Back in November we launched the Desk Genie – a non slip desk stand that works with any mobile phone or portable device. It’s now one of our top selling Desk Stands, so I thought I’d take a closer look at it to see why this desk stand is proving to be so popular.
Desk Genie - Non Slip Charging Desk Stand
In the Box
I was a little surprised when I received my test Desk Genie as the box was smaller than I was expecting. Despite the compact packaging though, you still get a lot with it. In addition to the Stand itself, you get a Mini USB data cable, a charging cable and 8 different charging tips. The tips connect to the charging cable and allow you to charge your phone. Tips are included for:
- Apple iPod/iPhone
- Sony Ericsson ‘Fast Port’
- Nokia 2mm
- LG
- Samsung (older style)
- Samsung (newer style)
- Micro USB
- Mini USB
The Mini USB adapter will work with most BlackBerry, Motorola and HTC devices. The Micro USB adapter will work with any brand of handset that has a Micro USB charging port.
Desk Genie Charging Tips
Design
The Desk Genie is a solid looking desk stand, but I did wonder how it was going to hold anything. The near 45° angle of the stand with what looked like a smooth, shiny surface made me think that it wasn’t going to hold anything. The angled pad has a rubberised, non slip mat attached to it, which although shiny and smooth is extremely grippy. You can’t really tell by touching it, but as soon as you place anything on it you’ll be surprised. Your phone, MP3 player PVP just don’t move. On the front of the stand is a discreet blue LED that lights to show that it’s connected to a power supply and each of the two sides has a brushed metal plate housing the USB and memory card slots.
Desk Genie Non-Slip Charging Desk Stand
USB Hub
The Desk Genie isn’t just a phone holder. It connects to your computer or laptop using a Mini USB cable. This would normally be a problem if you only have a couple of USB ports and have other USB devices connected to your computer, (printers, mice, keyboards, cameras, hard drives etc) but the Desk Genie has a 2 port USB Hub built into the base. This means that you’re not tying up a USB port unnecessarily but gaining and additional one and also means that you’ve now got 2 easily accessible USB ports on your desktop.
Memory Card Reader
On the other side of the base is an 8-in-1 memory card reader. It can read MicroSD, M2, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Duo, SD, MMC, RSMMC and Mini SD cards although you will need adapters for some of them (not included). Card readers aren’t as necessary as they once were given that most mobile phones and cameras can now connect using a USB cable, but if you prefer to work straight from the memory card, this is a much better way of handling them and saves you the hassle of rummaging around to find a USB card reader or unplugging other devices just to free up a USB port.
Charging
As mentioned before, you get a charging cable and a number of charging tips in the box with the Desk Genie. These tips should cover just about every phone that’s been made by one of the leading handset manufacturers. To charge your phone, you just connect the relevant tip to the charging cable and plug it in to the Desk Genie and your phone. Easy. If you also want to sync your phone with your PC or Mac while it’s charging, then you’ll need to use your existing USB Cable and connect it to one of the USB ports on the base of the Desk Genie. If your phone uses the same port for charging and data then you won’t need to use the charging cable.
The Desk Genie can hold and charge almost any phone
Why Choose the Desk Genie
The Desk Genie is a great accessory for anyone that likes their phone to be visible when they’re sat at their desk. It’s compatible with just about every phone on the market, and the fact that it’s got a card reader and USB hub built in means that you can free up some ports on your computer and won’t have to get down on your hands and knees under your desk to plug your camera in. It’s one of our biggest selling Desk Stands and is getting some great reviews online. The most recent was Smartphone Essentials Magazine – you can see what their editors had to say about it below:
SmartPhone Essentials Magazine Review
The Desk Genie is a multi-talented non-slip charging desk stand. The magic lies in the strange, grippy mat that takes up the front of the stand. The surface doesn’t look or even feel like it could hold a coin, but it can hold more than that. We tried an iPod, mobile phone and a hefty smartphone and all stuck to the pad as intended. You are probably now asking yourself why?
The non-slip holds a device which is then plugged into the stand, which is plugged into a USB port, ready to charge up the attached device. The Desk Genie comes with a plethora of connectors offering support for pretty much every mobile device available. The stand is also more than just a stand. The base incorporates two USB ports and four memory card slots, ideal for transferring files to the connected desktop.
The Desk Genie is a neat and almost understated device, if not a little cable and connection crazy, and we have to say it’s definitely worth your hard-earned cash. 8/10
The Desk Genie is available to order now for just £14.99.
Prices and availability are correct as of the date of this post and are subject to change.