Archive for the ‘Kindle Skins & Covers’ Category
Verso Kindle 3 covers 1 comment
Some of the new ereader covers LightWedge had displayed at CES have now been released under the Verso label. The cool lighted cover prototype LightWedge was demonstrating has not yet been released, but hopefully it is on the way — at CES I was told that it might be available around the end of the second quarter.
The new line of Verso covers are primarily marketed for the Kindle 3, but feature a one-size-fits-all design that will also fit other ereaders including the Nook, Kobo, Galaxy Tab and the Sony Daily Reader.
When I examined the demos of these covers at CES, 
I was impressed by the workmanship and quality of the materials used. The Artist Series feel really nice in your hands — like holding an old leather-bound volume.
Verso New York Times Kindle 3 Covers
This is a series of three Kindle 3 covers that feature images from The New York Times photo archives. The interior is lined with a suede-like material and includes a pocket to hold papers. Elastic bands at the corners hold your ereader in place.
The three photos to choose from are the Flatiron Building, View from River House and the Statue of Liberty. Each is priced at $49.99.
Verso Artist Series Kindle 3 Covers
This is a set of leather covers embossed with designs from different artists. So far Verso has three designs, each available in two different colors. 
This is expected to be an ongoing series with new designs to be released in the future.
The covers in the Artist Series are also lined with a suede-like material and use elastic corner straps to secure the ereader. An inner pocket is provided to hold papers.
The three designs currently available are:
- Urban Calligraphy by Sisters Gulassa; available in brown with tan interior or pink/grey.
- Cities by Sharyn Sowell; available in brown/tan or red/grey.
- Typewriter by Molly Rausch; available in sage/tan or pink/tan.
The Artist Series Kindle 3 covers are priced at $39.99 each. The photo below shows the three designs in order of mention.
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New OCTOVO leather Kindle 3 covers & wool sleeve no comments
OCTOVO has a couple of new leather covers and a wool sleeve for the latest generation Kindle 3 ereaders. OCTOVO ereader covers feature high quality materials and workmanship.
Black Leather Bookcover for Kindle 3
This cover is made of Italian leather panels hand stitched in a diamond check pattern. The lining is microfiber and has a flap to hold papers. Elastic straps are used to hold the Kindle in place and another strap is used to hold the cover closed.
Available for $74.99 at Amazon.
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Vintage Leather Book Cover for Kindle 3
This cover is made of 100 percent natural vegetable tanned leather in a
vintage leather finish. As with the Black Leather Cover, elastic bands are used to hold the ereader in place and to hold the cover closed. The interior is lined with microfiber and has a single flap. Each Vintage Leather Cover will age a little differently due to the finish. Available at Amazon for $74.99.
I have the OCTOVO Vintage Leather Cover for my Kindle DX (see my review) and am very happy with it. Craftsmanship and the materials used are very good — even the microfiber lining is much better quality than I’ve seen on other covers.
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OCTOVO Wool Felt Sleeve for Kindle 3
OCTOVO also has a new Wool Felt Sleeve to fit the Kindle 3 ereader. 
The sleeve holds the Kindle snugly and protects from splashes and light shocks. Made from 100 percent natural wool and available in six different colors. Priced at $24.99 at Amazon.
Additionally, OCTOVO makes the Tirim Splash-Proof Case, but this one has been out for awhile. The Tirim is made of felt with a clear plastic window and protects from splashes and small shocks. Priced at $24.99 at Amazon.
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A few more Kindle 3 covers and cases no comments
Since my last post on Kindle 3 covers and cases there 
have been a few new covers that have trickled in. I suspect that making ereader covers (or covers for any device that has a new model released periodically) can be a treacherous business. Imagine if your company had a warehouse full of Kindle 2 covers when the Kindle 3 was announced. Your inventory would probably suddenly have halved in value – and even at half price you would have a very difficult time selling it all.
Acase Kindle 3 covers
Acase makes several types of leather covers for the Kindle 3 and iPad.
The Acase Kindle 3 covers hold the ereader in place with corner straps or a leather frame depending on the model. Several colors are available.
Kindle 3 covers from Acase get good reviews and range in price from around $17 to under $30 for a model with a built-in LED light.
TrendyDigital Kindle 3 Covers
TrendyDigital makes several Kindle 3 covers.
Besides the plain brown and black varieties of the Folio Case, there is a version available that comes with a world map on the cover for $25.00. TrendyDigital’s Spring Collection features the same cover with colorful canvas exteriors featuring designs with butterflies, flowers and more. These are priced at $29.99.
Trendy Digital also makes the MaxGuard Plus case which utilizes a leather pocket to hold the ereader in place. This should help with shock protection in the case of a dropped Kindle. Magnetic fasteners are used to close the cover. This faux leather Kindle 3 cover also is available in versions to hold the ereader in either the left or right sides. Priced at $31.99.
The photos below show the Folio Case on the left, MaxGuard Plus in the center and one of the Spring Collection covers on the right.
Piel Frama Kindle 3 Leather Case
Piel Frama is a manufacturer of luxury leather cases for gadgets and is based in Spain. Piel Frama covers and cases are made by hand from the highest quality materials and with very strict quality control. 
Of course all of this does not come cheap – the Piel Frama Kindle 3 Premium Leather Case is priced at $89.00.
Piel Frama uses a leather frame to hold the ereader in place. For added protection a plastic stiffener is sewn inside the cover. There is a single compartment to hold papers and documents. Several colors are available, including red, blue, pink and green. There are also Piel Frama covers
A few more Low-Priced Leather Kindle 3 Covers
The SimpleCase for Kindle 3 is made of genuine leather. A double zipper is used for the closure and elastic corner straps are used to secure the ereader in place. Pockets for cards and documents are built in. Priced at $26.99.
The Bundle Monster Kindle 3 cover is also made of real leather. This cover uses elastic bands at the corners to hold the ereader and a magnetic clasp on a strap for closure. Document compartments are included. This cover is $21.99 and comes in six different color choices.
The Kindle 3 Leather Executive Folio Cover from Kiwi Cases is also made of real leather and is reasonably priced at $24.95. Features include elastic corner bands to hold the ereader in place; magnetic snap closure; slots for business cards, papers and ID. Available in either tan or black. This cover is also made for the Nook Color ereader.
The photos below show the above covers in order of mention — left to right.
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Waterproof Kindle 3 covers no comments
It does not look like we will have as many choices when it comes to waterproofing our Kindle 3 ereaders as we had with the Kindle 2. It appears that the Guardian Case, which protected Kindle 2 ereaders up to a depth of 3 feet, will not be available for the Kindle 3. I was told at the M-Edge booth at CES that the company has no plans to make the polycarbonate Guardian Case in a size to fit the latest generation Kindle.
KlearKase is another company that made a 
water-resistant polycarbonate case for the Kindle 2. Some time ago I received an email from the company stating that a Kindle 3 version of the case had been postponed. The email said that the soonest a KlearKase Kindle 3 case might arrive is at the end of the first quarter of 2011, but I rather doubt we will be seeing one. Hopefully I’m wrong about that.
Update 3/9/11: Another email from KlearKase today says that a new Kindle 3 version of its case is now in production and will be available in May.
Update 7/27/11: The KlearKase for the Kindle 3 is now available for $49.99.
At the moment the only waterproof case for the Kindle 3 that I know of is the TrendyDigital WaterGuard Waterproof Case. This comes in several colors and costs $19.99 for a padded version with removable shoulder strap or $15.99 without the padding and with fixed strap. This does not provide the immersion protection of the M-Edge Guardian case, but for most users it will probably do.
There are also a few splash resistant cases available for the Kindle 3 
ereader. Octovo has its new Tirim splash-proof case, which is made of microfiber with a clear plastic window. Priced at $24.99.
The M-Edge Leisure Jacket is also splash proof and features a nylon exterior with a clear vinyl panel to read through. A high-density foam frame holds the ereader securely in place and provides shock protection. A zipper pocket is provided on the back of the case for papers or accessories. The Kindle can be turned face down in the Leisure Jacket when being transported for screen protection. This jacket is also compatible with the M-Edge e-Luminator booklight. Priced at $34.99 and available in six different colors.
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If you do use your ereader (or other gadgets) around the wet stuff a lot, 
it might also be a good idea to have a Dry-All kit on hand. This product uses desiccating beads to remove the moisture from a device that has been dunked. The kit currently available is primarily marketed for cell phones, but the beads will work for any device. At CES I stopped by the company’s booth and was told that a larger kit designed especially for ereaders and tablets should be available by the end of February, 2011.
Update: The new Dry-All kit for tablets & ereaders is now available for $42.
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Noreve Kindle cover review 1 comment
Noreve Saint-Tropez is a French company that creates
luxury handcrafted leather cases for ereaders, mobile phones and other devices. Noreve has been kind enough to send me a sample of one of their Kindle covers to review.
Noreve uses four different types of leather for their various device cases:
- Perpetual Selection – matte finish full grain calf leather with a smooth and soft texture; comes in 12 colors.
- Ambition Selection – pebble grained leather, treated to resist weathering; three colors.
- Exceptional Selection – vintage leather look with a smooth and weathered finish; four colors.
- Illumination selection – varnished leather with a smooth and very glossy finish; three colors.
There is quite a lot there to choose from, what with the
different types of leather and their various color options. The cover I received is an Ambition Selection black cover for the Kindle 2. Noreve also makes covers for the Kindle 1, Kindle 3 and Kindle DX ereaders.
Additionally, Noreve makes covers for a number of other ereaders besides the Kindle family. The Sony PRS 300, 600 and 650; iRiver Story; iRex iLiad 2nd Edition; Hanvon WISEreader N526; Dell Streak; Cool-er; Bookeen Cybook Opus and Gen3; Barnes & Noble Nook (original); Bebook Neo, Mini, Hanlin V3 based Bebook and the Apple iPad are all supported. Noreve also makes cases for notebooks and a wide selection of mobile phones.
Rather than elastic straps or hinges, Noreve uses a metal rail system to hold the ereader securely in place in the cover. In the case of the Kindle 2 cover I received, this system works quite well. The Kindle was held very tightly while all ports and buttons are accessible. Combined with the rigid inserts in both the front and back covers I felt that the Kindle was well protected.
Inside the front cover are flaps to hold papers and slots to hold cards. At the bottom is a pocket with a clear window that would work for ID. The back cover is lined with soft leather decorated with the Noreve logo that has two little screens to cover the Kindle 2’s speakers. The closure uses a magnetic snap.
The fit of the cover was quite good on the Kindle 3 ereader. The front cover folds flatly and neatly back against the back cover when you want to hold it in one hand. The leather used by Noreve is very high quality and workmanship is very exact and precise.
The cover I received is rather quiet and low key. 
I don’t think that this is a cover that looks obviously expensive when seen in passing. It is only after handling it and examining the workmanship that one comes to appreciate the quality. Other people I showed the cover to seem to have had a similar impression. This is an ereader cover that will probably grow on you as you use it rather than wowing you with a big first impression.
This particular cover would probably therefore not be a good choice if you want a cover for your ereader that makes a bold fashion statement – perhaps one of Noreve’s varnished covers or one of the brighter color selections would be better for that. For myself, I find Noreve’s subtle and unpretentious design aesthetic to be refreshing. I like it. I need a case for my Sony PRS-650, for which I was thinking to buy Sony’s lighted cover. I’m now seriously thinking of getting one of Noreve’s Exceptional Selection covers in black.
Pricing for most of the ereader covers seems to be in
the $70 – $80 range. Noreve no longer has a distributer in the US, so you will probably need to purchase directly from the Noreve website. You can also find some of the Noreve covers and cases at Amazon UK.
Win this Noreve Kindle 2 cover!
Noreve is generously letting me have a drawing to give away the Kindle 2 cover used for this review. The rules are pretty simple: Leave a comment on this post by midnight PST Feb. 5, 2011, which will be the cutoff time for the contest. On Feb. 6 one winner will be randomly selected from the comments. One entry per person. I’m not going to set any geographical restrictions – but the winner will be responsible for any taxes and import fees. Please keep in mind that this is a Kindle 2 cover – it will not fit the latest generation Kindle 3 ereader.
You will be asked for an email address when you leave a comment; I will need this to contact the winner for a shipping address so please use a valid one. Your email will not be used for any other purpose. Please note that all comments have to go into moderation and therefore do not appear instantly, otherwise I’d be swamped by comment spam.
UPDATE: Well, Chris from California wins by default. If this was a Kindle 3 cover I’m sure there would have been much more interest. If it had been a Kindle 3 cover I would have promoted the drawing more with a sticky post on the homepage. Since the cover was for a Kindle 2, I thought it would be better if someone found it by searching for it and that is apparently what happened. So I hope you enjoy the cover Chris!
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LightWedge ereader lights and covers no comments
LightWedge has a couple of new ereader lights that 
are available now and several ereader covers to be released shortly, including a really nice lighted cover. I got a chance to spend a few minutes at the LightWedge booth at CES 2011 and check them out.
Verso Rechargeable Wrap Light for Kindle
The Verso Wrap Light comes with a set of interchangeable cuffs that you can use to fit it to any Kindle ereader model (1 – 3, DX) as well as the Sony Touch and Pocket Editions, Nook and Kobo ereaders. This light features a metal-clad gooseneck LED light that likes to be wrapped around the base when not in use. The battery is rechargeable over the included micro-USB cable and gets about 15 hours use per charge.
Verso Rechargeable Arc Light for Kindle
This model puts the LED on a light bar that comes on
automatically when the bar is raised. The Arc Light also is rechargeable with the included micro-USB cable and gets about 15 hours of use between charges. The set of interchangeable cuffs is included with this ereader light as well.
Both the Wrap Light and the Arc Light come in a choice of white or graphite. Both are priced at $39.99, which is higher than other ereader lights, but it is rechargeable. I was told that the Arc Light was the bestselling model of the two, but both looked quite good when I saw them. The advantage of having the gooseneck model will be that it is more adjustable, which may make it a better light for use with the larger screen of the Kindle DX.
LightWedge eReader Covers
LightWedge also has several new lines of ereader covers coming in the near future. 
All of the new covers will fit the Kindle 3, Nook Classic and the Kobo ereader. The first series to arrive (Feb. 2011) will be a series of covers adorned with reproductions of classic NY Times photos. These covers are expected to be priced at about $50. The cover shown has a photo of the Flatiron Building.
Also in the works is a series of leather ereader cases decorated with designs created by various artists. Not sure when these will become available but I can say that they seemed well made and the leather material used feels really nice in one’s hands.
I was also told that LightWedge is working on a possible set of Disney-themed ereader covers. That may or may not happen – and no idea when if it does.
Update: Some of the LightWedge Kindle 3 covers,
LightWedge is also working on a lighted ereader jacket that will fit Kindle 3, Nook Classic and Kobo ereaders. It features two metal-clad gooseneck LED lights that fold flat into the front cover when not in use. Like the ereader lights above, these are rechargeable with a micro-USB cable. The video below is of this lighted case at LightWedge’s booth at CES.
I was really impressed with the lighted cover – it seems well designed and elegant. I was told to expect a price of about $69 and availability around the end of the second quarter.
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Kate Spade Kindle 3 Covers no comments
Amazon has announced a new line of designer Kindle 3 covers
As should be expected, quality and workmanship look very high on these covers. The hinge system is used to secure your ereader in place, and the linings and details look very good.
There have been Kate Spade covers for the Nook ereader since its launch, and I’m guessing the fact that it took a year for them to come to the Kindle indicates that B&N had some sort of exclusivity agreement.
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Lower Priced Kindle 3 Covers & Jackets no comments
I need a cover for my Kindle 3, and I’ve been waiting for more covers to hit the market as nothing has really grabbed me yet. I really like the Cole Haan covers, especially the woven leather model, and seriously considered buying one for my Kindle 3. But I hesitated at spending almost as much again for the cover as my Kindle 3 Wi-Fi ereader cost — at least until more case makers get their Kindle 3 covers and jackets out.
I have an Octovo Vintage Leather cover for my Kindle DXG (review), and really like it — as does most everyone who sees it. I’ve been waiting for OCTOVO
UPDATE: OCTOVO has finally released their Kindle 3 covers.
BoxWave Sienna Leather Elite Kindle 3 Case
Amazon has a page with covers and cases for the Kindle 3
For now I bought the Sienna Leather Kindle 3 cover from BoxWave. This one is very reasonably priced at $23. This cover gets quite good reviews for the Kindle 2 and Nook models.
This case is a faux leather that looks 
realistic enough unless next to real leather (if you want real leather I would recommend the J-Tech covers below in this price range). It looks something like a vintage saddle brown leather. The lining is a charcoal grey microsuade that looks quite nice with the graphite case of my Kindle 3.
To protect the screen there are reinforcing plates sewn inside both the front and rear covers. The Kindle is held in place by elastic corner bands and a magnetic snap is used to hold the cover closed. With the cover on my Kindle 3 Wi-Fi weighs in at 14 ounces — the cover itself is about 5.5 ounces.
One thing that is different about the BoxWave cover is that the fastening strap is attached to the front and snaps on the back panel. Most ereader covers I have seen seem to have the strap sewn onto the back and fastening in the front.
It took me awhile to get used to this, as it seems like you are holding the ereader backwards. Actually, though, 
putting the strap on the front solves one sometimes annoying problem with some ereader covers: in some covers the strap, especially when the cover is new and the material stiff, curls over the ereader and onto the screen. This is distracting and requires tucking or holding the strap back.
The Sienna Leather Kindle 3 cover is practical and functional. It should serve well to protect your ereader. BoxWave also makes a similar cover in real black leather for the same price.
TrendyDigital Folio Case for Kindle 3
TrendyDigital’s Folio Case has pockets for papers and business cards as well as a pen holder. This case uses elastic corner straps to hold the Kindle 3 in place.
Double zippers are used to close the Folio case. This type of closure can help to prevent dust and splashes from reaching your Kindle 3. The Folio Case is made of faux leather and costs $25. TrendyDigital also makes this cover with a world map print on the outside.
TrendyDigital also makes its waterproof covers for the Kindle 3.
J-Tech Digital Leather Kindle 3 Covers
J-Tech Digital makes a series of genuine leather covers for the Kindle 3. 
These cases also use elastic corner straps to hold your ereader in place. A magnetic snap on the flap is used to hold the cover closed. Pen holders and slots for business cards and papers are built-in.
J-Tech currently makes several colors of leather covers for the Kindle 3: brown, dark grey, pink and purple. All are priced at $30.
Incipio Tech. Kindle 3 Leather Sleeve
One of the great things about the Kindle 3 is its light weight. No matter which cover you get, you are adding weight to your ereader. There is something to be said for a sleeve design to protect your Kindle 3. 
This style of case affords protection for your ereader when not being used or during transport, but when you are ready to use it you just remove your Kindle and read it au naturel.
Incipio’s sleeve for the Kindle 3 is a simple and elegant envelope-like design. Available in brown, this case runs $25.
Other Kindle 3 Covers
Another manufacturer of covers for the Kindle 3 worth checking out is rooCase. It has a number of different designs and styles, and while the Kindle 3 has not been out long, this company is getting good customer reviews on its Kindle 3 covers already.
Duragadget
Eco-nique makes a Kindle 3 cover covered in hemp fabric for something a little different. Besides the normal book style cover this one is also available in a flip top design. This cover is a bit more expensive at $40.
Whichever case or cover you choose for your Kindle 3 ereader, do make sure that it is indeed for the Kindle 3. Amazon’s search results tend to mix covers from all of the different Kindle models. Make sure the description says “Kindle 3,” “Latest Generation,” “ 3rd Generation” or “Kindle Wi-Fi,” etc.
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New Kindle 3 Covers & Cases no comments
Searching Amazon for Kindle 3 covers, cases and jackets can be rather frustrating as Kindle 2 covers are mixed in with the search results. It just became a little easier as Amazon has set up a section for Kindle 3 covers
Here you will find new Kindle 3 covers from Belkin, Built, Cole Haan, Diane von Furstenberg, LeSportsac and Timbuk2. Many are still pre-order, but at least the pictures are up. There are also, of course, the official covers from Amazon which are available now.
Kindle 3 skins from DecalGirlare also featured here, but if you order direct from DecalGirl you can get a 10 percent discount with the coupon code Decal10 – whether this is better or not for you will depend on if you are ordering other things from Amazon and can get the free shipping.
Besides Amazon’s own there are not many leather covers available as of yet; a lot of the new covers so far are fabric. Within a few weeks I would expect covers from M-Edge, Octovo, Trendy Digital and the other makers to be ready. Oberon Design says that their Kindle 3 sized covers should be ready in September as well.
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Cole Haan Kindle 3 Covers no comments
Since the Kindle 3 is smaller than the Kindle 2, covers made for the older model will not fit the new one. It takes time for the various cover and case makers to fit the Kindle 3 and get their covers and jackets into production.
Cole Haan is one of the first manufacturers to have its covers for the Kindle 3 ereader available for pre-order. Cole Haan makes very high quality leather goods and this is reflected in the price.
At the moment Amazon is running a Back to School promotion that includes the Cole Haan Kindle 3 covers – this will give you a $20 discount if your order of eligible goods is $80 or more. This promotion is for a limited time only – I did not see an end date, but I would imagine that it will finish at the end of this month or the first week of September.
There are currently several styles and colors of Cole Haan Kindle 3 covers,
£149.00
£109
