Modular makeover: Otterbox's Universe case is coming to the iPad

By Christian de Looper January 5, 2017

Otterbox Universe Case — Philip Chung/Digital Trends

Otterbox is expanding its Universe line a little. The company has announced that it will now be selling versions of its Universe cases for both the iPad Air 2 and the 9.7-inch iPad Pro.

The Universe case is interesting for a number of reasons, but the main one is that it uses a modular design, making it much easier to put on and take off of your device. The case is already available for the iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus.

“The niverse Case System, a CES 2017 Innovation Award honoree, combines trusted OtterBox protection with a modular platform to expand iPhone and iPad features,” said OtterBox in an emailed statement. “On iPad, the Universe case boasts even more connection points, including two slotted rails that connect to a variety of modules, a new center connection point for mounting accessories, and a removable spine where keyboards can be easily attached.”

So why would you want to buy the case? Well, its modular design allows you to quickly and easily attach other accessories to the phone — in fact, a number of those accessories have been announced for the iPad Air 2 and the iPad Pro. For example, the First Healthcare Magnetic Positioning Arm helps you mount the tablet for use hands-free, while the Brydge 9.7 keyboard is a physical keyboard you can attach to your iPad to make typing on the device easier.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’re looking for a full list of the accessories you can connect to the OtterBox Universe case system, check out OtterBox’s Case System page.

There’s no word yet on pricing for the cases, but we’ll likely hear more about that in coming weeks.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Christian de Looper

Contributor

Christian’s interest in technology began as a child in Australia, when he stumbled upon a computer at a garage sale that he…

Computing

Could the Vision Pro replace your iPad? There’s just one problem

The front visor of the Vision Pro on display at an Apple Store.

In the time since it launched in early February, we’ve heard a lot about how Apple’s Vision Pro could replace some of the company’s other devices, especially the iPad. Now, prominent leaker Mark Gurman has joined the fray and lent weight to the idea of the headset becoming a tablet killer. But while that seems plausible, there’s one major problem with it.

Specifically, it’s the price. Because while Gurman’s Power On newsletter makes some good points about the Vision Pro’s strengths, it can’t get around the unavoidable obstacle that is the device’s $3,500 asking price. If the Vision Pro really is going to replace the iPad, a lot has to change first, especially given how wide of a range of prices the iPad line hits.
The iPad killer?

Mobile

Apple’s new iPad Pro may not be as expensive as we feared

Two iPad Pro tablets next to each other against a black background. Both have Apple's Magic Keyboard case.

Apple didn’t release a new iPad last year, which means 2024 should be a banner year for the popular tablets. And now there's been word that the upcoming iPad Pro lineup, likely to include OLED for the first time, might not cost as much as we once feared.

According to a new report from DigiTimes, the upcoming iPad Pro models won’t see a dramatic price hike, as was suggested in December. Previously, it was reported that the 2024 11-inch iPad Pro would cost at least $1,500, while the next 12.9-inch model (which will have a larger 13-inch display) would start at $1,800. The current models start at $799 and $1,099, respectively.

Computing

MacBooks could soon fall behind the iPad Pro in this important way

The iPad Pro (2022) sitting in the Magic Keyboard.

The dynamic balance between the Mac and the iPad may be about to shift again. Both the MacBook Air and iPad Pro will reportedly get updated this spring, boosting performance with the inclusion of the new M3 chip.

But a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman indicates that a new "landscape Face ID camera" may be in the works for the iPad Pro, potentially taking away one of the main advantages that MacBooks have over iPads. With so much of work happening in video calls, the iPad Pro might become a far better laptop replacement in this new generation.
The dream experience