Suckers for Gadgets

On 6th January 2011 the Consumer Electronics Show opened it's doors, and as expected it was overflowing with Apple accessories. A custom built room titled the iLounge was packed with hundreds of distributors of gadgets for Apple devices and a strange phenomenon is taking place. Everywhere you look there are accessories
that can be secured to Apple devices using suction cups. With the trend towards high gloss gadget design and nice shiny smooth surfaces becoming increasingly desirable it all makes sense when you think about it, the option to simply pop accessories onto your device and pop them off when you no longer need them marries nicely with the shift towards technology which is modular. Now add-ons can be popped on or off you device in the same way that apps can be added or deleted.
Potentially the shows most basic product, the iTatch is a strap with a suction cup on the end for carrying an iPhone or iPad around your neck. The designer of the iTatch came up with the idea about a year ago and would distribute them in his bar for free. He got some great feedback so he put in a bulk order for the suction cups and lanyards and began work on mass production. The Consumer Electronics Show was a superb way to get his product noticed. The four day event which was concluded on Sunday 9th January brought in close to 150,000 visitors from accross the globe and almost 3000 exhibitors.
Now here's one for the gamers amongst you! The suction cup steering wheel allows you to achieve your dreams of competing with Michael Schumacher and quench your desire to burn rubber with the convenience of a portable device that attaches to your Apple device. From driving cars to flying planes this precisional piece of kit will allow you to dodge anything that gets in your way adding to the reality of the experience. The design is based on a racing steering wheel to help create the illusion of being at the controls of a real performance vehicle. The integrated steering column stand assists with balance and stability, minimising any undesirable movement. The stands base fastens to any clean smooth surface by means of a suction cup and is adjustable allowing a change of height and angle. After attaching the correct adapter the iPod Touch or iPhone simply fixes into the centre of the wheel, making this literally plug and play.
In a similar vein January 6th saw the launch of the iPad Fling, this unique tiny joystick simply fixes to your iPad's screen using a suction cup. The iPad Fling attaches over the on screen controls of the iPad and acts as an intermediate device replacing direct interaction with the iPad. Critics have questioned whether this defeats the object of having touch screen which arguably is a better interface as it is more direct, however, personally being a bit of a fan of nostalgia and remembering how much fun I've had over the years playing games with joysticks I'm a big fan. You can't beat the good old joystick.
Perhaps the most beneficial of the suction cup based accessories that I have discussed are a great little product called Cool Feet which fill a unique niche in the iPad accessory market. If you’ve ever tried to prop up your iPad on a couple of books and a drinks coaster, or wedged it between a plant pot and a cup of coffee in an attempt to get it into a position that allows you to actually use the device then you have probrably realised how handy it would be if your iPad had feet. This is where Cool Feet can help you. They are effectively 2 short legs for the front of your device and 2 slightly longer ones for the rear which attach to the bottom of your iPad and keep it propped up nicely. The added benefit is that they prevent your iPad from sliding around on a smooth desk. Originally designed to allow air to circulate around laptops to prevent overheating they are possibly even better suited to tablets such as the iPad where the screen is integral to the flat panel of the device. As with all the other accessories listed they can simply be removed when not in use and reattached in seconds when needed.
So there’s something of a revolution taking place, the good old suction cup neglected from the cutting edge world of innovation is making a comeback. It’s a great example of reinventing an old product for the modern day, suction cups were patented in 1882 but now in the 21st century they are as useful as ever and are possible just finding their niche. They have been used for years for a variety of different jobs but never really found their true calling, now it seems the humble suction cups meandering existence has finally turned a corner and found their market.