Gadgetory

on the surface otter boxes new universe case looks a lot like some of its other iPhone cases but this case is special it's a new modular case that's designed to work with a host of new accessories from several companies that OtterBox has partnered with the case comes in black or white and is based on OtterBox asymmetry case the difference is that on the universe case there's an accent plate on the back that you slide out to reveal a rail system when you want to attach a module you simply slide it on to the rail and it clips on to the case a variety of modules will be available including a speaker additional memory a card holder backup battery and squares credit card reader as well as camera lenses car mounts and a barcode scanner in the past some of these iPhone accessory companies have had to create their own custom phone cases for their products because a lot of people like to keep a case on their phones at all times where people already had an otterbox on their phone and wanted to know if the accessory could fit over the case so it made sense for these companies to partner up with OtterBox to try to create this accessory platform at launch the OtterBox universe case will cost $50 for the iPhone 6 6s version and $60 for the iPhone 6 plus 6 plus S version eventually the case may get bundled with certain modules but for now the case in modules are sold separately naturally the hope for these accessory companies is that once you buy the case you want to try out not just one but potentially multiple modules including theirs I'm David karna for cnet.com thanks for watching