In my continued quest for cases large enough to handle an extended battery Tilt2, I picked up a Naztech Ultima 5  Horizontal Case and it has turned out to be an almost perfect solution. As a point of information, I stretch (train) my cases using a block of wood cut slightly larger than my phone. The blocks stay in the cases when not in use, so they are always ready when I need them. I would rather my case be slightly loose than too tight.

The Naztech Ultima is an elegant all leather case, available in; brown (pictured), black, and according to the manufacturers website, "a plethora of sizes and colors". It has a leather covered 8 position metal belt clip on the back and a large magnetic flap on the front that covers about half the phone. The top corners of the phone are exposed, so this case is not designed to be worn hiking or on the job site, but fits right in with any formal or casual attire. The case measures; 4.875" x 2.50" x 1.25" (1.75" including clip). There are finger holes at the bottom and at both corners, to assist with lifting the phone out of the case, which can be done with one hand but works better with two (damn slippery phone). The top flap is soft in the hinge area so it easily folds flat helping to facilitate phone loading & removal. The Naztech logo debossed on the front flap and the belt clip are nice added touches. After some training, my thick phone fits easily into this case, but will only work facing inward as the stiff leather corners are rounded and follow the contour of my extended back cover nicely. The stock Tilt2 actually wobbles a bit (see photo comparison below) facing both inward (worse) or outward (better), so unless you like a loose fitting case, I would not recommend this model for a standard battery Tilt2. The inside of the case is the same leather as the outside, so its not all that soft and smooth like other felt lined cases, but I think it would be fine provided a device has a screen protector.

I did start out this reviewing saying “almost” perfect. While I like most everything about this case, when you insert or remove the phone, especially when using one hand, you stand a pretty good chance of turning the phone on when the bottom of the phone sweeps against the opened top flap. Unlike what many people contend (the phone turns on because of the stylus sensor-wrong) the magnet actually activates the slide out keyboard sensor, which I assume is located somewhere near the bottom of the phone. I can confirm this because I have the Xylophone tone set to activate when I slide out my keyboard and that’s what I hear when I insert/remove the phone from this case. Additionally, the phone turns on in horizontal mode, then quickly switches to portrait. I only need to get within about 3/4" to make it activate. You will also trigger an on action if you touch the mini USB connector to the magnetic flap. Not that big a deal when removing the phone (as you probably want it on anyway), possibly even a "feature", but it could be a nuisance when inserting your phone. Since I started using S2U2 which reliably turns off my phone in 20 seconds even if you press against the screen, the impact of this problem has probably been reduced. But with the built-in lock screen, your phone could be on for hours without you knowing about it if you are moving around and retapping/pressing the screen. With a little practice you can avoid activating most of the time (insert/lift straight up without twisting), but it is still a potential hazard so I wanted to point it out.

Overall, this is the nicest, best fitting case I have found for an extended battery Tilt 2. The all leather build, magnetic flap (no Velcro rip in a quiet setting) and classic styling make this case a perfect match for the busy executive, while carrying a reasonable price tag. I still prefer vertical cases for ease (one handed) of phone removal, but this is a close second. I look forward to adding a black version (actually, just ordered one) to my collection to cover almost any wardrobe option. Available at online retailers from $14.95 to $19.95. Worth every penny if you ask me. You can take a closer look at the Ultima and other file leather Naztech cases by visiting their site: http://www.naztech.com/naz_catalog/cases/cases.html

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Need a cell phone case? Like football?  Coveroo has got you covered! Personally I wouldn’t want a football player on my phone, but hey that’s just how I am. I prefer a clear covering like BodyGuardz, or if I’m going to use something I’ll use a skin with more of a theme that I like.

Featuring players from every team, the latest designs include a mock jersey, including the player’s number and last name, famous photographs/silhouettes and the signatures of all 158 athletes. Prices start at $19.95.

To get a Coveroo case, customers select their phone type at Coveroo.com, then choose from more than 3,400 designs or send in their own design. Coveroo will customize the cover or case and ship it within 48 hours. Customers do not have to send their phone to Coveroo.

For iPhones and other devices without removable covers, Coveroo customizes high quality cases manufactured by reputable brands. For devices with removable covers such as Blackberry phones, Coveroo customizes and replaces the original backs or battery covers so the design becomes an interchangeable accessory and without adding bulk.

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These brown suede leather cases are not the slimmest/sleekest of the bunch but they handle my thicker phone easily. The horizontal case has a plastic fixed belt clip on the back with a safety hook at the bottom making it difficult to work itself off your belt or waistband without some effort. The sides of the case are elastic and expand quite a bit. The front flap uses a Velcro closure, which I prefer over magnetic flaps that tend to power on my device (more on that in another review). The front of the case extends almost to the top of the phone, but its still pretty easy to pull the phone out of the case, even with one hand, as the side elastics allow you to slip your fingers between the phone and case. The inside of the case is lines with a soft felt like material. All Nite Ize cases include extra pockets and this case is no exception with a credit card pocket on the inside back panel. I cut the pocket out of my case for three reasons; I thought I needed the extra space to handle my phone, didn’t think I would ever use the pocket, and the pocket material was coarser (more like the elastic stuff) than the soft lining in the case. Turns out the phone w/extended battery fits just fine even with the pocket, so the choice to remove is yours. Pretty easy to do with some patience and an X-Acto knife. BTW, this case will hold the stock Tilt2 perfectly, no modifications required. The case looks good and sits tightly against your belt. Definitely a keeper.

The vertical case has an 8 position, ratcheting swivel belt clip so you can position it anyway you like. The indestructible belt clip is a little difficult to figure out, with an over/under safety catch but once you get it on, it is virtually impossible to fall off on its own. Basically, if you get mugged in a dark alley, you will most likely be shot or stabbed before you get a chance to remove your phone/case and turn it over to would be impatient thief. This cases also has a Velcro closure and elastic sides, along with the inside credit card and pen pocket. But it was a bit tight for my extended battery phone, so I would recommend cutting out the inside pocket if you plan to use with the thicker battery. You will need sharp scissors and an X-Acto knife to perform this surgery but its not that hard. This case also has a back pocket and tab at the top of the case that pulls up a little stretch loop that’s designed to hold a Bluetooth Headset (earpiece). The back pocket could hold a business card (but it would not look very good when you pulled it out). The extra back pocket and thicker clip makes this case bulkier than it’s horizontal brother, but I find it easier to retrieve my phone using a vertical case and I sort of like to keep the belt clip at 45 degrees, which is possible with the rotating ratchet clip. BTW, both cases work equally well with your phone facing inward or outward. Your choice.

Both cases are available through online retailers for about $16.95. While not suitable to be worn with dress slacks or a suit, they look good with jeans, shorts or with more casual attire. Both of these cases will easily outlast your Tilt2 or whatever other phone fits into them.

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The Krusell case is well made soft black leather with nice stitching and quality features, but it did leave a few things to be desired. The finger hole at the bottom of the case is helpful for pushing your phone up, but the top flap is so stiff that it will not flatten out, meaning that removing the phone from this cases is almost a two handed process; one to hold the flap back (or push the phone up from the bottom) and the other to retrieve the phone. I tried bending the top flap back to make it less stiff, but then it had some problem engaging the magnetic snap on the front of the case. Once engaged, the snaps holds tight but it takes a bit of effort to get the two points aligned. I would have preferred a slightly bigger target for the snap to simplify alignment. After some training my extended battery phone fits easily in this case, but only if you face the screen inward. And even then it does take some effort to pull the front flap down far enough to engage the magnetic snap. Because of the cases rounded corners, loading the phone face out does not allow the snap to close. The stock Tilt2 works facing in or out, but actually wobbles a bit when facing inward. The inside of the case is lined with a felt like material. The Krusell case features the Multidapt belt clip that can be interchanged with other types and styles. The included clip is a plastic, fixed horizontal, spring clip. Because the magnet is only a small dot on the front of the case I didn’t experience any problems with my Tilt2 being powered on when inserting/removing the phone.

While I would have preferred that the flap was a little longer or the magnetic snap a bit more forgiving, to accommodate my oversize battery, I guess that’s not what the case was designed for so I can’t really complain. I see myself using this case occasionally, but there are enough things I don’t like that would keep it out of the daily lineup. Available for about $24.95 at online retailers.

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Pretty impressive so I thought I would post their top 10 selling phones for the month of July 2010:

1. (1) Apple iPhone 4
2. (2) Nokia 3720 Classic
3. (-) Apple iPad
4. (-) HTC HD2
5. (7) Nokia E52
6. (-) HTC Wildfire
7. (6) Samsung S8500 Wave
8. (3) HTC Desire
9. (9) Nokia 6700 Classic
10. (4) Apple iPhone 3G
() = Last month’s position.

You are shocked right? Have a great weekend everyone!

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Proporta will initially be bringing two Sygic products to market: Mobile Maps 10 Europe (RRP £69.99) and Mobile Maps 10 UK & Ireland (RRP £39.99). It will be developing UK retail sales in close association with Brightpoint GB, with whom Proporta has established a strong partnership in the mobile phone sector.

I emailed Proporta about any future plans to release Mobile Maps by Sygic here in the US and I will let everyone know when I get a heads up.

Press release after the break.

Sygic and Proporta today announce the start of a strategic partnership which sees the appointment of Brighton-based Proporta as Sygic’s exclusive distributor for its award-winning Mobile Maps range of navigation software for mobile phones.
Sygic, based in Bratislava, Slovakia, develops and sells turn-by-turn voice guided GPS navigation for a wide range of mobile phones, available in multiple languages. Its latest Mobile Maps 10 supports Android, Symbian, Windows CE and Palm OS, with the latest digital maps covering the whole of Europe.

Guy Monson, Proporta’s Managing Ditrector commented “Proporta has been looking to diversify its product portfolio beyond our traditional strength of cases and other physical accessories. Distributing world-class GPS software is a major step for us to achieve this, and Sygic have impressed us with their determination to establish themselves in this burgeoning market.”
Michal Stencl, Sygic Founder and CEO said “The UK is a key market for us is our growth plans and we are delighted to partner with Proporta, whose reputation in providing quality products within the mobile phone sector is second to none.”

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Speck Geometric Case:

Speck Pixelskin HD Case:

Speck Fitted Case:

Speck PixelSkin Case:

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1. The first way to enter is to just leave a comment on the Speck review that I did a week ago. Here is the link to the review. When you leave a comment please give us a correct email address that we can reach you at because that is the only way we will have to contact you.
2. The next way is to join our facebook page and to leave a comment on our facebook status which will be related to the speck case.
3. The third way is to follow us on twitter and to tweet this message as it appears “Win a free iPhone 3G and 3Gs Speck candyshell case from #mobilitydigest. Retweet to enter. Details here. “http://tinyurl.com/24bglrb“

Everyone that enters whether it is on facebook, twitter or comments will be assigned a number and then I will use a random number generator and match that number to the corresponding name. You can enter any time between now and  July 18th 11:59 pm EST.  The winner will be announced on Monday, July 19th.

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