As you can see the LifeProof case failed the test and drop the back glass of the phone.  The one problem with this video that many are saying to us is that we didn't show the phone before it went in the case and so our video really doesn't show anything because the phone could have been broken before we put it in the case.  I can attest to the fact that the phone was not broken but I can understand the position.  However, I would like to show the video that LifeProof has on it's website displaying the same test we conducted:

As you can see LifeProof fails to show you the phone BEFORE it is in the case.  As a matter of faat they fail to show you the phone AFTER their tests.  They just show the phone in it's pretty little Lifeproof case, never bothering to take it out and show you if the phone broke or had damage.  Because we have gotten so many people who have had their phone break because of the LifeProof case we will be disecting the case and showing you that the case is no where near what the creators claim it to be.  Be looking for some more videos and reviews covering the LifeProof case.  Until then.

Much love,

Shawn Wilson

We all know about a case called the Lifeproof which has graced pool parties, beaches and water parks this summer.  To me, waterproofing is the next step in the evolution of smart tech protection.  Lifeproof was not the first, but it has definitely brought the concept mainstream. We are going to take a look at some waterproof solutions that are going to revolutionize smartphone technology.  The only requirement  to make it into this blog is claiming to be waterproof, not water resistant..

The case that is taking the nation by storm, Lifeproof :

This case is rated MIL-STD-810F-516.5.  This is Military standard for shock absorption.  What does this mean? This is a standard test which determines the degree of shock a device can handle.  If it handles the test it is fit for military duty.  Normally, with cases, they drop test them 26 or more times to determine how often it will break.  It is not full proof but it assures that it has been tested.  This Standard is Golden,  versus a non-tested case. Lifeproof  is waterproof up to 6.6 feet.  Just don’t keep it in the deep side of the pool for too long. 

They have also made a new add-on called the lifejacket. This cover adds buoyancy to  Lifeproof's repertoire.  If we can’t guarantee it beyond 6.6ft, let’s prevent it from going deeper.  It’s a logical step for an additional $39.99.  The case is braced for impact as well.  Makes up for the flimsy nature of the lifeproof case, and has optional tether.  Lifeproof is the case that is forcing all others to look at waterproof technology.

We are going to stick with cases for now. (Before blowing your mind).  Next up is the Aqua Tek By SnowLizard.  This is a serious case that will give you all the protection you need and more. 

1. It has a polycarbonate exterior. 
2. Built in extended battery
3. Built in solar power charger.
4. Fully waterproof
5. Side grips

This case has kit all.  Aqua Tek was funded by Kickstarter.   It is a little more than the $79.99 Lifeproof price tag.  This puppy is $129.99.   Its SOLAR Powdered, need I say more?  Take this bad boy out into the unknown, it’s going to survive anything you throw at it, and say, ”That all you Got.”  It was designed with outdoor types in mind. Big and bulk bastard, but for those seeking a truly rugged case, this is your case

 Rain Ballet By Joyfactory:  This case has been around since Lifeproof.  It just hasn’t got the name recognition.  Probably cause the name is strange.  The Rain Ballet has a nice reinforced structure that is good for impacts as well as waterproof.  Now this case rates good against rain, direct jets, and splashes. But they also mention IPX7 standards.  This refers to submersion up to 1 meter for 30min. They use Intelli-filter(mesures affects of liquids with different viscosity and ph on the case) to ensure a high quality sound which most waterproof cases do not use.

There are Sharpvue lenses over both front and back cameras. This case will take high quality video underwater. 

It is at the lower end of the price spectrum with a $49.99 price tag. Whoever named this case short changed it at the start. “I could have been a contender,” should be the quote for this case.  I wish I saw more of these cases around.

The next Contender that is turning heads is the Drisuit Endurance. 

This case bolsters waterproof protection as well as impact resistance.  It is a  Slim case that can survive 5 meters under water.  You can watch them throw it off ski lifts.  This case has it all.  The folks at Drisuit Technologies, designed this case with outdoor and sportsman types in mind. They have a unique non-toxic liquid membrane use d for screen protection to ensure that sensitivity is not lost. It also has a spot for a single credit card to fit in then back, and remain waterproof as well.  

  Check these guys out if you are looking for a slim outdoorsy solution for your iphone for $59.99.

The DRI CAT is made by EK Ekcessories produced in America.  It comes in multiple colors, extremely durable, and has the icat leash. EK produces iCat leashes that are optimum for folks that lose their phone.  These guys design lanyards, specialized ID cases, and now a waterproof case.  It has a simple twist mechanism that other cases do not.  Most cases have latches and clamps.  It is water proof. Only thing I don’t like is the screen cover it gets bubbly a bit.  It is still accessible.  My issue is aesthetic more than functionality.     This case is $59.99.  I am a big fan of iCat leashes.  Any case that is made in America is worth supporting.  For the price you will not be disappointed that you did.   

The New kid on the Block will be the Otterbox Armor Series.  Bolstering to be the “Toughest Case they ever made”, gives me high hopes for this one.  It is being shown everywhere as 20ft drop test, waterproof of to 10 feet, crunch of 2 tons, etc..  It Promises to be the next big thing.  It is going to be thicker than the lifeproof, but will definitely offer a higher level of protection.  

Check out some of the other Blogs, at zellatek.com, concerning the Otterbox Armor Series.

I have to give an honorable mention to the Magellan Tough Case  designed for the iPhone 3G/GS and iPod  touches 2^nd/3^rd Generation.

I wanted to show  that waterproofing has been around for a bit, and had more tech applied.  All waterproof iPhone 4 cases should tip their hats to the Magellan tough Case

1. Durability you can feel
2. Full access to all functions
3. Extended Battery life for Phone
4. Enhanced GPS chip set in case fully compatible with GPS Apps.  
5. IPX7 submersion certified

This case sets the bar high.  Priced at $99.99, the price is high. Recently they dropped the price on their sight to $79.99.  Since the decline of the iPhone 3G/GS, this is a wise decision.  

Now we leave the cases, and impact resistance behind, to focus on pure waterproofing solutions.   

  The Dry Case is a waterproof solution that may seem familiar.  We have seen many peoples come out with waterproof baggies and such.  These are an inexpensive way to protect your iphone from water.  What we see with the Dry Case is a tweak on the bag design.

1. It vacuum seals
2. It is headphone friendly
3. 3 it has been tested to 100ft underwater
4. THE VACUME seal allows for full functionality of devices by sucking the bag into a snug, screen protector type fit.

Do to the vacuumed seal technique, compression is not an issue for this case.  THEY HAVE PLENTY OF ACCESSORIES TO HELP YOU STRAP THIS CASE TO YOUR PERSON.    At  $39.99 this is a viable alternative to a case for folks just needing something for vacation.  They have bags for all types of devices, and even a waterproof back pack.  Nothing else bolsters a 100ft depth protection. 

 Our next solution is the Case Marine out of the UK.  It is a thin Membrane that adds only .25mm to the thickness of your  iPhone.  You could probably put a Case Marine on your iPhone and the case Marine will not miss a beat.  It has a 10 meter depth test.  I haven’t seen them for sale in the US.  Just click the blue Case Marine and it will take you to their sight..  As a Reminder, these solutions are not for impact resistance.  They are strictly waterproof solutions.  Now you may wonder. What else is thinner than .25 mm for my phone?  Well it is time to go molecular.

We met a company at the CTIA convention called HzO.  There is a video on our site showing them test their waterproof solution on an iPhone 4.  The guy would not give us much info on the process,  but on their website, they give brief insight to a Nano thin layer applied using a misting process.  This process is designed to affect the phone on a molecular level inside and out, totally waterproofing the device.  Now they do not offer this currently to the public.  They are trying to market to manufactures.  The vapor used is extremely hydrophobic.  It will not allow liquids  through.  Liquid should bead up and roll off. Think Rain X on steroids. The degree of waterproofing is relative to the amount of hydrophobic mist applied.  More is better.

Liquipel is another company doing a similar concept.  Difference is, Liquipel will  mist your phone for $59.  Click here for more info and to purchase.  This company shows how the process is done.  It puts your phone into a sealed container designed to form a vacuum.   They release the mist and it binds on a molecular level to the phone.  You will not notice it on the device.  Internally and externally your iPhone is now waterproof. 

 Never wet is facinating stuff!  This is the last of my Solutions for waterproofing.  This company did not focus on just iPhones, but everything else you can imagine.  Their unique style of waterproofing is applied by  spray, or dunking items in a solution.  You spray it on devices like an iPhone 3, just the outside, and the case will last 30 min under water.  Don’t take my word for any of this stuff check out the site, and videos.  This is another hydrophobic mist /spray, that don’t require a environmental vacuum to apply. They apply this stuff to shoes, fleece, phones, and more.  All come out bone dry by beading up the water. It’s amazing.  Unfortunately it is not for retail.  These guys are also marketing to companies. I really want a can of this stuff.

All of these solutions are able to revolutionize how we think about water, ice, oil, spillage, and weather protection.  Phone companies should jump on this stuff ASAP.  Give it a year, and all cases or devises will be offering waterproofing.

Out of all the solutions I have presented her,  I like the Neverwet Concept, and the Aqua Tek Case.  I would have to choose Liquipel  because it is offered for retail so check out the link.

This has been interesting to research.  Thank you for Reading.  Check out Zellatek.com, the accessory gurus, and twitter me @Ztek_Guru_DJ.  This has been Guru DJ Hoping to raise you consumer awareness.

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So, what is Solavei? Solavei is a new Social Commerce company that is providing $49/mo Unlimited Voice, Text, and Data 4G Nationwide contract-free wireless service.

Ballistic uses the SG look, but gives it a bit more thickness.  Its a three piece versus The old SG two piece.  We see a thicker silicone, denser shock absorbent polymer, and new molded, impact resistant screen protector.

The Silicone sleeve corners are thicker than before.  The corners are Ballistics signature protection on any case they design.  You see it from the LS to the Hard Core, and even on the New iPad Tough Jacket.  If you break a iPhone in a Ballistic case from a corner impact, I'd be very surprised.  Corners are the deadliest spot on any phone.  they are guilty of shattering many phones.  Ballistic SG Maxx, in true Ballistic style, seems to have that covered.

The Shock absorbant polymer, is another of Ballistic's signatrure moves.  It is , to my knowledge, a polyurethane that wants to be a polycarbonate.  Its not too hard, and not too soft.  the density of it does not offset its ability to transfer energy. Hence, the Ballistic SG Maxx is ready for some of the toughest drops and falls you can offer.  

The coolest new iPhone case feature, is the addition of the new molded screen protector.  this screen protector can help absorb impact.  Why is that good? Don't all screen Protectors do that? The answer is thart unless it is tempered glass or something other than a flimsy plastic sheet, screen protectors are generally for scratch resistance versus impact.  If you were to take your new Ballistic HC, or Deffender Series Otterbox out and let a rock hit the screen square, it would shatter.  Ballistic is advertising that this new molded screen protector ids going to absorb impact as well. another positive point, is if the screen protector gets jacked up, you can get a new one and change it out.  All large Tank style cases have a built in screen protector that, unless knocked out, you are stuck with.  this is going to allow the case to remain a bit slimmer than its Hard Core counterpart. With the addition of a Belt Clip, The SG Maxx may aim to compete with the big dogs, Otterbox Defender, Ballistic HC, Trident Kraken, and Lifeproof, by offering a higher level of versatility, less bulk, and solid protection.

I really think this is going to be a great case for folks looking to slim down their iPhone cases.  Folks with a Galaxy S III are already able to experience this case in al it's glory.  check out www.Zellatek.com for more info, videos, and products for all your smartphone needs.  Thanks for reading.

     The following can be found on Logic3's website concerning the release of the headphones/earphones:

"The Scuderia Ferrari Headphones and Earphones offer sleek design and high-quality audio, accompanied by superior comfort level in and on the ears. Mirroring Ferrari’s F1 styling, the whole collection is available in the following formats:

• The R200 On-Ear Headphones are available in silver or white (£199)
• The P200 Over-Ear Headphones pay tribute to those worn in the F1 pits, are available in red or black (£199)
• The R100  and R100i  Earphones, which feature TFAT and noise isolating technology, are available in black or white (£119)
• The S100 and S100i Earphones, which feature TFAT and noise isolating technology, are available in red or white (£99)

The Ferrari Cavallino Headphones and Earphones deliver a premium audio experience coupled with sumptuous comfort. With a focus on fine materials and detail, the collection is available in the following formats:

• The T250 On-Ear Headphones are available in black or tan (£229)
• The T150  and T150i Earphones, which feature TFAT and noise isolating technology are available in black or tan (£149)
• The G150 and G150i Earphones, which feature TFAT and noise isolating technology are available in black or white (£129)"

If the headphones/earphones are as good as the company says they are, they will be a great addition to anyones accessories cabinet.  As for me, I am going to wait and see.  I would rather test them out a little before I give a thumbs up or thumbs down.  Being that headphones with wires are on the rise again thanks to Beats By Dre, Logic3 may begin to see some love from those here in the States.  I guess we will have to wait and see.  Until next time.

God Bless,

Shawn

ONE of The Accessory Guru's 

     Otterbox seems to be stepping their game up wtih the release of several new lines like the Studio Series, Anthlem Series, the new colors for the iPad Otterbox, and of course the Armor Series which boast the ability to withstand a 20 ft drop, 10 ft of water, and 2 tons of pressure.  I CAN'T wait to get this case in my hands!!  

     Overall it looks like Otterbox is trying to maintain their TOP DOG status within the accessories market and if they keep producing more top notch cases like their new lines, companies like LifeProof, Trident, and Ballistc may become just things of the past.  Stay tuned as I am sure this war is just heating up!!  Until next time.

Much love,

Shawn

ONE of The Accessory Guru's 

     We love technology but what we love more is finding the best accessoreis for the technology we love so much.  Whether it's for the iPhone, iPad, or even the Kindle, we strive to find the best accessories and give our customers the best information possible that will help them meet the needs they have for thier smart technology devices.  

     Over all we are returning to the basics:  We are accessory junkies.  We LOVE them!!  We sit around and talk about them in the office.  We play with them during the day.  We even run them over with 18 wheelers: So, be looking for TONS of new content covering cases, bluetooth devices, and more.  We want Zellatek to be the place consumers can trust for acurate and reliable information that will help them make the best decisions possible when it comes to the accessories they are looking for.  Thanks to everyone who have ordered, commented on, and subscribed to Zellatek.  We appericiate it more than we can say!!

Sincerely,

Shawn Wilson

ONE of The Accessory Guru's 

If you have not seen the Avengers you probably live under a rock.  I was going through some of my uncommon iPhone case files. I thought, some of these would have persona similar to the avengers.  So Check out some cool and uncommon iPhone cases I think Tony Stark, brought to life by Robert Downey Jr., would give to the Avengers.  Some are practical; others are funny, and some the coolest iPhone cases you never heard of. 

First up, front man Tony Stark/Iron Man’s iPhone case:  

We all know that Tony is slick, smooth and loves metal.  So I chose the Luna Tik Tak Tiki case.  This is an uncommon iPhone case, which has a $100 price tag.  Tony Stark would have probably designed this case himself, or had no issue with the price tag.

It’s not just one of the toughest iPhone cases, but also the coolest iPhone cases I have seen.  Designed like crush resistant tires with aluminum frame. The Tak Tiki Is awesome:  It has a 9mm thick crush resistant polymer designed hexagonal/honeycomb jacket perfect for transference of energy, Compression resistant screen protector, but has optional gorilla glass for increased sensitivity and scratch resistance, put together with precision screw holes with brass fittings, and port blockers in various shapes and sizes.  I’m pretty sure every time Tony pulls the Tak Tiki out of his pocket, he misses his armor.  

Next up Is Steve Rogers/Captain America; brought to life by Chris Evans:

Cap is a little behind the times.  He was given an iPhone by Tony Stark, along with the Otterbox Defender Anthem Collection Rustic Flag. 

I can hear Tony Stark saying, “How Patriotic.” “Hey, it even looks old and worn out like you.”

True to the Otterbox Defender legacy, the Anthem Collection has the same durability but a smoother back.  This case is a coming soon product from Otterbox, and will be available on the Zellatek store when released to retail.

On to my personal favorite Avenger, THOR; brought to life by Chris Hemsworth:

Thor is all about his Hammer Mjolnir. 

I believe Tony would customize a case mock the hammer’s inscription.  So I went to zazzle iPhone cases, and designed one for the God of Thunder.

Click the hyper link to visit Zazzle.com to see how to customize your own case or visit the Zellatek store, to see similar Speck style cases.

These cases offer good Midgard, mid-grade protection suitable for mortals, protection. It can hold up to normal every day drops.  They are made out of a thick polycarbonate shell which surrounds the sides and back of the iPhone4.  It also has a facial rubber outline for screen protection.   I dare anyone to take a case protected by Thor Odinson.

Hawkeye/Clint Barton; brought to life by Jeremy Renner:

Hawkeye has to have something versatile, enhanced optics, and can attach to his quiver for daring feats of acrobatics.

Tony does not disappoint with the Diff Case.  This iPhone case is designed with some seriously cool features our guy Hawkeye.  Besides, Tony suspects that Hawkeye is a closet Photographer.

At first look it doesn’t look like an iPhone case at all.

This case is designed for the serious outdoor photographer.  It is durable and versatile.  It comes with a clip that can attach to your backpack, belt, etc…  This case totally encapsulates the iPhone there is a cover on the front that pops up to keep glare off the screen.  There are 3 different lenses to attach bayonet style.  This means it turns and snaps into place for a solid connection.  This case is ideal for folks on the go that need to snap pics, or for a good spy mission.  This is the perfect case for my man Hawkeye to do reconnaissance with.  He can close it up attaches it to his quiver and roll out. Even though some believe he got a little cut out of the film. He definitely gets one of the coolest iPhone cases in the lineup.  The craftiest case will go to the Black Widow.

The Black Widow/Natasha Romanov; brought to life by Scarlet Johansson:

Black Widow is a covert operative, not to mention, incredibly attractive.  She is use to being a double and even triple agent for S.H.E.I.L.D.  Tony, being the playboy he is, had to come up with something special, yet discreet. 

The little black book by Pad & Quill, is a perfect choice for an undercover operative.  Well at least Tony thinks so. 

This case is cushioned, not the most protective, but has slots to hide things in, and nobody is going to mistake it for an iPhone/recorder.   Also, Tony forgot that he bought this for her during Iron Man 2. So he is a little embarrassed when she shows the number to Pepper Pots; brought to life by Gwyneth Paltrow.

 

 

 

 

 

We can’t forget about Good Ole Nick Fury, brought to life by Samuel L. Jackson:  

Wait a second.  Does that Look like David Hasselhoff?  Why yes it does. For those supper Marvel Geeks, like myself, we remember a terrible TV movie from 1998, Nick Fury Agent of S.H.E.I.L.D.   But now we have the motha@#$%^& we all love, Samuel L. Jackson. He is the Nick Fury from the Marvel Ultimate Series.  They changed him from a middle-aged white guy to a middle-aged bald black guy.  But I digress; we are talking about iPhone cases.

Tony hands Nick a shiny metal textured iPhone case.  He says, “I Figure you’d be a company man to the bitter end.” 

This is the Marvel Icon Edition; S.H.E.I.L.D iPhone 4 case.  It is Plastic with a meal textured back.  Not a protective case, but it looks good, and is smooth sliding in and out of the pocket.  This case definitely makes it easy to identify an agent of S.H.E.I.L.D.

 

 

 

You may have thought I forgot the most important Avenger of them all. You would be wrong.

Brought to life by Bill Bixby/Lou Ferrigno, Eric Bana, Edward Norton, and now Mark Ruffalo, and loads of CGI,TheHulk/Bruce Banner:

 

Tony would be wise not to hand the Hulk an iPhone without one of the toughest iPhone cases around.  But What on Earth could protect an iPhone from the Hulk?

He hands Bruce, much to his surprise, a case by Rilakkuma.  Tony says, “Your pants are purple so I thought you’d like it.”

 

 

I thought Tony would go for a Psychological approach. The Hulk is a big softy at heart; he would not destroy a cute little purple bear if it rang.  He would protect it, and downright SMASH anyone that would take his new little buddy.   Tony says to Bruce, “Bear Hulk’s friend.  See. You love it” 

 

 

 

Thanks for Reading my Blog. Hopefully, you saw something new and enlightening.  Check out the Zellatek store, blogs, reviews, and videos.  Like us on Facebook.

 

 

The Trident Kraken AMS is Tridents beast.  The name alone is enough to make you think “Beastly case”, or “Release the Kraken!”   Trident goes against the grain with this beast.  Here are some of its stats. 

1. It starts with the Perseus silicone skin(with optional screen protectors)
2. A rigid polycarbonate EXO Skeleton with built in screen protector.
3. AMS (Adaptive Modular System) rear slide lock groove for multiple atachments, initially for aluminum kick stand.
4. Headphone extension.
5. Belt clip.

Kraken AMS goes against the normal silicone present on multiple cases at the Tank level.  Examples would be Otterbox Defender, Griffin Survivor, and the Ballistic HC.   Due to the rigid nature of most polycarbonates, used in manufacturing cases, silicone wraps diffuse the initial impact preventing cracks.  The AMS series uses a rigid layer on the outside.  This allows for the case to smoothly go in and out of the pocket by not sticking to anything.  The silicone Perseus case is left on the inside to absorb any residual shock from the initial impact.  It begs to question whether the dampening of the initial impact is better than absorbing the aftershock.  We will test this theory with a video in the near future.

1. They use a flexible polycarbonate frame.
2. Composite rubber barrier around the polycarbonate.
3. Thick silicone for additional cushion.
4. Built it clear polycarbonate screen protector
5. A track made of the same composite rubber as the barrier, which lifts up the device.
6. Integrated port plugs.
7. A clip made by AGF.

What does all this mean? It means we have serious hardware for our devises. 

Let’s start with the polycarb they use.  Polycarbonates are supposed to be fairly indestructible. This isn’t always the case. Thickness of said polycarb, density, rigidity, and amount of force applied is a determining factor.  Ballistic went with a flexible versus rigid.  The colored plastic will flex and transfer energy versus fighting and cracking.  Can it crack? Yes, but it takes some serious juice to do it. 

Next we have the composite rubber which surrounds the case.  Composites are usually rubbers integrated with some type of fiber to make sure the bonds are stronger.  What you get here is a stiff rubber capable of absorbing impacts.  The Ballistic HC also fashions the composite into notches along the top and side of the case.  This prevents the case from landing flat by forcing it to buckle.  All of this is perfect for transference of energy.

The additional silicone layer is added cushion for the HC.    The cases are already designed to transfer energy.  The silicone is merely a bonus for those days when you mistake your phone for a baseball.

The track is part of the internal structure that is attached to the composite backing.  It raises the phone a bit off the back of the case.  I’ve yet to see the back of a Ballistic HC case break, and we hit it with an eighteen wheeler.  Check out the video here!

Ballistic HC’s used to have port plugs integrated with the silicone rubber.  Now it is integrated to the hard shell.  One of the best things about the Ballistic HC is that It does not require the silicone for it to be protective!  This means the issue with silicone’s grabbing ahold of your HAIR, and everything else you own, can be done away with, while still be protecting your cell phone.  Now that the port plugs are on the case, you don’t have to worry about dust, rain, etc… whilst sporting it without the rubber.  But remember, if you plan on doing something crazy, Use the Rubber.

The clip is made by AGF. If you ever bought a slim hard case that came with a clip, it probable came courtesy of AGF.  Clips come in all shapes and sizes, and usually take the brunt of abuse.  Ballistics’ Clip has fewer issues than its competitors like Otterbox Defender, Trident Kraken, and Griffin Survivor.  Is it perfect? NO.  But I rarely know someone that has issues with it.

 In conclusion, Ballistic Hard Core, is more versatile than its competitors, yet lacks some of the color schemes others have.  But it is called the hard core.  Check out the Zellatek store to see the colors offered.  And with Ballistic's one year warranty, what is there to lose?

A new iPhone 5 release date rumor has hit the internet. This time an August launch has been speculated for Apple, based on a report from a Taiwanese tech Web site. Also included in the speculation is a rumored spec upgrade in the form of a A5X chip, which was used in the iPad 3 tablet.

According to International Business Times of Australia, Digitimes website from Taiwain has reported that Apple may launch the new iPhone in August. The reason for Apple to release in August would be to go up against their strong competitor, Samsung, and its updated batch of smartphones on the market.

The IBTimes website notes:

"It seems that tech giant Apple is threatened by the continuously rising sales of Samsung Galaxy S3 as well as the piling rumours that its rival company will be releasing another smartphone in fall."

Read more here.

5.  iPhone GPS aids in capture of car theft suspect.  

     If you are going to steal a car in the near future, you may want to make sure that there is not an iPhone anywhere in the car!!!  While I am sure the criminal in question probably thought he not only was getting a ride but also a free phone.  What he got instead was a night in county jail.  

iPhone GPS app:  1  Criminal:  0

4.  GPS app leads officers to stolen iPhone. 

     First off if you are going to steal an iPhone WHY would you pawn it at a pawn shop?  You wil get WAY more money by selling it to a loser friend then you would over selling it to a pawn shop.  Really folks!!  Does this kid have any brain matter inside his head?  An iPhone EASILY goes for several hundred dollars online depending on the condition but selling it to a pawn shop is just stupid!!  

iPhone GPS app:  2  Criminal:  0

3.  Mugging victim tracks suspects via iPhone's GPS.

     I would have loved to have seen this  confrontation.  

Muggers:  HAHAHAH dude we totally loaded up!!  Check it out!!  AN IPHONE!!

Victim:  Excuse me I believe that all belongs to me!!

Police:  Are these the suspects sir?  

Victim:  Yes.

Police:  Looks like you will be spending the night in jail gentleman.  

iPhone GPS app:  3  Criminal:  0

2.  iPhone GPS helped police track down thief.  

     You would think that people would begin to wise up when it comes to the smart technology market.  I mean if you can look up great places to eat on your iPhone and get directions all at the same time, you would think that criminals would be like, "Hey we probably want to throw this phone out the window, we might be tracked."  Nope!!  Not this guy!!  Chalk one up to another great iPhone GPS app story.

iPhone GPS app:  4  Criminal:  0

1.  Student tracks down iPhone thief using GPS technology.

     This whole article is worth the few minutes it takes to read it as this story place out like a movie.  Someone steals a guys phone and him and his friends use a computer to locate it by GPS and tell their friends on the hunt where to go, turn, etc.  I imagine it played out like a Borne movie or 24 episode.  This by far is my favorite story on iPhone and GPS apps!!!  

iPhone GPS app:  5  Criminal:  0

     The moral of the stories above is that if you are going to spend your hard earned money on an iPhone you should equip it with a top notch GPS app in the even that it is stolen or lost.  We will highlight some of the best iPhone/Andriod GPS apps in a coming blog.  Until then.

Much love,

Shawn Wilson

"The Boss"

Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce you to my new favorite file explorer app for Android, Solid Explorer. The little jewel is still in beta (which means it could have a few bugs), but don't let that stop you from installing it today and giving it a whirl for yourself. Let me lay out some of my favorite features for you.

First up, like any top notch app, the user interface is clean, easy to use, and simple. The main interface consist of two individual panes that are easily switched by swiping your finger to the left or to the right. Each pane can be set differently according to your preference of view styles (which I'll show you in a minute), sorting options, or filtering. You can long press on a folder or file to bring up an options dialog. The dialog is context sensitive, based on the type of file or folder that you're trying to manipulate. For example, if you long press on a ZIP, RAR, TAR.GZ, or TAR.BZ2 file, you'll have two options pop up for extracting the contents of that file. You'll also be given options to copy, move, rename, send (which integrates with Androids share functions), view properties, or archive the current item (which also supports ZIP, RAR, TAR.GZ, and TAR.BZ2).

Skipping down to the bottom of the app, we have Solid Explorer's menu. This is where the magic really begins.

The first item on the left is the "New" button, which allows us a way to create new folders, and new files. It also allows for an array of new connections, including FTP, SFTP, SMB, DropBox, and Box.net. I was able to test the FTP and Dropbox connections and both worked seamlessly. When you're browsing a remote connection of any sort, your active pane's browser gets pushed into the background. If you then change panes, a simple tap of the Android icon in the top left corner gives you easy access to all of your current connections and local folders. This is great if you frequently access files in the cloud or want to use your web hosts storage to backup or offload files from your phone.

Next on the menu is the Actions button which allows you to Cut, Copy, Paste, Delete, or view Properties of currently selected files or folders. It also allows you to select multiple items using checkboxes and a quick "Select All." Perhaps my favorite feature of the Action menu is the Properties feature. I've been long looking for an app that would allow me to quickly visualize where space was being used on my SD card so that I could quickly free up some space on my SD. When you give a quick tap of the Properties button, it takes you to a new screen that allows you to quickly view the details of the item(s) you have selected. If you don't have any item selected, it takes you to the Properties screen for the SD card and gives you an overview of the entire contents of the SD.

Moving right along, the Filter button comes in handy for quickly finding a file or folder that is currently on your screen. It does not search recursively (meaning that it only looks in the current directory, no deeper), but results are instantaneous. As soon as you type a letter, it begins filtering immediately.

The jump button allows you to quickly move around to different locations that you may not have open in the background. If you have root access, you can use this menu to quickly view the System root by tapping Device, then System root. The Photos and Downloads buttons are customizable via the settings of the app, in case you've changed the default locations within your Camera or Browser. The Network button quickly allows you to reconnect to previously connected network connections.

The Menu button, which is also accessible if you press the Menu button on your device, allows us to customize our Simple Explorer experience. Search allows you to search everywhere in your current browser (it works for the network connections as well), AND the search feature integrates with Android's search button. After installing Simple Explorer, you'll be given an option to allow Android to use Simple Explorer's search feature by pressing the Search button on your device.

Further down the Menu button are the View and Sort buttons. These allow you to fine tune your current pane. My favorite view is the "Detailed List." The only thing I wish were different about the detailed views is the ability to display the size of folders.

Another big feature worth pointing out is the File Sharing feature. If you're Android device is connected to a Wifi network, enabling File sharing will allow you to browse your phone via FTP. I can't stress enough how much I LOVE this feature. No more usb cables, no more dismounting your SD, no more "Safe removal." I love it!

The Settings button allows you to further tune Simple Explorer to your liking. There are quite a few options in the Settings. Perhaps of greatest interest are Theme (currently only Light and Dark are available), the Default directories for both panes, and the Quick start guide.

As with anything in life, there are a couple of negatives to point out. First of all, the app crashes on the Properties page on my phone when I switch back and forth between the various property pages. Also, in the Top 10 files, occasionally the Top 10 files will repeat. After number 10, number 1 will reappear, and scrolling down will reveal the top 10 list having been duplicated. These, of course, are bugs, and this app is still in beta, so I'm sure that these issues will be ironed out.

Overall, hands-down, Simple Explorer Beta wins my vote for best Android Utility App. You owe it to yourself to download it from the Play Store and give it a test drive yourself.

     Day 2 of the CTIA 2012 convention is wrapped up and overall we are amazed at all the GREAT new products and devices about to hit the market!!  While we at Zellatek have several HUGE announcements coming in the next several weeks I personally wanted to share my TOP 5 coolest product lines just hitting or about to hit the accessories market:

5.  iKeep

Their product line is one of the coolest new lines I have seen in a long time.  Instead of trying to reach everything wireless they are currently focusing on chargers and are making a BIG splash doing it!!  Their Universal Smartphone Retractable Charger may be one of the coolest chargers on the market, and their colors are great too!!  Be looking for them in our store very soon!!

4.  iCat

iCat is product line awesome!!  While just hitting the consumer market because they have been supplying to the highest levels of governent with their products, iCat is going to revolutionize how we carry our smart devices.  Their lanyards are sleek and durable and appeal to hikers, bikers, runners, surfers, and pretty much anyone who wants to make sure their phone is secure.  Whether that is aroun your neck, wrist, or clipped to your belt, iCat has got you covered!!

3.  driSuit

This company is going to give Life Proof a run for their money.  While their driSuit Endurance case is a little bulkier then the Life Proof case, it can desend to depths twice that of the Life Proof case!!  If your looking for a case that you can count on around water, driSuit is the company that you trust to protect your phone wit hjust such a case.

2.  Body Dock

By far the coolest case (their first product in a new company) I have seen the whole show, Body Dock is what every person who wants to protect their phone, but have access to all ports without having to take it off, is going to want!!  Made by REAL enginners who took the time to get the right plastics, metals, and magnets (yes I said magnets) for a phone that has the protection of an Otterbox and Ballistic but the accessability of a phone with no case on it!!  It's a GREAT new case that is going to make waves in the accessories industry.

1.  HzO

The COOLEST thing I saw the whole show was HzO's demonstration!!  While they are not going to be reaching out to the consumer market, you WILL be experiencing their product line.  HzO is a company that coats the inside of your smart device so it can survive a drop in the water..........for 5 hours!!!  You read that right!!!  I witnessed, and we will be posting the video soon, HzO put an iPhone 4 in water for several seconds and pull it up with NO damage. The phone worked just like it did before it was in the water.  The CRAZY thing was that I watched the water drain from the back of the phone (back of the phone was clear)!!!  IT WAS INSANE!!!  Like I said HzO will not be reaching out to consumers but instead is reaching out to actual phone makers as to get them to add their technology to new phones so water damage is a thing of the past!!!  It's a great idea and one that will change the industry!! 

     That's all I have for now!!  Be looking for more posts, videos, and reviews as well as a HUGE announcement in the coming days concerning our future!!!  Until then!!

Much love,

Shawn

Features include:

• Batch install apps to your phone via usb
• Choose to install apps on internal storage or SD card
• Rename .apk files in a directory according to App name
• Batch install apps wirelessly *
• Backup apps and data *
• Restore app data along with the app *

* requires your phone to be rooted in order to function

Checkout APK Batch Installer via the XDA Forums.

WOW!!!      

     I have just returned for Day 1 of the CTIA 2012 Convention in New Orleans and all I can say is...........WOW!!!  While there we were able to meet TON of new companies and get our hands on TONS of new products.  To say that the accessories market is about to really take off is an understatement.  While there have been cell/wireless accessoreis for years, the smart technology accessories market is relativly new.  With the introducting of the iPod, iPhone, iPad the smart technology industry has exploded and there are not hundreds of companies looking to meet the needs of consumers who want to protect and accessorize their devices!!      

     The Zellatek team and I were able to meet with several companies while at the show and talk to them about getting their products listed here on Zellatek.  All were gracious and kind and we are working with them to expand our inventory so that Zellatek can be you one stop shop for the BEST in cell/wireless/smart technology accessories.  We will be announcing new partnerships in the coming days but I wanted to share some thoughts I had coming out of Day 1 of CTIA 2012:  

1.  There are TONS of new companies that are going to make a HUGE splash in the accessroies market in the coming year!!  

2.  Old dogs like Otterbox are going to have to up their game if they plan on competeing in this new hot market.    

3.  The cell/wireless/smart technology market is on FIRE right now and there are hundreds of great products to choose from.    

4.  It is a great time to be a consuer right now in the cell/wireless/smart technology market as companies are working overtime to get their products noticed and to you!!  

5.  I fully expect to see the rise of new accessory companies that want to really be an assest to customers, while seeing the fall of accessory companies who are just looking to turn a buck!!  

6.  New products are coming to the market that are going to revolutionize the cell/wireless/smart technology market in BIG ways!!      

We will be working with several of the companies we met today to bring their products to the market in the coming days, as well as announcing a new partnership that will make Zellatek one of, if not the, biggest online retail site there is.  We are excited about the days ahead for us and will keep you updated as things develop.  Be looking for my thoughts on Day 2 at CTIA 2012 as I list my top new products that are coming to the market in the coming months.  Until then.    

Much love,  

Shawn  

"The Boss"

Presidents Run: It's election season and what better way to pass the boring news coverage then by running yourself?!?!  Presidents Run is a fun easy game of running for President, and when I say running I actually mean running!! The game is you picking your Presidential Candidate and running to collect votes. However, you have to avoid certain things like the media, goats, and the Liberty Bell so as to not get knocked off the campaign trail. Want a fun game to waste time with? This is it!!

Draw Something: The game that is taking the app world by storm!! This might be the funniest game I have played in a long time!! Trying to guess what your friends, who have NO artistic ability whatsoever, are drawing makes for tons of laughs. Heck, trying to figure out what you are drawing for your friends is just as fun. I love this game and recommend it to everyone looking to have a little fun.

Z-Day: Have you ever wondered if you could survive a zombie apocalypse? If so then this game is for you!!! Going through this game will help you learn the skills you need in order to survive when the dead begin walking!! At the end of the game you are rated on the decisions you made and the probability of your survival from those decisions. It can be humbling. Especially if you are a zombie fan and thought you were ready to fight off some walkers and end up getting a 45% survival rate!! Hone your skills here for the end.........which I hear is sometime in December.

Train Conductor 2: USA: To say that my son loves this game is an understatement!! He begs me to play this game almost every single day and I must admit I understand where he is coming from!! This game is addicting!! Trying to get the trains into the right slot in fast mode is stressful!!! But in the end it is a ton of fun just wasting time. This is a cool game and I recommend it!! That's all for now!!

Check back a little later and see the Top 5 songs on my iPod!!!

Until next time.

Much love,

Shawn Wilson

"The Boss"

1. First off, download the Motorola USB Drivers and install them on your PC:
   1. Windows 32-bit
   2. Windows 64-bit
2. Download Motofail
3. Extract the contents of the .zip file to a location you can easily find
4. Enable USB Debugging on your phone
   1. From the homescreen, press Menu
   2. Then Settings
   3. Applications
   4. Development
   5. Then make sure "USB Debugging" is checked.
5. Plug your phone into your PC and change the USB Mode to "Charge Only"
6. Double-click the "run.bat" file in the motofail_windows folder that you extracted in step 3
   
7. Sit back and watch the show

Your phone will reboot a couple of times. After that, you'll have full root access and be ready to enjoy flashing custom ROMs and all the other benefits that root access entitles you to!

Thanks to Dan Rosenberg for creating Motofail

If you're like me, and your lifetime dream is to go on jungle adventures in search of forgotten treasure that's been buried in ancient temples guarded by demon monkeys whose souls have been sucked out, but you lack the funding to go out and do so, then I've got good news for you. Today, Imangi Studios released their popular iOS game, Temple Run on the Android. No longer must Android users suffer the never ending ridicule of inferiority due to the lack of this fine gaming app.

Released in August 2011 for iOS, it has seen more than 40 million downloads, and has over 13 million daily players. Its ease of play and overall relaxed tone lends to being a great time waster when you find yourself in need of one. Temple Run for Android features the same simple controls and graphics as its iOS counterpart.

If you find yourself constantly hitting the wall or being trampled by evil demon monkeys, you can use the coins you've collected on your journey to unlock powerups, new characters, and wallpapers (though I fail to see how a new wallpaper is going to help you take the idol home). Should you be short on coins, Imangi Studios will happily add some to your account in exchange for some real coin.

Unleash your inner Indiana Jones and download Temple Run from Google Play.

       Tank Class:  Currently, the highest grade of protection. These cases are larger than the everyday case. they usually incorperate both silicone, usually for shock absorbtion and water resstance, and hard plycabonates/plastics. Most have built in screen protectors as well made from a thin translucent plastic. Tank in reference to the durability and massive size of acctual tanks do to the materials used to constuct them. They withstand serious damage, but lack the versatility of smaller vehicles. Pro, if you plan on destroying your phone with a toss at a wall, running it over with a truck, or dropping it in a toilet these cases are for you. Con, if you want a case which fits smoothly into your pocket, or still feels like the Phone you purchased, this case is not for you.

        Examples: Otterbox Defender, Ballistic HC, Trident Kraken II/AMS, Lifeproof, Griffin Survivor, And more that are comparable to these.

       SUV Class: This refers to a mid-grade protection. These cases, on average, are smaller than Tanks. These cases can be made out of hard polycarbonates/plastics, flexible polycarbonates, hard rubber, or a combination of silicone rubber and polycarbonate. Also, They tend to provide a screen protector which is applied to the front of the Phone. SUV is in reference to the better protection an SUV provides over smaller vehicles. They protect against everyday drops, scrapes, and mishaps. You can drop these on the floor, down a few steps, things like that. They are versatile enough to park just about anywhere. Meaning, they fit in and out of your pockets, are less cumbersome, and still offer solid protection. Con, on average, not water resistant, not able to survive toss at the wall, running over by cars, and overall extreme abuse. If you are not extremly hard on your Phone, and seek versatility, these cases are for you.

       Examples: Otterbox Commuter and Reflex, Ballistic SG, Trident Aegis and Cyclops, Skech Hard Rubber, Rise, Shine, CJ Flip, and any other comparable cases.

       Economy Class: These are low-grade case protection. These cases tend to be slim, nice looking, and cheaper cases. They offer plenty of style, but less protection. Most do not provide screen protectors. They can be made out of thin plycarbonate/plastic, rubber, silicone, leather, and more. The also tend to have more designs, bling, sparkles , etc... They can offer little to no protection. If they offer protection, its for a quick drop to the floor, and thats it. The silicone/rubber cases offer slip resistance. SomeEconomy Class usually look cuter than other cases. Cute, on average, means for show not protection. This case is for those folks not ruff with their phones, love aesthetics more than protection, or like to still feel like they are holding the Phone they purchase.

       Examples: Otterbox Impact, Ballistic LS, Trident Perseus, Bling cases, Skech Slim, Cutom Jacket, Gel cases, and other comparable cases.

        It is important to note these terms are Generalizations, and not specific to every type of case out there. For instance, a person could have a Hummer (Otterbox Reflex) versus a Ford Explorer (Trident Aegis). Both are from the SUV Class, but one is clearly more heavy duty than the other. We could also have an Escalade(Skech CJ FLip) versus a Jimmy (Otterbox commuter). One has a sleaker high end style over the other. There are many ways to usethese terms. So use them and start exploring new levels of awareness.

 This is Guru DJ, hoping to have raised your awarness alittle more this day.

 Thank you for reading.

   The style, of the CJ Flip, starts by covering, with hardened leather, the front and the back of your phone. It comes in two other styles, diamond studded and soft leather stretched over a plastic frame. Each provides the same protection just with a different texture. This case falls into my SUV category. It is versatile, and offers every day protection. I am hard press to say, it is the Escalade of the SUV category. It offers sleek, professional styling going where you want it to, but knowing that it offers protection from normal everyday threats. Throwing an iPhone, in the CJ Flip case, is not recommended.

   How does the CJ Flip accomplish its unique style? It has a hard leather shell which attaches to the back of the phone covering the sides. The bottom has a flexible leather extension which connects to the hard leather front cover. Flip up covering the face of your iPhone 4/4S. It is secured by, non-obstructively, embracing the top of the iPhone with a small leather extension. Now, you can put your iPhone in your pocket without the fear of have keys or change present. For the ladies, you never have to worry again about throwing your iPhone into a purse possessing an eclectic assortment of hard abrasive things. This is because your iPhone 4/4S is now surrounded by Leather Armor made by Skech. It is tough enough to deflect piercing blows from hard objects. Hard Leather was used, in the medieval era, as a practical solution for light weight combat armor because of its mobility and deflective capabilities. It could help deflect incoming bladed weapons, so I am pretty sure it can handle whatever you have in your pocket or purse.

   By being fully ensnared, the CJ Flip covers the iPhone's bottom docking area. Some people now know that the bottom docking area of the iPhone 4's, or most any Smartphone is open to not only receive proper docking mechanisms, but random trash. This leads to poor connectivity. CJ Flip naturally prevents this. There are a few other pros to explore.

   The other pros, for the Skech Leather Custom Jacket Flip case, come into play when you flip the front cover to the back. Now this takes a little of that savoir fair I was talking about. During calls, texts, or game time the front covers mass is added to the back for an unexpected benefit. By having a bit more mass to fill out your palm, one decreases drop risk. Also, the CJ Flip is ready for ideal gaming. The mass will give iPhone’s a thick and sturdy foundation which, I find, reminiscent of a gaming controller. Also, if you do not use headphones while gaming, the additional mass encourages you to drop your fingers down a notch preventing muffled speakers. I noticed, on slim cases, I am constantly blocking my iPhone’s sound from the bottom speaker. Also, hooking your finger under the grip, normally on top of the iPhone, helps gain more control. Now, relax knowing all is perfectly under control. The elimination of anxiety will always create higher functionality and gaming stats. There are a few cons with the Skech Leather Custom Jacket Flip.

   If you lack coordination/ savoir fair, it could take you longer to gain mastery. But trust me, once you develop your style with it, it’s like getting in a car that pulls to the right, you never consciously adjust, you just do it. Oh, and you will look smooth doing it.  The worst thing you can do is break the leather grip at the top. When this occurs, the front will no longer fasten properly. This is easily fixed by purchasing a new CJ Flip. I Kid. Docking stations can be tricky depending on the type. When totally covered, the phone cannot dock. When you have it flipped to the back,, the additional thickness prevents iPhones from docking with most docking stations. I find I have to take the phone out with my dock. Now to be fair, Manufacturers design around phone not case dimensions.  I personally think that all case manufacturers should produce extensions. I hope Otterbox is reading.

   Every day I hear complaints or loose a sale because people expect docking stations to be compatible with their case. Sorry folks, responsibility falls on the case manufacturer. So send some recommendations to your manufacturer. It's like writing your Congressman, but way more effective because they actually care about their customers.

   If you want to make your Smartphone/IPhone experience complete, I urge you to find the case that compliments your style. Don’t let a sales man interfere with your style by saying, “Thanks for buying; now you better put it in an Otterbox (Defender series) before it breaks.” When you put your phone in the case that suites your style, the anxiety of handling your Smartphone/iPhone goes away. Everything flows the way it is supposed to. Who knows? You may find yourself in a nice comfy SUV instead of a big cumbersome Tank.

Diamond ranking: 1-5

Survivability:   3.5

Mainly cause it covers the front of the phone as well.

Functionality:    4

It adds more than it takes away

Style:    5

This case looks very smooth and professional

Groovy Tech:   5

Not many companies make cases like this. Have to give props to Skech for doing so.

This is Guru DJ hoping Zellatek .com has once again sent you to a higher level of awareness. Thanks for Reading.

Now I’ve tried dialing my FM radio in to one of the local stations to get the traffic reports, but after the 3rd Aflac, 4th diet program, and 2nd vote for me commercial, my nerves can’t stand it. Traffic + radio noise just drives me nuts.

Enter, Beat the Traffic. This little app is a divine Godsend. It’s design: simple. Its interface: easy to use. Its purpose: single fold. That is, to inform you of any traffic related issues and update on a regular basis.

Granted, there are other apps out there that provide you with traffic reports. There are even a ton of GPS devices that provide "alternate routes" based on traffic flow, but I like having a simple app that visualizes the flow of traffic for me so that I can make my own decisions about which route would be best for me to take.

When you first load the app, it begins to find your location via traditional location means: GPS, wifi, or cell tower. Once it finds your general location, it shows a Google map with a traffic overlay. Green for smooth flowing. Yellow for sluggish traffic. Red for "Holy crap this is going to take a while" traffic. It also has a handy "Report" button that allows you to report accidents, construction zones, and road hazards, which does count as doing a good deed for the day, should you run into anything that hasn't been reported.

All in all, it's a great app. Download it from the Android Market.

     If you have been looking for Otterbox's for phones other than the iPhone, then I have GOOD NEWS for you!!  We have just updated our store to add several new phones to our line of Otterbox products.  We are working hard to bring you the biggest and the best inventory of cell phone/smart phone accessories that you can find on the web.  If you don't see something that you think we should carry, let us know and we will look into it!!!  We love working with all the different companies and accessories out there so feel free to drop us a line and let us know what you think is something we should test and carry!!  Be looking for more in the way of companies like:

Speck

Skech

Ballistic

Trident

     And more over the coming weeks.  

     Much love Zealots,

Shawn Wilson

"The Boss"

1. Download Absinthe

   Head on over to Greenpois0n and download Absinthe. The download links are in the top right corner. They have an installer for Windows, Mac, and for Linux. Greenpois0n (opens in a new window)

2. Back that thing up

   Before you do any modification to your device, always back it up. If Murphy's Law is in full swing for you today, then you may want to make a backup of your backup.

   If you're unfamiliar with how to backup your iDevice, plug it in via USB, then open up iTunes. Right-click your iPhone under "Devices" and click "Backup." Once that's done, disconnect your device.

3. Extract the goodness, and launch

   Extract the contents of the .zip file you downloaded earlier. Make sure to put it somewhere that's easy to find. Unlike, say, in your temp folders. I usually go for the Desktop.

4. Run, Forest, Run

   Once extracted, launch Absinthe by double-clicking its icon. You'll be prompted to plug your device back in. This process can take a while, so go take the dog for a walk, or build a papercraft model of Darth Vader's TIE Fighter. It is normal for the device to reboot during the process.

5. Final Countdown

   You'll know the process is nearly complete once your device loads to the Springboard, or "Homescreen." Once there, find the Absinthe icon and tap it. This will finalize the install and place a Cydia icon on your device. From there, the sky's the limit. Enjoy your newly found freedom!

     I wanted to update everyone on all the cool things going on here at ZellaTek.  As you can see we have tweaked the website a little to make it more user friendly!!  Just a few of the cool features we've added are the wishlist, my cart, easier checkout, and a My Account section that will allow you to see what you've ordered and your order history.  The look of the site is also a little different and in my opinion more appealing.  The store is easier to navigate and the blog is layed out in an easier to view way that will allow you the reader to see what you want to read without having to scroll through the whole post. 

      We have also added some things behinds the scenes like new team members.  While everyone knows DJ ("The Guru") and myself (Shawn "The Boss"), not everyone knows our two new team members Nick Andrus and Matt Frey.  Nick has been a friend of mine for over 10 years and has a great knowledge of smart phone accessories and internet marketing.  Nick brings a vast undestanding of what accessories are best for each phone along with the ability for us as a compnay to expand our reach in the big ocean of the world wide web.  Matt Frey is a long time friend and internet specialist who will be heading up our IT department.  Matt has built tons of wedsite for churches, businesses, and individuals and has a crazy good ability to make sites work properly and look good at the same time.  We are proud to have these guys on board as we build our business and reach into the cellular community. 

     In case you were wondering if we had a facebook, twitter, and youtube page, I am pleased to announce that we do!!!  Check out our facebook page here, our Twitter page here, and our Youtube page here.  We will be updating often and bringing you, are loyal followers the latest in cell/smart phone accessories, gadgets, news, breakthroughs, and updates.  Check back with us often and help spread the word.  Who knows, you might win a prize for doing so!!! 

Much love Zealots!!

Shawn Wilson

"The Boss"

With so many to choose from, here's a collection of seven weather apps for Android that are definitely worth checking out.

Weather is one of those things you pay attention to during the more extreme climate seasons like summer and winter. You'll want to see if it's going to be cold in the morning when you wake up or really hot in the afternoon so you can dress appropriately for your day. You may find one of these apps suitable by itself, or you can try combining a couple of them to get the most information.

The Weather Channel

(Credit: Screenshot by Nicole Cozma)

One of the most popular weather apps by far. The daily information is excellent in this app because it includes what the temperature feels like, the humidity, and UV index. The hourly forecast is superior to that of other apps, showing you the temperature, precipitation chance, and wind. No artsy line graphs, just numbers to let you know what temperatures to expect.

(Credit: Screenshot by Nicole Cozma)

You'll also find 36-hour and even 10-day forecasts in The Weather Channel's app. Radar maps are nicely marked with respect to the severity of weather conditions. Also, severe alerts are marked on the map with pop-up place pins that make it supereasy to read. Tweets, videos, and first-hand encounters are also included if you just can't get enough info about the weather.

WeatherBug

(Credit: Screenshot by Nicole Cozma)

WeatherBug is more traditionally used as a day-to-day forecast and weather app, but it does have useful features that can help you track hurricanes and other severe weather conditions. The app comes with a built-in alert system for weather warnings issued in your region or even nearby regions. There is also a weather map that displays a playable radar image of the forecast, so you can see where the weather is coming from and the direction it is moving.

(Credit: Screenshot by Nicole Cozma)

This app has one of the best radar features, but doesn't serve up m1Weatheruch detail on individual storms. The radar map, while handy for short-term planning, only has a range of about 40 minutes. Also, the warning system will only alert you if you're actively tracking that region.

Want to read more?  Check out the rest of the post at cnet.com.

What are your thoughts on this review? We liked all the useful of information on each phone. If your considering a Razr or Nexus, did this help you in your decision?

1.  Feedly:  Feedly is a cool, easy to navigate app that lets you read and share content from your favorite websites, it’s easy to use format and integration with social networking sites allows you to recommend articles to to your friends.

2.  World Newspapers:  Ever wanted to have access to more the 6,000 newspapers?  Then this app is for you!!  With access to more than 6,000 worldwide newspapers from nearly every country on the planet, this app keeps you up to date on anything and everything going on in the world.  A little cluttered as an App by the volume of newspapers available, but well worth the access to thousands of newspapers.

3.  BBC News Pro: A great source of for the latest news from around the world including; BBC News Middle East and BBC News South Asia.  Easy to scroll through stories and an accompanying widget means you will never not know what’s going on in the world.

4.  The Daily Mash:  A satirical view of the latest and most important news stories in the world, The Daily Mash app covers a tons of subjects and allows you to share the articles you like the most through Facebook and Twitter.  Consider it the Jon Stewart of news apps.

5.  Sky News:  Offering the latest in UK and world news as it breaks throughout the day, Sky News gives you access to the world while allowing you to view videos that accompany the stories you are reading and get news alerts sent directly to your phone.

These news apps are great additions to those who keep up with the news as it breaks and want to share it with those in their social networks.  Be on the look out for ZellaTek’s blog on the top apps for parents of young children.

Until next time.

*  All reviews will now only be found on the “Reviews” page.  We would like to keep the blog page as a means of information and communication with our fans away from the reviews of the products we are highlighting.  This will allow us to share what is going on in the company, cool videos of behind the scenes stuff, interviews with team members, and a TON more.

*  All reviews will be posted on Wednesday’s (written) and Friday’s (video).  This will allow us the time to make sure we are offering the best review possible.

*  All reviews will now be based on a ranking system.  This will allow us to give you the best possible information concerning the products we are reviewing.  We want everything we review and highlight to give you the info you are looking for in a way that is easy to understand and helpful in determining if the product is something you can use.

*  We will be introducing a cool new ratings system along with our review system.  We want you the customer to know if the products we highlight will work for you so be looking for some of the following rating systems:

The Soccer Mom Test

The Business Man Test

The Military Test

The Rough and Tumble Test

Those are just a few of the new ratings systems that we will be introducing in the coming days and weeks.

*  We will be adding cool new ZellaTek merch to the products page like T-shirts, bumper stickers, hats, etc.

Overall we are working on upping our game as a company.  In order to do that we are adding new team members.  Be looking for bios in the coming days of everyone working to make ZellaTek a success.

While we are not completely sure that the above photo is what the iPad 3 will feature or even look like, we do know that there is a TON of speculation concerning it’s official announcement from Apple (probably in February), suspected release date (probably March), and at least some of the possible new features that it will have. Below is a link to Business Insider’s article covering 13 Rumors concerning the new iPad 3. We thought you might like it as much as we at ZellaTek did. Enjoy!!

UPDATED: Here are all the iPad 3 rumors we know so far.

A lot of cases are designed to save the iPad if it hits the ground, but this one prevents it from falling in the first place.  The strap adds to the functionality of the iPad by eliminating the fear of dropping it. Adding to this is the sleep/awake function which conserves the battery.  Cases with this option always get a higher ranking from me.  Opening your case to find that your battery has died is annoying.  Having a designer that considered absent-minded behavior is a definite plus.  Not only does it cut off, but it grips the side of the iPad when it closes.  I like this because I have seen many cases with an extra strap to keep them close.  It takes away from the smooth exterior of a case.

The Porter kept its entire sleek soft, leather feel.  But this case does make a few sacrifices.

The Porter sacrifices bulkiness for the strap that will prevent dropping.   The design can hold up to some drops.  The front cover is thick to brace the impact.  What it lacks is side protection.  The snaps are about the size of your thumb, and cover the top, bottom, and the corners only.  If it they get damaged your case is useless. The back part could use some more cushion, but it is sacrificed for the case’s ability to fold and stand in three positions.  Also, the fold makes a crease across the back that is not bad looking but it is not good looking either.  You can judge for yourself.

This case has a good balance.  It feels nice, secure, and will preserve my battery.  I would not recommend excessive drops, or hurling the iPad across the room.  USE THE STRAP!  I give the Porter an Average score for protection, and above average for functionality.

From a purely personal standpoint I love the Skech iPhone 4/4S case.  Not only is it durable (a MUST for a father of 3) but it’s also a sleek and slim case which makes it easier to handle.  There are a TON of iPhone cases on the market, but few have the strength that the Skech brand offers to the customer.  Made of hard rubber that protects the phone from drops, dings, and falls allows the customer to know that their phone will be protected in normal daily activities.  Not only does Skech make their case from hard rubber, which is a MUCH better protector than plastic or soft rubber, but it also adds felt backing to the inside of the case to protect the back of your phone from scratches.

The case itself is made with a little “give” to allow for shock absorbency in the event that the case and phone were dropped.  Personally I have dropped my phone several times while it’s been in the Skech Hard Rubber case and have never had it crack or break.  The case itself has even held up under some of the worse drops I have ever had for a phone.  While I have had a Skech case crack slightly from a drop it was not a bad crack and it is still usable in all its functions.  Durability is a must if you are going to pay as much as you do for an Apple iPhone and I HIGHLY recommend the Skech brand for durability, sleekness, and overall for being a great case for your iPhone.

The only con I could possibly give to the Skech brand is that the case does not have a belt clip functionality.  Many people do look for that but overall I do not think it is a deal breaker in buying the case as it fits easily in your pocket, purse, or bag.

PROS:

• Hard Rubber make that gives the case a durability most other cases do not have.
• Felt backing that protects the back of the phone from dings and scratches.
• Made with a little “give” that allows for drops the Skech Hard Rubber case absorbs the shock of drops and falls so your phone does not.
• Sleek, slim, and easy to handle the Skech Hard Rubber case gives max protection without being bulky and cumbersome.
• Includes a screen protector.  This is a nice added bonus.  While the screen protector is no iShieldz or Invisible Shield it does protect the screen of the phone.
• All openings for buttons line up perfectly for both iPhone 4 and 4S.

CONS:

• Does not come with belt clip functionality.  We have found that some clips can be used with the Skech Hard Rubber but the case itself does not possess that functionality.
• Screen protector is average.  After a few months you will be looking for a new screen protector.

Overall we at ZellaTek recommend the Skech Hard Rubber brand for any device you may have.

However, the more I thought about it the more the idea consumed me on how we could take Smartphone accessory products and test them for consumers.  I thought we could see if cases like Otterbox, Ballistic, The Tank, and Survivor stood up to the claims made by their respective companies.  The more I thought about it the more I realized that this idea was HUGE!!  We could take ANYTHING associated with smart technology and test it to its limits!!

We figured we could help the consumer by,

1. Testing every Smartphone product under the sun in a third party type of way,
2. Then give them a place where they could buy those same products knowing that we put them through real life testing scenarios without the influence of the actual companies.

It is my personal opinion that many consumers do not really trust a company that puts “testing videos” on their websites or YouTube, because they instinctively know that the game can easily be rigged in favor of the product being tested.  We on the other hand give you all the gory details of how our testing resulted.  If the cases we are using break the phone, we are going to show you.  If the case is destroyed but protects the phone, we will show you!!  If the phone explodes we will definitely show you!!!  We are going to give you the truth no matter what (so help us God)!!!

ZellaTek is more than just an idea on testing phone cases.  It is a passion of my mine to share my love for technology with others and help them find the products that best meets their needs.  We will cover more than just cases for your phone!!!  We will review Bluetooth technology, car wireless systems, accessories, and MUCH more.  Please feel free to check in with us often as we will be posting TONS of content.  Also check out our Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube pages and help us spread the word!!  Until then God Bless!!