iCarbons iPhone 4S - Black Carbon Fiber Review

In today's article we are going to be taking a look at the Black Carbon Fiber skin for the iPhone 4S by iCarbons. Before the review starts, I would like to give a huge thanks to iCarbons.com for sending me this product out for review.

After using the phone with the skin installed for a whole week it's time to give you my honest review on this product.

The "iCarbons iPhone 4S - Black Carbon Fiber" skin, is one of the best review units I’ve ever got. The product has many more advantages than its disadvantages.

Let's start the review with what you will find in the box. In the box you'll find all the parts of the skin. One for the front, one for the back, one for the metallic antennas and two stickers for the Apple logo in the back and it’s twig (white & red). 

Installation process was very easy. All you have to do is carefully place the skin on the device around the imports, speakers, cameras and buttons. If you fail installing, you can take it off and re-install it. The skin will be fine and  you will not face any issues. First install the front part, then the back part, after the antennas part and in the end, install the part for the Apple logo and the twig that is above it. To learn exactly how to install it please watch iCarbon's installation tutorial here.

The skin has perfect cut-outs for the lock button, the USB import, the 3.5mm headset import, the camera and flash, the front facing camera, light indicator, speakers, volume control and for the profile switcher button. 

The skin makes the iPhone even more amazing with its beautiful 3D pattern. With the skin installed, the phone feels very solid and nice in the hand and you'll not face any problems using your device for many hours. If you already have a screen protector installed, you'll be still able to place the skin on it without any major problems. However, the iPhone will be a lot thicker and you'll not be able to install any cases on it.

 

After the advantages of the product, let's check out also its cons. I use my iPhone daily for many hours and with the skin installed I found out that the device is overheating. When I was using the phone without the skin for the same period of time it didn't overheat at all. So if you use your iPhone a lot that's a big con. Also, as all the skins, you'll not be able to fit your iPhone in any hard cases with the skin installed. You'll be able to use only some silicon ones. The last con is its price. It retails for 24.95$ on iCarbon's website. Although the product is great I think the company should lower the price because some reviewers or consumer will characterize this product as overpriced.

Overall iCarbons did a great job creating a high quality product that will make your phone even more beautiful, it will prevent it from minor scratches and it will make it feel better in the hand. I chose the black colour because my iPhone 4S is white and the reflection of white and black is amazing. The product is also available in white and red.

My rating for this product is 4.5/5.

If you are interested in purchasing the product, you can buy it from iCarbon's website for 24.95$ with free shipping: Product

iCarbon's website: iCarbons.com

Thanks so much for reading my honest review of the "iCarbons iPhone 4S Black Carbon Fiber" skin, if you have any questions feel free to leave them in the comment section below or mention me on Twitter @OrestGPap.

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BestSkinsEver Full Body Screen Protector for iPhone 4/4S Review & Giveaway

In this article we are going to be taking a look at the "BestSkinsEver Full Body Screen Protector for the iPhone 4/4S". Before I start the review, I want to thank BestSkinsEver.com, for sending me this product out for review and for sponsoring this giveaway. Read the rest of the article to find out if BestSkinsEver live up to he name and the rules of the giveaway.

In the package you will find all the parts of the product and an instruction manual to help you install the screen protector.

Before starting the installation process, make sure to:

1.) Wash your hands

2.) Switch off your iPhone before starting the installation process.

3.) Clean your device with a microfiber cleaning cloth.

4.) In a spray bottle, fill it with water and mix it with soap to create the solution. If you don't have a spray bottle, find a small bowl and do the same thing. This will help you to install all the parts of the product with an exact precise. Before you install any part make sure to spray or dip the skin in the solution.

Installation process:

1.) First of all start with the front and the back screen protectors.

2.) Install the protector for the home button.

3.) Install the small protector for the speaker.

4.) Install the right side's protector.

5.) Install the protector for the microphone.

6.) Install the left's side protector.

7.) Install the protector, which is for; between the two volume buttons.

8.) Install the last piece of the protector which begins from the left side of the headphone import and it ends before the "Plus" volume button.

For more info on how to install the product on your phone visit BestSkinsEver website to learn more: BestSkinsEver installation help

After installing use a credit card to remove the bubbles, and if you can't remove all of them, they will be removed on their own in 24 to 48 hours.

The installation process is really easy when the user uses the spray bottle, but I found out that if you use the solution into a bowl, the installation process is going to take a lot more time.

Now lets take a look at the good features of the product. The screen protector has a cutout for both cameras, volume buttons and the profile switcher button. It has also for the headphones import, the microphone, the light indicator, the mico SIM card slot, for the USB cable import and for both speakers. And finally it offers great protection, the phone feels very solid in the hand and the material quality is really good.

Now let's take a look at the cons of the product. First of all the buttons are a bit harder to press and the profile switcher was a lot more difficult to use. The iPhone while with the screen protectors installed can't be compatible with hard cases; however it is with most silicon ones. 

Overall I will rate this product 7/10, because, in my opinion, in the package it should be also included a small spray bottle with the solution and a smoothie card to remove the bubbles. Also if you don't use a spray bottle and you use the solution into a bowl, installation process is a pain.

Do I suggest this product? If you are an iPhone user who wants his device to be fitted in a hard case, I would definitely not recommend because with the protectors installed the iPhone can't be placed in hard cases (except if you use silicon cases). If you like your device to be naked; I will surely recommend it. It protects the device from scratches, you’ll have access to all the buttons and imports, and the device feels very solid in the hand.

GIVEAWAY RULES 

BestSkinsEver sent me two same packages; the second is to giveaway a "Full Body Screen Protector for iPhone 4/4S" to you folks.

In order to enter you have to do two things:

1.) Tweet this article and add my username @OrestGPap, so I can see you completed that step.

2.) Follow me on Twitter @OrestGPap.

The winner is going to be picked up randomly and will be contacted through Twitter at May 1^st 2012. 

In case you didn't win (after the giveaway ends) or if you want immediately to purchase the product; and can’t wait the giveaway to end, for only 8.99$ you can buy your own "Full Body Screen Protector for iPhone 4/4S" at BestSkinsEver's website.

Check out the product here.

Thanks so much for reading my full, honest review and giveaway of the "Full Body Screen Protector for the iPhone 4/4S". Huge thanks again to the folks over the BestSkinsEver for sponsoring this review and giveaway. If you have any questions, or different opinions based on this review feel free to leave them in the comment section below or mention me on Twitter @OrestGPap.

Good luck everyone!

How to Increase Speed, Battery Life, Hard Drive Space & Enhance iOS

Over time the performance, battery life, and hard drive space on our smartphones and tablets start degrading. In addition, using the same device on a regular basis can begin to seem old and boring. In this video, I show how iOS users can tackle all of these problems by performing some simple tasks on their device.

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My Two Reasons on Why You Shouldn't Buy the iPhone 4S Now

A question I get a lot is "Orestis, shall I buy the iPhone 4S?."

My answer is, definitely not. Just for the heads up, I am an iPhone 4S user, the first who bought it in Greece back in November, so of course I do have a huge experience with the phone and I can give you my honest thoughts on this question.

First of all there is not  a reason to sign a contract with AT&T, Verizon or Sprint for two years or spend 600$ without a contract, when the sixth generation iPhone is coming the next few months. As everyone knows Apple every two years makes a whole different and groundbreaking iPhone like the iPhone 4 was back in 2010. The "iPhone  6" (that's not the official name) will definitely support 4G LTE (considering the iPad 3 has, which is a tablet), it will have quad-core graphics due to the A5X chip, and a new redesigned quad-core processor (that's sure because all the new high level  smartphones must have a four core chip, this is the new technology. HTC already started this with the HTC One X). Also even better camera(s) (we hope to see an upgrade to the front facing camera also), higher resolution display new design etc. Overall the "iPhone 6" will be much, much better compared to the iPhone 4S. According to this occasion, my advice is just wait a few months to buy this incredible device that is coming soon.

Second occasion is, if you really need a smartphone i would definitely   not suggest the iPhone 4S. There are many Android smartphones, a lot cheaper and with better features. You don't have to "lock yourself", with a two year contract or paying 600$ plus when you can find other smartphones, in the same level and even better for a lot cheaper.

Let me give you some examples of a few great Android phones that you can check out.

1.) Samsung Galaxy Nexus

2.) Samsung Galaxy S 2

3.) Samsung Galaxy Note

4.) HTC One X

5.) Motorola Droid Bionic

And many others. Those Android devices are really good, in many categories better than the iPhone 4S and cheaper.

Of course the Windows fun boys will complain for not refering the Windows Mobile 7 phones. I don't suggest them due to the OS. I don't like it at all. That's of course my opinion and it could be wrong, but I've been using the Nokia Lumia 800 for a month and I didn't like the OS. 

Many people will wonder since I don't suggest the iPhone 4S, why did I buy one? Let me explain you.

First of all I bought the phone in November when it was all brand new. Also I am not suggesting the phone ONLY for that period of time, because the new iPhone is on the way and due to the economic crisis, you can find better and cheaper solutions. I did buy the 4S, because I love everything on it, including of course the OS (I've been using iOS since  2 years, and I am not looking forward into switching to another OS, anytime soon). It is fast, excellent camera, HSDPA + (14.4 Mbps), amazing design and many other benefits.

I think you should take into consideration my answer to this question, due to my experience and that I am always honest (because I am an iOS fan boy, it doesn't  mean I have to hate on Android. Android it's an excellent OS in a very sophisticated level). Thank you for reading, if you have any questions or anything else related to this article, please leave them in the comment section below.

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XtremeMac Tuffwrap Shift Blue/White Unboxing - iPhone 4S

The second I saw this case online I knew it had to be mine. When I was in about second or third grade we had these pencils that would change a lighter or darker color by the heat of your hand. Well this case is made pretty much the same way. It feels like silicon, not sure if it is, and looks nice and glossy making it great to slide in and out of your pocket. Of course, depending on the heat of my pocket I never know what color it will be. Anyway, this is the unboxing video and a review will be coming in a couple weeks most likely. Enjoy!