"Smartify" any Case - Nexus 7 General

Hi,
my China case for 13€ arrived today and I hat some spare rare earth magnet laying around.
I only had to set a small cut and slide the magnet into the lining at the right position.
The magnet has to be kinda strong, else the sensor would not recognize it.
These are the magnets I used:
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/super-strong-rare-earth-re-magnets-20mm-x-2mm-10-pack-10305?item=2
I enjoy my cheap but working hack and I hope you do too
Tek.

Related

Metal case

well, went out on a limb & got the metal case off EBAY $28 to the door, in under a week from hong kong to arizona.
plus - fits real good, light, sturdy
plus - keyboard folds back flat against back if you're not using it
minus - keyboard will need double sided tape or something to hold it in - its a press fit into a neoprene cutout, works fine 1st time you close/opent the case.. 2nd time the keyboard will be held to the unit by its magnets.
minus - no 'real' latch, relys on the keyboard magnets
minus - hinges are plastic, and when closed, the 'top' keyboard side has some slop, can move a little side to side.
I guess I'll have to wait for a nice thin leather case, with a real latch. (I dont like the thick clips on the stock one)
I was curious about this case, as I'm looking for something I could use to mount my Advantage on my motorcycle. What I would basically do is take the front or flip portion of the case off, and connect a RAM mount to the back of it.
So my main question is - if I did take off the flip portion of the case, would it still support the Advantage in a sturdy fashion? Thanks for any info!
support
yeah, the main portion you actualy have to force into position, it slides from the hinge side in, there's 2 small indentations (near the speakers) that it slides under.
when you slide it in/out it rubs a bit on the volume slider, presses the wireless button down etc, not sure i'd want to be doing it alot.
azcaddman said:
well, went out on a limb & got the metal case off EBAY $28 to the door, in under a week from hong kong to arizona.
plus - fits real good, light, sturdy
plus - keyboard folds back flat against back if you're not using it
minus - keyboard will need double sided tape or something to hold it in - its a press fit into a neoprene cutout, works fine 1st time you close/opent the case.. 2nd time the keyboard will be held to the unit by its magnets.
minus - no 'real' latch, relys on the keyboard magnets
minus - hinges are plastic
BIG MINUS - for me ... internal gps in leather case - locks 9 satelites in my house, 3-4 at 2/3 strenght, rest at 1/3-1/2, but when in metal case ... locks 4 satellites, all at 1/3-1/2 strengh .. so it significantly interferes with gps reception .. not sure about phone as I dont use it for that (yet).
I guess I'll have to wait for a nice thin leather case, with a real latch. (I dont like the thick clips on the stock one)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you post some pics of the case with your device in it? Im looking for a case to just carry around my Ameo in without the keyboard, think this may be going over the top but may well be just what i need.
Thanks
Photos are at my photo page at 1600x1200 res, a bit big for here.
it can be slow at times, so be patient
and no, i didn't dust it off first
after giving it another try, the gps seems to be getting a good signal in the case.
Thanks for the pics, looks alot better than i thought. Im looking more for a hard case or skin for the screen part only, im not to fussed with carrying the keyboard around as this ads to the bulk of the device, and when carrying in the pocket, my trousers are already around my ankles as it is!
This case does look really good tho, and does provide some protection for the unit which is another concern of mine.
Mmm, got me thinking now!
was debating on getting the metal case or the black book-type...both of which can be found in ebay. i opted for the metal case since it covers the entire unit...the book-type still leaves some areas exposed. covering the entire unitis quite handy especially as i chuck it in the diaper bag in the weekends =)
the metal case does not cover it 100%, the end where the hinges are, is uncovered (except for the plastic hinges) including the 2 corners
also, the case covers the reset 'button' on the back
photo HERE
yeah the case doesn't cover the unit 100% but it's more than enough for me. mine arrived yesterday...got it from hong kong as well...looks good and i'm quite satisfied with it. the only gripe i have is that the reset button is partially covered =) but other than that i'm quite pleased with it. thinking of getting the black metal case as well just for the sake of diversity =)
cheers
One could consider drilling a hole if the reset access is needed???

E-Cell Luxury Protective Leather Case [BAD Magnet]

Well after a good review by another user here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1892017
I decided to buy the brown one last week, I had it this morning and tried it immediately. The case looks professional and feels nice to the touch. I thought the only complain I have is that it has no ridge on the inner side of the flap to stop the Nexus from sliding front/back when positioned in landscape mode.
But I discovered a flaw that plagued the earlier Poetic and other similar cases from amazon, in that the magnet is so strong, it put the device in standby mode when folding the front flap all the way to the back.
Watch th video here:
That's strange, my case does not do that? I can upload a video if you want?
I don't know...it's a shame as the case is really lovely but that's the first thing I noticed after I put my nexus on the case. Please do try it with yours.
nm8 said:
I don't know...it's a shame as the case is really lovely but that's the first thing I noticed after I put my nexus on the case. Please do try it with yours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried it earlier and I could not get it to turn the screen off, I was mimicking what you were doing. Maybe ask the seller and see if they can send you a replacement?
spooke said:
I tried it earlier and I could not get it to turn the screen off, I was mimicking what you were doing. Maybe ask the seller and see if they can send you a replacement?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cheers, will contact them about it.
im getting a refund for the case and I get to keep it too. I have compared the magnet location on this case and it is a little lower than the magnets on the other cases that I already have. tried relocating the magnet but it still has the same issue so my guess is the magnet is quite strong.
nm8 said:
im getting a refund for the case and I get to keep it too. I have compared the magnet location on this case and it is a little lower than the magnets on the other cases that I already have. tried relocating the magnet but it still has the same issue so my guess is the magnet is quite strong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah that's good. I guess my case's magnet must be in a different location to yours as it works fine on mine.
Obviously nobody should have to modify a case they bought advertised with a smart function to get it to work the way it's supposed to, but for anyone dealing with a case that shuts the screen off if the front flap is folded all the way back because the magnet is too strong, I have a quick/cheap/easy solution if you don't want to mess with returns/replacements:
You can tape a little piece of metal between the case and the back of the Nexus in the same area as the magnet. This should stop the magnet from turning the screen off when the flap is all the way open and touching the back of the case.
I did this for my ASUS travel case. I taped a magnet to the front flap so I could use it as a smart case, but the magnet was too strong and kept turning the screen off when folded back. I added the little piece of metal and now it works perfectly. For the metal I just I cut a small square out of a tin can lid a little larger than the size of the magnet I was using. I just used a tin can because it was the nearest piece of thin metal I had, but anything small and thin enough that the tablet will still fit in the case while sitting on it will work. The tape will keep the metal in place and protect the back of the Nexus 7 from scratches. Haven't had a problem yet. It's not the most polished looking solution in the world, but you can't even tell it's there unless I remove the Nexus from the case. Just throwing it out there for anyone having magnet issues.
Melarsa said:
Obviously nobody should have to modify a case they bought advertised with a smart function to get it to work the way it's supposed to, but for anyone dealing with a case that shuts the screen off if the front flap is folded all the way back because the magnet is too strong, I have a quick/cheap/easy solution if you don't want to mess with returns/replacements:
You can tape a little piece of metal between the case and the back of the Nexus in the same area as the magnet. This should stop the magnet from turning the screen off when the flap is all the way open and touching the back of the case.
I did this for my ASUS travel case. I taped a magnet to the front flap so I could use it as a smart case, but the magnet was too strong and kept turning the screen off when folded back. I added the little piece of metal and now it works perfectly. For the metal I just I cut a small square out of a tin can lid a little larger than the size of the magnet I was using. I just used a tin can because it was the nearest piece of thin metal I had, but anything small and thin enough that the tablet will still fit in the case while sitting on it will work. The tape will keep the metal in place and protect the back of the Nexus 7 from scratches. Haven't had a problem yet. It's not the most polished looking solution in the world, but you can't even tell it's there unless I remove the Nexus from the case. Just throwing it out there for anyone having magnet issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheers, I alreay tried a few sheets of aluminum foil, but it did not help, and
the Nexus did not fit snugly because it was too thick.
I'm looking forward to cheaper altearnatives of this one (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008NMCPTQ/ref=cm_cd_asin_lnk) which looks like it has the best design, and offers the best protection.

Made my Asus cover a smart cover

I had an ipad smart cover laying around from an ipad 2 so I cracked the cover open to take out the magnets. Not as easy as it seems with just a pocket knife. One of then cracked into 3rds so i took one piece, found where the on screen magnet is and then traced out that area on teh asus cover, then used a knife to dig a spot that size about as deep as the magnet to make it fit. I am using tape right now to hold it but plan to use a dab of model glue when I get some.
It works perfect and closes flat. Bit ghetto I know, but heck better then paying for a whole new case when I got mine free.
Nothing wrong with ghetto if it works
I've been thinking of giving this a go as well. I've been considering heating the magnet up so it melts into the cover to get it as flush as possible.
Another one here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2075663
Has anyone experimented with size and strengths of magnet required?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50-Neodym...851?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c2f051e33
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2047675.m570.l2736&_nkw=thin+magnet
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sheet-Self-Adhesive-Magnetic-0-7mm/dp/B00835LB6G/ref=pd_sim_sbs_kh_7
I used a drill to bore a hole straight through the front cover and then placed a magnet in it. Then I taped a thin piece of sheet metal inside the bottom left corner of the case to block the magnet from triggering when folded back. Works like a charm.
Sent from my Nexus 7
I'm wondering if a surface-mounted thin Neodymium magnet (10mm x 0.5mm thick) would do the trick?
Aleemz said:
I've been thinking of giving this a go as well. I've been considering heating the magnet up so it melts into the cover to get it as flush as possible.
Another one here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2075663
Has anyone experimented with size and strengths of magnet required?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50-Neodym...851?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c2f051e33
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2047675.m570.l2736&_nkw=thin+magnet
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sheet-Self-Adhesive-Magnetic-0-7mm/dp/B00835LB6G/ref=pd_sim_sbs_kh_7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The one I used is REALLY small and it doesn't effect from the back. It also doesn't stick through the front of the cover.
I think these magnets would work well.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-earth-...330?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1cf0176a
I was looking at the same type of magnet too, then I thought about using the rubber magents like these, which could be left exposed on the cover without risk of marking the screen:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/A4-Sheet-...UK_Crafts_Other_Crafts_EH&hash=item33714ffbc3
(Magnetic Disks 9.5mm X 0.75mm)
I wonder of the rubber magnets would be strong enough, or the neodymium magnets too strong?
ive got a ****load of small magnet discs if ya'll are interested. you pay for shipping, ill do USPS + $2 for the disks (3 of them). shoot me a PM.
i will *not* ship outside of the USA. :highfive:
Is this something that you can get locally???
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium
Great job, pretty smart way to recycle old accessories.
there is one MAJOR flaw with that logic.....The fact is that there are 2 ways to destroy a magnet 1)heat and 2)shock. So if you attempt to melt the magnet all you will have is a puddle of molten metal. Quick lesson, magnets work when all the molecules are lined up in one direction. If those lines are disrupted then it will no longer be magnetic .
QUOTE=Aleemz;36352496]I've been thinking of giving this a go as well. I've been considering heating the magnet up so it melts into the cover to get it as flush as possible.
Another one here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2075663
Has anyone experimented with size and strengths of magnet required?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50-Neodym...851?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c2f051e33
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2047675.m570.l2736&_nkw=thin+magnet
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sheet-Self-Adhesive-Magnetic-0-7mm/dp/B00835LB6G/ref=pd_sim_sbs_kh_7[/QUOTE]
rastlin said:
there is one MAJOR flaw with that logic.....The fact is that there are 2 ways to destroy a magnet 1)heat and 2)shock. So if you attempt to melt the magnet all you will have is a puddle of molten metal. Quick lesson, magnets work when all the molecules are lined up in one direction. If those lines are disrupted then it will no longer be magnetic .
QUOTE=Aleemz;36352496]I've been thinking of giving this a go as well. I've been considering heating the magnet up so it melts into the cover to get it as flush as possible.
Another one here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2075663
Has anyone experimented with size and strengths of magnet required?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50-Neodym...851?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c2f051e33
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2047675.m570.l2736&_nkw=thin+magnet
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sheet-Self-Adhesive-Magnetic-0-7mm/dp/B00835LB6G/ref=pd_sim_sbs_kh_7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[/QUOTE]
I believe his goal is to melt the plastic, not the magnet.
rastlin said:
there is one MAJOR flaw with that logic.....The fact is that there are 2 ways to destroy a magnet 1)heat and 2)shock. So if you attempt to melt the magnet all you will have is a puddle of molten metal. Quick lesson, magnets work when all the molecules are lined up in one direction. If those lines are disrupted then it will no longer be magnetic .
QUOTE=Aleemz;36352496]I've been thinking of giving this a go as well. I've been considering heating the magnet up so it melts into the cover to get it as flush as possible.
Another one here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2075663
Has anyone experimented with size and strengths of magnet required?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50-Neodym...851?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c2f051e33
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2047675.m570.l2736&_nkw=thin+magnet
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sheet-Self-Adhesive-Magnetic-0-7mm/dp/B00835LB6G/ref=pd_sim_sbs_kh_7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[/QUOTE]
is this a senior moment ?
Aleemz said:
I've been thinking of giving this a go as well. I've been considering heating the magnet up so it melts into the cover to get it as flush as possible.
Another one here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2075663
Has anyone experimented with size and strengths of magnet required?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50-Neodym...851?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c2f051e33
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2047675.m570.l2736&_nkw=thin+magnet
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sheet-Self-Adhesive-Magnetic-0-7mm/dp/B00835LB6G/ref=pd_sim_sbs_kh_7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rastlin said:
there is one MAJOR flaw with that logic.....The fact is that there are 2 ways to destroy a magnet 1)heat and 2)shock. So if you attempt to melt the magnet all you will have is a puddle of molten metal. Quick lesson, magnets work when all the molecules are lined up in one direction. If those lines are disrupted then it will no longer be magnetic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
knitler said:
I believe his goal is to melt the plastic, not the magnet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks knitler, thats exactly what I meant. Heat the magnet and press into the cover so it melts the cover with the aim of getting the magnet to sit as flush as possible.
Heating a magnet can alter it's magnetic properties, but the magnetic domains are only destroyed if the magnet is heated past it's Curie temperature. Remember, magnets are used in many high temperature environments - environments which are hot enough to melt plastic, but not destroy the magnetic domains
Anyway, I managed to get hold of some 9.5mm x 0.75mm neodymium magnets with a 3M adhesive on one side. Works a treat
Aleemz said:
Anyway, I managed to get hold of some 9.5mm x 0.75mm neodymium magnets with a 3M adhesive on one side. Works a treat
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice but it seems like the magnet will touch the screen. Can't that scratch it or even worse make it more likely that a blow to the cover will break it?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Xparent Purple Tapatalk 2
bsoplinger said:
Nice but it seems like the magnet will touch the screen. Can't that scratch it or even worse make it more likely that a blow to the cover will break it?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Xparent Purple Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The magnet is very smooth, with rounded edges. I don't think it will scratch, but I'm going to mod this further. I have a vinyl/plastic/leather repair kit that's used to carry out repairs to upholstery etc. It comes with various coloured pastes that can be mixed to achieve an almost perfect colour match. I'm going to try to cover the magnet with some of this stuff once I achieve a good colour match.
I think the case would have to receive quite a hard blow for it to crack the screen, which I'm sure could happen with or without the magnet. The magnet is quite thin and I might even look to embed it into the cover like the OP did with his.
Video: https://www.dropbox.com/s/08q86hzkthnkqts/2013-01-10 21.26.44.mp4
Just a quick update on my little mod. I've been using it for a few days now, and the smart feature has been working fine. When the cover is in the open position, it will turn the tablet off if I squeeze the cover with my fingers in the position of the magnet. However, if I hold it normally, the 'hinge' of the cover has enough tension to keep the cover from folding flat on itself, and the tablet stays awake.
If this becomes an issue as the hinge becomes more flexible, I could use a weaker magnet, or embed something in the plastic cover behind the magnet to act as a shield.
Aleemz said:
Just a quick update on my little mod.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks completely professional. Did you find some sort of sticky plastic tape disc to cover it?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
bsoplinger said:
Looks completely professional. Did you find some sort of sticky plastic tape disc to cover it?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I just used some insulating/electrical tape and cut it in a circle with scissors. I didn't know whether it would stick properly so just used black tape as that's all I had.
Now I know it will stay, I'll get some grey coloured tape that matches the cover better. This should look neater than the original idea of covering the magnet with some liquid plastic type material.

Metal case that works with magnetic car mount?

So I bought a Mountek car dock that uses a magnet to hold the phone. It comes with a metal plate you put inside your phone case. The problem is that the M8 has a curved back and the case won't fit with the plate inside. I tried bending the plate, but it would have to be PERFECT to fit inside the case without pushing up against it.
Does anyone know of an M8 specific case that has magnetic metal embedded in it? Or has anyone else come up with a clever way to make the M8 work with the Mountek?
cryptyk said:
So I bought a Mountek car dock that uses a magnet to hold the phone. It comes with a metal plate you put inside your phone case. The problem is that the M8 has a curved back and the case won't fit with the plate inside. I tried bending the plate, but it would have to be PERFECT to fit inside the case without pushing up against it.
Does anyone know of an M8 specific case that has magnetic metal embedded in it? Or has anyone else come up with a clever way to make the M8 work with the Mountek?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Certainly not a clever or pretty way, but I did epoxy a strip of metal from Home Depot onto the back of a case for this purpose. It works, but... near impossible to get it to look nice.
I just received the same car mount and was able to place the magnetic blade (without removing the adhesive tape) inside my TPU case. It's a little tricky to keep it centered while inserting the phone back in to the case, but I could keep a finger on the blade to keep it steady. Once the phone was fully back in the case, the blade hadn't move at all and it sticks to the mount perfectly without any movement or drops.
I also have a second blade on another case (applied on the back of the case), so that's another option. Buy a cheap case just for the car, but that could become tedious.
Edit: I have the blade vertically in place when the phone is in portrait view. Easier to hold the blade in place in landscape when putting the case back on.
Sent from my HTC One M8

Otterbox Defender holster mod

Been using the Otterbox Defender lately on my One (M8) since I work as a mechanic and my phone has a tendency to get dropped or run into things. I've also been using the holster so the screen doesn't get sweaty and covered in pocket lint. I began to realize that I very rarely took the phone out of the holster without then turning the screen on so I decided to make it automatically happen. I bought these and drilled a 1/4" hole in the holster (see photo) in the place where the dot view cover's magnet would be. As far as I can tell, the magnet can go in 1 of 2 places. Either where I placed it or on the point opposite of it (above and left of the clip pivot as opposed to below and right in the picture I've attached). So far everything is working as expected, phone activates when removed from the holster and shuts its screen off when It is replaced. It doesn't interfere with the case being used as a kickstand as far as I've found. You can see in the one photo where the belt clip is rotated that there is a hole where the magnet was inserted that could be easily filled with a black epoxy to make it less obvious but the clip covers it so I didn't bother. I could have also painted the magnet black rather that use a black sharpie on it to make it match the rest of the holster better. Just thought I'd share.
Cool idea , I use the Otterbox for mine as well . Never thought of doing this sort of mod . Good work
SouthernEvo said:
Cool idea , I use the Otterbox for mine as well . Never thought of doing this sort of mod . Good work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want some more detailed instructions I could take measurements on where to put the magnet, just didn't feel like it at the time. It was late and I was tired.
If you could post measurements that would be awesome
Here you go. If you carry on the left side, youll need to flip the case but it should be the same measurement. The magnet sensor in the phone is on the left side just below the center line.

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