Wi-Fi dead spots are something that nearly everyone has to deal with in this day and age. Whether it be in your house, your office, the coffee shop, or a friends house, your signal could always be better than it is. Absolute Technology saw this common issue and worked to find a way to help resolve this, and that way, is the Linkase.
First, you should look at the Linkase as a case, it's a simple, sleek looking case that attaches to the phone easily and cleanly. The case is very thin and adds no noticeable weight to the phone. While there are a few thinner cases out there, this should even please the minimalist that want the thinnest case. The case isn't designed to take a big falls or absorb a lot of impact, but it will do for the occasional bump or even a minor fall. The buttons are covered, while the volume buttons are only a little stiff to press the power button is much more difficult to press, and requires a decent amount of force to press.
Now look at the Linkase and what Absolute Technology claims are the benefits of this case. Using a technology called Electro Magnetic Waveguide (EMW), the Element as they commonly refer to it, is a sliding antenna on the back of the case, once locked in place at the fully extended position its ready to use. The antenna effectively allows the signal from and to the phone to go through the antenna, extended above the phone, giving a 360 degree reception. This keeps your hand out of the way of the signal regardless of how you hold it. Because of this technology this can increase your Wi-Fi signal up to 50 percent.
Of course, everyone has heard claims of this device or that device that can expand your Wi-Fi capacity or even boost the connection speed, and many of them you'll find don't work. Linkase is not one of those products. Absolute Technology claims up to a 50 percent increase in connection, helping to eliminate Wi-Fi dead spots and buffering. In a lab, with optimal conditions anything can make fantastic claims like this but how does it work in the real world?
In testing around the house, local coffee shops and anywhere else I could manage to get access to a Wi-Fi connection, I found the Linkcase did two things. It helped consistency and to provide a slightly better range. If your not an expert on Wi-Fi, take a look at Wi-Fi: a quick guide, to understand why this is a good thing. Speed test were more consistent, and the range was slightly better, making your internet connection better is most areas around the house.
The Linkase can only do so much for the wireless connection, a device with a more substantial wireless card, was still getting a better connection that the iPhone with the Linkcase installed, in the same area. The range the laptop could be moved away and keep roughly the same connection the iPhone was getting, was about 10 feet farther from the router.
The Element (antenna) can be replaced and Absolute Technology will offer replacements you can purchase, which is a good thing. Not just to customize the color of the case a little more but because after a while you'll find the element gets a little loose. After approximately 200 times of extending the antenna, it feels a slightly loose, though you'll find it doesn't slide freely, but after extended use it might get to a point where you'll need to replace it.
Does this mean you should avoid the Linkase? Absolutely not.
Overall the Linkase provides is functional in improving consistency of a wi-fi connection, helping to provide a better experience overall. Don't expect miracles in wireless reception , and it may not be useful to everyone in every environment. It may take more than a couple of times using it to realize the improvements in the quality of connection. It provides a lightweight, snug fitting, thin case that slides in an out of the pocket easily, the covered buttons make pressing them a little more difficult but will help to protect from minor impacts.
The Linkase will retail for $49.95 and will be launching 2nd quarter 2013, so the wait won't be to long. It will be available in a variety of colors, with the element in available in more colors for extra customization. For more details or to check up if its available take a look at Absolute Technology's website here.
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