[Thread Closed][Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

MOD EDIT: This thread has been closed due to suspected vapourware. Only definite proof will get me to re-open it.

OK, after years of dreaming, it's going to finally become true. I'm doing last calibrations/tweakings of my self-made Linux-controlled CNC machine. Amongst first things I'm planning to craft using it, is a - as title suggest - aluminum backcover for N900 (finally, high-quality thing not related to nasty overpriced Mugenians), and even a "de-luxe" variant of full (well, almost - screen part is left intact) body replacement.

Most of backcover/body will be made of aluminum, treated with some funky acid, to make it perfectly black (that's it, no painting, that may get scratched-out!). All backcovers will contain bundled-in mounting point for camera tripods and camera lens cover (also made of metal). Of course, backcover is also going to contain solid kick-stand, probably even better than one found in older Maemo devices. Beside camera-lens-cover and leg, whole backcover is going to be monolite (including tripod mounting point). Of course, backcover is going to be big enough to hold dual battery, either dual-scud, mugen, or whatever one feel fancy to put there. External side of backcover will be effect of so-called "sanding" - making it less smooth, thus much easier to grip.

As for full body replacement, it will take much more time to make prototype, and for sure it's going to arrive later. Every outer part of body will be made of same black aluminum - only keyboard (obviously) and screen and it's frame/backside is going to be left intact, as it's already metallic. For sure, it's going to boost heat-transfer capabilities of body a lot. Body replacement will contain properly shielded cables with Hirose U.FL plugs on inside (to connect into N900's mainboard's Hirose U.FL sockets), and standard antenna mini-plugs (RP-SMA on the external side - allowing one to have easy possibility to plug in external antennas for WiFi/Bluetooth, Cellular, GPS, without need to disassemble anything (it's possible to also add external antenna plug for FM transmitter, though not through Hirose U.FL).

Both backcover and full body-replacement shouldn't weight much more than current, plastic one (negligible difference).
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Further plans include possibility of getting module allowing one to hotswap battery (under *any* load*) on the run, without any voodoo with charging, but those are plans for even further future.
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I'm not sure when exactly those will arrive - it depends on how quickly I'll manage to end satisfying (CNC-compatible) project and create fully working prototypes for my bellowed device ;) Yet, one thing is sure - they're going to arrive for 100%.

Of course, I'll make small batch of backcovers and bodies for fellow N900 users + more on demand. Big backcovers with camera-lens, tripod mounting point and kick-stand leg goodies are going to cost ~50$. Full body replacement (including back-cover) with plugs for external antennas is going to be around 150$. I know that it isn't low price, but neither creating such thing (and materials for it) is.

For sure, it's going to allow our devices get into incredible new level of usability (for people that are less oriented - external antennas + 3000 mAh dual scud sitting in custom backcover... Hell yeah!), not to mention totally awesome, unique look&feel ;)
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What I'm interested now, is how many people would be interested in buying those, considering price tag. I would like to get at least rough numbers, mainly to buy enough material for a start (yet, to not be left with much more than I need + debt in bank account ;) ). Please, share Your thoughts/ideas too.

/Estel

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

Good one Estel, just wanted to know weather the back covers you are planning to make are the over sized ones which can hold big batteries[mugen/scud] or do you also plan to make the normal sized back covers which come as default..

Since i am happy with the standard battery and do not plan to mount it on tripod i would be a better option to me to have a standard back cover made of aluminum.

One more suggestion is to correct the flaw in the current back stand which cannot be used when the keyboard is slid out, the device falls to one side, maybe a more wider back stand would make things better.

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

I was thinking about making also "flat" backcovers for single battery, yet, I though it's quite pointless to replace same elements. For sure, "big" ones are first priority, yet, in case of enough interest in flat ones, why not?

As for back-stand, as I've written, Aluminum model is going to have *much* better kick-stand, without all those flaws. Don't worry, it's going to be rock-solid even with keyboard slided out. Also, for sure the same will apply to "flat" ones, if they're going to emerge - proper kick-stand is a must ;)

/Estel

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

Won't an aluminium back cover block the aerials' reception?

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

Thanks, and to bring one more point to you notice is that from my past 2+ years of experience with N900, I have seen it warm up quite a lot on heavy usage, and aluminum being a better conductor of heat, we would feel it more than that of having a plastic cover..So some sort of insulation from inside would also be necessary.

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

nice job EsTeL ;)

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

I will certainly buy the "flat" version.
: )

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

Flat (back cover) for me. :)

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

@retsaw
Nope, if done properly - see Phones with full metal body. In fact, it can boost reception (even without using external antenna). I've already took this into account while making project :) Nevertheless, good point, worth to mention.

@bipinbn
Nope, it's wrong assumption. It heats up, because heat is accumulated (due to plastic body). With Aluminum body,l heat would be dissipated more rapidly, which would make it both more pleasant to touch and - what's actually much more important - more healthy for N900 electronics and battery (due to lower operating temperature).

/Estel

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

wow.. you can even create base to fit zoom lens to N900 :)

pls do create four 1mm dots on the back cover that will prevent the back from getting scratched.. :)

all the best
GODbless

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

I like the sound of this and all the best in achieving, I would like to suggest to give a grip on the phone, i.e. few positions suggestions
1) Next to Infra-Red Port for holding the phone for camera or to hold the phone with single hand, well I am righty usually I hold phone with right hand.
2) at the bothom of the phone, for supporting the adove hold
3) on the backlid,
3.a) it would look stylist
3.b) helps in opening the slide with less effort.
So, what do you think?

BTW its high time I changed something with N900, it will be a great feeling holding a N900 in a metal body.

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

i would be interested in a standard cover (thus with the normal battery) primarily for the better thermal behavior.
depending on its esthetic and ergonomic, i may also be interested in a back cover for additional battery.

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

sounds amazing. Would be interested in fullbody w/dual battery back, and a single flat back cover (gotta get something for BOTH of my n900s, right?)

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

Awesome! more cool accesories for my beloved N900!

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...hed/shutup.jpg

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

Its good you've already considered this. I might be interested, but I haven't used my dual-scud for a while, so I'm not sure, and I'd like to see what the finished product would look like before deciding.

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

I'll buy two sets, for my two N900s. I sure hope you can do this! Nothing would make me happier (which is really quite sad...).

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

Estel, I imagine you have the N810's kickstand as your example on how you want to make the N900's.

or not?

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

could these be shiped to the uk

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

Holy ****, this is awesome. Real augs for the N900.
Loving the idea of larger antennas, built-in cage for second battery/extra devices and the kick stand.

P.S., if the kick stand will work like the older Maemo devices (size of the entire back), I'm so pumped to get this.

Upgradable phones, gogogo!

I'd like to get a double-sized cover with body replacement. Who knows how much kit you can jam in there?

EDIT:

Estel, can we get some pictures/mockups when you decide on the final design?

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

I'm afraid I'm not so good @ optics ;) BTW, due to way camera module is created, any zoom lens I'm aware off *must* limit view area (silly "black vignette" effect on photo), so effect wouldn't be probably better than using cheap Chinese magnetic lenses.

Of course, if some optics guru would prove that wrong and already prepare project with dimensions for proper optic, it would be awesome. Still, I doubt it's going to happen - hate to say that, but using compact camera with optical zoom is probably *much* less hassle.

To be honest, I have no idea what You're talking about. Anyway, backcover will be "sanded", so it should be both more pleasant to hold, and less prone to scratches.

I'm not sure if understand exactly what do You mean. Could you mock up some pictures?

i don't have it, but I know how it works and why it's superior. I'll try to make custom kickstand, that will be ever better. Can't promise anything yet, but I'm thinking about few ideas of implementing customizable "hold still" angle (allowing one to put N900 @ any angle, from almost flat, to almost 90 degrees). If it turns out too complicated/hassle, I'll revert back to pure meaning of *kick* stand.

I'll gladly ship these to anywhere in the world - You're paying shipping costs anyway ;) so it's no problem for me.

@Everyone else

Thank You all for Your support. I'll order big piece of good quality aluminum, just after showing this thread to my family - maybe this way, they won't scrap me for "wasting money" :p

To be honest, I also can't wait to have such "elite" body for N900. Easy plugs for external antennas bring me chills - in fact, I'm already thinking about some portable, "transformers-like" (small to transport, big when You decide to use them) fractal antennas (to cover different frequencies, depending on needs - that is, different frequencies based on how You "assembly" antenna for use, fully convertible due to fractal nature). Of course it's only in my head now, so don't expect such things to arrive soon, and/or I have no idea if it would work as projected in 4nec ;)

/Estel

// Edit

It will be either covering whole back, or made of few parts placed in "strategic areas" - I haven't decided yet on final design for details (projecting main brick of body now), but you can rest assured that I'll only choose result, that prove best on real usage ;) We need a *real* kickstand for using device, not only decorative one, for placing it and watching movies without touching :)

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

Ken couldn't have said it better. I have also had sad moments dreaming of an n900 in the body of an e7. Do you remember all the images of the n9 that turned out to be the e7? Gutted I was.

I'll take the full body and a standard back if I may. I don't doubt for a second that you will sell hundreds if not thousands.

This is in keeping with the community spirit. It has long since been a nokia product and has become a maemo community product and anything that can make it better than nokia could've ever imagined is alright in my book.

Bring it on!

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

Flat back cover for me and may have the full body cover when it's near to release thank you.

Any rendered sample images of what the final product mite look like?

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

+1 for a stronger kickstand :)

I too would prefer a wider stand like the n810 or at least center mounted to created a three point stand. The n900 is a little too wobly for screen input IMO.

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

embed/engrave maemo logo like the one on otterbox.

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

Whatever, I would buy the $150 version.

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

I would love and probably buy both versions.
And in addition to antenna connectors etc. it ,would be really awesome if you found a way to incorporate a full size usb port into the cover.

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

I'd be interested in either the extended battery back cover or the flat cover....

Thanks!

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

I think almost everybody is interested :), i would like a Dual cover also.

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

I'm in!

About the kickstand: I know it's ALMOST useless on the N900, but let me offer a suggestion. Using the phone for two years I've gotten used to using the kickstand as a "phone finger holder". For example, I put my left (I'm a rightie) index finger through the open kickstand, which allows me to hold the phone with only one finger, even if I move my hands around (try it, it's very secure - no warranty if it falls off :-). This comes in very handy when I'm using the N900 but need my hands (mostly my right hand) free for a few moments (getting off the bus, etc). Just something to consider...

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

You forgot the most precious feature. 2.5 mm charging port so that we can charge without straining the USB.

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

Any photos of prototypes or about the machine?
Interesting.

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

Im in! also with both flat and fat covers.

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

i would give you my firstborn child for this.

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

as my battery thread shows that is an easy DIY, but would be nice to have it buildt in the new cover/case.

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

Maemo.org home of genious people with brilliant ideas and skills.

Im also interested in full body cover.

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

The Futurama picture above sums up my feelings as well: Shut up and take my money!

I would buy both the full body and both sizes of back covers in a heartbeat. And if they turn out as awesome as it sounds I would even consider getting another complete kit for my new still-in-the-box N900 that I have tucked away as a backup should this one ever fail (knock on wood).

Also, if you need "start-up capital" before going ahead, I wouldn't even mind paying in advance. You are a TMO user I trust 100%, Estel.

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

+1

ten chars

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

"i would like solarpanel on the slim back cover"... :)

jk.. ;)

does your machine use 3d model(STL) to create objects.. ?

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

im in for the flat cover too i hope it would come with a better kickstand or adjustable kickstand where you can change the angle...

what im really hoping if you could replace the whole housing of n900 (i dont care about the weight anyways with a matching aluminum stylus :P)

Re: [Pre-Pre-Pre Announce]Black Aluminium replacement body & backcover for N900
 

don't forget the little magnet that's on the inside of the original stand
it doesn't only hold the stand in position when it's not used, it also signals that the cover is on & the mSD can be mounted.