Protect Yourself with the Top-Rated iPhone Cases

One very important thing to remember about the iPhone is that, while it is indeed a cell phone, it's really more like a tiny computer. It also happens to be a very attractive tiny computer, and many people are tempted to leave it unprotected in order to enjoy its look as-is. The problem is that, if left unprotected, a drop or two could mar the sleek look you wanted to enjoy in the first place. Even worse, it could result in a cracked screen, which can make the phone difficult or even impossible to use.

For these reasons, the market is flooded with accessories designed to protect the outside of your iPhone. So how do you know which ones are worth your additional investment? Here are a couple of the highest-rated iPhone cases:

• Revo2: The Revo2 from iSkin is designed specifically for iPhone 3G and 3GS handsets and incorporates a non-adhesive protective screen to the shock-absorbent casing. The casing also protects your vulnerable data ports from dust, dirt, and moisture.
• CapsuleNeo: Another casing that offers full port protection as a part of its basic design is SwitchEasy’s CapsuleNeo. Also designed for the iPhone 3G and 3GS, the CapsuleNeo is a hard case that’s aided by the addition of a 0.6mm membrane that wraps snugly around the phone.

No matter which case you choose, it's a good idea to find one that covers the iPhone's bezel, as these provide better protection against screen cracks in case of a drop. Also, make sure to choose one that feels sturdy—an iPhone case isn't going to do much good if it falls apart on contact with the ground.

Lost and Found Made Easy with MobileMe’s Find My iPhone Feature

Anyone who’s ever picked up their landline phone and dialed their cell phone number in hopes of zeroing in on its coordinates by walking from room to room and listening for that oh-so-familiar ringtone will certainly revel in the revolutionary lead Apple has made with the creation of MobileMe's Find My iPhone function.

If you're a MobileMe member, all you have to do is enable the Find My iPhone feature in the MobileMe settings on your phone. Then, if it’s ever lost, just hop online and click over to me.com and log in. From there, you can find the coordinates of your lost iPhone on a map. If you think the phone might not be too far away, you can remotely have it play a sound, even if the ringer is switched off.

It’s a good idea these days to be sparing with who you trust, but try not to completely lose faith in the kindness of strangers. Find My iPhone lets you remotely display a message on the face of your iPhone (even if it’s locked), giving any good Samaritan instructions on how to contact you. You can also display a message letting its finder know you’re on your way to retrieve it.

Don’t have your iPhone locked? No problem—Find My iPhone lets you remotely set a passcode and lock your phone until you can get to it. This function requires that iPhone OS 3.0 be installed on your gadget.

Protect Your Personal Information with a Passcode Lock

Making sure your iPhone is well-protected involves more than just shielding it from physical damage. Fortifying your personal information and ensuring that your iPhone isn’t used for purposes outside of your own personal use is just as important, and possibly even more so. If worse comes to worse, you can buy a new iPhone to replace a broken one. But if your personal data is compromised, the sky’s the limit. While iPhone insurance is one of the best protective measures you can take, it can only replace the phone, not your sensitive information.

Set a Passcode

Setting a passcode that keeps your iPhone locked and your personal information secure is simple, and it's an important built-in feature that every iPhone user should take full advantage of. Your iPhone security options are located in Settings>General>Passcode Lock.

First-time visitors to the Passcode Lock option are required to enter a 4-digit numerical code. Once this has been set, you’ll see options to either turn off the passcode lock or reset it. From this point, you can pretty much tailor your iPhone’s lock to meet your needs: you can set specific time intervals that, once elapsed, require you to enter your secret passcode in order to gain access to your phone under the Require Passcode option. You can also enable the Erase Data option, which erases all of your phone data after 10 failed attempts.

Jailbreaking Your iPhone - A Bad, Bad Idea

There’s a good reason unlocking your iPhone is also called jailbreaking—it’s just a bad idea. It’s not exactly illegal; as owner of your iPhone, you can do with it as you please. So, if you want to hurl your iPhone against a brick wall, you can. But just because you can do something doesn't mean that you should.

People jailbreak their cell phones for many reasons, chief among them is to be able to use it with another carrier. That’s all fine and dandy, but you have to remember the most important thing about jailbreaking: doing so will void your warranty.

The one-year iPhone protection plan provided by Apple excludes coverage of any defects due to alterations made by the user to the software (aka "hacking"). If you're planning on taking out iPhone insurance, you should also be aware that most third-party insurers, including Safeware, do not cover unlocked phones either. So, if you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of needing your iPhone repaired or replaced, you might just end up paying several hundred dollars to do so, even if you're covered by a warranty and/or third-party insurance.

In short: Jailbreaking can cost you, so it's best not to do it.

"Dummy Plugs" and the Argument for Renaming them "Smart Plugs”

While "dummy plug" might not sound like a very favorable term, it's one of the smartest iPhone accessories out there.

Damage incurred by accidental blunt-force trauma is not the only kind that you want to avoid. Exposure to the elements can also cause irreparable harm. Investing in third-party iPhone insurance will protect your iPhone even in the event of the above incidents, but if you're not covered, it's in your bank account's best interest to keep it running smoothly.

Dummy Plugs are small pieces of silicone rubber that you can safely insert into the open ports of your iPhone to keep them from getting wet or collecting unwanted dust or debris. Remember that there are liquid-damage indicators in both the dock-connector housing and the headphone jack, and all it takes to turn them from white to red is a single drop. Dust and dirt in the headphone jack can also cause your headphones to function poorly. Getting the debris out is an easy fix (a little compressed air usually does the trick), but avoiding the annoyance is even better.

How to Save Your iPhone Battery From an Untimely Demise

One of the unique features of the iPhone is its battery, which can only be removed and replaced by a professional. Contrary to what many believe, the iPhone’s battery is no more susceptible to early death than any other cell phone battery out there; your iPhone battery will still retain an 80 percent charge after about 400 to 500 charges, which means that you might not have to replace it for years. But the fact that you can’t just pop a new one in to replace the old one without having to pay to get it done means that taking good care of it is of utmost importance.

According to Apple’s website, the most damaging practice that will negatively impact your battery’s life span is consistent exposure to heat. If you’re used to stowing your cell phone in your car’s glove compartment, now may be a good time to find a cooler (and less vulnerable) storage space.

It’s also very important to keep your device’s software current by frequently performing iPhone software updates, which often include power-saving benefits.

Last but certainly not least, adjusting your iPhone settings can dramatically affect the life of your battery. Doing things like turning off push notifications, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi when not in use will greatly reduce how frequently you have to recharge.

Protect Your iPhone From the Potential Damages of a Power Surge

Surge protectors have become the darling of high-end electronics owners, and for good reason—leaving the fate of equipment you’ve spent an arm and a leg to procure to the whims of electrical surges is poor practice, not to mention the stuff insomnia is made of. Thanks to some protective accessories, iPhone owners the world over can rest easy knowing that their devices will be fully protected while charging.

Belkin has produced an all-in-one mini surge protector that’s got everything you need to make sure that your iPhone is fully protected. Its compact design also makes it easy to carry with you if you’re traveling.

The surge protector comes with three AC outlets and two USB outlets that allow you to charge your iPhone or iPod without having your computer present. Needless to say, the USB ports can’t be used to transmit data, but only to charge or power USB gadgets.

The Belkin Mini Surge Protector also comes with an added benefit, the importance of which won't be lost on those who have paid a substantial amount of hard-earned money on their iPhone: warranty coverage for up to $75,000 in equipment damaged by a power surge.

Sync Often to Back Up Your Important Information

There are several preventative measures that you can take to ensure that your iPhone is fully protected from the potentially damaging effects of your environment. While taking out a third-party iPhone protection plan is one of the best ways to keep from having to shell out hundreds of dollars to repair or replace your iPhone, it won't bring back any lost personal information. Luckily, it's easy to make sure that, even in the event of an iPhone disaster, your information will be safe.

Sync Your iPhone and Computer Regularly

iPhone syncing is one of the most important protective measures you can take. Not only does regular syncing allow you to take advantage of your iPhone's full potential, but it also reduces the scope of damage should something terrible happen to your mobile device. If your iPhone is lost, stolen, or otherwise completely destroyed, you'll have a current backup so that when you get a replacement phone, the transition will be virtually seamless; when you get your new phone, all you have to do is plug it into your computer and tell iTunes to apply your most current backup.

Download Updates Frequently

Software updates often include security improvements that further protect your iPhone and the information contained therein. Downloading updates as they become available is a prudent practice that every iPhone user should make a habit. This also points to another reason why jailbreaking isn't advised: Hacked phones are unable to take advantage of software updates and are, as a result, more vulnerable to security breaches.

The Importance of LCD Protection

In terms of accessories that will protect your iPhone from the bumps, grinds, and unfortunate crashes and burns of everyday life, the LCD screen protector is absolutely essential. The iPhone's glass screen is scratch-resistant, not scratch proof, and because the device is almost completely screen-centric, one scratch can make for a huge annoyance.

For a relatively cheap price, you can protect the most important facet of your iPhone—its glass touch screen—from collecting the kind of unsightly scratches that people without screen protectors are so used to living with. The problem is, the market’s flooded with options. Lots of screen-protector manufacturers claim that their product is the “best on the market,” and prices vary. Depending on your budget, there are a couple of considerations to keep in mind when doing your shopping:

• Find a perfect fit: There are some lower-end screen protectors that you'll actually have to cut to fit on the iPhone. These tend to be awkward and don't work quite as well as those that are manufactured with your specific device in mind.
• Choose the right finish: Many iPhone accessory companies offer both an anti-glare or matte-finish option and a smooth-finish option. Both have advantages. The anti-glare finish, as the name suggests, cuts down on glare. It also reduces the appearance of fingerprints. The smooth-finish versions feel more similar to the iPhone in terms of texture and allow for higher-quality video and picture viewing.

No matter which screen protector you choose, it's important to take your time putting it on—applying screen protectors improperly usually results in unsightly air bubbles and ridges. Take your time putting it on, and make sure that the screen is completely free of dust and other debris before applying.

iPhone Accessories that Let You Stay Healthy and Connected

These days, being away from our cell phones, even for a little while, makes most of us pretty uncomfortable. For example, what happens to your phone when you exercise? Most likely, you're forced to keep it inside a locker, your car, etc. One of the greatest advantages of the iPhone is that it's an all-in-one device, which makes it possible for us to take with us some of the things we previously might have had to leave behind.

But isn’t having an active lifestyle dangerous to the safety of your electronic devices? Yes and no. The iPhone, unlike previous generations of the iPod (and the current iPod Classic), uses flash memory instead of a hard drive with moving parts, which means that you don't have to worry about your hard drive failing due to jostling or even dropping. For this reason, the iPhone makes an excellent exercise partner.

While the iPhone's hard drive is resilient, you should still take the proper precautions to protect the rest of the device. Many companies offer iPhone armbands and 3G cases made especially for exercise. These ensure that the iPhone stays on your person at all times and even protects it from moisture.