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http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/552506690/brydge-ipad-do-more
<iframe frameborder="0" height="360px" src="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/552506690/brydge-ipad-do-more/widget/video.html" width="480px"></iframe>
CNET - "A keyboard case that makes your iPad look a lot like the MacBook Air."
ZDNet - "Brydge Kickstarter project could have been called ‘ToasterFridge’"
GigaOM - "I was recently enamored by the $99 Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad, but I may hold off and back the Brydge instead."
9to5Mac - "this appears to be one of the better made keyboard cases we have come across."
UberGizmo - "Aesthetically speaking, the Brydge does seem to have many design cues that hail from Cupertino"
GeekWire - "no toaster required"
SlideToPlay - "The product looks stylish, the materials seem high-quality, and the construction appears sturdy"
UPDATES -
April 25 - Just Launched!
Hello Kickstarter!
Thanks for checking out our project! We highly recommend watching our video to get the best idea of what Brydge can do.
Is it just us, or does it feel like the options for iPad keyboards and accessories are excessive in quantity, yet lacking in quality? This is why we created Brydge, which simply transforms your iPad into a laptop worthy of Apple.
This idea of turning your iPad into a high quality laptop seemed obvious to us and we were shocked when we could not find any accessory that accomplished this. So we set out to make such a product from the highest quality materials that would compliment your iPad perfectly.
Brydge is an elegant solution to the lack of quality iPad keyboards and accessories currently on the market. Made from aerospace-grade aluminum, with optional stereo speakers, Brydge connects to your iPad using a patent-pending hinge. This click-in hinge allows for close to 180 degrees of iPad positioning and holds your iPad secure.
Brydge's aluminum body is machined and anodized so that it matches the look and feel of the iPad precisely. When paired together Brydge and your iPad appear to be two parts of the same device, blending style and functionality seamlessly. Unlike other products made of painted plastic in an effort to look similar to the iPad, Brydge does not fake it. Not only does it look good, but when held in your hands you can feel the quality craftsmanship Apple lovers demand
Brydge's patent-pending hinge holds the iPad secure and allows for close to 180 degrees of positioning. While many stands offer a non-adjustable ledge to lean your iPad up against, Brydge's hinge allows you to position your iPad at nearly any angle, even allowing you to close it up entirely for easy transportation. Once closed, both your iPad and Brydge go to sleep automatically.
Hinge made of metal alloys and magnets, with a thermoplastic elastomer shell
Brydge’s hinge combines the forces of friction and magnetism to hold strongly onto the iPad. There is no need to enclose your iPad in any sort of case, instead, your iPad snaps in and is ready to go. If you need your iPad free from Brydge, simple hold down on the Brydge and pull your iPad free.
Since Brydge practically turns your iPad into a laptop, we figured, why not go all the way and include built-in speakers. This is an optional feature as it does make the product more expensive to produce. iPad speakers are somewhat average so we felt the upgrade to stereo sound and improved volume would be a welcomed upgrade for all iPad owners.
Optional Stereo Speakers
Brydge connects with your iPad via bluetooth, so there is no need to deal with any wires or plugs. This was important aesthetically, but also adds to the portability and convenience of the product. Additionally, the keyboard has been designed specifically for an iPad, with iPad functions built in and charges through a USB connection.
Development of Brydge has been a full time endeavor for us over the last 6 months, and we are fully dedicated to seeing it all the way through production, fulfillment and beyond. If out funding goal is met we have a plan in place and will immediately begin to work with manufacturers to finalize the design for production. In preparation for this, we have already begun the process of sourcing the materials and setting up manufacturing.
Eddy discussing how best to machine the Brydge body at a San Jose based manufacturer
Eddy has been able to provide a number of contacts in the manufacturing world from past projects. He was the lead engineer on a complex digital cigarette project that, oddly enough, has many of the same manufacturing requirements as Brydge (precision aluminum body, complex yet compact embedded circuit design). We will be utilizing these manufacturing relationships to produce Brydge in a timely manner.
After many conversations with these manufacturers, we have determined a initial upfront estimate for production that we have outlined below. (Per unit costs would be additional to this)
Die cost for custom clamp design: 10k
Mold design and tooling cost for over molding clamp: 30k
Mold and tooling cost for custom keyboard: 20k
Bluetooth customization for existing module: 5K
Large scale procurement of custom PCB/Electronics: TBD, based on quantity
Here is a timeline that will help you see where we currently are in the process and what our next steps are:
October - November, 2011 – Initial prototyping, clamp testing, competitive research
December, 2011 – PCB design, firmware development, machining tests
January, 2012 – Initial metal bodies, 3d print iterations of clamp
February, 2012 – Final CAD design, final metal body, final printed clamp
March, 2012 – Finishing / anodize research, began patenting process
April, 2012 – Video production, initial material sourcing, and manufacturer evaluation
NOW – KICKSTARTER Campaign to raise funds for manufacturing run
Kickstarter is an amazing tool that has helped introduce you to our product so that we can raise this capital. We have come so far and have a clear plan to cross the finish line, but part of that plan relies on you. We have calculated that we need $90K in order to produce the product in bulk and bring it to market. If you're interested in seeing the Brydge being made and would like to receive one of the first editions please pledge.
Thank you!
Brad, Eddy and Sam
<iframe frameborder="0" height="360px" src="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/552506690/brydge-ipad-do-more/widget/video.html" width="480px"></iframe>
CNET - "A keyboard case that makes your iPad look a lot like the MacBook Air."
ZDNet - "Brydge Kickstarter project could have been called ‘ToasterFridge’"
GigaOM - "I was recently enamored by the $99 Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad, but I may hold off and back the Brydge instead."
9to5Mac - "this appears to be one of the better made keyboard cases we have come across."
UberGizmo - "Aesthetically speaking, the Brydge does seem to have many design cues that hail from Cupertino"
GeekWire - "no toaster required"
SlideToPlay - "The product looks stylish, the materials seem high-quality, and the construction appears sturdy"
UPDATES -
April 25 - Just Launched!
Hello Kickstarter!
Thanks for checking out our project! We highly recommend watching our video to get the best idea of what Brydge can do.
Is it just us, or does it feel like the options for iPad keyboards and accessories are excessive in quantity, yet lacking in quality? This is why we created Brydge, which simply transforms your iPad into a laptop worthy of Apple.
This idea of turning your iPad into a high quality laptop seemed obvious to us and we were shocked when we could not find any accessory that accomplished this. So we set out to make such a product from the highest quality materials that would compliment your iPad perfectly.
Brydge is an elegant solution to the lack of quality iPad keyboards and accessories currently on the market. Made from aerospace-grade aluminum, with optional stereo speakers, Brydge connects to your iPad using a patent-pending hinge. This click-in hinge allows for close to 180 degrees of iPad positioning and holds your iPad secure.
Brydge's aluminum body is machined and anodized so that it matches the look and feel of the iPad precisely. When paired together Brydge and your iPad appear to be two parts of the same device, blending style and functionality seamlessly. Unlike other products made of painted plastic in an effort to look similar to the iPad, Brydge does not fake it. Not only does it look good, but when held in your hands you can feel the quality craftsmanship Apple lovers demand
Brydge's patent-pending hinge holds the iPad secure and allows for close to 180 degrees of positioning. While many stands offer a non-adjustable ledge to lean your iPad up against, Brydge's hinge allows you to position your iPad at nearly any angle, even allowing you to close it up entirely for easy transportation. Once closed, both your iPad and Brydge go to sleep automatically.
Hinge made of metal alloys and magnets, with a thermoplastic elastomer shell
Brydge’s hinge combines the forces of friction and magnetism to hold strongly onto the iPad. There is no need to enclose your iPad in any sort of case, instead, your iPad snaps in and is ready to go. If you need your iPad free from Brydge, simple hold down on the Brydge and pull your iPad free.
Since Brydge practically turns your iPad into a laptop, we figured, why not go all the way and include built-in speakers. This is an optional feature as it does make the product more expensive to produce. iPad speakers are somewhat average so we felt the upgrade to stereo sound and improved volume would be a welcomed upgrade for all iPad owners.
Optional Stereo Speakers
Brydge connects with your iPad via bluetooth, so there is no need to deal with any wires or plugs. This was important aesthetically, but also adds to the portability and convenience of the product. Additionally, the keyboard has been designed specifically for an iPad, with iPad functions built in and charges through a USB connection.
Development of Brydge has been a full time endeavor for us over the last 6 months, and we are fully dedicated to seeing it all the way through production, fulfillment and beyond. If out funding goal is met we have a plan in place and will immediately begin to work with manufacturers to finalize the design for production. In preparation for this, we have already begun the process of sourcing the materials and setting up manufacturing.
Eddy discussing how best to machine the Brydge body at a San Jose based manufacturer
Eddy has been able to provide a number of contacts in the manufacturing world from past projects. He was the lead engineer on a complex digital cigarette project that, oddly enough, has many of the same manufacturing requirements as Brydge (precision aluminum body, complex yet compact embedded circuit design). We will be utilizing these manufacturing relationships to produce Brydge in a timely manner.
After many conversations with these manufacturers, we have determined a initial upfront estimate for production that we have outlined below. (Per unit costs would be additional to this)
Die cost for custom clamp design: 10k
Mold design and tooling cost for over molding clamp: 30k
Mold and tooling cost for custom keyboard: 20k
Bluetooth customization for existing module: 5K
Large scale procurement of custom PCB/Electronics: TBD, based on quantity
Here is a timeline that will help you see where we currently are in the process and what our next steps are:
October - November, 2011 – Initial prototyping, clamp testing, competitive research
December, 2011 – PCB design, firmware development, machining tests
January, 2012 – Initial metal bodies, 3d print iterations of clamp
February, 2012 – Final CAD design, final metal body, final printed clamp
March, 2012 – Finishing / anodize research, began patenting process
April, 2012 – Video production, initial material sourcing, and manufacturer evaluation
NOW – KICKSTARTER Campaign to raise funds for manufacturing run
Kickstarter is an amazing tool that has helped introduce you to our product so that we can raise this capital. We have come so far and have a clear plan to cross the finish line, but part of that plan relies on you. We have calculated that we need $90K in order to produce the product in bulk and bring it to market. If you're interested in seeing the Brydge being made and would like to receive one of the first editions please pledge.
Thank you!
Brad, Eddy and Sam
