The FridgePad iPad Fridge Magnet Mount is an interesting concept. [UPDATE: At first, I was skeptical of the magnet, but the manufacturers assure us that the device has a magnet capable of holding ten times the weight of both the iPad and mount and they have a video to prove it! We'll have to try it in person and give it our own test!]
I have some initial concerns. I have kids and guests running around the house opening and closing doors, including the refrigerator doors. How strong are the magnets? Second, I like to keep my iPad in a protective case and this seems to only fit a 'naked' iPad. Third, while there is access to the charging port, I would have to sneak it around the back of the fridge somehow without ruining the aesthetics.
Woodford Design offers a number of potential uses for the mount on their web site. A new app, called Foodmatic would be an ideal fit as it recommends recipes based on the ingredients you have on hand. Also, the popular Epicurious app would benefit from a kitchen-based iPad.
But I applaud Woodford Design's efforts to bring the iPad into the kitchen. I'm sure there are a number of high-tech kitchens that this would be a natural fit for. Let me know if you take the plunge!
iPad in the Kitchen
Hey Todd - actually I think this would be very handy, as I'm in the kitchen a lot - and wouldn't it be cool to pull up one of my video apps, like Namasta Yoga, or TV.com or something food related, and watch it as I cook. Or I could just put the iPad on a stand and do the same thing.
Cool idea
This is pretty neat. I can imagine watching movies while cooking. One thing I wonder about is that magnets generally don't get along with computers. I think I'd be nervous about that. I remember a story about a guy who'd attach his floppy disks to his refrigerator with a magnet so that he'd remember to take them to work. He complained to the IT department this his floppies kept losing data.
Jim
Today's solid-state-based
Today's solid-state-based gadgets are pretty much safe from magnets (my iPhone case has one) as opposed to floppy disks, which are inherently magnetic-based storage. My concern is if the magnets would be strong enough to survive slamming fridge doors!
Thanks
Hadn't thought about that distinction. It's tempting to get one.
Jim
FridgePad
Thought we would let you know that there's no need to worry about the magnet or the FridgePad falling off the fridge door. We use a massive magnet custom made for us that can hold a weight of 27kg, compared to the FridgePad and iPad's combined weight 1.5kg.
The iPad also uses solid state electronics so it's not effected by magnets and it's memory wont be wiped or damaged by the magnet.
We have a fridge door slam test video to show how secure the FridgePad mount is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdMs6C5xPAs
Loads more questions and answers at www.woodforddesign.com/Q%26A.html
Thanks for the comments as it's great to hear what people think.
magnet strength concern
We were at a store today and -- though not talking about your product specifically -- the man selling the iPads said the drive of the iPad can get wiped if exposed to too strong a magnet. Have you addressed this in the design?
Thanks.