I recently purchased a Seidio INNODock cradle for my Treo 650. For those of you who haven't heard of it before, it's a cradle introduced last month by Seidio that is designed for holding and charging a Treo while in a case. It also has an audio out port for headphones or speakers, very much like the popular iPod cradles.

Features

* Uniquely designed (patent pending) cradle to fit Treo 650 with most skin cases, hard cases, and form-fit leather cases. (Screen is still required to face out and the connector needs to be directly accessible.)
* 3.5 mm stereo Audio out Port makes this cradle able to connect to headphones, speakers, computers, or home sound systems so you can play music with more options.
* Integrated Sync Button lets you Synchronize at the touch of a button.
* Treo 650 built-in microphone can be enabled for hands free operation.
* USB Sync and charge: Sync and charge via USB port from any laptop or desktop so you do not need another power outlet.
* Dual-functional Charger: By attaching Seidio USB car adaptor or USB travel adapter, it becomes a car or wall charger (both sold separately).

Package includes

1. INNODock for Treo 650
2. USB Cable
**Currently, the INNODock is not compatible with the Vaja case.**

My impressions

The INNODock is aesthetically pleasing (which may reveal my orientation as a reviewer). It takes up a small amount of desk space relative to what a naked Treo would occupy on its back while plugged into the Palm supplied hotsync/charging cable.

Unlike Palm's awkward solution, Seidio's INNODock only requires a USB connection for both charging and syncing. Very cool. Most users - particularly road warriors - will be delighted by this because it means one less cable to carry around and to potentially lose. The small trade off (if you can even call it that) is that you have to have a "live" computer to power the cradle or purchase an USB/AC/Car adapter to convert your cable into a wall or automobile empowered charger.

The Treo slips effortlessly onto the spring mounted connection, which moves fore and aft to accomodate various sized cases. I am currently housing my phone inside a silicone skin, and it's almost as though the skin isn't there. I am certain the phone can accomodate almost any case. The one exception that comes to mind is a Bellagio Open Face Leather Case, which a friend of mine tells me is problematic due to an additional leather attachment on the back.

Once connected, the Treo makes its usual satisfying musical sound to let you know that all is well. The charging indicator light illuminates red, and then turns green when the Treo is fully charged. A full charge using the cradle takes around 2 hours to achieve. I tend to run the power level down to about halfway before charging.

Now on to everybody's favorite connected activity...the hotsync! To the right of the Seidio logo is a small power indicator light and a pint sized button that you press to initiate the hotsync sequence. It does exactly that. I get a hotsync recognition tone and the transfer starts as quickly as it does with the Palm supplied cable. The button didn't supply much tactile response when I first got the unit. But after a few presses, I soon felt the satisfying push when a hotsync was initiated.

When it comes to use of the speakerphone, you can use the built-in speaker and microphone to talk and listen while the device is in the cradle. And, most importantly, on the opposite side of the hotsync button, located next to the USB jack, is a 3.5mm audio output port! You can plug in your choice of headphones and listen to whatever you like on the Treo.

One of the things that I enjoy most about the combination of this cradle and my High End 2 in 1 headset, is that I can listen to music/audible content, and, when a call comes in, answer and converse with the other party without changing headsets. This feature comes at a small price, though. Because Palm chose to make 2.5mm the standard size jack, you have to use a 2.5mm (male) to 3.5mm (female) Stereo Audio Adapter (available for around $5.95). But it may be worth a few bucks to multitask a cradle/headset. The sound is clear without any crackle or static.

Seidio points out that you can plug speakers into the cradle and listen to your Treo's musical content. I found the connection to be positionally sensitive and, while the jack has worked well for me with headphones, I haven't been able to consistently listen to sound through speakers with every insertion attempt. Seidio admits there may be an impedance mismatch and are working on a solution. That said, the sound quality is awesome.

Overall, I find this to be a tremendously useful accessory; in conjunction with my High End 2 in 1's, it is a fantastic addition to my gadget arsenal. The asking price is a mere $39.95 from mytreo.net/store. I would like to see a slightly better audio jack in future models, and I'd like the the 2 in 1 to be able to control the phone from its onboard button. However, overall I recommend this accessory.

Related Links

Click here to discuss this review with the author.

Click here to purchase the INNODock from mytreo.net store!

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