Jeremy Charette
08-21-2007, 03:00 PM
<img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/charette-mar07-ifrogz-7.JPG" /> <br /><br /><i>Figure 1: The only one of its kind, a custom iFrogz Ferrari case.</i><br /><br />We’ve covered the iFrogz custom iPod case here before, but earlier this year they debuted a new Custom Screenz service. You can still order one of the standard screenz (clickwheel covers) from their website, or you can now upload any image you want. It’s a fairly simple and painless process, taking a few seconds to upload the image from your PC to their website. Once the image is uploaded, you can use the Custom Screen Creator to move it around, resize it, and position the image wherever you want on the face of the clickwheel. Using their website I created a custom iPod case.<br /><br />Read on to see how I did it.<br /><!> <br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/charette-mar07-ifrogz-2.JPG" /> <br /><br /><i>Figure 2: Let the unboxing commence! (Or in this case, unbagging.)</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/charette-mar07-ifrogz-3.JPG" /> <br /><br /><i>Figure 3: Red wrapz, red bandz, red screenz. They even throw in a handy belt clip which can be attached to the back of the case.</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/charette-mar07-ifrogz-6.JPG" /> <br /><br /><i>Figure 4: The custom Ferrari Prancing Horse Logo Screenz I created on the iFrogz website. Great print quality, nice glossy finish.</i><br /><br />I’m a huge fan of the Ferrari F1 team, so I decided to order a red wrapz for my iPod, with a red bandz to go around it. Using the custom screenz service, I uploaded the Ferrari prancing horse logo, and created my own custom “Ferrari” iFrogz case. A few weeks later, I received two packages, one containing the wrapz, bandz, and standard screenz set, and the second containing my custom screenz set. As a bonus, there are enough screenz to do a couple of iPods and iPod Nanos. So if you want to make matching cases for both your 5G and Nano, you need only order one custom screenz set. There is also an insert for the 30GB iPod, as it's not quite as thick as the 60GB or 80GB iPod. If you decide to upgrade in the future, just take the insert out and keep using the same case.<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/charette-mar07-ifrogz-5.JPG" /> <br /><br /><i>Figure 5: Each screenz set comes with a firm card to press out air bubbles, as well as screenz for both the Nano and regular iPods.</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/charette-mar07-ifrogz-4.JPG" /> <br /><br /><i>Figure 6: Two iPods, same case. They make up for the difference in thickness with a silicone shim.</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/charette-mar07-ifrogz-1.JPG" /> <br /><br /><i>Figure 7: Once installed, the belt clip is secure, but can be removed quickly. When taken off, the back of the case is smooth, with no protruding screws or attachment points.</i><br /><br />Assembly was quick and easy, and the finished product looks great. The iFrogz case is durable and soft, providing a bit of extra cushion should I ever drop my iPod. And the best part, it’s one of a kind! I’ll never see another one like it. I only have a few minor complaints. The logo I’d selected was a little too close to the edges of click wheel hole in the wrapz. If I were to do it again, I’d give myself a little bit more of a border to play with. The hole for the headphone plug is a bit tight for anything other than the stock earbuds. Last, there’s no way to use the iPod dock once the iPod is in the case (though this is true of nearly all iPod cases). If you’re looking for a stylish and unique way to protect your iPod on the go, an iFrogz custom case is worth a look.<br /><br /><i>Jeremy Charette is a Contributing Editor at Digital Media Thoughts, and also works in Procurement for one of the world’s largest banks. He enjoys reading, cooking, and racing in the SpecForza league. He lives in Brooklyn, NY, USA. He hopes he never drops his iPod and breaks it.</i>