A sucker for Apple's gadgets!

On Thursday 6th Jan the Consumer Electronics Show opened it's doors, and as expected it was overflowing with Apple accessories. An entire lounge dubbed the 'iLounge' was jam packed full of suppliers of accessories for iPads, iPods and iPhones and a strange phenomenon is taking place. The iLounge is brimming with accessories
that can be secured to Apple devices using suction cups. With the increasingly slick design of gadgets and nice shiny smooth surfaces becoming increasingly desirable it makes sense really, the option to simply pop accessories onto your device and pull them off quickly when have finished with them fits perfectly with the modular trend in technology. Now add-ons can be popped on or off you device as easily as apps can be opened and closed.
Arguably the simplest product in the whole event, the iTatch is simply a lanyard with an attached suction cup for carrying an iPhone or iPad around your neck. The designer of the iTatch created the original version approximately this time last year and would hand them out to customers in his bar. The response from people was overwhelming so he put in a bulk order for the suction cups and lanyards and started to produce them in bulk. The Consumer Electronics Show was a superb way to get his product noticed. The 4 day show which finished on January 9th 2011 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 satisfy your need for speed with the convenience of a portable gadget that you can simply attach to your iPod touch or iPhone. From driving cars to flying planes this high precision device allows you to expertly navigate your way between obstacles adding to the reality of the experience. The design of the device is based on a racing car 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, limiting any unwanted movement. The stand can be attached to any dust free clean smooth surface using a suction cup and can be adjusted to suit in terms of angle and height. 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 unique tiny joystick simply fixes to your iPad's screen using a suction cup. Fitting directly over the on screen controls it acts as an interface between the user and the device. You might question the logic of this as the iPad already has a highly responsive touch screen which is essentially a slicker interface, however personally (having earned my stripes on a kempston joystick and a zx spectrum) I think that it's a superb addition to the iPad.
Last but certainly not least are a great little product called Cool Feet which fill a unique niche in the iPad accessory market. If you have ever felt the need to prop up your iPad on pile of cd's, or wedged it between a plant pot and a cup of coffee in an attempt to get the right angle on the screen 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.