Protect Your Phone, Tablet, or Other Mobile Device with Gumdrop and HardCandy Cases

Thank you to Gumdrop Cases for providing a Drop Tech Series Sleeve sample for us to base this review upon and for providing an additional product for our contest prize. All opinions expressed are my own.

We recently protected our Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 with a ShockDrop Rugged Case by HardCandy Cases. The ShockDrop was just what the doctor ordered for that tablet, but the Galaxy Tab is not the only tablet in the house. I, myself, use a Microsoft Surface that travels with me everywhere I go. My Surface easily needs as much protection as the Galaxy Tab does, possibly even more. The challenge with the Surface is that it uses an attached keyboard and a collapsible kickstand, two features that don't work very well with a traditional tablet case.

Although a traditional case was out, that did not mean I was out of luck. Fortunately, Gumdrop Cases also makes protection for my Surface in the form of a semi-rigid sleeve. The Gumdrop Cases Drop Tech Series Sleeve was the perfect choice for my Microsoft Surface tablet. The Drop Tech Sleeve is made specifically for my Surface, but any thin similarly sized tablet would fit just fine.

The Drop Tech tablet sleeve is just a sleeve and does not permanently surround my Surface, but it protects it when I need it the very most . . . when I am carrying it around. Like other HardCandy cases, the sleeve is made from a thick rubbery material that looks like a truck tire. The corrugated tire pattern helps provide a good grip, keeping your tablet firmly in your hands when inside the sleeve.

The Velcro fastener, which keeps the flap closed, is very industrial and requires a good pull to open. There is no way the flap will open by itself. Inside the Drop Tech sleeve is a micro fiber-like lining that keeps your tablet scratch-free.

The corners and edges of the sleeve have a bit of extra material for additional shock protection should you ever drop it. I suspect a drop from armpit height would be very survivable for your tablet, although I am fortunate enough to not have needed to test out this theory. I also would feel comfortable throwing the sleeve in another pack with keys and other hard objects without any worry for my tablet, as the sleeve is semi rigid and offers plenty of protection.

I can’t find anything negative about my Gumdrop Cases Drop Tech Sleeve to report. The sleeve does exactly what it should do and it does it very well. Whether I am carrying it by itself or throwing it into another bag I know my device is safe in case of a mishap.

At $59.95 the Drop Tech sleeve is not inexpensive, but neither is my tablet, so I feel it is well worth the cost. What price do you put on your data? I easily recommend this product.  You can find Drop Tech Series cases for the iPhone, iPad, as well as Samsung, Kindle Fire, Google Nexus, Asus tablets, and more on www.gumdropcases.com.

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Our Samsung Galaxy Tablet is Now Child-Friendly Thanks to This Heavy Duty ShockDrop Rugged Case

Thank you to HardCandy Cases for providing a complimentary tablet case sample for us to base this review upon. All opinions expressed are my own.

We are an electronic and mobile family. We have pretty much every type of mobile device represented in our household….. multiple times over. Our kids are increasingly interested in mobile devices but very much handle our devices like they are toys . . . certainly an issue for a small and fragile device that may cost a few hundred dollars.  Coming to our rescue is the ShockDrop Rugged Case by HardCandy Cases for our Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10”. The Galaxy Tab is in high demand by the kids and really needs good protection.

The ShockDrop Rugged Case looks and feels like a big black offroad tire. Big thick silicon rubber “treads” all over with lots of grip. Not only does the ShockDrop offer significant drop protection, it is really easy to hold and helps prevent dropping in the first place, which is the ultimate protection. The kids have a sure grip on the tablet when it’s in the ShockDrop case.

The case has 10mm of padding on the corners for maximum shock absorption if dropped. The material composition is mixed to provide varying densities for a complete range of shock protection.

The ShockDrop case comes in multiple pieces and needs to be assembled around your tablet. Although there weren’t any instructions for assembly, it really was obvious and easy to put together. There are holes and cutouts for cameras and everything that needs it. The case has thick flaps to cover the ports to keep debris out.

The case even has a cover for the screen that does not inhibit touch sensitivity one bit. I must admit I was very concerned about this feature and it ultimately was not an issue. The ShockDrop case covers 100% of your device, everything is protected.

I have no complaints about the ShockDrop Rugged Case at all.  HardCandy Cases did an excellent job with this case. It is a great deal easier to hand my kids an expensive device to play with now. The only “warning” I will issue is to invest in a good microfiber cloth and clean your screen very well before putting your device in the case. Debris sandwiched between the screen and cover will drive you nuts!

I highly recommend the ShockDrop Rugged Case, it really is a no-brainer for any device your kids want to handle. It would also make a great case for mobile devices used in tough environments like camping or travelling. This ShockDrop Case retails for $49.95 from HardCandy Cases, easily worth it to keep your expensive device safe.  This case is available for a variety of smartphones and other tablets, including the iPad, Kindle Fire, Google Nexus, and more.  Visit www.HardCandyCases.com to learn more.

Maximize Your iPad mini's Functionality with the Right iPad Case

Thank you to Snugg for providing a complimentary iPad Mini case sample for us to base this review upon. All opinions expressed are my own.

When my husband surprised me with an iPad mini a few months ago and told me what a great deal he had gotten on it from Best Buy, I was pretty happy.  However, when he showed me the paper-thin cover he had purchased for it for the price of $34, I thought he had lost his mind.  The fact was that I would be too scared to use my tablet outside of the house or to let our children use it with such a thin cover.  I've watched them accidentally drop their toy electronics so many times.  I definitely did not want this new tablet to be damaged due to a fall.

The Snugg iPad mini case has all the features I need to make my iPad mini functional and to keep it safe.  This case has a flip stand so that the tablet can rest on a flat surface at two different angles.

At the slight angle, the iPad mini can be used for reading, blogging, gaming, and everything in between.  At the more upright angle, the iPad mini is positioned perfectly for watching a video hands-free.  There is a much smaller chance of our children dropping the tablet if they can watch a video on it without having to hold it.  This position also turns our iPad mini into a great alarm clock while it charges overnight.

There are also a few other features offered by this Snugg tablet case that I consider to be extra perks.  First, it has a magnetic cover which triggers the iPad mini to sleep when the cover is closed and to wake when the cover is opened.  Second, the case has a place to securely store a stylus (which is not included).  Third, there is an elasticized strap on the cover for slipping your hand threw while the cover is flipped opened, minimizing the chances of dropping your tablet while holding it.  This strap is roomy enough to fit even my husband's large hands.

I should clarify that, even though the product title reads "Leather Case Cover", the case is actually made of PU leather (polyurethane leather).  I don't mind this because this material is extra durable and can be wiped clean.  This particular case is available in 10 different colors and is currently on sale for $29.99 (Regularly $39.99).

To view all Snugg iPad, tablet, smartphone, and Kindle cases and to learn more about The Snugg Promise and Lifetime Guarantee, visit www.TheSnugg.com.

3G2S "Top Picks" 2012 Holiday Gift Guide for Teens

1.  Custom Personalized Paper Coterie Memory Box ($36.00) - This is a 10x10 Memory Keeper Box that resembles a book.  It can be completely customized with your own photos and text on the front, side, and back.  I love how it looks like a book and can keep precious keepsakes easily hidden because it would fit right into any book collection on a shelf.  I chose to create a Memory Box for our oldest son as a tribute to his being an extraordinary big brother.  On the back of the box, I added a photo of our son when he was just 2 days old, plus a special message from my husband and myself.  This 10" square box is approximately 2" deep and would make a wonderful gift box to hold something like a stock certificate, a savings bond, a gift certificate, or a gift card.  I think this would make an especially perfect gift for a teen who will be studying abroad or heading off to college soon, who will want to take along special keepsakes to remind him or her of home.  These 10x10 Memory Keepers are currently available in 14 different customizable templates.  Visit www.papercoterie.com to view all the styles and sizes available.

2.  M-Edge "Design Your Own" Tablet or eReader Case ($30 - $50) - These are two custom Kindle cases I created using the M-Edge Store design app.  We actually have a Kindle and a tablet that are very similarly sized, so I was happy to be able to design one monogram case using the tools included in the app and a second case using a photo we had taken of the liger at King Richard's Faire.  I am extremely pleased with how the two cases turned out both front and back.  If your teen is tech-savvy, then he or she is likely to own an android tablet, a Kindle or a Nook, or an iPad and would appreciate a case created just for them.  If you are gifting a tablet or an eReader this Holiday, then this would be the perfect accessory to go along with it.  Visit www.medgestore.com to view all the customizable tech cases available.

3.  Shainsware Metal Urges Bracelet Kit ($25.00) - This is a bracelet that is made of recycled rubber that can be personalized using the included 33 silvertone letters.  The bracelet kit comes in a compact ready-to-wrap recyclable box that is made of recycled materials.  Although I think the silvertone letters look fantastic on a black bracelet, there are 21 bracelet colors to choose from, including some in translucent glitter.  This would make a perfect gift for any teen who likes to express him or herself.  These bracelets look great layered so you may want to consider purchasing more than one color.  You can even buy additional element packs for more ways to dress up your Shainsware bracelet.  Visit www.shainsware.com to browse the entire selection of Shainsware accessories.

4.  Kipling Jinan Large Backpack ($109.00) - Kipling USA is a well-known brand of quality crinkle nylon bags in all shapes and sizes.  The Jinan Backpack with its classic unisex style would be a perfect gift for a high school or college student.  This backpack measures 11.5" X 16" X 5.5" and has a built-in padded compartment to hold a laptop, netbook, or a tablet.  There are two features that I love about this backpack . . . it has snaps on the side to close when you are traveling light or to unsnap when you need the extra room and it has a faux buckle closure that hides the actual Velcro closure, which allows for easy access.  The backpack above is pictured in Sporty Blue, but there are additional colors available on the Kipling website and on Amazon.com.  Free shipping is currently being offered on both sites for this laptop backpack. Visit www.kipling-usa.com to learn more about this and other Kipling bags and luggage.

5.  WallPops! Enamel Frames by Jonathan Adler ($42.99) - These enamel frame wall decals from WallPops! are the perfect thing to create a wall of inspiration in your teen's bedroom, dorm room, or first apartment.  This kit comes with 12 repositionable and removable frames in bright modern colors.  All you need to do is peel them off the sheet and stick them onto your wall over your favorite photo, magazine clipping, or artwork.  There are 2 colors of each of the 6 frame styles.  The smallest frame measures 4-1/4" square and the largest measures 9-1/2" x 7".  These frames are a perfect alternative to putting holes in your walls or resorting to using tape that will ruin your paint or wallpaper.  To learn more about this frame kit, visit www.wallpops.com.  This kit is currently selling on Amazon.com for $32.38 with Free Super Saver Shipping.

6. Blurb Facebook Photo Book or Instagram Photo Book ($10.95 and up) - Since most teenagers are avid users of Facebook and Instagram, a custom photo book filled with their favorite photos would be such a cherished gift.  The Blurb software is free to use on the retail site and is extremely user-friendly.  You can customize the layout on each page or let the software do all the work for you.  You can also add captions and blocks of text.  The front and back covers are also customizable.  If you would like to give your teen the opportunity to create their own book, then a Blurb gift certificate, which can be for any amount between $20 and $500,  would be the perfect choice.  Our 30-page book is 7"x7", has a hardcover with an image wrap (as opposed to a dust jacket), upgraded black end sheets (as opposed to grey), and costs $30.95 (not including sales tax and shipping).  Visit www.blurb.com to learn more about all their options for custom photo books.



Although complimentary product samples were sent to facilitate this gift guide, all opinions expressed are my own.