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Build your iPhone a dock from its own box

by Dave Caolo Aug 19th 2009 at 9:00AM

As the product of frugal New England Yankees, I like items that multi-task. If said item is something that could typically get thrown away, even better. Check out this awesome iPhone 3GS dock made from its retail box.

Since the 3GS does not ship with a dock (bummer), enterprising owner Vince Tang used the included USB cable, the docking "plate," which is that tiny piece of plastic meant to seat the phone correctly, and the sturdy box to create a dock. Specifically, he cut a hole in the box's lid, crammed the plate and cable inside and glued the daylights out of it. We think it looks pretty good (from the top at least).

In fact, if I hadn't sent my old iPhone to NextWorth in my 3GS box, I'd be making one of these right now. Well done, Vince!

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As the product of frugal New England Yankees, I like items that multi-task. If said item is something that could typically get thrown away,...
 

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Purincess

Looks like the UK version of the iPhone 3GS comes with a plastic dock converter (bigger box in general also), while the US doesn't.

August 28 2009 at 2:07 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
eigles19

Made one last night. Cam out awesome. Took a couple of hours, a hobby blade, some super glue and a docking plate I got from an alarm clock/dock. I love it

August 22 2009 at 2:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Eric

It's a guy with scissors and a hot glue gun. People have been doing it since the 3G iPod.

I took the iPod photo adapter that JBL sent out to On Stage owners, and stuck it in a white cardboard box and made a dock... but it didn't warrant a blog post.

August 20 2009 at 4:50 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mkeita77

By the way the (x) is for extra speed.

August 19 2009 at 1:53 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mkeita77

I think apple is watching,next Gen iPhone 3gs(x). You just might have a convertable box

August 19 2009 at 1:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sockatume

Doesn't the dock plug on the USB cable have latches, unlike the dock plug on the actual dock? Does he just yank it out of the latches every time? You could cure that by using wire cutters to snip the latches off, mind you.

August 19 2009 at 12:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to sockatume's comment
Darnitol

Or, you could keep the box carefully in storage, and when you go to sell your iPhone on Ebay or Craigslist, watch how including that piece of "trash" improves the resale value of your iPhone by fifty bucks. (I speak from experience.)

August 19 2009 at 12:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
calvin

Only an ipod touch comes with one.

August 19 2009 at 11:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lumi

Mine didn't come with a dock plate either... Big bummer, cuz I would like a dock, but not fork over the cash.

August 19 2009 at 10:34 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kirankonathala

It is funny the way you advertise nextworth! They give my atleast $100 less than what eBay or Craigslist give!

August 19 2009 at 10:03 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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