Review: Poldera's iKeep Carabiner (Photos)

The iKeep Carabineer from Poldera may just be the perfect solution for those of us who put our iPhone in our pockets, stand up a tad too fast, and watch those expensive phones come crashing to the floor. The iKeep attaches itself to any iPhone by using the docking port. It then is attached to the carabineer by a retractable cable which can catch your iPhone if it falls off your lap or out of a pocket. When I first saw this, it was showcased at Macworld. Macworld was held at Moscone center in the Bay Area, San Francisco to be exact. When I saw the device, I was hesitant with this idea. It looked like it could cause damage to the port, but I’m glad to say I’ve been pleasantly surprised. The connector adopts the design of the old iPhone cables that included a squeeze-to-release type of design. Pulling the cable out is not enough to make it detach from the iPhone. The sides must be squeezed to retract the two pieces of metal sticking out from either side, which create a lock inside the phone’s port. This way, the phone can fall out of your pocket but be safely caught by the iKeep. So far, it’s already saved my iPhone several times – both with deliberate tests and accidental drops.

The iKeep can be used with almost any case as well, which is a definite plus. Even a bigger and bulkier case such as Otterbox or Lifeproof can be used with the iKeep. The carabineer is plastic, which seems to do the job. Still, I’d like to see this product (or an another model) made out of metal for extra sturdiness. Of course, doing so would up the price. The device I tested is sleek pink plastic, but it comes in a variety of colors such as black, white, gold, blue, yellow, and silver. For extra features, you can even purchase the iKeep Charger, which gives charging capabilities in addition to the safety aspect.

Wins:

-good protection

-stylish (multiple color options)

-small enough to fit in your pocket and is not cumbersome

-good price ($19.99)

-works with any case

Wish list:

-Another model made of metal

You can learn more at www.Poldera.com. If you’re as clumsy as I am, this will definitely save your iPhone!