NATIVE UNION MM03i MOSHI MOSHI CURVE

Moshi Moshi by Native Union, is a bluetooth mobile technology aiming to be the centrepoint of communication, and celebrating the simplistic art of talking. Their product list includes a number of well-designed handsets compatible with all bluetooth mobile phones, but this one in particular stands out.

Designed by David Turpin, the Moshi Moshi Curve iDock enhances the capabilities of the mobile phone when not mobile. So it's perfect for your home or office desktop. The iPhone fits into the beautiful high gloss dock for charging, with the wireless handset available for swift automatic pick up. Its streamlined shape revitalises that great feeling of picking up the phone and adds to the experience of talking. It's not just elegant to look at either, with room for two bluetooth devices to connect simultaneously, it can be used for internet calls via your laptop too. And if that's not enough to convince you, there are health benefits too, because as the iPhone itself isn't put against your head, the Moshi Moshi device absorbs 95% of the radiation for you, significantly reducing the exposure to threats of radiation. To be honest, I'd buy it without any of its features at all, I'd love to see this beauty sitting on my desk.

MONOLITH WOOD IPHONE BACK PANELS

Coming to iPhone users in February, new American brand Monolith will be releasing their debut product to replace the phone's back with solid wood panels. Taking a similar approach to the leather backs by Sled, the wooden backs are to be fixed into place ourselves so that the material is seamlessly integrated into the Apple iPhone. There are three wood/colour options in oak, teak or walnut.

The designers at Monolith have provided a vintage feel to the smooth silver technology, a combination that is beautiful when executed well, and I'd say this ticks the boxes. It looks stunning. The packaging is also self-made, using cardboard custom laser-cut, housing the product nicely whilst highlighting its natural grain effectively. With the market for iPhone cases in more demand than ever before, these quality back panel solutions look to be the perfect addition and unique take we are looking for.

SLED HANDMADE LEATHER IPHONE BACKS

Released last month are these iPhone accessories from newly founded wood and leather craft specialists, Sled. All of their products are handmade, and the pictured product is the "Pack", a third of their iPhone back range. They're each meticulously crafted with hand-selected cowshed and birch wood, ready to replace the original back of the iPhone. Delivered with two magnetic screwdrivers and an online instructions video to help you out, it's the perfect accessory to leather up our iPhones, even providing us with a DIY feel. Not sure how protective these will be for the phone, but they certainly add some luxury and class to an already elegant device. They must wear beautifully too!

IL BUSSETTO IPHONE 4 CASE

Italian leather goods company Il “Bussetto” have created this smart case for the current Apple iPhone. They use traditional methods and techniques completely by hand with fine quality leather with an inside plastic lining, neatly embossed with the logo at the bottom. With constant use, the natural leather will mature nicely to give unique feels of wear and individualism. It looks a very charming case, though I think leather in this context doesn't appeal to me as the quality material I find it with other items. It's just a personal feeling and I might be talking shit, but I'm not sure. Other wooden or light metal cases are more attractive for me I'd say.

APPLE IPHONE 4S

I thought there would be more significant changes really.

Like, I can get (and have got already) the new iOS with my current phone, the better camera is expected but no remarkable, and a faster processor sounds great, except my phone isn't slow as it is. I think Siri is cool but I feel they've developed an unnecessary function to be honest. I'm never going to chat to my phone. I use it to chat with people. It's a bit weird.

Now, I also thought I wasn't alone with this view, but it turns out many people disagree. 4 million to be precise. 4 million sales in a weekend is fucking mad, like proper unbelievable. I don't think I'll be joining them but I might just go cheer myself up with a new case.

METAPHYS HAKU IPHONE 4 CASE

This is the new iPhone case by Japanese design concept brand METAPHYS which will be arriving next month. With two material options of stainless steel or titanium, the ultra thin 0.5mm sheild incorporates anti-fingerprint innovation, covering just the right places to protect the iPhone's vulnerable glass and body. Their main point of focus with this slick new product is how the 'case' fits to the device's shape, moulding it into the iPhone as one - essentially, this is how the iPhone should have been designed in the first place so we wouldn't need any protective casing at all. The metal only really adds thickness to the back layer of the phone and it does indeed look appealing, very clean and very Apple.

I'm pretty pleased with how my plastic alkr case is holding up, but admittedly it is rather chunky and my iPhone now isn't too far off looking like one of those 'brick phones' we used to carry. This metal case ticks all the boxes for me, from aesthetics to function and it looks like the perfect product. But the slight problem is its price, coming in at ¥8400. I'll let you do the maths but conversion rates nowadays do us no favours.

MASTER-PIECE SUEDE IPHONE COVER

As part of master-piece's new Fall 2011 collection of the Equipment Series, this is their premium suede iPhone 4 cover. So so nice. The Japanese brand brings its quality and craftsmanship to these iPhone covers, including two leather choices too. But it's this deep teal suede cover that is so appealing to me. I find it has a sense of regality, the soft suede texture embossed with master-piece's signature branding. And it's practical too, thin and solidly constructed. For the material and design, it is unsurprisingly priced on the high side at £65 but by no means untouchable. Want.

IPHONE 4 BRICK CASE

 

ThinkGeek have this incredible item available - the LEGO Brick Case for the iPhone. Though not licensed under LEGO themselves, the case is compatible with the iconic brand's infinite range of pieces, meaning you can now build whatever you like onto your iPhone 4. Genius. And it's only $19.99. Consider I shall.

ALKR IPHONE 4 CASES

Now, I got myself an iPhone about a month ago and have been unconvinced with the range available in the market for cases. Thought I'd wait for something decent to come about. And bam - today I think I've found it.

This is the brand new Protection Case from stylish Apple accessory specialists, alkr. In five vibrant, sheek, beautiful colourways, this is the one. It looks pretty sound and solid from the outside, but the hidden playfulness on the inside is just too special. I am putting in an order straight after I post this article man! Though for which one, I'm torn..

LINKS : alkr