Hands-on With the Belkin MagSafe Mount for iPhone and MacBook
With the latest MacOS update, called Ventura, Apple is adding the ability to directly use an iPhone as a Mac webcam by way of a feature called Continuity Camera. As iPhones have better cameras than even the newest MacBooks, it’s an easy way to improve your web meetings.?
$30 at Apple
Alongside Continuity Camera, accessory maker Belkin has released a MagSafe iPhone mount for MacBooks. It connects to the back of an iPhone with Magsafe support and, using its pop-out hinge, mounts to the top of any Macbook. This device isn’t mandatory of course, but placing the iPhone just above the screen offers more direct eye contact while looking at your screen.?
Most iPhone cameras shoot clearer video than the strongest webcam available on the MacBook Pro.
Bobby Oliver/CNET
The mount has a pop-out ring, which can be used as a finger socket or as a mini stand. A neat little trick I found is mounting the device to any magnetic surface and using the ring socket as an iPhone holder. I mounted my iPhone to the fridge and turned on the Center Stage video effect, and the camera followed me around the room nicely.?
The Belkin mount doubles as an iPhone mount for magnetic surfaces.
Justin Eastzer/CNET
The Belkin mount comes in white or black and costs $29. I’ve already seen a few less expensive options popping up on Amazon. Those other ones don’t offer all the features Belkin does, but they can simply mount an iPhone to the top of a Mac, which for many will do just fine. One mount I found even supports a MagSafe charger while mounting the phone, which could be convenient for many. And for those of you with a 3D printer at home, CNET’s Dan Ackerman has created a 3D render of a mount that can be printed at home.
$20 at Amazon
For more reasons to upgrade to MacOs Ventura see our list of the best new features and how to use them.?