Nexus One users are a peculiar lot. If you use one, you know what I mean. Sure, other, debateably better, Android phones have come and gone, but the N1 is hard to let go, and we're still in the market for great accessories like cases and cradles. Since my order for an OEM Nexus One desktop stand is on perpetual back-order, I decided to give the Mobi Products cradle and spare battery charger a shot. And I'm glad I did. See why, after the break.
For many of us, part of the fun of having a Nexus One is that it's completely unlocked and wide open for fiddling with the system files. This means it will spend a good deal of time connected to your computer, so having a charging solution that uses a USB cable is a must. Not only can you plug the USB cable into a wall charger, but plugging it into your computer allows the cradle to sync and charge, just as if you were directly connected. The Mobi Products cradle has a nice bonus -- a separate charging circuit for the spare battery charger. It has it's own mini-USB wall adapter that powers only the charging contacts in the spare battery slot. While it does mean another cord to fool with, it lets you use either the battery charger, or the phone cradle, or both -- with neither interfering with the other.
The cradle itself is cut to fit the Nexus One without a case. While this may be an inconvenience for some, it makes for a more stable base. I've used docks that the connector moved around to accept a cased phone, and I think a phone the size of the Nexus One would be a bit too top-heavy and eventually break the cradle or the microUSB connector. Overall it's pretty solid once the phone is in place.
I like the Mobi Products cradle, and glad I got it in to review. I tried it on my nightstand as a sort of bedside clock, and that worked well, but it's just a really nice solution to hold your phone if you're stuck tied to a desk all day long. You can find the Mobi Products cradle for the Nexus One in the Android Central store for just $24.95 plus shipping. That's the price of three airport latte's, so it's a no-brainer.