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Hardware wishes warning! This article or section documents a Hardware Wish List item, the features described here may or may not be implemented in future devices. |
This is the current back, showing where the battery plugs in (central) where the SIM plugs in (middle, lower) and the microSD socket, which is under the SIM socket.
The USB socket is approximately a centimetre to the right of the edge of the void the battery fits in.
The standard back fits snugly to the phone, meaning there is no spare space.
An altered back, that is 5mm or so deeper offers many possibilities, without modifying the core phone at all, and offering users more choices.
This adds many possibilities. Add a small 3.6-5V converter, and if it's possible to switch on the voltage status of the D0/D1 lines, to turn these off, and add a USB 1.1 hub chip, this makes for a very, very hackable back.
Add AA or AAA battery holders, to run or charge from.
With a slightly thicker back, and much more complex mechanics, a slide-out keyboard - for use in landscape mode - would be possible. A larger fold-out keyboard similar to the device in the previous link could also be possible. The keyboard could be stored in the back of the case and unfolded/swiveled/rotated, placing the phone in the preferred orientation. The keyboard does not have to be powered separately since its physically attached and could be a very "low tech" device but add functionality while attached. Possibly include an integrated mini trackball or other selection device to allow control of on screen selection without using a stylus.
A camera would also be an interesting option.
The advantage of the first class of devices is that they requires no engineering on the behalf of FIC, everything is external, and yet the case can be easily swapped by users.
The second type, with USB requires another socket on the board, and some plastics changes, or a much more involved install suitable only for a very few users.
There are many possible special or general purpose backs possible.
Some basic ideas:
On slightly deeper modifications, one or two GPIO pins brought out to a connector would be ideal. Perhaps a connector next to the USB port, with connections for all the USB pins, 2 GPIO, battery VCC. I2C would be a great addition, perhaps instead of the GPIO pins.
This would be a one-time plug in to the connector by the user. The cable would then be taped or glued onto the case, to provide strain relief in case the user opens the case without care.