The Tech-pert: Get an iPhone Case for $4.99

If you're walking around with a "naked" iPhone, you're asking for trouble. It's just a matter of time before the slippery little guy flies out of your hand and lands with a scary, expensive CRACK.

That's why it's crucial to add a little armor, a case that offers both drop protection and a slip-proof grip.

Today only, HandHeldItems has the XGear Body Shield Case for iPhone 3G/3GS for $4.99 (plus around $3 for shipping). That's after applying coupon code xgear3gbody in your shopping cart.

Available in Black & Grey, Frost & Black, and Red & Block, the Body Shield is made of soft but durable silicone, which I greatly prefer to a hard-plastic shell (which itself can shatter if dropped hard enough). It features a docking-port flap to help keep dust and other detritus out.

I've seen cases like these in Apple Stores and elsewhere selling for as much as $20. Indeed, XGear sells the Body Shield directly for $19.99. So getting out the door for under $8 is a deal indeed.

If you get here too late and miss out on the HandHeldItems offer, fear not: Meritline has a basic-black silicone iPhone case for just $1.99 shipped.  Shipped! It's not nearly as snazzy, but it does afford the same basic protection. I've got one of these myself, and what it lacks in style, it makes up for in dirt-cheapness.

Self-proclaimed cheapskate Rick Broida has been a technology writer for over 20 years. He has authored over a dozen books, including, most recently, "How to Do Everything: Palm Pre." Currently he writes the Cheapskate blog for CNET, the Hassle-Free PC blog for PC World, and technology stories for Popular Science, Wired, and other magazines.