A different kind of case for the iPhone5, it improves the WiFi.

Looking for better WiFi reception on your iPhone5?

At the “Moms, Dads and Grads” Pepcom event, I saw an awful lot of gizmos and gadgets that I saw earlier at CES in January. The difference is that now most of them are available in the marketplace, or will be in the next month or so. But there was one brand new name (at least to me) at the event, the Linkase. It’s billed as a signal enhancer for iPhone5. On many of the iPhone5 forums there are major complaints about its WiFi reception. And that’s what the Linkase, from Absolute Technology, is offering as a possible solution. A spokesperson at the booth said that smaller, thinner phones with larger screens are great, but something has got to go. And that something is often the signal antenna, which gets shrunk. And if your hand blocks the antenna, you are really making it difficult for your phone to lock onto a WiFi signal. The Linkase solves that problem with a slide-out antenna cleverly built into a handsome protective phone case. Using something the company calls electromagnetic waveguide technology, the external antenna works with the antenna inside your iPhone to boost WiFi reception. There is not need for a physical connection. As a matter of fact, I don’t own an iPhone5, but I tried the Linkase with my iPod Touch. It did indeed boost the WiFi signal by one bar when I walked down the hall from apartment and had two closed doors between my router and me. Absolute Technology says that their Linkase can boost wireless reception by up to 50 percent. The case itself is handsome. It’s made from a polycarbonate back, with a shock absorbent rubber shield to protect the screen. A non-slip leather coating provides a smooth, but not slippery, touch. The slide-out antennas, called EMW elements, are interchangeable – and right inside the package with each Linkase, is an extra element in a contrasting color. (Linkase comes in black, grey, white, blue, and red.) If you like, you can buy other color elements eparately. Price is $49.95 and for now, the Linkase is only being made for the iPhone 5.

http://www.absolute.com.tw/products.html

More about this iPhone case is on this edition of The Giz Wiz with Leo Laporte and Dick De:

www.twit.tv/giz1412