After many tests and tweaks to make sure we had the perfect mix of color, clarity and quality, I Make My Case (IMakeMyCase.com) is now back in stock. So, if your phone is feeling a little hum drum lately because it’s been wearing the same old black, pink, red or blue case it’s had since you brought it home, it’s time to spice up your protection!

Click on over to IMakeMyCase.com to work alongside a team of 10 world renowned artists and manipulate the elements and colors of your choice to create a totally unique, totally YOU case!

Well, we’re off to Vegas again! We’re heading to CTIA to check out the latest in wireless technology and show off our newest products and we need your help! We submitted the Hug, go Bare and I Make My Case for the Emerging Technology Awards, and need your votes for the “Best Online Pick” / “People’s Choice” awards, which will be announced on March 24th.

Please sign in (it only requires your email) and vote (you do this by clicking on “mark as favorite”) and encourage your friends and family to do the same! The deadline is Monday, March 22nd by 5 p.m. EST.

Here are the links for the case-mate products up for nomination:

Go Bare

Hug

I Make My Case

Love the protection and design of the Tough but not quite sold on our preset color combinations? You now have the freedom to create your own shell and skin combos with case-mate’s Mix & Match generator!

Check it out:

Mobile Users Can Now Purchase the First Charging Pad Developed in Concert With the Wireless Power Consortium

ATLANTA – March 8, 2010 – Case-mate, a designer of innovative accessories for mobile devices and electronics, today announced the availability of the Hug, a new protective case and charging pad for the iPhone® that showcases the evolution of wireless power. Created to give iPhone users a more convenient way to charge, the design-forward Hug delivers power without cumbersome cords or adaptors.

“The mobile phone is undoubtedly one of the most essential electronic devices to consumers today,” said Shashi Reddy, founder and CEO of case-mate. “And with the availability of the Hug, we’re giving iPhone users a new way to easily re-charge – helping them get just a little more convenience and reliability out of the device that they so strongly rely upon each day.”

Hug Your Battery To Life
As the first charging pad to come out of a partnership with the Wireless Power Consortium, the Hug has been created to give Apple® iPhone 3G and Apple iPhone 3GS users a wire-free charging experience. Users simply slip their iPhone into the sleek Hug case and then place the phone onto the Hug charging pad.

Key product features include:
• Green – The Hug delivers a “smart charge.” It knows when the iPhone has reached a complete charge and, at that time, stops pulling power.
• Convenient – The Hug charges just as fast as traditional chargers, but without the hassle of cords and wires. Instead the charging pad transfers power wirelessly through a magnetic field to the iPhone enclosed in the Hug case.
• Design-Forward – The Hug, featuring a sleek two-part case and a charging mat, is constructed with durable injection-molded materials with true aluminum metal and accents. Its form factor was inspired by the flowing lines of the golden age of sport automotive design.
• Added Protection – The Hug comes with a durable, shock absorbing case and a charging pad. A screen protection kit is also included for total iPhone protection.
• Interoperable – The Hug is the first charging pad to be is designed in accordance to the specifications of the Wireless Power Consortium.

Pricing and Availability
The case-mate Hug is now available for the Apple iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS at www.case-mate.com. The Hug, which includes the charging pad, iPhone case and screen protection kit, retails for $99.99. Versions will be available for additional mobile devices, including most BlackBerry models in the coming months. Case-mate will also offer a Hug that supports the charging of multiple devices simultaneously.

About Case-mate
Launching innovative accessories since 2006, case-mate combines design engineering with cutting-edge materials to protect and enhance technology. A melting pot of entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world, case-mate believes that there is nothing more important than the freedom of self-expression … our mantra “Freedom To Be Truly You” inspires every creative output, every day. This core principle carries through our products, packaging and partnerships and brings to life case-mate’s vision in a dynamic technology marketplace. To learn more, please visit www.case-mate.com.

It is amazing the things you can accomplish in the morning before work and still be on time.

Shower ✓
Breakfast ✓
Brush teeth ✓
Police officers in my living room ✓

Yes I said police officers, yes that’s plural.

8:15 a.m. I was blow-drying my hair.
8:25 a.m. I opened the front door to let Weagle, my dog go outside.
8:35 a.m. As I was starting to get dressed for the day, Weagle began to bark uncontrollably (not uncharacteristic for him) so half dressed I turned the corner to find TWO fully uniformed men in blue standing in my hallway yelling FREEZE; POLICE!

They were IN my HOUSE, not outside my house, knocking on the door. Apparently, someone called 911 from my house. The irony is I do not have a land line, just a cell phone. I told the officers this and their only response was, “We need to see proof of I.D. that you live here.” So, just my luck, I couldn’t find my drivers license. Finally, I walked outside to my car and find it. After validating my residence one of the cops radio’d the operator to get the phone number that called. He repeated it out loud to me like I was supposed to lead him in the right direction. Of course, I did not recognize the number.

8:45 a.m. The officers were squeezing their way out of my locked gate (best part of the whole experience).

9:00 a.m. I slid into my desk like Tom Cruise in Risky Business, not a minute late, no thanks to the po-po, 5-0, pigs, fuzz, bacon, boys in blue, cops, dogs, feds, flat foot, Johnny law, LEO, narcs…

We always have an “open doggie door” policy here at case-mate, and many of our best friends spend each and every day with us here in the office. We thought it was about time to celebrate our furry friends and declared our own case-mate  Man’s Best Friend Day on Friday.

Although there were a few ‘accidents’ our pups enjoyed all the extra attention and friends to play with all day and we loved having our canine compadres around! Here they are!

We can all agree, hugs are pretty nice right? Well on Monday, March 8th, we at case-mate wanna give YOU a Hug.

Now you may be asking yourself what’s so special about a Hug from case-mate? The Hug is case-mate’s latest wireless charging pad and case for the iPhone 3G/3GS that “hugs” your battery back to life. Way better than any old air hug or bear hug right?

So, for your chance to win one, follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/casemate), invite all your friends to do the same, and tell us why you think your iPhone deserves a Hug with the hashtag #ihugitout for a chance to win a free Hug!

The contest will begin at 8 a.m. EST on March 8th and end at 11:59 p.m. on March 8th. A tweet with the hashtag #ihugitout counts as an entry, each user may only enter the contest once. The winner will be randomly selected. We will announce the contest winner via our blog and twitter by Friday, March 12.

This weeks Niche Society is a V-LOG (its basically when you do a blog, but you use a recordable video device to capture movements and words, and broadcast it over the Internet using a state of the art technology known as YouTube, this process is very expensive so I hope you guys enjoy it).

We have a vending machine at the office, so some co-workers and I decided to break down ALL the snacks and rank them 1, 2, 3 along with a People’s Choice. So watch the V-LOG and send it to all your friends.

How long have you been working for case-mate? What is your new role?
Two weeks (2/15 was my first day). My position is “Project Manager.” I will coordinate industrial design for new product launches, manage the vendor communications, including negotiation, sampling, sourcing and quality control.

What did you do before coming to case-mate?
I worked for EA International and International Greetings USA before I came to case-mate. EA designs and produces the packaging for home textile, cosmetic, toys, shoes and garments. International Greetings USA does gift wrapping paper, gift bags, greeting cards, bows, photo frame and other stationary. I worked as a buyer & in product development for both companies.

What phone do you currently use? Love it or hate it?
Blackberry 8130. I like the color, red.

What was your first cell phone?
Samsung Anycall.

What features do you look for in a case?
Something that’s stylish and convenient.

What’s your favorite case?
The case-mate I.D. case.

Where is the craziest / funniest place or situation your phone has ever been in?
I often forget where I leave my phone. Once, I left my phone on a table on my deck. Of course, it started raining later in the day and by the time I realized I’d left my phone out, it didn’t work anymore. I took off the battery and wiped off the water, used a hairdryer to air it out, but it still didn’t work. I finally gave up, thinking I’d have to buy another phone even though I’d just bought this one a couple months prior. Two days later, I tried the phone again without any expectations, I was surprised that it worked, but I could barley hear anything. After another two days, it went completely back to normal.

Favorite website or news-source?
I always go to alibaba.com to source new suppliers and I like to check out tech news from Google news which always has lots of updates for the telecommunications industry.

Favorite you-tube video?
Anything funny.

Guilty pleasures?
I like eating chips and other snacks while watching movies. I know it’s unhealthy, but just can’t help doing it.

When you’re not working at case-mate, what do you do with your spare time?
In my spare time, I like to play with my lovely daughter Fiona who is now 19 months old. Before Fiona was born, I enjoyed spending time cooking and watching movies.

So I’m back, sorry it’s been a few weeks since my last post. I was out in Vegas last week for MAGIC, a streetwear fashion trade show and this week I had the black plague. But alas I’m back here at the old bullpen delivering you this week’s Niche Society.

Last time I shared how to hack great coffee at your desk with everyday materials. This week I’ve employed the help of a special guest, Jeremy Jones, one of our graphic designers. Jeremy has a creation called ‘Super Hot Dogs’ and I will show you how to assemble them with the minimum office kitchen facilities.

Ingredients: 1 medium plumb, juicy red tomato; 1 crisp, pungent red onion; 1 jar of Claussen pickle spears; 1 large plastic container of off brand Mayonnaise; 1 delicious, buttery smooth avacado; 1 packet of Smithyfield down home off the farm succulent hickory smoked bacon; 1 package of Kroger brand white flour hot dog buns; 1 package of very rare Oscar Meyer hot dogs; and one blue plate.

Step 1: Take a paper towel, place it in the microwave carefully throw 3 pieces of Smithyfield down home off the farm succulent hickory smoked bacon onto the paper towel and cook for 2.5 minutes.

Step 2: Slice your plumb red tomato, pungent onion, buttery smooth avacado into spears mimicking the spear shape of the Claussen pickle spears. Also place the Smithyfield down home off the farm succulent hickory smoked bacon on the blue plate.

Step 3: Take your very rare Oscar Meyer hot dogs, place them on a paper towel and cook those little dogs for 1 minute.

Step 4: Add the dogs, the Smithyfield down home off the farm succulent hickory smoked bacon, ketchup and mayo to the bun.

Step 5: Carefully assemble your Claussen pickle spears, avacado, red onion and plump tomato on the Super Hot Dog.

Step 6: Eat every last bit, except three very large crumbs.

I hope you enjoyed this edition of Office Hacking, I’ll see you guys next week for the BEST – and the final – version of Office Hacking.