With your iPod or iPhone becoming an essential part of your daily routine, it is only fitting that you treat it with the utmost care to make sure that your little hi-tech investment will have a lifespan that is directly proportional to its price.

Image by The Pug Father via Flickr

It is quite ironic that the quality that draws us to include these iconic Apple devices in our everyday arsenal is also the same quality that would make it more vulnerable: its portability.

Yes, every time that you insert it into the crags and crannies of your pants or bags, it becomes susceptible to the blunt forces and scratches made possible by the constant jingling and jangling of your keys, coins and whatnots (assuming that you do use your pockets and bag compartments like any normal person would). You might as well throw it in a washing machine and run it without any water.

Not only that, each time you do take it out of your pocket or bag, other factors will also come into play. How confident are you with your coordination especially if you’re constantly multi-tasking in these fast-moving times? On the iPhone while eating or even listening to your iPod while just walking, there is always a chance for the “whoops-I-dropped-my-very-expensive-gadget” moment. It’s almost a rite of passage for all our gadgets – that one “small” accident. You can deny the trauma at first but for a gadget valued not only for its functionality but also for its price-driven exclusivity, even the smallest dent will drive you crazy.
That is why it is good to invest in quality iPod/iPhone protective accessories.

There are many options. If you don’t mind going bulky, especially if you lead a rugged lifestyle, try using those thick hard casings. These hard-shell, usually plastic cases instantly turn your favorite Apple gadget into a tank geared for the most brutal punishment. The only drawback is that it’s probably a handful when it’s not in the confines of your pocket or bag (which is pretty much most of the time). One of the slimmest and durable I’ve seen is Magnesium Rugged iPod case from PrimaCases.com.

If you are the type that does not want additional bulge in your pocket (and who does?), then go for the crystal sticker decal-type protection. These protective stickers are thick enough to protect your iPod/iPhone from scratches but thin enough for it to retain its portable dimensions. The vinyl (or vinyl-like in some cases) characteristic usually provides excellent grip and feel lessening the chances of slippage. Most, if not all, of these stickers come in an array of eye-catching designs so it kind of adds a personal touch when it comes to protecting your gear. It’s not as durable as a hard-shell casing but any added protection would still mean lesser damage to your gear. A good selection of these protective decals that do not leave residue when removed can be found at Gizmoskinz.com. What’s great is most of the designs were submitted by both professional and amateur graphic artists, so there’s a good chance you can find something very unique.

Of course any supplementary protection can only go so far. In the end, the longevity of your gadget totally depends on the quality of your usage. But most certainly, these protective accessories will at least provide the insurance that it will most likely crack first before your beloved gadget does.