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

Now this is the type of dock I've been waiting for. I can't wait for this to come to the iPhone. And before people say Android phones have had this for a long time, no, wireless charging does not pass data. Also I'm sure they will get cheaper. I hope o_O:p

Edit: Maybe there are devices with something similar I don't know.
 
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Can't decide if this is something I'd want or not. I occasionally put my 12.9 iPad Pro on a stand in landscape mode to either type on with a bluetooth keyboard or act as second display using the app Duet (which, to digress, is awesome).

Now, if I were to use this for typing with the BT keyboard, this would work just fine though, according to reports, it charges more slowly than if plugged in normally. I've already invested in a 29W USB-C power supply and USB-C/Lightning cable for fast charging, so at work with full brightness, I'd definitely not want slower charging... that's for sure.

And if I were to use the iPad as a display with Duet, then it needs to be plugged in via Lightning cable anyway, so this stand becomes redundant.

Guess I just talked myself out of it. Though at face value I actually like the idea of this stand. I just don't think I personally have a use for it.
 
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The article says it will be available today. Anyone seen this in the wild? Might take a trip today to check.
 
$99??? Hopefully the included lightning cable and high wattage power plug is of high quality.
 
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Zimmy68 said:
$99??? Hopefully the included lightning cable and high wattage power plug is of high quality.
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Yeah, the one that came with your iPP purchase.

From Logitech - "Not included: Lightning® to USB cable, power adapter (use the cable and the adapter provided with iPad)"
 
Looks very beautiful, except I would have to ditch this expensive Smart Keyboard while charging / docking this thing. What's the point?
 
MacRumors said:



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.

logibase.jpg

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.

logibaserear.jpg

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
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Will it work if your iPad is in a case?
 
RedOrchestra said:
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.
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Build quality was very nice as well. Dual speakers and just very solid in construction. But OS took a year to polish and by then the specs as you note were really outdated. Total failure to market, but I know that if I dug up and charged my old one it would still work fine. They made so many and sold so few you can still go on Amazon and buy a "new" one for $81.
 
I'm interested to see the possible implications for future iPhones - if that leak we saw a while back of an alleged iPhone 7 casing with a smart connector were genuine, it could open up more convenient charging capabilities. Could be Apple's answer to "wireless" inductive charging. A charging mat/dock with smart connector for iPhone could have the benefits of inductive charging, e.g. ease of use with nothing to precisely align and plug in (imagining mag-safe esque operation) with fewer drawbacks like slow charging, excessive heat generation, etc.
 
apolloa said:
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.
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Do you feel better now?
 
Was about to order one this morning but didn't have time. Was listed as £79.99 and I had a code for £5 off.

Just checked the website again, it's now £89.99 ($131). LOL, F*** you Logitech, you've lost my custom!
 
I didn't know that the smart connectors were possible to be used for charging.
If this was possible, why did Apple not make its keyboard with the ability to charge?
 
According to the Logitech site, it has "A thin polycarbonate layer at the points of contact with your iPad Pro helps ensure scratch-free docking." So, the metal of the iPad shouldn't be rubbing up against the metal of the stand.
 
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apolloa said:
I presume you missed my post above highlighting how you and the other person are wrong.
[doublepost=1461671963][/doublepost]

I've personally not known any stand that uses this feature to be adjustable? Don't know why. Would be nice though.
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Dude, you accused Apple of copying a charging stand design when Apple did not make or design the product you are criticising.

The connector hasn't even been marketed by Apple for this use - they almost exclusively tout the benefits of using it to power peripherals from the iPad, not as a charging port.

Thus, Apple doesn't suggest or market the smart connector as a charging port, and a third parry company made a stand that allows it to work like that.

So tell me again, how are *Apple* copying the "stand charging" concept here? You are wrong. Incorrect. Not right. In error. Own it.
 
joe-h2o said:
Dude, you accused Apple of copying a charging stand design when Apple did not make or design the product you are criticising.
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Actually I did not do that. I said they copied the concept as in contacts rather then sockets and plugs to connect devices or charge them, Apple put the contacts in it's device, not Logitech.
May I suggest you re-read what I posted?
 
apolloa said:
Actually I did not do that. I said they copied the concept as in contacts rather then sockets and plugs to connect devices or charge them, Apple put the contacts in it's device, not Logitech.
May I suggest you re-read what I posted?
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No one has any idea what you're talking about.
 
I do like this thing. But, I also really like my Smart Keyboard.

I'll have to go back to my old Microsoft Universal Keyboard again. Which isn't the worst thing I suppose.
 
Mcmeowmers said:
Why are accessories for expensive devices also expensive? This accessory is trivial to make/design.
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Expensive devices are bought by people able and willing to spend that much money. They largely are also able and willing to spend money on expensive accessories.
 
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