Bluelounge MiniDock iPhone/iPod wall charger doubles as a display-docking station

MiniDock is compatible with iPhone and iPod enabling to plug them virtually directly into electric outlet

Charging an iPhone or iPod when out and about can often leave users taking advantage of any spare power outlet at hand. For those using the standard adapter and cable that came with said devices, this can sometimes mean leaving the units laying on the ground at the mercy of any big booted passersby. Bluelounge's MiniDock charging adapter overcomes this problem by replacing the dangling cable with a dock that connects directly to the standard Apple USB power adapter so that your mobile device sits upright close to the wall, safely out of harm's way.

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Based in California, Bluelounge is a design studio aiming at neat and simple solutions, known for such creations as CableBox organizer, Sanctuary charging station and StudioDesk table - all designed to deal with the clutter.

Plugged into USB Power Adapter and the electric socket, MiniDock lets users mount an iPhone or iPod in the upright position. While handy for charging when out and about, the MiniDock can also double as a simple display-docking station provided the power outlet is located in a convenient place.

MiniDock is compatible with iPhone and iPod, and comes in three versions to fit U.S., U.K. or EU style adapters and sockets. Bluelounge also offers optional space bumpers to fill the gap between the dock and the device. They're included in the U.S. and EU versions, coming in three thicknesses. MiniDock is available for purchase online priced at US$19.95.

Hands on with the Zhip

I got a chance to try out the Zhip the other day, and I was confused at first. The first thing that confused me was the name, but I found out it was pronounced “zip”.

Its purpose seemed weird to me, because it looked like some weird sort of claw to hold an iPhone/iPod. It’s not like we haven’t seen mobile device holders before, but the Zhip is actually unique.

The Zhip has a retractable cord that is put there for a very good reason. The user can put their mobile device in the claw, and then wind the cord around something that will hold it in place, like the headrest of a car’s front seat.

The Zhip is also good if you want to watch videos on your desk, because there is an extendable desktop stand so you can view things in portrait and landscape modes.

The claw design itself is also interesting, as it can fold up into a flat rectangle about the size of half a deck of cards. The prongs can then unfold on hinges, and there is a spring-loaded action going on to fit your mobile device in place.

You should be able to get it now for about $24.95 at national retail outlets “to be announced soon”. I believe it is only available in one color: clear.

iFlash adds a new dimension to your photos

The iPhone 4 itself is a pretty good photo taking device on its own, but what happens when you’re in a low light situation? This isn’t a dedicated digital camera, so it doesn’t have a built-in flash for you to play around with. Fret not, as there is hope in the iFlash, a £19.99 purchase that helps you to illuminate any poorly lit areas and take better photographs. This will definitely have people wondering just how do you snap such stunning photos using the iPhone 4, where you can wryly smile at them and flash a smile of iFlash proportions as you share your little secret. Of course, this unique peripheral also doubles up as a flashlight when required, coming in handy during situations such as being in a dark cinema and needing to rummage through your bag for a ticket stub or some other important item. It will connect to your iPhone via its charging port, and dangles from the 3.5mm slot when not in use similar to a phone charm. Of course, it will suck up a little bit of battery life in the process but in the quest for better pictures, that shouldn’t be too much to ask for, right?

AirCurve Play

The iPhone is a true blue Steve Jobs masterclass, and it has certainly kick started the touchscreen display feature on smartphones ever since the first model was launched a few years back. Apart from that, this huge market did result in a booming third party accessory frenzy, with external speakers being one of them as well. Today, we shall look at the AirCurve Play which will not require any battery, since it is a self-powered iPhone speaker. At £14.99 a pop, this dock will cleverly amplify your iPhone courtesy of ingeniously designed and placed air tubes which will increase the volume to a satisfying 10 decibels – all without the need for any extra batteries or juice. Not only does it work great, it will not look out of place either be it in your living room or bedroom, so what are you waiting for?

Quirky Digits - simple touchscreen solution for frosty fingers

There are several options out there for those looking to use capacitive touchscreen devices while not getting frosty fingers this winter. We've looked at the North Face Etip and Agloves, now a solution that is cheap, simple and lets you keep wearing your favorite pair of gloves – even while tweeting how cold you are!

Social product development company Quirky has released the Digit, a mini conductive pin that is attached to the fingertip of your glove. This allows an electrical current to be transmitted between your phone or tablet touchscreen and your finger via conductive fabric on it's face.

The fact that they are retro-fitted to your current pair of gloves does however have its advantages and disadvantages. While you may still look cool in your new-season black leather gloves – you might lose some of your chic by having pins attached to your index-fingers and thumbs. A small price to pay for functionality some might say and at US$13.99 (for a pack of four) they are a cheaper alternative to Etips (around US$40).

Wind-powered iPhone battery charger concept

As we demand more and more of our smartphones, the up time between charges suffers. Case in point – the iPhone. Chargers come in all shapes and sizes but few offer to power up the batteries using air, or more precisely – wind. Dutch designer Tjeerd Veenhoven has crafted just such a charger where his favored Apple device slides into the soft rubber outer skin and fan blades capture energy from the wind, which tops up the battery.

We've seen the idea of wind-powered charging floated before in devices like the HYmini portable charger and another concept piece, the Gotwind portable charger. Veenhoven's iFan lends itself to comparison with the K2 from Kinesis, albeit minus the solar panel, but is said to take some six hours to charge up an iPhone. That's not bad going for a modified computer fan and a custom-made case.

The designer thinks that with a bit more modification, the iFan could be made more efficient at harnessing power from the wind. He has just recently been tinkering with a bicycle mount design for the device which should allow users to top up their smartphones while out and about.

It's perhaps not the most convenient or efficient way to charge a smartphone, but very handy for those who like nothing better than camping out in the middle of nowhere or trekking up the side of a mountain.

iPhone dock turns your mobile into conventional phone

Years of progress in making phones smaller and more portable have all been dismissed in one stroke by Japanese gadget and novelty company Hashy-Topin. Phone x Phone is a clever iPhone dock/charger unit designed to transform your iPhone into a plain ol' regular fixed-line telephone. Because you didn't really want to be that mobile anyway, did you?

But in all seriousness, having a single point in your home or office for charging your iPhone is not at all a bad idea, even if it looks a little technologically backwards. At the very least, Hashy-Topin should appeal to a certain geek nostalgia, blending old and new in a manner that hits that retro-cool sweet spot.

The minimalist Phone x Phone design comes in an assortment of colors (black, white, yellow, pink, and blue) and has a rubber coated surface ensuring that the phone is easy to grip. When speaking through the telephone's receiver, multitaskers can use still interact with the iPhone's touchscreen to send emails or play games if the conversation gets a little boring.

While we have yet to test it or check how it feels and sounds, it's definitely a fun idea for an iPhone dock.

Phone x Phone supports most recent models of the iPhone - the 3G, 3GS, and iPhone 4 - and as of December 1 can be ordered in Japan via Hashy Topin (Japanese) for JPY2000 (or about US$24). Check out the company's promo video below for a more visual explanation of how Phone x Phone works.

If you're after a little more technical sophistication (and expense) in the search for a conventional handset to use with your iPhone, check out the Moshi Moshi 04.