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TUAW Faceoff: MovieWedge vs. MiniRizer
MovieWedge and MiniRizer essentially do the same thing: they provide a stand for your iPhone, iPod, or other teensy portable device (BlackBerry Storm?). If you've ever sat for an hour on a plane, holding your iPhone in your hand like a dope, staring down at the screen trying to enjoy, let's say, Koyaanisqatsi, then you realize there's a market for these things. I had a hard time choosing a favorite here, but I have to say that MovieWedge wins by a nose.MiniRizer is by longtime manufacturer Matias, and it's a miniaturized version of their iRizer -- a laptop stand. The MiniRizer is comprised of two clear plastic rectangles, designed to fit into each other to form a shelf with a backplate. This is perfect for the majority of phones or portable media players out there. But of course, it's really perfect for an iPhone or iPod touch. The MiniRizer provides two slots for assembly, which gives you two viewing angles: 40 and 50 degrees. The two plastic pieces fit into an envelope that comes with the product. Finally, the plastic "lip" where the iPhone would sit includes a little rubber for gripping the device. As anyone who has tried to sit their iPhone up on a desk, it's the slippage that winds up being the pain (I have been known to carry a large rubber band from a bunch of broccoli in my pocket to fashion an improvised anti-slip surface).Read on for more, or check out the gallery below.%Gallery-46956%
Pencils down, iPhones up
The next time someone calls you a pencil-necked geek, take comfort in the knowledge that the humble pencil can be used to do wonderful things, especially if you happen to have a few of them lying around plus some heavy-duty rubber bands. In fact, with the kind of ingenuity displayed by the Geeky Gadgets team, you can whip up one delightful iPhone or iPod touch stand. The same design could work with sturdy twigs and twine, if your office supply oversight is too strict to allow the pencil version -- impress your cubicle-mates with your Adirondack outdoorsy style. In a similar vein to the binder-clip stands featured on Cult of Mac and Instructables, this stand does a nice job of reusing found materials. If you've got a favorite iPhone stand made from atypical structural items, throw it into the TUAW Flickr feed. Thanks Ged!
CP Dock, because your phone is way too cool to rest on a table or floor
While we sit here contemplating how we somehow didn't think of the CP Dock first, we might as well praise the innovative minds that managed to devise a "gadget" that accommodates a phone charger, serves as a cord wrap, and acts as a phone stand all at the same time. Of course, you could save the $12.95 and just resort to the antiquated method of placing your beloved phone on -- you know -- a surface, but feel free to carry out the conspicuous consumption if you're so inclined.
All DS accessories cheap(er) at Amazon
Amazon has stripped 10% from the price of all its gaming accessories in an offer that lasts until January 10th. Okay, so 10% isn't a very significant discount -- especially where already cheap accessories are concerned -- but these are harsh times. And besides, we think $13.49 for one of Hori's splendid Charge Stands is great value. $7.19 for those Star Wars Lightsaber styli isn't too shabby, either -- you could pick up the illuminating versions for $15.29 for covert beneath-the-sheets DS sessions while you were there! Check out more doodads here. Does anything take your fancy?
The DIY DumbGuy laptop stand: so easy, even a dumb guy can make it
Don't let that "finished" rubiks' cube fool you. The steps too build this ergonomic laptop stand are dead simple: 1) bend hangar, b) stop bending hangar. Perhaps, therein lies the genus.
Vicente Wolf easel HDTV stand provides artsy alternative to wall mounting
Too frightened to hang it on a wall, huh? How's about one of those rickety stands from Best Buy? If neither of those options sound very good, have a look at this unique stand from designer Vicente Wolf. The easel HDTV stand really exemplifies the whole "HDTV as a piece of art" mantra, and coupled with GalleryPlayer, you'd really have an easy time hosting the local arts and crafts club. To be frank, we're not so sure the unit you see above is exactly for sale, but even the greenest of DIYers should be able to concoct one of their own.[Via DVICE]
Panasonic brings two more choices to the theater rack market
Panasonic's new SC-HTR510-K (pictured) and SC-HTR10-K are a pieces of gear that, for lack of a better term, is called the theater rack -- that union of furniture, electronics and speakers that in an audio-only time would have been called a console system. We'd much prefer a HTIB (especially one of the Japan-only models) to these electrified pieces of furniture, but they are probably only meant for space-constrained Japanese market. The larger ¥200,000 ($1,800) SC-HTR510-K is a 3.1-channel system with 3x65-Watts of power and a 90-Watt subwoofer, while the ¥50,000 ($450) 2.1-channel SC-HTR10-K makes do with 2x25-Watts in the front and a 30-Watt sub. Simplicity is obviously the drive with these, so Viera Link shows up along with AAC, Dolby Digital and DTS decoding.
DS Daily: Accessorizing
Most DS owners have, at some time or another, picked up a case (to protect the system) or perhaps a specialized stylus. But have you bought anything else? Hard shells, skins -- decorative, silicon, or both -- or something wacky like a stand? We'd love to hear how you accessorize your baby, even if it's only a matter of buying something to keep those tiny carts in.
Apple to release new iPhone/iPod touch dock?
Electronista reports on a patent filing for an iPhone/iPod touch dock that could allow you to both charge and play video in landscape mode, simultaneously. The patent was filed on September 5, 2007 -- near the time of the iPod touch debut. The so-called "dock" looks more like the tiny holder that ships with the iPod touch, with the exception of a dock connector plugged in.Apple does, however, file patents that it might not ever use -- as do most other companies. What do you think? Could this be a new dock design, or is it the patent for the included iPod touch stand?
A public service announcement regarding Mag Kid and cinder blocks
This just in: if any of you were curious enough to import Nintendo's Slide Adventure: Mag Kid, complete with its unusual "slide sensor" peripheral, then do not play it while resting your DS on top of your cinder block. We are deadly serious here: as far as we can ascertain, playing the game on your other individual masonry units is safe. This advice is brought to you by the Slide Adventure: Mag Kid instruction manual, which also recommends you don't play the game atop a grand piano, and avoid pointing the slide sensor's laser directly at your eyeballs. Head to Aeropause for more hilarious scans of the manual (which totally reminded us of the ker-razy Japanese Wii safety pamphlet).
Toytech takes a stand on DS accessories
We spotted Toytech's new Yatterman-themed styli and stands, really taking to the idea of keeping the pen upright and displayed. Play Asia has the sets in stock for a cheap $5.99, but we passed on the deal, realizing that we had no idea what a Yatterman is or why we would want it on a stylus! Apparently, it's an anime remake of a late-70's Japanese show? We went searching for some stylus-and-stand alternatives, and, wouldn't you know it, we found out that Toytech has a whole line of interesting accessories with more recognizable characters. Look past the post break for some of them! See also: Poke the Force with Lightsaber styli
Earth Trek launches curious all-in-one mobile stand
Frustrated by the lack of a proper dock in your new cellphone's packaging? Fret not, as Hong Kong's Earth Trek has your best interests in mind. The all-in-one Mobile Stand enables your phone's LCD to be easily viewable while you're trapped toiling away in your cubicle, and it also triples as a USB hub / charger and multicard reader. There has yet to be a peep made concerning the price, but we are told to expect it in black and white motifs.
iClooly: make your iPod into a baby iMac
This is the cutest damned thing I've seen in a while. The iClooly, from Japanese manufacturer RockRidgeSound, is a stand for your iPod Touch that makes it look like a lil' baby iMac -- and, as a side effect, serves as an actual useful way to watch movies on your iPod Touch without having to get your greasy mitts all over it.The iClooly even pivots 90º for landscape/portrait swapping goodness and has a dock connection inside. It'll be ¥4,980 (roughly $47) when it hits the streets June 7th. [via Engadget]
DS Daily: Peripheral party
The DS might not be a system that can immediately benefit from peripherals, what with it being a portable games machine and all, but that hasn't stopped some from coming up with cool stuff to attach to your beloved. Whether it's something as simple as a stand or a wicked awesome controller, there's been some advancements in the field. So, we figured we'd ask you what you were all rocking. Whether it's just a simple case that protects your DS, or something home-made, let us know what kind of fun stuff you have for your DS. If we covered it on the site, link it in the comments!
Hori Charge Stand delayed, coming to America?
We hope you haven't already put in a preorder for Hori's upcoming DS Lite Charge Stand! When we last previewed this accessory, Play Asia had put up a product page promising to deliver the stylish dock to your doorstep for $16.90 (plus $5.90 s/h) once it debuted in Japan this month. Checking the online import shop earlier today, we spotted a pair of notable details, bad news and good news, if you will:. Bad news: The charging base's shipping date has been moved to May Good news: There is now a listing for the White DS Lite Charge Stand bearing a US flag, scheduled for June and priced at $14.99. Is Hori's North American arm planning to bring the dock to the states as it has with many of the company's other DS accessories? If so, it might worth waiting an extra month to pick up the Charge Stand at a local store for a few bucks less. Hit the gallery below for glamour shots of the White and Black models. %Gallery-22278%
Ergotron Neo-Flex Combo Lift Stand
Jason Snell over at Macworld got his hands on an interesting new notebook stand: the Ergotron Neo-Flex Combo Lift Stand. What's different about it is that it not only holds the notebook, like the Griffin Elevator I use, but also includes a VESA mount for an external LCD display. By having the notebook platform and the VESA mount on a single base the Neo-Flex lets you put your laptop screen right next to your external display for a relatively seamless multi-display setup. And since everything is on one base it frees up desk space for your keyboard and mouse.Of course there's a price to be paid for this convenience and stylishness: $179. Nonetheless, this looks like one of the slickest setups out there for using a Mac portable together with an external monitor.
A glorious throne for your controllers
Looking for the most flamboyant way possible to keep your Wiimotes, Nunchuks and a Classic Controller tidily put away? CYBER Gadget's CYBER Remocon & Nunchuk Stand may be for you -- after you throw some LEDs in there, of course. The stand features two rubber-grippy slots for Wii Remotes, flanking stands for Nunchuks, and even a slot in the back for a single Classic. It includes velcro cable ties for the connectors on the Nunchuks and Classic Controller, and even has sockets in the back to plug the controllers into as a form of cord management.It kind of looks like it should charge the controllers, doesn't it? Well, it doesn't. Unless maybe it charges them with the prestige of such a prominent display. (It doesn't.) We like the idea of keeping our stuff off the floor, however. [Via GAME Watch]
Panasonic puts speakers in TV stand, calls it SC-HTR110
Having come to the land of HD from the audio world, it's ironic to see the return of essentially "console" systems that put speakers, amps and processing in a TV stand. But hey, fashion moves in cycles, right? Seriously, we'd recommend a HTIB system before one of these, but if you are really space- or fashion-constrained, or simply can't be bothered to think about both audio equipment and display furniture, then Panasonic's new SC-HTR110 might interest you. They've come up with a clever name, "rack theater," which will compliment your (naturally) Viera TV with basic surround decoding (including Dolby Virtual Speaker tech for surround-ish sound), amplification and four drivers spread across L/R channels. All of that, built into the TV stand! Up for grabs next month in Japan (where it makes more sense); let's hope this is one trend that doesn't catch on Stateside.
Do you trust Mario's grip?
More to the point, do you get the appeal of DS stands? This blogger doesn't. Why pay for something that your hands can do equally well? Alas, it looks like I'm in a minority, because companies keep churning the damn things out. Somebody out there is buying them, and no doubt somebody out there will lay down $30 for this 12-inch PVC Super Mario stand. Madness.*Even if yours truly was a fan of stands, it would be a struggle to recommend this, mainly because rival stands offer so much more on the features front, such as the ability to charge your DS (like the Hori Charge Stand), or the ability to play your DS while on its stand (see: Hori's Taiko no Tatsujin model). That minimalist bendy DS stand from last year still comes across as the most sensible purchase.* I fully reserve the right to entirely backtrack on this paragraph and squeal like a schoolgirl if anybody ever makes an Animal Crossing: Wild World stand.[Via Go Nintendo]
DS Daily: taking a stand
You know, we've never really felt the need to actually purchase one of the many stands available for the DS. We don't own Cooking Navi and playing Elite Beat Agents (or Ouendan) can be accomplished fairly easily by holding the DS with one of our hands and playing with the other. Then, we get an eye full of Hori's Taiko no Tatsujin stand and immediately felt the need to get one.We can't imagine what we'd use it for, so we figured we'd ask you! Who better to let us know the many uses of a DS stand than the fine folks who've been using one for awhile now. So, tell us how your DS rocks its stand.
