Tag: docking station

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Tech Accessories

Sawtooth dock charger holds up to six devices in its jaws

Most smartphone or tablet docks tend to handle only one or two mobile devices at a time. That’s fine for a single person living alone, but not so handy for a home with multiple people who each own at least two devices that need to constantly remain charged.

The Sawtooth dock charger features six USB ports and a series of ridges that can accommodate the same number of mobile devices. Its design was inspired by the sawtooth roof architecture of the early 19th century. Each port can charge up to 2.4 amps of power independently. Additionally, each port is equipped with OptimalPeak technology that automatically detects and selects the optimal charging amps for each specific device.

One particularly standout feature is the product’s ability to be connected to other Sawtooth docks, thus enabling multiple docks with six devices each to work in unison with just one wall outlet. This feature should certainly come in handy for classrooms and businesses. Sawtooth will ship in April at $85 for Kickstarter backers, with retail pricing expected to be about 20 percent higher. Its maker is looking to raise $10,000 by April 12.

Sawtooth stands to be appealing to many consumers with multiple mobile devices in their homes, as well as in classrooms that use multiple devices. Its feature set clearly stands out among rival products like the Varius Dock.

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Cell Phone Accessories Imaging

Snapsme enables your smartphone camera to snap photos of you

While at a party, it would be nice if a smartphone camera could be set up to automatically take photos. That would allow for more mingling at the party without having to worry about snapping any photos manually.

Snapsme allows for exactly that. It consists of an iOS and Android app, as well as a rotating docking station. Users just have to set the number of pictures they want taken and for how long they want it to operate. The dock allows users to fully adjust application shooting to all environments and circumstances. Backers who pay $49 will get the docking station when it ships in May. That’s $20 off the expected retail price. Snapsme’s maker is also fielding a limited edition Lego version of the dock at $99. Its Belgium-based maker is hoping to raise $10,000 on Indiegogo.

Snapsme’s concept is very similar to the Sony Party-shot rotating sock from a few years back that worked in conjunction with a camera from the manufacturer. But Snapsme doesn’t seem quite as sturdy. Snapsme holds some promise if it works as well as its maker claims. It’s likely, however, that at least some of the shots that it takes will be lousy unless everybody photographed is sitting down and not much higher than the tabletop where the docking station and smartphone are placed.

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Cell Phone Accessories Television

Andromium OS unlocks Android’s big screen potential

It’s truly a marvel just how powerful the smartphones in our pockets are. Contained within their impossibly slim frames is the type of power that only absurd amounts of money could’ve bought just ten years ago. This type of power has penetrated the world much faster than traditional computers have because of their low cost and small size. At the end of the day, though, a smartphone will be a smartphone. Sometimes, a larger screen is needed for work or play.

The Andromium OS was created to give Android handsets the opportunity to live not only in your palm, but on a separate monitor too. A lightweight, proprietary app along with an HDMI dock for the smartphone itself work together to create an environment where real work can get done with just a few taps. What users are offered is not just a reproduction of the smartphone’s screen, but also a totally separate, full desktop experience. This way, spreadsheets and presentations can be created alongside games in progress, all in their own windows like a traditional computer.

Regular Android apps will continue to run in the back without having to worry about the phone’s battery because the dock doubles as a charging station. The standard $29 package includes the HDMI docking station and a serial number for the Andromium app from the Google Play Store. The $35 Expended Edition also includes a dock, but this one works for other popular Android phones. The product is expected to ship in February 2015 and has a campaign goal of $100,000.

As mentioned before, the Andromium OS is not solely focused on those who already have connected devices, but rather those who only have a smartphone. Another product that has tackled a similar approach is the TinyStic, but it doesn’t offer a full desktop like Andromium does. Both of these platforms, though, already need the type of income that can afford a decent screen, keyboard, and mouse, necessities that may hamper their success.

Categories
Cell Phone Accessories Chargers/Batteries

Air Dock 2.0 wirelessly charges your phone while driving

Charging a cellphone while driving can be a chore when wires are involved.  Not to mention how unsafe it can be fiddling around with cords and outlets. The Air Dock 2.0 is a wireless car charger and dock for smartphones and tablets that features Qi inductive charging technology, so there is no need for fumbling around while placing a device on the dock.

The face of the Air Dock is made of nanosuction foam, so mounting a phone or tablet is as simple as placing it on the dock. Suction cups secure a mobile device to the dock without leaving any residue. Phones or cases with non-glossy surfaces may slip on the nanosuction foam, so the Air Dock comes with a magnetic sticker that guarantees reliable attachment to those non-glossy surfaces. Backers who provide $79 for the device’s Indiegogo campaign will get an Air Dock 2.0 with the mount of the buyer’s choice from a selection of four. The dock’s makers are looking to raise $85,000  as part of what is their second Air Dock campaign.

Many consumers will likely find the device handy. The CD mount option, which repurposes a car’s CD player, slipping into the CD slot and then expanding to hold itself firmly in place, is an especially interesting concept. But the device is rather costly for a charging dock, which could turn off some consumers. Although the device is compatible with many smartphones, some will require additional hardware or a case to be compatible with the dock.