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Book Book for iPhone

Oh well... After searching for that perfect case... well I din't find it. I purchased a Book Book from 12 south direct and was impressed by the design but couldn't get past the issues so many others had. I returned it because I didn't have to pay for shipping so I got my refund.

Well... I looked and looked and I just couldn't get past what I liked so much about this case. Maybe I am a gluten for punishment or perhaps I know what it is I like. I have repurchased the Book Book and intend to keep it this time. I just like the design even if taking pictures is a hassle. I also had to remove the side skins I had form Zagg so I can slip the phone in and out easily. This case's spine is so much nicer looking that the first one I received, it has added to my overall satisfaction.

This case isn't for everyone and I am still not 100% sure its for me but I love how this things looks and feel. I am going to simplify my life by carrying only what I need. Knowing myself, Its going to be a short matter of time before I purchase another case or go naked and then back to a case.

I might do the camera hole modification but everything else about using the case if fine and not difficult. The only thing I know for sure is that the case has made me happy for the time being so I am just going with it.
 
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I have a BookBook and it fits my needs nicely (less things to carry). It is a little bulky but nothing too obscene. Love that feeling of leather, but I agree some leather conditioner is needed to keep that finish.
 
Jasmynsway said:
I freakin love it! It's wearing well, it smells great, haven't had any trouble with carrying cash. I fold it in half and crease the binding edge so the phone still closes. It's the best for me...and I'm totally OCD about cases.
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Me too!! I'm exactly the same about cases....OCD doesn't come close!! I only have the 1 bank card and my driver's licence. The spare slot is used for a little modification i made - when the bookbook is closed, you get an imprint of the leather just above the ID slot on the screen of the phone. I got a cheap plastic 2 card wallet (portrait), cut it down and stuck one of the many cleaning cloths i have to the front. Now, i can slide this into the spare slot and my id is hidden when the bookbook is open, and the soft cloth material rests against the phone when closed.....brilliant.

I also got a local leather shop to punch a hole in the spine at the top so i can hang my car key on it and keep everything together.

I've had my case for over a month now and i can honestly say, i would never go back to any other case. If you think about it, we buy new cases, get p*****d off when we drop phone (because case has scratched), buy new case, get p*****d off when we scratch case, buy new case etc etc etc.

With the bookbook, it is designed to look old and it gets better with age, so instead of spending £10-£20 on each case many times, spend £50 once and be eternally happy!! (OK, bit OTT but each to their own!!)


And chillhase, yes it does fit comfortably in jeans pocket (front and back) - bit of a mission to get out while seated in the car, but we shouldn't be dealing with phones while driving ;-)

Regards
 
just want to share that i've received by bookbook today (order from amazon us) and i am extremely happy with it! leather feels top-notch and the construction seems well-made. was initially worried that it might be a pain to take the iphone out to take photos but that is not the case at all. this ranks as one of my favorite cases, along with the speck pixelskin hd.
 
I got the bookbook a few weeks back in preparation for my iPhone...when I received it it didn't look as nice as you guys describe it. Looked actually cheesy to me. The wear of the leather looked kind of fake...especially at the binding. I thought it was going to look nice with the iPhone, but it just ended up looking too cheesy for me. I am using a Sena WalletSlim which I think looks better than the book book. Just my $0.02.
 
peapody said:
I got the bookbook a few weeks back in preparation for my iPhone...when I received it it didn't look as nice as you guys describe it. Looked actually cheesy to me. The wear of the leather looked kind of fake...especially at the binding. I thought it was going to look nice with the iPhone, but it just ended up looking too cheesy for me. I am using a Sena WalletSlim which I think looks better than the book book. Just my $0.02.
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If you still have the BookBook, I'd be happy to take it off your hands. I'm still looking for one to review.
 
Has anyone tried modding their bookbook case? aside from punching holes for keys and camera. I was wondering how it might take leather dyes. Or embossing/stamping
 
ant043 said:
I'm using a desmay slight case on my 4s along with the book book. It fits perfect. Great combination.
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Do you feel like that is stretching the leather area that holds the phone? I am interested in that setup but am also thinking of a lucky labs wrap setup for other times and would hate to feel like the phone was always sliding around because the desmay stretched it. (do you know I lucky labs will fit under the desmay?)
 
On Any Sunday said:
Do you feel like that is stretching the leather area that holds the phone? I am interested in that setup but am also thinking of a lucky labs wrap setup for other times and would hate to feel like the phone was always sliding around because the desmay stretched it. (do you know I lucky labs will fit under the desmay?)
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Hi. From what I've seen so far. It hasn't stretched the leather. The desmay is soooooo thin it's almost like a skin. I'd imagine any side strips on the phone would mean the desmay wouldn't fit. It's a very tight fit with nothing on the phone.
 
got mine today. not sure if i keep it though, it is just a bit too bulky for my taste. also i still need a wallet because i always carry cash. and cash does not fit in.
 
After a week of heavy use and dropping and well normal wear and tear. The Book Book has not stretched in the area that holds the phone. The spine has discolored just a bit but i guess that adds to the look. Cash carrying is a bit of a hassle but I rarely cary cash so no biggie. I have had two of these so far and I can say that the build quality was different between the two of them. The second on is crafted with more care than the previous one. So far, I am still enjoying this case. The bulky effect of this case really does' t bother me as when I first purchased the case.

You have to remember that you are not only replacing your case but your wallet as well. I have found the connivence to be worth the sacrifice in bulk. I don't have a reason to carry to many credit cards and besides, it helps in controlling spending. I will post an update as time passes to see if this case holds up well or if will suffer as my wallets have and need replacing after time passes.
 
I have been thinking about purchasing a Book Book case for a while but I am just not sure if it's for me. I like the idea of having my phone and wallet together, it means less stuff I have to carry separately. I use my phone in a fairly slim case and a Flipside X2 wallet, it would be great to consolidate things a bit.

I love the look of the Book Book case, my concerns are how well will it hold up over time, and I really wish they'd add a camera hole cutout. Does anyone think it's too bulky? I've seen a lot of pics but its still hard to tell if it will be too big for my liking.
 
I've been looking at this case for a while. It does look cool, but I need to see it in person. I will stop by an apple store and check it out. If it had a camera cutout i'd be more confident with this one.
 
OK... I dropped my iPhone prior to getting my book book so I had a small crack on the back. I have ordered a replacement back OEM cover from China and to my surprise I have found a Book Book at less than half the price. It doesn't look exactly the same as the 12 south version but it is pretty close. The spine is a different color and I am not sure if the leather is raised like the 12 south product but hey... at more than half the price... you can't beat it.

So all those of you who don't want to pay the $60 bones for a 12 south version, here is your chance to get a similar product at a reduced cost. Kind of Wish I would have found this earlier but I am pretty happy with my Book Book but paying half would have made me happier. I still have 3 days in wich to return my Book Book..... hmm by the screen shots... it looks and even has 12 south packaging shown.

http://www.sw-box.com/iBook-Genuine-Leather-Wallet-Case-for-iPhone-4S.html
 
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My curiosity has got the best of me. I have ordered an IBook case to see if it is in fact the same as twelve south's product. I am also curious of the build quality because after all the two products are made in China. As soon as I receive this case, I will post some pictures.
 
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Has anyone noticed if the mute switch issue has been worked out? Seeing a lot of people saying the switch doesn't match and was curious if this was because of the AT&T/Verizon switch issues. Seeing as the 4s is universal I'm hoping this is no longer an issue.
 
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tremlock said:
Has anyone noticed if the mute switch issue has been worked out? Seeing a lot of people saying the switch doesn't match and was curious if this was because of the AT&T/Verizon switch issues. Seeing as the 4s is universal I'm hoping this is no longer an issue.
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I've got the Verizon version, and the mute button is dead on.
 
Just got the Chinese knock off and it's pretty much the same case and packaging. The leather on the outside is real but the smell is different. On the inside there is a noticable difference of the leather that holds the phone in place. It's kind of a synthetic grade leather because it feels and looks different than the outside leather. The backside leather has the 12 South logo just like the original. The stitching is good just like the original. There is a difference between the two but its pretty much just the leather that holds the phone. All in all for a product that is more than half the 12 souths product cost... It's not terrible. I won't be keeping this case because I have the original so send me a PM if your interested.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23863998@N02/6423119665/lightbox/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23863998@N02/6423126715/in/photostream/lightbox/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23863998@N02/6423131665/in/photostream/lightbox/
 
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Can you post pictures of the original and the iBook side by side?





dthree36 said:
Just got the Chinese knock off and it's pretty much the same case and packaging. The leather on the outside is real but the smell is different. On the inside there is a noticable difference of the leather that holds the phone in place. It's kind of a synthetic grade leather because it feels and looks different than the outside leather. The backside leather has the 12 South logo just like the original. The stitching is good just like the original. There is a difference between the two but its pretty much just the leather that holds the phone. All in all for a product that is more than half the 12 souths product cost... It's not terrible. I won't be keeping this case because I have the original so send me a PM if your interested.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23863998@N02/6423119665/lightbox/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23863998@N02/6423126715/in/photostream/lightbox/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23863998@N02/6423131665/in/photostream/lightbox/
Click to expand...
 
Here you go... this picture is comparing the backs of the two. The China one is on the left and the Authentic 12 South Product on the Right.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23863998@N02/6427179543/in/photostream/

This next shot is the two spines of case The top is obviously the Authentic but my book book is darker than most Authentic Book Books.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23863998@N02/6427170649/in/photostream/

This shot is of the inside leather area the holds the iPhone. The Authentic one is on top and the China one is on the bottom. This area may be synthetic leather on the China product.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23863998@N02/6427173277/in/photostream/

This last shot is the front flap that coves the phone. The Authentic one is on the left and the China product on the right.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23863998@N02/6427176567/in/photostream/

The lining on the inside of the case may not be genuine leather because the texture doesn't feel like it but that is probably why this case is less than half of the authentic one. I have since put this China model on ebay and its all but a memory now.

For those who are willing to sacrifice the inside holding not being made of real leather, then this is not a terrible investment but I am skeptical to is durability. I for one love the authentic product and would recommend those who are considering the Book Book for long term use stick with the authentic product. Those who like to switch out cases frequently might benefit form the knock off because its an inexpensive option for short term use. If you have seen and held an authentic Book Book, this knock off will probably leave you a bit disappointed but you are saving money. For someone how has never seen or held an authentic Book Book... hey... you know no better.
 
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