14 DAY TRIAL // A new Kickstarter project from the guys at “designed by m” aims to sell you the very first iPhone 6 accessory ever to be marketed. Shipments won’t commence until December, but you can pledge your money today.
Made from Aerospace Aluminum, the AL13 v3 is a durable, lightweight metal bumper that you’ll be able to strap around your future iPhone 6 for protection.
Despite not knowing the design of the phone, the creators of AL13 v3 are confident that there is no signal loss with their product. They also note that “it weighs less than 13 grams so it won’t weigh down your phone.”
However, 13 extra grams are easily felt in a device that weighs just 112 grams (give or take, depending on what Apple has in mind with the iPhone 6).
The bumper is made from anodized aluminum on the outside but has an anti-scuff rubber lining on the inside.
“This lining is dual purpose - it ensures you never scratch your phone as you put on or remove your AL13 v2, and it helps absorb the shock of falls and bumps that can damage your iPhone,” says designed by m.
Pledge $99 (€71.29) or more and you’re promised to receive “Future Proof Pack AL13 v2 + AL13 v3 - AL13 v2 for iPhone 5 & 5s PLUS AL13 v3 for iPhone 6 in any of our 8 standard colors, plus our anti-scratch, anti-fingerprint and anti-glare PET screen protector for the front and for the back, a film to protect your phone from coins and keys when in your pocket or purse.”
Don’t get too excited about that protective glass, either. Chances are the iPhone 6 will boast a sapphire screen, which will make the PET screen protector look like ordinary brittle glass.
Shipping will be free in the USA while international backers will add $15 (€10.80) to their bill. The estimated delivery for AL13 v3 is December 2014.
Before you pledge your money on this project, consider this. Unless designed by m has the blueprints to Apple’s iPhone 6, there’s a good chance:
a) the design of the phone may not match their manufacturing equipment; therefore, the shipping date will be delayed or the product canceled altogether;
b) the phone will actually look a lot worse with the AL13 on; in which case you’ll have wasted your money;
c) the aluminum bumper will obstruct the phone’s signal (after all, they can’t know where Apple wants to place the antenna next).