Friday, August 25, 2017

OtterBox Opens Up Case Systems To Inventors, Makers

Fort Collins-based OtterBox, which what might be a first for an accessory maker, has launched a new system which it says is aimed at helping "inventors, tinkerers, dreamers and other creative minds" design and 3D print their own accessories for its cases. Taking a page from the great success software companies have had in opening up third party application programming interfaces (APIs), Otterbox's new "CAD" mount system lets anyone connect their own, 3D printed designs to its uniVERSE Case System. The modular rail mount on Otterbox's cases already has been used by other manufacturers--such as mophie, SanDisk, and Brydge--to add things like external charging packs, memory, and other expansions to OtterBox's protective cases. OtterBox said it has partnered with 3D Hubs, a network of 3D printing services, to let third party designers create their own additions to its uniVERSE line.