DIY iPod cupholder cradle
51 words, 1 image 
After several prototypes — including one which was stymied by the way clay shrinks as it dries — I’m proud to announce my Blue Peter “make”: a crafty home made iPod cradle for the car cupholder, made from two Coke cans.
Ajay has christened it the “iCup”…
I am the king of hobbies!
February 7th, 2005 at 21:12
“You may drink your weak lemon drink… now!”
Very smart bit of DIY.
February 7th, 2005 at 21:23
Just wondering, does the soda can scratch the iPod at all when you remove or insert it into the iCan?
February 8th, 2005 at 03:02
I don’t really understand why you make the hole large enough for a dock connector. Is it for charging purposes?
February 8th, 2005 at 10:31
In reply to “name goes here”: I’ve not noticed any scratching to the iPod - but I’m not all that fussy about it (my iPod is already in a state). It might be a neat modification to line the inside with felt.
February 8th, 2005 at 10:33
In reply to josh: I use a Dension ICE>Link which bridges between the iPod’s dock connector and the CD changer connector on the car stereo: for playback, charging and operation.
If you were using an iTrip and running off battery then of course you wouldn’t need the hole at the bottom.
February 8th, 2005 at 18:57
I just have a quick observation. You bought the very expensive Dension ICE Link, but you could not afford to buy a real ipod car holder. I find that interesting.
February 8th, 2005 at 19:18
In reply to m. sherman:
Actually the price of the ICE>Link includes a choice of iPod connection options, including a properly mounted cradle.
Most of our long-distance driving is done as a couple, and I felt that the position of the cradle (clamped to the left of the radio — British car remember) would interfere with the passenger’s knees. It would also send a very clear message to potential car thieves: “there may be an iPod in here”. Instead we chose the plain dock connector.
We put anti-slip matting on the shelf under the stereo, and this is where the iPod will normally reside. The passenger may take it out to view the screen. Debbie likes to use the cup holder for drinks!
However, if I have the car on my own, I will use my cheap homemade cradle.
Also, I designed the unit with other people in mind. With the ICE>Link, the iPod is solely operated using buttons on the car’s head unit. There is no value in making the iPod scroll wheel accessible. I designed the version you see here, with access to the scroll wheel, so that it would be of use to iTrip users etc.
Also, I have to admit, I made it for fun as well.
February 8th, 2005 at 19:21
Try using gloves when you fold the can so u dont have to worry about sharp edges
February 17th, 2005 at 05:07
How about a mod for those of us with the Creative Zen Xtra player? Not all of us could afford the extra money for the ipod.
February 18th, 2005 at 14:05
Comment from “Justin” which didn’t make it through Spam Karma (am working on this!):
I did a similar thing a few months ago. http://poisonfree.blogspot.com/2004_11_01_poisonfree_archive.html scroll down a few and you’ll see it. Use a plastic freebie cup and some insulating fabric. I chose wild pink stuff for my fiancee. You might want to give neoprene or polar-fleece stuff a try.
February 19th, 2005 at 10:37
John: - I have no idea what the dimensions of a Creative Zen are. Not all of us can afford the extra money for a second device
If it won’t fit inside a can, you’ll need to find something that it does fit into. If it does fit insidea a can, I need a clearer idea of your problem.
July 20th, 2006 at 10:09
Ipod Freedom release Date July 4th, 2006
New hot rumor, guys
The new Ipod has no buttons, no scroll wheel, no headphone jack, no dock connector. In other words freedom from everything. The most aesthetic piece of technology ever conceived.
1. Power Supply through SplashPower. Similar to those toothbrushes and razors that charge through there plastics with magnetic fields.(strange they haven’t updated there site since September 05…did Apple acquire them?)
2. Transfer of songs…Wireless USB
3. Headphone jack…Bluetooth
4. Navigation…virtual touchless/touch screen. As your finger moves over the ipods screen a virtual scrolling interface pops up allowing for more screen real-estate. fingerprints?? not to worry you don’t actually have to touch the screen, embedded in/behind the lcd are capacitors that can tell, which direction your fingers are going.
5. Hold Button/Power On fingerprint screen identification(great for if your ipod is stolen)
So, there you have it a completely enclosed ipod, so elegant as not to have a single button or port opening or anything but a beautiful screen… Apple will release the Ipod July 4th 2006… Independence Day… free your self from everything.
*ipod Nano will still have dock connector for now.
August 23rd, 2007 at 08:07
The Ipod would plug into the cup holder via an upwards facing dock connector rather than the headphone jack.