iPhone (News - Alert)… iPad… iPod, each of these devices has become a common household name today in a world overpopulated with gadgets and mobile apps. And even though Apple (News - Alert) may be currently experiencing a slowdown in sales amid the upcoming launch of the iPhone 5, there’s no denying their popularity and the front seat these gadgets take across the world.

In the second quarter of 2012 alone, Apple reported selling 28.9 million iPhones to end users and 17 million iPads. It’s not uncommon to see a stay-at-home mom, or even older seniors, with an iPhone or iPad – just the same as a business person on the go, a young teen and yes, even a child with one in hand.

While each of these users has separate purposes for the devices, their necessity and popularity is one that continues to expand.

As new apps and uses for these devices are introduced, there is also a need to improve the way they are used and protected from possible ill usage. I mentioned earlier that it is not uncommon to see a young toddler with an iPad in hand playing with apps to keep them entertained or to stimulate learning. Along with keeping these electronic devices in hand – their curious fingers can potentially push buttons that turn off intended apps and even risk breakage.

A father experiencing the same issue is the creator of a new offering  BubCaps, by Paperclip Robot, which helps prevent anyone from accidentally hitting the home screen button. The trick here is that they still keep the home button functioning  - but with only a firm press (depending on the level of protection you choose).

However they are rigid enough to make it difficult for children or an unauthorized user to press the home button when that action is not desired.

With BubCaps, parents can load a kid-friendly app and have peace of mind knowing their little one won’t be hitting the home button and gaining access to the entire phone. Seeing as though it only takes a few wrong presses to delete important messages or erase entire calendar and phone book information, the BubCaps may be well worth the investment.

Other markets also targeted with this gadget include educational environments including use in assistive technology for special needs students. With BubCaps, teachers can make sure students stay focused on the apps they should be using and not pushing through to other areas on the device.

According to the company, this sector has really taken off and Paperclip Robot is receiving orders in the hundreds from school districts across the country for special education purposes.

IPads are also becoming an important piece of equipment for businesses. In the retail space, for example, they are being used as a much more cost sensible way for customers to get info and even make purchases with a device they are familiar with. 

But as with any technology being offered in this setting – and in particular with one that is so familiar – it is vital to keep unsuspecting hands from leaving the screen you have set and wandering into other unwanted areas of the device.

To this end, Paperclip Robot has created a BubCap protective cover that is heavy-duty aluminum and a user can only activate the home button when a tooth pick is inserted into the tiny hole. This type of protection makes it easy to take one of the Apple devices onto a trade show floor or to a bar or retail setting and use it as a kiosk.

The backing on this Pro model includes a strong adhesive bond that will make it difficult to remove item once it is placed on the Home button. This should be stuck onto to the actual device, and not on top of a screen protector for ultimate functionality. Four packs of the three various BubCap options (regular, ultra, max) are being sold for 5.99 on the company’s website while a 2-pack of their Pro edition aluminum BubCaps sells for $9.99.  

Bulk packs are also available in 10-50 units.

I had a chance to review a sample of BubCaps on my iPhone device and handed it off to a whining toddler who just wanted to see the lights on the screen and hold the phone up to their face and play pretend calling (those fake plastic phones from the toy aisle just don’t do the trick anymore.) While the child did try numerous times to press the area she knew activated more lights on the screen,  it wasn’t strong enough to switch back to the home screen – now if only the buttons could help prevent excessive drools from hitting the device.

Want to learn more about today’s powerful mobile ecosystem? Don't miss the Mobility Tech Conference & Expo, collocated with ITEXPO West 2012 taking place Oct. 2-5 2012, in Austin, TX. Stay in touch with everything happening at Mobility Tech Conference & Expo. Follow us on Twitter.