OK... my dual button idea was one solution to prevent those who stated a side switch could turn on while inside a pocket. But I still don't see an complexity of the feel of two recessed areas ergonomically placed to assist the proper way hold the iphone.(especially to prevent covering lens or flash with ones finger or thumb) Squeeze and voila! Capacitors take up lots of space as does the extra battery needed to charge it up. I'd predict a minimum extra 1/2 inch in added length of the case. Size and higher cost vs. simplicity and lower cost. Of course quality is then the factor.

@ Ant

I agree. Either:
1. Syncro flash
2. Another solution that does not drain the battery.

My idea is to have an on/off slide switch, that cuts off all power to the flash assembly to protect against inadvertent power drain.

I would require 1 hold-down button, rather than 2 hold-down buttons. It makes sense to require hold-down in order to minimize power drain. The hold-down reminds people that they're draining their battery while they still have juice, rather than when their entire phone goes dead.

We could provide a separate battery for the flash, but that's quite a bit of extra expense.

A smarter design makes people economize the use of a precious resource. And anyone who had an iPhone or any other smartphone. The remaining power in the battery is a precious commodity.

You have to press two side buttons at the sides at the same time to ..........

You lost already lost me :) It needs to be simple and straightforward. Many people would not want to have to press a total of 3 buttons to take a single picture!

I see only 2 viable options:

1. Syncronized photo flash or
2. One a turn on/turn off light that somehow does not drain the battery.

The two recessed side pressure switches would be located so when holding the iPhone with finger and thumb, squeezing will keep the LEDs lit. You then point and shoot the picture and release pressure to turn the LEDs off. Simple, low power drain, usable as flashlight and possibly a visual flashing alert (silent) for incoming calls.

I agree with Michael - either of the 2 side button designs are the better than any of the back button designs (including this one.)

DON'T VOTE FOR THIS AWKWARD DESIGN.

There needs to be an additional slider switch that keeps the side switch button from turning the light on and draining the battery when not in use.

A side switch is way preferable ergonomically speaking than a flash button on the back side while trying to press the shutter button on the front (glass side) of phone. Awkward at best, almost impossibly so.

Keep in mind a button stays on and keeps the light on when not pressed is not possible. It'll drain the battery unintentionally. After finding your phone dead a few times you're going to throw away your flash case. Hopefully you don't throw the phone out of frustration.

A true flash seems more useful than a less powerful light that stays on for some duration. In order to have a true flash the timing has to be synchronized with the camera since the flash will be momentary. Instead of the button trigger the flash from a flexible touch membrane that is extended over the area of the screen that activates the camera in such a way that one touch triggers both the flash and the shutter. When the camera is not in use the touch membrane is retracted into the case.

I feel that the recessed button would be the right answer to help prevent the flash from going off accidentally. This will help prevent a flash at the wrong (possibly embarrassing) time as well as to prevent the battery from being drained when the case is in your pocket or purse.

How about two opposing side mounted momentary contact pressure switches? Holding the phone as one would an SLR camera with finger and thumb pressing the buttons to light the LEDs.

Creating a tight circle of LEDs gives a great reflected effect in the eyes, similar to the ring flashes used by the pro's.

The lights would stay on as long as two opposing side buttons are pressed, (used for video or taking a photo) then released when done.
This imitates that spinning time icon at computer startup.
This adds to the coolness of the product and displays Apple's logo, which is what Apple would like.

Could the button be a slider switch?

Also, the position of the button/switch might depend on where we want to put the LED(s) and what orientation they will take. A ring of LEDs around the camera porthole could look cool and I imagine would provide a (slightly) more even subject lighting.

I also think that a simple ON/OFF system for the light would work much better than trying to time a "flash" with the iPhone.

It could also be helpful in the night (flashlight) or for some fun (multi-colored LED?).