Kensington's iPhone / iPod charging dock throws a mini battery into the mix
By Darren Murph 
posted Aug 4th 2009 7:17AM
posted Aug 4th 2009 7:17AM
[Via iPodNN]
posted Aug 4th 2009 7:17AM
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
Ah, was looking at such an item. My iPhone 3G gets charged daily. Seriously what's up with that.
Now now, either add this external battery pack, or get a LG BL-40. Probably be the same size.
Great !!!
Always researching and improving. Good news.
"in case you need to use 3G services for more than eight minutes"
Is that a typo?
maybe.. or god forbid......a joke!?!>!?!!?1111111111111oneoneone eleventy
I'm sure its a play on the "horrible" batteries Iphones have
Not at all. 3G data use murders the iPhone 3G's battery, which is lackluster to begin with. I know it's astounding that we're openly slamming the iPhone, but it actually happens more than you'd think. Crazy, right?
Even just having the 3G radio on drains the battery like no tomorrow. And don't get me started on using it...
Kelvinyam @ Aug 4th 2009 7:33AM - "in case you need to use 3G services for more than eight minutes" Is that a typo?
Darren @ Aug 4th 2009 7:47AM - Not at all.
"Not at all", Darren?
It is not astounding that you're slamming the iPhone, but it is astounding that you genuinely think the iPhone only gets eight minutes on 3G, it is astounding that you think that misinformation is an acceptable basis on which to criticise a device, and it is astounding that you'd criticise the iPhone on the basis of misinformation when there are plenty of justifiable and acceptable reasons to criticise it (just like with any other device).
lnk da b8rez 2ge4
Respec' to you all for wearin' yo' camouflage.
Love that film.
Wicked, aiiiiight!
restecp
For the noob with no dock, and unwilling to go to ilounge or any other blog to do some research, can somebody suggest an awesome dock? I want one that's been generally accepted as awesome. I don't have the extra kensington battery.
this one seems pretty good http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/04/kensingtons-iphone-ipod-charging-dock-throws-a-mini-battery-i/
Hey, look, there's that "dock" tag! Maybe I should click it!
Good joke. I don't want to buy an extra battery. Any others?
You can start here, have fun!
http://www.engadget.com/tag/iPoddock/
The Mother/Father of them
http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/22/jean-michel-jarre-designed-ipod-speakers-hit-france/
I have the Griffin Simplifi dock for $27.99 after 20% off coupon purchased directly from griffin technology. This dock comes with memory card reader, USB hub and the 30 pin iPod/iPhone dock connector. Remember to request a free iPhone 3G/S dock adapotor that is not included in the packaging even it says so in the web page.
I also use the Sanyo Eneloop external battery with 5000 mAh for $38.95 from Amazon.
Sanyo mobile booster KBC-L2S 5000 mAh , 4.1 times the iPhone capacity.
It is a rechargeable battery with 2xUSB output each with 500 mA @ 5 V. You can charge any USB devices not just iPhone.
Here's another vote for the Sanyo eneloop external battery. It's great for the iPhone. Unfortunately, it no longer appears to be in production, and is hard-to-find. Our local Costco has some for under $30, and it's a great deal at that price.
Great idea, except for the 5V/500mA current limit, meaning the already slow-to-charge iPhone will now take twice as long.
I already own the Kensington external battery pack so this might come in handy with 2 batteries and a dock!
hopefully this syncs as well as charges? If not, it's not worth considering with all the other docks already out there
does anyone know if this has an audio jack in the back like the apple doc?
Kind of reminds me of the dock that came with my old smartphone. Though there you could, when the phone has ran out of juice, simply replace the battery in the phone with the one charged by the dock. Ah, good old days where phone manufacturers still did stuff that made sense...
As long as it doesnt 'splode.
"I'm gonna splode you cause you splode me.."
Great, now add:
2 Battery Slots
HD Video Output
Audio Output
IR/RS232 Control
On Screen Gui
USB over Cat-5
And were set.
I really like that. it will give you the ability to make it a full day With my Iphone.
I wasn't that happy with the kesington battery, its akward to use and doesn't seem to last that long. Switched to the mophie case, which has the disadvantage of making the iphone bulkier but its easier to deal with the extra pack and adds some cool lights, shame they didn't put them near the camera as superbright white leds.
I understand creative hyperbole for the sake of sensationalism ... err journalism, but 8 minutes? Come on.
I'm not an Apple fan by any means but I believe that the 3GS does a far better job than the competition (WebOS, Android) when it comes to power management on 3G. I typically get 14-16 Hrs of use out a single charge and that it more than adequate if I'm not traveling.
There is no comparison between this and my old Samsung blackjack which literally croaked after about 10 minutes of 3G use on the RSS reader.
Seriously, why is everyone up in arms about having to charge a phone every night? Unless you're a professional Appalachian trail guide, a power outlet is pretty easy to find.
for me?