Figured it was time for a change…
All posts by Pedro Rafael Rosado
The Udoq Charging Dock: A Luxury Gadget You Didn’t Know You Needed
I’m a slob when it comes to charging my various and sundry electronic devices, I admit it. I plug everything into an industrial-strength power strip, toss it all on the floor while whispering a short prayer to the gadget gods that my children don’t break any of them them during their frequent bursts of manic energy.
Quick sidebar. My kids can’t be the only ones that suddenly tear through the house like cats after a visit to the litter box?
Anyhoo…
Despite the occasional gadget trampling by the young ones, I never felt the need to switch-up my power game. Then — as if on cue — the good folks at udoq rocked my charging world by sending me their 400mm docking station, the udoq400, for review.
The udoq was developed, patented and designed in Germany by Marcus Kuchler who envisioned these docks as one-size fits all, simple, flexible and sustainable charging stations for smartphones, tablets, digital music players and e-readers.
The killer feature of the udoq is how easy it is to customize. I was able to swap the proprietary Apple Lightning connectors that came with the demonstration model I tested and add a USB-C cable to charge a Nintendo Switch.
The udoq also comes in Android flavors and their shop sells Apple 30-pin connectors and the aforementioned USB-C adaptors to cover pretty much any slate-like device you’re looking to use. The cables slide into the docking station’s rail to let you mix and match your gizmos.
Now here comes the part where I pump your brakes a little. The price of udoq ranges from $89 dollars for just the 250mm rail to $248.50 for the tricked-out 700mm Apple version.
That’s some serious dinero, even for an impeccably designed brushed aluminum charger that’s designed to last for decades.
By the way, have I mentioned how good it looks? Well it does. The udoq400 I was putting through its paces was very, VERY snazzy. It’s definitely a luxury gadget for people who concern themselves with both aesthetics and function.
The tangled mess of cables, tablets and smartphones strewn all over the floors of Casa Kaiser was how I always did things. It never occurred to me that there was a better way until I spent a few days with the udoq400. I was almost immediately struck by the realization that this high-end docking station was everything I never knew I needed for my beloved gadgets.
To put it as succinctly… my doodads and geegaws have never looked better while juicing up!
PTJ 209: Fights and Flights
It’s been a loooong campaign and Election Day is just a few weeks away. If you want to beat the crowds, J.D. has a (Hopefully) Helpful Hint on how to see if your state allows early voting — and what you need to bring to the polls. Meanwhile El Kaiser has a few new headphones to inspect. In the week’s tech news Google checks facts and flights, Samsung is still scrambling to douse the Galaxy Note 7 fires, Facebook Messenger has some suggestions for your online discourse and there is a squadron of Taunting Drones buzzing drivers south of the border. Want to find out more? Just press Play.
Headphone Review Models
• Status Audio CB-1 Closed Black Studio Monitors
• thinksound On2 Monitor Series
Links to This Week’s News Stories
- Labeling fact-check articles in Google News (Google blog)
- Google Flights will now tell you when fares will increase, help you find cheaper tickets (TechCrunch)
- Netflix subscriptions boom around world, shares jump 20 percent (Reuters)
- 40 percent now say they won’t buy another Samsung phone (CNET)
- Apple could benefit from Samsung Galaxy Note 7 fiasco (Digital Trends)
- Samsung setting up Note 7 exchange booths at airports around the world (The Consumerist)
- DOT bans all Samsung Galaxy Note7 phones from airplanes (Transporation.gov)
- Survey: Google Pixel takes a bite out of Samsung’s declining consumer base (BrandingBrand.com)
- FTC says it may be unable to regulate Comcast, Google, and Verizon (Ars Technica)
- Facebook Messenger suggests what to talk about with “Conversation Topics” feature (TechCrunch)
- Hands on with Amazon’s Spotify competitor (Fast Company)
- Amazon launches all-new Prime Photos experience with Family Vault (Amazon)
- NASA space station cargo launches from Virginia on Orbital ATK resupply mission (NASA)
- Juno Jupiter probe’s final engine burn delayed by glitch (Space.com)
- Uber’s ad-toting drones are heckling drivers stuck in traffic (MIT Technology Review)
PTJ 206: The Age of Ophiuchus
What’s your sign? It might not be what you think. Hey, don’t blame us, blame NASA. On this week’s episode the Dynamic Duo go through the week’s tech (and geek) news; J.D. fills us in on a certain bird-themed micro-blogging service that’s had quite a busy past few weeks; and El Kaiser gets his rant on.
PTJ 201: In Pod We Trust
Podcasting as we know it has been around for about a dozen years and is now enjoying something of a boom thanks to popular shows that have caught the listening public’s ear and reignited interest in the medium. So, what’s happening in the pod world these days? Audio producer and educator extraordinaire Jocelyn Gonzales joins El Kaiser and J.D. this week to discuss the state of the art and some of the many popular podcasts she currently produces, including Strings and Things, The MashUp Americans and Inside The New York Times Book Review. Listen for the segment right after El Kaiser and J.D. discuss two of Netflix’s recent streamers and the notable tech news of the week. (Two words: Pizza ATM!)
PTJ 200: Excelsior!
Four years after it rose from the ashes of that other podcast, Pop Tech Jam has reached its 200th episode and we’re ready to party with our friends! Journalist Laura M. Holson and actor/poet/writer Francis Mateo join El Kaiser and J.D. after the news segment this week to discuss the ever-churning evolution of popular culture and consumer technology in the four years since Episode 1 hit the Interwebs. And yes, there might even be a mention of Star Wars…
And, as always, a big thanks to the BROS for hosting the party since 2012!
PTJ 197: Parks, Recreation and Lots of Tech News
This week El Kaiser revisits Audioquest’s Dragonfly USB DAC, preamp and headphone amp. This new version of the thumb drive sized device improves on its predecessors and finally ditches black for fire engine red. Also on this episode, J.D. prepares us for the 100th Anniversary of the U.S. National Parks Service and Pedro joins her for a rundown of the biggest tech news of the week.
It’s on like Donkey Kong!
PTJ 196: Tracking Your Family and Blockbuster TV
This week, J.D. shares some handy tips on how to keep track of your family’s whereabouts using tools you may already have on your computers and mobile devices. El Kaiser rants on the state of Hollywood and why he thinks movie makers need to worry. In the news, the Dynamic Duo snark it up over the latest Microsoft missteps with their Windows 10 push; Google’s plans to legally display lyrics in their search results; Facebook’s decision to go all in on slideshows and a cubic, um, BOATload of tech news. C’mon, press play already. You know you want to…
PTJ 194: Engaging and Fast Enough for Netflix
No summer lull for us here at PTJ HQ! This week El Kaiser breaks down the tech term “social media engagement”, as only he can, and J.D. helps us satisfy our need for (Internet) speed. They also offer up a heaping helping of technology news, seasoned with a dash of snarkiness and whole lot of silliness.
Pop Tech Jam: still the best tech-themed podcast in the business!