iPhone case allows users to run Android on second screen
15 Mar 2017
Esti Inc's Eye is a smart case for the iPhone, which aims to combine Android and iOS into a single device, by hooking an entire Android device to the back of an iPhone.
Though The Eye shares the iPhone's speaker, microphone, and cameras, it is basically a fully-functional standalone smartphone, featuring a 5-inch full HD (1080x1920) AMOLED ''always on'' display, dual 4G SIM slots, microSD slot supporting a 256GB card, 3.5mm headphone jack, as well as infrared, NFC, and wireless charging capability.
However, it may be noted that the stock Android running on the case does not actually run on iOS, but is an additional system on the back panel.
Esti Inc, had to yet reveal the computational specs the Eye was running, though in view of the price tag of $189, it was not likely to be a powerful one.
The campaign had surpassed its Kickstarter goal of $95,000, at $107,549, and a month to go. According to commentators, though as the company was a new one having no previous record of any products shipped, investment entailed a certain element of risk.
According to commentators, though the idea made an otherwise slim device seem bulky and unwieldy, there may be a niche for the device with power users looking to more easily carry around a more versatile device.
There were two variants to the iPhone case, one that came with cellular connectivity, X1 Eye, and another that did not - X1 Eye. Even though the case was eventually expected to retail at $189 (around Rs 12,400), early backers of the campaign could get it for just $95(roughly Rs 6,250). The X1 Eye 4G could be backed with $129 (roughly Rs 8,500).
The Esti Eye case does not come with its own microphone and speakers and therefore has to rely on the iPhone for these hardware components. Also, it mirrored the display of the camera app on its screen to help users click pictures.