Tactus to Release Tactile Touchscreen Keyboard Case for the iPad Mini

Ever since I found out about Tactus a couple of years ago I’ve been looking forward to trying out its tactile touchscreen technology. It looks like that time is close at hand. Tactus’ first consumer product is a case for the iPad Mini that adds its retractable buttons to the tablet.

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The image above does not show the upcoming iPad Mini case; it’s a screenshot from Tactus’ 2013 CES demo, which you can watch below.  According to Business Insider, the iPad Mini case will have a switch that lets it “push out transparent, physical buttons over the iPad’s standard keyboard. The keys can appear and disappear almost instantly.”

If you’re hoping for Tactus’ technology to appear on other touchscreen devices as well, don’t worry. The company is working to have its product appear on as many devices as possible. Check out their 2014 CES concept video to see what they hope to accomplish:

Tactus’ iPad Mini case will be released later this year and will cost around $80 to $100 (USD). VentureBeat reports that Tactus will release its own tablet as early as next year.

[via Business Insider & VentureBeat via BGR]

iPhone 6 case and battery leak tips button and screen changes

A leaked set of what are said to be iPhone 6 cases suggest a number of significant design changes, including moved physical controls, while photos said to show a bigger … Continue reading

C-3PO Electric Guitar Made from Action Figure Case

Poor 3PO. He was never as popular as R2 and he never will be. At least someone thought enough of the prissy protocol droid to make an electric guitar out of his action figure collectors case.
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Everyone knows the Darth Vader collector’s case, but not as many people had the C-3PO version because, well because no one seems to like him. Though his action figure case makes a great body for an electric guitar once you ad a neck and strings. The case still opens up and it even talks. C-3PO says three different phrases. That’s a little disappointing since he’s supposed to be fluent in over six million forms of communication.

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This protocol guitar measures 41″ tall X 15″wide and is 5″ thick. It was made by Etsy artist RainyDayInstruments and will cost you $465(USD).

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OtterBox helps to protect your new HTC One (M8)

otterbox-htc-one-m8So, you already have the intention of picking up the all new HTC One (M8) flagship smartphone from your mobile carrier (assuming that they offer it, of course). What is the next step after getting the handset? Why, it would make perfect sense if you decide to offer your spanking new smartphone a certain amount of protection. If that were to be the case, then it would be prudent of you to settle for something from a company who has had plenty of experience in this particular area before, which would be OtterBox. OtterBox has just announced their Defender Series as well as Commuter Series of protective cases for the HTC One (M8).

This does not come across as a surprise at all, since OtterBox happens to be a partner in the “Made for HTC devices” global licensing program. As for the OtterBox Symmetry Series, this happens to be a sleek, one-piece case which will be able to balance trusted OtterBox protection alongside fashion-forward styling in a range of colors and graphics, not to mention Clearly Protected screen and device protectors that will be made available in due time.

The Defender Series for HTC One (M8) will be able to deliver a rugged, triple-layer protection which guards against drops, shock, dust and scratches. There is a built-in screen protector, polycarbonate shell and synthetic rubber outer layer that works well together to help safeguard HTC’s flagship device even though it happens to be in the most demanding of environments, all without cramping its style or any of its features.

As for the Commuter Series for HTC One (M8), it will merge a durable inner synthetic rubber layer with a thin polycarbonate outer shell and self-adhesive screen protector. This synthetic rubber is able to absorb bumps and shocks as the outer hard shell provides solid impact protection, where it slides easily in and out of a pocket or purse.

Clearly Protected happens to be a premium line of custom-cut screen protectors and device wraps which will offer additional protection against scratches and scuffs. Their dry application process and bubble-free technology ought to make the installation process a no brainer, and yet is capable of withstanding heavy daily use.

Press Release
[ OtterBox helps to protect your new HTC One (M8) copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

3D-Printed iPhone Cases Express Your Individuality

Are you still on the search for the perfect iPhone case to match your personality? For some, it’s near impossible, considering how their personalities change on an almost-daily basis (you know what they say about self-discovery being an ongoing process…)

But with the advent of the 3D-printed Fraemes iPhone cases, then that first-world problem might be put to rest.

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Fraemes are a welcome change in the current sea of bland phone cases on the market: they’re colorful, customizable, and interchangeable so you can swap the designs out for another, depending on your current mood or what you feel like at any given time.

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The Fraemes team has collaborated with designers and will be offering 150 designs to choose from when they officially launch. Aside from the many designs and patterns available, the inserts can be customized further in terms of their color and by adding text and shapes. You can even upload your own designs and have them rendered.

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Fraemes are up for funding on Kickstarter through March 27, where a pledge of $25(USD) or more will get you one of your very own. A $50 pledge gets you a custom design, while a $250 pledge will get you a dozen, so you can have a different look for each month of the year.

Wello iPhone case tracks owner’s vitals

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“SMS” iPhone Case Sends Smoke Signals Instead of Text Messages

A lot of phone cases incorporate features that give users added convenience. This particular case, however, takes a couple of steps backward.

iPhone Case Smoke SignalDubbed by artist/hacker Dennis DeBel as the S.M.S. or “smoke messaging service” case, the bulky case can be used to send smoke signals at the push of a button. It has a chamber where lamp oil is stored, which is heated when the button is pressed. This, in turn, produces the wisps of smoke when you’re ready to send a message of the smoky kind.

The SMS Case is just a concept design for now, considering the fact that, well, they’re incredibly bulky and you can’t really translate smoke into actual messages. But it’s still pretty neat, though.

[via LikeCool]

JimmyCASE Wood iPhone/Samsung Galaxy S4 Case Doubles as a Wallet

If you’re in the market for a smartphone case and looking for something a bit different than all of the others out there, you might want to check out the JimmyCASE.

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The JimmyCASE offers the stylish looks of a wooden case, but also the practicality of a wallet case. The case combines a silicone bumper with a genuine mahogany backing to protect your phone. Wrapped over the wood back is a stretchy piece of custom-designed elastic which can hold credit cards and money.

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In my experience, I was able to stack my license and three credit cards, as well as a few dollar bills under the elastic without a problem, and with even a single credit card, it held securely. And even with the wallet loaded up, the iPhone’s camera and flash are completely unencumbered.

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The sides of the case offer a nice textured grip to them, and there are openings for the charging port, speakers, headphone jack, microphone, and mute switch. Volume and power controls are hidden beneath silicone, which keeps stuff from getting into them, but still providing enough tactile feel to be usable.

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Of course, the JimmyCASE is about style too, so you can choose from four different elastic fabrics at this point, including the navy blue and black striped of my review unit, gray/orange, navy/orange, and a preppy kind of pink with colorful stripes. In addition to the iPhone 5/5S variant, it’s can be had in iPhone 4, iPhone 5C and Samsung Galaxy S4 models.

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The JimmyCASE is available for order now, and sells for $39(USD).

iPhone 5/5S Case Made from Real Chocolate: Chocolate Covered Apple

You’ve probably seen iPhone cases shaped like chocolate bars. These on the other hand, are chocolate bars shaped like an iPhone case.

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They are made by two Portland-based companies. Woodblock Chocolate supplied the bars of dark chocolate and iPhone and iPad accessory maker Grove machined the bars into cases. I know the Internet wants to get its hands on anything absurd, but the two companies have more sense than that and won’t be selling the tasty, but highly impractical cases.

[via Craziest Gadgets]

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