Mobile Technology

nGroove Snap turns the car CD player into a smartphone mount

nGroove Snap turns the car CD player into a smartphone mount
The nGroove Snap allows users to mount their smartphone to their car's CD player
The nGroove Snap allows users to mount their smartphone to their car's CD player
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The nGroove Snap's badge can be placed inside a phone's battery cover
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The nGroove Snap's badge can be placed inside a phone's battery cover
The badge can be placed inside a case to conceal it
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The badge can be placed inside a case to conceal it
The badge is only .55mm thick
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The badge is only .55mm thick
The mechanism that allows the nGroove Snap to hook onto a car's CD player
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The mechanism that allows the nGroove Snap to hook onto a car's CD player
Using a small tablet to use the nGroove Snap outside of a car
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Using a small tablet to use the nGroove Snap outside of a car
Using the nGroove Snap on a desk
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Using the nGroove Snap on a desk
A view of phone connected with the nGroove Snap up close
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A view of phone connected with the nGroove Snap up close
The nGroove Snap allows users to mount their smartphone to their car's CD player
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The nGroove Snap allows users to mount their smartphone to their car's CD player
A side view of the nGroove Snap holding a smartphone
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A side view of the nGroove Snap holding a smartphone
The nGroove Snap holding a smartphone
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The nGroove Snap holding a smartphone
View gallery - 10 images

Driving and talking or texting on a cell phone is illegal in most parts of the world, and with good reason. However, using a phone as an in-car music player is standard practice for many people, and the safest way to do this is with a mount that keeps your phone secured and easily accessible. Mountek's nGroove Snap caters for this need by mounting smartphones in a place that doesn't get used by many drivers these days – the CD player.

The nGroove Snap uses a two-piece removable blade system that expands inside the car's CD player with the turn of a knob. This keeps it locked in place, so it should not fall, even while driving down a bumpy street. The creators claim it is strong enough to hold almost any smartphone, a GPS device, and even small tablets. However, they do not recommend using a full size iPad or other large tablet.

The smartphone is held on the mount with a magnetic badge that sticks to it using a removable adhesive. This is made the be thin, at only 0.55mm, so it can fit inside of a smartphone case or under a phone's removable battery cover.

While the main hook for the nGroove Snap is fact that it puts car CD players to use again, but it is also designed to be used outside of the car as a stand, or wedged into other slots like a closed drawer.

The nGroove Snap mount is currently in its funding stage on Indiegogo. It had blown past its US$15,000 goal with almost $80,000 put up by backers at the time of writing. It's expected to ship in July.

The video below provides more information and shows the nGroove Snap in use.

Source: Indiegogo

nGroove Snap by Mountek: Mount Any Mobile Device In Your Car CD Slot

View gallery - 10 images
7 comments
7 comments
Greg Veneris
Have been using this with a Samsung galaxy nexus in a 06 Dodge charger, works great no complaints.
acco1st
I use the original Mountek nGroove CD Slot Mount with my Galaxy S3. Even in my Otter Box Defender case it is secure. It is a good use of the CD slot and puts the cell right where it can be seen and accessed. The magnet entices me, but will probably keep what I have until the next cell purchase. I'm thinking of getting some NFC tags to customize the actions when I put it in the car, house, etc.
BTW - Love me some gizmag!
Jaime Sada
Impressive ingenuity, but there is a fatal flaw I used it on my Honda Civic and ruined the CD player. The CD player detects the "blades" that must be inserted, to support the mount, and starts spinning automatically Try it if you wish, but carefully listen if the CD player starts trying to spin You will hear it struggling
Fahrenheit 451
I've used ProClip for well over a decade now on all my vehicles with zero issues and no possibly of voiding the warranty. I like this idea, but I would not buy one as it covers too much area where other vital functions occur and as Jaime mentioned, it might damage the CD player. Heck, Nissan even issues a TSB that indicates what type of CD "edge" is acceptable or else you will void the warranty on the factory CD player; this idea will likely void a manufacturer's warranty.
Susan See
What do you mean most drivers don't use the DVD player? I use it all the time to play books on DVD when I'm driving.
dionkraft
This idea is about as stupid as it comes. Once people don't realize what damage it causes the whole idea will back fire. Put it in some POS CD player but some lexo car with $3k DVD unit? Sure..go ahead..
urconchens
@Susan - You can put it in other locations to mount it.
@dionkraft - All factory cd/dvd units are inflated to be at that $3k estimate you speak of.. call some dealers and ask em...lol