Today I got through the post the Flexishield Skin, available from Mobile Fun in the UK for about £10. I've been looking for some kind of tight-fitting case or skin since I got the N900. I tried the cheapo hard rubber two-piece case available on Amazon and Ebay, but turned out to be rubbish. The half that clipped to the screen kept falling off and there was a large crack already in the other half...pure junk.

So, I spent a bit more money and got the Flexishield Skin. First impressions were positive, it's made of a semi-soft non-sticky rubber material, feels flexible but sturdy in the hand. Here's a pic of the two halves next to the N900.



You'll notice there are cut outs for the front and rear cameras as well as for the proximity sensor. There are also cut outs for most of the side hardware buttons, except for the volume rocker and the camera shutter button. The volume key is easily pressed through the rubber skin, but the camera button not so comfortably. You really do have to look to locate it and then be very accurate if you want it to take a pic first time. Several times I found myself removing the skin so it was easier to take a snap.

The Skin lives up to its name and clings tenaciously to the device, not sure exactly how but they add very little bulk or weight to the phone. When holding the device the material feels quite 'grippy' and I feel there's less chance of the N900 slipping out of my hands and crashing to the floor. When the keyboard is open the skin doesn't get in the way of any of the keys, not even the top row. Here are some pics showing the tight fit.







Now the last picture shows the fundamental flaw with the Flexishield Skin....there's no cut out for the friggin' screen! Instead you have a thick layer of rubber over it that renders it all but useless. Yes, it is possible to press some of the larger icons on screen, but forget about hitting the task-switcher button in the top left or anything of similar size in the menus. I don't quite know what the designers were thinking, it's not as though the N900 has a d-pad or trackball or anything for navigation without the touchscreen.

Anyhow, I'm pretty disappointed with the Skin because of this. i am going to try to physically cut out the rubber covering the screen, but I don't currently have a knife sharp enough to do it. Overall, I couldn't really recommend this because of the lack of touchscreen access, and it's a shame really because it does fit the phone nicely and makes it feel much more secure in the hand because of the grip.

Ah well, it looks like my quest continues for the perfect N900 case/skin....

Thanks for the review! I'm still trying to decide on a skin/case, and this helps.

And that's the reason why it clings so tenaciously. I got a rubber case off EBay. The bottom and top halves of the case are joined with a slide. Because of this, and because the bottom has a deeper dish, it manages to stay on the N900. The top, however, does have a cutout for the screen, so the sides of the top half of the case can be pushed side very easily. It does manage to protect the top and stay on it as long as there a little force holding it to the top, such as when it's in a pocket.

I should say, the device feels very secure in my hand now, it won't slip, regardless of how dry my hands are. It also makes it chunkier, as the rubber is more than 1 mm thick.

I'll put it in the wiki later... no camera at work.

If anyone wants a link,
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=320456391225

@dreadnought: I've said it before and I say it again: Take a look at Noreve in Saint Tropez. I am VERY satisfied with it. They are custom made for the N900, real leather in different colors and fabrics, with attachment mechanism to your belt. I ordered it from sweden and it took a few weeks since they manufacture each case on order. They are a little expensive, but well worth it. Delivered in a fancy box with a litte screwdriver for attaching the beltclip and everything.

http://www.noreve.com

My wife ordered one for her N8, custom made of course in the green color matching here phone. She's very satisfied as well.

Hey buddy, that's one hell of a design flaw. If it helps, my GF is a solicitor and says you are entitled to a refund because the product is clearly 'not fit for purpose'.

Dan

I've been using the Invisible Shield since I got the phone, and it has served me very well. They will replace it for free (+ cost of shipping and handling, about $3) if it ever gets damaged, or if you need to send your phone in for service. The grip is excellent, and it stands up to a lot.

That is... hilarious and messed up.

I have a clear snap-on case I bought on fleabay. It's held up really well, along with an also fleabay-sourced screen protector.

I have the exact same case and I cut out the screen section - it makes a huge difference. I've been using it since December 2009 and very happy with.

It absorbs impacts very well and I also find it improve the grip of the n900.

It's not the prettiest case in the world but from a practical point-of-view works well.

I agree the camera button is a pain so I may cut that out too.

I recommend Otterbox, perfect case for N900.