8. ISkin EXo - AckNOWLEDGE

The iSkin eXo in both Indigo Blue and Hothouse Orange colors.

I have to admit that although I love my 5 GB Apple iPod, I have been very unhappy with the storage cases that I purchased for it. I have purchased four or five different cases, each time hoping that this new case would be ideal for the way I use my iPod. It seems that no case fits all scenarios. While one case design would solve one issue, it in turn created another problem that drove me nuts. Fortunately, this frustrating purchase and disappointment cycle changed when I discovered the "iSkin" while Web surfing one day on iPod Lounge .

Lajo, the manufacturer of the iSkin line, did not make a "believer" of me initially. After looking over their Web site, I was still not convinced that this solution would provide adequate protection for a device as expensive and fragile as the iPod. Still, the designs were interesting enough that I took the plunge and ordered a "Frogger" green colored iSkin.

The iSkin eXo is the next generation of the original iSkin. It is made from colored silicone, and provides a 3mm protective barrier all around the iPod. In order to allow access to the iPod buttons and connectors, cut outs are provided in the iSkin. The form fitting design protects the iPod very well when compared to other case options. On the back of the iSkin eXo there are plenty of ventilation holes to keep the iPod cool, as it does get warm during both regular use and the charging process.

The iSkin eXo also includes a screen protector, which consists of a clear insert that fits over the screen to protect it from scratches and other damage. In addition, the iSkin eXo also includes a belt clip that allows the user to not have to handle the iPod so frequently. These two improvements address the major shortcomings of the previous generation of the iSkin. Installing the iSkin eXo is easy. In order to get the snug fit that the iSkin products are known for, you simply insert the iPod through the openings in the display that are pre-cut and then gently work the iSkin eXo over the surface of the iPod until you get a good fit around all of the iPod's corners. This process is not labor intensive due to the iSkin eXo's design, it is easy to achieve a tight fit all around the iPod. Once the iSkin eXo is on the iPod, the screen protector can be then inserted into the screen opening in the iSkin eXo. While this sounds like an installation snap, due to the 'cling' properties of the screen protector it might take a few tries to get it properly aligned.