De-cameraphoning my blackberry

June 7, 2008 5:11 PM

Blackberry-Filter: I'm trying to find a battery cover for my BlackBerry 8330 that _blocks_ the camera and flash - that is, a battery cover that doesn't have the holes for the camera and flash. The reasons for this intentional crippling are: 1) I don't use the camera anyway; it's just an extra vulnerability for dust/water to get in, 2) there are some locations that aren't so friendly towards camera phones 3) camera and flash holes ruins symmetry, damnit! Does such a cover exist?
posted by jytsai to technology (5 comments total)

This cover doesnt exist because you can buy BBs with a no camera option. Lawyers use these for courts that dont allow cameras. A cover isnt going to let you get past security.
posted by damn dirty ape at 5:28 PM on June 7, 2008

If such a cover existed the only people who would know that the phone was a camera phone would be those who are hyper-aware of RIM's offerings... there's nothing on the phone besides the lens/flash that indicates that it is, in fact, a camera phone.

So, to that end, I have to disagree with dda -- a cover would, indeed, get you past security if it fully covered the lens and flash in a way that looked like they just didn't exist.

You might see if there are any full-phone covers that fit the curve well enough and don't have a hole for the camera/flash. You might have less luck with those vis a vis security, but it's worth a shot.
posted by toomuchpete at 5:56 PM on June 7, 2008

You never know when that camera just might be very useful (fender bender, alien landing, etc). I'm all for not crippling functionality if at all possible.
posted by Burhanistan at 7:31 PM on June 7, 2008

I worked in manufacturing engineering at RIM for 4 months and I don't remember alternate-plastic components (like battery covers without camera features).

You might have luck trying to find a case for the phone that covers the flash and lens. Maybe an ipod case like the iskin is around the right size?
posted by KevCed at 8:33 AM on June 8, 2008

If such a cover existed the only people who would know that the phone was a camera phone would be those who are hyper-aware of RIM's offerings

Here in Chicago we call those people Cook County Court security. They wont let you in with that BB with the camera. The camera-free model is usually sold to lawyers.

If I wanted to get rid of it I'd gouge it out, seal it with a little tape, pour some epoxy glue (or some other hardening agent), mix some black dye in there, let it dry and sand it smooth. So long warranty though.
posted by damn dirty ape at 12:58 PM on June 8, 2008