Latest news with #dbrand
Tom's Guide
4 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I just found the perfect Switch 2 screen protector — and it's the first time I've ever installed one without issues
I am legendary at being bad at installing screen protectors, like Olympic-level awful. When adding a protector to my Steam Deck OLED, I had to purchase a second set after fumbling three times in a row. When my partner (foolishly) asked me to sort one for her new iPhone, it took me four attempts, and there were still a few air bubbles and trapped dust underneath. Even before obtaining my Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day, I was already dreading how many screen protectors I'd have to purchase just to have its display protected from the almost inevitable scratches that come with a portable device. Remarkably, I managed to install the protector for the first time. It's not because I improved my installation skills, but rather because I discovered a screen protector that is truly 'idiot-proof.' I'm talking about the Prism 2.0 from dbrand. If you're looking to protect your Switch 2, I can save you some time and hassle. Go pick up a Prism 2.0 screen protector from dbrand right now. I promise, it's worth the relatively high cost. Prism 2.0 is the ultimate Nintendo Switch 2 screen protector. It comes with an "idiot proof" installation process, and is made from scratch-proof tempered glass. While it's comparatively pricey at $34, you do get two in the pack, and it's a worthwhile investment to ensure you Switch 2 remains protected when taking it on the go. What makes the Prism 2.0 so effortless to install is a combination of two things: The installation tray and the fact that you don't place the protector onto the screen yourself. In my experience, no matter how carefully I proceed, those brief seconds between cleaning the display and then placing down the screen protector, dust and dirt always materialize from seemingly nowhere. However, with the Prism 2.0, you snap the installation tray to the Switch 2 display, and then yank a plastic pull tab, next firmly swipe along a printed dotted line, and the protector is instantly glued to the screen. Any air bubbles? Use the included squeegee to smooth them out. The process takes barely 30 seconds, and if I can do it, then anybody can. Even better, dbrand includes two Prism 2.0 protectors in every package, but for the first time ever, I didn't even need another. I installed the screen protector on my Switch 2 flawlessly the very first time. Of course, an easy-breezy installation process would be almost worthless if the protector itself wasn't up to snuff, but dbrand hasn't dropped the ball here either. The memey accessories manufacturer claims it's built from 'premium tempered glass' with a 7 rating on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. I don't really know what that means, but it seems good enough for me. Once installed, the protector is virtually impossible to detect, and hasn't robbed the Switch 2's stunning display of its vibrancy. Prism 2.0 really is the perfect protector for the $449 hybrid console. Yes it comes at a relatively high price compared to some of the other options out there (you can pick up a Switch 2 screen protector from $5 on Amazon), but when you're spending hundreds of dollars on a gaming handheld sometimes it's worth spending the extra to get a screen protector that can be installed without any fuss. I know in the future, if I'm ever looking to add a screen protector to a new device, dbrand will be the only place I go. The (in)famous company claims the Prism 2.0 is 'idiot proof,' and, as a complete idiot when it comes to installing screen protectors, I'm the living proof that this claim is indeed accurate.
Forbes
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
This dbrand Killswitch Case Should Be Your Next Switch 2 Pre-Order
Switch 2 Killswitch case with detachable JoyCons dbrand Thursday's Switch 2 pre-orders were the very definition of "a hot mess." Every retailer that offered the Switch 2 for pre-order at midnight had issues handling traffic or accurately reflecting pre-order status. For instance, I found out that my Target pre-order had gone through in the morning when I woke up and saw a confirmation email that'd arrived 30 minutes after I'd given up clicking the unresponsive Checkout button and gone to bed. GameStop wasn't much better when their site completely crashed upon the 11 AM ET pre-order launch. If you're one of the lucky ones that did manage to get a pre-order in (or you're hopeful for Nintendo's email system) it's time to start thinking about accessories. And while there are plenty of JoyCons, Pro Controllers, Piranha Plant cameras, and JoyCon wheels to buy, equally important is protection for your new system. Usually I'm not a case guy — I prefer to put my trust (however misplaced) in the engineering prowess of a company. But then dbrand revealed a case system so intriguing that it shot to the top of my accessories budget. Since dbrand launched their Killswitch line in 2022, they've been extremely popular, especially the Steam Deck version which The Verge dubbed the one accessory everyone should buy. And it's easy to see why! The grips are textured and grippy, the case itself offers military-level drop protection, and the cover is perfect for protecting your screen when you're on the go. Killswitch case with JoyCons attached dbrand For the new Switch 2 version, dbrand's taken everything they've learned with their other offerings and improved them. First off, despite the name, the Switch 2 Killswitch won't kill your Switch. In fact the drop-protection provided by the case should keep it protected from most incidental falls. What's nice is that the case is modular, so that the JoyCons are still detachable. The JoyCon covers add an ergonomic grip dbrand The JoyCon covers are particularly interesting. Not only are they textured, but they add an ergonomic grip that the controllers lack on their own. As someone who's spent many an hour hunched over their Switch OLED playing Hades, I can tell you that JoyCons are not comfortable to grip. The fact that this will make holding the Switch 2 more Steam Deck-like is quite welcome. It also adds a USB docking system that can be used as a display stand for your Switch 2. I'll admit, I don't entirely see the vision here? If I'm going to tabletop game with my Switch 2, I'll use the kickstand (which the Killswitch is compatible with) and if I'm going to dock it, I'm playing on my TV. But I like that this gives people options for continuing to comfortably play and charge their device at the same time. Travel cover with game collection dbrand Like the Steam Deck version, the Switch 2 Killswitch has a travel cover. Though it's oddly clear — but there's a method to dbrand's madness. That clear cover is compatible with the included game card holder! Given that the rumors of physical game cartridges costing more were completely baseless, those gameless game carts are going to be more common than you think. This gives you a place to display your collection while you take it with you on the road. It's a smart, contained solution and I love smart, contained solutions. Grippier than your standard joystick dbrand Finally, the Switch 2 Killswitch will come with rubberized joystick covers. They're molded and nubbly to ensure precise control even when you're on your 10th Mario Kart World race in a row. Pricing hasn't yet been provided, but I imagine it will be in the $70-$100 range, based on the pricing of the company's other Killswitch offerings. For now, you can pay $3 to secure early access for the June launch. That $3 will be credited towards your purchase (or you can get a refund if you change your mind). FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder Checking out the dbrand Nintendo Switch 2 page reveals that they've got additional products coming to market to coincide with the June 5 launch. In addition to the Killswitch, they'll have a version of their "idiot proof" Prism 2.0 display protector. This has intrigued me for a while, as applying glass protectors are phenomenally difficult to do correctly. Their unique dust-eliminating applicator seems to have it all figured out. If you don't want a full protection package but want to add some funky style to your Switch 2, dbrand will have a wide array of skins available at launch as well. In addition to cool designs like Area 51 and glow-in-the-dark circuits, the company is creating Switch 2-specific skins. Given the quality of their previous designs, I'm looking forward to seeing what they come up with. You can register your email to get notified when they're available.
Forbes
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
dbrand Wants You To 'Touch Grass' This April Fool's Day
Tiny sunning robot not included. April 1st is an awful time to be on the internet. "Jokes" come at you at a fast and furious pace. Every story leaves you wondering if that cool new product announcement you just saw was real or if it lives only in a designer's presentation deck. dbrand, the satirical and acerbic purveyor of device cases and skins, said "why not both?" When you're in your third hour of endlessly doomscrolling or you're hurling invectives at your teammates in an online match, someone may inevitably tell you to "go touch grass." It's a not so subtle directive to put down your device and go out into the real world, preferably outside where the grass lives, in the hope that you'll be able to chill out and reconnect. But what if you didn't need to go outside to touch grass? What if you were already touching grass when someone told you to touch grass? Score one for efficiency. Screw feeling 'balanced' and 'at peace.' That's for suckers who didn't figure out how to game the system. Adam, the CEO of dbrand, let me know that this was actually supposed to be last year's April Fool's joke. But it turns out that coming up with a clever name for a product is way easier than actually producing it. The "grass" is thousands of electrostatically flocked polyethylene fibers, inspired by the lawn at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo. Figuring out how to produce that at scale was the first hurdle. The company then had to figure out how to create flocked skins for everything they support without getting fake grass clippings over all their equipment. The end results are actually quite eye-catching. And while this is a joke product, I can see there being real appeal to having a touch of (fake) green in your environment. However, I don't think that the feel of electrostatically flocked fibers under your fingers is going to achieve the same thing as going outside and touching actual grass. FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder I can't deny that there's a certain appeal to skinning your console with fake grass. And there's a question of durability as well. For devices like the XBox that just sit on your shelf, this will last until you decide to move on to something else, like a glow-in-the-dark circuit board skin or a raised topographical map of Area 51 (which I have for my iPhone and is quite nice). I don't want to see the size of that robot dog But for things like your iPhone where you're constantly pulling it out of your pocket and handling it for hours at a time (there is actually a reason you need to touch real grass sometime, it turns out), you'll be looking to replace this eventually with one of dbrand's other custom skins like leather or Damascus steel. Still, you can say you at least gave touching grass a shot. If you use your Steam Deck outside with this skin on it does the universe implode? Unlike the majority of April Fool's announcements that are happening today, the dbrand Touch Grass skins are something you can buy right now (while supplies last). The dbrand Touch Grass website is live now and has skins available for over 100 products, starting at around $30. So you're going to have to decide if you're willing to commit hard-earned dollars for your hardware to look like it belongs on a miniature golf course. If you do order a Touch Grass skin, each order will come with something a little extra in the form of a flocked sticker that looks like the Chrome "No Internet" dinosaur or a mouse cursor. Just in case you need a little more "grass" in your life.
