Why use an APPLE iPHONE Dock?

[Dezlboy]

Why do people use a dock? I'm ordering my iPhone in 10 days! So is there something I just don't know yet?

I've edited the Title to clarify I was asking about this:http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB484G/A

Sorry for the confusion.

 

[STEVESKI07]

Easier to plug in
Looks better
Don't have to lay phone down on table
Have extra money to blow
etc..


There's nothing really special about it. It's just personal preference if you want one or not.

 

[pelicanflip]

Easier access for charging the iPhone
Looks pretty
Can conduct speaker phone calls for the 3G and the 3GS
Connect the dock to a stereo or speakers using an AV or stereo audio cable to play music.


In short, not much significance. I don't even bother with mine.

 

[Rayfire]

I use an alarm clock with a dock for the iPhone which has:
-clock display
-alarm of course (buzz, wake)
-wake up using your iPhone's music
-charge iPhone
-has CD, radio
-nice LED display
-play your iPhone iPod music
-REMOTE!
-sleep feature

so it really makes it very useful.

 

[pelicanflip]

I use an alarm clock with a dock for the iPhone which has:
-clock display
-alarm of course (buzz, wake)
-wake up using your iPhone's music
-charge iPhone
-has CD, radio
-nice LED display
-play your iPhone iPod music
-REMOTE!
-sleep feature

so it really makes it very useful.

I think your mistaking the OP's question. You're using an alarm clock, that just so happens to include an iPhone dock. I believe the OP is asking about the actual iPhone dock.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB484G/A <--- like that one.

Those docks are practically useless and can be subsituted with any usb charger cable.

 

[Rayfire]

I think your mistaking the OP's question. You're using an alarm clock, that just so happens to include an iPhone dock. I believe the OP is asking about the actual iPhone dock.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB484G/A <--- like that one.

Those docks are practically useless and can be subsituted with any usb charger cable.

Oh, I thought he's assuming to any accessories for the iPhone that has a dock, since the OP never really specified it. But like you said, I might be wrong

 

[Dezlboy]

I think your mistaking the OP's question. .... I believe the OP is asking about the actual iPhone dock.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB484G/A <--- like that one.

Those docks are practically useless and can be subsituted with any usb charger cable.

Yes, asking about the Apple Dock. Sorry for the confusion. But the info about the alarm clock, etc docks was very helpful!

 

[Zimmy68]

Well, until Apple actually adds a "line-out" mode to the headphone jack (which seems foreign to them), it is the only way to listen to the ipod part of the phone through my computer speakers.

 

[miggitymac]

Well, until Apple actually adds a "line-out" mode to the headphone jack (which seems foreign to them), it is the only way to listen to the ipod part of the phone through my computer speakers.

You can do this using the USB cable that comes with the phone.

 

[optophobia]

It prevents the phone from sliding off the desk.
Looks cool.
costs $30

 

[pelicanflip]

It prevents the phone from sliding off the desk.
Looks cool.
costs $30

How does it prevent your phone from sliding off the desk? Unless if your desk is slanted, I don't see how it would slide.

If anything, I used the dock for about a week, and I ended up knocking over my iPhone a few times. Got real fed up with it.

 

[Zimmy68]

You can do this using the USB cable that comes with the phone.

Please share.
I just hooked up my iPhone to my Win7 machine via USB and it happily played the music through its own speakers, not the PC's.

 

[miggitymac]

Please share.
I just hooked up my iPhone to my Win7 machine via USB and it happily played the music through its own speakers, not the PC's.

I'm on OS X, but should work for Windows too:

Set your iTunes to "Manually manage music and videos", drop down to your iPhone's music in the device list on the left, play song of choice.

Yea, it takes more time, but it gets your iPhone music playing on your computer's speakers.

So a dock is not "the only way to listen to the ipod part of the phone through my computer speakers" as you said.

 

[jacobgaul]

will a iphone 3gs with a power support airjacket fit in the apple dock WITH the airjacket on?

 

[Zimmy68]

I'm on OS X, but should work for Windows too:

Set your iTunes to "Manually manage music and videos", drop down to your iPhone's music in the device list on the left, play song of choice.

Yea, it takes more time, but it gets your iPhone music playing on your computer's speakers.

So a dock is not "the only way to listen to the ipod part of the phone through my computer speakers" as you said.

Ahh, that is a nice set of hoops you brought out for me to jump through.
Thanks, but I don't want to break my automatic home synch on my phone to be able to listen to it on my work's computer.

I'll just simply put the phone on the dock and listen that way.
Now if Apple put in a line out mode like Creative did 10 years ago, no one would need a dock.

 

[Rayfire]

will a iphone 3gs with a power support airjacket fit in the apple dock WITH the airjacket on?

Apple Universal Dock with the right Dock Adapter = Yes

Stand alone Apple iPhone dock = No

 

[jacobgaul]

Apple Universal Dock with the right Dock Adapter = Yes

Stand alone Apple iPhone dock = No

this wont popup that accessory error when i use it right?

 

[lemonademaker]

it's probably just me but I can tell you why I don't...

I"m not a fan of docks because if you're charging it and a call comes, to check msg, weather etc... you have to take it out of the dock..... it's kind of a pain IMO....

I have a pretty good altech lansing T612 and other miscl clock/docks and I just plug it into the Aux jack so i can still "work" with the phone..... I have 1/2 dozen usb cords plugged into usb chargers in numerous places throughout the house, garage and shop....

like someone above said... it's probably a personal thing.....

 

[Oskee2001]

i like the dock...i keep it on my nightstand and plug it in to charge every night.

 

[bassjunky]

I want a dock that has both a usb dock connector and an a/c adapter so that my phone will sync when my pc is on, but still charge when the pc is off.

Does one exist?

 

[Rayfire]

this wont popup that accessory error when i use it right?

Made by Apple themselves, it shouldn't be

I want a dock that has both a usb dock connector and an a/c adapter so that my phone will sync when my pc is on, but still charge when the pc is off.

Does one exist?

Not that I've heard of, it's usually one way or another, bot both

 

[RetiredInFl]

You can buy OEM iPhone docks for less then $10 off eBay. I bought 3 for under $5 each shipped from China. They were advertised as "b-grade" but looked pretty new to me and even included real Apple sync cables. I popped the plastic covers off to look at the circuit board (as well as spray paint them black) and they were definately not knockoffs. Prevents scratching or sliding off desk and allows the phone to be used as a desk clock with the screen always on.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280357600920

It prevents the phone from sliding off the desk.
Looks cool.
costs $30

 

[STEVESKI07]

I want a dock that has both a usb dock connector and an a/c adapter so that my phone will sync when my pc is on, but still charge when the pc is off.

Does one exist?

As long as the dock cable is just a normal USB cord, which I believe it is, it can just plug into the A/C adapter like the cable that came with the phone does. Aren't ALL docks capable of being plugged into A/C or into USB???

 

[Gav2k]

Made by Apple themselves, it shouldn't be


Not that I've heard of, it's usually one way or another, bot both

Buy a longer cable so it's pluged into ur computer like mine then when u dock at night it backs up

 

[bassjunky]

As long as the dock cable is just a normal USB cord, which I believe it is, it can just plug into the A/C adapter like the cable that came with the phone does. Aren't ALL docks capable of being plugged into A/C or into USB???

That's just it, I don't want to have to switch the connections, I want both plugged in so when my pc is not on it will still charge.