Interactive electronic device shell

An apparatus comprising:

• a light panel to receive signals from a telecommunications device and emit light outwards in different directions in response to at least some of the signals and in accordance with a user-customizable mapping of the signals to the different directions:
• and a shell couple to a body of the telecommunication device, the shell having at least one portion that allows light to pass through the shell from the light panel located between the shell and the telecommunications device, wherein the shell includes a plurality of portions that are independently made visible to a user when a corresponding portion of lights is illuminated, an amount or a location of the portions that are illuminated indicating at least a quantity of messages available via the telecommunications device.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a light source configured to selectively direct emission of light to different areas proximate to the light source, the light source to receive signals from a processor of a telecommunications device and, in response to the signals, to activate and deactivate the emission of light to the different areas based at least in part on a customizable assignment;
• and a shell to cover the light source, the shell having a plurality of areas to receive the light emitted by the light source, each of the plurality of areas including different attributes that are visible when illuminated by the direct emission of light to a corresponding area, wherein the shell includes a plurality of portions that are independently made visible to a user when a corresponding portion of lights is illuminated indicating at least a quantity of messages available via the telecommunications device.