest.

3. the-gadgeteer.com is not responsible for any lost packages due to incorrect shipping addresses.

4. the-gadgeteer.com is not responsible for the winner not accepting their prize offer within 48hrs. The winner will be posted on this contest page, in the contest page comment section and will be emailed using the email provided in the comment section. Check your spam folder.

5. Winner must have a US shipping address.

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Giveaway: Win a ReoLink RLC-410 outdoor home security camera originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 24, 2017 at 10:00 am.

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