March 2008 News Posts
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Have you ever taken a
minute to think about the ideal PDA case? If you were to design one
yourself, what features would it include? Here is the list that I
compiled:
1) Accessibility to
all controls and ports (MS, WIFI, IR, and Camera)
2) Pockets for Memory
Sticks (at least 2) with pocket for WIFI card optional
3) Designed so as
protect screen even with memory sticks in pockets
4) The ability to
charge, sync while in the case – preferably with the cradle
5) Emphasis on
functionality but with appearance considered as well.
6) Reasonably priced
Well, the folks at
Bellagio must have been mind readers because that is exactly what
they have come up with! Their slipper case with magnetic snap is one
of the most thought-out case designs that I have seen or read about
for the Clie NX70V. As soon as I saw one on internet I was intrigued
enough to contact them and they promptly (2003 Blizzard not
withstanding) sent me a case to review. I was even more impressed
with it in person.
Let's start at the
beginning. Unlike other cases that seemingly need to justify their
prices with a fancy package, the Bellagio case does not come in an
extremely fancy box, just a plain white box with their logo on it
nestled in a slightly larger box for protection. A fancy box is nice
and all but, when you stop to think about it, is generally tossed
after you retrieve the contents.
The case itself,
while not made with as thin or soft leather as the Piel Frama case
(we have fatter cows over here in America…) is thicker overall
than the others. This is partially due to the fact that the top is
padded to accommodate the recessed pockets for the memory sticks and
WIFI card. With the pockets recessed as they are, the contents sit
flush with the case leaving no “peaks” to rub against the
screen. Not that that would be a problem anyway. Attached to the top
flap of the case is a very thin “wallet” containing four
credit card pockets that covers the top flap for the entire height
of the screen so that nothing will rub against it.
This design,
unfortunately, has a down side in that it adds about ½ inch to
the thickness of the case. It will no longer fit comfortably in your
shirt pocket (although it does still fit) but I had no qualms, with
the added protection of the padding, recessing the pockets, and
adding the wallet “barrior”, in walking around with the
case in my pants pocket knowing that any blow hard enough to damage
the screen would have been hard enough to draw blood…
The top of the case
has one opening that is large enough to use the camera (if you have
the lens all the way back) and access the MS slot and WIFI port.
Although the IR window was partially blocked I was still able to use
the enhanced IR to control my TV after assigning the volume control
to the jog wheel. Let’s face it, if you use the Remote
Commander software, you pretty much need to have the case open and
be able to see the screen anyway.
The back of the case
is a totally new design from the other cases that I have seen. The
front wraps around the top of the case and down both edges of the
back and then across the bottom. Nestled in the middle (attached by
straps) is the piece that the keyboard portion of the unit slides
into. This piece runs from the top of the WIFI port down to the
bottom of the unit and includes a deep pocket and wide clear strap
to hold the keyboard half of the clamshell design firmly (and I do
mean firmly) in place while providing openings for the speaker and
reset hole.
In order to attach
the Clie to the case, you need to slide the keyboard under the
straps at the top and then into the pocket at the bottom – a
snug fit. The entire area below the keyboard slides into a pocket
with a clear plastic strap going across the top, covering but still
allowing clear access to the flush hardware buttons. The plastic
strap is attached on each side by a leather tab with the one on the
left having a cutout for the remote/ear phone jack.
One nice touch is the
cut-out giving very easy access to the stylus - a feature missing on
several cases that I have seen. Another unique feature had me
confused at first. The magnetic closure at first look seems to be a
standard snap but, upon further inspection, is actually a round
magnet which clings to a matching piece on the closing tab. What
appears to be a snap is actually a peg that, when held in the
matching hole by the magnet, helps hold the closure closed against
any lateral movement of the tab.
As you slide the unit
into the cradle the pocket is thin enough to not get into the way
while the thicker case back will fold back along the cradle's back
as far up as the jog wheel. It is important to make sure that the
Clie is fully slid into the case because the leather on the back is
stiff enough to gently push the PDA up the cradle and interrupt the
connection. If the Clie is inserted into both the case and the
cradle all the way than there should be no problem.
My opinion: While the
Bellagio case may not be made as nice as the Piel Frama case, it is
designed more for functionality than looks. The intention is for the
Clie to be able to stay in the case regardless of what you are doing
with it - photos, wireless connections, IR, or hot syncing. The
price also is a very big plus as it sells for $35 which is much
cheaper than Piel Frama.
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