With the introduction of the iPhone 12’s MagSafe technology, we knew there was going to be news about new accessories. Mostly, it meant that companies were no longer reliant on adhesive backing, which might have turned some people off.
Items like phone wallets, cases, chargers and grips can now be magnetic, meaning they can be removed and adjusted without messing with the adhesive or committing to a long-term relationship with a certain accessory.
With this in mind, we thought of PopSockets, which have taken over the smartphone accessory world, and thanks to an exclusive deal with supplier iClick, have been in the promotional products industry for a while now.
We knew it was simply a matter of time until we heard something about MagSafe PopSockets. Our suspicions were confirmed by TechCrunch, which reported that MagSafe PopSockets are indeed on the way.
What MagSafe on the iPhone 12 is, how it works, and what can it do
https://t.co/72qlIvmPZW pic.twitter.com/5aa3WOStdT— AppleInsider (@appleinsider) October 16, 2020
PopSockets told TechCrunch that the magnetic grips are in the works, but didn’t give a specific release date just yet. Interestingly, the company clarified to TechCrunch that it “did not confirm it’s Making PopGrips, specifically.” This could mean a new design specifically coinciding with the MagSafe technology. Maybe it’s a re-design of the existing grips. Or maybe it’s a new product all together that would revolutionize the smartphone grip. Either way, something from PopSockets is on the way.
“We are very excited that PopSockets is creating a new Grip specifically for iPhone’s MagSafe capabilities,” iClick president and CEO Jeff Hall told PM. “We believe that this new Grip will be a tremendous addition to the PopSockets lineup for the promotional products industry.”
TechCrunch also touched on a topic we mentioned higher up, too: If the PopGrips (or whatever product the company eventually releases) are magnetic, rather than adhesive, it means you don’t have to commit to having the grip on your phone at all times. Yes, we know they are removable and the adhesive will still work, but it’s much less convenient than a magnet. This could be the development that makes noncommittal smartphone users finally pull the trigger on a product, or at least be more willing to use one as a promotional gift without having to worry whether they were now A PopGrips Guy for all of time.
Hall doesn’t think it will totally offset the demand for the adhesive-backed PopGrips, though.
“We don’t anticipate that this will diminish the need or desire for the current PopSockets Grip, as it will most likely take quite a while before the majority of people have a MagSafe capable phone,” he said. “But it is exciting to know that early adopters of this technology will also have a new technology of PopSockets Grips to show off along with their new phones.”
Previously, PopGrips users could remove their grip from the phone, but over time the adhesive would get a little gunky, and they’d need to wash it and let it dry. This led to the development of different PopGrips covers, so they could just swap them out when they felt like changing the aesthetic. With the magnetic technology, that’s no longer an issue, and changing the entire grip in seconds is possible.
OtterBox has already introduced a line of MagSafe-ready cases, meaning third-party companies that make iPhone accessories are not wasting any time developing products for this generation of smartphone.
OtterBox's MagSafe-compatible iPhone 12 cases will be available soon https://t.co/unoyrHwPmS pic.twitter.com/5urDuKFLOa
— Engadget (@engadget) October 16, 2020
Whether PopSockets introduces a PopGrip product like we’re used to, or introduces something new and improved for the MagSafe world, remains to be seen. But, it’s a safe bet that this will be a good option for companies that use smartphone accessories and wireless chargers as promotional items.
