To keep your iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS up to date with the latest software updates and loaded with all your latest music photo, films and TV shows you’ll need to synchronise it with your Mac or PC frequently. It’s a simple and painless process, but when the USB cable drops down the back of your desk it can be a bit of a nightmare.
The easy solution to this, and many other problems, is to use an iPhone 4 Dock. Not only do docks prevent the cable from slipping out of reach, it provides a quick and convenient charging point for your phone.
Some of the more advanced docks have built in speakers, video connections and support for remote controls and as there are so many to choose from I thought I’d take a closer look at some of the most popular iPhone 4 Docks.
Simple and effective, these docks connect to your PC or Mac using your existing USB cable. As soon as you dock your iPhone 4 it will start to charge and will sync with iTunes.
iPhone 4 Dock - White
A Black iPhone 4 Dock is also available.
iHome Studio Series – iP9 – Grey – iPhone 4
This is an alarm clock dock that is designed to work perfectly with iPhone 4. It has shielding that prevents the irritating buzz that you normally get when your phone is near speakers so you won’t need to switch your phone into airplane mode in order to use it. The iP9 includes a remote control that allows you to control the volume, equaliser presets, alarm functions and radio as well as music play back from your iPhone 4 or iPod.
iHome Studio Series - iP9 - Grey - iPhone 4
Altec inMotion Max iPod iPhone Speaker
A speaker dock is probably the most popular type of iPhone 4 Dock. The Altec inMotion Max speaker dock not only fills the room with your music, but also charges your iPhone, has a built in FM Radio and can be connected to any audio device with a 3.5mm headphone socket.
Altec inMotion Max iPod iPhone Speaker
The dock on the front of the speakers uses a similar insert system to the universal Apple Dock. This means that you can use it with any iPod or iPhone. There are 4 inlays included with an iPhone 4 insert promised shortly. The inserts aren’t essential and I always find that they are fiddly to fit and prevent you from swapping quickly between iPods. The dock works just as well without them fitted and means you can switch from an iPod classic to an iPhone 4 without any messing around.
Over the next few weeks more iPhone 4 Docks will be available as manufacturers update the insert trays to accommodate iPhone 4.
Hopefully Apple are working on a wireless way to sync the iPhone with your computer, but until they release it, the easiest way is still going to be using an iPhone 4 Dock.