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Top 5 Free Apps

Release Date: August 05, 2009
Genre: Games
Release Date: May 22, 2009
Genre: Games
Release Date: August 29, 2009
Genre: Games
Release Date: March 27, 2009
Release Date: August 07, 2009

iTunes New Music Releases

Release Date: September 29, 2009
Genre: Rock
Release Date: September 20, 2009
Release Date: September 15, 2009
Release Date: August 25, 2009
Genre: Rock
Release Date: August 25, 2009

Top 5 Paid Apps

Release Date: April 22, 2009
StickWars $0.99
Release Date: March 31, 2009
Genre: Games
Bloons $0.99
Release Date: April 05, 2009
Genre: Games

Discover New Music

  • Quadrophenia

    • 10 out of 10
    • The Who
    • Quadrophenia is everything that Tommy wanted to be, a rock opera that told a story, but one where every song could still stand alone. It was also Pete Townshend's farewell tribute to the Mod

  • Haunted

    • 10 out of 10
    • Poe
    • Dropping like a bomb on some of the blah musical offerings of her contemporaries, Haunted was one of the best albums of 2000, obliterating the competition.

      Ostensibly a tie-in to her brot

  • With Teeth

    • 4 out of 10
    • Nine Inch Nails
    • In the sprawling post-A&R rock and roll world, there are two camps: the Beatles and the Stones. The Beatles are the artists that like to explore, evolve, and change styles. The Stones are the artis

  • 2112

    • 10 out of 10
    • Rush
    • We all know it, right? Well, ya just gotta have it. 2112 finally showed Rush out on their own, doing their own thing, and doing it well, IMHO.
  • Velocifero

    • 6 out of 10
    • Ladytron
    • "Back to the future" isn't the right turn of phrase for Ladytron's newest album,

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In-Depth Review

Elan Holster iPhone Case

The Elan Holster case from Griffin Technology is pretty much what its name implies: an iPhone holster with élan.

What's élan? According to the Mac OS X Dictionary:

élan
noun
energy, style, and enthusiasm : a rousing march, played with great élan.

ORIGIN mid 19th cent.: from French élan, from élancer ‘to dart,’ from é- ‘out’ + lancer ‘to throw.’

I'm not sure about energy or enthusiasm, but I definitely think it's got style. Here's what it looks like from the side, front, and back:

The leather-covered clip is removable, so you can attach it vertically (as shown), horizontally (insert it in the slot on the right instead of the slot on the top as shown), or remove it altogether (although that kind of defeats the purpose of a holster).

The only other thing of note is that it includes a static peel screen protector you can use if you like, and a "premium cleaning cloth," in case you lose the one that came with your iPhone.

I've been using this case for a few days and I'm still not sure I'm a holster kind of guy. Your iPhone fits snugly inside it which is both a blessing and a curse. It's a blessing because there's little chance of it falling out accidentally. But it also means that removing the phone quickly is sometimes a challenge. I didn't miss any calls because of it but there were a couple of times it was close. Still, if you prefer this type of case and don't mind having to remove the phone each time you use it, the Elan Holster provides good protection, craftsmanship, and looks.

By the way, someone commented that an iPhone may get hotter when you use it in a case than when you use it without. I haven't found that to be a problem with the Case-Mate Signature Leather Case I reviewed last week, but if heat during use concerns you, this case may be a better choice, since it's a holster and you have to remove the phone to use it.

One last thing: While researching the whole heat/case issue I came across this warning on the Apple site:

Charging your iPhone while in certain carrying cases may generate excess heat, which can affect battery capacity. If you notice that your iPhone gets hot when you charge it, take it out of its case first.

From: Apple - Batteries - iPhone
http://www.apple.com/batteries/iphone.html

So regardless of which case you choose you should probably remove it from that case before your recharge it.

The Bottom Line

The Elan Holster from Griffin Technology is a stylish, well-made case for anyone who prefers a "remove-it-to-use-it" holster-style case.

Just The Facts

Elan Holster from Griffin Technology

MSRP US$29.99

Pros:Quality materials, flexible clip, screen protector.

Cons:Can't use phone without removing it from the case, can be a challenge to remove quickly.

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