Kickstarter

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 1 MINUTE FUN IG PAK COMMERCIAL

Dear Kickstarter Supporter,

Thanks for your interest in the IG PAK™!

Due to the success of the iPad*, tablet computers are turning up everywhere!  We see them on planes and trains, coffee shops and restaurants, in shopping malls and grocery stores!  Apple recently announced that there are over 600 school districts that are integrating the iPad 2* into their curriculums.  Enterprises everywhere are buying tablets for their mobile employees.  Mobility creates special needs for these users. 

In particular, there is a need for a 21st century Tablet carrier - A carrier unlike conventional carriers - designed specifically to house and protect a tablet computer while simultaneously allowing the user to carry it hands-free.  Even more importantly, there is a need for a carrier designed to facilitate the user's immediate, subconscious  access to his or her tablet-without obstacles such as zippers, velcro or flaps!  Those thoughts led me to invent the IG PAK™  and where it recieved its name – ‘IG’ stands for Instant Gratification!  

The frosting on the cake is that the IG PAK™  doubles as a very stable work station – negating the need for users to carry around typing and viewing stands wherever they roam.

This Kickstarter project’s ultimate goal is to get past the high cost of creating plastic injection molds and gearing up for manufacturing.  

We have strategically incorporated magnets within the IG PAK™  to activate the iPad 2’s* Sleep / Awake functions!  Users will be able to pull their iPad 2s* out of their IG PAKs ™  and have their favorite app instantly appear!

We have built several prototypes and have learned a lot by using them.  Currently, we are tweaking the final IG PAK™  design to include those lessons learned while focusing on aesthetics to make the IG PAK™  appealing to you!

Please take a few minutes to watch the video and make a pledge if you like what you see!                         

If you have a friend or family member that has an iPad* or iPad 2* or plans on buying one in the near future, please direct them to this site or consider giving the IG PAK as a gift!

Finally, if you work for a business, attend a school or belong to a group which uses iPads or iPad 2s* in a mobile fashion please let them know about the Kickstarter pledges designed just for them.

May you enjoy many years of Instant Gratification!

Thanks for your support,

Bob Hart

Q: Your goal of $100,000 seems high compared to other Kickstarter projects, could you please break it down for us?

A:  Gladly.  Here are my basic budget numbers.  Please read Update #3 for a more detailed explanation.

Not tied directly to individual products:  $45,000 (see breakdown below) Ask yourself what you think Apple, Inc. would spend developing a similar product!

Final engineering (under contract)…..$10,000

Large cavity molds……..$25,000

Jigs/set up/training for limited fabric run…….$5000

Quality control……….$5000

Individual IG PAK production and shipping estimate (limited run): 

$45 each (see breakdown below)

Includes all material, labor and machine costs to produce and assemble the following: accessory pouch with zipper, wide high quality sling, shoulder guard, mechanical fasteners, strap adjusters, non-slip coating, Smart phone pouch, poly-carbonate housing, internal spring mechanism, boxing w/filler, shipping to US.

$32.50 each

US shipping to Kickstarter pledgees:  $12.50 each

Kickstarter and Amazon costs: 5% and 3%  = 8% of pledges

Algebraic equation to determine roughly the minimum quantity to meet this budget while keeping the individual IG PAK pledges averaging $94 apiece (Early Bird and Fantastic IG PAK pledge levels)

Let x = quantity required for this pricing structure

45x + .08 (94) x + 45,000 = 94x

Therefore x= 1084 units 

Total budget required (roughly) = 1084 ($94) = $101,896

Note: If Early bird and Fantastic IG PAK pledges averaged $125 apiece instead of $94, the budget would have been about $80,000!  Plug in the numbers and see for yourself!

Q: What keeps the iPad from falling out of the IG PAK?

A: This is kind of technical so please bear with me.  During the prototype stage we started with two mechanical stops that had vertical backs and relied on the clamping force of the flex top alone. We knew that the final production model would be made of a strong poly-carbonate material.  Although that would be sufficient with 'normal' use we want to add another degree of security so the iPad would never fall out- even when tossed around! To this end, we added industrial strength springs to the back of the compartment and reshaped the stops to receive the edge of the iPad. Now, when the iPad is inserted it compresses the springs until the outer edge of the iPad passes the stops and is forced down by the flex top and the user's hand. The springs then push the lip of the iPad underneath the 'grabber' stops thereby latching it inside of the IG PAK.  The user then slides his/her hand out and the flex top presses against the back of the iPad adding another degree of security.  When retrieving the iPad the user grabs the iPad and pushes it toward the back end of the IG PAK until the springs are compressed.  He/she then lifts the iPad up and over the stops and pulls the iPad out of the IG PAK.  This entire dual compression latching system will be engineered and tested and we will provide  a video update for your viewing pleasure!

Q: What type of iPad 2 skins fit?  Will my Smart Cover fit?  and Will my original iPad fit inside?

These are all great questions and after discussing the details with our design team, the general answer is "Yes". I know this varies from some of the answers on my original FAQ list but here is the thought process that brings us to that response:

As I showed in the video we used a Hard Candy Street Skin wrapped around the iPad 2 inside of our prototype so that the iPad 2 would be well protected in the mobile environment when it is in the user's hands.  Its dimensions with the iPad 2 inside are .5 inches x 7.8 inches by 9.75 inches. We plan on using those dimensions with applicable tolerances to design the interior of the IG PAK.

It turns out that many skins that have been designed for the iPad 2 with the Smart Cover will fit within that volume!  Of course, it defeats the IG PAK's Sleep / Awake function, but that is your choice. Please check your iPad 2 skin manufacturer's specs against the above dimensions.

Also, the original iPad without a skin happens to fit snugly!  If you want to carry your original iPad without a protective skin then it works!

Q: Can I pre-order the IG PAK as a gift? 

A: Certainly!  If you want to give the IG PAK™ as a gift to others we will include a short note from you. We will address the package directly to him/her or them! Be sure to add shipping for each gift to be delivered outside of the US and its Territories as described within the pledge! If we are unable to deliver the IG PAK™ prior to the special occasion (birthday, Christmas, etc.) we will send a special card that you can give to him/her letting them know their IG PAK™ has been pre-ordered and will be on its way shortly!

Q: Will the IG PAK™  I order look exactly like the 3D rendering shown above?

A: Not exactly – we continue to make improvements both functionally and aesthetically.  Our goal is to make the IG PAK™  a carrier worthy of hosting an Apple, inc Product!

 

Q: Does my pre-order include a Tablet or a Tablet skin?

A: No. (That was wishful thinking!)

 

Q: In which primary colors will the IG PAK™  be available?

A: All Kickstarter IG PAK™  pre-orders will be available with primary colors of black, white, orange and a color to be selected by Kickstarter votes.  (The 3D image shown above has a black primary color).  ENTERPRISE, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR, GOVERNMENT ENTITY, HUGE FAMILY or GROUP Tier 2 Level backers will have the option of choosing their own color for an additional $250 fee. This is only possible because of their large bulk pre-order.  

                                           

Q: What primary color of IG PAKs™  other than black, white and orange will be available?

A: We will conduct a poll of all Kickstarters who make pledges to decide on a fourth primary color.  This poll will be conducted over a week period after the project successfully completes.  You will be shown a color pallet to vote on your favorite color for the "Kickstarter color".  Final selection of your IG PAK's™  color may be determined after the poll ends.

Q:  What color will the hand guide area be for each base color (black, white, orange, Kickstarter color)?  

A:  We aren't sure yet, but we definitely like the translucent look of the hand guide. We look forward to your input during the project and will provide updates as decisions are made.  You will be given a final line up prior to making your choice.

Q:  Will IG PAKs™  become available for other brands or models of tablets besides the iPad*?

A:  Not with this project.  Eventually, assuming this project funds, we will expand into other sizes of IG PAKs™  for other popular brand Tablets, e-readers, etc. but the cost to manufacture plastic injection molds makes them impossible to include in this project. 

      

Q:  I own the original iPad* (Not iPad 2*).  Will it fit inside this project’s IG PAK™ ?

A:  Yes, without a protective skin. 

Q:  I plan on buying an iPad 3 when it becomes available.  Will it fit inside the IG PAK™ made for this kickstarter project?

A:  We don't know the exact specifications for the iPad 3 so we can't be sure.  If the length and height don't change appreciably and it is slightly thinner than the iPad 2 then it will fit wrapped in a protective skin. 

Q:  I have purchased a (enter brand name here) Tablet computer or e-reader.  Will it fit inside the IG PAK™ ?

A: This Kickstarter IG PAK™  project is designed exclusively for the iPad and iPad 2*. Please read update 2. We do not recommend or endorse carrying other Tablets or e-readers inside the Kickstarter IG PAK™.

 

Q:  I have purchased a (enter brand name here) Tablet skin for my iPad 2*.  Will it fit inside the IG PAK™  or should I use it inside my IG PAK™?

A:  Please check with your tablet skin's manufacturer for dimensions. If it will fit within a volume defined by these dimensions then it will fit :.5 inches x 7.8 inches by 9.75 inches.

The list of manufacturers of tablet skins that fit the iPad 2* is a very long one.  Many skins will fit inside the IG PAK™  but, due to the harsh mobile environment and the one handed grip required, we only recommend those that don’t stretch easily.  We have used Hard Candy’s ‘Street Skin’ in our prototype because of its superior grip and rugged construction with TPU plastic.  If this project is successful, we plan to develop a skin specifically designed for the IG PAK™.

 Q:  About what size is the zipper pouch on the IG PAK?

A:  Large enough for your wallet and keys or perhaps your charger and miscellaneous items.  We'll let you know more as the project progresses!

Q: Why haven’t you included a Tablet Skin in this project?

A: We want to be sure that we can deliver!   The additional cost to manufacture a specially designed skin would put an undue burden on this project. (It requires a much more elaborate (read "expensive") injection mold than any part of the IG PAK™ ).  Please stay tuned for a future Tablet Skin project!

Q: If I break or lose my iPad* or iPad 2* or if it is stolen while being used with the IG PAK™  will you replace it?

A:  No.  You will be assuming all risks associated with the loss, theft or breakagea of your iPad* or iPad 2*.  We strongly recommend that tablet users obtain insurance to cover them against these hazards if it is available.  We suggest that the users enable “Location Services” so that it can be located if it is lost or stolen.  Further, as stated above, it is recommended that the iPad 2* be incased in a rugged, non-stretch, non-slip skin with a positive grip surface. Using an iPad* or iPad 2* without a protective skin in the mobile environment is not recommended.

Q: How much will the IG PAK™ weigh?

A: We calculate that the IG PAK™ will weigh in at about 1.5 lbs!  That's light! - about the weight of the original iPad*!

Q:  How secure / safe will the iPad 2 be in the IG Pak from theft - i.e. someone sidling up, especially in busy close environments such as queues, crowded trains/buses etc - given if I understand correctly, that there will be no locking mechanism on this model?

A: The standard IG PAK, with its cross body strap, is designed to slide under your arm like a purse with the opening facing forward when you are in a crowd. Your hand fits easily around the IG PAK in this position keeping it closed and preventing theft. In addition the thin profile of the IG PAK allows it to be worn beneath a coat or jacket in those environments if the user wishes. If you require a bio-metric locking IG PAK please pre-order one at the $175 level.

Special Thanks to the creative team of James Dudley, Trent Smith and their associates operating as Design Annex for developing the outstanding 3D rendering above; and to Brad Durante and Michael Chappell of Highway 49 Productions for their fine work producing this IG PAK™ video!  In addition, thanks go out to all of the actors and actresses for their help!  Last, but most importantly, I am extremely thankful to Cat - the IG PAK project would never have been possible without her patience and hard work!

*iPad and iPad 2 are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.