A new case company, LifeProof Cases, has officially launched with a few new cases for Apple products. While the concept is similar to that of the Ballistic case we reviewed, LifeProof’s case seems to be a much better attempt. It promises to “life proof” your iPhone from water, dirt, snow, and shock, and does so without the bulk of other ultra protective cases I’ve tried.

Colors, textures and artwork are used to set cases apart, so the smarter companies bring in some high level artists and designers to give the case some flair. What they don’t usually use, however, are photos of your kids. Or a vacation photo. Or that glistening spiderweb photo that won you a blue ribbon at the county fair. Case-Mate will help you out with their DIY Custom Case, and they’ll do it in a unique way.

Do you often find yourself using your iPhone 3G/3GS to capture spur of the moments photos? What about if you’re standing infront of a nice view but have no one to take your photos? Wouldn’t you wish the iPhone case you are using had a built-in stand? This is primarily what the Standing iPhone Case aims to address. It not only protects your iPhone from bumps, dents and scratches, but also give you a case that serves as a stand.

There are hundreds of cases available that offer several methods of keeping you and your iPhone happy throughout the day. The majority simply protect your device, but there are a growing number of options to keep your iPhone topped up with juice, and that’s what the Fuel Lite case from Case-Mate aims to do. We had a chance to play with one at this year’s Gadget Show Live event in the UK, and we were quite impressed.

A few weeks ago, I took a look at some hard shell cases for the iPhones 3G and 3GS. Those tend to be the pretty ones, since it’s easier to be fashionable when you’re not worried about bending. But there are many people out there who’d rather protect their $200 to $300 phone than show it off like a well-coifed purse poodle. It’s to you kings and queens of the road that I dedicate this review.

Last month, we took a look at iPhone 3G/S slim cases, as some people just don’t want to add much bulk to their iPhone. But the problem with slim cases is that, by design, they sacrifice protection and functionality. For those who who’d rather keep their iPhone safe than slim, here’s our latest roundup of hard shell cases built specifically for your peace of mind.

When it comes to the iPhone, there are two types of cases: actually, that’s not at all true. There’s a ridiculous number of types of cases. And since I’m not about to base an entire roundup review on a faulty premise, we’ll just pretend I never said that and get right to the review. Here, we’re looking solely at thin cases for the iPhone 3G and its “S”ister.

I’m extremely picky about my iPhone cases, but in an evolving way. Originally, I was all about balance between looks, protection and functionality. I still hover around that balance, but I’ve lately started the embrace the whole “less is more” ideal. Indeed, I often don’t even put my iPhone in a case. I’m tired of the bulk and the color that strip the iPhone of its identity. So, knowing that, here are a few iPhone 3G cases I’ve been using on and off for the past few months to see if any are worth full-time use.

What separates the Clarifi from other Griffin cases with EasyDock is that it comes with a special, attached lens for your iPhone’s camera. This lens, which easily slides into and out of place, offers the ability to get better clarity when taking close up images. That’s it, really, and it’s something you’ll likely rarely use. Griffin’s site says it’s good for photographing things such as business cards for reference capture using programs such as Snappr.

There’s a theory in the scientific community that if the world is ever wiped out by nuclear holocaust, the cockroaches alone will survive to repopulate the planet. I’m all for this, because a planet of walking, sentient cockroaches sounds crazy cool, and because if humans ever do destroy our ability to survive, then the cockroaches deserve their chance in the driver’s seat.

What the scientists are missing, though, is that there’s another creature with an even stronger ability to adapt and survive. Change its habitat, change its food supply, smash it with a hammer…doesn’t matter. It’ll survive. It’ll continue to grow and populate, and it’ll always do its best to match your purse. I’m talking, of course, about the iPhone case. Here are some for the new iPhone 3G. No need to be creeped out by them, but best to keep a can of Raid handy.

• Speck PixelSkin
• PDO TopSkin
• JAVOedge JAVOskin
• Griffin Wave
• Griffin Nu Form