It’s hard to stand out in a crowd when you and millions of other people all have the same smartphone. So DODOcase, makers of some of the finest phone and tablet cases around, are now letting iPhone users create their own customized wallets by mixing and matching colors and fabrics.
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You may not know this but I was an English literature major in college, so books are things I’m fond of. But I’m also a tech lover, so I generally read on either an iPad or a Kindle. Cases like the ones from San Francisco-based DODOcase represent a way to bridge those two worlds, and now you can personalize their products thanks to a custom case-building tool that DODOcase is introducing today.
The Build-A-DODOcase customizer is launching today, and lets you choose from a variety of options around the front cover material, color and pattern, as well as interior design, elastic color and custom text. There are plenty of different combinations possible, with the added benefit that you likely won’t end up with an exact duplicate of someone else’s design, so your iPad will be less likely to get confused with your neighbor’s at the local coffee shop.
The one I virtually created is the one you can see in the feature image of this article, and I hope to see it eventually as a real product. I trust DODOcase’s reputation for creating good products, though, and don’t think there’s any reason to expect these custom creations to miss that mark.
Pricing is variable based on what options you choose (leather vs. fabric cover or spine, for instance), running between $80 at the low end and ranging up as you add options. The company has already created a Pinterest gallery of creations from noteworthy creators, including Path’s Dave Morin, Foodspotting CEO Alexa Andrzejewski and more. If the only thing previously stopping you from ordering a DODOcase was a lack of choice when it comes to design, this new tool definitely addresses that deficiency. The cases work with both iPad 2 and the latest generation iPads.
The Doodcase has long been one of TechCrunch’s favorite iPad cases. However, the case’s secret sauce, a handmade bamboo frame, is infamous for cracking on the corners. It’s a common complaint. Dodocase was clearly listening and just released a redesigned case with stronger corners and new features that includes a slightly deeper design to better fit the new iPad.
Dodocase claims this design will allow the new case to withstand a drop onto the corner from about 2.5 feet. The redesign employs a reinforced miter joint (top in the images) rather than a finger joint (bottom in the images) in the original design. This construction is better suited for use with bamboo, which can easily split down the culm’s fibers when thinly cut. But now, with the new construction, the Dodocase’s corners should not crack or splinter nearly as easily.
The redesigned case also brings more noticable changes. There’s now a hole in the back for the iPad’s camera. A little wooden faux button up top to engage the iPad’s lock button when pressed. Finally, the new case is a touch thicker, allowing it to better hold the thicker new iPad.
The new case is available starting today. I’ve used one for the last week and can confirm the case is much improved and maintains its trademark charm. I love this case.
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