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Kickstarter Campaign Aims To Add a Full Android Device To the Back of Your iPhone (macrumors.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the dream-come-true dept.

A new Kickstarter campaign aims to expand the iPhone's functionality with its "Eye Smart iPhone Case," which features a fully functional Android device built into the case itself. The campaign was launched on March 1 and has already raised over $100,000. Mac Rumors reports: An always-on 5-inch AMOLED display is built into the case, which runs the Android 7.1 Nougat operating system. The case connects to the iPhone using its Lightning port to enable file transfers, power delivery, and more. A microSD card slot provides up to 256GB of storage for holding photos, videos, and other media, all of which is accessible using the Android file explorer. A built-in 2,800 mAh battery provides additional charge to the iPhone, and the Eye case itself supports Qi wireless charging. Two SIM card slots are included, and higher-end models support 4G LTE connectivity, so up to three phone numbers can be used with an iPhone. Android exclusive features, like native call recording, the file explorer, customization, file transfers, and Android apps are all made available to iPhone users via the Eye case. A 3.5mm headphone jack lets iPhone owners with an iPhone 7 or an iPhone 7 Plus to use wired headphones with the device, and the Eye case includes NFC, an IR blaster and receiver for controlling TVs and other devices, and a car mount. It's available for the iPhone 6 and later, and will allegedly be available for the new wave of iPhones coming in 2017 within a month of their release. The Smart iPhone Case is available for a Super early bird pledge of $95, with prices going up for 4G connectivity. The estimated retail price is between $189 and $229.

20 of 158 comments (clear)

  1. a real keyboard by roman_mir · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I would rather have a real keyboard added to my Android... RIM is asleep at the wheel, they could be building real keyboards (maybe with extra battery pack in them!) and licensing/selling them as add-ons to existing smart-phones.

    --
    You can't handle the truth.
    1. Re:a real keyboard by jellomizer · · Score: 2

      The market isn't filled with built in cases because it is a rather stupid idea.
      1. By the time you get the product out Apple will have a new product with a new form factor so you will need to start over again.
      2. You are spending a lot of money on a case meant to protect your phone from damage but fill it with damagageable technology.
      3. It is huge and bulky
      4. When it is in place it no longer looks like an Apple product
      5. Most people may want 1 or 2 extra features which can be used with a cheaper dongle, that takes less space.
      6. The device is a phone not a PC! You don't get these for all the IO ports and expandability, but for what you get with the device.

      If you want an Android device one with the ports and features you want go ahead there is no shame in that. Also if you find the Apple device does what you want go with that there is also no shame in that.

      --
      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
  2. Expensive but hilarious joke by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    This is an expensive joke, but I wholeheartedly approve. Please make this a thing! This is hilarious. I can't wait to see people trying to use it.

    (Just don't sign me up; I wouldn't use it if you gave it to me for free AND gave me a free unlimited phone plan to go with it.)

  3. Idiocy by DavidinAla · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This is pure stupidity. If you want to use an iPhone, use an iPhone. If you want to use an Android device, use that. But this makes as much sense as welding a Chevy to the back of a Honda and pretending you've achieved something worthwhile. A lot of people in tech have entirely too much time on their hands.

    1. Re:Idiocy by angel'o'sphere · · Score: 2

      It actually does make sense. iPhones only have one SIM card. I travel a lot and need extra mobiles and extra SIM cards all the time. Also data exchange of Apple devices simply sucks, either you need a cloud or iTunes, how ever there is a third party tool, iExplorer, that is wonderful.
      So: for the extension of the iPhone you need obviously an OS, and Android is the first coming to mind.
      The idea might look strange on the first glance, but I'm sure there is a market. Especially if there was an iPhone 4/5 version, too.

      --
      Cost free eBook I read (by iBook/Kobo/Amazon/ObookO/Gutenberg etc.): "The Green Odyssey" by Philip Jose Farmer.
  4. Great, now you and a special friend can... by magusxxx · · Score: 2

    ...,have Tindr on one side and Grindr on the other. And use them both at the same time.

    --
    Care killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.
  5. I got it! by Frosty+Piss · · Score: 4, Insightful

    1. Come up with a wack-a-doodle idea.
    2. Build Kickstarter page
    3. Get a "story" on Slashdot
    4. ?
    5. Profit! (That is, burn through a lot of cash on booze, weed, and expensive cocktails)
    6. Fold.

    --
    If you want news from today, you have to come back tomorrow.
  6. Been available in China for years by drnb · · Score: 2

    Android pretending to be iphone

    I think phones like that have been available in China for years. ;-)

  7. Re: Android pretending to be iphone by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    No, you've got it completely backwards. The Android "case" is clearly providing all the actual functionality while the iPhone is there simply so the owner can say they own an iPhone.

  8. I'm hoping for students ... by drnb · · Score: 2

    This is pure stupidity. If you want to use an iPhone, use an iPhone. If you want to use an Android device, use that.

    Well its sort of convenient for developers who want to target both platforms ;-)

    In the days of $350 Nexus devices I wouldn't think about it at all. Now in the days of $650 Pixel devices I might briefly think about it.

    A lot of people in tech have entirely too much time on their hands.

    I'm hoping for a team of EE, CS and ME students who want to take something from idea to reality so that they have something on their CV beyond attending required classes. For such projects showing that you can take an idea and build something that works, in a cross discipline team environment, is more important than that thing being useful.

  9. Forget the iphone/case, make it a PHONE by markdavis · · Score: 2

    >An always-on 5-inch AMOLED display is built into the case, which runs the Android 7.1 Nougat; microSD card slot provides up to 256GB ; 2,800 mAh battery ; Qi wireless charging. Two SIM card slots are included ; 4G LTE connectivity ; 3.5mm headphone ; IR blaster" "The estimated retail price is between $189 and $229"

    Hey, I have a better idea. Instead of messing around with being a "case", why not just forget the whole iphone nonsense and release it AS A PHONE ITSELF. Make sure the battery is swappable, throw in some decent cameras, and add $50 more for it and sell at $250 to $275 (based on the claimed retail price). Many of us have been waiting for a suitable replacement for the Nexus 5, this might be it; we had a fast, decent phone for around that price, with a nice 5" screen and QI charging.

  10. Dear /. contributor, by pinzvidz · · Score: 2

    You've posted this story 16 days too early.

  11. Who needs it? by jcr · · Score: 2, Insightful

    If you've got an iPhone, why would you want an iPhone knock-off?

    -jcr

    --
    The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
    1. Re:Who needs it? by swillden · · Score: 2

      If you've got an iPhone, why would you want an iPhone knock-off?

      To take your iPhone to the next level: Android!

      --
      Note to ACs: I usually delete AC replies without reading them. If you want to talk to me, log in.
  12. Great, a base for my kickstarter page by burtosis · · Score: 4, Funny

    What this really lacks is a windows phone. Simply order my case for this and you can have one built into the four unused sides! Why have a ultra thin phone when you can have cube phone(tm)!

    1. Re:Great, a base for my kickstarter page by jpatters · · Score: 4, Funny

      Or a Toblerphone

      --
      "Remember, there never were pineapple-almond cookies here."
  13. Use Case? by airos4 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    But.. why? I mean, jokes aside, what's the use case here? Are there legitimately apps that cannot run on the Apple platform that people feel they need? I can't think of any other reason. If it was an e-ink display like the Yota, maybe, but why have a wholly separate OS?

    --
    I wish there was a choice that said "Factually Wrong -1" when I mod.
    1. Re:Use Case? by mjwx · · Score: 2

      But.. why? I mean, jokes aside, what's the use case here? Are there legitimately apps that cannot run on the Apple platform that people feel they need? I can't think of any other reason. If it was an e-ink display like the Yota, maybe, but why have a wholly separate OS?

      There aren't just Apps that don't run on the Apple platform... there are basic OS functions like MSC and bluetooth to transfer files. I run my choice of browser (Ghostery) and ad blockers (which Ghostery does a good job of). Plus I like not being under the control of an evil overlord.

      You'll never get an Iphone case for an Android phone because Android users dont need it. I cant say the same in reverse.

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
    2. Re:Use Case? by mjwx · · Score: 2

      But.. why? I mean, jokes aside, what's the use case here? Are there legitimately apps that cannot run on the Apple platform that people feel they need? I can't think of any other reason.

      Headphone jack?

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
  14. Kindle clone would have been better by Camembert · · Score: 2

    I expect that in general people are happy with IOS or Android. Not sure how much having both would bring extra, and it is clunky to have them together.
    But, perhaps, a thin ebook reader a la kindle would be an interesting back for an iOS or an android device. Because the electronic paper of those readers is much more pleasant to read books than traditional screens.