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Hi everyone,
Post #1!
Some background info about me... I own a company that produces various software and hardware products for the diving industry (dive data trackers, underwater photography optics, marine life ID guides, etc.). As a result, over the years, we have acquired CNC machines and high-resolution 3D printing machines capable of making just about anything we can think of.
Recently, I picked up a Skyrocket (coming from an iPhone... wow, what a difference!), and an Otterbox Defender case for it. The case is robust, but is "just" a case... nothing more. So, over the past week, I drew up some 3D designs for my own case (similar to the Otterbox Defender), and produced it. The case consists of a 2-piece hard shell, screen protector, and a tough/grippy polyurethane rubber sleeve that protects the phone within the hard shell. The rubber sleeve that I made (via custom mold) is black, but I can make them any colour of the rainbow.
The dimensions and general vibe are basically the same as the Otterbox, so I thought to myself "where's the fun in this"? Duplicating designs is simple, but I want to take it to the next level. Here are some of the features that I am toying with:
-The capability to accept a 3800-3900mah extended battery, while still offering the protection of an Otterbox Defender (just ordered a few of these batteries, and will make a design immediately for them, since I'm pretty sure no one else has one on the market)
-A kickstand
-A slot for a credit card, bus pass, work ID, drivers license, or whatever
-A bottle opener
-A slide-out standard USB stick
-A magnifier which swivels over the camera to give better macro photography capability
OK, so some of these features might be a little useless, but I'm trying to come up with the ultimate case.
Attached are renders of the current design (the hard shell only, excluding the polyurethane rubber outer sleeve).
What would make a case ideal for you? Suggestions?
Thanks!
Keri Wilk
ReefNet.ca
Make it waterproof so I can take underwater HD videos while fishing
Wow! A slot for credit cards and ID is such a great idea! Perhaps taking measures to make sure that it's sand-proofed too. Then it would make a great case for taking to the beach or whatever. You have the potential to make alot of money off of this...hahaha.
Make a horizontal belt one that will fit the skyrocket with a siedo active case on it and you will have the market cornered. Even the ones that are out there now and claim to be the right size are not! A silk-like material lining the inside for better protection and extraction would help. Put a strong fastener on it (so it won't open until you want it to) and a finger hole in the botom (again to help with extraction) and it will be good.
ReefNet said:
-The capability to accept a 3800-3900mah extended battery, while still offering the protection of an Otterbox Defender (just ordered a few of these batteries, and will make a design immediately for them, since I'm pretty sure no one else has one on the market)
-A kickstand
-A slide-out standard USB stick
-A magnifier which swivels over the camera to give better macro photography capability
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Produce these and I'm SURE your case will make some bank. Possibly even make different versions to target different groups too? Like, maybe not EVERYONE wants the bottle opener, or maybe not the magnifying glass. Idk. Just thinking some marketing.
Nice.
But I think you should keep it simple. A bulky case isn't necessarily a good case.
I like the idea of a kickstand and a USB stick, though. You know what would be cool? Make the case attach to the usb port and link the usb stick to the phone.
I would like something that you snap onto the a gps suction cup mount that had a flat piece that would just slide into the back of this phone. All you would have to do is slide it on. As long as the grip on the mount was firm enough you could move turn it on its side.
Case and car mount would be a big plus for me. I dont want to buy a cheap car mount or a car dock that I have to take my case off just to it.
iandr0idos said:
Nice.
But I think you should keep it simple. A bulky case isn't necessarily a good case.
I like the idea of a kickstand and a USB stick, though. You know what would be cool? Make the case attach to the usb port and link the usb stick to the phone.
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Click to collapse
i agree...something thin but sturdy, a kickstand is great. A magnifying glass would be awesome, for the usb, totally useless since the phone is already a thumbdrive. i would love a case that doesnt make my phone 2x thicker but still gives my drop protection. but the best feature would be a matching dock that would allow me to be connected to my power source and habe an extra jack to have a connection to my laptop...a little like the evo docks for gs2 i9100
scott14719 said:
Make a horizontal belt one that will fit the skyrocket with a siedo active case on it and you will have the market cornered.
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Click to collapse
I can definitely design a proper belt holder for the Seidio Active Cases, but is there even a market for them??
iandr0idos said:
Nice.
But I think you should keep it simple. A bulky case isn't necessarily a good case.
I like the idea of a kickstand and a USB stick, though. You know what would be cool? Make the case attach to the usb port and link the usb stick to the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree that bulky cases are not the most popular, but the problem is that the small one-piece injection molded cases cost pennies to make when produced in the quantities that they are. so they can be sold for just a few dollars.
The manufacturing process that I'm using not meant for MASS production (my machines can produce around 5-10 cases this size per day), but is capable of producing things that is impossible by injection molding. I feel like the "skimpy" case market has already been saturated.
occupational_hazard said:
I would like something that you snap onto the a gps suction cup mount that had a flat piece that would just slide into the back of this phone. All you would have to do is slide it on. As long as the grip on the mount was firm enough you could move turn it on its side.
Case and car mount would be a big plus for me. I dont want to buy a cheap car mount or a car dock that I have to take my case off just to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent suggestion! Thanks!
polish_pat said:
i agree...something thin but sturdy, a kickstand is great. A magnifying glass would be awesome, for the usb, totally useless since the phone is already a thumbdrive. i would love a case that doesnt make my phone 2x thicker but still gives my drop protection. but the best feature would be a matching dock that would allow me to be connected to my power source and habe an extra jack to have a connection to my laptop...a little like the evo docks for gs2 i9100
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't you need a micro-usb/standard usb cable in order to use the phone as a thumbdrive? The idea would be that if you're away from home, you'll always have a universal usb stick with you to toss data onto. Then when you get home and have your cable handy, you can transfer the info to the phone/PC.
As for the dock with a splitter - have you seen the MHL adapters that are available? This cable does basically exactly what you're asking already - it is a micro-usb to HDMI cable, which has a second micro usb slot for connecting the phone's power source. Or am I missing your point? Here's a link to what I'm talking about:
[DOUBLE-U DOUBLE-U DOUBLE-U DOT] tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1499515&CatId=5773
[I can't post links yet since I'm a new user... hopefully you can figure out the link above. Or just do a search for "MHL Adapter Samsung" and you should find several of them available]
Uncle Irish said:
Make it waterproof so I can take underwater HD videos while fishing
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Aside from being a mechanical engineer, I'm actually an underwater photographer/videographer, so trust me, I'd LOVE to do this (and might just make one for myself...). But waterproofing a case would add a fair amount of bulk, and would require o-rings... not to mention that the plastic that I'm using is partially porous, so would let water diffuse through it eventually anyway. Thanks for the suggestion though!
This is all good stuff folks - keep the ideas coming!
Keri
Are you just planning on designing one case or do you plan to offer options.
The Lifecase for the iphone is a waterproof case. It's very thin and ads little to no extra bulk. It's actually thinner than most of the snap together hard cases on the market. It added about the thickness of a nickle to the overall bulk of the phone. Sitting next to an iphone in an otterbox, the waterproof case looked like an actual phone while the otterbox looked like a small black rubber brick.
This case would surely be the ultimate, I must admit!
I know that some people like those kind of cases, but I don't, I like the feel of the phone. I can't stand bulk, I wish more bumper-type cases were made.
I know this has really nothing to do with this phone but would you be willing to make cases for other phones. I'd be really interested if you'd be able to make one for my dhd .
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using xda premium
hey, def exactly looking for what you are making!
however the question for you is this:
what kind of cnc/manufacturing process would you use. The reason i ask is because a great sturdy case with the features you want would need to use different types of material (hard plastic and rubber mainly) fused together. as far as i am aware common cnc machines can only carve out of a single piece/material and then perhaps you can manually put it together...
this manufacturing works great if you want a case entirely made out of hard plastic but i tend to argue that a good protective and grippy case needs a combination of several soft and hard materials.
for example:
the inside would preferable be a hard rubber for shock absorption and grip to the unit itself. Same materials could be used for the edges.
The credit card holder would need ideally one side grippy the other sidy hard/smooth plastic so you can easily slide out the cards but they dont fall out by themselves (my speck iphone 4 case is an excellent example!
i have tried skinnier credit card cases for my iphone 4 but after prolonged use the clip that is supposed to keep the cards in looses its "push" and the cards will start to fall out. (this could be easily fixed by using better polycarbonate materials but would probably quadruple the price.
One of the biggest problems i face personally is the fact that when using a good skin there are no compatible docks yet.
i had the following combo on my iphone 4 and absolutely loved it with the only downside that i had to dremel out some of the case's bottom side to make it fit my car mout and iphone alarm clock.
Speck Products CandyShell Card Case
Magellan Premium Car Kit
Personally i would be willing to pay north of the $100 mark for a good combo like this and i am sure there many people wanting the same thing. given that this is a fairly new product there is still money to be made. my cad/catia experience is limited but maybe ill draw something up and see if you can manufacture it as a prototype.
gl phil
Cad file for case
Hello OP! I was wondering if you ever built a cad model of your case. We have a 3d printer at out facility too and I would love to try out your case design if you don't mind sharing it. I would of course be willing to pay what you see fit. Thanks!
UI would be fibbing if I said I am not totally interested. I would really like an otterbox style commuter case that has a kickstand, a card holder (I would stick my rfid bus pass in it). The rest sounds interesting but I am not sure I would want to add a lot of bulk.
I cannot wait to you a sales link and some good pictures of the final product.
Oh, dear. Kudos on the first case; it looks awesome. I've had my skyrocket for about a month or so now and I can not find a case that I like. The kickstand and credit card holder on the same case would make me pay $50-$100 for it. The only thing I would be worried about is my phone getting scratched up on the inside of the hard case, you should try adding in some sort of material like otter boxes have on the inside. And will you post a couple pics of how it looks on your phone with the outside rubber shell on it so we can get a feel of how it looks on your phone. Thanks and good luck bro.
I would be extremely interested in a case that fit my seidio extended battery with a kickstand and a place to put credit cards I would pay 50-100
TAPD on my Skyrocket using 2.0 beta
I think you design a case for people who still want a really thin phone but with like scratch protection like as thin as possible
Does anyone know of a good case for the Atrix 2 where the opening for the MicroHDMI/MicroUSB ports is large enough to allow easy connecting with the Lapdock 500 connection cable?
With the case I have now, it's very difficult to connect because the side edges prevent the cable connectors from being inserted all the way into the ports so that everything is right flush up against the side of the phone. The opening would need to be longer in order to allow the rubber piece with the lapdock connectors to push flat against the Atrix 2, but pretty much every case I've looked at on Ebay appears as though it would present the same issue.
Has anyone ever seen a case with a sizable enough window for the ports that wouldn't interfere with the lapdock connector plug?
I am using a OtterBox for my girlfriend it has a Huge Side port for Charger and HDMI.
I am not sure how big the Dock Connections are.
Germanese said:
I am using a OtterBox for my girlfriend it has a Huge Side port for Charger and HDMI.
I am not sure how big the Dock Connections are.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply.. is it the Commuter or Defender version of the Otterbox that she has? On the lapdock it's not the metal connectors themselves that are large as they fit perfectly into the phone ports. It's the rubber plug part that they stick out of, just like with a standard electrical plug that goes into a wall outlet. The two little metal prongs protrude from a rubber base piece, and it's this piece that gets blocked by the edges of the case around the port window, and prevent it from being completely flush against the side of the phone itself. As a result the metal connectors don't quite stick all the way in, and the connection can be flaky because of that. If I take the phone out of the case, there's no issue at all.
I'd love to try the Otterbox but since they're expensive I need to know which version it is so I can buy the right one.
Thanks!
paleozord said:
Thanks for the reply.. is it the Commuter or Defender version of the Otterbox that she has? On the lapdock it's not the metal connectors themselves that are large as they fit perfectly into the phone ports. It's the rubber plug part that they stick out of, just like with a standard electrical plug that goes into a wall outlet. The two little metal prongs protrude from a rubber base piece, and it's this piece that gets blocked by the edges of the case around the port window, and prevent it from being completely flush against the side of the phone itself. As a result the metal connectors don't quite stick all the way in, and the connection can be flaky because of that. If I take the phone out of the case, there's no issue at all.
I'd love to try the Otterbox but since they're expensive I need to know which version it is so I can buy the right one.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure if they still are, but AT&T had the Commuter for $5 (plus shipping?) on their site for quite a bit - check a few threads below this one for the link.
I've got the Bionic Lapdock but haven't tried connecting the phone (in the commuter case) to the lapdock yet.
Good luck, regardless!
ETA: Here's the link to all the cases for the Atrix 2 on their site, I see a few $5 ones on there, including the Commuter. https://www.att.com/shop/en/wireless/accessories/accessorieslist.prod5280631.html
chicknlil said:
I'm not sure if they still are, but AT&T had the Commuter for $5 (plus shipping?) on their site for quite a bit - check a few threads below this one for the link.
I've got the Bionic Lapdock but haven't tried connecting the phone (in the commuter case) to the lapdock yet.
Good luck, regardless!
ETA: Here's the link to all the cases for the Atrix 2 on their site, I see a few $5 ones on there, including the Commuter. https://www.att.com/shop/en/wireless/accessories/accessorieslist.prod5280631.html
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip and link.. it seems that AT&T will only ship to USA addresses and not to Canada where I am, so I ordered a commuter case from Ebay instead and will hopefully receive it this coming week. I'll update the thread with results of lapdock compatibility once it arrives.
So the Otterbox Commuter case arrived yesterday, and I've been able to test compatibility with regard to the above question. The port opening on the hard-shell portion of the case is definitely considerably larger than others I've seen, but the rubber cover-flap on the soft inner-shell component interferes and stops the lapdock connectors from being attached to the USB/HDMI port on the phone, even when that flap is flipped open completely. Both components of the case must be used together as the phone won't fit into just the hard shell on its own.
I decided to remove the USB/HDMI rubber flap completely from the soft shell and re-combine the case, and in this state with the phone inside, the Lapdock 500 connector is able to stay reliably attached to the phone even though to the eye it still doesn't necessarily look as though it's clicked in all the way completely flush against the edge. I can at least use the phone with the lapdock any time I want without removing it from the commuter case, which is ultimately what I was hoping to be able to do.
I Bought my mom a Galaxy S3 and the otterbox case and I like how it covers the USB port to prevent dirt from getting into it.
My question is, is there something like that for the Nexus 4, I have the nexus 3 and it's gotten the always charging indicator and the power level is kind of out there (showed 43% for a couple hours popped the batter out and back in and it was at 11% instantly) so I am getting ready for a nexus 4 but want a case that will cover it since the only time I need it exposed is when it's charging. (also help full if it supports a larger battery not a deal breaker though).
I've tried searching but all of them I can find has the USB port exposed or what looks like it is exposed
Traiklin said:
I Bought my mom a Galaxy S3 and the otterbox case and I like how it covers the USB port to prevent dirt from getting into it.
My question is, is there something like that for the Nexus 4, I have the nexus 3 and it's gotten the always charging indicator and the power level is kind of out there (showed 43% for a couple hours popped the batter out and back in and it was at 11% instantly) so I am getting ready for a nexus 4 but want a case that will cover it since the only time I need it exposed is when it's charging. (also help full if it supports a larger battery not a deal breaker though).
I've tried searching but all of them I can find has the USB port exposed or what looks like it is exposed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure you'll ever be able to get a larger battery, so there are no cases to support them.
I, too, have never seen one that covers the USB port. I'd think that might be a more common request thanks to wireless charging.
Sent from my Nexus 4
You can find the little rubber USB and headphone plugs on eBay.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-5mm-Aud..._MobilePhonesCasesPouches&hash=item3371bbab12
Might get one myself, wireless charging means the port doesn't get used as much as previous phones.
Rusty! said:
Might get one myself, wireless charging means the port doesn't get used as much as previous phones.
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oh cool, I didn't think they sold just the cover by itself I thought I had to find a whole case for them.
While my Nexus 4 is still on the order queue, I'm looking for a case. Not sure yet.
I'm currently looking at the Rearth Ringke Fusion, Mecury TPU, and the Cruzerlite Bugdroid Circuit TPU.
A bumper with port covers too!
I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a a protective bumper with micro usb and earphone port covers. I use wireless charging and bluetooth earphones and seldom use those ports.
The separate plugs look kinda cool except for the fact that I would have two little extra pieces of plastic/rubber to keep track of, ugh.
Search eBay for " Black Rugged Hybrid Hard Case Belt Clip Holster Kickstand Google LG Nexus 4 E960 ".. Covers earphone jack and USB port.. Be warned though, this case has a toxic odor that doesn't go away for like a week or 2.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Rusty! said:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-5mm-Aud..._MobilePhonesCasesPouches&hash=item3371bbab12
Might get one myself, wireless charging means the port doesn't get used as much as previous phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had about 5 of those now. They always fall out when I'm putting it in my coat pocket. For the USB port at least.
PcFish said:
I've had about 5 of those now. They always fall out when I'm putting it in my coat pocket. For the USB port at least.
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Was about to order one until you said this. None of them are good?
As you all know, our tab has these two button-like things on the back that are actually locking mechanisms for Samsung's official book covers. Are there any covers/cases made by 3rd party brands that make use of those nifty things? I love the idea of the official book cover, but the price is rather ridiculous for something so simple.
There were some Chinese made knock-offs of the book cover on eBay that were very cheap but they seem to have stopped selling them. I'm guessing Samsung complained. I would never pay the ridiculous price Samsung charges for the book cover. I just purchased one brand new in retail box on eBay for $33. That's about what it is worth to me. BTW, it looks nice and the snap-on feature is nice but it's very light and doesn't look like it would afford much protection if you drop your tablet or store it in baggage. Search eBay for deals you may find one at less than half price like I just did.
I have looked everywhere and cannot find any.
EDIT: Found one for the 8.4. They may also do 10.5 but I haven't checked.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=331512328829&alt=web
nice! I might give those a try. I'm very careful with my gadgets so I'm not too worried about the level of protection this type of case can provide, but my hands are small and I'd rather keep the device as slim as possible without having to worry about scratching up the back and screen when I lay it down on a table.
As a follow up question though, I saw these metal shell cases with round cut-outs in the back. I wonder if these were meant to be combo'd with the simple front cover of samsung that also plugs into the button thingies but don't cover the entire back of the device...
http://www.olx.ph/index.php/view+cl...+4+case&event=Search+Ranking,Position,1-19,19
pawces said:
nice! I might give those a try. I'm very careful with my gadgets so I'm not too worried about the level of protection this type of case can provide, but my hands are small and I'd rather keep the device as slim as possible without having to worry about scratching up the back and screen when I lay it down on a table.
As a follow up question though, I saw these metal shell cases with round cut-outs in the back. I wonder if these were meant to be combo'd with the simple front cover of samsung that also plugs into the button thingies but don't cover the entire back of the device...
http://www.olx.ph/index.php/view+cl...+4+case&event=Search+Ranking,Position,1-19,19
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just found another case, this one is slightly cheaper so i just ordered it
http://www.ebay.com/itm/20129380260...49&var=500489168508&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
So, just some questions I'm hoping might be answered here.
I have the BLU Pure XL and I found an aftermarket QI receiver which seems to work; except I suspect that sticker on the back cover is the NFC tag assembly and it blocks Qi.... so one of two questions:
Any idea if it can be removed without too much difficulty? I was thinking of taking a razor blade and trying to shimmy under it, since it's almost certainly just glue. I'd try this on the book cover first, of course.
Second option, is based on the internals of an NFC tag... is it realistic to reposition the tag somehow? I'm sure I could use some speaker wire or something to make the connection to the phone antennae....
Anybody have any suggestions for how a human might go about hacking this together? At the moment I simply have the receiver outside the phone's shell (worth noting that it does indeed fit underneath it though!) and I'm thinking I'll just let the black silicone case I have coming hide the cable. Ideally though I'd like to get the qi working underneath the case.
Not that it would seem anyone cares, but I have found out some helpful information:
1. The receiver does fit under the back cover of the phone
2. The NFC antenna is basically a sticker. Peel carefully and it can be re-applied without issue, if you need to remove it to get rid of interference with the Qi. Best place to hook it up is under the metal contacts - but BE GENTLE.
I'm hoping to figure out if I can get some kind of antenna that fits somewhere and works to have both at the same time - as it stands the only way to retain your capacity for NFC is to have the Qi receiver on the outside of the phone.
Another update: don't do this. It really is not worth the effort - I cooked part of my back cover, so now there's a big blemish there.
Probably my fault for using a cheap universal receiver, but either way the damage is done. Be careful!
TheLastCanadian said:
So, just some questions I'm hoping might be answered here.
I have the BLU Pure XL and I found an aftermarket QI receiver which seems to work; except I suspect that sticker on the back cover is the NFC tag assembly and it blocks Qi.... so one of two questions:
Any idea if it can be removed without too much difficulty? I was thinking of taking a razor blade and trying to shimmy under it, since it's almost certainly just glue. I'd try this on the book cover first, of course.
Second option, is based on the internals of an NFC tag... is it realistic to reposition the tag somehow? I'm sure I could use some speaker wire or something to make the connection to the phone antennae....
Anybody have any suggestions for how a human might go about hacking this together? At the moment I simply have the receiver outside the phone's shell (worth noting that it does indeed fit underneath it though!) and I'm thinking I'll just let the black silicone case I have coming hide the cable. Ideally though I'd like to get the qi working underneath the case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
which receiver did you go with
"Another update: don't do this. It really is not worth the effort - I cooked part of my back cover, so now there's a big blemish there.
Probably my fault for using a cheap universal receiver, but either way the damage is done. Be careful!"
See my most recent post here.
Anyhow, for the receiver, I went for a generic one off eBay. Cost about $3, and then a $20 qi pad, for the fat lot of good it did me. I don't really think you can get these receivers "professionally" anyway. Exercise caution, I've got a permanent blemish on my back cover now because of it, and things might have been more awkward. I would definitely advise against putting it UNDER the cover, as the only saving grace is I had it externally.
I wish this phone had wireless charging
CCJ22 said:
I wish this phone had wireless charging
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It's not wireless, but I did find these wicked neato adapters on eBay that are basically the micro-usb equivalent of magsafe.
They're $5 CAD a pop, but it's almost as trivial to hook the phone into charge/take it off with these, and they are absolutely safe. Also reversible.
Basically there's a small nib you leave in the phone on a permanent basis (well... removable, obviously, but you get the point) that isn't much more obstructive than a qi receiver anyway, and then there's an adapter that takes any normal micro-usb in and gives it a magnetic snap head to hook onto this nib.
Just eBay "micro-usb magnetic" and it should pop up at around $5 with free shipping.