The weekend. Just the time to go out and see some baseball, and if you’re really lucky, a doubleheader. Two games for the price of… well, usually two, but you get to spend more time in the ballpark eating hotdogs and Cracker Jack. Today I have a doubleheader review for you, featuring two new products from Just Mobile: The TimeStand (US$39.95) and TopGum ($79.95).
TimeStand
Sadly, we didn’t get the TimeStand to review back when I did the “Week of Apple Watch Stands,” but at least it’s here for all those people (like my sister) who are just getting on the Apple Watch bandwagon. The TimeStand comes in two finishes, black and silver, to match the most common colors that the Watch comes in. Sorry, no gold finish…
The TimeStand is typical of the European design of Just Mobile’s products; very minimalist and extremely functional. It’s a solid aluminum cylinder about 4 inches tall, with a slanting top containing the recess for the Watch charging puck. A channel runs down the side of the TimeStand to hold the charging cable, and there’s a cylindrical cutout through part of the body where your strap can hang.
Most other Apple Watch charging stand manufacturers could learn a lesson from Just Mobile — this is one of the few stands I’ve tested that doesn’t pick up fingerprints. The bottom of the TimeStand has another channel for directing the cable, and is covered with a thick silicone pad so that it doesn’t move. At 8.8 ounces (250 grams), the TimeStand weighs just enough that it’s not going anywhere.
I like the simplicity of the design, and like most of the products from Just Mobile it’s built to last. My only criticism of the design is that it won’t accommodate the watchOS 2.0 Nightstand Mode for Watches with closed loop bands.
Apple World Today Rating (out of 5 stars): ★★★★
Buy a Just Mobile TimeStand through Amazon and support Apple World Today.
TopGum
I’ve probably reviewed a hundred external battery packs for iPhones, but I rarely use them. Why? Well, every time I need to use a battery pack or remember to grab one, it’s usually out of juice. I just never remember to grab the usual USB to micro-USB cable and plug them in. Just Mobile’s TopGum is a battery pack with a difference: it has a small magnetic charging dock that can remain plugged into the wall 24/7, and the battery pack can stay at 100% charge until you need it — just grab and go.
The capacity of the TopGum is pretty decent at 6,000 mAh, and there are two output ports. One includes a built-in Lightning cable that fits in a recess on the side of the pack, and there is also a traditional USB port. If you forget the charging dock or don’t want to travel with it, there’s also a regular micro-USB input for charging TopGum.
TopGum comes in black, gold and silver finishes. The black version is all black, while the gold and silver versions have a contrast band of white. Four white LEDs provide information on charging status and battery level.
Once again, I love Just Mobile’s design sense. This is a really nice looking and compact (3.3 x 2.1 x 1.1 inches/8.5 x 5.5 x 2.8 cm) unit, and at 5.64 ounces (160 grams) it won’t weigh down your pocket. TopGum is a bit pricey — some 6,000 mAh battery packs sell for as little as $26.00 out on Amazon, and I’m sure you can find cheaper models. But for me, the big selling point is the charging dock, which will keep the TopGum charged up and in use.
Apple World Today Rating (out of 5 stars): ★★★★
Buy a Just Mobile TopGum through Amazon and support Apple World Today (silver available for $49.95!)
