How to Turn a Paper Coffee Cup Into a Smartphone Mount

Someday, car manufacturers will figure out that all vehicles need built-in phone mounts. Until then, we have to rely on cobbled-together solutions, like the $2 phone/GPS mount Dave wrote about last year or the DIY dashboard mount.

Both of those require some special gear and probably a trip to the hardware store. If you're looking for something quicker, easier, and cheaper, check out the coffee-cup smartphone holder. It requires nothing more than your leftover cafe-mocha cup (preferably rinsed out), a rubber band, a marker, and a pair of scissors. Take a look (and skip to around the 1:30 mark if you want to avoid the annoying, overlong introduction):

Not too shabby, eh? Well, okay, maybe a little shabby (looking), but I can see this coming in really handy at certain times -- like, say, when you're driving a rental car and need to keep your smartphone docked somewhere for GPS navigation.

What do you think? Clever DIY solution, or too homemade-looking to take seriously? While you're pondering that, check out these other crafty items:

• Build Your Own GPS Cupholder Mount
• A Free, Easy Laptop Stand for Cheapskates
• Turn a Coffee-Cup Sleeve Into a Smartphone Stand