Some Honest Feedback Appreciated ( My Case)

[Lee haney]

Hi,
I have already posted a similar response in the case discussion thread but thought for more direct specific responses it would be better if I had a thread. This case is a prototype designed by myself, I am part of a family run business based in the uk. We would really appreciate some feedback both praise and criticsm as we will be mass producing the finished design for not only the samsung s3 but the s2, ace, note and possibly more depending on how well they do. We are also making some more prototypes right now which include one more heavily embossed design and another which includes metal decoration on the front and corners of the case, all the designs go with the concept which is to make the cases look like classic antique books. Its really important that we get some honest feedback by real samsung phone owners so that we can correct our mistakes and hopefully make a case that more people will like. We have nothing to sell yet, we just want feedback. One last thing we are also making a cool stylus that will come with all the cases it looks like a old fountain pen.

 

[NovaCove]

i like the look and the idea, its unique..

pros - looks like it would protect the phone pretty good if dropped and kinda handy to have it all together with other important stuff in the wallet.. stylus would be cool if using more as a table than a phone

cons - only bad thing would be it looks to take away from the functionality of the phone.. kinda unfriendly to take phone out of when getting a call or might get some strange looks to hold your book up to your ear while talking

 

[Ballymoss]

Very original idea!

 

[greenmunky]

I think it's a very unique and quite attention-grabbing case. The only criticism I would give is the fact that the inside of the screen cover doubling as an ID holder as well as credit card holders somewhat defeat the purpose of having a screen-covering case. I would imagine that the upper exposed edges and corners of hard plastic (and in some cases titanium or other materials depending on what kind of credit you're rockin') cards could scratch the screen over time. Very cool idea though, I'd just lose the multi-purpose aspect of the inside flap.

 

[barryl85]

Its a good idea but it looks like a bible.

 

[djedgarftw]

I like that case but it's just not for me.

If you could make one like that I would sure buy it but with more protection on the back. Also if it would be custom would pay more :thumbup:

 

[Haris]

Being honest... I don't like the look. I have a modern, top of the line phone. I don't think making it look dated and aged is the* route*I would take when choosing a case.

A case that looks like a well read book that holds my ID and credit cards would be a great idea if I needed to buy this for a older person in my honest opinion.

 

[Hogan773]

I think it's certainly original and unique. I'd call this a very niche, or fringe, case. Some people will love it because it's so different. Most people will not like it because it's so different. What remains to be seen is what is that split....5/95, 10/90, 1/99, etc?

I also agree that the cards sitting right on the screen could be bad. Maybe you need a little flap that covers the cards.

Another idea would be to put pockets BEHIND the phone and you could slide a few cards in that way from the right edge. Then you could just have a plain flap on the front. If you go with that design, just paypal me a little consultant's fee

 

[donas]

Being honest... I don't like the look. I have a modern, top of the line phone. I don't think making it look dated and aged is the* route*I would take when choosing a case.

A case that looks like a well read book that holds my ID and credit cards would be a great idea if I needed to buy this for a older person in my honest opinion.

....what he said

 

[Member 536573]

Very neat idea. I think alot of older folks would like this look, but w/ that said how many older folks use smartphones. Most grandparent age people just use your basic flip style phone for talking purposes only. So cool idea, but small market that would actually use it.

 

[robhs]

I like it. It might even deter theft of the phone too. People would much less likely to steal a small book than they would a high end smartphone.

 

[bvbull200]

its unique..

Very original idea!

I think it's a very unique and quite attention-grabbing case.

I think it's certainly original and unique.

I could maybe give you unique, but original? Really?

BookBook Vol 2 for iPad - BookBook Vol 2 for iPad - Twelve South
iPad Cases by DODOcase
Roundup: iPad Book Cases | Design Milk

I get that those are for the iPad, but the leap to a 4.8" smartphone isn't that big.

OP, I appreciate the entrepreneurial spirit as much as the next guy, but I don't think this is your winning idea. I can commend you for making it this far. I have some ideas floating around in my head (completely different industry), but beyond 1 working prototype, I haven't put in the effort to get it to the stage that you have.

The problem with this is that your market is going to be very, VERY small. The flip cover cases are only appealing to a pretty small portion of smartphone owners. Add in to that, you are offering one with some additional bulk to it (cuts your market down further). Then you are looking for customers that want a bulkier flip case that looks like a book (cut down again). Then bulky, flip case, book look-a-like customers that want it to look like an old book (instead of something more modern/trendy) and your base is cut down further.

The book look works for an iPad because an iPad is about the size of a book to begin with. This is the size of the pocket Bible you find in the nightstand at a cheap hotel. The size makes it lose the "WOW" factor.

Looks like you are willing and able to make a quality product. I hope you find a winner, but I'm afraid this isn't it. I'll gladly eat the crow if it takes off, though.

 

[SUroot]

I like the idea. I wouldn't use it myself as I don't like cases. If I did it would be sleek and elegant.

That said, for things that lay around the house that I want to disguise, I'd like it

 

[exwifeusesiphone]

Cool. I'm a hipster, so I would carry that. Definitely not that color though. Maybe a brown leather...

Lose the credit card holders, that'll make it slightly thinner and avoid contact with the screen. Thickness + function I'll never use = not buying it.

 

[Hogan773]

I like it. It might even deter theft of the phone too. People would much less likely to steal a small book than they would a high end smartphone.

I like the idea. I wouldn't use it myself as I don't like cases. If I did it would be sleek and elegant.

That said, for things that lay around the house that I want to disguise, I'd like it

Guys, I'm not really thinking that this is going to be some theft deterrent because the thief will look past it assuming that it is a crusty old book. If that is the case, why doesn't everyone's wallet/billfold come with a false "book" or "notepad" cover.....the thief would move right past it and the pickpocket would throw it back, right?

I also don't think it's correct to assume that only "old people" would like this. Rather, it is probably going to be purchased by ironic hipsters or weird art students.

I do think that it will be a small actual market, but I have no idea how many you'd need to sell to make a profit. I wouldn't contract with the Chinese factory to make a million of them on the first run though!

[Edit - I see a "hipster" already responded above me as I was typing - furthering my statement above"]

 

[_Aardvark]

Don't take this the wrong way, but just copy the Twelve South Book Book design (which you basically are already doing). It does pretty well for them and they are Apple-only so there's an opening.

Check out this article including early prototypes of these cases:
Opening the Book(Book) on Twelve South: between the covers of a Mac-exclusive accessory maker -- Engadget

 

[universem2]

Cool. I'm a hipster, so I would carry that. Definitely not that color though. Maybe a brown leather...

Lose the credit card holders, that'll make it slightly thinner and avoid contact with the screen. Thickness + function I'll never use = not buying it.

I agree with everything exwifeusesiphone said. I have a similar one for my ipad and it is awesome. My problem with yours is the color do brown, dark brown, grey, black. Also make the fonts a less flashy color like grayish silver not gold. Also lose the credit card holders, and make it as thin as possible.

 

[ylexot]

I'd love to get something like this for my wife's Nexus 7 (she uses it primarily as an e-reader).

One comment looking at the design is that it looks like the strip around the screen is simply leather? If so, that doesn't look like it would hold the phone in very well. What you might do instead is to use leather covered metal tabs that wrap around in just a couple spots similar to this tablet case:
Amazon.com: MoKo(TM) Slim-fit Cover Case with Multi-angle Stand for Google Nexus 7 Android Tablet by Asus, Black(With Automatic Sleep/Wake Function, Elastic Hand Strap, and Stylus Loop)--Lifetime Warranty: Electronics

The phone could slide in from the left so that it is secure when the cover is closed.

 

[nseriessaga]

As far as the design goes, you may have a small "cult following" or "underground" group of people that are into this type of stuff because they love being different. But in the general public eye this thing aint gonna fly.

Also, does anyone really want their credit cards/license exposed every single time they use their phone? (which is very often). Or vice-versa?

Just my opinion though.

 

[Rdjr74]

You should focus on the selling point of, "with our case you can eliminate your wallet with this all in one wallet/phone case." And work on the design. Give it a future feel, aerospace look. Rounded edges possibly some multifunctional features to it and keep it thin. I would shift your strategy.

 

[jerofld]

I have a wallet case and have since discontinued the use of it. I feel a little paranoid talking on my phone with my credit card / ID showing to the general public. It would seem like it's making it an additional bounty. Now, if you only talked through bluetooth or rarely at all, then that's a different story.

 

[SUroot]

Guys, I'm not really thinking that this is going to be some theft deterrent because the thief will look past it assuming that it is a crusty old book. If that is the case, why doesn't everyone's wallet/billfold come with a false "book" or "notepad" cover.....the thief would move right past it and the pickpocket would throw it back, right?

I also don't think it's correct to assume that only "old people" would like this. ]

Not sure why you quoted me in this. I didn't mention anything about theft or old people.

If you're referring to the use of the word "disguising" then that could be expanded to "Aesthetically disguising". Meaning I find many household electronic devices (Such as remote controls" ugly and much prefer the look of a book.

However, I cannot fit a book in my pocket - ergo it would not suit my phone

 

[cmybliss]

One group of people I think this would be a hit with is reenactors. I know many who play in renfaires and the SCA who would love a way to disguise their modern technology. No more whipping out that newfangled portrait painting device when you see the lady who should not be wearing a chainmail bikini in a chainmail bikini

Honesty, I think it's pretty cool.

 

[Ulatek]

I personally wouldn't use one since it's too large to carry around in my pocket, but I think it looks interesting enough. Good job and good luck with it

 

[tlo07]

Please make those for the Nexus 7!