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Simplifi for Iphone 3G / Ipod | 
 enlarge | Brand: Griffin Technology
Category: CE
List Price: $72.25
Buy New: $38.53
You Save: $33.72 (47%)
New (43) Used (1) from $38.53
Rating:  3 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.1 x 2
MPN: 9804-SIMPLIFI
Model: 9804-SIMPLIFI
UPC: 085387098048
EAN: 0085387098048
ASIN: B001DQNAK2
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: Brand NEW! Ships the same business day if paid by 1 PM EST
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| Features:
| • | Charge/sync hub for iPhone and iPod | | • | Reads and writes the most popular digital media cards, including Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, SD, SDHC, xD and CF (CompactFlash). | | • | 2-port powered USB hub, using included AC adapter | | • | A simple, versatile way to de-clutter your desktop |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
One compact unit that handles your iPhone, iPod, USB connections, and all kinds of media cards
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| Customer Reviews:
Simplifi Your Life October 30, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
In short, it uncluttered my desk and simplified my life. Best of all, it does everything it is supposed to do and does it well.
3 in 1 attractive desktop device, works great October 17, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
If your desk is like mine with multiple power supply cables, USB cables for various items, and then you have your digital camera ready to download your photos, and seeking another cable, well Simplfi by Griffin Technology answers all these needs in one device! Finally...
You get 2 USB ports, read and writes media card reader in formats:
Memory Stick
Memory Stick Pro,
SD
XD
Compact Flash
The included AC power source allows power to some USB devices we use and the included mini USB cable to your computer is there too. I liked powering up my iPhone or iPods, each size device matches the included dock adapters so they fit perfectly. I tried charging my iPhone while inserting my Canon's Compact Flash media card, and quickly the card was read, opened up iPhoto, and the iPhone showed it was being charged, and sync'd, all at the same time. I then added another device, since the Simplfi is also hub, so less clutter. I liked it's looks too, anodized aluminum, so it matched the current Mac products. A blue light glows to let you know it's on. It's functional, and nice looking.
So we have:
charge / sync dock for iPod and iPhone
media card reader
a powered USB hub
a home run, get one!
As with all Griffin Technology devices, you get a year of warranty support. I know when I call them,they answer quickly, know the products, and will help you, resolve any issue even if it means sending you a complete replacement. I wish all companies were as easy to deal with! They are the gold standard!
A Dock with some Lagniappe October 13, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I've been searching for a few secondary iPhone docks for a while, as I've wanted to use the iPhone (first generation) docks as audio docks on a couple of stereos in the house. Moving the came-with-it dock to that venue meant I wouldn't have one at my Mac. Technically I didn't need it (just needed the USB to Dock Connector Cable) but I wanted the ease of docking. Apple's price for their docks are rather high -- and I figured if I was going to spend the money, I might as well get something with extras.
Enter the Simplifi which, while not doing anything earth-shattering, adds a few pluses to the arguably-required dock for your iPod or iPhone: a two-port USB hub and a camera card reader, capable of handling the most common types (Compact Flash, SD (including SDHD), xD, and Memory Stick/Memory Stick Pro).
A warning if you use Memory Stick Pro (the little card); it will read the small cards but you need to use the adapter (that makes it sized to the original cards). You can put that little card all the way in there, and it'll read it, but it's too small to be able to pull back out. (Yeah, I did it. To get the MSP out, I just kind of stuck the adapter on it and pulled it back out. Boneheaded move as I knew it was too small for the port.)
The finish is nice and the build seems good. The unit is a bit heavy, unlike some USB hubs, which always (and, to me, inexplicably) always try to be the lightest object on the market (which aids in their flipping over, leaning, falling off the back of your desk, etc.).
Included is an AC adapter (which gives it some extra juice should you have the unit a little too far down the chain or connected to an unpowered hub) and a very short USB cable. Maybe that's just me; the USB cable is a mini USB to regular USB plug, and about a foot long. I figured this was no problem as I had plenty of longer cables on hand, but whenever I used one of them (and I tried several) my iPhone would eventually bounce off as "unrecognized", scaring the bejeebus out of me. Going back to Griffin's included USB cable solved the problem. (FWIW, a quick response from Griffin tells me that an extension cable, and not a replacement, would be a better solution). I got around the issue by making it the "first stop" off my MacBook Pro's left USB port, and hooking my other hub downstream of it. (FWIW, hooking it up to the hub via the included cable wasn't an option as the hub is pretty far removed from where I wanted the dock to be.)
It's a little on the pricey side; nearly as much as Apple's own Universal Dock. Still, it's go the added card reader, though some may consider that unnecessary fluff. I like it for the weight and the fact it's not a dead end (i.e., it's a hub); the card reader capability is lagniappe. After a few weeks of daily use, I'd recommend it.
PROS
- USB2 hub (has two "free" ports when in use)
- Card reader for most popular camera cards (see above)
- iPod/iPhone dock*
CONS
- A little pricey
- Included USB cable is short**
*Note that I confirmed with Griffin that, though their site and literature is not yet updated, the Simplifi works with docking iPods and iPhones (including the 3G; confirmed this with Griffin via email)
**Again, per my review, you have to use the USB cable it came with; trying to use an aftermarket miniUSB to USB male will cause drop-outs. I emailed Griffin about this and they recommended using a USB extension cable with the included cable rather than using an altogether different cable (in fact, they offered to send me one).
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