Digital Home Thoughts

Digital Home Thoughts - News & Reviews for the Digital Home

Register in our forums so you're ready for our next giveaway contest...


Zune Thoughts

Loading feed...

Apple Thoughts

Loading feed...

Laptop Thoughts

Loading feed...




Go Back   Thoughts Media Forums > DIGITAL HOME THOUGHTS > Digital Home Hardware & Accessories

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-31-2011, 03:00 PM
Matthew Shanks
Thoughts Media Review Team
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 8
Default Look Ma, No Hands! The PodFlexPro Reviewed

Travelling light is a challenge for many people. Travelling light if you're a technology buff is next to impossible. Between laptops, netbooks, cameras, phones, iPods, iPads, cords and chargers, many travellers now carry a bag filled with just their grown-up toys. Add a toddler into the mix and you have a recipe for carry-on luggage trouble. I found myself in this situation not too long ago travelling on vacation with my wife and daughter on a long flight (just shy of seven hours). I knew keeping an 18 month old toddler amused (not to mention myself) on such a lengthy flight would be a challenge, so I stuffed my gadget bag and off we went.

The newest addition to my gadget bag was the PodFlexPro, from Smart People on Ice. This accessory ($24.95 USD, available from podflexpro.com) is made to accommodate a range of portable media players, from the iPod Touch to iPhones and Android phones. It is a unique product that holds your device in a see-through pocket, and has an integral endoskeleton that can be bent and shaped into a variety of positions to allow hands-free viewing and operation of your device. This allows the PodFlexPro to be molded into a stand for tabletop viewing, hung off a cardio machine at the gym, or hung off the seat-back tray on an airplane.

The PodFlexPro had no issues fitting my fourth generation iPod Touch, although it will be a tighter fit if you leave an iPod case on, as I did. It is much roomier if users take their cases off before using the PodFlexPro. It also has specific openings in the neoprene to allow headphones and charging cables to be inserted into the device during use, although it did not have an opening for my iPod Touch's power button or volume controls. This is a minor quibble though, as most users will insert their device into the PodFlexPro already powered on and operate their volume buttons through the neoprene or with their touchscreen controls.

Image 1: The PodFlexPro, podding and flexing.

The PodFlexPro proved its worth over the long flights, fitting perfectly between the seatback and tray and allowing movies and music to be enjoyed hands-free. It would have been impossible to hold the iPod for such a long time and still manage some semblance of parenting, so the PodFlexPro was a lifesaver. Some users may question the purpose of the see through vinyl window over the device's screen, but it does offer protection to the device within. The protection will be of additional benefit to parents travelling with small children, as it thwarts all attempts to smear the device's screen with messy fingers. Operating my iPod through the vinyl window was easy, although with a heavier touch than normal, and the window didn't show fingerprints much more than my iPod normally does.

With the PodFlexPro, Smart People on Ice have delivered a unique and very useful product for owners of personal media players. I highly recommend it for those looking for a better way to enjoy media on their devices hands-free, especially at the gym or while travelling.

Matthew Shanks is a Professional Engineer and Project Management Professional, based in Calgary, Alberta. His interests include photography, home theater, and gaming. He is happily married and recently welcomed his baby daughter to the family.

Do you enjoy using new hardware, software and accessories, then sharing your experience with others? Then join us on the Thoughts Media Review Team! We're looking for individuals who find it fun to test new gear and give their honest opinions about the experience. It's a volunteer role with some great perks. Interested? Then click here for more information.

 
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-31-2011, 03:47 PM
sundown
Theorist
sundown's Avatar
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 302

Neat idea. Two questions:
  1. It looks thick in the photos. Is it? I don't have a ton of room in my briefcase these days but if it's thin and squishy, I can slide it into a pocket.
  2. Can it be folded up with the phone inside? Sort of like a padded case you could fold and place into a front pocket if you wanted to?
 
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-01-2011, 03:43 AM
Matthew Shanks
Thoughts Media Review Team
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 8

Sundown,

I think it's relatively thin. Overall dimensions are 11 3/4" L x 5 3/8" W (at the widest point). It is about 3/8" thick at the pocket end without a device inserted, and about 1/8" thick at the flexible end.

It can be folded up with the device inside, although not perfectly flat. Folded thickness is about 3/4", and about 6" long. If you've got a good sized front pocket, it will fit nicely!

Matthew
 
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-01-2011, 09:20 PM
sundown
Theorist
sundown's Avatar
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 302

Thanks for the detailed reply! I think I'll add it to my "to buy" list.
 
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:16 PM.