TuneWear Prie Ambassador SideHook
At a Glance
As the name for this case implies, TuneWear's Prie Ambassador SideHook has a hook along the right side of the case for latching on to a belt loop or bag. It's a strong metal hook that uses a spring to keep it closed; you don't have to worry about the hook failing, but since the case offers no face protection, I'm not comfortable letting my iPod touch dangle from my backpack. The hook, which also doubles as a horizontal stand, is removeable but the nylon loop to which the hook attaches isn't (though it never got in the way during my testing). I actually prefer to use the case without the hook, and the case isn't overly bulky; your encased iPod touch won't feel too big in your pocket.
Your iPod touch slides into the right side of the case, and magnetic latches close to keep the iPod touch secure. (By the way, the magnets didn't seem to affect the iPod touch's performance at all.) The edges of the case never interfered with using the buttons along the sides of the iPod touch's screen.
The back of the SideHook has a little card pocket that can be handy for storing the proper items. I advise against putting any cards with a magnetic strip into the SideHook's pocket, however; the iPod touch creates enough of a magnetic field itself to render the strip useless. (I speak from experience; I've had a few BART tickets and MUNI bus passes negated because I kept those cards too close to my iPod touch or iPhone.)
The SideHook is available in black, brown, gold, red, and silver; the silver-leather SideHook has stylish metal rivets along the sides, giving the case a bit of flair. You also get a piece of TuneFilm, a clear, protective overlay for the iPod touch screen. Overall, the SideHook is built well, looks good, and provides good protection. It's one of my favorite cases.
--Roman Loyola
