It’s been a while since I’ve really taken a look at any cell phone accessories, we’ve looked at cases and a couple basic stands,  but how about something that’s truly multi-functional. Today for review I’ve got a product called the Desk Genie, it’s a non-slip charging stand for your desk, but it’s much more than that. The Desk Genie features two USB ports along with an 8 in 1 card reader, and the ability to charge most any portable device out there today. I was a bit skeptical of this device at first, but I figured I’d give it a try anyway. I’ve come to like the Desk Genie in my time with it, it’s very useful especially since it’s a card reader and USB hub as well as the charger, but there is one improvement I’d make to it, read on to learn more…

There’s no special packaging for this product, just a white box. Inside the box you’ll find  three bags and a brief instruction sheet:

Included is a nice long USB cable to hook the Desk Genie to your computer:

Nine tips are included with the Desk Genie so you should be able to find on to fit your device. The tips attach to a short cable that connects to the power port on the Desk Genie.

The Desk Genie itself is nicely made, it’s primarily black in color with silver sides. The front is a black rubber pad basically, this pad is where you set your device, and it is truly a non-slip surface.

On the left side you’ll find the card reader:

On the right side is the USB ports, while on the back you’ll find the mini-USB port that connects to your computer and a power port that is used with the included cable to charge your devices.

The bottom has four rubber feet and an identifying label:

Specifications:

Desk Genie Non-Slip Charging Desk Stand

Exclusive to MobileFun The Desk Genie is the only phone holder you will ever need.

The Desk Genie gives you a phone holder, universal charger, a USB hub and a 8 in 1 card read.

Desk Genie Non-Slip
This holder is designed to hold any device in position. It holds using a special material which grips the device. It is even designed so if your phone is vibrating frantically it will still stay in place. The holder is able to do such a feat thanks to the special surface which is made from a high tech rubber material. Your phone is held so firmly you’ll think it has been glued down – but there is no sticky residue on the phone or on the Genie.  The Desk Genie can hold your phone in optimum viewing positions to read emails, watch videos and play games.

Long Lasting
The Desk Genie is made from high quality materials and finished to the highest levels. This means it will not look out of place at home or in the office, whilst it holds your precious devices.

Charger
The Desk Genie also allows you to charge your phone. One of the added benefits is the multiple tips it comes with, so you can literally charge any phone whilst the phone sits on the Desk Genie. The cable simply plugs into the back of the Desk Genie and the other end goes straight into the phone. The tips included also work on iPods and selected Sat Navs and MP3 players

Features:
* Designed with a non-slip material
* Holds your mobile phone or accessories firmly
* Fully compliant with USB 2.0 specification
* Backwards compatible with USB 1.1
* Plug and play
* Supports Windows 2000/XP/ Vista, Mac OSX and Linux
* Dimensions: 59 x 102 x 106mm (approx)
* Weight: 95g
*1 year Warranty

Connectors:
* iPhone/iPod
* Nokia 2mm (works with 5800, N95, 6700 and more)
* Nokia 3.5mm (works with 3310, 6680, 6230 and more)
* MicroUSB (for Nokia N97/BlackBerry 8900/Samsung Omnia II and more)
* Mini USB (for BlackBerry 8300 /HTC Hero/MP3)
* LG (works with all LG phones)
* Samsung Tip1 (works with D900, U600, D800 and more)
* Samsung Tip2 (works with Omnia, Pixon, Tocco Lite and more)
* Sony Ericsson Fast Port (works with all Sony Ericsson phones)

Price: $25

Using the Desk Genie is easy, plug it into your computer, then figure out which tip your device requires and attach it to the cable. I used it with my AT&T Tilt or HTC TyTn II so I just needed the mini-USD adapter. I used it with my Windows Vista X64 machine and it had no problem recognizing and installing the drivers automatically for the hub and card reader.

Then just set it on the stand and you’re ready to go. There is a blue LED in the front, more of a light bar, that lights up when connected to the USB port of your computer.

I was a bit skeptical of the whole non-slip sticky thing they claimed about this product, but it truly works. It holds your phone in place like it was glued down honestly. You can put your phone or whatever other device on there and it stays in place, you cannot pull down on it, the phone won’t slide at all. Not pictured, but my TomTom One XL uses the same USB connection to charge, and it worked fine with that as well.

Here’s a few pictures from the side:

The USB ports and the card reader work just like any other, plug something in and it pops up for you ready to access, no problem there at all. The speeds are comparable to my card reader and USB ports that I have in my computer now.

Overall it’s nicely made, it looks great, it will fit in with any decor, home or office. It seems sturdy and well made, and should last a long time, and it comes with a 30 day money back guarantee and a 1 year warranty as well. I really wouldn’t expect a one year warranty on something as inexpensive as this, or something that might be considered a gadget or accessory.

I do have one issue with it though, it only charges the phone and doesn’t sync or let you access the phone itself via your computer. When you use the regular USB cable to sync your phone it also charges it, so why not just do away with the charging port altogether and just use a smaller USB cable to will allow access and charge at the same time? Yes it’s nice to have the phone there and be charging for you, but when I hook my phone up to my computer it’s normally to sync it, with this device I’ll have to unhook it and then hook up the regular USB cable. My suggestion would be to include a cable similar to the one included but with a standard USB connection on it with the interchangeable tips, this way you can sync and charge at the same time.

Another small issue is the fact that it claims any phone can be charged, well I couldn’t charge any of my Pantech phones with it. it also mentions iPods in the list as well, but it only works with newer ones, like the 5th Gen iPod nano and not my 4th gen nano. yes it does have the full compatibility list on the site, but you’ll have to scroll farther do to see that, and just reading the description one might think it will work with all of their products. I could use the regular USB cable with my nano and then just plug it into the USB port on the side then it will charge and sync for me.

Conclusion:

The Desk Genie is a very useful and intriguing product for sure, I do like it quite a bit, I’ve got my phone sitting on it right now as a matter of fact and intend to keep using it honestly. It’s much more than just a stand for your phone, it charges it yet, but the addition of the USB ports and the card reader make it that much more useful for the average person.

I want to recommend this product as something most people would be happy with, but I can’t because it’s missing that one piece of important functionality, the syncing part. All in all it’s a great product, an almost perfect one really, it could have got a perfect rating from me really, the design is great, it’s useful and it works exactly as it should. MobileFun has a great product with the Desk Genie, and if they include a different type of cable then they would have the perfect little desktop accessory to sell, and I think it would sell well really. It’s only $25, which I think is well worth it even as is, but including that extra cable would make it that much more useful and valuable.

Pros:
+Well made
+2 USB ports and Card Reader
+Works well
+Really does hold phone in place very well
+Several tips included for multiple device compatibility

Cons:
-Doesn’t sync when connected, need to use additional USB cable
-No Pantech tips, or older iPod tips

Grades:
Overall
Design
Performance

This product was given to technogog for review by the company for review purposes only, and is not considered by us as payment for the review, we do not, and never will, accept payment from companies to review their products. To learn more about our review policy please visit this page HERE.