Welcome to gpik.net! My
name is Gordon Adkins and I invented the original gpik and now the new smarter stylus.
How exactly did it happen?
In April of 2006 in Memphis my car was broken into and my Dell Axim and cell phone were stolen. As a result of that theft I was forced back in the market on cell phones and informational devices and learned that I could buy one product and have both functions- I was elated and it was my first touch screen device—BUT –I quickly became frustrated as the only way I could effectively use the touch screen was with the pencil like stylus – it was always falling between the car seats or elsewhere – I would lose it and it did require two hands to operate –and it cost 15 dollars and two weeks to replace it -- that held my productivity back and I couldn’t stand it so I began looking for a solution to that problem.
My mind wouldn’t stop trying to solve the problem as I love to multitask and the product was holding me back—there just had to be a better way to do it –Including thinking that I could use duct tape or Velcro and fasten something to my thumb along with many other crazy ideas—then I stopped in a music store and purchased a guitar pick for my thumb—I bent the end so the point was perpendicular to my thumb and presto- it worked – it really did work.
After that I continued to work at improving the design and one day a friend said
to me – hey that is a great idea – why don’t you try to get a
patent on it?
So in early 2007 I did apply for a patent pending – since that time much has
evolved –another patent pending was filed in 2007 covering the conductive
or capacitive touch screen idea as Steve Jobs of apple with the introduction of
the iPhone in June 2007, changed the game regarding stylus applications –
and said in his introduction – there will be no more stylus needed now with
this iPhone.
However that isn’t true for all people – as it has now been proven that there is plenty of need for a good reliable and responsive thumb stylus for both the iPhone and iPad (and other smart devices)– as there are many individuals that prefer a stylus to their own thumb or finger because of their job- their personal situation like long fingernails- or loss of use of a hand – or sanitary conditions or smearing of the screen or their fingers are just too big—or they live in Duluth and must have gloves on and thus can’t use their smartphone--so there is a need for a good stylus – like smarter stylus!
Smarter Stylus now works very well for the new touch screens –the ring is adjustable to any size thumb or finger—because of the design and materials used it is very responsive to the touch (much more responsive than any other product I have tested) and it does glide over the touch screen and doesn’t jump and drag and irritate the user-- you – while it is being used.
It works even when your smart phone is protected by an otter box – this is a critical point as there are many individuals who must have an otter box type protection and other stylus’ that do not work through an otter box are not effective at all –I do use an otter box and that is why I insisted in the design that it work with an otter box.
So my product has evolved—my original intent was simply to develop a product that improved my own need to multi-task. What has occurred is that there has been a revolution since April 2006 in the area of touch screens really starting with the introduction of the iPhone and the capacitive touch screen.
Smarter Stylus has adapted to that change and what I have learned is that there are many uses for my device that hadn’t originally occurred to me, namely:
- It can be used by individuals with long fingernails on smart devices
- For those who have lost the use of one hand
- Over gloves for protection in cold weather
- For large fingers or thumbs
- With one hand for easy multi-tasking
- In medical or situations that demand more sanitary usage for some personal reasons
- Faster- more accurate-cleaner- easier
- Can eliminate smearing and smudging on the screen which effects viewing
I have a story from a customer (Neal S from California) who is a quadriplegic who upon trying my product – has now for the first time been able to send emails from his iPad – he is delighted and I am very happy that smarter stylus has enabled him to get online now.
Another customer from Missouri named Doug suffered some injuries as a result of an accident which left him with a loss of hand and arm use –he is using smarter stylus and tells me that he is now able to effectively use his iPad where he couldn’t before.
There are many situations out there in the world where different people have different needs for their smart device usage – my hope is that the smarter stylus can assist many people in their daily lives to become more functional and that it will enable all people to get on the smart device bandwagon (if that is their choice) and become more productive in an easier more comfortable way.
At gpik, llc we welcome your comments and stories of how you use our products and of any suggestions you may have for the improvement of them.
Gordon Adkins
P.S. - The development of the bullet button
release tool came as a customer from California who had seen the original
gpik realized that the design was perfect for the use of performing a release function
on the bullet buttons installed on some guns in California by law.
