Unicorn llamas are my downfall

Time For A Tiara: Column by Ginna Young

My friends have told me for a long time, that I needed to get a PopSocket, to better use my cellphone, because I have a bad habit of dropping the poor thing. I, being the extremely old-fashioned sort I am when it comes to technology, scoffed at the idea. What even is a PopSocket?

Made of polyurethane, the plastic device looks like a knob, which is designed to fit on the back case of your phone by adhesive. Actually, it was originally designed as a way to wrap earbud wires at the back of the phone so they didn’t tangle or get lost.

David Barnett, who is a former philosophy professor, came up with the idea around 2010, and went through 60 prototypes before he discovered the best design and started selling the units out of his garage.

The design features an accordion-like use, with flexible hinges inside the knobby creation, allowing the button to extend and curve, depending on the desired use.

For example, if you want your phone to sit on the desk and be readily accessible, you leave it in what I call “standard position.” If you’d prefer to watch something on your phone or have it “sitting” up so you can see messages, then you go “full accordion.” The button also goes flat – or as flat as it can get – to slip into your pocket or purse.

I freely admit, I once (OK, maybe more than once) called the PopSockets stupid. I made fun of the design, the idea of needing one, the name of the brand and the people who used them. However, I am now humbly eating crow. (Weird expression, why would I eat a crow just because I changed my opinion?) After repeatedly dropping my phone and cracking the screen on not just the front, but also the back of it, I caved in to my friends’ begging for me to give the PopSocket a try.

I kept telling myself I’d look for one and then didn’t, but I really did mean well. Then, one fateful trip to Walmart a few weeks ago, as I was rushing by the technology section, a PopSocket display caught my eye.

Hah, they wanted $9.94 for one of those dumb things? I think not. Wait, is that a unicorn llama?

Yes, I was swayed by a unicorn llama design on the button. You’re even supposed to be able to unscrew the top of the button to change designs, but I don’t know, I really love my unicorn llama; she has such a snobby attitude, it makes me very happy.

I popped the button in my cart and away I went. When I got home, I attempted to read the directions, but guess what? There weren’t any. I suppose they figure the button is idiot proof. They don’t know me at all, do they?

I determined that you peel off an adhesive protector, slap the whole button on the back of the phone and you’re ready to go. Easy-peasy, even for me.

Since that day, my life has changed dramatically. Knock on wood, I haven’t dropped my phone even once and more than that, it’s opened up a whole new world for me. Now, I can safely grasp and carry my phone, without fear of breaking it.

It does indeed fit snugly in my purse or in my pocket when “flat,” and actually, I rather enjoy opening and closing the button; it’s kind of like a stress ball...er...stress button.

Probably the biggest difference, has been when I watch movies and TV shows on my phone. With Disney+ at my disposal, any spare moment I have is spent watching while I do chores or when I can’t sleep at night.

Having the accordion feature is a dream. It’s probably silly, but when I find small joys, I cling to them and revel in them, the same as I did when I was little. So, now, I am a firm believer in said PopSocket and highly recommend you invest in one if you own a smartphone.

I think you can find them cheaper than I paid, but they are just a plain color, while some sell for as much as $30. In the end, it’s worth it so you don’t drop your phone and the button makes the phone easier to use.

Like my friend said just the other day, “It’s like you can’t imagine your world without it!”