Hack a PowerMat for Use in Your Car
|
|
CREDIT: Mark Benton |
Some people aren’t happy with simply plugging an iPhone into their car's cigarette lighter, especially if they want to be able to reach and see the display easily. Over at Geeked Mark Benton has taken apart a Powermat and built a version that attaches to the dashboard, and provides detailed instructions on how to do it yourself.
This set-up does offer a variation on the hands-free mount that's useful, for example, if one is using a mapping function or the speakerphone. (It's never a good idea to try using a mobile phone without a hands-free set while driving in any case, as many states have laws against it). It also minimizes the number of wires in the car. Benton writes on his site that he also wanted to get rid of the adjustable arms on other mounts, finding they didn't work as well as magnets.
For those people that feel less confident about taking their devices apart, Benton offers a pre-assembled version for $89.99.
Each weekday on TechNewsDaily, That's Useful! finds practical new gadgets, computing hardware, apps, appliances and other electronics that make sense and simply make life better.





