User:52JDH/sandbox

Tree Frog Developments, Inc, doing business as LifeProof, is a private consumer electronics accessory company and subsidiary of OtterBox headquartered in San Diego, California. LifeProof cases are phone and iPad cases which provide protection for the user's electronic device. LifeProof is the first and only company to offer protection against water damage, dirt damage, snow damage and shock damage for Apple’s iPhones and iPads. These products were created by a company in San,Diego, which is a subsidiary of OtterBox, which is supposed to protect the phone from breaking when being dropped. This case is provided for the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, Galaxy S3, iPad, iPad mini, and iPod touch. The LifeProof case is thin, sleek, and just as accessible as a phone without a case, creating a completely user friendly feel for those who use the product. LifeProof cases are a relatively new item. There is not much to report on them, but they have been tested multiples times and have been given many awards for being the most protective phone case.

History
LifeProof debuted in February 2011 during a LAUNCH Conference. In front of many future investors and media, founder and CEO Gary Rayner introduced the LifeProof case for Apple's iPhone 4. Rayner demonstrated LifeProof's protective features by dropping the case, placing the case in a fish tank full of water, and even covering it in ketchup, mustard, and dirt. The product would go on to win the top award at the conference. LifeProof spent over a million dollars and almost a year and a half trying to meet tough environmental challenges while maintaining the sleek design of the case. Lifeproof approached many industrial design firms that said it could not be done. The company tried five times to create the case design, and finally, they met their environmental and elegant design goals that created their first case. LifeProof has partnered with many outdoor events and companies since its existence. On October 10, 2012, IRONMAN announced LifeProof as an official sponsor during the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. Announced November 27, 2012, LifeProof became s Participating Sponsor of all 2013 XTERRA events, marketing, and media in the U.S. On January 7, 2013, LifeProof announced a partnership with Belkin EMEA. Belkin EMEA will be responsible for sales and distribution of LifeProof products in Europe. On May 22, 2013, Otterbox announced at a CTIA conference that they commercially bought LifeProof for an undisclosed sum and will drop all allegations of patent infringement against LifeProof stemming from an August 2011 patent suit. LifeProof is now a subsidiary of OtterBox. The registered brand name "LifeProof" originated from the fact that the case provides protection and fully functional, convenient operation of mobile electronics and cellphones in water, in rain, while swimming, in sand, dust, mud, snow or ice. The mantra of LifeProof is "Freedom" meaning the ability to be connected anywhere with your mobile device from texting in the shower, taking videos in the pool, or talking on the surfboard. LifeProof is headquarted in San Diego, California. LifeProof employs 250 employees.

Purpose
The purpose of a LifeProof phone case is to protect most every kind of damage done to a phone, if case is used properly, and to also make things more convenient for generations to come. LifeProof’s company mantra is ‘Freedom’. This mantra stands for freedom to be able to use one’s phone whenever and whenever they desire. With a LifeProof case, one no longer has to fear dropping their phone in water and it then being damaged or even sand or dust harming and scratching up one’s phone. It was reported that American’s have spent $5.9 billion on damaged iPhone. Seventy Five percent of all iPhone owners have encountered accidental phone damage such as dropping their phone’s or it falling into water. Also with a LifeProof case, one can now swim in the ocean or a pool with their phone, mountain bike with their phone, and use fitness apps during their work out! Accessories have also been designed particularly for the use of this product in order to make life proof cases more convenient and usable then that of what a regular case can provide or even what a life proof case can provide. Some of these accessories include Proof Bike/Bar Mount, LifeProof Armband/Swimband, LifeProof Belt Clips, LifeProof LifeJacket, LifeProof Dock Adapter, and the LifeProof Suction Cup Car Mount. The LifeProof Bike/Bar Mount transforms the phone into a GPS. The LifeProof Armband/Swimband is a strap one can use while working out or swimming where they attach it to their phone and it provides as a phone holder. The LifeProof Belt Clips are similar to armbands. They provide a holder around the waist to carry the phone. The LifeProof LifeJacket covers the phone protecting it from scratches, is shock resistance and also holds as a floaty when dropped in water. The LifeProof Dock Adapter allows cables to connect to the phone.The LifeProof Suction Cup Car Mount is made to stick on the surroundings of a car so that one’s hands are free while driving. Along with these accessories are the LifeProof headphones which are water protectant. Although these cases may be more expensive than most average cases, these cases provide far more protection and will also hopefully help reduce the rate of accidental phone damage such as water damage, scratches, and cracking.

Awards
LifeProof has won numerous awards since their beginning in 2011. The awards are listed from most recent to oldest.
 * Winner-The Year’s Top Gear Editors name best products of 2013
 * Winner-2013 Mashable’s Choice Award iPhone 5 nuud
 * Winner-Best of CTIA 2013 - Best iPad Case for the fre for iPad mini
 * Winner-About.com Reader’s Choice 2013 - Best Case: iPhone/iPod Category
 * Winner-Field & Stream: 2013 Best of the Best Award Winner - LifeProof case and LifeJacket for iPhone
 * Winner-Backpacker 2013 Editors’ Choice Snow Award - LifeProof case for iPhone
 * Winner-Best Rated Reviews: Best of Issue - LifeProof case for iPhone
 * Winner-Best Accessory for CES 2013 - LifeProof case for iPhone and iPad
 * Winner-Best iPhone Case of 2012 - LifeProof case for iPhone
 * Winner-Beatweek Magazine Best of Show 2013 at CES - LifeProof case for iPhone and iPad
 * Winner-Top Gear of 2012 - LifeProof case for iPhone
 * Winner-Gear of the Year - LifeProof case for iPhone
 * Finalist-Best Gift for Him - LifeProof Case for iPhone 4/4S and 5
 * Winner-Best Gadget Gift - LifeProof Case & Cover/Stand Bundle for iPad
 * Winner-Parent Tested Parent Approved Seal of Approval Award for LifeProof nüüd case for iPad
 * Winner-CES Innovations Award - LifeProof NÜÜD for iPad
 * Winner-Gear of the Year 2012 - LifeProof case for iPhone
 * Winner-Best of IFA Berlin 2012: Top 10 Gadgets from the Big Show - LifeProof NÜÜD for iPad
 * Winner-Impulse Gamer Editor’s Choice: Winner - LifeProof case for iPhone
 * Winner-LifeProof Wins: 2012 San Diego Small Business Award - LifeProof case for iPhone
 * Winner-Parent Tested Parent Approved 2012 Award Winning Product - LifeProof case for iPhone 4/4s
 * Winner-About.com Reader’s Choice 2012 Winner - LifeProof case for iPhone
 * Winner-iMore Editors Choice Awards 2011: Best iPhone Case - LifeProof case for iPhone
 * Nominee-Edison Awards 2012 - LifeProof case for iPhone
 * Winner-CTIA: Hot for the Holidays 2011, Fitness Buff Category - LifeProof case for iPhone
 * Finalist-CONNECT: Most Innovative New Product Award 2011 - LifeProof case for iPhone
 * Finalist-TechAmerica High Tech Awards 2011 - LifeProof case for iPhone
 * Winner-LAUNCH Conference: Best Product and Best Presentation - LifeProof case for iPhone

Upper Management
Gary A. Rayner Ed Andrew Tim Van Linge Akbar Paydar Randal Waynick Kurt Kemppainen Peter Armstrong
 * Founder & Chief Executive Officer / MBA, M. Eng. Sci
 * Over the past 17 years, Gary has grown four different USA-based ventures whose products have grossed over $800 million in revenues.
 * He received his Masters of Business Administration (Concentration Marketing) and his Masters of Engineering Science from one of Australia’s top universities - Queensland University of Technology.
 * Chief Operating Officer
 * Prior to joining LifeProof, Ed held top executive positions with a number of companies and is an alumnus of Ernst & Young.
 * Chief Financial Officer
 * His experience includes financial and accounting positions at Greatcall, Cricket Wireless and Omni Life Science. Tim also financially led Websense and NuVasive, to successful IPOs.
 * Senior Vice President of Engineering
 * 20 years experience in product development and R&D
 * Akbar holds a Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the City University of New York and holds several patents.
 * Vice President of Business Development and Sales
 * Ph.D. in organization and management
 * Vice President of Business Development and Sales, International
 * former Vice President of Marketing and Product Development at Bell Sports
 * BS, MBA, EPSE, Vice President of Engineering
 * 20 years of experience in R&D
 * former Engineering Project Manager at SeQual Technologies

Sales
Lifeproof began as a small company that made indestructible cases. Starting small with only one type of case they began to expand. LifeProof offers premium quality cases with proofing from all of technology’s greatest enemies: water, snow, dirt, and shock. LifeProof’s mantra is to offer complete smartphone and tablet PC protection while maintaining the freedom of full functionality. In addition to offering case options for the iPhone 4/4S, LifeProof was on the verge of an incremental product release schedule that is still in place today. The ideas for Lifeproof's expansion are below.
 * Explore an additional revenue stream to supplement both online and retail sales channels
 * Expand revenue partners and targeted promotion or the LifeProof e-commerce arm internationally
 * Tap into core product enthusiasts online for more endemic advertising campaigns general brand promotion
 * Reach a larger scope of activity and lifestyle-focused customers without sacrificing brand integrity or profit margins
 * Sync third-party brand messaging online to run parallel with new content, promotions, and product launches featured at LifeProof.com

The company sells millions of cases every year and has competed since 2012 with another popular phone case company called Otterbox. In May 2013 Otterbox planned to purchase Lifeproof to decrease their competition. OtterBox planned to fund a $325 million acquisition of LifeProof with a $400 million senior-secured term loan facility, according to documents from Moody's Investors Service Inc. This plan was seen as a risk because of the infancy of the LifeProof company. It has only been around for a just over a year now and people in the business world saw this purchase as a huge risk and maybe even a mistake.

OtterBox reported $573.9 million in 2012 revenue vs. $170 million in 2010. OtterBox employs 650 people worldwide, including nearly 600 workers in Colorado. LifeProof employs 250 people worldwide and does not bring in neaerly as much revenue. No final purchase has been announced and it seems that the talks of the buyout may have ended. It is easy to see that Lifeproof is a growing business and competitors are beginning to realize it. Lifeproof has the ability to either grow or sink and only time and the growth of technology can tell what will happen for the sales in the upcoming years for Lifeproof.

Technology
LifeProof combines many technologies to create a case that protects electronic devices from the inside out. The case will make the phone water, dirt, snow, and shock proof. LifeProof's case for Apple iPhones only adds one sixteenth of an inch to the sides of the phone. The case combines a polycarbonate frame, water-proof acoustic vents, a water-proof screen protector that is still fully touch sensitive, and a built-in optical glass that covers over the phone's camera lenses. Every LifeProof case is put together in a two-part snap-together case that has a thin polymer seal where it closes. Each case then becomes fully water-proof after sealing and even closes the charging port. To water-proof the the earphone jack, LifeProof created a screw-in seal that can be used when the jack is not in use. To use the jack and still maintain the water-proof idea, LifeProof provides a short earphone extension wire that screws into the jack on the case. Before every case is shipped, LifeProof claims to water test every case. Following the first test, LifeProof will send the case to an independent agent to perform additional tests. If the case passes both tests, the case will be shipped, and if the case does not pass, it will be scrapped. Every LifeProof case is military standard as well. The MIL STD 810F-516 is the United States Military Standard that deals with the functional drop of an electronic device. The standard requires that the tested item can physically and functionally withstand the infrequent, non-repetitive shocks encountered in transportation, service, and handling. In addition, LifeProof cases are IP-68 standard. IP-68 is the international standard for dust and water protection. The case is therefore able to withstand an eight hour sequence of circulating dust particles and one hour completely submerged under water at a depth of two meters.

4 Proofs, Guarantee, and Warranty
LifeProof cases come with a four proof guarantee. Each case is supposed to be water proof, snow proof, dirt proof, and shock proof. Every LifeProof case comes with a one year limited warranty with free replacement within that time range. In addition, LifeProof offers an optional Total Water Protection Program for every case. If a case falls victim to water damage, LifeProof will replace the electronic device and offer a free, new case with it.

Lifeproof Products
Starting off LifeProof’s company was the 4th generation iPod Touch. They made a new and improved case to enhance the experience people could have with their iPod. Since the LifeProof case protected the iPod from water, kids or adults are now able to take their iPod Touches in pools and even take pictures underwater. Along with the case protecting it from environmental damage, the case for the iPod Touch was also created to take a hit. This gave the owner the confidence to listen to music while working out and not worrying about it falling out and hitting the ground. The LifeProof case for the 4th generation iPod Touch led the way to produce more cases for other electronic devices. Once the Apple Company made another electronic product, usually, LifeProof made another case to protect that certain product. When Apple came out with the iPhone 4, a LifeProof case came out with it. This case could be used for the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4s, since the phones were the same size. The difference between the phones was the hard drive. LifeProof’s next product was a case for the iPad first generation. This case protected the iPad the same as the iPhone and iPod Touch. The case for the iPad first generation can also be used for the iPad second generation. LifeProof made a new case for the iPad mini. They had to make a new case for the iPad mini because the other iPad cases were too large. The LifeProof company also made two types of cases for the iPad mini, the nuud and fre. The nuud allows you to be able to touch the actual touch scree, while the fre has a built in scratch protector that protects the screen. Once the iPhone 5 came out, another LifeProof case was made. This case was also made for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5C. LifeProof had to make a size and design difference. Also, LifeProof made a case for the Galaxy S4. They have to keep making new products in order keep making profit.

Differences in Products
LifeProof’s first product was a case for the fourth generation iPod Touch. This introduced the main purposes of a LifeProof case. The case protects the product against water, dirt, snow, and hard drops. This allowed people to bring their iPods into water and overall gave them more confidence with their electronic device. The next product of LifeProof was the iPhone 4 and 4s case. This seemed to be the same case as the iPod Touch with the same protection against water, dirt, drops, and snow. The only difference between the two products is the size and design. LifeProof had to change the size, because the iPhone is bigger and thicker than the iPod Touch. The design changed in order to attract new customers and increase profit. LifeProof then created two types of cases called the nüüd and frë. Both types of cases protect the product against water, dirt, drops/shock, and snow, but there are some differences as well. The nüüd is screen less and lets the owner be able to touch the actual touch screen of their product. There is a waterproof seal that still protects the electronic device from water. Also, with the case being screen-less, there is zero visual interference, glare, and loss of contrast. The frë on the other hand, has a built in scratch protector to protect the touch screen from scratches. This case is represented as the most comprehensive device protection available. iPad cases were soon released when Apple created the first iPad. The cases were the same for all the iPad generations, but LifeProof had to create another product for the iPad mini due to the size. Then, iPhone 5 cases started coming out. This case is used for the iPhone 5, 5s, and 5c. The size and design changed from the iPhone 4 case. LifeProof is always trying to keep up with the latest device in order to keep business alive and make a profit.