Jolla’s smartphone is some sort of a rare thing and one of kind when it comes to the type of mobile platform it is powered by. The Finnish company, created after Nokia dropped the MeeGo project and go the Windows Phone route, had some success with its Jolla smartphone.

Jolla managed to gather a solid community around its new products and three people in this community took it on Kickstarter to bring even more productivity to Jolla's smartphone.

Dirk, Kimmo and Andrew have just kicked off a Kickstarter campaign called “The Other Half,” which is a concept that would allow users to change the look and feel of their smartphone.

The good news is the keyboard is “plug-and-play” so you won’t need to mingle with any additional drivers that would require to be installed on the Jolla smartphone.

The Other Half Keyboard can be attached on the Jolla smartphone via the I2C-enabled pogo-pins. According to the creators of the project, the interface simply transfers data from in and out of the phone, so you won’t need to use Bluetooth or extra batteries.

As soon as the keyboard is attached to the smartphone, it activates itself, downloads its driver and can be used without any other change in the settings or from anywhere else.

In case you’re wondering how sturdy the keyboard can be, you will be pleased to know that The Other Half Keyboard is 3D printed with PLA plastic. If enough money is raised for the project, Dirk, Kimmo and Andrew plan to use "injection molding" as manufacturing method.

Given the fact that you will need to attach two pieces on the Jolla smartphone in order to use the keyboard, creators of the project have decided to make the keyboard piece detachable.

The keyboard piece is detachable to reduce the thickness in daily use

This means that the Jolla smartphone with the keyboard’s cover will be only 12mm thin, but when the keyboard piece is attached, it will have around 16.5mm thickness. This shouldn’t be an issue if the keyboard is detachable, though.

The backplate on the Jolla smartphone is meant to protect the printed circuit board and can be made of different finishes, such as Kelo, Curly Birch, Walnut and Bird Eye Mapple, courtesy to Lastucase.

Furthermore, the keypad is made of plastic and rubber, using a special technological process, which gives it enough durability without lowering usability. Here is what the project mentions about the build quality:

“Actually, and this is what we are really proud of, it is the same high quality keypad you get at any other big manufacturer. The manufacturing techniques are identical as the N900 and a similar finish can be expected.”

The Other Half Keyboard is now up on Kickstarter, and if at least €55,000 ($69,000) is raised, the project will become reality. The project also has some goals so if the minimum pledge amount is met, then there will be room for improvements as well.