14.3 Stands

You can put your iPod on a pedestal at your desk or in your car with a specially designed stand. A good solid stand not only keeps your iPod in full view and above the desk clutter, but also makes the control panel easily accessible, so you can input figures into a spreadsheet with one hand while cranking up the volume on your Budget Report Hot Jam playlist with the other.

14.3.1 Desk Stands

Here are a few stands that prop up your Pod with style.

14.3.1.1 DVBase Nickel-Plated iPod Stand

This stately and elegant stand has nickel plating to match the back of the iPod, creating a seamless look when you park the iPod majestically on your desk. The DVBase comes with a $55 price tag at http://www.thinkdifferentstore.com.

14.3.1.2 The iPodDock

Not to be confused with the charging dock that comes with the latest iPods, this iPod stand (Figure 14-7) does double duty as both a stand and docking cradle for 2001 and 2002 iPod models. Place the iPod upright in the front slot, and it's an unassuming stand. Flip the iPod over and plug it into the FireWire and audio ports in the back of the Dock, and you can now recharge the iPod or connect it to your stereo system using the proper cables (Chapter 12).

Figure 14-7. BookEndz was making iPod docks long before Apple released the dock-connectable iPods of 2003 and later. If you have an older iPod and want to dock it, browse on over to this page at http://www.bookendzdocks.com . The iPodDock comes in two versions (one for newer iPods with FireWire port covers and one for original models), each costing $45.

14.3.1.3 PodHolder

The clear plastic PodHolder sports an uncluttered design and holds your iPod up at an easy-viewing angle. Small rubber pads keep the iPod from slipping out of the stand. The PodHolder sells for $10 at http://www.PodShop.com.

14.3.1.4 Mod Pod iPod Stand

This laser-cut acrylic easel for the iPod brings to mind Apple's own approach to industrial design, as the Mod Pod props up the player in graceful Lucite curves. It comes in four colors and sells for $15 at http://www.macskinz.com.

14.3.1.5 PodStand

This modern-looking Pod platform comes in white or clear acrylic with a wide base to keep the iPod steady. Four rubber feet keep the PodStand from scooting across the desk, and the $15 price makes it an inexpensive way to keep your iPod from drowning in paperwork. It's available at http://www.marware.com/stand.html.

14.3.1.6 PodPerch

For those who think Apple's white charging dock is a bit too boxy, there's the PodPerch, a clear acrylic cradle for the 2003 iPods. Nestled in the perch, the iPod reclines at a sloping angle, and there's even space at the bottom for the flat FireWire connector to slide in without bending the cable. The PodPerch costs $20 at http://www.macmice.com/podperch_1.html.