Over the past week, I received two new products from 12 South. I received the Book Book for iPhone 4 and another one for the iPad.

I’m pretty excited about both of these products. I ordered the iPhone case directly from 12 South, and the iPad case came from Amazon.com.

I received the iPhone case first. I started to rip into the packaging, when I had a brilliant idea: I should open and install these on my first ever video blog.

And so I did. Here’s the video for the Book Book for iPhone 4.

I really like this case for a number of reasons:

1. It’s classy looking.
2. It doubles as a wallet.
3. It eliminates the need to sit on my other wallet.
4. It attracts attention.

There are a couple of drawbacks, but nothing too significant:

1. There’s not a lot of space for carrying receipts. In both my personal finances and my ministry, I collect receipts for everything. The Book Book doesn’t meet this need. No problem. I just stuck an old checkbook cover in the console of my car to place these in while I’m out. Easy solution.
2. Taking pictures with the iPhone is a bit more complicated now. Sure, all you have to do is slide the phone up a quarter of an inch or so, but the top strip of leather blocks a portion of the screen, making it more difficult to frame a picture. I haven’t figured out a final solution for this yet, other than completely removing the iPhone from the Book Book.
3. The Book Book is bulky when out geocaching. While out doing this, I generally need to have my iPhone screen available for use from either hand. The Book Book flap makes that a bit more difficult. Plus, if the weather is bad, I’m not sure I want the Book Book out in it anyway. So I switch to my OtterBox for that.

Over all, I’m really impressed. And so is just about everyone who sees it.

Now for the Book Book for the iPad. Here’s the video.

I haven’t had as much opportunity to use this Book Book yet, but I have found several things that I love about it:

1. Again, it’s really classy looking.
2. Solid, sturdy protection for the iPad or the iPad 2.
3. Unique and creative as it turns into a display stand.
4. Cleverly secure, keeping people from realizing that it’s not really a book.
5. Opens flat, and the cover doesn’t try to close, like other book-style covers.
6. Easy to take the iPad in and out, for reading, photos, and more.
7. Attracts attention.
8. Makes people think I’m smarter than I really am.

So far, I haven’t really found anything about this Book Book that I don’t like. I guess time will tell, but so far, nothing.

All in all, I’m really impressed with both of these Book Books. As soon as I can stir up the funds, I plan on purchasing another one, for my MacBook Air.

Until then… I’m going to enjoy these!

What covers or cases have you found to work well with your phone or laptop? You can share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“