Multipurpose accessories for wherever you need them

One of the factors I’ve loved about iOS devices has been the wealth of accessories available. While I have an admitted weakness for all things clever, when it comes to my accessories I’ll typically default to something utilitarian over flashy, multipurpose over single purpose.

My friends at Arkon have long been a reliable maker of accessories that fit this description perfectly. I’ve had the pleasure to evaluate a number of products from their expansive catalog, and have yet to be disappointed with anything they manufacture. From the PIP Boy-like Forearm Holder to to their innovative Smartphone Tripod, Arkon has produced one well-engineered product after another.

Their latest offerings make the point of showing that smartphones aren’t all they have on their minds. Not one but two new universal tablet stands have been shared with me; the 10″ Table Stand and the 4′ Extending Floor Stand, both sporting a quick-release universal tablet mount. The two tablet stands are almost identical, the only real difference is their height and size of the base.

I assembled the table mount in less than a full minute with no tools. The mount is as utilitarian as it’s name; its aluminum and industrial-grade black plastic construction aren’t going to win any beauty contests, but they are made for performance over appearance. As described earlier, the mounting assembly is designed for quick placement and release of your tablet. The bottom of the mount sports two reposition-able “fingers”, the top a single lockable clasp; both lined with soft foam to hold your tablet securely. A small tab on the side of the clamp body releases the top of the clasp, freeing your tablet in an instant. 

The mount mechanism sits atop the stand via an articulating ball joint and a locking hinge, providing a wide range of viewing positions. The base of the stand is a weighty metal V with felt coating the underside to prevent it from scratching or scuffing the surface it is placed on. The construction and mass of the base afford surprisingly secure footing for the stand; during testing it never moved, even during iMessage text typing.

The larger podium-like 4′ floor mount has a wider, heavier base but is just as stable. It took slightly longer to assemble, but was still a simple affair. As with its smaller sibling the floor stand was easy to position for use, and the mounting assembly is identical.

As mentioned before, these aren’t accessories you buy to compliment the sleek, stylish appearance of your tablet (although they are by no means ugly). These are well-made, sturdy stands that allow you to get more out of your iPad (or other tablet if you are so inclined). The desk stand worked perfectly in my office, keeping my iPad’s screen at the same level as my iMac‘s, and in the kitchen when using one of my many cooking apps. The taller stand would be perfect for lectures or presentations, especially if paired to something like an Apple TV that would allow wireless screen mirroring. I used mine in the living room, placing it alongside the arm of my couch so that I could use my iPad as a second screen device while watching football this past weekend (the stand is adjustable to heights from 2′ to 4′). Having your iPad held hands-free at the perfect height is something that you don’t value until you are afforded it, but consider me won over. The iPad may be light, but having it readily available hands-free was a boon. Both of these stands have proven useful in everyday tasks, not just specialized ones.

The stands are available now via Arkon’s website; the 10″ tabletop version lists for $39.95 and the 4′ floor version for $89.95.

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The next step for kickstarter campaigns

I’ve been fascinated by Kickstarter for some time now. The service has been a paradigm shift in funding for entrepreneurs and small organizations that were forced to rely on angel investors or unreliable traditional funding methods for their products or ideas to come to market. I’ve invested in several, and most of the campaigns I’ve been involved in have reached their funding goals and have gone into production.

So what happens after a successful Kickstarter campaign? While reaching your funding goals is an exciting achievement, it is merely the starting point for what creators hope to be a successful and profitable venture. Where you take your product or service after that isn’t as simple as running your Kickstarter campaign, unfortunately.

But where there’s a problem there will always be innovation. Enter Outgrow.me, the logical prologue to your new product or service. The site acts as a marketplace for Kickstarter products that have (or soon will) come to fruition. Products can be sorted by availability, product-focused (such as iPhone-related products), or general terms like ‘fashion’. Outgrow.me also includes products funded by Kickstarter competitor Indiegogo.

If you’re looking for something unique, clever, or like supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs give Outgrow.me a look. I’ve spent just a handful of minutes perusing their listings and have already found several fascinating offerings.

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Roam and listen in safety with AIRbudz

There’s a new Kickstarter campaign ongoing brought to us courtesy of The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) for a very worthy idea: AIRbudz. AIRbudz isn’t a stand alone accessory, it’s a modification of something that iOS and other portable media device users rely on regularly- their earbuds. The creator of AIRbudz is an avid runner, but had two issues: she relies on listening to music while running to keep her energized and on pace, yet most earbuds block surrounding sound by design making running or biking more dangerous. AIRbudz works with your existing earbuds by replacing the removable cushions that fit in your ear canal. The new cushions have air channels regularly spaced allowing surrounding sounds to mix with the audio  you’re listening to via your device, providing perfect balance of enjoyment of your audio while being more aware of your surroundings. 

I’ve run afoul of exactly these sorts of problems while biking- my hometown’s streets aren’t the most cycle-friendly, but all of the high quality earbuds I own are designed to passively isolate you from outside sound. While this is perfect for home use, it’s a potential danger on the road. Speaking as someone who’s had more than one unwanted encounter with car fenders AIRbudz is a fantastic idea, and I hope you’ll join me in supporting it.

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New Life for old iMacs, Kitty Style

Courtesy of Laughing Squid we have news of old computer hardware getting new life. Etsey merchant Atomic Attic has done the unthinkable- they’ve made recycling adorable. They’ve repurposed old color iMacs, CRT monitors, and televisions into pet beds, allowing your pet to share your love of electronics (albeit indirectly) and keeping obsolete tech out of the landfill- a trifecta of good karma. Tech waste has been a publicized problem of late- as technology is made obsolete at an increasing pace the discarded devices eventually end up in landfills, where rare metals and other toxic elements end up leeching into the soil. Repurposing old tech is the best solution (and those old Macs can be surprisingly durable) but eventually all electronics will fail. I can’t think of a better reuse for electronics than Atomic Attic’s.

Etsy is a fantastic site by the way- if you’ve never been it’s a virtual flea market containing an endless supply of crafts and goods- perfect for unique gifts or if you just want to spoil yourself with a little retail therapy. Give them a browsing, but be forewarned: Etsy shopping can be very addictive.

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