If there is one thing that Apple has done right with the iMac and its Thunderbolt Displays is that they have created very sleek and stylish looking products. How they managed this is by keeping the ports at the back, thus making the interface look very clean.
However there is a drawback which is that if you wanted to access the USB ports on an iMac, you’d have to reach around. Sometimes the monitor might even be placed in such a way that longer USB sticks might have a hard time fitting. Thankfully there’s an answer for that on Kickstarter.
Dubbed the iMacompanion, it basically brings a USB port to the front of the iMac, thus making it easier for users to plug USB devices without having to reach around the back. The device, as you can see above, is pretty nondescript and will sort of blend in with the base on the iMac or Thunderbolt Display.
It is made from sandblasted anodized aluminum thus guaranteeing that there is some level of quality and durability involved, and it will connect to the back of the iMac via a thin cable that can run under the base of the computer. Unfortunately this is a USB 2.0 port and the reason that they did not go with USB 3.0 is apparently because they have to find a flat cable that can handle USB 3.0 speeds.
Priced at $25 (early bird special), the project is a little over halfway through its goal of $9,999 so if you’d like to learn more or pledge a donation, hit up its Kickstarter page for the details.
Filed in . Read more about Crowdfunding, iMac, Kickstarter and USB.