Griffin Technology’s Simplifi iPod dock is probably the most useful iPod dock I’ve ever seen. If you have both a digital camera and an iPod or iPhone, you may want to take a look at the Simplifi.

Simplifi charges USB-rechargeable iPod models as they sync with your computer through the included USB mini cable. Use Simplifi’s USB ports to plug in keyboards, printers, cameras, flash drives, scanners, external hard drives, anything USB 2.0-compatible. Simplifi ships with an AC adapter for those USB devices that need a powered port.

The Simplifi dock is nicely designed, and it fits in with Apple products a lot better than Apple’s own Universal Dock. Brushed aluminum with white inserts on the front and back. On the top is the dock connector, and in the box are inserts for several different iPods. The included inserts work with the iPod Classics, 2nd & 3rd gen Nanos, 5th Gen iPod with video, iPhones and iPod Touches.

On the front of the dock are the two memory card slots, they work with the majority of the cards used today: Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, SD, SDHC, xD and CF (CompactFlash). When memory cars are inserted, they stick out far enough so you can easily grip them to pull them back out. There is a small blue LED that will blink when you insert a card, and then again when you eject it. The back of the dock has the extra USB ports for whatever you want to plug in. I have my MX Revolution adapter in one, and the other is free for flash drives or whatever else I need to plug in.

I bought this mainly because I was getting tired of using my printer every time I wanted to transfer photos off my memory cards. Add to that the SD slot on my printer was only SD, not SDHC, which is what I just got with my new camera.

Compared to Apple’s Universal iPod Dock, it is slightly larger, but tons more useful. Sure it doesn’t have a line out, and it can’t be controlled by a remote, but who actually used that on the Universal Dock? To me the functionality of having an elegant dock that looks better alongside my aluminium iMac, that doubles up as a card reader, and is cheaper, sounds like a much better deal.

The Verdict

Since I bought the Simplifi, it has been well used, and it very convenient over how I used to transfer photos. The biggest flaw I found with it, is the mini-USB cable that comes with it. The included cable is about 6 in. long. That’s great if you have an iMac, and want to place it to the immediate right of your iMac. I’d recommend purchasing a longer cable, so you can actually move the dock to wherever on your desk you want it.

I do have to praise Griffin Technology’s support staff though. The dock that I bought was defective. My iPod would often sync at USB 1.1 speeds, and randomly disconnect. I called their support, and the tech I talked to thought it might be a short in the dock. They sent me a brand new dock, and paid for me to send mine back. I just wish all companies had support like theirs.

Originally sold for $70, but currently on sale for a limited time from Griffin Technology for only $34.99, it’s a much better deal than Apple’s $49.99 Dock.