A smartphone's case is just a case, until people think otherwise. Google came up an idea to make the protective cover of a smartphone 'a bit smarter' and exclusive by partnering with Skrillex.
"Phone cases are supposed to be fun, you know?" said Sonny Moore, the producer and DJ, better known as Skrillex.
"I really like the really crazy phone cases that are out right now. You see the girl's case that looks like a Starbucks cup, or the Moschino Jeremy Scott french fries. I think that shit's really fun."
Moore pitched the idea when he started talking to Google about being the first partner in the company's new Edition line of Android phone's cases. Moore came up with multiple designs. "We did, like, 20 designs," said Moore.
Google answered his idea: Create a small, limited collection of phone cases that were just a little smarter. The company then settled with three of his designs, all around a single theme: space.
The team at Google are building the cases, and equipping them with NFC to identify themselves to the phones they're protecting. The case will then know exactly which case the user puts on and when, then it'll send wallpapers and contents to match.
What makes the case even further interesting is that the case is much more than just a case. The smart smartphone case can give an ever-changing wallpapers, all composed of photos captured by satellite.
Earlier, Google has launched 13 different satellites (balloons) to orbit, with each spinning in the atmosphere for about five hours. One of them was custom-made, named after Moore's dog, Nanou.
During the day, the wallpaper will show pictures of Earth as depicted from the satellites. At night, it will show constellations that are visible from where the user is.
The case also opens up a the opportunity for the user to download videos, photos, and more from Skrillex himself. There's a button on the back of each one, which can launch any app, website, or function the user chooses, as well showing more stuffs about Skrillex. Users will also have early access to an album from his record label.
Google even put a shortcut button on the case that gives the user a direct access to his YouTube channel.
"We're constantly making videos," said Moore, "and taking photos, and making sounds. So much of it we put on websites, but a lot of it just kind of sits on my phone. So we'll be sending random treats to the case that no one else will get."
By putting it on, the user becomes part of an exclusive fan club.
The limited-edition Skrillex Live Case is individually numbered and initially available for the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Samsung Galaxy S 5, Samsung Galaxy S 6 and Samsung Galaxy Note 4.
Google's attempt to bring artists and creators isn't stopping there. The search giant is hoping that this model can open new possibilities and innovations from others by having more Edition partners coming. In the age of modular and personalized gadgets, users just want to different, and Google-Skrillex attempt in bringing smart smartphone cases is very distinctive. Switching cases is not like changing smartphone outfits anymore, it's becoming more of a changing personality.
And if the change of personality is a big deal for mobile devices' owners, the possibility is not just for Skrillex fans.
Implementing tech into accessories isn't at all new. Google isn't the first tech giant to bring those two together. Before, Apple's acquisition of Beats Electronics gave it the hip hop icon Dr. Dre and the company's headphones business.