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I found my old Nomad to be a bit on the bulky side too. I had the blue Decoded on my iphone 12 and it was a good case. The leather developed a nice glossy patina. Hopefully they are still using the same type of leather.

Wonder whats taking Luckycoin so long with their 16 series. I love my LC on teh 15. Best case I've had in a long time.
Would love a progress pic at some point!
 
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Just to be clear all - this patent talk around the control button is nonsense. For the sake of misinformation going around, Apple have shared how to integrate the camera control in their official design guideline documentation! A lot of these case brands are misunderstanding the patent that Apple has actually got. Apple licenses technology via its MFi programme and this does not feature there at all. Or case manufacturers are conveniently using this misinformation as an excuse to not create a case with the camera control button... I'll let you decide.
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Edited to add: the reason I know this is I'm currently working on my own case brand which will launch next year and I'm integrating the button into my cases.
I read the official documentation for third-party Apple accessory manufacturers. The documentation includes 2D CAD sketches and DWGs that provide tolerances and dimensions. It also had information about the Apple Watch diagnostic port and band lugs, as well as MagSafe. This information is very helpful to manufacturers who want to create accessories that are compatible with Apple products.
 
I will do! I’m expecting a reply tomorrow (UK time). I think Sandmarc (and now BS) has gotten scared because of this patent: https://wikipatents.org/index.php/A...PUT_FOR_ELECTRONIC_DEVICE_simplified_abstract

Official documentation from USPTO here:

Let’s say this patent is applicable to the case button (it most likely is) my understanding is that Apple is not enforcing it as such. It feels like it’s more in defence against Samsung and other phone manufacturers to stop them creating similar systems for THEIR phones rather than third party case manufacturers for iPhones.

You can tell I’ve done some research! Anyway I’ll have an answer soon enough.
Small update: I’ve had a response from the MFi team who have said to refer to the ‘Who does not need to join’ section on the MFi FAQ page. (See attached), which says this:
  • Developers and manufacturers of non-electronic accessories, including non-MagSafe cases and Apple Watch bands. Get guidelines and resources for designing accessories that do not incorporate MFi licensed technologies.

I pressed them and they said the same thing. So I’ve written back again to say this isn’t helpful and that I need to know in no uncertain terms whether I can integrate the button without licensing from Apple. I’ll let you know what they come back with.
 

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Small update: I’ve had a response from the MFi team who have said to refer to the ‘Who does not need to join’ section on the MFi FAQ page. (See attached), which says this:
  • Developers and manufacturers of non-electronic accessories, including non-MagSafe cases and Apple Watch bands. Get guidelines and resources for designing accessories that do not incorporate MFi licensed technologies.

I pressed them and they said the same thing. So I’ve written back again to say this isn’t helpful and that I need to know in no uncertain terms whether I can integrate the button without licensing from Apple. I’ll let you know what they come back with.
Interesting. It seems they would simply say, "It does not," if it clearly doesn’t. I wonder if this is the response Sandmarc received, and if they got scared about having to pay Apple.

Thank you by the way for looking into this for us.
 
Hey everyone! I’m curious to see how the black edition leather case from Bullstrap holds up after a few months of use. If anyone has photos, please share them!
 
Interesting. It seems they would simply say, "It does not," if it clearly doesn’t. I wonder if this is the response Sandmarc received, and if they got scared about having to pay Apple.

Thank you by the way for looking into this for us.
I’ve had further information, see attached. The button is not an ‘active electronic’ component. To be active it would have to require a power source and amplify signals.

In this design, the button is a passive component. It acts as an interface to relay touch actions to the capacitive sensors on the phone without any active signal processing or modification.

So I’m 100% confident that I’m right now and that Sandmarc and other manufacturers are wrong.
 

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Nice. Thanks for the info, did they give any indication as to when?
I didn’t re-ask the question but the last time they told me it was end of December. I just figured I’d re-ask the question since there was a lot of confusion around cases not actually getting the button because of licensing issues etc. which now have gone to rest…
 
I’ve had further information, see attached. The button is not an ‘active electronic’ component. To be active it would have to require a power source and amplify signals.

In this design, the button is a passive component. It acts as an interface to relay touch actions to the capacitive sensors on the phone without any active signal processing or modification.

So I’m 100% confident that I’m right now and that Sandmarc and other manufacturers are wrong.
Really doing the deep dive into this. Love the info.
 
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Just got an email that my Nomad traditional case for the 16 Pro Max shipped in horween leather.

Truthfully the whole button situation doesn’t bother me at all. It’s a button I seldom use so I don’t really care what style of cutout or not is present. All options have their pros and cons.
 
Just got an email that my Nomad traditional case for the 16 Pro Max shipped in horween leather.

Truthfully the whole button situation doesn’t bother me at all. It’s a button I seldom use so I don’t really care what style of cutout or not is present. All options have their pros and cons.
Traditional cases aren't Horween JFYI... ;) They're standard vegetable tanned full grain leather the same as their regular leather cases (non-horween).

edit - The 16 version I've just seen does come in Horween as an option.
 
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Traditional cases aren't Horween JFYI... ;) They're standard vegetable tanned full grain leather the same as their regular leather cases (non-horween).
There are both versions for the Traditional, I got the Horween version for my 16 Pro as well, received it a few days ago.
 
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Hi all, Iam a bit curious.
I almost never see any case brands like Vaija and Piel Frama here on this forum. While this is quite an expensive/exclusive brand (or they pretend to be).
From personal experience, from the time of the PDA you had a small number of producers of cases that made good quality products. I can remember brands like Pdair and Piel Frama who made really good leather cases. But on this forum I never come across these brands, anyone an idea why this is? and why Vaija, that has really good looks. Never come by here?
 
Hi all, Iam a bit curious.
I almost never see any case brands like Vaija and Piel Frama here on this forum. While this is quite an expensive/exclusive brand (or they pretend to be).
From personal experience, from the time of the PDA you had a small number of producers of cases that made good quality products. I can remember brands like Pdair and Piel Frama who made really good leather cases. But on this forum I never come across these brands, anyone an idea why this is? and why Vaija, that has really good looks. Never come by here?
My wife ended up getting the leather Vaja folio case again this year. This is her third Vaja folio cases in a row. She usually keeps her iPhones for two years. Tried some other leather folio cases, but not come close to Vaja. Super high quality leather and extremely well made.
 
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My wife ended up getting the leather Vaja folio case again this year. This is her third Vaja folio cases in a row. She usually keeps her iPhones for two years. Tried some other leather folio cases, but not come close to Vaja. Super high quality leather and extremely well made.
Seem to have cut-outs for every button though?
 
Hi all, Iam a bit curious.
I almost never see any case brands like Vaija and Piel Frama here on this forum. While this is quite an expensive/exclusive brand (or they pretend to be).
From personal experience, from the time of the PDA you had a small number of producers of cases that made good quality products. I can remember brands like Pdair and Piel Frama who made really good leather cases. But on this forum I never come across these brands, anyone an idea why this is? and why Vaija, that has really good looks. Never come by here?
I think Vaja has a very distinct unique style but it’s not necessarily a mainstream style. This results in a few customers that really love it but it doesn’t have a broad appeal.
 
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