A new Kickstarter project has started up for MobileMount, a nice looking suction cup mount for the iPhone, iPad and other smartphones and tablets. The kickstand mount is produced by JR Sanches of J & M Company and promises to deliver the best mount your money can buy.

The MobileMount is a universal mount/kickstand for virtually any hand held device with a flat surface, like smartphones and tablets. Comprised of two twist-to-lock suction cups and one ball joint, this device's unique design allows for superior suction and durability.

The twist-to-lock suction cups are said to be the strongest out there and will secure your devices "for weeks", rather than days or hours from competing mounts. The universal design means you can use it on your iPhone or iPad, or any other flat-surfaced device. They also came up with a smart ball and joint system that allows for free horizontal and vertical rotation, making it a perfect setup for using your iPhone on your car dashboard or windshield as a GPS unit.

Pledges for the MobileMount start at just a buck and go all the way up to $700, but a pledge of just $25 will secure you a black MobileMount and 4 vinyl circles (for use with devices that have a matte surface) for delivery in January of next year. They're goal is $20,000, but they've already passed $10K so it doesn't look like this will have any trouble getting to market.

I'll personally be pledging $50 to get a couple of these bad boys -- one for my iPad 2 at the office and one for a windshield mount for my iPhone 4 in the car.

Check out the full video after the break!

Source: Kickstarter

In these tumultuous times you need some sort of protector; the kind that will prevent your iPhone from flying off the seat to who knows where. What kind of protector is here to save the day? The iGrip cigarette lighter mount of course! [$19.95 - TiPb store link]

This handy mount plugs right into your existing A/C power or cigarette lighter plug. The iGrip does not charge your iPhone, rather it is a holder so you can keep the iPhone at hands-reach easily (base don car model). For me, the iGrip has worked really well. I always have my iPhone a hands-reach away, and the iGrip makes it that much easier.

The holder does an excellent job of keeping the iPhone in place while not making it difficult to remove. Say, you get a call on the road. The last thing you want to do is have a challenge removing the iPhone from the mount. Instead iGrip has developed a way in which the iPhone simply slides, or rests in place and is kept from moving by a flexible “hook” on the top left of the device. This hook is made from soft plastic and moves out of the way when you remove the iPhone. This works really well as there is no where for the iPhone to snap into place, it “rests” in place instead.

In my trials of using the iGrip mount,  I only came across two issues: 1) The mount's close proximity to my gear shifter made it difficult shifting (yes, even in an automatic). This is not the holder’s fault, but something to keep in mind before purchase- where are you going to place this thing and will it work in the location that you find? And 2) Once the mount is in place, it really, really does not want to come out. You have to exert a sizable amount to remove the iGrip from the clutches of the cigarette adapter.

Overall I could not be happier with the iGrip 3G mount. Of course, part of me would like the same setup with power, but it would ruin the simplicity of this configuration as you would not be able to quickly remove the iPhone like you can now. If you are looking for a simple but effective iPhone holder for your car, take a look at the iGrip.

For more information, check out the TiPb iPhone Accessory store...

First Impressions

This is my second iGrip review of an iPhone mount and it is very different from the first. This mount comes with the detachable sled for the iPhone, a posable swivel neck mount and adhesive suction cup. I was a little concerned about the mounts overall height when I took it out of the box. My first thought was, "Where is the extender", "This is it?". However, there was no need to worry, this swivel mount does the job.

Daily Use

First I tried to to attach it to the windshield.  I ran into an issue since the mount is so short I could not reach it from the drivers seat. So I had to look at other alternatives. I then affixed the suction cup to the mount and decided to place it on the dashboard directly above the instrument panel. This proved to be an excellent idea! The iPhone is now clearly positioned so I can view it easily if someone calls, or I am using GPS (yes, there GPS apps on non- jailbroken iPhones). So first up, the phone call test.

If someone is calling you, ya just can't miss it, the screen is directly in front of you. The mount does not grip tightly to the iPhone. You can very easily grab the iPhone with one hand from the mount and answer your call. You could even answer it with speakerphone, but while driving it makes it difficult to hear the other person. Answering a call with a Bluetooth headset was simple as well.

Next was GPS and it was an absolute dream. I use G-Map for iPhone and it worked perfectly (the mount of course). The maps were at eye-level and were in the best possible position.

Using music on the mount was easy too. Click the iPod app and flick to the music I wanted... nice.

Because the iGrip Swivel is not a gooseneck-style mount, it does not bounce; there is no limp part or the ability to move accidentally.

Conclusion

Pros:

• Rock-solid
• No bounce
• Can be tightened to a position you want
• iPhone fits securely with out snapping into place, it can be lifted out easily

Cons:

• No landscape orientation
• No extra "adhesive sticker" if you use the base mount to adhere to a dash
• Does not work well for windshield mounting, I found it worked best on the dashboard

TiPb's Rating:

The iGrip Custom Fit Flexible Mount for iPhone 3G is available in the iMore Store for $19.95. This mount is an excellent alternative to having your iPhone float freely within the cabin of your car. In a day when more focus is being placed on distracted drivers, this mount allows you to affix your iPhone 3G and view the display while keeping both hands on the wheel. How does it measure up? Read on for the full review!

First Impressions

There are very few pieces to the iGrip; holder for the iPhone, the flexible "gooseneck" with suction cup and suction cup mount (for dashboards, etc). The quality of this product is top-notch. The holder is solid plastic, no fear of cracks here, and the gooseneck is very strong, almost too strong! The added mount is useful too. I found mounting the iGrip from my window, just below the rearview mirror works perfect for me, but it really depends on the vehicle. 

Daily Use

After thoroughly cleaning the interior windshield of my car (for those that want to know, it's a 2007 Honda Accord sedan) I had to experiment with where to place the mount. Windshield? Dashboard? Somewhere by the gearshift? After experimenting with various locations, I decided upon the windshield. This is the perfect location for me. I typically keep my iPhone in the drivers-side arm rest. This works OK, but I always have to look down at the screen. This, of course can be distracting. So, the eye-level positioning of the iGrip from the windshield is just perfect for me.

Once installed (this took about 3 seconds- simply find your location and press down on the suction lever...) the iGrip was secure. I only noticed a slight wobble from the base-neck of the device, but it "play" simply stems from the rubber suction affixing itself to the gooseneck. It can be quite challenging to manipulate the gooseneck to your desired position however, but this is a good thing. You see, once the iPhone is mounted, you don't want that neck swaying anywhere!

Using the mount is a joy! I can easily reach my iPhone homescreen to change my music (the Belkin TuneCast Auto works well) and access Google Maps.

The real disappointment with the iGrip has to do with the oversight of the 30-pin connector on the bottom of the iPhone. While the connector is still accessible for FM Transmitters and A/C power adapters, it is not completely flush. Knowing that people would mount the iGrip in their cars and need power, I would think the engineers would have devised a way to securely hold the iPhone in place while not hurting the connectors functionality. So remember, though the adapters plug in, there is an ever-so-slight extra push you have to give any adapter to plug it in smoothly.

I did find an great use for the iGrip while driving. I had to look up a phone number for an Indian restaurant I was going to (I had to make sure they still had the buffet). So, I tapped the Google Mobile App and spoke the name. Amazingly, the Google App picked my voice and successfully completed my search! Man, it was great.

Conclusion

I may seem a bit giddy, but I have not been this excited about an accessory since the Griffin PowerDuo! This mount just frees up some much space for me in the car and the ease of accessibility using apps like Google's Mobile App, just make the package that much more appealing. If you need a car mount, look no further that the iGrip, for $19.95, it is well worth it!

I have tried to include plenty of pictures so you really get a sense of what this looks like inside the vehicle; enjoy!

Pros:

• The iPhone is held securely in place. No worries of it falling out
• Flexible arm that is very strong. It does not sway on the window or dashboard easily
• You can keep your eyes on the road while using the iPhone! It's a savior!

Cons:

• The bottom of the holster ever so slightly prevents a charger or radio transmitter from fitting 100% securely. Still useable, but I wish they had accounted for this in the design. 

TiPb Review Rating: 4/5

If you’re like me, you have absolutely no clue where to put your iPhone when driving. If I keep it in my pocket, when I get a call I’ll have to struggle to take it out. Do I put it in the cupholder? Ah, I have drinks there. Should I put it in the passenger seat? It might slide off when I make a turn.

Well this dilemma is easily solved with the iGrip Universal Vent Car Mount ($19.95). This car mount solution offers easy access to your iPhone and manages to offer protection with some soft cushioning on the sides. How does the iGrip Universal Vent Car Mount perform?

Read on for the rest of the review!

What’s In The Box & Application

The iGrip Universal Vent Car Mount comes with no frills and is entirely straight to the point. Fair enough, there needn’t be any bells or whistles to an accessory that is self-explanatory. All the user has to do is connect the vent clip to the phone holster and you are good to go.

Design & Construction

The vent mount is made from very sturdy plastic that is adjustable for any phone. At a little less than maximum width, the iPhone slides in perfectly and nudges against the soft cushion that serves as a pillow for its edges. The iPhone sits comfortably on a cradle that is also adjustable, I left enough room for the charger to easily slip in.

The clips that attach to your car vents are also adjustable which allows the Vent Car Mount to be able to fit in most cars. The clip attachment to the vent is also very sturdy, once it clips, you’ll have a tough time taking it off. To be sure, there are better fitting vents than others. For a strange reason, the iGrip Universal Vent Car Mount doesn’t like one of my air vents, so I switched it onto another one.

Usability

I liked the idea of a vent car mount because it gave a direct line of sight for my iPhone and was non-intrusive to the interior of the car. When the iPhone is not on the car mount, I don’t even notice the car mount because the black build blends with my vents. Also, the iPhone's controls were always within easy reach and I could slide the iPhone in and out with no worries.

Even driving over potholes, speed bumps and overall rough terrain, the Vent Car Mount remained secure and never showed any signs of loosening. Throughout my testing, the clips attached to my car vents are as firm and sturdy as they were the day I installed them. I found great piece of mind in finding an iPhone accessory that I could use everyday.

However, a problem with a vent mount in general is if you have the Air Conditioning on as much as I do, which is pretty much the entire time (California weather), the iPhone does get a bit too cold for my liking. I didn’t put the iPhone in the vent car mount for long trips because I was afraid the cold would do the iPhone damage. Though checking with Apple, it is only ‘too cold’ when it reaches 32 degrees Fahrenheit (yes, that is freezing). So really, it might be much ado about nothing.

Also, because of the nature of the cradle and the snug fit it provides for your iPhone, iPhones in very large cases might not fit. Some of my slimmer cases were able to slide into the car mount but your mileage may vary. In order to reach maximum width, simply press the button in the left corner of the car mount. From my measurement there is about a centimeter or two added when the car mount is adjusted to maximum width (which does not include the added 'give' of the cushions).

Final Thoughts

My iPhone has finally found a comfortable place in my car that is both easily accessible yet non-intrusive. If you are a frequent driver, I would definitely recommend this Vent Car Mount because it offers a seamless way of storing your iPhone while driving. Also, the adjustable nature of the case allows many slim fitting cases room to fit in the cradle. One suggestion to iGrip, however, is to extend the maximum width so thicker cases can also fit. I would consider this a BUY for any driver who has been looking for a home for their iPhone.

 PROS

• Easy Install
• Very Sturdy Build and Attaches Great
• Seemingly Seamless Integration to your Car's Interior
• iPhone is Easily Accessible

 CONS

• Doesn't Fit Thicker Cases
• Vent Mount is in Direct Line of AC
• 'No Frills' Packaging
• No Instructions

Final Rating: 4.3/5