As you might imagine, I do a lot of writing on my phone. When working on long-form content, the touch keyboard just isn’t enough. I have a great ZAGG FLEX Bluetooth keyboard that I’ve been using for four years now. The issue is, propping the phone up. I had a little stand I used, but if I wanted to charge it or use headphones I had to lay the phone sideways. It was an imperfect solution. What I really needed was a dock, like the kind I used to put my Palm Pilot in (shut up, I know I’m old). So imagine my intrigue when I was when I saw the HiRise Deluxe.
If you’re unfamiliar with the brand, Twelve South makes a whole lot of high-quality Apple accessories. I’m particularly fond of their BookBook cases that make your iDevice or Macbook look like a leather-bound book. The HiRise charger line includes models for your Macbook, Apple Watch, or iPhone/iPad. The HighRise Deluxe is designed to charge your iPhone (5-6S). Thanks to the adjustable support in the back, the Deluxe can also hold the iPad Air or Mini. That alone is worth the extra $20 over the regular HighRise. Additionally, the Deluxe also comes with a MicroUSB cable. Not for charging Android devices, but in case you use a 3rd party battery case (at least, if you use one other than the awesome TYLT sliding case).
With an original solution that cost me $0, you might wonder why I’d be touting a stand that costs $59.99. I’m not going to lie, the $34.99 non-Deluxe is more my speed at first glance. However, Twelve South made a handy chart of differences, and the value is clearly there.
You have to decide for yourself if all that is worth the price difference. To me, it is. Not needing tools to set up the doc was great – did it in less than five minutes and was ready to go. Indeed, the HiRise Deluxe has become an integral part of my day. I get in to work, plop the iPhone in, and it stays there. I can do everything I need to do without making any adjustments.
If you have a heavy iOS user who spends a lot of time at a desk and have not decided what to get them for the holiday, here’s an upstanding candidate.
Review unit provided by Twelve South. All images from TwelveSouth.com
