Canopy's Sensus iPhone case (via Engadget) is touch-enabled, with 10 different touch input points across the back and the right side of the case. The touch input allows for users to interact with apps without blocking the screen with a finger, a useful function for iOS gaming. It is similar in design to the rear trackpad of Sony's PlayStation Vita.

sensuscase

The Sensus, which resembles a slightly thicker than average iPhone case, has integrated apps that are designed for the visually impaired, along with Braille entry on its touch panels. The company is working on additional apps and has released a software development kit for developers.

It is constructed from durable polycarbonate with rubber corners to protect the iPhone from bumps and falls. It comes equipped with a built-in processor that monitors touch input, and it is powered through the charging port of the iPhone.


At this point in time there is only a version for the iPhone 4/4S on display at CES, but the company is working on a version for Apple's iPhone 5.

Canopy's Sensus case will be available during the Summer of 2013, at a cost between $59 and $99.

Top Rated Comments

ECUpirate44 Avatar
159 months ago
Wait, summer of 13 and they demoed it on a 4S?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wordup60 Avatar
159 months ago
Canopy's Sensus case will be available during the Summer of 2013

So, now?

/Australia
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ArtOfWarfare Avatar
159 months ago
Shame that it only works with a limited number of apps. If the case worked with anything and was basically a mirror of the front touch screen, I would buy that in a heartbeat.

I agree.

Alas, there's a vicious cycle that's likely to occur wiith this accessory that has occurred with many others:
They won't sell very well because there won't be many apps and there won't be many apps because it won't sell very well.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Xenc Avatar
158 months ago
Ugh. That sounds complicated. It is contrary to Apple's entire design ethos.

The concept of touch based input shouldn't be complicated to an iPhone user. Having a sensor on the back is a cool idea and worked well for Sony with the Vita.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Buschmaster Avatar
158 months ago
Cheapos for not licensing the 30 pin or the lighting port...... micro usb really. Yes every other phone uses them but a household that is all iphones would not have many laying around.. yet another cable to buy
It comes with one, I believe. Their previous cases did.

I've worked with this company before. They're based in Minneapolis, not far from my company. Their SDK is fairly non-complicated so hopefully lots of developers can take advantage of this.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
latnlytes84 Avatar
159 months ago
Wouldn't mind getting my hands on this (pun intended)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

cook trump

Trump Responds to Apple Keeping Diversity Policies

Wednesday February 26, 2025 6:32 am PST by
In an all-caps post on Truth Social today, U.S. President Donald Trump said Apple should fully end its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. Tim Cook meeting with President Trump in 2017 "APPLE SHOULD GET RID OF DEI RULES, NOT JUST MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THEM," he wrote. Trump's post comes one day after Apple held its annual shareholders meeting, during which a majority of...
iOS 18

Apple Says iOS 18.4 Will Be Released in April With These New Features

Wednesday February 26, 2025 7:15 am PST by
In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 18.4 will be released in April. From the Apple News+ Food announcement:Coming with iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 in April, Apple News+ subscribers will have access to Apple News+ Food, a new section that will feature tens of thousands of recipes — as well as stories about restaurants, healthy eating, kitchen essentials, and more — from the...
apple watch ultra snow

6 Features Coming to the Apple Watch Ultra 3

Tuesday February 25, 2025 9:00 am PST by
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is expected to launch later this year, arriving two years after the previous model with a series of improvements. While no noticeable design changes are expected for the third generation since the company tends to stick with the same Apple Watch design through three generations before changing it, there are a series of internal upgrades on the way. By the time the ...
iPhone Fold Vertical Feature

Apple's 2026 Foldable iPhone Has No Visible Display Crease – Report

Tuesday February 25, 2025 2:58 am PST by
Apple is making significant headway on its long-rumored foldable iPhone, with a new report suggesting the company has achieved a major breakthrough by effectively eliminating the screen crease that plagues current foldable devices. According to Korean publication ETNews, Apple is finalizing its component suppliers for the foldable iPhone, with the selection process expected to be completed...
trump iphone dictation issue

Apple Fixing 'Trump' Dictation Processing Bug

Tuesday February 25, 2025 1:18 pm PST by
Multiple iPhone owners today noticed a pronunciation processing issue that causes the word "Trump" to momentarily show up when using dictation to send a message with the word "racist." In some cases, when speaking the word racist through the iPhone's built-in dictation feature, the iPhone briefly interprets the spoken word as "Trump" and "Trump" text shows up in the Messages app before being ...
airpods pro purple

Here's When AirPods Pro 3 Are Rumored to Launch

Monday February 24, 2025 9:14 am PST by
According to a post on X today from a leaker known as Kosutami, Apple plans to launch AirPods Pro 3 in May or June this year. The leaker also claimed that an AirTag 2 will launch around the same time. Kosutami is best known as a collector of prototype Apple hardware, but they have occasionally shared accurate information about Apple's future product plans. For example, they accurately...
airtag orange

AirTag 2 Rumored to Launch in May or June With These New Features

Monday February 24, 2025 6:11 am PST by
Apple plans to launch a second-generation AirTag in May or June this year, according to a post today from a leaker known as Kosutami. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman previously reported that a new AirTag would be released in mid-2025. May or June would align with that timeframe. Below, we recap three new features rumored for the AirTag 2: With a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, the...
ios 18 4 carplay

iOS 18.4 Includes a Small But Useful Change for CarPlay

Sunday February 23, 2025 2:23 pm PST by
The first beta of iOS 18.4 is now available, and it includes a small but useful change for CarPlay. As we noted in our list of iOS 18.4 features, CarPlay now shows a third row of icons, up from two rows previously. However, this change is only visible in vehicles with a larger center display. For example, a MacRumors Forums member noticed the change in a Toyota Tundra, which can be equipped...