Provides: Flexible tripod for phone support
Developer: Joby
Minimum Requirements: iPhone 3G or 3GS (iPod touch and other models available)
Price: $39.95
Availability: Now
More and more, I find myself using my iPhone for snapping quick photos. The picture quality is not nearly as good as that of my Nikon D40 DSLR, but my iPhone is always with me, and it’s easier to port around. Trouble is, it’s nearly impossible to balance on a ledge, chair, rock or what have you if I want to be in the picture myself, or if I want to steady the shot.
“Kirk, you foolish man,” I hear you say, “if you’re worried about steadying a shot, you’re already caring too much to be satisfied with your iPhone camera.” Perhaps, but that doesn’t change the fact that I sometimes find myself unable to take an unexpected photo because I have no tripod that supports the iPhone.
“Tripod?!” you continue. “Read your first paragraph! You leave your Nikon at home because it’s too much to lug around, and now you want to lug around a tripod?! Your thought process is devoid of all logic!”
Easy, guns. You many not understand what I mean, but Joby does. Hence, the Gorillamobile for the iPhones 3G and 3GS. This flexible tripod comes in a package nearly as small as the iPhone itself, making it convenient to have with you at all times.
The beauty of the device is its three jointed legs that allow you to bend and twist them as needed. They can be straightened out as with a standard tripod, but easily bent to accommodate uneven surfaces (such as a large rock). The rubber foot grips provide a secure hold.
Even better, you can wrap these legs around poles, tree limbs and such to get tripod functionality even in places where a standard tripod wouldn’t suffice. With this ability, the Gorillamobile is perfect when using your iPhone to watch a movie, to keep an eye on your GPS, and plenty more. The uses are limited only by the somewhat short legs, which are only about five inches long and cannot be extended.
Unlike the previous Gorillapod Mobile, the Gorillamobile for iPhone ships with a case that easily attaches to the tripod. It clips on to one of the four included adapters (along with a universal camera adapter with 1/4″ tripod screw and with two removable adhesive clips), and is held in place with a lock ring. The device is removed with the push of a button, and you can lock the ring so that accidentally hitting the button doesn’t release your phone or camera. In other words, buy this device for your iPhone, and you can use it for your small digital camera (max weight of 11.5 oz.) or other digital devices.
The case is fine for general use, too, but not very exciting. There’s no screen protector, it leaves the chrome accents exposed, and it only comes in matte black. I preferred to just remove my iPhone from the case, leaving it attached to the tripod, but it is kind of hard to remove the phone while the whole kit is attached. Still, I prefer all of this over the previous method of attaching the iPhone to the tripod with a suction cup. This is much more secure, and although there is some slight wiggle room where the case attaches to the tripod clip, it always sits still for the photo.
And to increase camera functionality, Joby has created the free Gorillacam app. It provides a self-timer, time-lapse functionality, anti-shake, a bubble level, the ability to touch anywhere on the screen on take a shot, and more. It’s not without its flaws, but, as mentioned, it’s free. If you’re looking for a paid app that provides even more advanced camera functionality, I recommend Camera Plus Pro.
Whether you need such a package comes down to how often you need to mount your iPhone, be it for photography, watching movies, etc. The case is decent, but likely not one you’d want to keep attached to your phone when it’s not also attached to the tripod. So, you’re paying $40 specifically for the tripod. It’s a great one—quite sturdy and very flexible, and you may find that it creates uses for itself. Best of all, it’s very light and small, making it as portable as your iPhone itself. Give it a shot, and I think you’ll find that perhaps your iPhone isn’t such a bad option for photography after all.
I want one of these so I can attach my iPhone to my Scooter…because I live in South Beach, Miami Beach Florida so I don't have a car…so it would be great to have to use the GPS or just to have options to access it while I am driving and listening to music…
I think it's a no brainer for those of us on the beach…love it want it have to have it