Joby Ori folding iPad stand: Beatweek Best of Show 2011

If origami is the art of folding a flat piece of paper into three dimensional shapes, then the new “Ori” from Joby is the art of taking flat metal and folding it into an iPad stand which can be used in so many positions, orientations, heights, and angles that we literally lost count during the hands-on demo at CES where the product debuted this week. Ori can do anything from a slight typing angle with the iPad nearly flat on its back, to a nearly straight-up viewing angle perched more than half a foot off the surface. What makes the product impressive, of course, is that its series of super thin metal pieces fold completely flat as if they were simply the back surface of an iPad case for carrying. It’s the most innovative portable iPad stand we’ve ever seen, and as such the Joby Ori is a Beatweek Best of Show winner for CES 2011.