Why You Can Trust CNET Get a magnetic smartphone car-mount for $3.99
From the Cheapskate: If your phone lives in a case, here's a simple and dirt-cheap way to mount it on your dashboard. Plus: Every Company of Heroes game in one $10 bundle.
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Hi, cheeps. I hope it doesn't sound self-serving to say I want to keep you around as long as possible -- and that means helping you stay safe behind the wheel.
See, I'm in the midst of writing about different ways to dashboard-mount your phone, the idea being that it's wayyyyy safer to keep it up near eye-level and hands-free accessible when you're in the car. I'll save the particulars for said post, but in the meantime I've got a great deal on just such a dash-mount.
For a mere $4, you can magnetically mount your phone to your dashboard.
For a limited time, and while supplies last, TechMatte (via Amazon) has the MagGrip magnetic universal smartphone car mount for $3.99. That's after applying promo code MHE52LAQ at checkout. (Code tested and working as of 6:30 a.m. PT.)
This mount is virtually identical to countless others, many of which -- like this one -- normally sell for $7 or $8. It consists of two pieces: a magnetic base that clips to just about any air vent, and two metal plates (large and small).
One of the plates gets stuck to the inside of your phone case, meaning it's more or less invisible (unless your case is transparent). Once it's adhered, just put your phone up to the base and presto: magnet magic. You can orient it for portrait or landscape viewing.
Wait, wait, wait: Aren't magnets bad for phones? Nope, that's a myth. Phones rely on flash storage, which isn't susceptible to magnetic interference. Same goes for the GPS. OK, a really big magnet might cause some issues, but the MagGrip relies on a pretty small one.
And check the reviews: way over 6,700 of them, with an average rating of 4.5 stars. I think if this product had problems, that average would be a teensy bit lower.
My only reservation is putting my phone directly in front of a vent, where it would potentially get blasted with hot or cold air. But as long as you can close off the airflow to that vent, it shouldn't be an issue.
If you're going to use your phone in your car -- and, let's face it, you are -- do yourself and your fellow drivers a favor: Get that phone up out of the cupholder. Put it up on the dash where you can see it more easily and tap it hands-free. This is $4 very well spent, if you ask me.
Bonus deal: Game time! The Company of Heroes series is widely regarded as being among the all-time greats of strategy gaming. The Humble Company of Heroes Anniversary Bundle gives you every game in that series and a mountain of add-on packs for just $10. Combined value: well over $200. Plus, a portion of the proceeds goes to charity. You'll need a Steam account to redeem your codes and play the games. If you have even the slightest interest in strategy, this bundle is not to be missed.