Although it’s difficult to imagine how this handheld piece of computer wizardry could require anything extra…well, that’s life in the digital universe.  And it’s a good thing iPhone owners feel such intense devotion to the Apple brand and such willingness to fork-over the extra bucks for the best quality products.  Although cheap imitations abound among peripherals just like among phones, the Apple products still rule. 

If you’re the proud new owner of one of these miracle devices, you very soon will want to invest in a docking station, so that you can charge your phone and sync it with your music and other computer functions.  Go ahead and look at some of the off-brands just to satisfy your curiosity.  But plan to buy one of the two docking stations directly from Apple.  They offer two: the “iPhone Dock” and the “iPhone Dual Dock.”  Clever names, huh?

Both docking stations include approximately the same equipment, perform approximately the same functions, and cost approximately the same number of dollars.  They’re not exactly redundant, but they obviously are very very similar.  But, in head-to-head sibling competition, the iPhone Dual Dock emerges with a slight advantage.  Testing them individually and against one another, we had no difficulty with either dock as we charged the phone;  and both docks worked well with USB power chargers, too.  The major difference is that the Dual Dock is the only one really set-up to charge a Bluetooth headset.  Because the Dual Dock is a little bit wider and its USB cable is hard-wired into the unit, it is a little more stable.  In the end, you trade-off: you gain stability and convenience at the price of some awkwardness packing the Dual Dock for travel.  A reasonable trade in our judgment.  

Both the Dock and the Dual Dock cost $49.  Because you inevitably will want a Bluetooth headset to complement your cool phone, the Dual Dock is definitely the wiser investment.  Although your Apple Bluetooth headset will come with its own charger, the Dual Dock will afford you more convenience, more functions, and more options.

Just as the original Macintosh computer landed in the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art’s collection of elegant twentieth century designs, so the Bluetooth headset’s packaging should end-up on display with its grand-daddy.  Post-modern minimalist and almost too cool for words, the package alone is a high-tech masterpiece.  The package clearly sets the tone for the elegance and simplicity of its contents.  Although the Apple guys thoughtfully included a user’s manual, their equipment pretty much explains itself.  Plug your new headset into its dock along with your iPhone, and the dock synchs and charges everything. 

Charged and ready, the Bluetooth headset runs on one single button.  To fire-up your headset, push and hold that magic button until three rising tones play.  Once it’s on, pushing the button plays a tone and lights a green LED, so that you know it’s ready for action.  Although some other headsets offer longer battery life for greater talk and stand-by time, they are much larger and heavier.  The Apple unit assures 5.5 hours of talk time, and it’s only 2” long, skinny as the Bic you always stick behind your ear.

You will pay $129 for the genuine article, but a few facts of iPhone life take the pain from the sticker shock.  First, you would pay almost as much for a comparable Bluetooth headset without the accessories; and, second, you would pay even more for the Apple accessories sold separately.  Most importantly, however, this headset perfectly matches and synchs with your iPhone.  Although the user’s manual includes cursory mention of how you could match the device to other types of phones, it’s obvious that Apple designed and built every feature to complement and optimize the iPhone’s capabilities.

With Apple products, two of the oldest rules from grandma’s guide to remorse-free shopping apply: You do get what you pay for.  And you really should accept no substitutes.