CableJive dockXtender: hands on First Look

June 20, 2010 by Bill Palmer

Those users who really, really don’t want to have to uncase their iPhone, iPod, or iPad just to use it with a docking system can do just that with CableJive’s dockXtender, a not so inexpensive cable extender. The difference between this and a standard docking cable is that it’s not a connector cable but an extender, allowing you to set your iDevice next to a docking stereo, for instance, and successfully use it even if the case on your iDevice prevents it from fitting within the docking well of the stereo system. It sounds a little cumbersome, but try telling that to someone who just invested a couple hundred bucks in a dockable stereo and also happens to have a favorite iPhone case that’s not so easy to remove on a daily basis.

My test unit is two feet long and sells for $25.95, and there’s also a six foot option available for $31.95. In addition to testing out the practicality of the product, I’ll be looking for compatibility of the dockXtender with various docking products. Other possible uses worth testing will be the ability to use an iPhone with a dockable stereo system designed for iPod that’s not properly shielded to avoid the static buzz that the iPhone sometimes causes with unshielded speakers.