Is this the ultimate geek test?

happygeek 1 542 Views

Just how much of a geek are you? Do you know who Sergey Brin is? Can you solve a Rubik's Cube, in under five minutes? Do you know the value of Pi beyond 3.14? Would you spend a small fortune to get satnav on your mobile? Or maybe strap a large sucker to your thigh to hold your iPhone in place when sitting down in public?

I did not make that last one up, honest. There really is a company which is marketing an iPhone accessory which is, essentially, just a large sucker cup attached to some velcro which straps around your thigh that you whack your iPhone on to keep it nice and stable when you want to use it sitting down away from a desk or table top.

The Thiphone (yes, that is what it is called) is described as being the 'universal thigh mount' for your iPhone which allows you to write an email and drink a frappuccino at the same time. No, seriously, this is such a geek magnet of an idea that it is exactly the kind of advertising which might just work. The manufacturers even reckon it makes driving safer as you can have your iPhone, controlling your in-car music, out of your hands and on your leg while motoring.

At a cost of $29.95 (£18) there is one thing that the advertising does not mention - you are pretty much guaranteed to look like, well, a geek if you use one. It is, I would argue, the ultimate geek test. The people selling this get one thing right, even though I think they are talking about the attachment mechanism, when they admit "It sucks. Really" - umm, yes. Fashion sense apart, I am not sure I would want a 3GS strapped to my thigh, considering how hot they can get.

Dani AI

Generated

As notes, the thigh-mounted suction-cup phone holder is one of those novelty bits that asks a simple question: convenience or cringe? It promises hands-free typing and on‑the‑lap navigation, but novelty gadgets expose real tradeoffs. The core issues are adhesion, comfort and safety — not style.

Suction cups and Velcro work best on smooth, rigid surfaces. Clothing moves and stretches; sweat, hair and fabric texture all reduce grip. Phones under load (navigation, streaming, video calls) run warmer than idle, so having a device pressed against skin can be uncomfortable and may accelerate battery/thermal wear. Cases change thickness and will often break the seal. Test any mount thoroughly before trusting it with an expensive device.

There are safety and legal angles too. Even hands-free setups can distract; reaching for the screen on your lap or thigh is not the same as using voice commands or a properly mounted dash/vent bracket. For obvious reasons, prefer purpose-built mounts for driving, armbands or small folding stands for sitting, and Bluetooth/voice navigation when you need eyes-free operation.

Quick practical checklist if you still want to try one:

  • Test on the actual clothing you plan to wear (repeat after 10–15 minutes of movement).
  • Use a case or protector so a fall is less catastrophic.
  • Avoid heavy CPU tasks while the device is on fabric (maps + streaming = heat).
  • Try short, controlled drives first and obey local device-in-vehicle laws.
  • Expect attention — novelty items invite comments.

Novelty aside, the gadget is a good reminder: the cleverest accessory is the one that balances usefulness, safety and a little dignity.

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