CE Week 2013 | "DESTROY ALL FANBOYS!"

If you own an iPhone, you’ve taken pictures with it and if you’ve taken pictures with it, there are those shots you’ve missed or mucked up because you could have used an extra hand or one less finger sticking into the resulting photo. Or perhaps you’ve handed your phone to a total stranger and asked him or her to snap away, only to watch them fiddling away trying to find the right button (no, not EVERYONE owns an iPhone, folks). Well, if they don’t simply smile,tip their cap and make a run for the hills with your phone, that is (hey, I’m in NYC, so this tends to happen, according to the authorities)…

Ladies and gentlemen, Ben Zajeski feels your pain. He’s the Project Engineer behind the amazing Grip & Shoot, a three-piece system that Apple needs to think about making a standard issue accessory. This genius device turns that iPhone into a MUCH better still and movie camera and also allows for may other apps to be used in a more natural way without fear of dropping that pricey phone. Created for the iPhone 4S or 5 (which fits snugly into a special case which then attaches to the Bluetooth-enabled Smart Grip handle) and simple to set up, this one’s another product that needs to be in the hands of as many iPhone users as possible. You can also detach and use the bottom of the grip handle with a tripod for the ultimate in stability (no more shaky-cam movies!) as well as use any other case as long as it can fit onto the Smart Grip handle.

It’s another one of those great accessories that as soon as you get your hands on it, it not only feels perfect, it makes you wonder why the heck Apple didn’t include something like it with any previous iPhone iteration. Without a case, a plain iPhone can get a bit slippery to hold onto, which is a huge issue many users have with the phone when taking pictures or playing games. Speaking of playing games, Grip & Shoot has an open API that’s developer friendly and yes indeed, if that’s up your alley you’re welcome to sign up and join the party before this thing takes off and becomes huge. While it’s currently not yet available for sale, it will be soon and yes, you should boogie on over to the product site and then here to sign up.

It took all of under three seconds for Ramsey Elias to show off his amazing Trego and even though I’m not an iPad user, I’d buy one just to tote it around in that wearable case and show it off as he did. As I walked up and asked what a Trego was, he whipped the bag around from his back to his chest, zipped open a flap and down dropped a securely fixed iPad ready for action. I laughed and nodded because it was such a genius invention that Elias really didn’t need to say more and his own grin made me feel as if he’s quite used to people responding in a similar fashion.

Speaking of fashion, that Trego is a really cool-looking bag as well as a more than capable multi-tasker. It’s got separate storage for plenty of extra gear, That drop down tray makes the bag a sturdy workstation that never has to leave your body (making your tablet a hard to steal item) and if you do take the bag off, it’s still an excellent, stable work surface. Even cooler, your iPad rests in a detachable case when you need to take it out of the bag, but I’m betting you’ll be so happy you have a hands-free solution that keeps your tablet safe that you’ll be trying to take your Trego into bed or the shower. I’d say bed is good if you’re using that iPad for something fun, but I don’t think using it in the shower is a particularly great idea…

That Apple doesn’t carry these in their stores is a shame, as I’m betting the sight of an Apple associate whipping that Trego around to reveal a new iPad would practically guarantee 1:1 sales of the device and what’s currently the best carrying case for it I’ve ever seen. Anyway, got an iPad? get a Trego. $79, free shipping (in the Continental US). It’s that simple. And go tell a friend to get one as well so they don’t try to steal yours. Then again, the chances of that happening are slim, as they’ll have have a hard time getting your own hands off that bag…