Logitech's 'Logi BASE' Stand Charges the iPad Pro Using the Smart Connector

[apolloa]

Apple isn't copying anything (as far as this accessory is concerned). The accessory is made by Logitech.

So did Logitech also develop and build into the iPad Pro those connectors that allow it to be charged as well then plus the ability to be charged by those connectors? I never knew that!

So YES Apple ARE COPYING a very old concept, and I use the word copying because that's what it's fans are ALWAYS accusing others of doing.

 

[jclardy]

So what are the charging speeds? It would be super awesome if the 9.7" could quick charge from this port...but there is no mention of it so I doubt it.

As for this product specifically, it looks a bit disappointing - if I am going to stand my iPad horizontally on my desk in a fixed stand...at least make the angle adjustable.

 

[demodave]

Really intrigued about the full capability of the Smart Connector. Honestly, I am extremely (pleasantly) surprised that you can charge at a reasonable speed via it. I know Schiller mentioned "two-way flow of data and power" but it's been so long I thought we'd never see anything.

If the "power" element has exceeded expectations, what about the "data" part? Very interesting...

I particularly like the fact that the Smart Connector is effectively a mag-safe power cord.

I mean, if you need a mag-safe connector for a laptop that is not constantly physically with you (typical use-case, I suspect), don't you *really* need one for a phone that is *constantly* moving around with you. Desk to pocket to desk to ... oh, wait, a *charging* stand on my desk and I can pick it up *any time it rings* (which in my case is seriously like only once a week

This is not particularly related to Logitech or the Base stand, of course, but I ahven't seen a lot of talk around the Smart Connector. I think it's waiting for it's niche to be found.

 

[joe-h2o]

So Apple is copying a very old concept. My original Sony PSP did this. Nothing wrong with Apple using the idea so long as them or their fans don't claim they invented it and is magical or something.
Apple should of had this years ago in all their tablets.

You mean Logitech is. Apple did not make this stand.

 

[AdeFowler]

Definitely something that I'll be keeping an eye on. This product is a bit too expensive and I don't like that the iPad rests against aluminium. It will be interesting to see what other manufacturers come up with.

 

[Brookzy]

So what are the charging speeds? It would be super awesome if the 9.7" could quick charge from this port...but there is no mention of it so I doubt it.

As for this product specifically, it looks a bit disappointing - if I am going to stand my iPad horizontally on my desk in a fixed stand...at least make the angle adjustable.

From the Logitech website:

Time required to fully charge iPad Pro:

• via electrical outlet (12W Power Adapter, no App running in the background): 7 hours
• via USB port: not recommended at this time.

 

[apolloa]

You mean Logitech is. Apple did not make this stand.

I presume you missed my post above highlighting how you and the other person are wrong.
[doublepost=1461671963][/doublepost]

So what are the charging speeds? It would be super awesome if the 9.7" could quick charge from this port...but there is no mention of it so I doubt it.

As for this product specifically, it looks a bit disappointing - if I am going to stand my iPad horizontally on my desk in a fixed stand...at least make the angle adjustable.

I've personally not known any stand that uses this feature to be adjustable? Don't know why. Would be nice though.

 

[Mascots]

Ohhh this looks neat.

Sees price, turns around, and walks out of the door

 

[Cascades42]

Ohhh this looks neat.

Sees price, turns around, and walks out of the door

I agree, it looks pretty nice - and I'd love to have this on my desk for overnight charging, but at that price I'll stick with my 5 port Aukey which charges all my other devices too - and that I would have to upgrade to be able to use with this...

 

[1Zach1]

I'll be pretty disappointed if this is Apples solution for "wireless" charging on the next iPhone.

 

[Thunderhawks]

Looks kinda cool, but why pay for this. Is it seriously to much to plugin a cable?

....but, but, but....solving a problem that doesn't exist!

 

[Piggie]

I would say that's mostly the case. Do you ever see a $100 stand for kindle fires, for example? Also, I would like to add that buyers of expensive devices are more dumb to pay for expensive accessories, and vice versa.

Corrected that for you

 

[oneMadRssn]

What a world we live in. The tablet has multiple ports, one specially for charging and another for data which can also charge; and the notebook has one port.

 

[spiderman0616]

This is a cool idea if you don't care about the back of your iPad Pro getting scratched or don't care about using your Smart Keyboard while the iPad is charging.

 

[waffffffle]

Does the Lightning port support wired accessories, such as the USB 3 Lightning Camera adapter? If so, can it be used to plug in a USB keyboard while the iPad is docked?

 

[WWPD]

What's a logi?

 

[jmgregory1]

I particularly like the fact that the Smart Connector is effectively a mag-safe power cord.

I mean, if you need a mag-safe connector for a laptop that is not constantly physically with you (typical use-case, I suspect), don't you *really* need one for a phone that is *constantly* moving around with you. Desk to pocket to desk to ... oh, wait, a *charging* stand on my desk and I can pick it up *any time it rings* (which in my case is seriously like only once a week

This is not particularly related to Logitech or the Base stand, of course, but I ahven't seen a lot of talk around the Smart Connector. I think it's waiting for it's niche to be found.

This is a great point. Just like the talk of their removing the headphone jack, the charging port is another remnant from an earlier time when you absolutely needed to have a physical connection between your iPhone and laptop or desktop computer. I understand that there are still times when you may need to hard connect, but isn't it time to move beyond the hard wired connection, offer a more simple magnetic connection for charging with some low level data transfer capabilities?

 

[Thresher]

The Smart Connector on the iPad Pro has thus far only been used for keyboard accessories including the Logitech Create and Apple's own Smart Keyboard, but today, Logitech is debuting a new accessory that uses a little known functionality of the Smart Connector -- charging.

Logitech's new Logi BASE is a stand for the 9.7 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, allowing them to charge cable-free in landscape mode through the Smart Connector. Logitech sent MacRumors a Logi BASE ahead of its debut, so we were able to get a few days of hands-on time with it.

Made of solid aluminum matching the Silver iPad Pro models, the Logi BASE has a Lightning port on the back to accommodate a Lightning cable, which is used to power the accessory. On the front of the stand, there are three male Smart Connector prongs that fit into the Smart Connector port on the iPad Pro to deliver power to the tablet whenever it's sitting in the stand. The Lightning port is located right in the middle of the stand, something that I found somewhat inconvenient for cable management when positioned on my desk.

A plastic lip holds the iPad Pro in place, and a rubber bottom ensures the stand stays firmly in place on a flat surface made of wood, metal, granite, or other similar hard material. The iPad Pro rests against aluminum in the back, and while this didn't cause scratching during my limited testing period, it doesn't seem as ideal as a rubber coating to protect the aluminum shell of the iPad.


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Article Link: Logitech's 'Logi BASE' Stand Charges the iPad Pro Using the Smart Connector

[doublepost=1461675307][/doublepost]For around $15, you can buy a stand on Amazon. It doesn't have the built in charger, but it's made of aluminum and it has a hinge so that you can adjust the angle of the stand.

Logitech makes nice products. If this had a hinge, it might be worth a little more. But not $100 when there are so many other, cheaper options available.

 

[Bubba Satori]

Why are accessories for expensive devices also expensive? This accessory is trivial to make/design.

The halo coattail effect.
Stuff is always more expensive in the country club.

 

[RedOrchestra]

The Blackberry Playbook

I remember being in a store looking for a suitable tablet for my Mom and while the Playbook specs quickly fell off the chart I was some impressed with their screen - might've been the best screen in the business, at the time.

 

[Speedy Gonzalez]

No it doesn't even support charging at the speed the 12W adapter provides. I assume because of limitations of the Smart Connector.

what a joke..

 

[jbellanca]

Does it work with an Apple Case on the iPad Pro?

 

[bushido]

blocked with the next iOS update cuz Apple doesnt like convenience or choices

 

[Cascades42]

blocked with the next iOS update cuz Apple doesnt like convenience or choices

While Apple have done this previously, as Logitech were a launch partner with their own keyboard I would think that they would have been told what was and wasn't acceptable (and you would think that as heavy as the Create is, it would have some battery in it!).

 

[kyleh22]

tough to justify $99 on this....