Microsoft has released a new version of their Zune MP3 player. We welcome the Zune 2nd Generation. The new Zune Pad appears on these refreshed versions, boasting an innovative touch-sensitive button for navigating the device, as well as wireless sync, Windows Media Centre TV on the go, and new codec support. Pretty useful device, hey?

Proporta’s Alu-Leather Case (Microsoft 2G Zune 4GB and 8GB) is definitely a must have for protecting your MP3 player against the all-harming day to day impacts they encounter.

Proporta create this protection by using their trademark ‘screen saver system’ which uses a sheet of rigid, lightweight aircraft grade Aluminium to line the Case, perfectly saving it against crushing and impact shocks. Cut aways give access to ports and controls so that you can use your device in the case.

Another protective option is the Proporta Silicone Case (Microsoft 2G Zune 4GB and 8GB).

The Silicone Case gives your Zune 2G a tough, protective skin, allowing access to all ports and controls, whilst protecting it from scratching and impact damage. The Silicone case adds little more than a millimetre to your device enabling you to carry it around comfortably in your pocket.

And more news… keep an eye out for an Aluminium Case for the Zune 2G heading your way as well. More details to follow.

It is also imperative that the Zune 2G’s screen is kept protected from everyday scratches, scrapes and dust invasion. Proporta recommends their Advanced Screen Protector (Microsoft 2G Zune 4GB and 8GB Series). It incorporates an improved thickness, made from a new ultra high-clarity plastic, without impairing screen brightness and clarity. This screen protector reduces glare from sunlight or bright lighting and is fully washable and replaceable.

Show your Zune 2G the respect it deserves and visit www.proporta.com for full protection.

More and more manufacturers these days are integrating GPS into their PDAs and Smartphones. This technology is becoming so widespread and cheap to include, who can blame them for throwing in a bit of sat nav?

The Eten Glofiish X800 is just one kid on the GPS-enabled block with navigational capabilities, which Proporta provide valuable protection for with their Alu-Leather Case (Eten Glofiish X800 Series) and Advanced Screen Protector (Eten Glofiish X800 Series).

Readily available, this Alu-Leather Case is custom made to fit the exact specifications of your Eten Glofiish X800. A layer of rigid, yet lightweight aircraft grade aluminium is built into the leather, which covers the screen to subtly protect it against crushing and impact shocks. And furthermore, there’s no need for you to have to remove your device from its case as it includes all the necessary cut outs allowing you access to all ports and controls. For those who wish to keep their device close at hand, a removable belt-clip is also available for quick and easy access to your mobile device.

For extra protection, Proporta have produced an Advanced Screen Protector to protect the Eten Glofiish X800 from scratches, scrapes and dust evasion. With an improved thickness, made from a new ultra high-clarity plastic, without impairing screen brightness and clarity, this protector is also fully washable and replaceable.

Remember the Sony Walkman Sport series of the late 80′s? You know, the ones that could handle some water, dust, and even a long drop from your belt? Well, that same kind of protection is here for your iPhone plus that nod to the Sony yellow of The Wedding Singer years from OtterBox.

Released this week, OtterBox has premiered its first iPhone case that it calls “skin on steroids”. The Defender Series, in either yellow or black, keeps your iPhone protected from the elements such as water, dust, and drop and shock. With a unique scratch-resistant polycarbonate membrane to protect the face of the iPhone, all touch functions are still available to the user without the need to remove the phone from the semi-rugged case. Three Donaldson Acoustic Vents keep the front speaker, bottom speaker and microphone protected from dust and moisture without intruding on the sound.

“Traditionally our OtterBox for iPod line has been completely rugged, but when the iPhone was introduced we wanted to offer an option that paralleled the look of the device while still providing protection from drops, dust and scratches,” said Curt Richardson, CEO of Otter Products, LLC.

If your looking for those really insane rugged cases OtterBox is known for, don’t worry, those will be ready just in time for the holidays.

“This semi-rugged design is a new adventure for us and now we can meet the needs of consumers who want the most rugged protection as well as those who just need a safeguard from day-to-day mishaps,” explains Richardson.

OtterBox starts shipping the cases Friday at $49.95 each. You can order direct from OtterBox now.

Proporta’s essential protection for your BlackBerry Curve…
The Blackberry Curve, also known as the Blackberry 8300, is the smallest and lightest full QWERTY Blackberry device released to date. Like the previous Blackberry Pearl, the Curve falls more into the category of mobile phones than the standard Blackberry device with its business user functionality and compact dimensions. The Blackberry Curve also has the advantage of a full keyboard for easy messaging and boasts an upgrade to other Blackberry models, with a 2 megapixel camera. With such a delicate device which can be so easily stored when on the move, it is important to keep the Blackberry Curve and all its features fully protected from keys, loose change and other dangers lurking at the bottom of your pocket – Proporta has come up with a number of protective solutions.

Cases…
The trademark Proporta Alu-Leather Case BlackBerry 8300/Curve Series is custom made to fit the exact specifications of your BlackBerry 8300/Curve. A layer of rigid, yet light, aircraft grade aluminium is built into the leather which covers the screen to subtly protect it against crushing and impact shocks.
Proporta realise the importance of having ultimate view of the screen so the case uses a C-clip to hold the device in place. There is also no need for the device to be removed from the case as all the necessary cut aways allow access to all ports and controls.
In addition, secure internal MMC/SD memory card storage is included in the case and a removable belt-clip is also available on request for quick and easy access to your mobile device.

The Proporta Silicone Case (BlackBerry 8300/Curve Series) gives your BlackBerry 8300/Curve a tough, protective skin, giving you access to all ports and controls, whilst protecting it from scratching and impact damage.

The Silicone case adds little more than a millimetre to the device enabling you to carry it around comfortably in your pocket.
Screen Protection…
For even more protection for your BlackBerry 8300/Curve use the Proporta Advanced Screen Protector to protect your BlackBerry from scratches, scrapes and dust evasion. It incorporates an improved thickness, made from a new ultra high-clarity plastic, without impairing screen brightness and clarity. This protector is also fully washable and replaceable.
For these great products and more visit www.proporta.com .

P.S. If you’d like to have easy access to a number of your devices but don’t have the belt space to carry them, check out Proporta’s Universal Cordura Belt Holster for a secure attachment to your belt

The Sony Ericsson P1i combines business with pleasure in one stylish, compact package. This new device offers users the efficiency of keeping in touch and keeping up to date in one simple to use phone ˆ to keep your connectivity protected, Proporta have a number of solutions made to measure for this particular device.

Protect your Sony Ericsson P1i with the Proporta Alu-Leather Case . This beautiful product is hand-crafted and meets the exact specifications of your device and incorporates our trademark ‘Screen Saver System’. Made from a sheet of rigid, lightweight aircraft grade aluminium, the ‘Screen Saver System’ lines the case to makes sure your device never suffers the effects from crushing and impact shocks. Cut aways give access to ports and controls so that you can use your device in the case. The Proporta Sony Ericsson P1i Series Alu-Leather Case also gives the option of a removable belt clip which allows you to wear your device whilst on the move, for quick and easy access to your mobile device.

As with all modern Smartphones, the delicate screen plays an integral part of the Sony Ericsson’s functionality. To protect the screen from scratches, scrapes and dust evasion, Proporta recommends their Advanced Screen Protector . It incorporates an improved thickness, made from a new ultra high-clarity plastic, without impairing screen brightness and clarity. This screen protector reduces glare from sunlight or bright lighting and is fully washable and replaceable.

To get Proporta protection for your P1i.

Tom Jones told you about the OtterBox iPod nano case and just how much he loved it. Well, if you’re looking for similar protection for your newly acquired iPhone, guess what? OtterBox has got you covered. Literally.

The OtterBox for iPhone is in the works and will soon be available for full protection of your Apple phone. It’ll fit both the 4 GB and 8 GB versions giving them both 3 layers of protection. The phone will be entirely encased yet with OtterBox’s patented touch-screen membrane, you’ll still be able to access all the icons and use your finger to navigate while in the case. All buttons, such as home, sleep, volume, and power are still accessible as well. Yes, and even the dock connector can be used through OtterBox supplied plugs. Tap it off with a full swivel belt clip and you have one mighty fine case for your iPhone!

Imagine designing a rugged case that completely seals a device, such as a Smartphone, from water, dust and dirt. Now add the challenge of providing sound transmission through the microphone and speaker openings without compromising protection. Impossible?

Several months ago, OtterBox engineers faced this very dilemma. Donaldson Acoustic Vents proved the ideal solution for ensuring optimal sound quality while increasing the device protection offered by OtterBox.

Donaldson’s acoustically transparent filtration vents seal microphone and speaker openings on OtterBox Smartphone cases from everyday elements. The vents serve as effective barriers to contaminants such as hairspray, oils, perspiration and water. They also reduce wind noise and minimize frequency transmission loss. The vents’ ability to withstand temperature fluctuations makes them perfect for OtterBox customers who operate in harsh work environments like construction, engineering and military.

“Donaldson Acoustic Vents are superior in quality, and their acoustical properties are great for sound transmission throughout the OtterBoxes,” said Jason Thompson, Mechanical Engineer. “They also provide an IP54 rating for water protection, which safeguards devices from splash and heavy rain.”

So how do they work? Donaldson Acoustic Vents adhere over sound openings at the top of the case for the speaker and at the base of the microphone. Through a pressure-sensitive adhesive ring, the vent securely fastens to the inside of the opening to withstand extreme environments.

“The competitive price point and quality of the Donaldson vents made our selection decision an easy one,” said Thompson.

“Donaldson engineers have been creating solutions to contamination issues for more than 90 years, and we’re excited to partner with innovative companies like OtterBox in increasing the value of their products through effective contamination control,” commented Peggy Herrmann, VP of Disk Drive, Semiconductor, Fuel Cell, and Venting Solutions at Donaldson Company, Inc.

OtterBox also uses standard Donaldson Filtration Vents for OtterBox Rugged Laptop Carrying Cases, which provide an IP67 rating for complete water protection.

Hey, if you’re looking to really protect your iPod nano, then you may want to read our resident reviewer Tom Jones’ thoughts of the OtterBox nano case.

Tom’s a machinist by day (no, he doesn’t sing in Vegas) and is around a lot of stuff that could wreck his iPod. With the OtterBox, he was tempting fate by completely forgetting about his dirty hands and changing tracks or pausing the current selection. Or how about all that oil and coolant that could get on his nano? Well, you’ll have to read his review to find out…plus the shower “scene” will surely crack you up.