More Kickstarter Goodness

Just a couple quick notes on some very worth Apple-centric Kickstarter campaigns, and the Kickstarter iOS App:

Card cases have appealed to me since the first time I laid eyes on them. The ability to get yet one more function out of your iPhone and being able to carry one less thing with you is an irresistible siren song of practicality. I’ve been through many card cases before finally settling on my current CM4 Q card case. While not perfect, it offers the best mix of slim storage, phone protection, and style. Now a new device that’s gained runaway success in their Kickstarter campaign is offering a new paradigm- the Wally.

The Wally is an unusual concept. It’s not a card case per se; the accessory adheres to the back of your iPhone (or smooth surfaced case) and can be removed and replaced. The card holder is similar to the CM4, but has a contoured pocket rather than a flap that holds your cards snug. Cards are easily removed via a clever red ribbon that pulls them partly out for easy access- I often have to fumble with my CM4 to pull the card I’d like past the rubber edge of the case. The materials are high quality as well- the makers tout the Italian leather and careful stitching that make their product a cut above the competitors.

They’ve already surpassed their original goal and with just a few days left are within sight of their stretch goal. If you like the idea of being able to skip on carrying a wallet or clutch purse when out and about give the Wally a look- it’s a top notch idea.

While iOS devices have been touted for their multitasking nature, the Macbook can’t be overlooked. Apple’s unibody laptops are as powerful as they are stylish, and the newer models that sport Thunderbolt ports offer the ability to dock them in clamshell mode, transforming them into a slim desktop tower. There are several third party accessory manufacturers (like Twelve South) that have some outstanding devices to help you take advantage of this feature, but what is a user to do if you don’t have the funds for an Thunderbolt Display? Kickstarter to the rescue again thanks to the MacDock. The diminutive connector plugs into your MacBook Pro to provide a peripheral bridge made of the same aerospace grade aluminum sporting a monitor connection and USB ports for keyboard, mouse, or whatever you may need to connect. The device comes in two levels: the MacDock Mini with one USB 3.0 port and a Mini Display port, and the MacDock Pro with a MiniDisplay port, audio jack, and three USB 3.0 ports (including one 10 watt port capable of powering your iPad). The MacDock is compatible with the MacBook Pro 13, 15, and 17 inch models Summer 2009 and later, with an additional model for the MacBook Air and Retina should they manufacturers reach their funding goals.

The device is plug and play; no drivers or software needed. If you’d like the advantage of a larger monitor and the desktop experience with your MacBook but don’t have Bluetooth accessories or the cash and ability to use the Thunderbolt Display, the MacDock offers an excellent compromise. The simple plug and play ability of the device coupled with something like TwevleSouth’s BookArc and a decent monitor affords you the ability to instantly shift from the mobile laptop experience to a full desktop. While I love my iMac I’m sorely tempted to shift to a MacBook Pro teamed with something like this for my next desktop.

And if you’re as fascinated with Kickstarter as I am, good news: they have an official iOS App now so you can keep track of all of the campaigns you support (and maybe find a few new ones that catch your attention). I haven’t had a chance to spend much time with the app yet, so a full review is pending.

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Caveat Emptor

If you’re one of the many like me that picked up Apple’s latest iPhone, you’ve probably also noticed the dearth of accessories due to the implementation of the new proprietary Lightning cable and port for sync and recharging. Due to the complex nature of the cable and Apple’s resistance to licensing the technology to third party manufacturers the iPhone 5 has been accessory-free without the use of the late-released Lightning adaptors (that don’t always provide the same function that an unadapted older generation iPhone would have with the same accessory).

I was excited to see the first third party Lightning cable hit the web- a jazzy little device produced by an outfit called iPhone5Mod. They advertised a reverse-engineered non-Apple Lightning cable, with an extra bonus: flashing christmas tree-like lights that run along the length of the cable (which looked far better in the product photo than it sounds when written out). Due to the lack of official products at the time, I happily plucked my credit card from my wallet and placed the order.

Fast forward a couple weeks, and my order finally arrived from Hong Kong. I gleefully opened the well-taped manilla envelope to find…a warning message. I had previously received an email from the manufacturer that they had revised their product after I had ordered it, but the revision was to improve data transfer speeds; since I ordered this cable strictly for recharging (I usually sync wirelessly) I thought it was of no real consequence.

The warning card enclosed said the following:

Insert the Lightning cable into your Apple device BEFORE connecting to a USB port on your Mac. On subsequent usage, disconnect the cable from the USB port first before again connecting to your Apple device. 

Bizarre warning for what should be a fairly straightforward device. I’ve seen the product breakdowns of the Lightning cable, and it isn’t just a shielded wire like its predecessor. Even so, I would have thought the chips in the Lightning cable would have served primarily as a means of validation, not a part of the function of the cable. A warning like the one above has been all the incentive I needed to seek a refund.

Considering the price of an iPhone 5 and the cost of repairing one (should Apple decide that the damage caused by the third party accessory not be covered by the warranty) the benefit of having an extra Lightning cable just can’t outweigh the risk of possibly damaging the handset. To be honest, I’m infuriated with the manufacturer- had they been upfront with the necessary steps to use their product I wouldn’t have bothered ordering it; hence the title of this post- buyer beware.

In previous generations of iPhones a large majority of accessories I’d obtained through purchase or submitted for review have been of at least acceptable quality, some (possibly spurred on by Apple’s focus on aesthetics) have been outstanding. The list of high quality third party goods of every type for iOS devices is long and impressive: every product from TwelveSouth (including my favorite, the BookBook line of cases), the JawBone Jambox, the Pad and Quill lineup, and so on. I suppose I have been lulled into a sense of false security when shopping for accessories (one caveat- I’ve never shopped the bargain-basement knockoff vendors like Alibaba or the super-cheap accessories you can find on eBay). I consider this a learning experience- not only to not blindly trust third party vendors (there are times that the more expensive option can cost less in the long term), but also that being an early adopter isn’t without its perils.

I doubt I’ll ease off my desire for cutting edge tech, but take my experience as a cautionary tale- Caveat Emptor!

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Cycling in style with the FreeWheelin

I stumbled across an innovative answer to using your iPhone when biking via an earlier post courtesy of TUAW (The Unofficial Apple Weblog). The FreeWheelin Bluetooth accessory seemed to be a promising way to enjoy the audio capabilities of your iPhone or bluetooth-capable iPod without sacrificing your ability to hear ambient sounds around you, unlike most sound-isolating earbuds. While the idea sounded promising (and far safer than listening to audio with earbuds), I’m skeptical of new products without being able to review them firsthand, and thankfully the makers of the SoundRyder FreeWheelin have made that a reality.

The concept behind the FreeWheelin is a simple one: rather than block all sound via earbuds or earphones, the makers opt to place the audio gear on your helmet, mounted via a velcro-like (but considerably more secure) strips that adhere to the non-styrofoam surfaces. The accessory is divided into three sections; two for each speaker, and a third between them as the Bluetooth module and battery. The three sections are connected by a coiled, sturdy-feeling insulated cable. While the body of the three sections are housed in plastic, it does have a solid (but thankfully light) feel to it. The overall build quality of the FreeWheelin was better than I had expected, considering the recent introduction of the product.

After ensuring the battery was charged via the included USB cable, I installed the FreeWheelin on my biking helmet. The process took minutes; the device clung firmly in place when pressed to the anchoring strips. It took me almost as long to decide where to mount the unit as the process itself; the instructions state that the mounting strips should not be placed directly on styrofoam, but my favorite (and admittedly inexpensive) helmet’s sides and back are mostly unvarnished styrofoam. As you can see in the photos, the center module had to be placed on the top of the back of my helmet. The pairing process was equally as straightforward, and I was on my way.

Operation of the FreeWheelin was as easy as its installation. Holding the single power/pairing button turns on the device; once paired your phone should connect automatically thereafter when the device is powered up. I didn’t notice a change in the weight or distribution of my helmet; it sat as comfortably as ever.

Now for the golden question- audio quality. The sound volume was likely impacted by my placement of the speakers; they were situated higher than the demonstration photos I’ve seen thanks to the construction of my helmet. The overall quality of the sound was adequate, but not overwhelming; in particular I would have liked more bass response on some tracks (low end sound is notoriously difficult to reproduce in small speakers). Once I had the sound levels set properly (thanks to controls on both the device and my iPhone) I was satisfied with the volume, although in particularly noisy settings I feel they would have been at least partly overwhelmed. On a better quality helmet I suspect both the volume and quality would have been markedly better, but bear in mind the device isn’t intended for high fidelity. [NOTE: SoundRyder pointed out to me after writing this review that the sound quality can be noticeably enhanced by using the iPhone's equalizer settings, a feature that I don't regularly use. I can now attest that it can make a marked difference. If you still have issues, they suggest checking the volume of your tracks in iTunes. Right click on any song (or a selection of songs) and go to options. You should see a volume slide; this can be the source of underwhelming volume when your sound levels are hit and miss.] The device was engineered to allow outside sound to be heard, unlike high quality headsets made to enhance the experience of your music; this alone would prevent your music from being concert hall pure.

The unexpected bonus of the FreeWheelin is that it’s not just wireless headphones, it’s a fully functional two way Bluetooth headset. I was able to make calls and text messages via Siri with good sound quality on the receiving end; the other party noted only minimal wind noise. The addition of Siri makes the Freewheelin far more useful; not having to interact with the touchscreen is even more valuable when cycling than driving.

The makers of the FreeWheelin thoughtfully included a mounting rack for using the device in other settings than cycling. The clip mount neatly affixes to a car visor or similarly thin target, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of the FreeWheelin in just about any environment. 

Overall the FreeWheelin gets a thumbs up for overall usefulness. The only negatives I could find were the overall volume and quality of sound, but my test helmet was a worst case selection. It definitely earns my endorsement for its uniqueness; I have yet to see any other competing product on the market that offers anything even similar. While not a perfect product (and those are very rare), it provides distinct advantage to those that would like to enjoy and interact with their iOS device while on the go. The FreeWheelin is available now via the SoundRyder website for $149.95.

ADDENDUM: The FreeWheelin is more widely available than first reported- it’s being carried by The Helmet Man and the makers have a distribution deal with J&B Importers who share their impressive product with independent bike stores and chains. The organization has embarked on an aggressive campaign to get the FreeWheelin into a store near you.

As for future products, SoundRyder has disclosed that they have a version of the FreeWheelin in development for motorcycle helmets/full faced helmets; further improving the usability of my favorite iOS device. This is yet another unaddressed niche- while Bluetooth connections have become almost standard in many car makes, the lack of two wheeled options are as sparse for motorcycles as they are for bikes.

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Survival kit for the new iPhone 5 user

One of the unspoken tasks all new smartphone users go through once they have their handset is the task of deciding on what accessories they need and the process of weeding through all the physical and online retailers to obtain them. I’ve heard the esteemed hosts of the Insanely Great Podcast half jokingly refer to the Apple Store as the “$30 store” due to a majority of the accessories they sell being priced at or close to that figure. When you consider that they typical iPhone user will definitely want a case and possibly a screen protector or a means of charging their phone while driving, relying on the friendly folks at your local Apple Store can add up quickly. Considering the physical differences of the iPhone 5, not all vendors may even have accessories that would suit the new handset. So what’s a new iPhone 5 owner to do?

Thankfully MobileFun (and the original MobileFun UK) has you covered with the announcement of their new Ultimate Pack for the iPhone 5. This collection is the perfect starter kit for the new handset- a soft silicone case, a screen protector, a universal smartphone desk stand, a 1 Amp dual USB port car adaptor, and a universal smartphone car mount. The Universal Pack covers all of the basic needs of a new iPhone 5 owner: protection via the case and screen cover, recharging via the car power adaptor (just plug in your Apple-provided Lightning cable), and storage that still provides usability via the desk stand and car holder.

The mountable car holder was of particular use to me. I’ve had every generation of iPhone save the 4s, but never had a dashboard mount until now. The mount is fully positionable, allowing you to use your iPhone in either portrait or landscape mode; especially useful with Apple’s new turn by turn navigation (or third party GPS app for those of you that have less faith in Apple’s Maps than I do).

While the Ultimate Pack’s components aren’t the best available of each category it covers, the collection is more than just a convenient way to cover all your accessory needs in one order; at $26.99 it will save you quite a bit compared to purchasing each component separately.

For those of you wishing to personalize their iPhone beyond what the Ultimate Pack offers, MobileFun has a complete lineup of iPhone 5 cases along with one of the widest selections of accessories currently available. Give them a look, I think you’ll be happy you did.

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iPhone 5- some completely unscientific observations

After a long and fretful preorder wait, UPS finally smiled on me- my shiny new iPhone 5 arrived at my doorstep. The technical aspects of Apple’s latest cornerstone mobile device have been dissected ad nauseum; every possible objective facet of the iPhone 5 has been well covered and discussed.  While iOS 6 has taken its (perhaps not so deserved) lumps, for the most part the iPhone 5 has been judged another winner for Apple. The only point of dissension so far involves its new aluminum back; some claim that the metal (especially the black anodized version) is far too easy to scuff or scratch. More on that later.

Instead of yet another breakdown that I have neither the time nor expertise to provide I’d like to offer a very subjective, impressionistic review of daily life so far with the iPhone 5. For starters, one thing hasn’t changed- Apple still has better packaging than just about any retail organization I’ve bought from. It would never have occurred to me that packaging could be aesthetically pleasing, but everything I’ve purchased from them reflects their overall corporate image- sleek, modern, eye-catching, and produced with minimal waste. An admission- I am one of those strange people that keeps the boxes my gadgets come in (although no cord will ever easily reoccupy its original space once unspooled, no matter how much you try).

My first impression of the 5 was mild surprise. The form is the same one we’ve grown accustomed to, but the extra length combined with the thinner profile mark it as a different animal at a casual glance. I’ve read of complaints of the iPhone 5 being easy to scuff (and some even stating that the phone arrived scuffed) but after two days of use with no case I had no marks on my iPhone’s chassis. That being said, I’ve since placed it in a case- no matter how solid a phone may be, I can’t see the wisdom of carrying something so expensive about without some measure of protection. I’m saddened by the loss of my BookBook and other card cases, but I expect accessory makers to adapt quickly.

My first impression when holding it was that the phone is light- almost too light. While it feels sturdy in your hand, the 5 lacks the heft that my old 4 sported. After about an hour of use I didn’t miss the lost mass; it was more comfortable and easier to hold for longer periods than its predecessor and sat better in the breast pocket of my hospital scrubs.

The black version I opted for looks fantastic. I have friends that love their Android handsets, but I don’t think anyone can successfully argue that any of them have the iPhone’s charisma. The changes to the form have all been welcome as well. When I first heard that the headphone jack was being moved to the bottom I dreaded having to reprogram myself to flip the iPhone bottom up to plug in my earbuds. The new placement is much more ergonomic, however: no more fussing with the earbud cord falling over the screen.

The new Lightning cable has been welcome for the most part. I had seen numerous photos of the new cable long before my iPhone arrived, but was still struck by how diminutive it is. The connector isn’t much bigger than the cable itself, and is dwarfed by the USB end. It fits (very) snugly into the iPhone. Not having to insure that the connector was properly aligned is a huge plus, but I worry that the smaller connector will make any accessory that used to rely on the structural support of the connector unreliable. The tiny footprint of the Lightning connector won’t be able to stabilize the iPhone in a loose cradle or dock like the original 32 pin connector did, so accessory makers will have to reengineer their devices accordingly. Another plus is the transfer speed; even though it uses the same USB port that my old sync cables did, it’s markedly faster transferring files. Fingers crossed for a Thunderbolt-compatible version in the future; being able to sync several gigabytes in seconds would be fantastic. I’m not looking forward to getting an adaptor for or replacing my current accessories to accommodate the Lightning port; my Mini Cooper (and cars made by their parent company BMW) won’t be able to interface with the 5 like it could with the 4 even with an adaptor.

I had installed iOS 6 on my old iPhone as soon as it was available, so I was already comfortable with the nuances of the updated OS. That being said, the 5 is much more nimble, flying through tasks and apps. The only new task that I’ve been routinely doing that my iPhone 4 wasn’t capable of has been voice launching of apps via Siri; especially useful when you can’t or shouldn’t be looking at your phone. Siri as a whole has been a fascinating bauble: cool to play with, but not something I really need. Too often speaking to your device just isn’t the most optimal method of interaction for it to be a central part of the user experience.

Overall use has been an evolutionary improvement. The more powerful processor and increased system RAM offers a bump in performance that’s not readily obvious, but after using it for a couple days going back to a 4 is a bit of a exercise in patience. The one area it has shone has been the phone ‘app’. The extra microphone provides better noise handling and the earpiece audio is better than my prior phone as well.

I’ve had several friends and coworkers ask if they should upgrade. My response is a firm “maybe”. If you have a 4s and/or are under contract, no- unless you have money to burn. If you have a 4 or earlier, absolutely; the 5 is a leap in performance and the new form offers some significant improvements. Having access to LTE is fantastic; the speeds are almost equivalent to my cable modem at home. The better camera is welcome, as are the aforementioned improvements. The iPhone 5 hasn’t remade the category like it’s great grandfather did for smartphones, but it’s another step up for what I feel is the best handheld device you can have.

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Mac + XBox 360 controller= awesome

One of the complaints about Macs for some time was their lack of gaming cred- anyone that cared about PC gaming in the slightest knew that you had to be running Windows to be able to play any of the worthwhile games available, from the days of DOS until the advent of consoles powerful enough to provide a PC-like gaming experience. Macs were great for graphic design, music, and photography, but gamers need not apply. 

This changed with the release of Steam for OSX. While not every title is available for Macs, Steam still offers an unmatched level of service for gamers: one stop shopping for everything from the latest cutting edge shooter to the simplest casual games, rolled in with cloud access (get a new computer? No problem- install the Steam client and redownload your purchases!) and good support for social networking.

Shortly after Steam made the jump to Mac, the then newly-released OSX App Store got in on the action as well. While the App Store can’t match Steam’s frequent sales prices, it’s a great resource for Mac enthusiasts looking for a new game (and a growing number of games are Game Center compatible, matching Steam’s social networking features).

The only thing lacking for some gamers is in the user interface. While I’ve been long conditioned to the keyboard/mouse combination used by first person shooters (all the way back to the original Castle Wolfenstein and Redneck Rampage) a lot of game enthusiasts prefer to use a game controller. Windows users can easily plug in one of a horde of USB controllers and get to fragging,but  Mac users weren’t so flexible. Thankfully a recent article from The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) offers some hope for those of you that aren’t as dedicated to traditional controls as I am.

The post describes using what they argue is the best controller out there- the XBox 360 USB handset. Depending on what method of gaming you prefer, just plugging the USB controller in may be all you need do. The online streaming game service OnLive will apparently use the controller natively with no further software or drivers needed. While it wasn’t tested, they believe that Steam’s recent Big Picture mode (designed for those using a big screen TV as their display) would likely accept the XBox 360 controller just as OnLive does.

Sadly, for those playing games that don’t natively accept a controller the going might not be as easy. The article offers a link to a stable, free driver for the XBox 360 controller that will work with many games that support controller input, and other software to help should your game need keyboard input.

I’ll be sticking with my keyboard and ArcMouse for as long as Valve keeps me enthralled with first person perspective games like Half Life, Portal, and Left 4 Dead; but for those of you that want a more console-oriented experience without the console there are finally answers. Grab that game controller and fire up your favorite title- those zombies aren’t going to shoot themselves!

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iPhone 5 rumor roundup

With September 12th and the assumed announcement of the next generation of iPhone just around the corner let’s take a quick pause and peruse some of the rumors bubbling through the pundit-sphere.

MacRumors brings us a couple of tidbits, one welcome and another possibly not so welcome. First, there’s their own iPhone 5 rumor roundup, covering everything from a comparison between the current iPhone 4s and a physical mockup of the iPhone 5 (if that is what it ends up being labeled) showing a noticeably thinner and longer chassis with a bottom-mounted headphone jack and the smaller redesigned docking port to a discussion of the expected hardware features.

MacRumors also passed on a report from iLounge stating that Apple will be the sole provider of cables and adaptors for the new smaller docking port on the next iPhone. Adaptors for the older iconic 32 pin connector used by all previous (non iPod Shuffle) devices are said the be available for $10 each or in three packs for $29, and new USB cables going for $19 each. Considering how much less expensive current third party cables and adaptors are this is a significant markup even if Apple’s manufacturing quality is markedly better.

My friends at MobileFun listed a partially whimsical look at iPhone 5 rumors on their product blog, including the recently reported new design in earbuds (sorry, guys- I disagree with your position on this one, they look legit to me and the enclosed earbuds with the iPhone are lowest common denominator).

Lastly, the iPhone isn’t the only device getting a refresh. Rumors and evidence abound that most of the current iPod lineup may get new models, we may be seeing the iPad Mini soon, and there’s a slim chance we may get the next generation in Apple TV as well!

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A little retro gaming for OSX

While the rapid march of technology has afforded gamers some incredibly powerful gear capable of some amazing feats, video games have a rich legacy of titles and platforms that haven’t lost their shine over time. A game doesn’t have to match the graphics of Crysis to be enjoyable, and sometimes the combination of simplicity and nostalgia can offer even more than cutting edge software.

For years my go-to source for older games was MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator). I was a child of the arcade, spending a good bit of my formative years trading quarters or tokens for a few minutes of electronic joy. While I and my friends loved arcade games, they weren’t the only means of interactive electronic entertainment’ that crown went to the titan of the day in home gaming Nintendo. Now, thanks to a recent article at OSX Daily we get news of a way to relive the games that made Nintendo a household name.

BSNES Emulator does for the SNES what MAME did for arcade games- provide a virtual environment for the original game software to run on your Mac. The emulator is a replacement for the older SNES9x emulator that works only on older versions of OSX. Per the authors BSNES focuses on accurate reproduction of the games rather than performance, and lacks the hacks and optimizations that some emulators offer.

The OSX Daily article offers some tips on how to get the best appearance and a diagram showing the keyboard control layout. If you really want to get the most out of the emulator you’re far better served by a USB game controller than the keyboard controls.

If you have fond memories of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, BSNES is your ticket to nostalgic joy. Even those that didn’t grow up with eight bit graphics and MIDI music may discover why it so loved.

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More retro gaming on iOS? Yes, please!

Casual games were the first big wave of gaming on iOS; there were numerous simple but addictive apps that have made small indie developers a great deal of money. Angry Birds, Doodle Jump, and Fruit Ninja were huge hits. This explosion was soon matched by the second wave: more complex casual PC games like Plants Versus Zombies. Soon thereafter iOS gaming began to show an identity of its own with perennial complex hits like Infinity Blade.

During this cascade of gaming another, quieter movement was spawned by an April Fool’s Joke. The iCade may have been a prank, but consumer interest caught fire and it soon became a reality. This opened the door for one of my favorite categories: classic games. While some like MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, a software emulator allowing the user to run the software behind their favorite classic arcade games) were short lived, many more found life in iOS. Many of Atari’s hits have found their way back to the hearts of gamers via the Atari’s Greatest Hits app. Final Fantasy, Street Fighter, and Duke Nukem are just a sampling of the games revived by nostalgic iOS users.

For those that crave something even closer to your old school gaming days I have good news (courtesy of TUAW) in the form of a soon-to-be-funded Kickstarter campaign. The GameDock turns your iOS device into an old-school console game system, but unlike the iCade it goes the full Monty by making your device a defacto cartridge. The GameDock consists of a small docking station for your device with USB ports in front for classic rectangular Nintendo Entertainment System game pads and a video out on the back to connect to your TV.  Just drop your iOS device into the dock and enjoy some of your favorites all over again, and this time you can sit as close to the TV as you like. Those without a TV (or those that would rather not tie up their set) can opt to using the screen on your device instead via built-in Bluetooth connectivity. The GameDock is compatible with all iCade games or any other dock-ready game that supports two players and the GameDock’s 1080p video output.

The makers have upped the ante even further by including a dashboard function allowing you to change your game via the controller. Had I been able to do so with my childhood’s game console I might have lost the ability to walk altogether as I wasted away in gaming bliss. While I love the concept of the iCade, the GameDock is a welcome addition to the ranks of gaming accessories.

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Controlling your cables, adorably

One of the things that got me to abandon my PC-making ways and switch to an iMac was Apple’s iconic aesthetics. The clean, condensed form of Apple’s all-in-one desktop made for a much less cluttered office than my tower/monitor/speakers/USB keyboard and mouse did. While my desk is still occasionally marred by an iPhone/iPad sync cable (even with iCloud and wifi sync it can be easier to handle large transfers via direct link) it’s far less cluttered than it was.

For those of you that are still losing the battle with the electrical spaghetti dangling from your collective devices Neatorama has a novel way of handling your problem. The Mousetail Cordwrap offers a one-tail-fits-all resizable, reusable cable organizer. The little mice have flexible appendages that can wrap up loose wiring, allowing you to keep your work area more organized. While it may not match the aesthetic of Apple’s product line, it’s arguably the cutest solution to cord clutter out there. The Mousetail Cordwrap comes in packs of two for a very reasonable $5.95 at one of my favorite oddity retailers, the NeatoShop. 

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