Save 20 percent on an Une Bobine flexible charging stand

Back in March I got the chance to test-flex the Une Bobine, which, despite having one of the worst product names in recent memory, is really cool.

Unlike most sync/charge cords, which just lie there with floppy abandon, the Une Bobine borrows from gooseneck lamps, coiling and snaking into interesting positions. Want to stand your phone upright? You can do that. Angle it sideways? You can do that, too.

Much as I liked the product in concept, in practice I found it a little disappointing, if only because it proved not quite stiff enough to hold my iPhone in all the permutations I wanted. But the more I've used the Une Bobine, the more I've come to really appreciate it. Sure, occasionally my phone flops over, but usually it's a simple matter to tweak the metal arm to provide sufficient support.

If you've been similarly intrigued by it but found the $30 price tag a little steep, here's good news: Developer Fuse Chicken is offering 20 percent off all Une Bobine products, plus free shipping, when you apply coupon code CNET at checkout. Suffice it to say, this is a CNET exclusive.

The company offers four versions: the Une Bobine and Petite Bobine for iPhone, and the same pair for Micro-USB devices. The original Une Bobine measures 24 inches; the Petite, 12.

I think this would make a pretty cool gift for the mom, dad, or grad who really treasures his or her smartphone, as it offers a lot more options for viewing and interacting with the screen. You can raise it up for a more comfortable (and hands-free) FaceTime viewing angle, position it at eye level for looking at photo slideshows, prop it up on a kitchen counter for recipe viewing, and so on.

Basically, if you've had your eye on one of these, either for yourself or someone else, now's the time to grab one. The discount code will be active through the end of May.