Native Union has long been in the forefront of companies making products which are meant to make talking on our mobile phones easier.  With the ever growing trend of more and more people ditching their landline phones and going 100% mobile this is something that’s needed more and more every day.  With the popularity of the iPad 2 and iPhone 4 and FaceTime, users are also looking for a more ergonomic way to video conference via their Apple devices.  Ever tried to sit there holding your iPhone 4 up for an hour long FaceTime session?  Can you say pain in the elbow?  Add in Skype, Line2 and a host of other phone like services available for the iOS platform and it’s easy to see why making your iPhone or iPad your “main” phone just makes sense and the need to make using them comfortable as well.

At CES 2012 we had a chance to preview some of Native Union’s newest offerings.  The Curve Twin MM02T was shown as a device meant to become the central resting place for more than one of your connected devices.  The iPhone and iPad for example.  Or your computer and iPad, computer and iPhone etc.  Many of us have more than one mobile device and by releasing the Curve Twin Native Union has offered a way for us to make sure every device we own stays not only connected but stays in an ergonomic position keeping us comfortable while using them.

Want to hear more?  How does the Curve Twin work?  Read on for my full review.

Inside the packaging of the Curve Twin MM02T you’ll find the Curve Twin base, which is heavily weighted and includes two retractable 3.5mm cords.  There’s also a removable ear piece, cable splitter and a set of instructions.  Both the base and the handset feature a black, soft touch texture that is comfortable to hold but does seem to attract both dust and lint.  The Curve Twin is also available in a high gloss white version which should resist this attraction better.

The one obvious thing missing from the Curve Twin is a power cable.  This particular unit won’t recharge your devices while they are placed on it.  I can understand the reasons why (it’s priced under $60, charging both an iPad and iPhone is no short order) but still wish it would have.   Nonetheless you could probably find a way to integrate charging into the unit by placing your devices into landscape mode and using the cables which came with them.

The handset portion of the Curve Twin is removable, which means you’ll be able to take it with you to use away from the base, but more on that later.  Native Union says that by using their handset instead of placing your mobile phone directly up to your head you are reducing the amount of potentially harmful radiation from reaching you by up to 99%.  Inside the handset you’ll find a multifunction button which can be used to initiate and terminate calls.

On the back side of the Curve Twin you’ll find two color coded, fully retractable 3.5mm cables.  The color coding of the cables corresponds to the color coding of the selector switch on the front of the unit.  This lets you know which side of the device is “active” and thus which of your devices is currently connected.

On the left side of the base of the Curve Twin you’ll find a single 3.5mm in port where the cord coming from the headset is meant to be plugged into.  On the front of the unit, right in the middle, you’ll find a single button.  Press it once to select the device connected to the device on the right side of the unit (the green color showing) or press it again to change to the device you have connected to the left side of the unit (the color of the selector button changes to black.)

The Curve Twin base provides a very steady base for up to two devices.  There’s room for an iPad and iPhone, two iPhone, iPod touch or almost any combination you can muster up.  I tested the unit with both my iPhone 4s, new iPad and MacBook Air along with FaceTime, Skype and plain old phone calls and found that with each the unit performed well.  I was able to easily switch to any device that was receiving an incoming call with the front selector switch and according to the parties on the other end of my calls I sounded good.

I did notice one stance occurrence when using the iPad.  When pressing the multifunction button to end calls I’d briefly hear a second or two of the last song I’d been playing on the iPod.  But the call still ended as I’d expect.

Native Union also includes a 3.5mm splitter in the packaging of the Curve Twin.  With this cable you can not only connect two of your mobile devices but also use your computer as well.

As I mentioned earlier in this review the handset portion the the Curve Twin is completely detachable so you’ll be free to not only use it at home or at the office away from the base unit but also pack it in your gear bag to take with you on the road.  Why should your arms and elbows suffer through lengthy phone conversations while you’re away?  Traveling is hard enough on your body as it is.

Want to see the Curve Twin in action?  Check out my video review from my YouTube channel above.

If you are like me you probably use not only your iPhone but your iPad a ton for mobile communication.  Have you given up your landline completely and gone all mobile?  Do you find talking on your iPhone or iPad for extended periods of time uncomfortable.

The Native Union Curve Twin MM02T is the answer to this first world problem.  Set the heavily weighted base onto your desktop or counter and you’ll create a central communications center where not only your iPad and iPhone but personal computer can all join together to insure you never miss that important call again and that during those calls you remain comfortable.

You can learn more about the Native Union Curve Twin MM02T by visiting this page on the company’s web site.

MSRP:  $59.99

PROS:  Modern design.  Allows for up to 3 connected devices.  Reduces cell phone radiation.

CONS: Black soft touch is dust magnet.  Doesn’t charge devices.