iLounge

Company: DogCollarLabor

Website: www.shopmod.com

Model: ModPod

Price: $14.95

Compatible: iPod 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, iPod photo

MacSkinz/DogCollarLabor ModPod

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By Dennis Lloyd

Publisher, iLounge
Published: Tuesday, December 25, 2001
Category: Stands

Pros: Simplicity, good looks and functionality makes this stand an easy choice.

Cons: Nothing bad about this stand.

On the front of the retail packaging, it reads, “Holds Your iPod With Style!”—I have to agree with that statement. When I first learned of the ModPod stand, I thought to myself, “Finally, a simple, functional, and well designed stand to hold my iPod.”

The Designer

The ModPod stand, designed by Doug Griffith, also created MacSkins (formerly known as AppleSkinz). MacSkins are graphically designed panels for customizing G3 and G4 tower computers. Many MacSkinz designs are available, and customers may also contact MacSkins to have their own design applied to the panels. Look for iPodSkins coming soon. More on that later as we get more information from Doug.

Designing the ModPod

Doug saw a need for a simple iPod stand and immediately designed a 2D version in Adobe Illustrator. Knowing that his high school buddy had a prototyping machine with a laser cutter he emailed his finished design to his friend and about an hour later had the first laser cut ModPod. He designed the packaging and now sells the ModPod to the masses through The iPod Store.

Job Well Done

The ModPod is esentially three different planes of clear Lucite interlocked like a puzzle on a perpendicular axis, forming one solid platform to place your iPod. The design itself is modern with sweeping curves and rounded corners making it an eye-appealing accessory, worthy of the iPod’s industrial design. Cable management is provided with two “hooks” on the back of the stand. The fit is perfect, with just enough room for the iPod, yet limiting the movement while plugging and un-plugging cables.

Recommendations

Adding four small, clear rubber, round stickers to the stand would allow the ModPod to have more grip on the iPod and protect the iPod’s metal finish from any scratches that may occur while placing and/or removing it from the stand. Eveyone know’s how easy it is to scratch the back of an iPod, and this added assurance would not detract from the design, but adds protection and functionality as well. Also adding clear, rubber tips on the ModPod’s “feet” would prevent it from sliding around on your desk while placing and/or removing it. Do this a couple of times with cables attached and you’ll know what I mean.

The ModPod works, it holds the iPod in place, keeps your audio and FireWire cables tidy and looks good doing it. So stop laying your precious iPod on your desk. Proudly display your iPod on the ModPod stand, as it should be.