Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoors
  3. News

Otterbox lets smartphone owners create their own accessories for uniVerse case

By

Otterbox uniVerse CAD
Image used with permission by copyright holder
When Otterbox first released its modular uniVerse Case System it delivered an intriguing new concept for smartphone owners. The rugged case not only provided protection for mobile devices, it also came equipped with a specially designed accessory mount that in theory could be used to greatly expand the case’s functionality. In the months that followed we’ve seen an array of add-on modules introduced for the case, including extended-life battery packs, improved camera lenses, external speakers, and much more. Now, the company has taken the concept one step further by giving uniVerse case users the ability to design their own custom accessories as well.

Recently Otterbox released the CAD files for the uniVerse Case System’s accessory mount, giving designers and tinkerers the exact specifications they need to create custom add-ons for the very first time. The company also provided a few examples of what could be made using these files by offering downloadable patterns for a phone stand, suction cup holder, money clip, and even a bottle opener. Those patterns can be 3D printed and seamlessly integrate with the uniVerse for free.

Recommended Videos

In a press release announcing the availability of the CAD files, company CEO Jim Parke said “One of the core values at OtterBox is innovation, which is why we created the uniVerse Case System.” He went on to add, “We’re inviting the community of innovators around the world to customize their mobile experience by designing their own accessories.”

To make that process even easier Otterbox has partnered with 3D Hubs, which offers a network of more than 6,500 3D printers worldwide. This partnership allows uniVerse owners to not only design new accessories, but also locate a convenient place to have them turned into an actual, physical product as well. The uniVerse CAD files integrate directly into 3D Hubs’ own API, which means they can be uploaded to the company’s website and printed at one of its physical locations within a day or two.

Otterbox will further support this new initiative by attending the World Maker Faire in Flushing, New York, on September 23-24. Attendees of that event will actually get to see how easy it is to create their own uniVerse accessories and have them printed on the spot using a LulzBot TAZ 6 3D printer from Aleph Objects. 

Find out more and download the uniVerse CAD files here.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Kraig Becker
Kraig Becker
Contributor
Kraig Becker is a freelance outdoor writer who loves to hike, camp, mountain bike, trail run, paddle, or just about any other…
Speed up your daily commute with these e-bike deals
ENGWE EP-2 Pro e-bike right side shot next to an unmowed field.

The best electric bikes have come a long way in recent years and we don't just mean in terms of the miles you travel. With technology changing quickly, there are also an increasing number of electric bike deals around and we've picked out some of the very best. Electric bikes are a great way of getting around more easily and without necessarily needing to use as much stamina as a regular bike. Below, you'll find fantastic e-bike bike deals from many different retailers. There'll be something for every need here. Let's take a look at them.
Jasion EB5 Electric Bike -- $430, was $750

With a 350w brushless motor, the Jasion EB5 Electric Bike can achieve a top speed of 20 MPH with a range of up to 25-40 miles per charge. It has four working modes with a PAS mode where the motor assists with a moderate amount of power as you pedal, along with a Pure Electric Mode, a Pedal Mode, and a Booster Mode where the bike assist on hills and anywhere else you might be struggling. 26-inch puncture-resistant tires provide excellent durability while there's a high-strength front fork suspension, Shimano 7-speed gears, dual lights, and an LCD display. The latter offers controls for adjustable backlight brightness with one of five levels, along with mode controls.

Read more
Jackery graduates from pioneer to sustainable master with latest launch
Jackery 2000 Plus used outdoors while camping

This content was produced in partnership with Jackery.
In 2012, at a critical time when sustainability efforts were ramping up everywhere, Jackery was born. The prevailing vision behind its creation was to provide accessible green energy to everyone. Years later, in 2016, Jackery launched the world's first outdoor-friendly portable power stations, and soon after, introduced the world's first portable solar panels. They would change many lives for the better but also transform an entire market that's now dedicated to green, sustainable energy solutions. Today, over 11 years later, Jackery is still going strong, and getting ready to launch one of its most advanced products to date, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus.

Ideal for outdoor applications, portability, and emergency backup usage, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus delivers some incredible features that honor Jackery's original mission -- "to make green energy accessible anytime and anywhere". More importantly, it offers safe and reliable power independence for all, thanks to a combined software and hardware defense system, which we'll explore in more detail below, and industry-leading fast-charge technology to get you working, playing, or back in the game as quickly as possible.
Learn More
 
Advanced technology for a better anywhere experience

Read more
From $500 to $210: This Segway electric scooter is $290 off for Prime Day
segway hoverboard scooter black friday deals amazon max

Gas is getting expensive. All around the world people are exploring alternative transportation methods that are cheaper, better for the environment, and more fun. One method that has exploded recently is the electric scooter. E-scooter ride share apps have descended on cities. If you've tried one out and want to get your own, Prime Day deals provide a great opportunity to snag one for cheap. Right now the Segway Ninebot Electric Kickscooter is down to just $210 from its usual price of $500. That's over 50% off! It's also the lowest price it has ever been. Before this, the cheapest it's ever been is $295. Read more about the scooter below, then check out the deal yourself before Prime Day is over.

Why you should buy the Segway Ninebot Electric Kickscooter on Prime Day
Segway is most famous for the two-wheeled balancing devices that got popular in the mid-2000s. They were seen as futuristic and a bit goofy. They never really took off, and the similar but less goofy (if more unstable) hoverboards were the devices that blew up (figuratively and literally). Today we see Segways mostly in science fiction movies and on city sightseeing tours. They were discontinued in 2020.

Read more