Hands on: Youbiq's Gymbl tripod for the iPhone 4
updated 09:00 pm EST, Thu January 27, 2011
Tiny tripod offers full range of movement
Until recently, cellphone cameras were essentially worthless for taking pictures that could be viewed on anything but other cellphones. Now, however, most smartphone companies have continued to push the resolution and improve optics quality. Massachusets-based startup Youbiq has introduced a new accessory, the Gymbl, that aims to improve casual photography with the iPhone 4. MacNN took a closer look at the system, which is on display this week at the Macworld Expo.
As the name implies, the Gymbl centers around a gimbal mount bridges a small tripod and the company's specialized iPhone case. The system allows users to position the iPhone in nearly any orientation, either for taking pictures with the back camera or using the front-facing sensor for voice calls. When the tripod is not deployed, it folds into a hand grip that can be quickly detached from the iPhone case.
The Gymbl is not the first tripod designed for the iPhone 4, but it is a robust option built mostly of aluminum. We liked the quality construction, compact design, and flexibility for aiming the camera.
The company offers a separate accessory that attaches the iPhone case to the threaded stud on a standard tripod. A companion app also allows users to automatically upload pictures to a cloud-based service for quick retrieval.
The Gymbl is now available as a bundle with the tripod grip and case for $69, while the case and tripod adapter costs $49.
