Review: Piolo

We’ve reviewed a number of interesting iPhone accessories over the past few years, and some of our favorites have been creative and inexpensive ones. Although cases are arguably a necessity, and apps can vary from user to user, we enjoy it when manufacturers try to invent something completely new. Such is the case with the Piolo, a £4 (about $6 US) stand for the iPhone 4 and 4S.

Although the tiny thermoplastic elastomer (Rubber, meet Plastic, Plastic, meet Rubber) Piolo may not seem like much to look at, it does offer quite a bit of utility. If you follow the world of Android phones, there are a number of models which feature a “kickstand” for watching movies or video chatting. Often these seem a little tacky, add some bulk, and/or can break off. The Piolo gives iPhone users a handsfree experience without the drawbacks seen on some of the aforementioned Android devices. The biggest of which is that you can use it in different angles and orientations, and it’s completely removable, instead of something that can get hung up on things and break off.

The Piolo is available in a number of colors, including cyan, magenta, yellow, black, white, and red. Using the Piolo is pretty straightforward—fit it around an edge on a naked iPhone 4 or 4S (sorry, case & bumper users), and it can prop the iPhone in a somewhat vertical position. It works fine with screen protectors, and there is a tiny hole to attach to a lanyard or keyring.

There’s not a whole lot to say about the Piolo—it’s simple to understand, simple to use, seems well-designed, and isn’t exactly bulky. At a relatively low price no matter where you are, and cheap shipping, the Piolo is a great impulse purchase for any iPhone user.