Page 1: Intro, About The Company, First Edition, Packaging, Case
Intro
OtterBox makes high end cases for typical electronic devices such as MP3 players and cell phones. Typically, the market that OtterBox covers is the ruggedized case portion. For the people that have their devices in harsh environments and take punishment, this company is where you should buy your case from. OtterBox released the Storm edition of the Defender a couple of months ago. This review focuses on the new version released a couple of weeks ago.
About The Company
First Edition
The first edition of the case was a good start, but never should have left QA testing. When installed, the screen edges were unusable due to the bevel on the case so typing keys such as spacebar and such wouldn't work correctly. In addition, the sound quality was terrible and when pressing the screen, the hard buttons would get pressed sometimes as well. In response, OtterBox came out with an updated design to fix the issues and they did an excellent job. You will want the new version of the case, but they look identical.
Packaging
OtterBox packaging is traditionally black and yellow. Branding is big when you're in the retail space and brand recognition is very important.
Case
The bundle comes with two parts. The Blackberry Storm is shown on the right of the case. In addition, the case comes with the holster with a belt clip. Traditionally, you either purchased a holster or a case, not both. It is good to see a product that offers protection and usability like this. RIM dropped the ball by not providing OEM holsters with the Storm and customers much purchase it on their own. The holster includes the magnet to tell the Storm that it is in the holster.
The clip on the back of the holster can swivel to whatever position required and the OtterBox logo in embedded on the clip. The holster is made out of hard plastic and has rubber inserts to hold the case tightly so it doesn't slip out.
The case portion of the bundle comes in three pieces. There is a hard inner shell made up two pieces that snap onto the Blackberry Storm and a rubberized plastic shell that covers the hard plastic shell.
Attaching the case to the Storm is easy. The hard plastic portion clips together and contains nubs all on the sides to hold the rubbery outer shell in place. Both cases have ports and bumps for the various buttons such. The hard inner shell has voids where the buttons are location and the soft shell contain either a flip out port (for the USB/headphone) or a raised surface for the buttons.
OtterBox makes high end cases for typical electronic devices such as MP3 players and cell phones. Typically, the market that OtterBox covers is the ruggedized case portion. For the people that have their devices in harsh environments and take punishment, this company is where you should buy your case from. OtterBox released the Storm edition of the Defender a couple of months ago. This review focuses on the new version released a couple of weeks ago.
About The Company
Quote
Mastermind and CEO Curt Richardson, with his 25 years experience in tooling and molding wanted to build a company that was distinct and structured upon innovation and evolution. In 1996, OtterBox was born.
Our cases are dedicated to all the klutzy, spontaneous, chaotic, graceless individuals who have broken a device or valuable due to their active lifestyle. Like our customers, we've been there too! From the beginning, we have protected valuables through innovation. This "innovative spirit" has allowed evolution in our product lines to safeguard the hottest technologies such as iPod's, smartphones, PDA's, Tablet PC's, laptops and other devices. We take the idea of a protective case to the next level so customers can find the ideal solution for any work environment or adventure!
Ok, rewind a bit to the name origination, we know you're wondering. On a drive to Denver, Curt and his wife Nancy were brainstorming company names. The name needed to be exciting and something people wouldn't forget. They wanted "box" to be in the name, but also wanted to incorporate "water" because the original OtterBox case line is waterproof (oceanic tidbit: an Otter's fur has a waterproof quality). Because of their fun, playful disposition "Otter" was the perfect fit! Well, the name stuck and we have to admit our logo is pretty darn cute too!
OtterBox is located in one of the greatest cities in America and no, we're not completely biased, see Money Magazine's 2006 rating for Best Places to Live. Yes, Fort Collins, Colorado is ranked #1. With easy access to the mountains for biking, hiking, running, camping, skiing, snowboarding and other activities, many of us use our cases every day. We also serve as excellent "guinea pigs" for new product testing.
We're a fun, hard working, creative bunch that enjoy a good laugh and a good beer, especially come Friday. We have in-house sales, customer service, engineering, public relations, marketing, web design, graphics and even our own warehouse.
At OtterBox, it's not one person changing the world of cases, it's a team!
First Edition
The first edition of the case was a good start, but never should have left QA testing. When installed, the screen edges were unusable due to the bevel on the case so typing keys such as spacebar and such wouldn't work correctly. In addition, the sound quality was terrible and when pressing the screen, the hard buttons would get pressed sometimes as well. In response, OtterBox came out with an updated design to fix the issues and they did an excellent job. You will want the new version of the case, but they look identical.
Packaging
OtterBox packaging is traditionally black and yellow. Branding is big when you're in the retail space and brand recognition is very important.
Case
The bundle comes with two parts. The Blackberry Storm is shown on the right of the case. In addition, the case comes with the holster with a belt clip. Traditionally, you either purchased a holster or a case, not both. It is good to see a product that offers protection and usability like this. RIM dropped the ball by not providing OEM holsters with the Storm and customers much purchase it on their own. The holster includes the magnet to tell the Storm that it is in the holster.
The clip on the back of the holster can swivel to whatever position required and the OtterBox logo in embedded on the clip. The holster is made out of hard plastic and has rubber inserts to hold the case tightly so it doesn't slip out.
The case portion of the bundle comes in three pieces. There is a hard inner shell made up two pieces that snap onto the Blackberry Storm and a rubberized plastic shell that covers the hard plastic shell.
Attaching the case to the Storm is easy. The hard plastic portion clips together and contains nubs all on the sides to hold the rubbery outer shell in place. Both cases have ports and bumps for the various buttons such. The hard inner shell has voids where the buttons are location and the soft shell contain either a flip out port (for the USB/headphone) or a raised surface for the buttons.