Via: Gizmodo, AndroidandMe, WirelessGoodness

But if you’re like me, you don’t have one or even two gadget mouths to worry about. Noooo sir (or mam). You’ve got 7, 8, 10, or more gadgets all clamoring for digital juice. Most of us don’t have six outlets by our end table. Power strips work wonders but lead to wires all over the place. The next best solution is a multi-device docking/charging station. And today, that’s exactly what we’re taking a look at — the iDapt Mobile Device Charging Station.

The basic principal employed with he iDapt is modular design. Two birds are killed with one stone — (1) You don’t have to have wires dangling all of the place as you would with a simple power strip and multiple device adapters and (2) you don’t have to worry about buying a device with a built-in set of plugs. The latter point is important, because if the plugs are built in, you’re rather limited upgrade wise later on down the road when you get new gadgets that sadly come with their own proprietary plug. Since the iDapt is modular, you just pop out the little adapter and plug another one in that corresponds to your device.

While we’re on the topic of those little adapters, we should mention what one could typically expect in the box: miniUSB, microUSB, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, iPod/iPhone, Nokia. (I say “typically” because at check-out you can create a custom box of 4 tips or choose the 6-tip box like I am reviewing here.) Despite the specific brands such as “Apple, Samsung, and Sony”, the inclusion of mini and micro USB adapters means a slew of other devices can hook up to the iDapt i4. So really, the usefulness is much higher than it initially appears.

Those with an eye for good design can take comfort in knowing that for a simple black box that pumps electrons into other black boxes, it’s rather pleasing on the eyes. It’s smooth and slick — like a black jewel. It’s also sturdy. So even loaded up with three top-heavy devices, the iDapt i4 holds it’s ground.

One other thing concerning design — the iDapt i4 comes in multiple colors. At check-out, you’re given the choice of: light blue, light green, black matte, metallic blue, orange, hot pink, red, silver, and white. Everyone’s boat should be floating…

Should you pick up and iDapt charging station? It’s pretty easy to work through the logical questions that would lead to a purchase. Do you have multiple gadgets? Do you like a neat and tidy table/charging area? If you answered yes to either one of those, you qualify for the “buy” category. Now all you have to decide is 4 or 6 tips? Either way, it’ll cost you the same $59.99.

What do you think?

*Thank you to Max Borges Agency for the review unit*

Gallery

You can find “Multitasking Time” through ModMyi’s Cydia repo.

Source:
RedmondPie

The lawsuit as posted by AppleInsider:

“Defendants manufacture, distribute, and/or sell products that infringe patents related to Apple’s proprietary MagSafe connectors used to connect power adapters and other products to Apple portable computers, such as the MacBook,” the suit reads. “Defendants also manufacture, distribute and/or sell products that infringe patents related to Apple’s 30-pin connectors and receptacles , used to connect cables to Apple iPod, iPhone and/or iPad products.”

“Defendants’ infringing conduct has damaged Apple and inflicted irreparable harm for which Apple seeks, among other remedies, an award of its actual damages, disgorgement of Defendants’ profits from the sale of infringing devices and injunctive relief.

How many are you going to order…?

Source:
Crunchgear

Sadly, this is nothing more than a concept from the head of designer Sylvain Gerber. But if it were real, would you buy it? To my eyes, it looks like a Ferris Wheel at the fair. You?

Technabob > Tuvie

[Product Page: New Potato Tech]

OhGizmo > CulfOfMac > Gadget Lab

“I wish there was something I could use that would charge everything I owned all at once!!”

Don’t fear extremely tech savvy older lady, iHome has got you covered!

Yes, you heard right, or if you can see, saw the picture, and you now know that iHome isn’t some white or black alarm clock radio thing that you can plop your iPhone/iPod into anymore. It is now the He-Man of bedside gizmos. If you have things that need to be charged, and are cussing the designer of your humble abode for not including more than only a few outlets, iHome punches him in the face and saves the day. The folks over at iHome understand you can’t be bothered with multiple cables, charging a different gadget in every room, they know you need every Apple product you can think of cluttered onto your nightstand, or next to your toilet.

iHome does a way with the need for multiple charging cables, and gives you the brand new iHome iB969, which gives you a docking station for your iPad, two slots for an iPhone and iPod, or two iPhones if you need them, plus a little rubberized rest area for a Kindle, or your Blackberry, or your wife’s toys(if they charge via USB). One of the iPhone/iPod even syncs with iTunes, which is done with a 36″ USB cable.

Charges iPad. Built-in stand included.
Dual universal docks: One to charge and sync to iTunes
Second dock for quick charge of iPhone/iPod
Charges (via USB port) iPad, Blackberry, and most eBook readers, including Sony Reader, Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, etc.
Expandable, rubberized rest area accommodates Blackberry, and most eBook reader

The item seems handy, if you wanted something that does what it does. It seems over kill to me, I mean, it is just a charging station. Why not add a clock to it, or I don’t know, maybe at least charge my electric car. What I am supposed to do with all the cables from these gadgets? Seems wasteful just to trash them, not too Green is it? This thing does a lot, but not enough for me to drop 120+ bucks on it. If it was free with my iPhone 4 bumper, possibly, but I don’t lose bars when charging so I don’t think Jobs will give me one. ;(

iHome

iPhone docks and cases are a dime a dozen. It takes an increasing amount of creativity and uniqueness to even get me to notice a “new” case/dock these days. The iRetrophone Dock is one such dock.

Hand-made out of resin and styled to look like an old relic communications device from the golden years, the iRetrophone Dock also provides some functionality to go with it’s (good?) ancient looks — docking and syncing. Sure, the features are bottom barrel basic. But in a design as trendy as this, does it matter?

The only sticking point I would have trouble getting over is the $195 price tag. I totally support local/hand-made goods and all. But $195 for a pretty simple iPhone dock?

[Product Page: Etsy]

Gizmodo > Retro to Go

If you’re lucky enough to have a g/f or wife who shares your incredible addiction to all things gadget, count your blessings. Really. A combination of female, gadget lover, and you lover is a rarity of epic proportions. So what exactly do you get the gadget girl of your dreams? A heart-shaped iPod dock of course.

Brought to you by Maxell, the Heart-shaped dock includes a built in speaker and is compatible with no tonly the traditional iPod, but the iPhone and iPod Touch as well. The final cherry on top is the bundled heart-shaped adapter that aids in landscape viewing. And if you’re not ready to puke yet — the packaging itself is full of pink hues and yes, more hearts.

And here’s where I break your heart. The Heart-Shaped iPod dock is a Japan-only exclusive for now. Pricing is non-existent as is any mention of availability outside of Japan. If this is on your list of potential Valentines Day gifts, you best get a move on making some Japanese friends fast.

Geeky-Gadgets > GizmoDiva

If you like the idea of a larger or more accommodating dock but don’t like how simply adding more icons distorts the overall visual appeal, “Infinidock” is for you.

The concept is easy. Simply drag and add icons to your dock. After 5 are added, you’ll notice your dock becomes scrollable, allowing you to whisk your way to and fro with ease. It reminds me sort of like the Coverflow dock that has been out for some time now on jailbroken devices. Though I’ll admit this one works much better and looks nicer to boot.

So what do you say? Is $0.99 too much to ask? Get it now in the Cydia store.

Video of Infinidock in action

GearDiary

Back in 1984, cellphones were at their most primitive stages. They weren’t cool looking, didn’t have fancy shmancy processors like Snapdragon, and most of all, wouldn’t even fit in a small to medium sized bag. In the current year of 2009, cellphones/smartphones are now taking over more aspects of our lives as they become miniature computers. Sometimes though it’s fun to recapture those “glory days” back when technology was ugly and unsightly.

The current high fashion gadget as most would consider it is the iPhone. It’s simple yet sophisticated. Easy to use yet powerful underneath. Why not give it a bit of retro customization to show off your geeky side? Searching for ideas? Rest assured I’ve got your back. Picking yourself up (or making your own) NES Zapper Gun iPhone Dock is a great way to show off your geeky side and charge your precious at the same time.

Purchasing a pre-made version will set you back $44.95. Building you own: considerably less. Whataya say?

• Purchase the NES Zapper Gun iPhone dock from Geek Unique (Etsy)

Geeky-Gadets

If you’re looking at the image above wondering if it’s plausible….or even fully working, I can honestly say yes, yes it is. The photo above shows the end result of an old Sega Genesis tear down by Wired’s Charlie Sorrel. According to Charlie, their was plenty of room to jam some small speakers inside and make this Japanese Genesis belt out tunes in line with some of the greater iPod docks. But in the end he choose to keep things nice and simple. Hey, I’m simply amazed in wonderment at the sheer geekery of everything before my eyes. This and a whole lot more can be seen back in Chris’s original post over at Wired. I don’t know about you, but every time I come across old antique gaming junk in the basement I’m going to try and think of all kinds of ways to give it a fresh albeit Frankenstein-ish take on life.

Wired