1. Can I charge my iPod/iPhone using the PocketDock through a USB wall or car charger?

Yes, except for the 3G iPod (with touch wheel and 4 circular red-backlit buttons) and earlier models, which do not support USB charging.

Note that not all generic USB chargers will work with modern iPod models and iPhones, due to certain requirements on the way how the USB pins must be internally wired, which is unfortunately impossible to tell just from looking at a charger. Other points to be considered are:

• The USB charger must also provide enough power. The iPhone for instance requires at least 500 mA.
• Many USB car chargers don’t make proper contact with the electrical pins inside the lighter jack. One should think that all lighter jacks are the same, but they actually aren’t. We have seen various chargers and cars which just don’t fit together, which means they don’t receive power from the car at any point or only intermittent. We therefore recommend to choose car chargers which provide feedback through an integrated Power LED.

If you are looking for an iPod-only car charger with built-in Line Out you should consider the SendStation smartCharge. (Make sure to check for compatibility with your iPod model before ordering).

USB chargers which carry the ‘Made for iPod’ or ‘Works with iPhone’ badge are guaranteed to work.

But how can I be sure that the PocketDock isn’t defective
and that the USB charger is the actual problem?

If the PocketDock works when attached to the USB port on your computer, then it definitely is not defective.

2. Can I charge my iPad using the PocketDock through a USB wall or car charger?

Yes, however the iPad requires 2.1A USB power (which is up to 4x more than an iPod or iPhone) and a specific USB configuration, which is why only iPad-specified USB chargers can be used.

3. Can I sync my iPod/iPhone/iPad using the PocketDock’s FireWire port?

Only if it is one of the following models:

4. Can I charge my iPod/iPhone/iPad using the PocketDock’s FireWire port?

Yes, if it is one of the following models:

5. Can I use 4-pin FireWire connections (also known as i.Link™) for charging?

No, due to the fact that 4-pin FireWire 400 (1394a) doesn’t provide any power, it can be used to sync only. For FireWire charging the port on your computer or power supply needs to have either the typical 6-pin FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394a) connector or the 9-pin FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394b) connector.

6. Can I use a FireWire wall or car charger with the PocketDock?

Yes.

7. My computer only has USB 1.1, which does not provide enough power to charge my iPod/iPhone. Does a PocketDock Combo help the situation?

Yes, but only if you own one of the following iPod models:

• iPod mini
• 1G iPod nano
• 2G iPod nano
• 3G iPod nano
• 3G iPod
• 4G iPod (incl. iPod photo and iPod color)
• 5G iPod video
• 6G iPod classic
• 1G iPod touch
• 2G iPhone

The above listed models support both FireWire charging and USB syncing: Simply use a PocketDock Combo to sync via USB 1.1 and at the same time charge via FireWire, using either a 6-pin FireWire port on any computer or an external FireFire power supply. If you are connecting to a FireWire port on a different computer to draw power, unmount the iPod from that computer first, prior to connecting it to your computer’s USB 1.1 port. (Otherwise a communication conflict regarding the iPod may occur). It should be noted though that USB 1.1 (12 Mbps) is much slower than USB 2.0 (480 Mbps).

8. Can I charge my iPod/iPhone/iPad using the PocketDock through a USB port on my computer?

Yes. Premise is a so-called high powered USB 2.0 port (min. 500 mA for iPod and iPhone, min. 2.1 A for iPad), which can be typically found directly on the computer or powered hubs. Low-powered USB ports (max. 100 mA) as often found for instance on older keyboards do not provide enough power to the iPod or iPhone.

1. Does the PocketDock Combo block the iPod nano’s headphone jack?

Unfortunately, yes, although the PocketDock Combo is as small and compact as it can be. However there are slimmer models available: If you are seeking for USB only connectivity you might take a look at the PocketDock Line Out USB or the PocketDock Line Out Mini USB, for FireWire only connectivity the PocketDock FireWire or the PocketDock Line Out FW. Make sure to check compatibility with your specific iPod or iPhone model.

2. My PocketDock doesn’t lock properly when plugged into the iPod. Why doesn’t it have the hook-type latches with release buttons?

All our PocketDocks are designed with the smallest possible size in mind. In order to achieve the tiny size, our engineers had to choose a release-button-free design.

3. What are the dimensions of this PocketDock model?

Click here for dimensions of all PocketDock models.

1. Does the PocketDock allow me to sync my digital camera with my iPod/iPhone/iPad?

No.

2. Is it possible to attach a memory card reader (Compact Flash, SD Card, etc.) to a PocketDock in order to download images or data to the iPod/iPhone/iPad?

No.