iPhone Case Lets You Know About Messages Before Your Phone Does

A company creating a new iPhone case claims it can harness leftover electromagnetic energy to power an LED notification system, which users can see even if their phones are face-down or in silent mode.

Lunecase, developed by Ukraine-based startup Concepter, is an intelligent case that operates using energy that would otherwise go to waste, no batteries or cords required. The general premise is simple: When a call or text message comes in, the corresponding icon lights up on the back of the case, even before the phone starts to ring. Another version, Lunecase Eclipse, features a ring of lights around the Apple logo that flashes based on the type of incoming message. More notification categories, such as email, may be included in a future iterations.

Lunecase uses excess energy that an iPhone generates when it communicates with a network, not a bluetooth signal — so no setup is required other than putting the case on the phone. The wavelength of the cellular signal indicates whether you are receiving a phone call or a text message, so that the case won't drain any extra battery power or slow down connection speeds.

In its current form, the case is only compatible with the iPhone 5, 5S and 5C, but depending on demand, Vinokur said the team may develop versions for other brands, too. A working prototype only operates on GSM networks — AT&T and T-Mobile in the United States. It's possible that coverage will expand to CDMA networks — Verizon and Sprint — following final testing later this month.

An earlier version of Lunecase was presented during CES 2014 in January.
A Kickstarter campaign has raised about $143,000 at the time of writing — almost triple its $50,000 goal. The campaign runs through June 5, and the case is expected to start shipping in August.