By Gregg Ellman
@greggellman

Likes millions of others around the world, I chose to upgrade to the iPhone 5 a few weeks ago and until recently it sat uncased.

Unlike the iPhone 4 to 4S upgrade, the iPhone has a different body so that caused a delay in the release of cases and accessories from third party vendors.

According to several tech supply companies, Apple didn’t release the specs of the new phone and it’s new redesigned Lightning power connection until the actual announcement.

As for the cases, they have been popping up on my doorstep almost daily, which gives me a lot to choose from.

Literally within second’s of the iPhone 5 announcement my inbox was flooded with emails from companies announcing their new cases and most said that their products would be available any day or soon.

The first one out of the gate and into my hands was from Scosche and among their choices was the rawHIDE.

It’s made with a polycarbonate shell and has a genuine leather exterior.

Just as with every other case, you get full access to the screen, volume control and the lightning port.

www.Scosche.com $24 black only

 

As I’ve written previously, Otterbox makes some great products and their efforts with the iPhone 5 continue their tradition of protecting high-priced portable gadgets.

You can’t go wrong in choosing between Otterbox’s Defender or Commuter Series iPhone 5 cases.

The commuter is a two-piece design with a silicone skin-tight shell that  fits perfectly into a hi-impact polycarbonate shell and comes with a self-adhesive screen protector.

With Defender series you get everything you need to either carry the phone in your pocket or bag and also at your hip with a belt-clip holster that swivels both north/south and east/west,  depending on your preference.

A polycarbonate shell has a built-in screen protector and then is surrounded by an impact-absorbing silicone.

www.Otterbox.com $25 for the Commuter or $35 for the Defender

 

Lots of companies have tried to incorporate a small wallet into their cases and the best I’ve seen so far is the Wallet Case from Targus.

Without adding any bulk, the back opens to reveal a patent pending compartment where you can store a credit card and drivers license or just a few business cards.

It’s made with a faux leather exterior and is available in black, French blue and merlot.

www.Targus.com $25

Macally’s Folio Stand Case (Slimcover5B) is my personal favorite, at least for this week.

It also incorporates faux leather into the outer design and has a soft microfiber interior, which protects it from scuffs and scratches when it’s not in use and stored in a bag or pocket.

When your phone is not in use, the case closed like a book, protecting it both front and back.

Patent pending plastic clips keep your the phone locked in place even when you fold the case in half to transform it into a hands-free horizontal viewing stand.

www.macally.com $25.99, available in black, red/white or black/white

 

Another to consider is the X-Doria Dash,a polycarbonate shell with an perforated fabric exterior, giving it an attractive look.

www.x-doria.com $34.99 in choices of black, gray, orange, burgundy or dark gray

 

The innovative lifestyle company iLuv seemed to be out with more of a selection then anyone on the iPhone 5.

Their Pulse case is a really cool looking with its raised lines that go around the cases sides and back. They not only give you an interesting design but they act as shock-absorbing ridges.

Your phone sits inside a flexible rubber shell, which makes it real easy to get your phone in and  out.  It comes in vibrant color combinations of yellow/gray, blue/purple, black/white and pink/white.

www.iLuv.com $34.99

 

If cases aren’t enough to keep your phone protected, then give the Wrapsol screen protector a try.

The installation was simple and is applied solution free. It’s fitted to work with cases on after installation so they won’t peel it back when you put the case on.

After I installed it there were a few bubbles but after a day or so they all worked themselves off of the screen.

This keeps it scratch free and the touch screen works exactly as it would without the protection.

www.Wrapsol.com $29.95

 

I thought the Toddy Wedge was kind of goofy but after using it I like having it around.

It’s shaped like a wedge, thus the name.  One of the three sides has a microfiber plush finish designed to be used to keep your screen fingerprint- and smudge- free.

The other two sides have microfiber silk for polishing the screens and works well with your case or a screen protector.

Also, after your screen is shinny and clean the Wedge can be used for a hands free stand for a smartphone.

www.toddygear.com $14.99

 

As for the Lightning cables, you can expect the third party companies to have them by the end of the month and you can bet the market will be flooded with other iPhone 5 accessories for the holiday season.

With all the complaints about the Apple’s new map app, I really don’t care about the maps, simply because I use the Garmin app, which essentially turns the iPhone into a portable GPS unit, just as I’ve used for years.

Oh, and one more thing, if you are one of those purists who feel your new, slick designed iPhone 5 was made to be kept naked and case-less, then don’t read this column.

Contact Gregg Ellman at greggellman@mac.com.
Follow him on Twitter: @greggellman.
2012, Gregg Ellman.