gorillapod

Joby, the maker of the fun and versatile Gorillapod flexible tripods and other related products, released Gorillamobile for iPhone 4. It's a complete redesign of its product for the iPhone 3G/3GS, mainly switching from a full case that protected the sides and back to a simple bumper.

For $39.95, the kit includes a black, two-piece polycarbonate plastic snap-on bumper case, a 6.7-inch high Gorillapod flexible stand, and a universal camera adapter clip with screw so you can use the stand with a camera.

There are cutouts in the case for the dock connector, mic, speaker, headphone … Read more

When I was a kid, holding the light while my father turned wrenches in some dark corner of the family car's engine bay was a sacred duty to be performed seriously and to the best of my ability. I don't have kids of my own, so when I find myself in need of illumination, I often find myself precariously balancing a hot work light into some odd angle or awkwardly holding a pen light between my teeth. For those who have found themselves in similar situations, Joby, creator of the Gorillapod camera mounting system, has just announced the … Read more

If you hate balancing your compact camera on fence railings to snap a pic of yourself, Joby's Gorillapod is a very handy flexible tripod that wraps around almost anything. The latest version has magnetic feet, meaning you can attach it to curved and flat surfaces.

Designed for compact digital cameras and small video cameras, the Gorillapod Magnetic has powerful neodymium magnets on its feet and about 30 rotating leg joints.

The tripod is about 6 inches long and weighs 1.6 ounces. A removable clip with a tripod screw holds gear weighing up to 11.5 ounces in place. … Read more

Despite point-and-shoot camera manufacturers' best efforts to reduce the effects of hand shake--digitally, optically, and mechanically--as long as you're holding the camera there's a very good chance you'll end up with blurry shots. Add in softening caused by noise reduction at higher ISO sensitivities, and getting a sharp shot of moving subjects or in low-light conditions can be tricky. The disappearance of viewfinders from compact cameras doesn't help things either as it encourages you to extend your arms to use the LCD.

Taking the camera out of your hands and putting it on a tripod or other support is one of the best ways to improve your odds. However, when I suggest this to point-and-shoot users I typically get in response that it's not practical to carry a tripod and it kills the point of having a very portable camera. But the solution is easy: get a very portable mini tripod.

Below are five favorites ranging in size, price, and flexibility, and though they aren't all technically tripods, they'll certainly help keep your pocket camera still whether you're behind or in front of it.

In lieu of buying a support, there are free options for helping control hand shake. Look for a lamp post, wall, tree, or any solid vertical structure you can lean against for support. Don't fully extend your arms, but instead pull them into your body as closely as possible with your elbows tucked into your sides or rest on a ledge or wall. Also, even if your camera has a lot of zoom range and optical image stabilization, it's always better to move yourself closer to a subject if possible than using your zoom. Lastly, if you use a tripod or anything else that's stable to support your camera, be sure to shut off any in-camera image stabilization--in this case, more stabilization is not better. … Read more

For this week's installment of the weekly Crave giveaway, we're offering up our first assortment of gifts courtesy of Joby, which makes the popular line of flexible tripod accessories for digital cameras and other devices. As part of the package, we're even throwing in a product that hasn't hit stores yet, the Gorillatorch, a battery-powered light that has magnetic feet so it sticks to any metal surface (or just wraps around lots of stuff).

Normally, this package would cost around $100, but you have the chance to get the whole thing gratis.

So, how do you … Read more