Desk Phone Dock promises to bring some landline charm to the iPhone
By Donald Melanson 
posted March 30th 2010 2:39PM
posted March 30th 2010 2:39PM
There's not much more than renders and / or polished photos to see at the moment, but this so-called Desk Phone Dock is slated to make its debut at the China Sourcing Fair next month, and it shouldn't have much trouble turning some heads among all the usual iPhone accessories. Complete details (including pricing and availability) will apparently have to wait until then, but the dock does promise to charge and sync your iPhone while it's in place, and it will function as a speakerphone as well if you don't feel like using the handset -- or simply as speaker for your iPhone, for that matter (that's a volume knob / mute button on top). Unfortunately, we won't be at the fair to check it out first hand, but we'll certainly be keeping a close watch on this one.
It seems as if they are always coming out with Iphone/ ipod touch accessories, being someone who wants to be different, its hard finding things like this for say a android phone
@KyngDevon13 The iphone is one device being used by many people and Andriod has 30 odd devices used by many people so to target one group of the same phone using andriod would not be as easy and would not sell as well unless it was a universal device.
@KyngDevon13 Nice Idea but make one with a cordless handset with 2.4ghz/5.8ghz or higher technology. This way I can finally walk around answering/making a call while charging the iPhone.
@NextGen
That's what I use my bluetooth headset for.
@NextGen Check this out, it's bluetooth to the phone, and uses a DECT headset. Also can be used for voip and a deskphone:
http://www.jabra.com/NA-US/headsetsolutions/Pages/JabraPRO9400.aspx
Kind of pricey but I really want one of these, since I like using my voip deskphone and need to take calls on my mobile too.
@tvwonder Yeah I have a Bluetooth headset too. But these sort of device can do much more than a Bluetooth headset like caller ID, dial pad, digital voicemail, voip etc. I could dial any number directly on the handset.
@astrocramp Thanks for the link, it would be nice if it was a handset, for home use.
@NextGen
So you're saying you want a mobile handset so you can charge your cell phone but still walk around & talk on it? Wouldn't it be great if that mobile handset could even then work outside the house, or across town? And then maybe a 2nd mobile handset to tether to the first one so that you can use it while the phone & 1st mobile handset are charging. I love the irony of your comment. =)
I think what you're actually looking for is a second phone.
cord???
@techlord I insisted on a corded phone at my desk, that way you never lose it.
@Oli D
Pretty sure this is the first comment I've ever read on engadget that has 'lose' spelt correctly
Looks good but its probarbly going to be priced in the high $100's
@MoonWalkerCTE
Why? Theres hardly anything to it.
My guess, £50 $60
Very stylish. Moderately functional. No Android love though.
I would like one of these for iPod Touch that would use VOIP.
@Emanuel Ortego
http://www.line2.com/
Supports the iPod Touch
read the review here
http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/109173/iphone-app-to-sidestep-att
@payload He doesn't need a VoIP app. he wants the phone portion.
Can you hear me now? Oh, that's right, I have an iPhone on AT&T. I'll call back when I switch to Verizon's iPhone.
as useful as solar flashlight
Good God, WHY????
I lol'd.
I think that's pretty neat. It may appeal to business people that just want to dock their iPhone while working at their desk...
@Kevin6432
As a realtor I'm on the phone a lot. Some times a classic phone just makes more sense and is more comfortable. I love it!
God this 'invention' is plain stupid
Looks like a telephone from 2001: A Space Odyssey...or PLANET OF THE APES!
Now they need an app for this silly dock.
what a great idea. if I had an iphone I'd totally buy one... especially if the speakerphone was nice and loud.
This would be great for my father, who is losing his hearing.
I by no means hate on any targeted groups of technology You gotta give it to the iphone for having endless amounts of gizmo's and gadgets as lame and useless as most may be. The form factor doesn't change so they can keep on cranking out the goods.
looks stylish.
'bit clunky though.
seems like the dialer wheel is not far around the corner...
As someone who conducts the occasional phone interview, and who doesn't have a landline, this could be very useful, as there isn't a really easy way to record a phone conversation on the iphone, or most cell phones, really. With this, I could use all my old equipment. That is, if the price is right.
And also- One thing I've really missed about landlines- the physical act of hanging up on someone. just doesn't have the same effect when you press "end call."
I thought this picture was a joke as I scrolled past it
Putting a metal plate behind the phone will hinder its reception. This is why 1.0 iPhones do not have metal on the back near the bottom (that's where the FPC antenna reside).
WANT! Would be perfect for my Desk at work!
That looks stunning. I will buy it if it's around $100 range. I use Skype a lot with my iPhone, and even sit in front of my computers with either the speakerphone turned on or with a Jawbone when on cellular calls. This would solve both of those problems.
If there is a way to make it work with Night Stand iPhone app for alarm clock purposes it would be icing on the cake.
they should make this, but in wireless form, and a touch screen, and a separate OS. It should use GSM to connect back to the base device. that would be awesome, a phone device that you could take with you wherever you go with a touch screen.
a nice piece of minimal design
Up next,a dock that looks like a rotary phone!! But wait there's more.......an operator answers first and asks you who you want to call ;)
engadget how is that even post worthy?
what a stupid idea - nothing u cant do with a long usb cable charging your iphone and talking that way - not to mention the speaker phone.
it's ugly too
It would look even cooler if the iphone was themeable :)
A white clean skin would look sweet in combo with that phone.
Love the idea.
I seem to remember having something similar for my Kyocera 3035.
Now I can finally use that old acoustic coupler I've had lying around the house...riiiiigggghhht.
Did any one else notice that it is using headphone jack on the top left ?
It would look nicer if the phone was black, and it did something with the iphone sdk accessory interface. Virtual rotary phone perhaps?
Why are so many iPhone accessories ugly? *shudder*
If it had multiple docking instead of just for iPhone it would be worth for the masses.
That would not be making an appearance on my desk or counter!
A phone that function as another phone? The milking of the iphone never end.