DLO PodFolio for iPod nano

Leather flipcases are a tried-and-true way of keeping your iPod safe and looking good. DLO’s PodFolio for the iPod nano is not a standout case, but it’s a perfectly solid choice for those in the market for a sleek-looking case that also protects your iPod from scratches and falls.

The PodFolio fits both first- and second-generation iPod nanos. The front of the case, made of smooth, black leather, is stiff but padded to protect the iPod. Flip it open and you’ll find a leather harness with a clear plastic window that pretty much runs the height of the iPod’s face, protecting both the nano’s screen and its Click Wheel. Slip the nano into the top of the harness, and you’ll be able to see the screen and use the iPod’s Click Wheel controls while your iPod is kept safe and sound. On the bottom of the case is a small hole for accessing the headphone jack; there’s also a smaller hole on the left side, but it serves no functional purpose. The back of the PodFolio features a permanently-attached belt clip.

Since the PodFolio is a flipcase, neither the Click Wheel nor the hold switch are accessible while the front of the case is closed (the flipcover is secured by embedded magnets). There’s also no way to get at the dock-connector port without taking the iPod out of the case. Those are the tradeoffs of most flipcases, however. Another minor gripe is that the flexible-plastic window doesn’t always lie flat with the iPod’s face, so functions of the Click Wheel that depend heavily on touch sensitivity (scrolling, changing volume) don’t work as well as they do with a bare Click Wheel.

On the plus side, the case is sturdy and well-made. You’re unlikely to hurt the nano by dropping it, and the flip cover protects all the delicate elements from damage. The PodFolio may not be a perfect offering, but it’s one that will undoubtedly please many. –Dan Moren