Apple’s upcoming Continuity Camera feature, which lets you use your iPhone wirelessly as a webcam, is quietly one of the features I’m most excited about in the next version of macOS and iOS — and it seems like I’m not getting the hang of it. only am. Jonathan Wight, a software engineer at Applehas already created 3D printable mounts that allow you to stick your phone to your computer instead of waiting for the official accessories to hit the market or even for the operating systems that can officially launch the feature (through 9to5Mac†
The mounts, which Wight made for the iMac Pro and MacBook Pro, are relatively simple. They have hooks for mounting on your computer and a slot for a MagSafe charging puck that actually holds your phone in place so it can point the camera at your face (and desk).
While the hardcore beta testers may want to try 3D printing the mount themselves (or have it printed) using a service like Shapeways), I would probably recommend that most people just wait for the official accessories. The homemade version more or less requires a $40 MagSafe charging puck, which also means your phone has a little tail on the back of your screen. (Although that means you can technically charge your phone while using it as a webcam, if you’d like.)
Wight says the iMac version of the mount is “unlikely” to work for the 24-inch M1-powered iMacs, which is no surprise; they are rectangular, while the older iMac design is a bit shell-shaped. Wight has provided the 3D files on GitHubbut if you have a newer iMac or something like Apple’s Studio Display, you may be able to tweak the design.
This makes me realize that the official Belkin stands will probably have to be designed to handle different monitor sizes, but we probably won’t see the company achieve that until the accessories launch later this year. However, it’s unlikely that Belkin will be the only company trying to come up with smart mounts designed to work with Continuity Camera. But anyone who tries is beaten by Wight, who released an accessory before the public iOS and macOS betas even arrived.
