If you haven't heard of Otterbox, you are likely to hear more about the company moving forward. The reason why is because they keep making cases for smartphones and mobile devices that are equal parts sleek, sophisticated and durable. The Defender Series for the iPod Touch 4G is an improvement from the previous version, and is arguably one of the most reliable cases available for the device.
Those are pretty strong words coming from me, as I don't usually give cases such high praise, but this particular one is pretty unique. For starters, it comes in three components that are each integral to protecting the Touch housed within it.
There are two polycarbonate pieces that clasp together. On the front is a clear plastic cover that protects the screen without impeding you from using the touch controls on the Touch. There is also an opening for the front-facing camera.
On the back is an opening (which is now bigger than the previous one) for the rear camera and a large hole in the middle so that the Apple logo is visible. This has no functional purpose, and as an aesthetic choice, it's one of those things that seems a little unnecessary.
Moving on, you get the rubberized sleeve that slides overtop the two other pieces. When placed just right, the sides of the case should be flush with the edges of the other two pieces. It should all look like a seamless casing. The plastic screen cover is somewhat glare-resistant, but also saps a little bit of the saturation from the colours on the display. A shame, but necessary for the overall protection of the Touch inside.
At the bottom, flaps open for the charging cable and headphone jack. When not using either of those, you can push the flaps in to keep dust out. Nice and handy.
If there is one gripe, it has to be separating the two polycarbonate pieces when taking the Touch out. What should be a pretty simple exercise of detachment amounts to a tough split and a couple of fingernails feeling the sting. Otterbox could have at least made it a little easier to click them apart rather than forcing an exercise of trying to loosen each corner.
Still, if you've got $36.99 to spend on a solid case that will last, you probably can't go wrong with this one.
