never being happy with what is already made..i decided to modify my accesories so they fit my needs.
keyboard: took a chance on this one..wasn't sure if it worked with hd2 bluetooth stack but it worked right out of the box (press a button and connect it to the phone..that easy). and it's actually great..the keys are very clicky with good depth despite the really tiny size (as big as the hd2). it comes with an optional stand and a case. and btw..it's cheaper than other keyboards...around 50$ and it's designed in canada..actually made in china..but still..
the headphones..this project has already been done before..but i used the great headphones from my old omnia phone..really good fit..deep base..buttons and mic still work after i soldered the wires inside it
and for the case ..this was the biggest pain in the a..; this case made by melko protects really well the hd2 by covering all the edges without covering any part of the screen. however it has design flaw..i had to chop of the top of the back part..(see photos) so the "hook" that grips over the phone (there is no magnet etc) can go all the way back. if not..the front part of the case would stay a bit open..dumb.
the second modification is that i "transplanted" the the clip from an old cellet case to the back of the case (glued it under the leather and sewed it through the plastic of the case with a nylon double wire..extra safety..you know. and ofcourse i had to buy the new metal clip that works with any cellet case. only downside is that i removed the zagg shield from the back and side. total cost for the case and new clip..about 30$..plus a few good hours of work.
oh..and the case doubles as a reasonably solid stand
so what do you guys think?
one last pic
mikgangal said:
one last pic
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this is still big keyboard have a look here ..
http://www.chinavasion.com/product_info.php/pName/mini-bluetooth-keyboard-for-smartphones/
yup..u're right..it's smaller..but i don't see myself actually typing a text on that.
on the one i got..i can type with full speed
Wow. That keyboard is huge. I think I'd rather pull out my netbook...
wow all looks good to me!
how did u solder the headphones? i would like to try it too!
wow all looks good to me!
how did u solder the headphones? i would like to try it too!
actually this project has been done b4
in short..you pop open the buttons (with your nail). gently you pull out the circuit board from the case and you give yourself some loose. you clean up the white stuff around the connections..unsolder the old headphones and then clean up the extra solder so that you can see the holes.
IMPORTANT the wires of the headphones you wanna add have to be cleaned either with heat from the soldering iron or with aspirin works best i believe (put the wire over the aspirin..heat it up..and as it melts you 'wash' the wires in the aspirin really well..carefull not to inhale !)
this will help uncoat the wire from the protective plastic film. then just solder them to the circuit board...use some epoxy over the connections for extra strength..put everything back togather...and voila
Modify Leo HTC Headset to In-Ear Headphones
What is the ideal case for your Nook Color?
Is it one that is available or not?
What are some of the features you would like it to have?
Do you want a fold case that covers the screen?
Is the micro usb port in a convenient location?
Looking for some ideas. Working on a shell now for a mold. Not sure if anything will come of it but want to see what you all are looking for in a case. Feel free to post your thoughts. Thanks.
I would like to see a one sided hard cover that can protect the screen when not in use and snap onto the rear when in use. Probably use the typical four corner frame system you see in many cases so nothing is obstructed.
Also, have a stand "system" so that when it is snapped to the rear you can prop up the NC. Maybe something like what you see on back side of keyboards. And like some keyboards I've seen, have different levels of lift. One lift level that slightly raises the NC off the surface, for typing and such. Another lift level that is like the leg stand you see on the EVO 4G or Archos 70, for video/picture viewing and the like.
Heh. First post around here. Been meaning to chime in on a thread and this is the perfect one to start. Only because I've been looking for something I described but there is nothing out there yet.
I'm looking for an inexpensive silicone gel skin, something I'd keep on pretty much all the time. I'm also keeping my eyes open for sturdy travel case.
There seem to be choices out there for both, I'm just waiting a bit for more of them to hit ebay.
I missed your last question about the micro usb port. IMO its not in a good location because its awkward when trying to read while charging, particularly when reclining or lying down. I'm concerned about putting pressure on the usb cable, especially considering its not just a standard cheap cable. Not sure how a case will help this, though.
drp1 said:
I missed your last question about the micro usb port. IMO its not in a good location because its awkward when trying to read while charging, particularly when reclining or lying down. I'm concerned about putting pressure on the usb cable, especially considering its not just a standard cheap cable. Not sure how a case will help this, though.
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ill be trying out a few designs once the mold sets. i can add a ribbon cable in the case to move the USB port to the sides which I might try. trying to keep it thin but actually worth putting on.
techboydino said:
ill be trying out a few designs once the mold sets. i can add a ribbon cable in the case to move the USB port to the sides which I might try. trying to keep it thin but actually worth putting on.
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Click to collapse
Are you designing desktop/multimedia cases as well? I would love additional speakers on the NC and also a magnetic swivel X mount stand for desktop use.
My ideal case is not available yet. It is an envelope-like case that will allow me to pull the Nook out and use it naked. Something in nice black leather.
Something similiar to the covers of the TI calculators, with a little more thought about aesthetics obviously.
A 90deg connector or adapter would be nice. Then run the cable through the corner loop thingie.
Cheers,
kev
bugeyed1 said:
A 90deg connector or adapter would be nice. Then run the cable through the corner loop thingie.
Cheers,
kev
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Good Idea, I may try that out.
Im not any sort of professional or anything, but I do have access to some pretty sweet resin's and molding equipment. Carbon fiber is the idea, but the glass mold and how I want to do the front part comes first. Ill keep the thread updated.
ideal nook case
looking for something very close to this case
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0040VNRTG/ref=oss_product
just substituting the swivel belt clip for a kickstand
i like the idea of moving the usb jack to another spot but i think that would add alot of cost and effort to the case build
Rube Goldberg lives; or, is this even possible?
You asked for the ideal, here is mine. Not at all sure it is doable....
1. In the interest of keeping the total package as slim as possible, no back, unless it is necessary to support other features.
2. [Front] cover has a slot for a pad of paper and/or corner slots for index cards.
3. [Front] cover is hinged on the right (I'm right handed and I want to be able to write easily).
4. [Front] cover has a foldover flap to keep the paper or cards from contacting the screen when the cover is closed.
5. The cover can fold 180 degrees so that the cover lies flat against the back of the tablet.
6. The cover can support the Nook as an easel in landscape mode.
7. The cover can support the Nook as an easel in portrait mode - this might involve some sort of short extension legs or other support to raise the lower edge of the Nook an inch or so (and this might help with the need to plug in the USB connector at the bottom).
8. Bonus points for the ability to fold out a handle attached at the lower left corner when in portrait mode, sort of like a hand mirror.
9. And of course it should be strong, light, durable, elegant, and less than $40 US.
I'm ready to order as soon as I see the pictures of the finished product.
Thanks for the ideas everyone. Haven't worked on it in a few due to being out at CES. Unfortunately there were NO cases out there. Working with Speck to find something but tried everything else and could not even find a nice slip cover. Otterbox said they are testing designs so no real info there either.
My ideal case is something like
http://shop.brando.com/samsung-galaxy-tab-case-with-bluetooth-keyboard_p05269c0299d057.html
this.
Bluetooth keyboard case, waiting for bluetooth to work for NOOK!! and I could use it as a netbook and a tablet. IDEAL.
This is my cheap (free) case for my nook color. It’s the zippered case for my trucks instruction manual. The patch covers the ford symbol; if I need to hide it in plain sight I can pull the patch off and leave it in the back seat. It fits perfectly and there is a plastic divider on the inside I can put business cards and a small pad of paper (as others have asked). All I keep in it is a set of skullcandy headphones in an microfiber Oakley sunglass bag for cleaning the screen.
michael
-"I learned a very valuable lesson on my travels, Tucker. No matter how bad things might seem..."
-"They could be worse?"
-"Nope, no matter how bad they seem, they can't be any better, and they can't be any worse, because that's the way things fraking are, and you better get used to it Nancy. Quit yer *****ing."
Perfect case for the Nook Color
Before I bought my Nook, I had a Pandigital Novel that I bought on eBay.
In the same eBay search results page the Novel appeared on was a great case called BookArmor. Although it was $35, I bought it. And I haven't regretted it either.
The BookArmor case comes with a set of velcro-like pads that stick on the back of the tablet and allow it to be fixed to the case. The case itself is laminated steel and plastic covered with textured fabric. It zippers shut and the zipper sides are soft and stay out of the way when the case is opened. You have total access to all side buttons and ports. The inside surface that comes in contact with the screen is covered with a soft foam pad.
When I decided to get the Nook, I found out that the case I had for the Novel is the exact same case for the Nook Color. I really like this case and haven't even considered another one.
For more info go to extremeinkjet.com and click on BookArmor cases in the blue left-hand column. Pick any Delta 6 case ... there is a Nook Color one. Checkout their video at the bottom of the page.
It looks like this case is really popular too ... there aren't any left on eBay and the extremeinkjet site shows all out of stock for the Delta 6 case. Amazon shows one Delta 6 left for the Pandigital (same case) but it doesn't even show up for Nook Color.
I don't know if I'd call it perfect. But, I bought the B&N case with the vertical flap and ribbon with magnet on the end to hold it closed/open. It works well for me.
If they were available in store when I bought my nook, I would have also considered the silicone one. Although, if I went that route, I'd probably prefer the otter box version with the hard resin exterior an rubber liner. I would also have considered the black leather pouch one where you completely remove the nook to use it.
Alas, none of these were available to me when I made my purchase so I'm using what I have.
With either the otter box or the silicone I would gain a thinner form factor. But, I would never be able to completely cover the screen. With the pouch one, I would gain the thin form factor when using and would not add much when transporting. But, it's basically just a branded leather sleeve.
In the end, what drew me to the case that I bought was the vertical flap and ribboned magnet. 1 - with the horizontal flapped ones, the magnet does not flip around to hold the flap to the back of the case so it's open like a book with the flap dangling out the right side. 2 - with the vertical one that I got, you flip the cover over the top, move the magnet to the back to hold the cover in place and you have all your nooky goodness to go to town with!
Just my 2 cents.
jlh8733 said:
Something similiar to the covers of the TI calculators, with a little more thought about aesthetics obviously.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow...love love love this idea.
This would be great..a hard protective slide case.
This would definitely be a $$$ maker.
I bought a "Industriell Cover in Storm" cover and it works perfectly, very simple, protects the screen, and it's small.
I'm stealing your "DON'T PANIC" sticker on the back idea. thanks for reminding me.
I received my grey/white silicrylic case in the mail yesterday. It looks great and feels awesome, really is a pleasure to use.
My problem is, it just barely fits into the car dock (with the insert removed). It doesn't quite make enough contact with the charging port to charge, meaning it doesn't go into car dock mode (also, sits there and drains the battery). Has anyone else had the same experience (or the opposite)? Any idea where I need to hit the dock with my Dremel to make it fit? I can't quite tell where it's too tight.
Edit: Looks like it's on the bottom right corner as the dock is facing you... I think the acrylic part of the case is maybe 1mm too long for the dock. I'll try shaving that bit down a bit when I get home and see if that works.
I had the same issue with the HD Dock. Even tho others say they're silicrylic worked fine with the HD Dock, it was a very poor connection that would cause the webtop app to reset if i bumped the phone...and yes that was with the shim/insert removed.
As for the the Car Dock...it might be easier to cut the plug out of the dock so that you can raise it into a higher position and then use epoxy to set it back into place...or switch to a different case. I use Incipio's feather case now and I like it. Granted it doesn't offer as much protection...I just handle the phone more carefully than I've ever handled a phone before. It's too bad the hard shell of the silicrylic isn't easier to remove. if you're not careful, taking the shell on and off you'll eventually tear the silicone piece. Good luck.
Official word from Incipio is that the case is not compatible the dock. I'll show them...
Does anyone know how the bionic knows to switch to dock mode? I don't see a magnet inside the dock anywhere, and dock mode only seems to work when the power is on.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using XDA App
Edit:
Broke out the Dremel this evening, trimmed off the lip that sticks out over the bottom right corner of the phone when it's on the dock, then expanded the hole through which the microusb charger comes so I could push it through about another millimeter so that it reaches far enough to charge the phone. I'm overall very happy with the situation. Kudos to Motorola for making the dock so roomy; I really had very little work to do to make this happen.
One very important thing I learned about cutting/sanding plastic with the Dremel - go with the slowest speed that will do the job. If you go too fast, you end up melting the plastic instead of cutting it or smoothing it, and it looks awful.
Just a few quick pics to show you an idea for a way of easily maxing a cheap OTG adapter more discreet. I'm not claiming its pretty but it works
Started with one of there for £1.90;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150758616053?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_1480wt_1037
Slit the side of the soft black plastic cover. I found all the wires to be embedded on one side so made 1mm deep cuts on the other side allowing it to bend. Cover with material of your choice (I've not got that far). Add a simple velcro pad to your case and usb device of choice and attach in place.
Sorry the pic is an attachment. Haven't had chance to look for the upload rules/sites
Why not just get the ones that are a cable? They bend easier, and you can still velcro if you want it attached to the back.
http://www.amazon.com/T-Flash-Adapter-Samsung-GT-i9100-GT-N7000/dp/B005FUNYSA/ref=wl_mb_recs_1_dp
I have one but wanted something more compact.
My Semi-Casual review, I got mine from
Walgreens, But obviously also available at Amazon. (Amazon better displays the specs)
Observations:
With the Samsung Flip Cover, it docks ok but doesn't feel super locked in when docked. However I picked up a cheap hard rubber bumper case on ebay (wanted a kickstand) and the thickness makes it feel much more solid and secure in the adjustable microusb mount.
Audio is decent for a clock radio and comes with a smallish male<>male 1.8mm patch cable. It works but is a snug fit for the SGNII's size; I use a longer patch cord I already had laying around, but there's plenty of space in the cord compartment for the extra slack cord.
USB plug is molded rubberized and made to adjust, I have mine locked pretty firmly in and it hasn't moved or slid around. The plate/cover on the top, however, wants to pop loose if I'm too grabby when I go to get the phone and head to work.
Has a nice (clock radio) battery backup with an include watch-type battery, needs slight loosening with a screwdrive to pull the protective battery plastic out, but easily done.
There is a switch (insde the cord compartment) to toggle between charging modes for different phones, but the default setting worked for the Note II, no issues.
Confession: I felt slightly guilty getting it because I kinda thought it felt like iHome was *finally* improving their docking products for the Android consumer market and somehow we were Apple iToy runners-up , but I bought it to send the consumer message that if they build it, we shall accessorize!
Overall I like it, and would like to see more products like it.