CES 2013: Canopy Sensus Case Adds Touch Controls to the iPhone's Back

MacRumors · Jan 7, 2013, 04:03 PM

Canopy's Sensus iPhone case (via Engadget) is touch-enabled, with 10 different touch input points across the back and the right side of the case. The touch input allows for users to interact with apps without blocking the screen with a finger, a useful function for iOS gaming. It is similar in design to the rear trackpad of Sony's PlayStation Vita.

The Sensus, which resembles a slightly thicker than average iPhone case, has integrated apps that are designed for the visually impaired, along with Braille entry on its touch panels. The company is working on additional apps and has released a software development kit for developers.

It is constructed from durable polycarbonate with rubber corners to protect the iPhone from bumps and falls. It comes equipped with a built-in processor that monitors touch input, and it is powered through the charging port of the iPhone.

At this point in time there is only a version for the iPhone 4/4S on display at CES, but the company is working on a version for Apple's iPhone 5.

Canopy's Sensus case will be available during the Summer of 2013, at a cost between $59 and $99.

Article Link: CES 2013: Canopy Sensus Case Adds Touch Controls to the iPhone's Back

appleguy123 · Jan 7, 2013, 04:13 PM

I might bite if they could get it to work for scrolling, even if it requires a jailbreak.

ECUpirate44 · Jan 7, 2013, 04:17 PM

Wait, summer of 13 and they demoed it on a 4S?

centauratlas · Jan 7, 2013, 04:18 PM

This is pretty cool. Summer 2013 though? Hopefully it will be a better prediction than many of the Thunderbolt docks. ;-)

dannyp1996 · Jan 7, 2013, 04:22 PM

Immediately made me think of the Vita. Don't know why! :P

Seriously, I like the look of this a lot.

mrgraff · Jan 7, 2013, 04:25 PM

Shame that it only works with a limited number of apps. If the case worked with anything and was basically a mirror of the front touch screen, I would buy that in a heartbeat.

ArtOfWarfare · Jan 7, 2013, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrgraff

Shame that it only works with a limited number of apps. If the case worked with anything and was basically a mirror of the front touch screen, I would buy that in a heartbeat.

I agree.

Alas, there's a vicious cycle that's likely to occur wiith this accessory that has occurred with many others:
They won't sell very well because there won't be many apps and there won't be many apps because it won't sell very well.

wordup60 · Jan 7, 2013, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Canopy's Sensus case will be available during the Summer of 2013

So, now?

/Australia

Kissaragi · Jan 7, 2013, 04:45 PM

I still cant really get used to the vita back touch pad, just seems so strange after years of iphones.

iGrip · Jan 7, 2013, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacRumors

Image

Canopy's Sensus iPhone case (via Engadget) is touch-enabled, with 10 different touch input points across the back and the right side of the case.

Ugh. That sounds complicated. It is contrary to Apple's entire design ethos.

DipDog3 · Jan 7, 2013, 05:18 PM

I can see how this would be useful for some FPS games, but not for lots of others like Angry birds.

raybo · Jan 7, 2013, 06:03 PM

I can't believe how poorly this video was shot!!

matteusclement · Jan 7, 2013, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raybo

I can't believe how poorly this video was shot!!

agreed.

tremlock · Jan 7, 2013, 08:50 PM

Released just in time to be outdated. Awesome

latnlytes84 · Jan 7, 2013, 09:04 PM

Wouldn't mind getting my hands on this (pun intended)

jtp098 · Jan 7, 2013, 10:09 PM

Cheapos for not licensing the 30 pin or the lighting port...... micro usb really. Yes every other phone uses them but a household that is all iphones would not have many laying around.. yet another cable to buy

Buschmaster · Jan 8, 2013, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtp098

Cheapos for not licensing the 30 pin or the lighting port...... micro usb really. Yes every other phone uses them but a household that is all iphones would not have many laying around.. yet another cable to buy

It comes with one, I believe. Their previous cases did.

I've worked with this company before. They're based in Minneapolis, not far from my company. Their SDK is fairly non-complicated so hopefully lots of developers can take advantage of this.

Dominicanyor · Jan 8, 2013, 03:12 AM

That is cool!!

macs4nw · Jan 8, 2013, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ECUpirate44

Wait, summer of 13 and they demoed it on a 4S?

Really! Makes you wonder how long they worked on it. They've got 6 mos to adapt it to the iPhone5.

Xenc · Jan 8, 2013, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iGrip

Ugh. That sounds complicated. It is contrary to Apple's entire design ethos.

The concept of touch based input shouldn't be complicated to an iPhone user. Having a sensor on the back is a cool idea and worked well for Sony with the Vita.

iGrip · Jan 8, 2013, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtp098

Cheapos for not licensing the 30 pin or the lighting port...... micro usb really. Yes every other phone uses them but a household that is all iphones would not have many laying around.. yet another cable to buy

How many families are all-iPhone?

Out of smartphones, iPhones don't even have a 20% share. Out of all phones, the percentage is MUCH lower. That means that pretty much everybody does NOT use an iPhone.

Which means, in turn, that families without a mini-USB phone charger (or 3) handy are strange folks indeed.

Jan 7, 2013, 04:03 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	CES 2013: Canopy Sensus Case Adds Touch Controls to the iPhone's Back Canopy's Sensus iPhone case (via Engadget) is touch-enabled, with 10 different touch input points across the back and the right side of the case. The touch input allows for users to interact with apps without blocking the screen with a finger, a useful function for iOS gaming. It is similar in design to the rear trackpad of Sony's PlayStation Vita. The Sensus, which resembles a slightly thicker than average iPhone case, has integrated apps that are designed for the visually impaired, along with Braille entry on its touch panels. The company is working on additional apps and has released a software development kit for developers. It is constructed from durable polycarbonate with rubber corners to protect the iPhone from bumps and falls. It comes equipped with a built-in processor that monitors touch input, and it is powered through the charging port of the iPhone. At this point in time there is only a version for the iPhone 4/4S on display at CES, but the company is working on a version for Apple's iPhone 5. Canopy's Sensus case will be available during the Summer of 2013, at a cost between $59 and $99. Article Link: CES 2013: Canopy Sensus Case Adds Touch Controls to the iPhone's Back
	0

Jan 7, 2013, 04:13 PM	#2
appleguy123 macrumors 603 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: 15 minutes in the future	I might bite if they could get it to work for scrolling, even if it requires a jailbreak. __________________ [Steve Jobs was] brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it. -Barack Obama
	0

Jan 7, 2013, 04:22 PM	#5
dannyp1996 macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Worksop, United Kingdom	Immediately made me think of the Vita. Don't know why! :P Seriously, I like the look of this a lot. __________________ 2010 13" MacBook Pro, 256GB Crucial M4, 8GB RAM; Custom Gaming Rig, AMD A8-3870K, AMD HD 6850, 8GB Corsair XMS3, Noctua NH-D14, Corsair 500r; iPad 2 32GB (Wi-Fi only), iPhone 5 16GB Black, Apple TV 3
	0

Jan 7, 2013, 06:03 PM	#12
raybo macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sarasota, FL	Worst Videography Ever I can't believe how poorly this video was shot!! __________________ 21.5" iMac Core i3 3.2 (wow!); 21.5" iMac Core 2 Duo 3.06; 160 GB Black iPod; iPod Touch 64 GB; 2011 Macbook Pro 13" i5; iPhone 5 64 black
	1

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Jan 7, 2013, 04:17 PM	#3
ECUpirate44 Banned Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NC	Wait, summer of 13 and they demoed it on a 4S?
	5

Jan 7, 2013, 04:18 PM	#4
centauratlas macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Florida	This is pretty cool. Summer 2013 though? Hopefully it will be a better prediction than many of the Thunderbolt docks. ;-)
	0

Jan 7, 2013, 04:25 PM	#6
mrgraff macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Albuquerque	Shame that it only works with a limited number of apps. If the case worked with anything and was basically a mirror of the front touch screen, I would buy that in a heartbeat.
	0

Jan 7, 2013, 04:45 PM	#9
Kissaragi macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2006	I still cant really get used to the vita back touch pad, just seems so strange after years of iphones.
	1

Jan 7, 2013, 05:18 PM	#11
DipDog3 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2002	I can see how this would be useful for some FPS games, but not for lots of others like Angry birds.
	0

Jan 7, 2013, 08:50 PM	#14
tremlock macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coral Springs, FL	Released just in time to be outdated. Awesome
	0

Jan 7, 2013, 09:04 PM	#15
latnlytes84 macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2008	Wouldn't mind getting my hands on this (pun intended)
	1

Jan 7, 2013, 10:09 PM	#16
jtp098 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Purchase	Cheapos for not licensing the 30 pin or the lighting port...... micro usb really. Yes every other phone uses them but a household that is all iphones would not have many laying around.. yet another cable to buy
	0

Jan 8, 2013, 03:12 AM	#18
Dominicanyor macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2012	That is cool!!
	0


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