Smarter Stand turns your iPad Smart Cover into a multi-position iPad stand.
Smarter Stand turns your iPad Smart Cover or Smart Case into a full-featured iPad stand. Patent Pending.
What The Press is Saying
Why Smarter Stand?
The Smart Cover is one of the best accessories for iPad, but it's too limiting as an iPad stand: either its so reclined you can't see the screen or it's so upright that I have to back-up. What you really want is the iPad facing you directly, but the Smart Cover doesn't do that...until now!
If I back Smarter Stand, when will I get mine?
All orders of 1 or 2 Smarter Stands are scheduled to ship in early October. BUT if you order 3 Smarter Stands or more, your order will ship 2 weeks sooner. If you're curious as to why, it's explained in Update #11.
Why order 3 or more Smarter Stands? Imagine you're getting your Smarter Stand and it's already autumn, the leaves are turning yellow and the holidays are right around the corner… wouldn't a few extra Smarter Stands make great stocking stuffers? How about birthdays coming-up?
Which pledge levels qualify for free accelerated shipping?
- $39 pledge level: 3 Smarter Stands of the colors of your choice*
- $125 pledge level: 10 Smarter Stands "
- $339 pledge level: 30 Smarter Stands "
- etc.
* color choices will be collected in a survey sent to you after the project ends.
How Smarter Stand Works
Smarter Stand is composed of 2 clips that attach to either side of the Smart Cover or the Smart Case. For the Smart Cover, a polyurethane pad that sticks to the back side of the iPad is also provided to prevent the iPad from slipping. For the Smart Case, no pad is needed since the neoprene of the back cover provides the grip necessary.
You can achieve different stand positions by sliding the clips so they block the folds of the Smart Cover.
By moving the clips to different spots and combining them in different ways, you'll discover new stand positions including a private typing position that hides your screen from someone across from you (think job interviews, business meetings, ...).
The clips are designed to slide perfectly on the Smart Cover (or Smart Case) yet they're tightly attached enough to stay on as you carry your iPad around.
Just like the Smart Cover and Smart Case products, the Smarter Stand is sleek, minimalist and easy to use. It doesn't add any weight or bulk to the iPad.
Can't it do even more stand positions?
Appadvice recently reviewed Smarter Stand and commented:
"The instruction manual shows that the Smarter Stand adds three additional viewing angles to the Smart Cover, but I found that, with a little imagination, the clips can give your iPad at least six different angles."
We also recently discovered this variable 10 to 20 degrees PORTRAIT stand position explained in update #10:
What stand position will you discover when you get your Smarter Stand? :-)
Wait... can't this be done with a couple of binder clips?
If you want to try to do this with a couple of binder clips to save $12 (shipping included), you absolutely should... Just be aware that:
1) You'll have to take your clunky binder clips on and off the cover and store them somewhere when you're not using them whereas Smarter Stand can stay on your Smart Cover all the time and slide into the position you need when you need it.
2) Binder clips will eventually damage your $39 Smart Cover and might also scratch your $500+ iPad's screen.
3) You'll need to stick some kind of non-slip pad to the back of your iPad to stabilize it. Just make sure you never need to remove this home-made pad since it will definitely leave marks unlike the one provided with Smarter Stand.
So as long as the above doesn't bother you and you're ok showing up at Starbucks with good old binder clips oddly attached to your iPad, you can save yourself all of $12 to buy 3 Grande Cappuccinos with!
There's a zillion iPad stands out there. Why this one?
True. There are a lot of iPad stands out there. I know because I own about half of them :-) And believe me... none of them were as affordable as the Smarter Stand. And no, that's not why I need your backing (more on that below).
The reason I came up with the Smarter Stand is that I never used my other iPad stands: They're all heavy and bulky to carry around which defeats the core purpose of the iPad: being an ultra portable device.
With Smarter Stand I always have my iPad stand with me. No added bulk or weight. And all that for $11. You get my point.
Why I Need Your Backing
After many rounds of prototyping, I have arrived at a final prototype that works perfectly and which I've been using successfully for many weeks. So I'm now ready to submit the 3D model to begin mass production.
However, I got a few quotes from manufacturers and the initial tooling/molding along with the first production run will cost 20k+... ouch! I don't want to involve investors who will tell me how to run my business. That's why I need your support to fund this phase of the project. I also want to get a sense for the quantity of clips to make in each color to make everyone happy while keeping production costs reasonable.
You can back this project for as little as $11 and you'll even get your own awesome Smarter Stand as a reward. So please back this project now and spread the word!
Thanks to you, no Smart Cover/Case should ever be limited to its 2 native stand positions ever again!
What's included in 1 Smarter Stand?
Pick your color
IMPORTANT: You will actually pick your color(s) right before I ship the orders. So for now, you only have to decide whether you want white or color clips and pledge for the corresponding reward level.
Pledge $14 or more and receive your own Smarter Stand in the color of your choice to match your smart cover or create a nice color combination.
Match. Mix. Express yourself.
You can match the color of your Smart Cover or even create your own coordinated style by combining colors. Not sure which colors to get? Get the Family Special and order 3 different colors to keep your iPad on the cutting edge of cover fashion!
Get an extra clip FREE!
Like us on Facebook after you back this project and we will include one extra clip for FREE to your order when it ships. You can use an extra Smart Stand clip to unlock exotic additional stand positions (by blocking more folds in the Smart Cover) or just use it as a backup in case you lose one of the other 2 clips.
Special Thanks:
- The video was masterfully directed and edited by James Mills. DP: Tim McCombe.
- The 3D modeling work was skillfully executed by David Rowan Johnson.
Please don't hesitate to hire these fine craftsmen for your own project. They will blow you away!
Smarter Stand is Patent Pending.
FAQ
-
Before the product is shipped, I will send out an email with a link to an online form where you will pick the color(s) of your choice.
-
As of mid-June 2012, the manufacturing process is just about to get started and should not take more than 3 months. I expect the first batch of Smarter Stands to ship by the end of September or October at the latest. Pledge now to make sure you get yours first!
-
Yes. I've already adapted the design of the clips to work with the Smart Case. In fact, you won't even need the anti-slip pad on the iPad since the entire case is already made out of neoprene which is naturally anti-slip.
-
The Smarter Stand is made out of 2 clips that attach to your Smart Cover or Smart Case and 1 discreet anti-slip pad that you stick on the side/back of your iPad (needed for Smart Cover only).
-
Yes. The 2 clips do come off so you can use them on different Smart Covers if you wish.
-
Yes. It comes off without difficulty and without leaving any marks on the iPad. You can re-use it as many times as you want. If you're using a Smart Case (as opposed to Smart Cover) this is a moot point because you won't even be using the rubber pad in the first place.
-
The weight of the 2 clips and the rubber pad is negligible. The Smarter Stand doesn't add any bulk either: your iPad and Smart Cover will be as light and compact as before but a lot more versatile.
-
Unfortunately, you need either an Apple Smart Cover or Smart Case to use the Smarter Stand. You can get one from any Apple Store and many other Apple retailers (such as Best Buy) for $39 and up. Some 3rd party covers that work exactly the same as the Smart Cover might work too but I can't guarantee it as I haven't tested the product with them.
-
Absolutely! The combination of the clips and the anti-slip pad provides great stability for typing on pretty much any surface. Some sequences in the video show this clearly... even with a child using the Smarter Stand on bricks by a swimming pool!
-
Absolutely not. The clips are designed - dare I say smartly :-) - to not interfere with any of the iPad's functionality. You can charge the iPad with the clips on and without having to move them in any way.
-
Absolutely not. The clips are designed in a shape and material that won't scratch your iPad screen or damage it in any way.
-
I'm not concerned because I'm big Apple fan and believe they respect other people's intellectual property.I've always dreamed of collaborating with Apple. I would be incredibly flattered if they recognized the merits of my invention and would probably wet my pants if they considered integrating it into their own products. :-)
-
The Smarter Stand clips are made out of ABS plastic and if you believe the Wikipedia definition of ABS, "The most important properties of ABS are impact resistance and toughness".
-
I like to keep things simple (as you've probably already noticed by the product itself!) so the Smarter Stand will ship worldwide for FREE.
-
The clips are designed to avoid lifting up the smart cover to the point where (1) you can't even notice a lift (2) it doesn't interfere with the magnetic functionality of the cover at all. Thanks to this design you can keep the clips on the cover at all times, even when the cover is closed.
-
Do you always carry a chip bag clip in your pocket? Me neither. Won't a binder clip damage your cover or your iPad over time? Probably. Won't you have to take the bag clip off when you close the cover? You get my point. At the end of the day, you can always hack something together but it's a matter whether saving $11 is worth the hassle and the risks. The Smarter Stand may look to some people as just a couple of plastic clips but I put a ton of prototyping and careful product design into them and the result is much more user friendly than a couple of chip bag clips!
-
I plan on sending out a survey before shipping and ask whether you liked the project on Facebook and if so what your Facebook name is so I can go in and check.
8,260
Backers
$157,638
pledged of $10,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
Jun 14, 2012 -
Aug 13, 2012
(60 days)
- 2 created · 3 backed
- Dotan Saguy 167 friends
- Website: lifelikeapps.com
Pledge $9 or more
500 backers All gone!
Early bird special: Get your Smarter Stand in glossy white for $9 only (normally $20 MSRP). Be quick: only 500 stands available at this price! Let your friends know before it's too late. FREE International shipping.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $10 or more
500 backers All gone!
Early bird special #2: Get your Smarter Stand in glossy white for $10 only (normally $20 MSRP). Be quick: only 500 more stands available at this price! Note that the first 500 were snapped in less than 24 hours. Act now and let your friends know before it's too late. FREE International shipping.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $11 or more
1999 backers Limited (1 of 2000 left)
Early bird special #3: If you've missed the first 2 early birds, you can still get a great deal: Get your Smarter Stand in glossy white for $11 only (normally $20 MSRP). Be quick: Quantities are limited at this price and the first 2 specials were snapped-up in a couple of days. Act now and let your friends know before it's too late. FREE International shipping.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $12 or more
775 backers Limited (3225 of 4000 left)
Early-ish Bird Special (AKA "the last special"): Get your Smarter Stand in WHITE for $12 only (will be sold at $20 MSRP after Kickstarter). If you want it in color instead, select the next pledge level for only $14. Be quick: Quantities are limited at this price! Also let your friends know before it's too late. This will be the last special. FREE International shipping.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $14 or more
2956 backers
Get the Smarter Stand in the color of your choice to match your Smart Cover or mix colors for a great personalized look. You're guaranteed to turn some heads at Starbucks! Colors available are: light grey, dark grey, blue, green, pink, black, navy, red and white. We'll email you before we ship to ask which color you want. FREE International shipping.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $27 or more
805 backers
Double color special: Get 2 Smarter Stands in 2 colors of your choice to match your Smart Cover or mix colors for a great personalized look. Give the 2nd Smarter Stand to someone you love or use it to dress up your iPad in different color combinations. Colors available are: light grey, dark grey, blue, green, pink, black, navy, red and white. We'll email you before we ship to ask which color you want. FREE International shipping.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $39 or more
624 backers
Triple Color Special: Get 3 Smarter Stands in any 3 colors you choose. Make the whole family happy by getting everyone their favorite color. This special is also great for Smart Cover fashionistas who want dress up their iPad in different color combinations. Colors available are: light grey, dark grey, blue, green, pink, black, navy, red and white. We'll email you before we ship to ask which colors you want. FREE International shipping.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $125 or more
45 backers
Friends & Family Color Special: Got lots of friends with iPads? Get 10 Smarter Stands in any colors you choose. Your friends will be eternally grateful. Colors available are: light grey, dark grey, blue, green, pink, black, navy, red and white. We'll email you before we ship to ask which colors you want. FREE International shipping.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $339 or more
12 backers
Corporate or Reseller Special: Got employees with iPads? Want to resell the hottest iPad accessory as soon as it comes out? Get 30 Smarter Stands in any colors you choose. Colors available are: light grey, dark grey, blue, green, pink, black, navy, red and white. We'll email you before we ship to ask which colors you want. FREE International shipping.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $949 or more
3 backers
Distributor Special: Get 100 Smarter Stands in the colors of your choice. That's less than $10 per Smarter Stand (normally $20 MSRP). This reward also comes with a beautifully designed POP stand to present the merchandise and explain its benefits to shoppers. Colors available are: light grey, dark grey, blue, green, pink, black, navy, red and white. We'll email you before we ship to ask which colors you want. FREE International shipping.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $2,399 or more
3 backers
Big Distributor Special: Get 300 Smarter Stands in the colors of your choice for distribution / resale. This reward also comes with a beautifully designed POP stand to present the merchandise and explain its benefits to shoppers.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $6,499 or more
1 backer
Huge Distributor Special: Get 1000 Smarter Stands in the colors of your choice for distribution / resale. This reward also comes with beautifully designed POP displays to present the merchandise and explain its benefits to shoppers.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012
