The Best Ways to Carry Your RIM BlackBerry In Style
Whether you prefer to tote your Research In Motion (RIM) BlackBerry smartphone in a holster or case on your belt, or within a skin or sleeve in a jacket or pants pocket, here's a list of your best options for practical, stylish cases.
CIO — Your BlackBerry is much more than a simple communications tool. Like a watch or a pair of sunglasses, it was designed to serve a specific purpose, but it's also a fashion accessory and, therefore, should look good.
With that in mind, instead of offering you our typical shortcuts, tips, tricks or software downloads, we've decided to assemble a list of our favorite Research in Motion (RIM) BlackBerry carrying accessories.
From a lamb skin holster to a ruggedized case made of silicon and polycarbonate shells, you have plenty of options to ensure that your BlackBerry remains as pretty as it was the day you unboxed it.
There are a plethora of products on the market that are designed specifically for carrying and protecting BlackBerrys, and it would be impossible for us to include all that are worth mentioning in our list (as much as we'd love to.) So we selected a handful of our favorites.
1) Holsters -- Wear Your BlackBerry With Pride
RIM Original Equipment Manufacture (OEM) Swivel Holster for 8xxx Devices
This cow skin leather holster is designed by the BlackBerry maker itself, and it shows in its beautiful aesthetics. It's one of the most commonly used BlackBerry accessories because it's widely available online and in large electronics stores like Best Buy. It's utilitarian--there are few bells and whistles--but it does feature a swiveling belt clip that can turn 360 to let you choose whether you want your device to sit on a belt vertically, horizontally or anywhere in between; a magnet inside turns off your screen when in place and allows you to employ specific "In Holster" power and notification settings; and the holsters for 8xxx devices have interior grooves to protect trackballs.
The product is available for a number of BlackBerrys, including the entire 8000 series lineup. RIM sells the holster for $29.99 for the Curve, but it can be purchased online for significantly less. The swivel holster is also available in a variety of colors, including black, brown, tan, white, pink and red.
Seidio Spring Clip Swivel Holster for BlackBerry 8xxx Series Devices
If you prefer a plastic holster to a leather one, the Seidio Spring Clip Swivel Holster is for you. The holster's available for "unskinned" devices, as well as those with rubberized protective cases. Like the OEM holster mentioned above, it features a ratcheting swivel clip--though this clip can be locked into place--and it powers down your device's screen when properly inserted.
The Seidio holsters also feature a unique spring clip that makes it easy to remove and insert your device--though the clip does take some getting used to.
Unfortunately, the Seidio holsters are available only in black, so if color is important to you, you'll want to keep on shopping. The Seidio Spring Clip Swivel Holster is available for all 8800 series BlackBerrys, skinned and unskinned, for $29.95 from the manufacturer--though, again, you can find it for less online.
