iPhone Savior: Philosophy Professor Dances His Way Towards $20K To Fund iPhone Case

In January of 2010, David Barnett glued a couple of large buttons onto the back of his iPhone case so he could neatly wrap his headset around them, at that very moment the idea for PopSockets was born.

By day, David Barnett is a Philosophy Professor with the University of Colorado at Boulder, by night he's the mastermind behind a new iPhone case design he calls PopSockets. Just five days after Barnett sought backers to fund his innovative case design through KickStarter.com, he reached his goal of $12,000 dollars and has now surpassed $16,000 with 20 days to go.

The most notable thing driving backers to fund PopSockets is its amazing multifunctional design. It's a case that is equal parts kickstand, a headset management system, pocketless phone clip, a single-hand stand, a cradle for gamers and shoulder stand. The collapsible, accordion-style sockets is what makes Barnett's case concept so wildly original.

But it's been a combination of original design work and Barnett's over-the-top dance moves that has polarized iPhone faithful into committed groups of both lovers and haters. Rather than producing a typical Kicksarter video that leans heavily on walking viewers through product specifications and design details, David Barnett decided to create a piece where he dances his way into funding. It appears that his risky and oddly unorthodox approach has paid off.

"That video just spread like crazy at first," Barnett told iPhone Savior. "I was getting emails daily from around the world, from people I knew in my early childhood."

"One guy actually said; I'll give him as much as he wants as along as he stops dancing." said Barnett.

The promo video that has caused such passionate disdain from some, has served Barnett as a fun gimmick used to differentiate himself from everyone else pimping products for funding on Kickstarter. Barnett was well aware of the risk he was taking when he chose to elevate fun over function in his video that features the Colorado professor dancing like it's 1982 all over again.

"I can either try to appeal to the tech bloggers or make it go more mainstream and try to create something a little more entertaining." said Professor Barnett.

"If the goal is to make tech bloggers enjoy my dancing then it's a failure," Barnett said with a chuckle. "My goal was to raise $12,000. Within 36 hours I had $7,000 and within 5 days I was fully funded. I'd call that a success."

If you read some of the feedback coming from users who watched the PopSockets video through Reddit.com, you'll get a good idea of how divided people are over Barnett's quirky brand of entertainment.

"Hated that video. Interesting product, however." one person wrote. — "I want to KILL him" another Reddit user posted.

Barnett's design has come a long way since he first decided to glue buttons onto the back of his iPhone case as a way keep his headset from getting tangled. Having taught Philosophy to some 250 students last semester, Professor Barnett is now only several weeks away from taking PopSockets to production in China.

"A year and half ago I started prototyping this product, it has taken me some time to get it right," said Barnett. "I am aiming for a March release date, but I still have to make a few refinements to the accordion so it will collapse flat."

When PopSockets is finally ready for delivery to its legion of loyal backers, Barnett hopes to ship his case in four unique colors. Although the caps at the end of the sockets are not suction cups, Barnett is not opposed to exploring the idea as a future evolution of his product.

"I have 400 backers whose opinion I can get just by emailing them," said Barnett. "It's been helpful already to see how many people want the suction cups."

With 20 days still left for attracting backers, David Barnett is hoping to pull in a total of $20,000 to launch PopSockets across the globe. A $25 pledge will get backers the PopSockets of their choice, while $40 will get two additional designer sockets included in the deal. Like it or not, PopSockets will be coming to a city near you later this Spring.

But you just might want to pledge your funds before you watch Professor Barnett do his extended booty dance while deliberately popping his sockets all over the room. Who knows —it could actually be the tipping point that gets you to buy in. I think Reddit user Topplehat summed up the whole video controversy quite nicely.

"Have you ever watched something and felt awkward for the person in the video?" asked topplehat.

I can honestly say — yes, yes I have. With that said, I would also add this word of advice, if you like the product you should buy it. It really is that simple.