Appletell | Apple, Mac, iPhone, iPod | News, Rumors, Reviews, How-Tos

Provides: Shock absorption and screen protection
Developer: Otterbox
Compatibility: iPhone 3G or 3GS
Price: $29.95 - $34.95

First impressions are everything, and the OtterBox Commuter series of iPhone cases certainly know how to make an entrance! Nothing is more frustrating than the mad hacking, clawing, and cursing required to get into modern blister-packaged consumer goods. The OtterBox cases, packaged in their smooth interlocked clamshells that pop open without scissors, utility knives, or prayer, are a delight to use right from the start. Careful attention to detail, quality construction, and several other thoughtful features make both cases continually satisfying to use. Depending upon your needs, either the Commuter or Commuter TL cases are standout choices among the bevy of soft silicone iPhone cases.

Commuter TL

The “TL” in the name of this case undoubtedly has a real meaning, but I prefer to think it stands for Totally Love (It)—which is how I feel about this case.  As a long-time user of a Marware CEO case, which is actually more of a sleeve, I am skeptical of most silicone cases for many reasons. First and foremost, they lack structural rigidity along the sides of the iPhone’s touch screen, because the large unbroken surface area of the screen prevents them from having any stabilizing support.  iPod cases of yesterday could include horizontal bands across the face of the iPod, usually between the clickwheel and screen; the iPhone’s screen prevents such support, meaning that silicone cases are all floppy and wiggly along the edges of the screen.  The Commuter TL gets around this problem with an ingenious waffled texture running along the inside edges.  This texture adds not only enough support to prevent the case from being too loose around the edges, but it also adds a measure of shock absorption and some extra comfort when holding the edges of the phone.  Combined with a rigid polycarbonate spine running along the back and wrapping around the top and bottom of the phone, this is a soft silicone case that manages to stand up on its own—overcoming the biggest challenge for all soft cases on the iPhone/iPod Touch form factor.

Other outstanding features of the Commuter TL include:

• Window Seat: The Apple logo is covered by a clear window in the polycarbonate spine, which is also nicely indented to provide a fingerhold when talking on the phone.

• A mild speaker boost: The polycarbonate spine also includes two tunnels for the bottom speaker and microphone. These act as passive amplifiers, giving you a small but noticeable boost in speaker volume (set your iPhone on a table top to further boost the sound).

Commuter

The Commuter case lacks the TL backronym for Totally Love It, but this is still a great case.  What prevents it from being my number once choice is the same issue that plagues other soft silicone cases; the bevel around the screen just is not wide enough for the edges to stand up on their own.

The Commuter does shine as a chameleon, with its interchangeable polycarbonate shell allowing for quick color swaps. The review unit included three options: subtle black-on-black, chic white-on-black, or modern toxic-green-on-black (by far my favorite). The additional surface area of the Commuter’s spine, which wraps around both sides of the phone, provided a nice holding position for the phone. Silicone can be a bit sweaty after being held for a while, so the side grips of the Commuter case were a welcome addition. They mitigate the looseness along the edges somewhat, but not quite enough for my taste.

Shared Features

Both cases share many great features, including:

• Screen Cover: A rigid, self-adhesive plastic film and included tool for applying.  Though the screen protectors lack the oleophobic properties of the iPhone’s screen, and tend to collect oily fingerprints, you feel better wiping them off on a shirt/pantleg.  Assuming, that is, you forgot the included screen wipe.
• Silicone Port Protectors: Both cases do an incredible job of covering the headphone and dock ports when not in use, but provide easy access.  It is even possible to dock the iPhone without removing the case, provided you have just the bare dock showing (no model-specific trays installed).  The ridges covering the volume and lock buttons also made these much easier to use (I’ve always found the volume buttons challenging to use due to their thinness).
• Plenty of Backbone: Both cases come with a polycarbonate shell that snaps over the silicone, providing some much-needed slipperiness.  It is very easy to slide the phone into or out of a pocket/purse.  Without the spine, the silicone causes too much friction for the phone to slide.
• Crowd-pleasing Colors: The Commuter cases come in a dazzling selection of color-on-color choices, while the Commuter TL comes in a variety of solid colors with a frosted polycarbonate spine to snap over.

In the end

I can see a definite need for an always-on case, as opposed to the sleeve style I currently use.  During a recent trip to NYC, it was quite challenging to hold onto a subway pole, hold a map, and try to use both hands to slide my iPhone out of the sleeve so I could figure out where to get off the subway.  The two-handed juggling routine led to several near drops, and since the iPhone was usually half out of the sleeve, it was completely unprotected.

For more rugged environments, like the NYC subway, hiking trips, or whenever small children are around, the Commuter TL is my new case of choice.  For around town, where the iPhone has to fit into a car holder to function as GPS, or sits on a desk most of the day, a sleeve provides sufficient protection.  Divide, conquer, and in all situations, stylishly protect!