DIY: Make Free iPhone Stands with Recycled Packaging

Our cell phones really are taking over our lives. When we posted about taking your laptop on travels, we got feedback that many people leave their notebook at home and use their phone for impromptu Web surfing. If you are also using your iPhone flip clock application as your primary bedside clock or to watch movies on the go, you'll be happy to know that there is a better option for displaying your iPhone or iPod Touch in landscape mode than just leaning it against your lamp or a stack of books—that is, if you still have the box it came in.

Clever do-it-yourselfer and iPhone owner Nathan Barry flipped over the black plastic packaging his phone shipped in, and cut out a section with a sharp craft knife to turn it into a stand. Then he installed the iPhone Digital Clock application, and uses the phone stand on his night table.

Lifehacker reader Gorodin was inspired to create his own hack using the black plastic iPhone packaging, two jumbo binder clips, and some double-sided tape. He cut out a notch to accommodate the charging cable, and now his iPhone is ready for movies anytime.