Contour 4G Showcase released

[ayn]

I just received an email with the press release, the 4G Showcase will be available first week of September. I will sure be getting one of these, perfect for gym use. :)

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE




Contour Design Announces New Hardcase For Apple and HPs Generation 4
(Click Wheel) iPods


Contour Showcase 4G offers all around protection while keeping with the
look and feel of the iPod


WINDHAM, NH - September 2nd, 2004 - Contour Design, a market leader in
the iPod hardcase accessories, announces the Showcase 4G. Based on the
original top selling Showcase for Apple generation 3 iPods, the Showcase 4G offers an innovative design and advanced protection for Apple and HPs newest member of the iPod family.

Manufacturing and Design Process

???iPod users want a case that will not only protect their iPod, but will
also show off its aesthetic design. Our Showcase 4G does just that! It's
a true work of art,??? says Mike Jackle (of Contour Media Products Group).
Jackle goes on to state, ???At Contour Design we focus on quality in all aspects
of our products, from strength and durability to look and feel. The
development of the Showcase 4G involved complex design and manufacturing
processes coupled with strict attention to detail, delivering a product that will
lead the market for iPod Cases.???


All Around Protection

To achieve this ultimate style and protection, the Showcase 4G is
created using superior materials and crafted with the latest double
injection molding technology. Shock-absorbing rubber supports the iPod;
protecting it from hard impacts while providing a soft, smooth feel, and a
colorful expression. The clear scratch-resistant plastic protects the screen
without hiding the iPod beauty. Designed to fit the active lifestyle, this
case allows for easy access to all the controls and can be taken anywhere
with its comfortable, horizontally mounted belt clip.


Key features

- Sleek, clean design: a seamless integration of clear, protective,
durable, and shock-absorbing materials

- iPod display screen perfectly visible yet protected behind impact-resistant clear plastic

- Click wheel easily accessible

- Top and bottom openings provide access to connectors, headphone jack
and hold switch

- Strong, detachable belt clip provides a secure, comfortable fit

- Available in two colors, Black or White


Availability, Colors and Pricing

The Contour Showcase 4G will be available in 2 colors, black and white.
The MSRP will be $32.99 and will be available the first week of September
2004, through Contour Designs extensive distributor and reseller
partners.


About Contour Design

Contour Design Inc., based in Windham, New Hampshire, is a manufacturer
of innovative add-on products for Macintosh, Windows, and UNIX workstations,
specializing in the iPod accessories, audio/video, and ergonomic markets.

Contour Design European HQ is in Stanmore Middlesex. Contour has
distributors in all major EMEA, Asian, Australia and Americas countries.


For more information about Contour Design products and solutions, please
visit our website (www.contourdesign.com) or contact your authorized Contour Design dealer.

[Evolution]

:)

[Sugarstealer]

i had one for my 3g but i've decided probably not to get one for my 4g, because it is hard just to whack it in your pocket, its quite bulky, and if you think it will stay that nice white colour forever, it won't. its not too hard to clean, but you'll be doing it a lot

[ayn]

I just want it for protection at the gym, for everything else I'll go with the Lajo case. Was going to get a Vaja, but don't want to pay $70 for one. If the $50 uni-color version comes out I might re-consider.

[ayn]

I just picked up a Contour Showcase from Fry's, it's awesome! Looks very nice, and the iPod looks really nice inside too. They only had them in white, I thought about getting a black one instead thinking it would make it look smaller, but it doesn't look bulky at all even in white.

I highly recommend this case! the back is transparent too so you can see the Apple logo, iPod, and ?0GB clearly, kindda cool. :)

--Andrew

[Galley]

I ordered one at noon on Wed. FedEx tried to deliver it today (Thursday) at 3:30 p.m. Pretty quick for $5 shipping, huh? I'll have it hand tomorrow afternoon. :)

[lextcy]

Snap some nice big pics of it when u get it :p

[Galley]

Originally posted by lextcy
Snap some nice big pics of it when u get it :p

I did, but they didn't turn out that hot. Then my batteries died, and my extra set is dead as well. Will try again tomorrow. The case is awesome! :D

Here's one of the inside:
http://www.galleytech.com/Galley/images/Contour1.jpg

[lextcy]

That pic shows more than the pics on Countour's website :D

[px2so]

Originally posted by lextcy
That pic shows more than the pics on Countour's website :D lol, that is so true. That is the first time i've seen the inside of the case.

I also ordered mine. I love thier iSee case so i'm getting this one as well.

Too bad i won't be able to see the back. Mines 20GB and will be using a foam insert.

[ipod05]

hey px2so, you will be able to see the back of your 20gb because the foam insert has been reshaped.
It is now an oblong 'O' so that you can see the chrome and the apple logo.

[br-]

20GB users still get additional unnecessary thickness though, which is unfortunate.

[ayn]

Easy solution: get the 40GB! :D

[px2so]

Originally posted by ipod05
hey px2so, you will be able to see the back of your 20gb because the foam insert has been reshaped.
It is now an oblong 'O' so that you can see the chrome and the apple logo.

That's awesome! Thx! :)

[MacHead]

Got my 4G Contour case a few days ago. I think I will really like this case. However, it was not what I expected. The white plastic is not smooth like the iPod (that is what I expected) but kind of rubbery. It does make it easier to hold, but now I understand what people say about this case getting dirty. Mine is still very clean, but its surface seems like it will pick up skin oil and dirt easily.

[Galley]

Here's a blurry photo of the insert. I agree, they should make a separate model for the 20 gigger.

[sovereign]

It is looking like this might be the case for me as I want to be able to use the dock fairly often. The "skins" seem to preclude this, as I imagine it is difficult to remove the iPod quickly. The posts I have seen on the Vaja mention that frequent removal scratches/marks the iPod??? I want a case that keeps the iPod from scratches with frequent removal. Does the Contour accomplish this? Do the inserts/bumpers inside the Showcase leave marks? Does anyone use the clear protector sheets from trendygeek in conjunction or are they not necessary? Thanks!

[ayn]

i don't think u would scratch your iPod from frequent removals, because the iPod wouldn't be rubbing against anything with the Showcase. It is very well designed, and I don't think the inserts would scratch the iPod either. I really like mine.

If you only need to remove the skin/case for the dock, the Speck and Lajo exoflp would work too. I need to remove the iPod from the skin to dock it at the IceLink so the skins get pretty anonying.

--Andrew

[lextcy]

Im getting the trendygeeks electrostatic cover for the back of the pod, so i can still put it in the showcase and remove it without worrying about marks/scratches

[shooting35mm]

I just purchased this Contour Case, I love it. I did some modification on it, however...
I also own the iPod Armor case, which is good for it's purpose, but I wanted a case with which I could access the panel and view the (protected) screen without flipping anything up or out of the way. So when I saw this case at Fry's, I jumped on it. I didn't like the clip on it though. So, I pried off the anchor (http://halfkeyboard.com/armorclip/index.php) from the iPod Armor case and super glued it to the back and center of the Contour case. However, I also wanted to use the stock clip, but I had to hollow out the center of the stock clip, so when I attach it to the contour case, the anchor for the other clip would slide through the hollowed out slot. I'll post pictures soon, I hope. I love this setup, and I love the Contour case. I highly recommend it.


shooting35mm

[px2so]

Just recived mine. Excellent product!

Looks better than i expected.

[iPodMaEsTrO]

How is it thickness wise though? Is it so thick that it takes away from the sleekness of the iPod itself / the pocket-ability of the iPod?

[Galley]

It's almost exactly 1" thick, so it's still pocketable.

[px2so]

One thing tho, the method Contour used to ship Showcase costed me service charge of $36.

Unbelieveable.

I paid practically twice the cost of the product! I'm feeling little outraged right now.