iLounge

As the latest budget iPhone car accessory from Kensington, the Dash/Friction Mount with Sound Amplified Cradle for iPhone ($40) does two things: it holds an iPhone, iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS in place on your windshield or dashboard, and provides passive amplification for its speaker -- both designed to appeal to those using iPhones as GPS devices. Lacking electronics of any sort, the Dash/Friction Mount's amplification system relies on you to insert custom-fit rubber pieces to channel the iPhone's speaker audio into grooves in the cradle's bottom, and promises a boost of 2X the original volume -- properly set up, this is actually true. Its mounting system includes a pressured suction cup for your windshield, as well as a sturdy weighted and rubberized sandbag-style mount that can keep everything in place on your dashboard. Kensington uses a ball joint to enable the cradle to rotate and pivot on your choice of angles, and a plastic arm that can be pulled back or forth as is needed, both with screw-style pressure clamps to preserve the selected position. Encased and unencased iPhones both work in the cradle.