First look: SETA stand for iPhone & iPad is first to use 'NanoSuction' grip
Launched on Kickstarter Thursday, the SETA stand boasts a design so minimal it borders on the obvious, but the product comes with one standout feature that sets it apart from the rest.
Manufactured by 1.0 Innovations, SETA is basically a thick piece of aluminum worked into a curved "L" shape, with a "T-Channel" cutout large enough to manage almost all variety of docking cable.
The real draw for many, however, will be the method with which an iPhone ? or any other mobile device, such as an iPad ? can stay attached to the simple stand. By using what 1.0 Innovations calls the "NanoSuction" pad, almost any smartphone or tablet can be held in place and easily removed.
SETA is named after the mechanism or process describing the stiff hair or bristles on an organism, like those on a gecko's feet, that allow for adhesion to vertical surfaces. In fact, a prototype of the product shown off at this year's Macworld conference in January was dubbed "GEKO."
AppleInsider was able to use SETA and the NanoSuction pads over the past couple of weeks, and found the system to be quite useful, especially when doing desk work. The curvature of the stand provides an adequate viewing angle while keeping an iPhone within arm's reach. With grab-and-go mounting and dismounting, SETA is well suited for people who find themselves constantly moving to and from their workspace.
In practice, the synthetic gecko-inspired NanoSuction material readily adheres to a variety of flat, non-porous surfaces (including another NanoSuction pad) without being sticky to the touch or leaving behind a tacky residue. When the pad gets dirty, a piece of tape or a damp towel can be used to clean it, with little to no loss of "suction."
The SETA stand comes with two NanoSuction pads already attached, one on the front-facing edge and another on its base. Users can plant it on a number of surfaces and slap an iPhone or iPad on its face without having to hassle with suction cups or mechanical clips.
Using SETA is an interesting experience. With its gripping power, the NanoSuction pad almost feels like a magnet ? so much so that for the first day of testing, we half expected to feel a pull from the stand when mounting our iPhones.?
iPhone stuck to a window using NanoSuction pads.
On the downside, not all protective cases can be used with the NanoSuction pads, specifically silicone-based and textured models, though the firm claims about 70 percent of cases tested were compatible. Pads sold separately have an adhesive backing for use on noncompliant surfaces, though having a small black rectangle semi-permanently stuck to one's phone is hardly ideal. Instead, we stuck these in areas where an iPhone or iPad mount may come in handy but would otherwise be impractical, such as a bathroom mirror or the center console of a car.
While unique, the T-Channel cord holder on the stand is a bit cumbersome to use regularly. Users can string a charging cable through the top of the T-Channel, where it will drop down and be held in place until needed, though in our short time with SETA, the stand's charging dock capabilities were quickly forgotten.
Although 1.0 Innovations claims the ultra-minimalist SETA stand is designed to be future proof, and will no doubt be attractive to some, we think the product's real promise lies in its NanoSuction pads.
SETA's Kickstarter campaign starts today, with early bird rewards set at $19 for one stand and an extra small NanoSuction pad. Regular backing prices start at $25, while NanoSuction pad sets can be pledged for separately.
Manufactured by 1.0 Innovations, SETA is basically a thick piece of aluminum worked into a curved "L" shape, with a "T-Channel" cutout large enough to manage almost all variety of docking cable.
The real draw for many, however, will be the method with which an iPhone ? or any other mobile device, such as an iPad ? can stay attached to the simple stand. By using what 1.0 Innovations calls the "NanoSuction" pad, almost any smartphone or tablet can be held in place and easily removed.
SETA is named after the mechanism or process describing the stiff hair or bristles on an organism, like those on a gecko's feet, that allow for adhesion to vertical surfaces. In fact, a prototype of the product shown off at this year's Macworld conference in January was dubbed "GEKO."
AppleInsider was able to use SETA and the NanoSuction pads over the past couple of weeks, and found the system to be quite useful, especially when doing desk work. The curvature of the stand provides an adequate viewing angle while keeping an iPhone within arm's reach. With grab-and-go mounting and dismounting, SETA is well suited for people who find themselves constantly moving to and from their workspace.
In practice, the synthetic gecko-inspired NanoSuction material readily adheres to a variety of flat, non-porous surfaces (including another NanoSuction pad) without being sticky to the touch or leaving behind a tacky residue. When the pad gets dirty, a piece of tape or a damp towel can be used to clean it, with little to no loss of "suction."
The SETA stand comes with two NanoSuction pads already attached, one on the front-facing edge and another on its base. Users can plant it on a number of surfaces and slap an iPhone or iPad on its face without having to hassle with suction cups or mechanical clips.
Using SETA is an interesting experience. With its gripping power, the NanoSuction pad almost feels like a magnet ? so much so that for the first day of testing, we half expected to feel a pull from the stand when mounting our iPhones.?
iPhone stuck to a window using NanoSuction pads.
On the downside, not all protective cases can be used with the NanoSuction pads, specifically silicone-based and textured models, though the firm claims about 70 percent of cases tested were compatible. Pads sold separately have an adhesive backing for use on noncompliant surfaces, though having a small black rectangle semi-permanently stuck to one's phone is hardly ideal. Instead, we stuck these in areas where an iPhone or iPad mount may come in handy but would otherwise be impractical, such as a bathroom mirror or the center console of a car.
While unique, the T-Channel cord holder on the stand is a bit cumbersome to use regularly. Users can string a charging cable through the top of the T-Channel, where it will drop down and be held in place until needed, though in our short time with SETA, the stand's charging dock capabilities were quickly forgotten.
Although 1.0 Innovations claims the ultra-minimalist SETA stand is designed to be future proof, and will no doubt be attractive to some, we think the product's real promise lies in its NanoSuction pads.
SETA's Kickstarter campaign starts today, with early bird rewards set at $19 for one stand and an extra small NanoSuction pad. Regular backing prices start at $25, while NanoSuction pad sets can be pledged for separately.
Comments
Hey look, another product advertisement masquerading as a story. At least it doesn't look as useless as the aluminum case that blocks the phone's cellular signal.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Applelunatic
Hey look, another product advertisement masquerading as a story. At least it doesn't look as useless as the aluminum case that blocks the phone's cellular signal.
I think it's an interesting enough design to warrant a mention here.
This would be great to have in the kitchen
Quote:
Originally Posted by muppetry
I think it's an interesting enough design to warrant a mention here.
Plus, NanoSuction may well be the new Velcro.
Really, gecko inspired? Why don't you show us? I believe it's called Velcro in other parts of the world.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cpsro
Really, gecko inspired? Why don't you show us? I believe it's called Velcro in other parts of the world.
It actually IS gecko-inspired. They studied how the fine hairs/whatevers on their feet allowed them to stick to surfaces. Velcro requires two components - the little plastic hooks on the ones side and the fine mesh for the hooks to adhere to. The product being described uses only the shape inspired by the gecko feet, no need for a specific material to stick to.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cpsro
Really, gecko inspired? Why don't you show us? I believe it's called Velcro in other parts of the world.
Velcro does not stick to smooth surfaces. Did you read the article at all?
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dwighthouser/gekko-stand-universal-and-adjustable-nanosuction-s
I hope to receive mine next month. I don't know if the Gekko Stand was the first, but it probably had something to do with the name change.
Chris.
http://www.iphoneshop.net/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=iphone-car-mount&click=2&gclid=CKnYtOe_vrcCFZB7QgodDW8AAA
Other than being for an iPhone, how is it anything like that? Plastic, attached by a suction cup, and designed for use in a vehicle.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleInsider
... the synthetic gecko-inspired NanoSuction material ...
To be clear, this stuff is "gecko-inspired" in the same sense as one gets inspired by a sports hero or similar.
The technology itself has absolutely nothing to do with geckos and it doesn't stick on things using the same method that geckos use to stick to the wall. It's basically just small suction cups.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave MacLachlan
It actually IS gecko-inspired. They studied how the fine hairs/whatevers on their feet allowed them to stick to surfaces. Velcro requires two components - the little plastic hooks on the ones side and the fine mesh for the hooks to adhere to. The product being described uses only the shape inspired by the gecko feet, no need for a specific material to stick to.
Geckos don't stick to things in this way at all and velcro has nothing to do with geckos either.
I bought my Bluelounge Milo in October 2012, and it is pretty much EXACTLY the same product -- see http://www.bluelounge.com/products/milo/
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25842/width/350/height/700[/IMG]
The SETA product does appear be a clone of Bluelounge's Milo.
It seems to me that AI needs to take claims made in product press releases with a little more salt...
Now that does look very similar in form and function.
Quote:
Originally Posted by asterion
This is NOT a new product concept, and certainly not the first to use 'micro-suction'.
I bought my Bluelounge Milo in October 2012, and it is pretty much EXACTLY the same product -- see http://www.bluelounge.com/products/milo/
The SETA product does appear be a clone of Bluelounge's Milo.
It seems to me that AI needs to take claims made in product press releases with a little more salt...
Do you think they were trying to imply that SETA was the first product that uses the micro-suction tech? I think they were trying to imply using the tech alongside a very elegant and simple design.
But your'e right, marketing surely tries bending the truth as well as the aluminum.
The tech is very cool. I didn't know of any products before this SETA (here on AI) that used this tech. I remember watching something on the subject I think on the discovery channel ages ago about gecko's and their micro-hair adhesion properties. I think it's great stuff. I look forward to more products using this tech!
Quote:
Originally Posted by asterion
This is NOT a new product concept, and certainly not the first to use 'micro-suction'.
I bought my Bluelounge Milo in October 2012, and it is pretty much EXACTLY the same product -- see http://www.bluelounge.com/products/milo/
The SETA product does appear be a clone of Bluelounge's Milo.
It seems to me that AI needs to take claims made in product press releases with a little more salt...
How well does it work for you asterion?
Quote:
Originally Posted by asterion
This is NOT a new product concept, and certainly not the first to use 'micro-suction'.
I bought my Bluelounge Milo in October 2012, and it is pretty much EXACTLY the same product -- see http://www.bluelounge.com/products/milo/
The SETA product does appear be a clone of Bluelounge's Milo.
It seems to me that AI needs to take claims made in product press releases with a little more salt...
It seems like there are quite a few similar products around. If this one was aluminium instead of black (plastic?), I would buy it instead as I don't like the "hole" on the one in the article.
Better than either of these however I would rather buy a dock like the one Apple made for the iPhone 4 which is simply the best designed dock I've ever seen. It really pisses me off that Apple refuses to make these anymore and that so far there hasn't been a single company with any taste to make a good iPhone or iPad dock for the new devices.
Connecting the stupid cable and then lying it down on a table, remembering to make sure the cables aren't tangled or whatever is just unnecessarily time consuming and stupid. A socket that you put the device into in one motion that arranges the display at the perfect angle and controls the cables while charging at the same time is much better.
If only someone would make one that isn't ugly or trying to be something else as well.
Spiderphone, spiderphone
does whatever a spiderphone does
can it swing from a web?
no it can't, it's a phone
look oooout, it is a spiderphone
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cpsro
Really, gecko inspired? Why don't you show us? I believe it's called Velcro in other parts of the world.
Geckos can climb up vertical glass walls without anything other than their feet. Velcro requires another pad of opposite loops for the hooks to catch on to.
Incidentally Velcro was inspired by geckos as well so nice try but complete failure.
delete