Trek Support, Backpack that Powers Gadgets On-the-Go, Hits Quirky's Online Store

collaboratively developed by Quirky's community


New York, NY, September 21, 2010 -- This week marks the official release of Trek Support -- a community-developed, checkpoint-friendly backpack that powers and protects your laptop and gadgets when you’re on the go.

Traveling techies, rejoice! This stylish backpack features a removable battery-powered USB gadget dock, which can charge up to three electronic items at a time. It also has a detachable laptop sleeve at the rear, designed specifically for travelers. Just unzip Trek Support's main compartment, lay the laptop side flat, and place it on the conveyor belt for speedier TSA security checks.

The Quirky community designed Trek Support to pack all of your traveling technology needs. Some of the features include: a detachable laptop sleeve that fits most 15-inch laptops; a gadget dock with up to seven hours of integrated rechargeable battery life; and specially designed pockets that fit iPads/eReaders, phones, MP3 players, portable gaming systems, cameras, and other gadgets. Trek Support also has handy outside pockets for easy access to phones, MP3 players, and your wallet or passport.

Trek Support is made of durable waterproof rip-stop nylon, with rubber-coated zippers and open-air mesh padding on the back and straps for comfort and support. It is available in charcoal, with bright blue accents and reflective hits on the logo and bungee cord. Take Charge with Quirky's Trek Support.

Trek Support is the 53rd product designed and developed by the Quirky community since Quirky’s launch on June 2, 2009. Quirky gives everyone the chance to get product ideas out of their heads and onto shelves. Each week, Quirky’s community collaborates to select and produce one new product idea. Last week ended the development phase of Trek Support, and it is now available for pre-sale in Quirky’s online store for $130.00 (MSRP: $150.00).

You might remember other successful Quirky products including the Cloak, a sleek, sturdy iPad case; the DigiDude, a portable camera tripod and keychain; the Scratch-n-Scroll, a mousepad with a writing surface; and the Click 'n Cook , a modular spatula system.

Quirky engages participants to collaborate in every aspect of product creation -- from ideation, design, naming, manufacturing, marketing, right on through to sales. Anyone can participate on Quirky.com either by submitting their own product idea for $10, or by voting, rating, and influencing other people’s product ideas. Cooler still, 30¢ of every dollar generated from the sale of a Quirky product goes back to these influencers.

Every week, users post ideas on Quirky to be rated by the Quirky community. The community surveys the submissions during a seven-day evaluation period and selects one product to move forward into product development. Quirky’s community then begins weighing in on everything from naming to logo selection to packaging through to prototype.

The final product becomes available for pre-sale in the Quirky online store (quirky.com/products). Once the product hits its pre-sale threshold, credit cards are charged, and the product goes into production and delivery. At this point, 30¢ of every dollar made from the direct sale of these products goes back to the community. “Community” in this case covers both the ideator as well as all people who voted, commented, and rated the project idea along the way.