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The best smartphone camera accessories
The two best ways to improve your smartphone photography are "talent" and "practice," but if you'd rather buy your way to better shots, that works too. Nowadays, there's a great selection of accessories like clip-on lenses, stabilizers, stands and other gear you can get without blowing a hole in your budget. If you've been thinking about taking that next step, here are a few questions to ask yourself and some of the best products on the market.
The best travel tripod
By Erin LodiThis post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer's guide to the best technology. When readers choose to buy The Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here.For less than $200, the MeFoto RoadTrip Travel Tripod is the best travel tripod for people who need to stow one in a carry-on bag for the flight home or easily strap one to a backpack for a multiday hike. Among the current crop of travel tripods, the MeFoto RoadTrip collapses smaller and weighs a bit less than most of the competition (when collapsed, it's a bit longer than a standard folded umbrella) but maintains a height and load capacity that are on a par with those of a full-size tripod—and at a competitive price.
How to make a magnetic iPhone Gorillapod for $25
Ever been inspired to mount your Gorillapod tripod on a metal surface, but can't find a suitable grip? If you are a creative photographer, then you should check out this Instructable that shows you how to modify an existing Gorillapod by adding some magnetic feet. The detailed directions were created for the standard Gorillapod model that's compatible with a camera, but you can use the same steps to modify the iPhone version. The process is not too difficult, requiring you to drill a small hole in the bottom of the tripod feet, fill the hole with a magnet and use epoxy to hold everything in place. A final coating of sugru helps to give the feet a smooth, professional-looking finish. If you are a savvy shopper, the cost of each magnetic Gorillapod can be quite reasonable with each unit requiring about $25, though you may have to shell out $40 to get everything you need. You will need a $16 Gorillapod, a $12 pack of ten rare earth magnets (1/2" x 3/8) and about $12 in sugru. After using three magnets and a touch of the sugru, there will be plenty of supplies leftover for future projects. It's a clever and relatively inexpensive modification that'll provide a novel way to hold your iPhone while you position it to get a unique angle shot. [Via PetaPixel]
Motrr Galileo nets $700k in Kickstarter pledges, available to pre-order now for $117
Perhaps you were discouraged by the uncertainty that comes along with a Kickstarter pledge, or you simply missed your chance to give Motrr's Galileo an $85 kick before the deadline hit. Whatever the reason, you're still in luck -- the iOS-controlled iPhone platform is now available for a proper pre-order, with a 10-percent discount and free shipping in tow. Galileo, which netted a whopping $702,427 in Kickstarter funding, could soon be on its way to a nursery or conference room near you, for the slightly increased sum of $116.99. That Benjamin and change will buy you one 360-degree rotating platform, complete with a rechargeable battery, USB cable, tripod screw and user manual. There's no word on when this latest round of pre-orders will be filled, but the company did confirm that it plans to ship the first batch this summer. Full deets (and pre-order option) are at the source link after the break.
Insert Coin: Twig, the tiny iPhone cable that's also a tripod (video)
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. Imagine an iPhone cable that was only four-inches long, doubled as a tripod and could bend to your every whim? That's the idea behind Twig, designed by former WIMM engineer Jason Hilbourne, who wanted something sturdier, smaller and more portable than Cupertino's "limp noodle." In partnership with an iOS accessory maker, the cable's three sturdy prongs will transform into a dock, wrap around objects or create a free-standing tripod for your FaceTime needs. It needs $50,000 to turn from dismembered action-figure prototype to reality, with an $18 pledge enough to secure you one of the first to leave the factory. After the break we've got the pitch footage, which includes what happens when you start prototyping with your Speed Racer dolls.
Motrr Galileo robotic iPhone platform is go for launch
One of the coolest Apple-related Kickstarter projects in the recent past has been the Motrr Galileo, a robotic iPhone platform. The project has definitely been funded -- it's now at US$400,000 with a $100,000 goal -- and it appears that the first devices will be shipped some time in June. There's still time for you to be a Galileo backer and get one for $85 -- the actual price tag when the product hits the market will be $129.95. The founders of Motrr are no strangers to the world of successful products. Josh Guyot and JoeBen Bevirt are the designers of the Joby and Gorillapod flexible camera tripods. With Galileo they'll have an awesome iOS-controlled motorized platform with an API for developers who want their apps to be able to control the device. If you haven't seen the Galileo in action, check out the video below.
Insert Coin: Galileo, the remote control camera from the men behind the Gorillapod
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. FaceTime conversations always commence with "left a bit, no, up a bit, no no, that's too far..." as we balance our iOS handsets to find a flattering angle. Gorillapod designers Josh Guyot and JoeBen Bevirt want to put an end to it with Galileo, a 360 degree motorized remote-control base for your iPhone or iPod Touch. If your buddy moves out of frame, just swipe in their direction and it'll pan around to follow. Designed as a video conferencing tool, it would also be useful as a baby monitor, remote camera or for clever photography projects. You'll also find a universal 1/4" tripod mount screw, rechargeable lithium polymer battery and it'll double as a dock when not in use. The project has currently reached $10,093 of its $100,000 goal, with the pre-order price of one of the units pegged at $85. If you'd care to see it in action, we'd suggest taking a trip downtown past the break. [Thanks, Max]
CineSkates smooth your camera's roll (video)
Wheels make everything better, right? That certainly seems to be the case with CineSkates. Joby has given a big thumbs up to the Kickstarter project, which help the Gorillapod Focus capture some pretty sweet tracking shots, because nothing says "elegance" like a gorilla on wheels.
How to photograph jewelry with an iPhone 4
You know those beautiful photos of jewelry that you see in ads and catalogs? The folks at Modahaus wanted to see if their table top studios could be used with an iPhone 4 to make images that would be good enough for a professional photographer to sell. The results were astonishingly good. The Modahaus studio comes in three sizes, ranging from 8.5" to 24" wide, and use a set of translucent and opaque backdrops that work with studio lights to create varied lighting effects. The crew at Modahaus used Tap Tap Tap's Camera+ app, a Glif tripod mount, a GorillaPod flexible tripod, and lights to take some very professional photos. Similar setups are available from other vendors as well. ThinkGeek, for example, has the $49.99 Portable Photo Studio, complete with lights and collapsible lightbox. With an iPhone 4, the right lighting, a good camera app, skill, and some patience, you could be shooting professional-quality product images.
The Vyne lets you wear your iPhone or iPod touch, whether you want to is still up for debate
It seems like wearing your gadgets is all the rage these days, and the Vyne is no exception. A belt-like flexible strip of plastic with a clip on the end for your iPod touch or iPhone (though we suppose it should work with any gadget that has the right dimensions), this product isn't wholly unlike the Gorillapod. There's no word on price or release date just yet, but just think of all the attention you'll get while using this in public. Then again, your hands will be free to do tons of other things -- like checking the time on your iPod nano wristwatch.
Joby's Gorillapod Video breaks cover at Photokina, complete with swivel arm
Joby has pretty much set the standard for portable, flexible, curious looking tripods, and while it has evolved over the years to include support for bulky DSLRs, it hasn't really made the same strides to cover the burgeoning pocket camcorder realm. Until today. Here in Köln, the outfit used Photokina as a launching pad for their newest portable tripod, the Gorillapod Video. For all intents and purposes, this is a classic Gorillapod with an omni-directional positioning video head, an extension arm for pans and tilts and magnetic feet for connecting it to your nearby barn. There's a small button on the head that allows the swivel arm to collapse for even easier travel, and during our moments with it here on the show floor, we were duly impressed with how it held the pocket camcorder strapped on top of it. It's available to order right now for $29.95, with shipments expected within the next fortnight. You know the drill -- gallery's below if you're craving more. %Gallery-103090% %Gallery-103091%
Joby Gorillapod Focus and Ballhead X review
No need for magnets? Plenty of need for strength and flexibility? You're in the right place, bub. Joby's been cranking out Gorillapods for eons now, and they've essentially set the standard for what a flexible, mobile tripod should be. What started as an easy way to compose timed shots from point and shoots quickly snowballed into an entire lineup of varied products (like the Gorillatorch Flare, for instance), the latest of which involves holding cameras up to 11 pounds and pivoting them around with just a twist. Care to get our take on the Ballhead X and its Focus companion? It's all just a click away. %Gallery-95577%
Joby's Gorillapod Magnetic now sticking cameras in unexpected places worldwide
Did you finally run out of precarious places to suspend your camera using an original Gorillapod? We find that hard to believe (did you try the chandelier?) but just the same are happy to inform you that a world of new possibilities is now open with the Gorillapod Magnetic, which is shipping worldwide for $24.95. Sadly it still only manages to support a meager 11.5 ounces, so SLR-toting shooters will not want to rely on this lodestone-augmented franken-pod, but those of you rocking compacts should be receiving theirs soon. We look forward to see what new and exciting places people stick theirs too -- just note that the one wood has already been done, and so anyone looking to replicate that feat is a low-down, dirty copycat. %Gallery-86171%
PMA 2010... and that's a wrap, folks
We had a great time in Anaheim this past weekend checking out the Photo Marketing Association's trade show spectacle. Hundreds of cameras and thousands of pictures later, we're finally back and getting settled. Let's take a look back at all that we saw this week, and then kind of wrap up a few loose ends. GE's 'Create by Jason Wu' camera collection unveiled, we go hands on Joby Gorillapod Magnetic flexible tripod hands-on Nikon CoolPix 'Style' and 'Life' series hands-on Pentax's rugged W90, ultra-zoom X90 now all but official Samsung TL500 and TL350 hands-on Samsung PMA roundup: hands on HMX-U20, eyes on AQ100 and SL605 Sony Alpha ultra-compact concept hands-off: leaves much to the imagination Sony's ultra-durable DSC-TX5 hands-on: ice, ice, baby Sigma trio espied at PMA, COO expresses interest in supporting 'mirrorless camera systems' %Gallery-86335% %Gallery-86558% %Gallery-86556%
Joby Gorillapod Magnetic flexible tripod hands-on
Hey kids, wanna see your golf drive Sam Raimi style, i.e. from the perspective the club itself? It wouldn't be with the fanciest of cameras, and we're sure wind resistance would throw you off your game, but we are curious if Joby's Gorillapod Magnetic would be able to hold tight. The flexible little tripod's tips certainly give it a surprisingly strong pull -- a shame it only holds 11 ounces, else we'd be putting our DSLRs in some crazy and unreasonable spots. Want one now? You're in luck -- it's on sale over at Joby's website for a pile of change less than $25. %Gallery-86171%
Joby demonstrates brilliance with Gorillapod Magnetic flexible tripod
It's the ultimate "why didn't I think of that?" concept, but kudos to Joby for doing more than just keeping a bar story to itself. Following in the footsteps of the magnified Gorillatorch, Joby decided to add a few magnets to the feet of its tried-and-true Gorillapod flexible tripod. The result? The Gorillapod Magnetic, of course! Reportedly, this little bugger supports digital cameras and camcorders weighing up to 11.5 ounces, and it should go on sale worldwide this April for an undisclosed amount. We know you've been dreaming of a way to snap group photos while inside those steel prison bars, and at long last, those dreams can be become reality. In related news, the company is also showing its professional side with the April-bound Ballhead X, which is described as a "portable yet sturdy" head that can pan, tilt, and rotate cameras up to 11.1 pounds, and while it's designed to play nice with the Gorillapod Focus, it should work fine with 3/8- and 1/4-inch threads on other tripods. Full release is after the break. %Gallery-85963%
Project Natal prototype spotted on a makeshift Gorillapod stand, sensing your every move
We're not sure if this is a hint toward the final form factor, or merely the simplest conglomeration of parts available to get working Project Natal sensors in the hands of developers, but The Seattle Times has posted a picture today a developer prototype of the motion-sensing unit. The seems clearly slimmer in proportion than the soundbar-styled renders we've seen thus far, but also quite a bit different than the hacked together hardware used for the Jimmy Fallon demo of the tech. Of course, the fact that the assembly has been slapped atop a Gorillapod makes it hard to believe this is near-final hardware, but it's still fun to see this stuff as evolves toward our living rooms.
Joby's Gorillamobile keeps your phone firmly affixed to whatever
Historically, the Gorillapod's lease in life has been all about mounting cameras to tree branches, goalposts, and strangers' limbs -- but, you know, cameras aren't the only things in the world that could use that kind of superhuman capability, are they? To that end, Joby has introduced Gorillamobile, a package of goodies that includes the company's Gorillapod Original -- its smallest flexible tripod -- along with tripod, suction cup, and adhesive clips for attaching various smartphones and point-and-shoots. What's it good for? Well, that's entirely up to you and your overactive imagination -- but Joby shows iPhones being securely stowed on desks, exercise bikes, and strollers, so we're sure you'll be able to figure out something. Look for it to ship on August 10 for $29.95.
Engadget's recession antidote: win a Joby Gorillapod SLR!
This whole global economic crisis, and its resulting massive loss of jobs got us thinking. We here at Engadget didn't want to stand helplessly by, announcing every new round of misery without giving anything back -- so we decided to take the opportunity to spread a little positivity. We'll be handing out a new gadget every day (except for weekends) to lucky readers until we run out of stuff or companies stop sending things. Today we've got a Joby Gorillapod SLR on offer, perfect for keeping your shiny new (or old, whatever) DSLR steady even in awkward situations. Read the rules below (no skimming -- we're omniscient and can tell when you've skimmed) and get commenting! Hooray for free stuff!Major thanks to Joby for providing the gear!The rules: Leave a comment below. Any comment will do, but if you want to share your proposal for "fixing" the world economy, that'd be sweet too. You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine. Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad. Winner will be chosen randomly. The winner will receive one (1) Joby Gorillapod SLR. Approximate retail value is $44.95. If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Entries can be submitted until Friday, July 10th, at 11:59PM ET. Good luck! Full rules can be found here.
Engadget's recession antidote: win a Joby Gorillapod Original!
This whole global economic crisis, and its resulting massive loss of jobs got us thinking. We here at Engadget didn't want to stand helplessly by, announcing every new round of misery without giving anything back -- so we decided to take the opportunity to spread a little positivity. We'll be handing out a new gadget every day (except for weekends) to lucky readers until we run out of stuff or companies stop sending things. Today we've got a Joby Gorillapod Original on offer, perfect for keeping your point-and-shoot steady even in awkward situations. Read the rules below (no skimming -- we're omniscient and can tell when you've skimmed) and get commenting! Hooray for free stuff!Huge thanks to Joby for providing the gear!The rules: Leave a comment below. Any comment will do, but if you want to share your proposal for "fixing" the world economy, that'd be sweet too. You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine. Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad. Winner will be chosen randomly. The winner will receive one (1) Joby Gorillapod Original. Approximate retail value is $24.99. If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Entries can be submitted until Thursday, July 9th, at 11:59PM ET. Good luck! Full rules can be found here.
