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Road tested: ElementCase's Sector 5 case for the iPhone 5
I didn't know what to think about the ElementCase Sector 5 (SE) iPhone 5 "case." I had been using my iPhone 5 for a while, and I really appreciated the fact that it felt like it didn't need a case. I've lauded ElementCase in the past because the craftsmanship and quality were outstanding. But previous iPhones, with the glass on the back, really did need a case of some kind. I know too many people who have cracked back plates to recommend not getting one. The iPhone 5, in my opinion, rarely needs a case at all. Yet I found myself enjoying the Sector, despite the feeling it may not be completely necessary. Design As usual, the ElementCase used its knowledge of machining and has produced a lightweight and beautiful case -- except it's not so much a case as an aluminum bumper. The Sector needs you to remove only one screw to open it up (what ElementCase calls a multilink connection), and it wraps around the sides of the iPhone. The kit includes an adhesive-backed suede backing and a screen film, both of which I chose not to use. However, with all the included parts you could really protect your iPhone while keeping it looking very sharp. One unfortunate bit is a "road rash" protector, basically a collection of vinyl stickers you'll put around the edges of your iPhone to "protect" it from the Sector's rubber feet. The rubber feet are inside the four corners of the case, giving the shock absorption you want but having the nasty side effect of leaving some bits of rubber behind after prolonged use (see pic below). While I object to the vinyl, it's a good idea for ElementCase to have included these. That said, it makes the easier-to-remove case itself somewhat less easy to remove as you'll need to remove the non-reusable vinyl off your iPhone before ditching the Sector completely (if you choose to). The "road rash" vinyl sticker after over a week of use under the Sector 5 The Sector bulges out at the corners a bit, and adds a little visual interest to the iPhone. There are a couple of inadvertent issues with the Sector, however, and while they stem from the design, I'll detail them in the functionality section. Suffice it to say the "trussed" design (meaning there are a lot of cutouts) is a blessing and a curse, keeping weight down but also causing potential problems for big fingers. The review unit I got was a nice dark gray gun metal color. The weight is negligible, and that's really amazing. Still, this does add enough weight to the already crazy light iPhone 5, so you will definitely notice the iPhone is a bit heavier. Since I'm not covered in replacement iPhones, I did not perform a drop test. It's possible the shock absorbers will protect the phone, but it's also possible the added weight could be a problem. The Sector comes with a handy screwdriver for removing the case itself (and you can even attach it to your keys), but with that vinyl tape I doubt you'll be doing it often. Functionality OK, it's a case. As I said, I'm unwilling to throw my iPhone at the ground, but let's take this just as a sort of backup insurance. It's light, it's barely there, what's not to like? Unfortunately the deeper wells around the volume buttons make it much harder to access them if you have big fingers. I have relatively small fingers and often found myself having to squeeze in to flick the mute or change volume. That's not good. Apple puts those above the "surface" of the edge for a reason. Also, the lower left bulge is just big enough to where I really have to stretch my left thumb to access the upper right corner. While the 5 is taller, this additional distance was just enough for my smallish hands to have a problem where there was none before. Your mileage may vary. And lastly while the hole cut for the headphone port is ample, I found it was not ample enough for a generation of plugs made before smartphones became our music players. My old Sony desktop speaker plug barely fit, and seemed to pop out regularly. If you use EarPods or any of the more recent audio cables, changes are you'll be OK. My Sony MDR headphones were not OK, however. The plug fit, but so barely it kept popping out. The ports otherwise (mic, speakers, Lightning cable) all were fine thanks to the extensive trussing going on for weight purposes. The power button is accessed with a push button atop the case, so that worked fine. You also have access to the SIM slot, for what that's worth (in owning 4 iPhones I have yet to touch my SIM tray). One small problem with the stainless steel screws is that, in my review unit, they were painted black and after some use that paint came off. I actually like the patina look and it's not obvious at all, but if you're the kind of person who inspects cases with a jeweler's loupe, you'll see it for sure. Conclusion The build quality of the Sector is incredible. What's amazing to me are all the chambers and edges on the Sector, the trussing to keep weight low, and how it feels in your hand. When I first added the Sector to my iPhone I wasn't sure it was such a great idea, but after a week I have come to really enjoy it, and feel like I've got just enough added protection to my 5 that I can keep slapping it down on tables as I did before the case. I can imagine that with the additional suede backing it would be even more protected. The problem is that the price, US$139.95 may not justify the protection and the minor aggravations (specifically access to those volume buttons). If you have small hands or feel like your iPhone 5 is the perfect weight, you'll also have problems with having it on there. So is the Sector a great case? Yeah, it's a good case. I'm not sure it's worth the money, but if you are into status symbols, and the ElementCase lineup is mostly that, it's probably the coolest iPhone 5 case you can get right now. Pros: Provides some protection Looks cool Easier than ever to remove or put back on Cons: Vinyl stickers are a bummer Some usability issues with volume The iPhone 5 doesn't feel like it needs a case, so this can feel extraneous at times Who is it for? Anyone who wants their iPhone 5 to look different and can afford a luxury case which offers modest protection.
Victor Agreda Jr11.29.2012
Element's new Sector case for iPhone 5
I'm a fan of Element Case iPhone cases, made in the USA by trained machinists using premium parts. No, they aren't cheap. Yes, they are amazing. The latest from Element is the Sector, and it will fit the iPhone 5. Not only that, but the case debuts a single-screw connector, whittling down the number of screws needed to remove the case to one. That's a welcome relief for those of us who like to remove their cases once in a while. Full press release is below, but the Sector 5 will be US$159.99 with suede backing and $149.99 without. Element Case is now taking pre-orders. Show full PR text September 27, 2012 – San Carlos, CA – Element Case (www.elementcase.com), the premier manufacturer of premium, luxury accessories for Apple iPhone and iPad, today debuted its latest creation – the Sector 5 FE (First Edition) case for iPhone 5. This unique design features a modular "multi-link" design never before utilized in iPhone protection. The Individual links are each CNC machined in the USA from aircraft grade 6061 aluminum billet as well as special non-disclosed aerospace grade polymers to prevent signal loss. US made Stainless steel fasteners are used to attach the links to form an ultra-strong, feather light design. The Sector 5's new multi-link perimeter frame design is comprised of 8 individual links to create a modular design that allows endless customization or upgrade possibilities. A single screw removal system allows the multi-link design to "unfold" for quick and easy installation. The interchangeable back plate on the "First Edition" model will be genuine Ultrasuede with more back plate options to come on later models including carbon fiber, genuine leather and more. The highest quality US machining techniques, aerospace grade materials and unrivaled designs yield Element Case's finest case to date, and once again an entry into the iPhone accessory market unlike any other. "Sector 5 is the culmination of years of design research and refinement since Element Case was founded in 2007," said Jeff Sasaki, Founder and Lead Designer. "We've crafted something really unique, innovative and completely outside the concept of an iPhone case for the ultimate Apple enthusiast." Available now for iPhone 4, and with a limited units of Sector 5 FE or "First Edition" to be released only to the Element Case Loyal Customers program, Element Case has asked for new customers to expect a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks for delivery from time of pre-order. Each product requires precision machining, hand finishing and expert assembly for completion in small, made-to-order batches. The Sector 5 FE model will be available only in a special Gunmetal grey Flux finish with a matching ultra-suede back plate. More colors to be made available after FE production. The Sector 5 is $159.99 with the Ultrasude backing, or $149.99 without. The Sector's features include: · Ultra thin "Multi-link" system for fast and easy install · Modular design for replacement and upgrade parts option · CNC machined in the US using aerospace grade materials · Large volume control ports for easy access · Laser engraved FE "First Edition" insignia · Large peripheral ports, fully compatible for the 30 Pin or Lightning cables · Protective Zipper case with transit kit (screen protector and speed wrench) · Carbon Fiber back plate and Genuine Ultra suede back plate. About Element Case Founded in 2007 by veteran Industrial Designer Jeff Sasaki, Element Case Inc. (www.elementcase.com) has become the market leader in premium iPhone and iPad accessories. Sasaki's California team continues to surpass the expectations of even the most discerning Apple fans by continually offering breakthrough designs which incorporate precision machining, top quality craftsmanship and the highest grade materials. Element Case products are available online at the company's website and through retailers and distributors. Made in USA, Element Case products are very exclusive but can found in more than 20 countries.
Victor Agreda Jr09.27.2012
JP Morgan: Apple is a sector unto itself
JP Morgan's hardware analyst Mark Moskowitz has laid bare exactly how huge Apple has become lately, calling the company an actual "sector," not just a company any more. Of course, on paper, Apple is competing with other computer and device manufacturers like Dell and Samsung, but the numbers just don't make that comparison meaningful any more, says Moskowitz. Apple's stock is by far the largest single stock in the S&P 500 index, and when you compare the company's income to other tech sectors like Pharmaceuticals and Software as a whole, Apple's take actually lines up within the top 10. I'll say that again, because it's important: Apple's income and operations actually compete with whole industries, not just the rest of the PC market. This isn't just the iPhone or the iPad being a new class of device, it's Apple as a whole company creating a tech sector of its own. That's pretty incredible, and if you haven't yet realized how big Apple has gotten in the past few years (as if the $98 billion in cash wasn't clear enough), maybe that's your wakeup call. Now, this may all seem like financial types just making much ado about numbers, but it actually holds quite a bit of meaning, both for Apple and its competitors going forward. Apple's huge growth in the past few years will have lots of consequences, both for the company and the technology industry at large, and we still haven't figured out just what a lot of those consequences will be.
Mike Schramm02.25.2012
Two years after the fall of the world: Fallen Earth's second anniversary
It's no secret that Fallen Earth is somewhat of a staff favorite here at Massively. While its combat system may not hold the same polish of other titles, it more than makes up for it in sheer exploration, incredibly deep crafting, an engagingly different game world, and the dark humor that seeps into every aspect of the game. In fact, Massively is what convinced me to give Fallen Earth a shot when it came out two years ago. At the time, I was just a regular gamer looking for something a little different than the elves-'n'-fantasy fare that 99% of MMOs were dishing my way. Fallen Earth's semi-familiar setting -- modern guns, post office boxes, motorcycles, sunglasses, giant mutated ants -- was at once familiar and foreign. It took me two solid tries to get into the game, but once I did, I was hooked. I've always felt bad that Fallen Earth never got more popular than it already is, although I can understand why. The post-apocalypse setting is enough to weird players out, and the paradigm shift from getting your gear via looting to building your own gear via crafting takes some getting used to. Plus, the troubles that Icarus Studios ran into early on didn't help matters any. Fortunately, the future looks bright for Fallen Earth, and as it celebrates its second anniversary, we should look back at this past year to see just how far this cult MMO has come. Clones, assemble!
Justin Olivetti09.22.2011
Jumpgate Evolution lore: The Bleakstone Sector is rather bleak
The official Jumpgate Evolution website is periodically updated with lore and fiction articles about places in the Jumpgate universe. They reveal information about the game's setting and back story, but they're also detailed enough that they shed some light on what gameplay will be like in the sector in question.The latest of these articles is about the Bleakstone Sector, an inner sector that's every bit as harsh and dangerous as the sectors in the outer frontier. In a binary star system, the planet Bleakstone gives off a radiant glow thanks to the minerals and chemicals on its surface. But that glow is a dangerous siren's call, as the atmosphere is extremely hot and toxic. One domed mining facility and a few outposts in space are the only evidences of humankind in this hostile region of space.There's also a faux news report about a violent attack by The Inferno on the colonists who inhabit the sector.
Samuel Axon08.30.2008
Fujitsu achieves another storage milestone using patterned media technology
Although it seemed that Seagate was comfortably at the forefront of magnetic recording developments, Fujitsu is hoping that its latest "breakthrough" will add a little friction to the areal density competition. Using patterned media technology, the firm "was able to achieve a one-dimensional array nanohole pattern with an unprecedented 25 nanometer pitch," which essentially means that recording one-terabit per square inch onto HDDs of the future is now realizable. Additionally, the company also revealed a new development "involving perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) read / write operation on random patterned media," which utilizes the soft underlayer (SUL) as the PMR media. As expected, the presenters weren't as forthcoming about when we'd actually see these achievements make a difference in our laptops, servers, and other HDD-equipped devices, but the sooner the better, okay Fujitsu?
Darren Murph01.20.2007