You have to be really into iPhonography if you're going to share your pocket with awkwardly bulgy lenses. Finally, we can thank BLIPS for their micro and macro lenses that are so thin, you can still slide your phone into your pocket after you literally just stick on the lenses.
While there aren't (yet) any "normal" focal-length lenses, BLIPS offers its lenses in a pack of two, giving smartphone photographers access to 10x macro and up to 100x micro photography (the 100x figure varies, depending on the model of the phone when adding digital zoom). The optical-only magnification factor of the micro lens is still unclear, but the photos are relatively impressive -- especially considering how simple and easy the system is to use. According to BLIPS, "Blips Micro is able to detect details of about 1/7000 inch (≈1/300 mm), distinguishing single cells or other inhabitants of the micro-world."
The lenses are 0.5 mm and 1.2 mm thin for the macro and micro lenses, respectively. And each sticks to the lens on virtually any smart device with an electrostatic charge as opposed to with messy adhesive. The lenses store away into a convenient holder that will fit in the business card slot in your wallet, but the phone still stays quite slim with the lens on it as well.
The best part is that these lenses are cheap. Their size makes them easy to produce, which helps an entire Basic Kit with both lenses and two sponges (presumably 6mm thick, each, to facilitate shooting at the 6mm and 12mm working distances of the lenses) cost just $23. A Lab Kit, complete with the Basic Kit items, a smartphone stand, a light source, and six prepared slides is available for $46. For $57, you can get one of each.
The project is already funded through Kickstarter and promises deliveries this September. While the cheaper early-bird prices are gone, these deals still represent a discount, as retail price will see another 50-percent increase.
