One of the more unusual iPhone accessories on show at IFA was the Vestel TV with iPhone Dock. This has a 19″ screen with the iPhone dock on the stand and comes in a number of colour variants . The TV has built in software to recognise and connect to the iPhone to provide AV services. Unfortunately this didn’t work on the one I tried very well. The iPhone claimed it was not compatible, then the TV hung when trying to connect to the iPhone.
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Have you got more than 1 iPhone or iPod? I have, and keeping them all charged is a nightmare. The number of times I have grabbed my iPod and found that the battery is dead is too many to count. Griffin have solved all my charge problems with the PowerDock.

The Griffin PowerDock comes in two different models: The PowerDock 2 ($39.99 or £24.97) and the PowerDock 4 ($69.99 or £31.54).  Not surprisingly the PowerDock 2 has 2 charging bases whilst the PowerDock 4 has 4.

The PowerDock is compatible with just about all of the current and previous range of Apple iPhone and iPod products, with the exception of the iPod Shuffles. Click here to see the PowerDock compatibility on the Griffin web site.

As with the Griffin Simplifi (click here for our review) the PowerDoc comes with a brushed aluminium style that matches the Apple MacBook Pro, and the Mac Pro.  I am not much of a style guru, but I do like my technology to match.  I am surprised Apple don’t produce a metal iPhone…
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The Griffin Simplifi is a desktop dock for your iPhone or iPod, but it is not just a dock it is far more…

The Griffin Simplifi is a triple function gadget and not only sports an iPhone dock but has a multi-function card reader and a USB hub as well.

The design of the Simplifi follows the Apple metallic theme and matches the Apple Macbook Pro, Air Book and Mac Pros very nicely.

The iPhone dock uses the dock inserts to enable a wide range of iPhones and iPods to be used.  Six inserts allow the use of iPod Classics, iPod Nano (2G,3G), iPhone (Classic, 3G) and iPod Touch.  In fact the only iPod not supported by the dock inserts is the iPod Shuffle.  This can be charged using the USB hub.

The USB hub provides 2 additional USB ports at the back of the device which can be used to power low powered devices.  I have used it for a memory stick and my Griffin AirCurve (review coming shortly).  

If  you need to attach devices that need more power then the Simplifi can be connected to a 5v power supply (or should that be power suppli??) which is included in the box.  I prefer not to use this as it makes it less portable.

The final aspect of the Griffin Simplifi is the multi-function card reader.  This has two slots, one for Compact Flash and one for Memory Stick, SD cards and XD cards.  The Memory Stick Duo is not supported directly, it can only be used with an adapter.   

In use I find that this is great paired with my MacBook Pro as I can use it for both my cameras and video cameras without having to scrabble around for adapters or cables.  At home it is a perfect match for my MacPro, and of course it charges all of my Apple iPhone/iPod devices.  One other important point is that unlike the Apple Dock the Simplifi also charges my TruePower iV Battery extender as well as my iPhone.

The Griffin Simplifi is in the stores at $69.99.  For more information on the Griffin Simplifi: Charge and Sync dock, media card reader, and USB hub click here.