FP 2/3/... Modules & Wishlist meta discussion

[haveAbreak]

Wow, this Keyboard Buddy Case is exactly what I miss on my FP2! Thank you very much for this hint!
And since it e.g. has a battery, USB port and Bluetooth built in, maybe it could hold more module functions from this wishlist in it, like NFC, wireless charging, a battery extension, USB type-C and so on. As this manufacturer seems to produce many other accessories for phones, it could be the right place to ask for some (external) modules on this wishlist. In the FAQ I read that it is an US company with worldwide shipping.

So I hope more FP2 owners who like the idea of a hardware keyboard and maybe some more features built-in, will embrace the offer on the bottom of the website:

Don't see a Keyboard Buddy Case model that's available for your device?
                                    
You can send a request for a new version that supports your device! 

On the following request site, where also such a little company as Fairphone is listed in the drop down menu they say:

You can request our product(s) for a device that’s not currently supported! Just fill in the information below, and we will gather all requests from individuals. If we receive enough requests for the device that you requested, we will produce it!

Here you can see my request with my personal wishlist of additional built-in functions:

1. Battery extension / power bank mode
2. Wireless charging
3. Remote control (infrared/radio)
4. NFC
   5.1 USB type-C port
   5.2 Magnetic USB port
5. More stable substitute for standard/rubber or slim back covers like on old Nokias with a slider to lock it securely

I also made a request for a docking station (for charging, as a night-/daystand and for PC sync/backup) suitable for the thicker bundle of Keyboard Buddy Case and Fairphone 2.

Details and some helpful links to my list above see my full request text (click on this)

Fairphone 2 (=FP2)
First users received it in December 2015 and the plan is to make it a sustainable phone, while still producing and selling it with no plans for a successor like a FP3. The manufacturer announced some hardware updates in recent interviews instead: Better back- and front-camera modules as spare parts to this modular phone, where the modules can be replaced by all owners of a FP2 easily.

A Keyboard Buddy Case (=KBC) instead of the removable back cover of the FP2 would be awesome, really awesome!
See a picture of the back of the phone without the cover on it here:
FP 2/3/... Modules & Wishlist meta discussion - #177 by TobiasF

There is already a built-in 5-pin USB-connection on the backside of the phone (middle left of picture) for future expansion modules, which hopefully could be used for the KBC. So the battery of the KBC would not be needed anymore at the first glance, but:

I HAVE A DREAM for more functions with this FP2-KBC!

1. Using a built-in battery of the KBC as kind of a power bank in case of need. So if the phone’s battery is empty, e. g. a little hardware switch on the KBC could be used to charge the phone (also via the phone’s backside connection). That additional battery wouldn’t have to be as big as the phone’s (by capacity) and e.g. a quarter of it would be enough for using the phone a few more hours until next possibility for charging. While charging the KBC battery, the FP2-battery should also be charged at the same time.

2. Wireless/inductive charging with Qi (standard), see Wikipedia:
   Qi (standard) - Wikipedia

3. Programmable remote control (infrared/radio emitter/sensor) e.g. for parking doors, TVs, cameras, …

4. NFC (with hardware-switch to turn it off for security reasons)

5. 2(!) better ports than the FP2’s micro USB type-B:
   5.1 USB type C-port and(!) …
   5.2 Magnetic USB port (as built-in version in KBC instead of a version to plug into USB port of FP2 or KBC). Advantages: Snapping the according USB cable on both ways (like USB type-C) and not that much stress for the USB socket, see picture:
   🇬🇧 🇩🇪 Magnetic USB cable recommended to avoid socket probs - #18 by Aypac
   eBay offer for such a cable with more pictures:
   http://www.ebay.com/itm/Magnetic-Adapter-Charger-USB-Charging-Line-Cable-For-Apple-iPhone-Samsung-LG-/322385285407?var=&hash=item4b0fa9111f:m:mKneF6Hz4yAfuwqZUJTgqfg

6. More stable mounting technique for back cover. There are new slim covers now, which persist of 2 pieces with a plastic clip technique for mounting and makes it easier to put the back cover off and on the phone than with the old covers made of rubber. But I still miss my old Nokia with a simple slider to lock the cover on the phone. With a KBC e.g. there could be 2 screws or sliders to lock a front-piece with the back-piece of the KBC, similar to the new slim covers but more robust. Such screws or sliders could be placed under the keyboard with access to them only when the keyboard is in open position.

In addition a docking station for the thicker FP2-KBC-bundle would be the icing on the cake. I miss such a docking for my phones since my Palm handheld, which I used about 15 years ago. This docking should hold the FP2 in horizontal position with the magnetic USB port connected (so the magnetic USB port on the KBC should be placed on the bottom of the keyboard near the space-bar). See this wooden Nightstand as an example what position is meant and how the docking could look like:
https://shop.fairphone.com/en/accessories/fairphone-2-nightstand

The docking should have at least the following ports:

1. On frontside: Magnetic USB port to hold and connect the FP2

2. On backside: USB type-B micro socket for permanent power connection

3. On backside: USB type-B micro socket for PC connection and/or connection to another docking, e.g. this one:
   Cables & Adapters for Laptops, Tablets & Docks | Targus UK
   A forum member called it a DisplayLink-capable “mobile docking station” and tested this successfully with another USB docking and USB keyboard and mouse, see here:
   Upgrade potential: MHL? - #6 by direc85

4. 3.5 mm speaker socket

For more requests or rather a wishlist on functions and modules for the FP2 of other FP2 owners see this thread of the official FP forum with an overview in the 1st entry, which is a wiki-post:
FP 2/3/... Modules & Wishlist meta discussion

Some information by a forum member about the 5-pin USB-connector on the backside of the FP2 can be found here:
FairPhone/Electronics at master · dirkvl/FairPhone · GitHub

More information and an example of using this backside port for a Yubikey with pictures from a former FP-developer can be found here:
GitHub - keesj/fp2_extension_sample: Sample open and 3d printable case for the FP2

In the FP forum I asked more FP2 owners to send a request and hope you get enough for at least a Keyboard Buddy Case as substitute for the FP2 back cover.

Thank you very much for your efforts!