HTC's 'Ice View' case replaces the lower-res Dot View

With the announcement of the new HTC 10, we also have a new kind of case to go along with it. HTC's old Dot View cases were fun, but pretty limited, sort of an 8-bit peek at the screen. With the HTC 10, we now have the Ice View case.

Instead of using low-resolution text and images on the the screen to peek through a perforated case, Ice View instead has a nearly opaque front flap. A double-tap brings up the clock and date and notifications, done up in a distinctly Miami Vice color scheme. A swipe up from there allows you to call back the most recent caller without opening the case.

More exciting, however, is that this translucent setup lets you use the camera without having to let the front cover hang open — that's never been a very good option. Because the display is so close to the cover you can see a rough preview of what you're shooting, as well as the camera controls. It's blurry, but it works in a pinch. You're not going to be doing much adjusting on the fly, but it's good for a quick shot.

And you've got a new gesture for launching the camera — both with the Ice View case on the phone, as well as without it. To quickly launch the camera on the HTC 10 you take one finger and swipe down on the screen twice.

HTC Ice View Case

The Ice Vice case itself is the sort of TPU rubber that you've seen before. It's a bit of a fingerprint magnet after even just a few seconds, but it keeps the phone protected. There are cutouts for the rear cameras and microphone, and you can easily get to the 3.5mm headphone jack up top. The front earpiece looks like it doesn't quite line up correctly, but that's because there are sensors above it that the case has to account for. (They're visible on models of the HTC 10 that sport a white face.) There's an HTC logo in the bottom left of the front flap that also serves as a magnetic trigger, so the phone knows when the case is affixed.

All in all, an interesting solution to an old problem — how do you protect your phone without making it useless in the process.

Phil Nickinson
22 Comments
  • So the SView Clear case... Posted via the Android Central App
  • Damn that's sexy Posted from my Nexus 6/Nexus 7 2013/Surface Pro 3
  • "A major new phone news a new kind of case..." whaaaa?
  • Thank you. I reread that like 6 times and my eyes were still crossed, so I came to the comments section to see if I was the only one...
  • I like this Ice View case a lot more than the Dot View case. It looks better and has more functionality to it as well.
  • The "Ice View" reminds me of the Miami Vice show from the 80's.....lol I'm dating myself with that reference ;) Posted via my Nexus 6
  • From the article above: "A double-tap brings up the clock and date and notifications, done up in a distinctly Miami Vice color scheme." So you're definitely not the only one who gets that feeling about it.
  • Next up, Htc "glass view". Now with 100% visibility! Posted via the Android Central App
  • Emperors new clothes Posted via the Android Central App
  • Without stains?
  • Does it cover up the selfie camera? I kind of hope it does--otherwise, the no-glare coating will be gone in a month.
  • The dot view case had personality. I'm not sure this does. It's probably more useful though. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Not for me Posted via the Android Central App
  • "Ice Vice" Clever, if unintentional. Posted via the Android Central App and Nexus 6
  • Flap.
  • Notification LED looks like it's in the most random place. Interesting design choice. At least it looks like it's RGB. Not a fan of the blinking green light on my M8.
    Wonder what the next Nexus will look like. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Will it work with a screen protector, like Zagg? On my M8 HK, the cover doesn't fully close with the screen protector.
  • I got used to LG's 'folio' design with the G2/G4 where you can fold the front flap over the back and still be able to use the camera. I'm liking the HTC10 so far I just wish they could figure out how to do a rear camera cutout. Not a dealbreaker, there's millions of other cases to choose from although i really prefer the folios.
  • I like it. Posted via the Android Central App
  • If they make a clear or semi-clear Ice View case I would buy it in an instant Posted via the Android Central App
  • Not sure how I feel about covering the beautiful metal with subpar TPU... :/ maybe I'll go with a skin instead, but if Verizon has this in stock I might pick it up for kicks and giggles Posted via the Android Central App
  • Does it blend?