Cooler Cases

Amazing innovation at CES

By Anca Gagiuc on Jan 22, 2014 in Technology

Earlier this month, the Consumer Electronic Association presented the latest innovations in the smartphone’s most important peripheral accessory: the lasted and greatest in cases. But these babies do much more than just protect your phone from the inevitable fumble, toss, or spill from your shoulder bag.

A popular one is the Typo case (left) for iPhone 5 and 5S, a $99 indigo copy of the BlackBerry keyboard founded by Ryan Seacrest; this case comes with a backlit physical keyboard at the bottom of the iPhone. It’s a niche product that doesn’t require too much of an effort to use it: at the first use it has to be paired with the iPhone and once set up it takes over from the iPhone’s keyboard software anywhere text can be inserted. A special key allows switching through the keyboard’s languages. It also has a key that mimics the function of the home button as the case covers the one of the iPhone. Of course, on the iPhone 5S the fingerprint-recognition function is lost; Siri is still present by holding down Typo’s home key. The keyboard has its own battery that the company claims will last one to two weeks between charges. This four-row replica triggered BlackBerry’s reaction and sued Typo for patent infringements. What will happen in court remains to be seen, but until then the Typo is available for sale and might be a much needed accessory for former BlackBerry users who are thumb-typing experts. No version has been announced for Android users.

Mophie presented its new battery case for iPhone 5 and 5S and it doesn’t look too different from the previous Juice Pack Air, it’s just a bit taller. However, the way they used the extra height is what made it be the first of its kind: a case with solid-state storage.

Basically this iPhone case brings two of the things an iPhone user needs the most: more space and a longer battery life. Now is available for preorders, with shipping starting on March 16^th. It will be available in two versions: 16GB of storage at $150 and 32GB at $180 (the plain battery case goes for $100). Aside from the usual Lightning connector it also provides a MicroUSB jack on the exterior for charging the case and phone. The MicroUSB can also be used to connect the case to a Mac or a Windows PC to store files on it the same way as on a thumb drive. Mophie brings to iOS7 something new, something Apple avoids altogether: the traditional file system called Space. This app enables the user to see the files transferred from the computer, view photos and other files, listen to music and watch videos, and sync photos back and forth between the Space Pack and the iPhone’s internal memory. Apple didn’t react yet (the giant sells previous Mophie case models in its stores), so bets are on: will it or not carry this one? Will it see it as an easy way to make iPhone users happier or rather have them upgrade to a higher storage capacity iPhone?

Yellow Jacket announced a case with stunning capabilities for the iPhone 5 and 5S: it includes a detachable stun gun. Yes, a stun gun. What’s next? A pepper spray app?  The rubber case has its own battery that can be used as extra battery life for the iPhone and powers up the gun for as high as 50 uses per charge. It’s been designed to keep a reserve if you chose to use it as power boost for the smartphone and danger appears. Originally designed for iPhone 4 and 4S at $99, a version for 5 and 5S will start shipping next month at $149 with 950,000 volts and 1.3 milliamps, a decent boost from the old 650,000 and 0.8 milliamps.

Square partnered with Griffin in the creation of an integrated merchant case and holder for iPhone 5 and 5S. Previously a similar device was available for iPads. It sells for only $19.99 and can be purchased solely online.

The FLIR One smartphone case is more of a fun gadget than a functional one for the majority of people. The $350 case turns the iPhone camera into a thermal imaging camera. If the price seems high, you should know that the “real” thermal camera can cost thousands. FLIR One has this special app that catches heat signatures and detects temperatures, and the image it projects on the display can be captured as photos or videos, as with the built-in camera of the iPhone.

Judging by the amazing innovations presented at the CES in Las Vegas, this is just the beginning of a case revolution. Just wait and see.