Filed under: iPod Family, Mods, iPhone
Earlier this week, we wrote about a beautiful iPhone case mod that involved wrapping the whole thing in a ceramic coating called TiAIN. A lot of you wrote to say how much you liked it. Well, you're in luck, because now you can buy one.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
artifex said 10:13AM on 2-27-2008
What happens if you need warranty service later?
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adrenalin said 10:19AM on 2-27-2008
If you are worried about warranty then you'd better not do it. Any sort of permanent modifications would void the warranty (at least I would assume it would).
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artifex said 10:25AM on 2-27-2008
Well, quickly looking at the Colorware site to see how some other commercial modder does it, I see *they* offer a paid warranty on the stuff they color, so that if your stuff breaks, you mail it to them and hopefully gets fixed, instead of either being refused by Apple or replaced with a standard part, etc. If I read that right, anyway.
I just think people need to consider these things, especially with the number of repairs/replacements on iPhones and iTouches that are going on these days.
Peter Zich said 10:29AM on 2-27-2008
It would be awesome if Apple embraced this design, but that would mean I'd need to get a new iPhone. Also, wish is was cheaper.
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MikeCP said 10:34AM on 2-27-2008
For 300 bucks, I have no reason to be considering this, but its just so nice that I have to think about how much disposable income I have lying around these days. I can't help but think I'd rather wait and use that 300 on the next gen iPhone.
Gah, sorry TiAIN. It's just not gonna work out between us. But you're beautiful and you'll find another suitor in due time.
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5cents said 11:58AM on 2-27-2008
Classic
James said 10:40AM on 2-27-2008
299$ for a Color/Material Mod???
Oh wait, FREE Shipping!.... Still not interested.
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Joe said 11:04AM on 2-27-2008
From what I can tell it's a specialized process. I'm also guessing that since this is called a ceramic coating, it's something that is usually applied TO ceramics (as opposed to being a ceramic material itself) and therefore is typically applied pre-kiln. Since you can't really toss an iPhone in a kiln, they probably had to modify the process even further.
I'm not saying it's worth it to you or me, but I am not surprised to see the cost so high. Besides, it adds to the exclusivity of the design.
Miranda Kali said 10:54AM on 2-27-2008
I must say...It looks awwwwfully sexy. Three hundred is just way too much though...Even at half that, I'd have to say no.
Well, if I can at least tempt anyone else.., for what it's worth, that's the same coating used on a good deal of top the line, mil-spec gear. It's incredibly scratch resistant.
(admittedly, I'm sure that won't tempt too many, though)
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Josh said 11:08AM on 2-27-2008
Anyone who has the extra $300 lying around to do this could instead donate that money to me so that I can buy myself the iPod Touch that I have been obsessively wanting ever since I gave up on the hand-me-down Treo my brother-in-law gave me (ridiculous sync problems, then stopped syncing altogether about 2 months ago), and then my old 4th generation iPod (that's right, with a b&w screen) died. I want an iPod Touch so bad it almost hurts.
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GeorgeJ said 1:46PM on 2-27-2008
Josh, Did you try a new or different sync cable for the Treo, that is often the culprit. I used one for nearly three years and loved it. If the iPhone had not been so cool I'd still be using it. I miss the search feature and cut and paste.
I am super tempted by this surface treatment. If I upgrade to 16gb and or a new iPhone comes along that I can't resist I might send it in for a black coating before switching accounts and selling the old phone. Warranty is the only hitch I might not be able to get passed. GJ
tevetorbes said 11:16AM on 2-27-2008
Actually, anything that is formed via heating from inorganic materials is considered a ceramic. Sure, the ashtrays we made at summer camp are ceramic, but there are other ceramic materials.
TiAlN and TiN fit these definitions loosely. I would imagine, however, that the gold-colored logo is actually coated with TiN as it has a golden luster, whereas TiAlN is black.
IAIC (I am an inorganic chemist) but take the above with a grain of salt- they could just be painting your iPhone.
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david said 11:03PM on 2-27-2008
my ashtray was half aligator, half ash tray. totally pro.
Tanya said 11:28AM on 2-27-2008
The process seems to involve them SWAPPING out your existing back cover. Somehow i'm more ok with them coating my existing cover, rather than swapping it out all together. And do they send me back my parts. I'm a bit confused, and the website didn't clear anything up. Even if i had the $300, i can't see myself taking that chance with my precious baby. Didn't bother reading their warranty, but for $300, they's have to pretty much replace my iPhone if there were ever any trouble with it. Very interesting cool concept though, for those people with too much money in their pockets.
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david said 11:05PM on 2-27-2008
i like the extra protection factor, but i, too would want my original parts shipped back to me which i sincerely doubt they do. i hate cases is the thing. so a new back plate and a little strip over the screen protects my nano and i can tolerate it being in my pocket.
TDig said 11:41AM on 2-27-2008
Oh TiAIN why do you tempt me sooo... I just had my iphone swapped out, so I understand the vast importance of warranty, but this the mod is a damn sexy beast and makes it so much more of a dilemma.
I was perfectly fine with them showing pictures of the original one they 'dressed up' but now that they're selling it- not so fine anymore, if only I had the expendable cash to buy a new iphone in case anything ever went wrong...
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jlwallen said 12:29PM on 2-27-2008
you could do what i did and buy one of these Seidio cases and save a ton of cash.
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jlwallen said 12:31PM on 2-27-2008
oops i forgot the link:
http://store.everythingicafe.com/content/accessories/4-123--3002.htm
Joe said 4:25PM on 2-27-2008
... or for $19.95 I could get the Bedazzler. The BeDazzler is back again and it’s the fashion craze of the season. Even if you've never threaded a needle, you’ll be BeDazzling in minutes. You can BeDazzle a hat, a shirt, a belt, a scarf or a ...iPhone!... never mind they don't offer free shipping and handling .
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Jason said 10:07PM on 2-27-2008
kewl, something I suggested actually made it to an article! thanks TUAW!
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