Gizmodo: charging stand

Brando Jumps on Wiimote Charging Stand Train

Jason Chen — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 07:00:40 EST

Remember last year when the Wii launched and there were zero Wiimote charging stands? Those were simpler times, weren't they? Now that Thanko, Thrustmaster, and even Brando are in the game, there's no excuse to have your Wiimote die out in the middle of a Wii party.

This Wii Rechargeable Battery & Charger Stand is pretty simple, comparatively. It charges via USB and holds a Wiimote and a Nunchuk. It lights up when charging, and costs only $17. Cheap by itself, but when you consider the old Nintendo philosophy of making users buy a billion—and by billion we mean four—controllers in order to play party games, that means you're going to be out nearly a hundred bucks when you're done. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Brando]

iPhone Docking Station Patent Application Shows Multi-Orientation Design, Possible Table PC Compatibility

Charlie White — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 08:35:05 EST

Two designs for Apple iPhone docking stations have just surfaced in an Apple patent application, showing cradles that allow the iPhone to be docked and viewed in either horizontal or vertical orientation. The patent application describes "Methods and apparatuses for docking a portable electronic device that has a planar like configuration and that operates in multiple orientations."

An intriguing aspect of the illustrations is the possibility that one of the cradle designs is not only intended for the iPhone, but also might encompass a tablet PC. Here's another illustration of a slightly different method, one that would also be appropriate for a tablet:

The patent application even mentions the term "tablet PC."

"The portable electronic device may correspond to a tablet, and the base may serve as a location for accessing the Internet or connecting to peripheral devices such as printers, fax machines, scanners, and the like.... In cases such as these the portable electronic device may correspond to a monitor, tablet PC..."

It works in a similar way to rotating LCD monitors, letting you dock and view the iPhone in whichever direction you prefer. – Charlie White

New iPhone Docking Station. Apple tablet next? [Unwired View]

Driin Mobile Phone Holder

Charlie White — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 16:21:16 EST

The Driin Mobile Phone Holder makes a little table under an electrical outlet where you can park your cellphone, PDA or PSP while it's charging. It's a simple little rubberized plastic item that's available in a variety of colors for 5 Euros (about $6.48). – Charlie White

Product Page [Drinn]