Don't worry, even if you wouldn't manage to notice it on your own, I planned to ping you about progress, after posting photos with kickstand and camera cover. No way you could miss it, i know first hand how much you're interested about the project

?! Either you're wrong on this one, or I used some really poorly phrased sentence. No, it was never considered, not to mention that I'm unsure how such thing would be even possible (unless done on purpose, via some hardware switch to antenna, as artificially introduced limitation). I was afraid that it might be impossible to get all radios on acceptable (=no worse, possibly better) performance, while using whole aluminum body, and that emergency measure, in case everything else fails, could be to use some really good quality (probably exotic) wood.

Anyway, fear not, I would never allow myself to introduce such thing, the purpose of repl. body project is to increase N900/Neo900 potential, not hinder it in any way (except for weight, for sure it will weight a little more with alu body)

Now, I don't think how to even comment on that you're single biggest donor up to date, and without your early support for the project, it would take <insert sadly high number here> more time to get into this state. Of course, I appreciate all donations and support - only combined effort of community supporters made this possible, period. But unless you win on some high-pool lottery, you're officially banned from donating more :d

Seriously though, again, huge thanks. I'll make sure to not disappoint.

/Estel

Estel, if there is a possibility of going all Vertu with a metal case is there any possibility of also changing the glass inside the digitizer for Sapphire. I have a watch with a sapphire crystal and it just doesn't break, watch wacked repeatedly against a cast iron stove, nothing, not even a mark. Unfortunately the scratch resistance would be below the surface.
Al or Ti case, Al2O3 screen, and a Neo900 board would be the most insane phone ever considered.
If the plan is to mill would graphite/epoxy be possible for RF?
Also if graphite is possible a slight depression could be added for inductive charging inside the door.

btw, is there a difference in effort required to cut the flat vs curved back cover? if so, does it affect the price? i personally prefer the curved one. kudos estel! u r one dedicated guy.

For all intents and purposes, changing anything inside digitizer isn't possible. BTW, I'm not even touching screen module.

Elaborate more, please? You mean swaping alu for epoxy? That wouldn't look very good...

It rather affect sturdiness of kickstand - I'll explain it in detail after presenting some photos, as mentioned.

/Estel

Estel, show us that creation of yours, please, pretty please!

Now worries, I still plan to show sme photos with kickstand in action, this week (although, think about weekend, than tomorrow ). Still tweaking mechanism.

/Estel

Would you be willing to sell some that look like the one posted earlier. I like the look of the cnc cut marks. It gives it an industrial look that appeals to me. Between this and the Neo900 project I could be a happy camper for a long time.

Sure, just remember that anodizing prevent oxidization for long term. without it, after some time of usage (especially considering "wet" environment of palms, skin oils, etc) alu would got oxidized.

Not that it's catastrophic - it's not rust, after all, oxidized alu is quite strong and look interesting. Although, it wouldn't be oxidized uniformly, so with time it could get more Fallout-like look with different colors at different parts. So, deciding on lack of anodizing for your personal copy should be done with full picture in mind (not that Fallout-like look must be a bad thing ).

/Estel

Thanks Estel. That sounds just about perfect. I like the Fallout look. I use the it for hacking and pentesting so it is a tool that does not have to be pretty. I don't care for the polished and perfect kind of stuff. Looking forward to seeing the rest of your work on this as well.

Awesome! Just Awesome!
Great News Estel

It seems, that the long pre-order-waiting is more than it worth.

I would personally prefer the flat one, like in the photo.