I'll give the folks behind the Callet (http://www.thecallet.com) props for trying something different. Their US$19.99 product merges an iPhone case with a wallet into an all-in-one product -- at least in theory.

The US$19.99 case/wallet (hence the name Callet) utilizes the concept of a phone cover with accessible pockets. It's made from a Gel-Polymer and sports slit pockets to hold your cash and cards.

However, if you wallet is as cram packed with mine (with IDs, discount cards, etc., and not, unfortunately, cash) the Callet just doesn't have enough room for all your stuff. Most guys I've checked with also have too many items in their billfolds to make the Callet a feasible replacement. For ladies it may make more sense as a way to stash their most needed cards and some cash, while keeping all their other items in their purses.

What's more, if your Callet gets stolen, you've lost your smartphone as well as, depending on what you've stashed in it, cash, checks or credit cards. As for the iPhone case side of it, it's a simple, slim case, but nothing out of the ordinary.

That said, the Callet is only 20 bucks. At that price, if you're intrigued by the case/wallet combo idea, you can give it a try without busting your ... er ... wallet.

The Callet works with the iPhone 3G/3GS and iPhone 4 and comes in pink, blue, black and white.

Rating: 6 out of 10

-- Dennis Sellers