Idapt Universal Charger i4

Desk clutter, tangled cables, and piled up power bricks are a foregone conclusion for most tech enthusiasts. The Idapt Universal Charger i4 ($59.99 direct) aims to help the slovenly connected sluggards of the world with a modular dock that puts all your power needs into a single box. The attractively designed base station can charge up to four of your devices simultaneously, occupies just one wall outlet, and has a modular design that allows the dock to adapt to your ever-growing collection of gadgets and gizmos. It's a bit expensive and doesn't sync any devices, but the i4 is a well-built and future proof dock that can streamline your charging needs. ??

The Idapt Universal Charger i4 resembles an upside-down topless pyramid, measuring 1.26 by 6.65 by 5.31 inches (HWD) and 10.6 ounces. It's made entirely of plastic, but feels sturdy and well built, with small rubber feet on the bottom to keep it from sliding around. The top is covered with a glossy plastic (in either black or white) with a Power button and three openings for the modular charging-tip pods. Each opening also has two Eject buttons and a power indicator LED that glows red for charging or green for standby. On the right side is a lone USB port, and there's a detachable power cable that extends from the back of the dock. The modular pods are grey plastic?the iPhone/iPod tip was able to dock my iPhone 4S with a bumper case still on. Six charging tips are included, but the only useful ones are the iPhone/iPod, micro USB, and mini USB (also included are somewhat-outdated Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and Samsung tips.) You can also opt for a customized four-tip starter pack for an additional $2.63, or add individual tips for $9.99 each. Idapt makes over 20 different charging tips that it claims can power 4,500 different devices. Tips range from standards like microUSB and Apple's 30-pin connector to Ninendo DS and even AA and AAA battery chargers.?

The whole package works exactly as advertised, charging up to four devices simultaneously. I tested with the aforementioned iPhone 4S, an Apple iPad 2, and various Android smartphones and tablets. The smartphones all docked easily, though the pods felt a bit loose under some of the heavier and taller devices. Docking tablets on top was out of the question; instead you must use the USB port along the side. The pod spacing could be an issue for some, as the back two are too close for multiple devices that charge horizontally.

If you find yourself constantly struggling with tangled or misplaced cables and overflowing power outlets, the i4 could be a helpful addition to your gadget arsenal. It features a sturdy and attractive design, with a lot of options for charging all your gear and even rechargeable batteries. My biggest complaint is that, at $60, I wish the i4 also had the ability to sync some devices. However, the i4 does have the added value of adaptability, with its swappable charging tips, meaning it likely won't become obsolete after your next big gadget purchase.

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