Cheap and Quick Portable IPhone / PMP Stand

Intro: Cheap and Quick Portable IPhone / PMP Stand

I travel quite a bit and have always been searching for stands for whatever PMP (personal media player) / iPod / PSP / iPhone or whatever gadget I'm currently using to watch movies while flying. the catch is the stands have to be small and easy to transport and still work well.

I tried the business card one, some origami ones and some other mediums (I had cut one from plastic) but they all were either too involved to recreate midair or not sturdy enough to hold the thing at the right angle.

I happened to have a hotel room key in my shirt pocket and mangled it into something that I now find myself dependent upon for my iphone holding needs. I like the fact that I can reuse something for another purpose and hey, they're free! It works well in coach as well as first class and haven't hit any turbulence rough enough to unsettle it. :D


Quick little update:  Lots of emails and feedback on this little concept!  I've added some bends to accomodate my new blacberry, I mainly use that as a stand at work . I see others have added bends as well as well as even making a nice dock!  awesome. 

Honestly, I know it's really simplistic, but sometimes those are the best ideas.  I have used these on every one of my flights for my iphone while watching movies and I tell you it's the best traveling stand, because it's handy, easily replaceable and basically free!   

STEP 1:

First off make sure you have a hotel room key. I usually have mine from my recent stay still with me, but once you make one of these you can keep it with you are reuse it over and over again. any plastic card wil work too, those fake credit card junk mail things you get would work great too.

STEP 2:

next you will fold the card into this shape. I start with the card and fold it about half an inch off center. this will leave a little of the card for you to fold the other way to make the part that the iPhone will rest on. the thickness of your phone / pmp will be good guide to show you how much of a tab you need to have.

STEP 3:

with some tweaking you can make the angle perfect for your viewing pleasure. I can crank one of these out in about 2 seconds and some people sitting next to me have commented that it's a really good idea, I've even given one to someone who asked if I had another hotel room key to make him one.

Comments

[v12vanuish]

Sir, you have effectively killed the IPhone/Ipod Touch stand market . How do you feel ? :D

[anguevuberwald]

just made one. perfect! simple yet elegant.

[cheesebubble]

After having tried a few different stands made out of business cards, thick card stock, and cardboard - this one is the winner! Very worthwhile instructable. Currently using it for my LG Nexus 4. Have one at work and one a home.

[aflacpyro267]

this is the best iphone stand i have ever seen!!!!!!!! awesome!!!!!

[baggy481]

This was a great idea. I needed a stand for my samsung mezmerize so I came to good old Instructables, and yours was the easiest to make, the most versatile, and it works great. Thanks for this!

[joey7869]

This is a wonderful little project. I have HUNDREDS of room keys and this is a great project!

[steelnix]

Awesome...took me a minute sitting at my desk to fold up a card...

[akoutdoors]

took a minute? he did his in "2 seconds". come on and try to keep up. LOL JK

[innrgeek]

MY ADDITION!

I also added a small strip of duct tape to the bottom of mine (under the base)  This allows me to set a more precise angle of the stand and also allows me to use the card longer once the bends get weak by stabilizing it.

the duct tape can also be unattached and stuck to the card for easy flat-wallet storage and reuse! ;-)

[akoutdoors]

thumbs up for you innrgeek. making something that is one of the best ideas on here even better.

[wepst]

cheap, easy and works!

[brum]

great idea, thanks, whiped it up then and there using a library card.

[vcmaes]

Keeping it simiple. Cheers.

[beastycrum]

This is one of the easiest and best instructables! I have been looking forever here and could't find a stand that is both cheap and easy but you helped me a lot! I give this a 1000000 out of 1000000 stars! : )

[sjoobbani]

 I can;t believe this.
abolutly amazing
wow
wow
wow

I've been looking for something like this for my ZuneHD
wow. t
tahnk you.
:D 
5STARS!

[Nautilus34]

OH MAN THIS IS PERFECT!! i have about a dozen expired gift cards sitting here at my desk. It's so great that I found this, because I was literally moments away from disposing of them. thanks!

[MrLouque]

genius

[lillisa]

This is the greatest thing ever! I made a bunch for friends, cuz I had about half a dozen expired gift cards, discount club cards, etc!!

[josephhortman]

 I also did this while at my computer when i first read it. Awesome! Movie is Run FatBoy Run and Simon Pegg does rule!

[geekazoid]

 *5 Stars* Subscribed. I've tried all sorts of stands for my ipod touch (with case the size of an iphone) and this has definitely worked best. Great idea, nice and simple. Congrats!