Dot View Case

Normally I don't hash out accessories in my smartphone reviews, but HTC provided me with a Dot View case forth with the HTC Ane M8, and information technology's certainly a very cool addition to the package.

The Dot View case is a hardcover plastic shroud for the HTC 1 M8, consummate with a flip-over rubberized cover for protecting the display. The greyness unit I received is a fairly standard color, only information technology also comes in blue, green, ruby and orange so you tin spice up the parcel if you and so choose. Information technology feels tough and well made, and is sure to protect the back from scratches and the front from glass fractures.

Personally I'chiliad not a huge fan of smartphone cases equally I rarely drop my smartphone, and about handsets – peculiarly so with the metallic HTC Ane – are tough and built to withstand a few knocks here and there. Cases also prevent me from enjoying the fantastic build quality and premium materials used in devices such as the One M8: with the Dot View case on, I tin't feel that ergonomic aluminium unibody anymore.

That'due south not to say the Dot View case feels bad; it's actually i of the nicer cases I've come up beyond, fifty-fifty if it does look significantly less attractive than the exterior of the One. It as well doesn't hamper the performance of the device in any way, meaning yous'll get full utilise of the cameras, and the same wireless reception you lot're used to with the case off.

But the coolest part of the Dot View instance isn't the build at all. In fact, it's the small holes arranged as dot-matrix grid on the protective display flap, which give this cover additional functionality. You can double tap on the dotted comprehend to turn on the display, exactly like you tin without the case protecting the device, and the handset springs to life to bear witness yous important data through the dots.

For example, if you have no notifications present, the display shines through the Dot View cover to provide you the time and weather condition in a retro-mode dot-matrix mode. If you suddenly get a phone call, caller ID is visible through the dots, as is a massive arrow allowing yous to swipe to answer/hang upwards the telephone call. Information technology's possible to answer calls without flipping open the Dot View example, and that's just part of its brilliance.

It's also possible to brand calls with the Dot View case close. Simply swipe downward from the top of the cover, and the HTC One M8 volition initialize the voice dialler in Dot View mode, allowing you to speak the name of the contact you wish to call. The phone works its vocalisation recognition magic (and it'due south surprisingly accurate, even with my Australian emphasis), dials the number and you tin chat to colleagues without opening the case.

Not every notification can exist displayed on the Dot View case, but important ones such as messages, calendar reminders, timers, tasks and emails will show up, provided you use the included HTC apps. It'south disappointing that it won't notify yous when you receive Gmail messages, but this could change through updates to the platform.

Ideally I'd similar to see games like snake or brick breaker get available for the Dot View example. It'd be very cool to see a retro-fashion dot-matrix version of snake slithering over the closed and protected brandish cover, but alas, HTC hasn't incorporated it just yet.

1 of the interesting things about the Dot View case from a technical standpoint is that the One M8 can sense when the cover is on and when it isn't, despite the example lacking any battery-powered components. It doesn't rely on the proximity sensor to do this, as it'south uncovered next to the forepart-facing camera, nor does it utilise NFC (it works with the feature disabled). It's also possible to display the Dot View fashion while the phone is sitting on peak of the comprehend, as pictured, adding to my curiosity.

While I was puzzled every bit to how the comprehend works for a few days, and HTC refused to tell me, it didn't take long to uncover its hugger-mugger. There's a small, but powerful magnet subconscious inside the HTC logo that you tin can see among the dots, and Dot View mode is enabled whenever the telephone is activated and senses the presence of a strong magnetic field. You can fool information technology into thinking the instance is attached with a common fridge magnet.