...the gradient case is merely a place holder until a better design start shipping. The gradient cases are worth about $5 full retail, yet we are forced to pay over $20 for them...
Cases
I used to carry my BB naked
figuring it was always in my pocket or a purse. But when I went to resell it there were little nicks on all the corners from dropping it! So..
For my DruidInk, I confess I got the gradient case because I thought it looked cool. Then I realized it was a little squishy on the sides, and the red shiny-sheen snap-on Verizon case was nice and cheerier. I do love it. It's very firm, sides fit flush and neat, feels good in my hand.
Screen Protectors
The Steinheil anti-fingerprint shield is worth every penny. I used to obsessively wipe the screen. The shiny/crystal protectors are just as bad as glass. The anti-fingerprint protector means no more glare and no more moire distortion from fingerprint smudges. If there's any attenuation of color or clarity, I do NOT see it.
Battery stuff
Yes, according to batteryboss.com, test results for Seido batteries do not show good results--far less battery life than you'd expect for the amount stated (and $$). But HTC batteries test well. My HTC 1500mah battery is giving me about 30% more battery life than the legacy 1300mah, and it is the SAME SIZE. There's an 2150mah by HTC but it's delayed until July and will require a different back for the phone because it's a few millimeters deeper than the back that shipped with the phone. Argh.
Jawbone Icon
The Jawbone Rogue is deep black with deep red shiny highlights, many many improvements over my old one--takes a standard mini-USB charger, talks to you to tell you battery life and etc., buttons you can actually see--great design.
SIGH I love technology when it works.