10 Awesome iPhone Cases That Do More Than Protect Your Phone
When the iPhone originally launched back in 2007, smartphone cases were seen as conventional armors that offered nothing more than standard protection, but as Apple’s handset has evolved over the years, so have its shielding counterparts with manufacturers adding extra hi-tech amenities to their creations. Those in the market for something more advanced than just a charging or shockproof jacket might be surprised to see what’s out and on the horizon. From mobile projectors to portable hard drives, here are a few iPhone cases that do more than protect your phone.
Aiptek i55
For the mediaphile looking to broaden their mobile viewing experience, say hello to this pocket projector. Lock in any iPhone 5/5S and project visuals from your screen onto any flat surface. Convert your bedroom into a theater by mirroring flicks off a wall at a 60-inch aspect ratio. The i55 comes equipped with an HDMI input that supports other iOS devices such as the iPad and older iPhone devices.
Bric+ Productivity Case
Smartphones are the modern compact camera, and with everyone going heavy on the photo front via Instagram, the mobile photo lens market continues to expand. The Bric+ brings it all together in one package featuring a 3.5x optical zoom lens, LED with extra brightness, and 2,450mAh cell to juice up the handset. It even comes bundled with a universal tripod mount to capture visuals when on the move. Expect to drop a good $115 when launched.
FLIR
A smartphone case capable of detecting invisible heat is pretty sick if you ask us. Combining heat signature information with the live camera technology in the iPhone, this hi-tech cover is capable of producing thermal heat imagery. So besides monitoring potential creepers in your vicinity, what other purposes does this thing serve? Good question. It can actually detect car engine issues and ventilation leaks from different areas in the house. Cray!
Covr
Another innovative Kickstarter-funded campaign, the Covr was designed by a former photojournalist, who set out to create a device that wouldn’t feel obtrusive in-hand and allow for simple visual captures. That mission has been accomplished since this case makes it possible to play incognito photographer, letting users snap shots by pointing the device like a flashlight or TV remote. Everything is caught through the attached prism lens. While the recent version only supports portrait mode, there could be second model in the works that shoots in landscape form.
Findables
The concept of plastering a QR code on the back of a protection sleeve might not seem innovative, but it’s definitely productive. Findables unique hard-plastic shell serves multiple duties on the information front, storing anything from business card credentials to a personal Twitter feed that can all be accessed by scanning the matrix barcode. What gives it some edge is its dexterity to help recover a misplaced iPhone. List the device as lost on the company’s official app, and from there, the kind humanitarian who finds it can scan the code and hopefully work on returning it. We can’t promise anything, though.
Mophie Space Pack
Mophie welcomed a game-changer to the market when it released the Space Pack earlier this year. Besides blessing users with extra juice, the charging case offers iPhone users something they’ve struggled to salvage since purchasing the handset: memory. The protection cover is basically an external drive that comes in 16GB and 32GB, which can also be monitored via a mobile app. The need to delete iTunes tracks or older Instagram pics to make room for new group shots is dunzo.
Loop ChargeCase
The charging case/mobile wallet holds multiple credit cards on file to help consumers make purchases with their iPhone at most retailers. The Loop app stores ID, gift and membership cards as well, while tracking accounts and the spending activity of each. On top of that, the Loop holds a charge to boost mobile vitality up 60 percent. Each case comes bundled with the LoopPay Fob add-on to scan all charge cards.
Digirit SIM+
You’re traveling international and forced to swap out SIM cards for the sake of communication with the outside world, or maybe you’re just out on the town with two smartphones and wish there was a way to merge both mobile connections into one device. The Digirit SIM+ makes that possible by boasting an extra slot to store a secondary SIM card, transforming the iPhone into a dual-SIM device. Switch between the two by using the software-powered toggle. Expect it to hit production sometime in the coming year.
iDroid Case
Anyone looking to channel their inner Snake or up their Metal Gear cosplay in time for Comic-Con NY might want to keep this on their radar. The iDroid is actually inspired by the in-game communicator in MGS: Ground Zeroes and is an actual full-production case that will be for sale this October. Some of its more notable attributes include a switch that turns on a “project” lamp and a faux antenna, which is detachable and doubles as a stylus pen. Konami Productions will make the iDroid compatible with the upcoming Ground Zeroes app set as well this fall.
Prong PWR
Don’t be misled into thinking this is just another power case. What other ones on the market do you know that offer built-in wall prongs to plug in and charge at any given moment? We thought so. The Prong PWR dons a durable polycarbonate build with quick-charge technology to speed up the process. Leave the power banks and portable plugs at the crib.
When the iPhone originally launched back in 2007, smartphone cases were seen as conventional armors that offered nothing more than standard protection, but as Apple’s handset has evolved over the years, so have its shielding counterparts with manufacturers adding extra hi-tech amenities to their creations. Those in the market for something more advanced than just a charging or shockproof jacket might be surprised to see what’s out and on the horizon. From mobile projectors to portable hard drives, here are a few iPhone cases that do more than protect your phone.