Thanks for the new pictures of the 3 options. Here is some feedback on the choices given:
Option #1 "Shelf" is a step in the right direction. But it is completely exposed. There needs to be some type of door, cover or lid in front. Do others agree with this? Please post supporting comments if you do. While an improvement, option #1 does not address the concealed aspect of odds and ends storage people have been requesting. IMO this should be a standard, no cost option on every car.
Option #2 "Phone slot." It is not entirely clear from the photo how the phone slot option works.
Option #3 "Cup holders" work well in that location. I have them there in my current car and they are great--not too far to reach. This option should be accompanied by replacing the arm rest cup holders with a rectangular cubby of similar dimensions. The arm rest cup holders, which many feel are rather useless, become redundant in option #3 and their space would be a wonderful place for some concealed storage for change, toll tickets, breath mints, etc. Since that space is already allocated to the current cup holders no electronics or ducts would be interfered with by substituting a similar sized rectangular cubby there. If you agree that option #3 should be accompanied by replacing the current cup holders with a cubby, please post supporting comments.