When the iPod hit the market years ago - then the imitators, then the iPhone and on and on - they created a massive cottage industry of stuff designed to make them safer, prettier, more useful... like cases, stands, decorations, accessories, etc... Many as high-tech as the iPod itself. With price tags to match.

So it's nice to see two companies coming up with low-tech, low-priced accessories, that are actually useful and effective.

First is the iBend, billed as the "World's thinnest iPhone and iPod stand." Weighing less than a gram and as thin as a couple sheets of paper, all you do to make the iBend function is bend it into a U shape and place your iPod in the groove. And you can watch movies and videos hands-free for hours. When you're done, just slip it into your wallet or pocket. Or even behind your iPod's protective case.

The cost of this portable wonder? The original with the iBend logo all over it is just $4.99. And that's for two of them. Choose to go for one of their 12 artist-designed versions and you'll shell out $7.99 for a pair. Give one to your girl, and you're both hands-free in style for less than $4.

The other ingenious low-tech stand is the MovieWedge. Think of it as a bean bag chair for your mobile device. Which means, unlike hard plastic stands, this little wonder can sit on any surface, even or uneven, and still prop your screen up at virtually any angle. (That little lip on the front keeps your device from sliding off.) And it doesn't matter how thick or bulky your case is. It'll still do the job, without you having to pry the case off.

Plus, the MovieWedge is made of soft microsuede, which won't scratch up your stuff with repeated use, and can be used for wiping the screen when you're done. And to get one, you'll only have to come up with $9.95.

So, stop spending big money on stuff for your mobile devices... spend your savings on apps, tunes and movies instead.

www.MyiBend.com
www.MovieWedge.com