Suckers For Gadgets?

On Thursday 6th Jan the Consumer Electronics Show sprang into life in Vegas, and you won't be surprised to learn that it was packed with Apple accessories. A custom built room titled the iLounge was heaving with manufacturers of gadgets for the iPad, iPhone and iPod and a strange phenomenon is taking place. The iLounge is brimming with accessories that fasten to Apple products with suction cups. With the trend towards high gloss gadget design and nice shiny smooth surfaces becoming increasingly desirable it makes sense really, the convenience of being able to simply stick accessories to your device and pop them off when you no longer need them is a perfect fit with the move towards modular technology. Now gadgets can be included or removed just as simply as apps can be installed or removed.

Potentially the shows most basic product, the iTatch is a strap with a suction cup on the end allowing an iPhone or iPad to be worn around the neck. The designer of the iTatch created the original version approximately this time last year and would distribute them in his bar for free. The response from people was overwhelming so he increased the volume of his orders for suction cups and lanyards and started to produce them in bulk. The Consumer Electronics Show was an ideal way to show these items to the world. The 4 day show which ended on 9th January attracted over 140,000 visitors globally and nearly 3,000 exhibitors.

For the gamers out there there was another great accessory. The suction cup steering wheel allows you to relive your boyhood dreams of competing with Michael Schumacher and satisfy your need for speed with the ease of a portable accessory that attaches to your Apple device. Whether your passion is for riding motorbikes, racing cars or flying spaceships this high precision device allows you to expertly navigate your way between obstacles and adds that extra touch of reality to the gaming experience. The design of the device is based on a racing car steering wheel to recreate the feel of driving a real vehicle. The integral steering column stand adds stability and balance, reducing any unnecessary movement. The stands base fastens to any clean smooth surface via a suction cup and can also be adjusted based on height and angle. The Apple device, when connected to the right adapter simply fixes into the centre of the wheel, making this literally plug and play.

January 6th 2011 was also the launch date for the (not too dissimilar) iPad Fling, this clever little miniature joystick attaches to the screen of the iPad with a suction cup. Fitting directly over the on screen controls it acts as an interface between the user and the device. 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 think it’s a great addition to an excellent device.

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 stapler and a plant pot in an attempt to get it into a position that allows you to actually use the device then you may have realised that it would be a lot easier if the device had pop out feet. This is the niche that Cool Feet fill. 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.