At this point with Windows Phone Mango still not on the market, we don’t have a lot of detail on Windows Phone 8. The mobile OS is supposed to be some sort of unification of Windows for computers and Windows Phone according to rumors. The code name for WP8 right now is Apollo and the hope is that more details come soon when the BUILD conference kicks off next month.

The only thing we know for sure right now about WP8 is that Andy Lees, the president of Windows Phone division has promised that there will be one ecosystem for phones and PCs. Lees offered that tidbit at Microsoft’s worldwide Partner Conference last month.

Lees said, “It’s not that this is about replacing the PC, and that’s why our strategy is that these new form factors are within a single ecosystem and not new ecosystems themselves.”

[via WinRumors]

Joby has announced that it has landed a utility patent for its line of GorillPod gear. The patent covers the cool articulating ball and socket joints that make the GorillaPod line so useful. These ball and socket joints are strong enough to support considerable weigh and are easy to adjust at the same time.

The patent granted to Joby was issue on February 11, 2011 and is patent no. 7,891,615. “Our ball and socket technology has long been recognized as innovative and unique,” says JOBY CEO Forrest Baringer-Jones. “We are honored that the US Patent Office has recognized our efforts with a patent that confirms the novelty of the GorillaPod line.”

The pair of accessories are designed for specific users in mind. The newly announced GorillaMobile Ori is designed for those who are on the road often, or travel with their devices more than anything else. By providing an ergonomic design, along with protection in a sleek form factor. While the GorillaMobile Yogi is meant for those who want to keep the iPad close to them at all times.

The GorillaMobile Yogi features the ability to wrap around any surface, along with the ability to stand on its end thanks to the oversized ball, and flexible socket legs. The Ori is able to function as a case at one point, and then turn into a stand. Both stands are coming soon.

The product features a bumper case that you leave on the iPhone at all times to prevent it from being damaged in a drop. The bumper case is designed to connect quickly to the connector on the gorillamobile tripod. The device also comes with an extra universal camera adapter clip allowing you to mount small digital cameras.

The tripod can hold a maximum weight of 12.3 ounces and is made from polycarbonate with TPE rings. The case for the iPhone 4 weighs 0.4 ounces, the extra clip weighs 1.7 ounces, and the stand itself measures in at 4.8″ x 2.6″ x 0.5″. The stand and case are intended to let you take better photos and video with your iPhone 4 while on the go or in the home. The gorillamobile for iPhone 4 is available right now for $39.95.

The Switchback can be used as a headlamp and can then be transformed into a lantern to light a wider area. The Swithcback is adjustable can be used to provide multiple brightness with 5 lumens, 20 lumens, 80 lumens, and 130 lumen settings. The beam will go up to 23 meters and the battery life is up to 72 hours. The light has the articulating tripod stand with magnetic feet we are used to seeing from the company.

The Switchback is water resistant with a rating of IPX-4 and power comes from a pair of AA batteries. The lamp housing measures 2.6″ x 1.3″ x 0.8″ and the battery housing is 3″ x 1.8″ x 1.1″. When in headlamp mode the thing measures 4.5″ x 3.3″ x 2.1″ closed and 6.5″ x 3.3″ x 2.1″ open. The works weighs in at 8.8 ounces and sells for $59.95.

The latest addition to the Gorillatorch line is the new Blade flashlight. The Blade is the first offering with rechargeable batteries in the line and it uses a 130-lumen LED. The blade is also the first flashlight from Joby that is able to be removed from the tripod stand.

The internal rechargeable battery charges from a USB port or can be charged from the wall outlet with an included adapter. The flashlight can pan 360-degrees and tilt 180-degrees. The legs of the tripod have the flexible and articulating adjustability Joby is famous for along with the magnetic feet that are very handy. The light can be adjusted to spot or flood settings. The Blade is available right now for $59.95.

Joby announced a new updated version of the Gorillatorch this week called the Gorillatorch Flare. The difference between the new version and the old version is that the new one has a red LEDs you can attach for nighttime emergency use sort of like a flare. The device has four LEDs with one white LED producing 100 lumens, and three red LEDs to allow for six light settings.

The Gorillatorch flare is small, will fit in glove box for car emergencies at night, weighs 9 ounces with batteries, and stands 8-inches tall. The flare sells for $34.95 and has a 1-year limited warranty. You can pick one up on Amazon.com.

To enter, simply tell us in this discussion thread about how long you generally hold your iPod touch in your hand while watching videos on it. Does a 3 minute YouTube video try your patience, or have you sat through a whole feature film before now? We’ll pick two people at random and they’ll take away a Gorillamobile for iPod Touch case each.

Rules

Prize consists of two Gorillapod Gorillamobile for iPod touch cases, one each for two winners. There is no cash alternative. However, should this prize become unavailable, SlashGear and Gorillapod reserve the right to substitute another prize of equal or greater value.

NOTE: DO NOT POST YOUR ENTRY ON THIS POST.

The Gorillapod Magnetic looks like the same basic articulating tripod with magnetic feet that the Gorillatorch uses. The new tripod can stick to any metal surface the user can bend the legs to get a nice level image. The legs can also be wrapped around objects just like the original Gorillapod. The Gorillapod Magnetic can hold cameras weighing up to 11.5 ounces and will ship in April.

Joby has also unveiled a new Ballhead X for the Gorillapod Focus. The new head is the latest for the Gorillapod Pro line and can support 11.1 pounds. The head allows fluid pan and tilt motions and is strong enough for professional DSLR cameras. The device is made from anodized aluminum, weighs a bit over nine ounces and is 3.3-inches tall. It will also ship in April.

The new Gorillatorch allows you to brighten up any area without having to hold a flashlight. And with a bendable tripod, the light can be positioned in anyway you want. It also sports magnetic feet.

Powered by three AA batteries, there is a dimmer feature that ranges from 65 lumens to energy-saving levels. You can get the Gorillatorch starting in September for between $29.95 and $34.95.

What’s cool about this tripod is that it can be used on just about any surface because of its ball joint legs. They can even bend so as to attach your device to a bike, a light pole or what have you.

Included with the Gorillamobile tripod is a suction-cup mount and adhesive clips. You can get the tripod by the end of the summer for $29.95.