About this project
$56,447
668
NEW STRETCH GOALS ADDED
$60K Interactive Phone Size Feature
$80K OFF Pocket phone apps (iOS & Android)
(see below for more details)
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Protect Your Privacy
The OFF Pocket™ is privacy accessory for mobile phones that blocks wireless signals.
To use the OFF Pocket simply place your phone inside the case and close it. Your phone is now OFF. Untrackable. Unhackable. Undistractable.
The OFF Pocket has been tested on all major networks, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. It is compatible with mobile phone hardware including iPhones, Samsung, Motorola, Sony, BlackBerrys, Nokia and all other modern phone hardware and operating systems.
Features
- High performance shielding from cellular signals, WiFi, and GPS
- Works with any phone, any carrier, and in any country
- Available in 2 sizes: Size A and Size B (see size chart below)
- Soft, flexible, lightweight, and ideal for traveling
- Water resistant exterior
- Easy to use elastic closure that secures phone
Technical Specifications
- Shields over 100dB (see testing information at bottom)
- Blocks frequencies between 800MHz – 2.4 GHz
- Blocks CDMA/GSM/DCS/PHS/3G/4G
- Blocks WiFi (2.4GHz), Bluetooth (2.4Ghz), and GPS (1-2GHz)
- Carrier, hardware, and OS agnostic
Why you need our product
Today millions of people are tracked through their mobile devices. It’s not just when you’re using your phone, its 24/7 everywhere you go. The OFF Pocket gives you the option to turn everything OFF.
Project Background
I began working on the OFF Pocket in 2011 because I wanted more control over my privacy. Not just to protect my data, but also to unplug once in a while. I designed the first OFF Pocket as a permanent pocket for my pants.
It worked well, and it gave me the freedom to politely disconnect at any moment. But, it was difficult and expensive to reproduce. So I began working on a breakout version of the pocket that anyone could use.
I bought myself a sewing machine and tried to teach myself how to sew, but this proved to be a difficult task. I made about a dozen prototypes with different material combinations. In the beginning the only way to test these prototypes was to call my phone. Gradually, I developed a better understanding of the engineering required to make the pocket, better methods for testing, and at the same time discovered a growing need for the product.
During the summer of 2012, I met Johanna, a fashion designer and materials consultant living in NYC. I told her about my project and we've been collaborating on it since. It's been a long journey. We have now been working together on the OFF Pocket for almost a full year and have tested countless material combinations and constructions. We’ve made dozens more prototypes and subjected them to testing both in the studio using diagnostic tools as well as various outdoor locations.
We released the first version of the OFF Pocket this past January at the Stealth Wear exhibition in London. The response was overwhelming, and our limited production run of the OFF Pocket sold out completely!
Since January, we’ve been prototyping and testing new designs, and we’ve figured out an innovative new construction that balances performance with usability. In developing this project I’ve tested many other shielding products and have found that the OFF Pocket outperforms them all. The OFF Pocket I've designed with Johanna is not just a phone case, it's a high performance product. It even outperforms law-enforcement grade forensic bags and military specification faraday products. I’m proud of the work Johanna and I have put into making this design, and we’re also proud that we’ve done it all here in the USA.
Making the OFF Pocket
We have researched and tested countless designs and construction techniques to create the most effective shielding device that is easy to use. The exterior uses a high performance material that is unique and has water repellent properties, so it is durable and protective for your phone. The elastic we have chosen is easy to use and provides a secure closure.
One of the first things you will notice about the OFF Pocket is the unique cross design. There are 3 reasons for our cross design: the first to secure your phone in place, the second is to act as a restraint from removing the phone, and the third is visual indication that your phone is OFF. Another detail you will notice when you open the OFF Pocket is the brilliant interior fabric that is comprised of metalized fibers. This is the key behind the function of our product, and it's also one of the main factors that drive the cost of the product. The OFF Pocket is not just a phone case, it's a privacy accessory.
Lab Tests
To test the OFF Pocket, I developed a method for combining a radio frequency (RF) meter and a phone's internal dBm metering system. To understand how the OFF Pocket works, a basic understanding of electromagnetic waves is helpful. Briefly, phones use radio signals (between 800MHz-2.4GHz) to transmit and receive data. There is a transceiver chip in your phone which sends and receives information to cell towers. The strength of this signal can be read through the phone's software/hardware.
To determine how effective a shielding device is, the signal strength can be monitored and recorded. For most people, this is represented as bars or dots on the top of your phone. I've carried out the majority of testing on an iPhone because it has 2 antennae, and it is particularly good at scavenging weak signals. I've also tested Samsung phones, as well as BlackBerrys, Nokia, LG, and many others.
In testing the OFF Pocket, I established that it can effectively shield 100dB of signal in the frequency range of 800MHz to 2.4GHz. This number represents a very high shielding capability. For comparison, several law-enforcement forensic bags only offer 80dB of shielding. And the difference is significant: the OFF Pocket is 100x stronger (that's 10,000%)!
Decibels are a logarithmic unit of measurement so a difference of 20dB is a difference of 10^2 (100) times stronger.
Where we are now
The first OFF Pocket launched in January 2013 at Tank Magazine in London. We had a tremendous response and sold out of our first run. Since then, we've been prototyping, improving the design, and field-testing. The OFF Pocket has now been in use by customers and beta testers for over 6 months. During that time, we’ve received many responses and comments and have used these to fine-tune the OFF Pocket.
Now, we have a product that's ready to manufacture. We’ve sourced all of the materials required for production and are in the sample making stage with the factory where we plan to make our first large production run. We’re excited to keep all of our manufacturing here in the US and work with as many local vendors as possible. Our studio is based in Brooklyn, and we work closely with businesses in the garment district for producing samples and prototypes. The next step we want to take is to put in our first large production order and start shipping the OFF Pocket to everyone.
Why We Need Your Support
Simply put, we can’t make the OFF Pocket without your support! We’ve come as far as we can on our own and now we need your help. If we can reach our goal, we’ll be able to create stable production quantities, offset our initial costs of product development and research, and continue to develop this product further.
What Does Our Money Go Towards?
The funding raised from Kickstarter will be used to continue the development and production of the OFF Pocket. If we reach our funding goal, we will be able to cover some of the costs we've assumed so far and have enough to begin production.
Stretch Goals
Manufacturing Timeline
We have currently lined up a contract manufacturer here in the USA and have negotiated a delivery schedule. Here are some dates that we have agreed upon for delivery and manufacturing of the OFF Pocket:
7/31/13 - First top of production sample ready for approval
8/06/13 - Labels, packaging, and 1st samples ready for approval
8/15/13 - All raw materials to be purchased
8/25/13 - First sample of packaging ready for approval
8/28/13 - Bulk production starts
9/20/13 - First delivery of 300 OFF Pockets
Future Plans
We hope you’ll love the OFF Pocket and we want to keep developing it further. So far we’ve had interest in custom editions and collaborations with artists, and we look forward to hearing any ideas. Our immediate future plans are to commit to making the OFF Pocket an unrivaled product and a great experience. We'd also really like to develop an iPhone & Android app for an enhanced customer experience.
The Rewards
$10 Pledge Level
A Thank You card to show our appreciation. Every pledge above $10 receives this reward.
$40 Pledge Level
Receive an Drone-T with thermally reflective predator drone appliqué.
$85 Pledge Level
Receive one OFF Pocket from our 1st production run
$425 Pledge Level
Receive the 'Anti-Drone' Hoodie + OFF Pocket
$500 Pledge Level
Receive the 'Anti-Drone' Hijab + OFF Pocket
$3,500 Pledge Level
Receive a very limited edition 'Anti-Drone' Burqa (editions #2 and #3 from series of 3)
(Allergy notice: Stealth Wear products and the OFF Pockets are made with metallized fabrics that contain nickel)
Risks and challenges
One of the biggest challenges for us is to educate and convey our message to the consumer. The reality is that we are offering a product that is fairly new, and we are entering an unsaturated market. This is both a risk and an advantage. The truth is that consumers do not know the value of things they have no experience with, so we have to know all of our facts and convince the masses that privacy has become a luxury and that what we are doing is important! Once the word is out, we are committed to meeting our goals and want to get our product in the hands of customers as soon as possible. There are always risks with manufacturing timelines, and we will do our best to stick to our scheduled delivery dates. Communication is key, and we will strive to be transparent and share all updates and information.
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Funding period
- (25 days)