Apple has redeemed itself.

The iPhone 3.0 SDK is one of the most promising updates that have ever been announced. Not only does Apple seem to have taken some time to finally incorporate features that have been demanded by iPhone owners for almost two years now, but it has, I think, proven to be a consumer satisfaction-driven company as of this past Tuesday.

Oh, and the Palm Pre? Not an iPhone killer.

Over the past year, we have seen a series of well-known cell phone makers taking a stab at releasing what the tech world refers to as “iPhone killers.”  Apple has been forgiving, refraining from commenting on the many failed iPhone killers that companies have tried to release in 2008.  Of course, with the massive iPhone sales, and the immense popularity the handset enjoys, it is not necessary for them to even mention its success and its rivals’ (if they can even be called that) repeated downfalls.  It is undoubtedly understood.  One would think that after so many failed attempts, cell phone companies would just hang their heads low as they go back to their high-tech, yet seemingly inadequate labs and give in to the iPhone’s widely recognized awesomeness.  Yet now, barely into 2009, we see another iPhone killer on the horizon, which, though it still awaits public and intensive scrutiny, looks quite nice.     

The sweet leather scent that emanated from the white Vaja box was truly intoxicating. Then again, the sweat that was running down my forehead due to the contained excitement might have added to the smell.

I mean, I had waited 51 days for something I spent $120 on, and only bought based on strangers’ opinions online, and I finally had the opportunity to see it for myself. I had three very high expectations for the case, so it had better be a good-looking case, a protective case, and a quality case.

I looked inside the box, and saw what had been my most anticipated arrival, second only to my iPhone 3G: a black caterina leather case with a dark blue stripe running down its center (good-looking case: check); The Vaja iVolution Top SP Holster for iPhone 3G.

Immediately, I picked it up, took my iPhone out of the Griffin FlexGrip case it had been shamefully living in for over three weeks, and slipped it inside the SP. Or, at least, I tried to slip it in, but in reality I had to push down on the top of the phone hard for it to settle into place. For me, that was a good sign, because if it took my manly strength to get it in the case, then the case would not allow it to get out very easily, either (protective case: check).