[gorilla]

I have just recently purchased a dock and an additional data cable for the iPhone 3GS. I did not buy the original Apple branded products, but complete Nigel knockoffs from DealExtreme.

Anyway here's the links: Dock (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.11760) $7.07 and Data cable (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.25795) $1.25. Did I say these weren't 'official' ;)

For the record I actually bought 2 docks and 2 cables (for me and the missus, or 3G and 3GS) and they have arrived in good condition and both work fine.

Now, because these are far from genuine Apple accessories, there are a couple of points to mention. The iPhone is a snug fit in the dock, might be a good thing, or might be a bad thing down the line. The line out seems to be designed for 2.5mm as opposed to 3.5mm adapters and hence I've no way of knowing if they work or not. When you insert said iPhone into the dock, you get the inevitable message, "this accessory has not been designed to work..." but it will still charge and sync fine.

For the price I'd recommend these items. I'm not sure if I could part with £19 for the official (http://store.apple.com/uk/product/MB484G/A?n=iphone2&fnode=MTY1NDAzOQ&mco=MjE0NjMxOA) dock or £15 for the cable (http://store.apple.com/uk/product/MA591G/A?n=iphone2&fnode=MTY1NDAzOQ&mco=MjE1NTI2NQ). Don't get me started on the USB power adapter (http://store.apple.com/uk/product/MB706B/A?fnode=MTY1NDA0MQ&mco=NjczMjc1MQ).

What other accessories are you guys buying? Do you have the invisible shield (http://www.bestskinsever.com/servlet/the-88/iPhone-3G-Skin/Detail) or a nice leather (http://store.apple.com/uk/product/TT756ZM/A?fnode=MTY1NDA0NA&mco=Mjc0MzI1NQ&p=1) case? How about some speakers (http://store.apple.com/uk/product/TV461ZM/A?fnode=MTY1NDA5Mg&mco=NDMxMTA1Nw)?

Please leave a reply below so others can learn by your experience.

[Ben]

Excellent post. Unfortunately I'm rather boring, I don't go in for the docks or anything. Just what came in the box for me!

- No dock, my iPhone sync's at home and lives in my pocket all day.
- No case, I hate pocket bulk, so the slimness of the iPhone suits me. It has to fend for itself.
- No speakers, though I do use the built-in speakers and they're pretty loud on the 3GS :) Other than that there are iPods in the cars and AppleTV at home for listening.

The iPhone's display the unsupported error in both of my BMWs, when I rarely hook it up (i.e. if it has newer stuff on than one of the car-bound iPods), but works fine in both (the E46 official BMW retrofit and the E93 official BMW cable). Flight mode is recommended :)

Edit: A note on the E46 BMW retrofit - the sat-nav head unit sees the iPod as a 6CD changer. You can basically have 6 playlists that are accessible, and their names must start BMW1-5. I think 6 is always everything. Something like that.

[Hands0n]

Hang on - are you saying that the 3GS doesn't come with Cable and USB power adapter?

I can stand the cost of the official dock - but then am assuming that the 3GS is compatible with the 3G dock - it wouldn't surprise me if it wasn't.

[miffed]

FWIW I am also saddened by the lack of a dock IN THE BOX !! , it really was the icing on the cake with the Original iPhone and gave a real feel of quality , simply "Docking your iPhone" was much classier than "Plugging it in" -
....It's not like they are giving it to us cheap or anything !!

[gorilla]

Hang on - are you saying that the 3GS doesn't come with Cable and USB power adapter?

It only comes with the cable. You get the new fancy USB power adapter as well. I was merely pointing out that if you wanted a spare it was going to cost you!

So Ben, you have 2 BMWs? There's a phrase for someone just dropping that into the conversation :p

I had the invisible shield on the 3G for 6 months, but when I had it replaced I didn't bother putting it back on. It did keep the phone in great condition.

There is something satisfying about using the dock.

I have an ipod dock that was £30 and is cheap and cheerly, but does not charge the iPhone.

I imagine that the 4th iPhone will have all new accessories given that Apple have endorsed the EU's decision to adopt the universal phone charger.

[Ben]

So Ben, you have 2 BMWs? There's a phrase for someone just dropping that into the conversation :p
They're the only iPod accessories I have :p

Ok, perhaps they're a little bit more than accessories...

[Hands0n]

Its all about perspectives. A friend of mine has a light aircraft that is his iPod accessory :D Not quite a Lear jet mind you

My iPod accessory is a 52" Samsung LCD

[chagle]

I bought myself a couple of 'toy' bits for the 3GS:

http://www.play.com//ProductOutline.aspx?title=6595171&r=MBLS
Looks very nice on the desk and rotates very easily! PLUS very iMac like and looks like a "Mini Mac" when standing by his big brother, 24" iMac! LOL

--

Also these - Makes the iPhone look snazzy I think.. but also protects it from scratches.

http://www.more-thing.com/noel-collection-incl-mirror-protector.html