The new batch of iPhones ships with wireless charging; it is about time, and I can’t wait for the iPhone X to be released. Still, a good dock for the iPhone and iPad is always a great addition to your technology setup, and the LandingZone IONA for the iPad and iPhone is a great one to consider.
I am a fan of charging docks for my iPhone (and iPad.) They let me know where my device is, keep it upright so I can still see the screen, and keep it from getting buried (or damaged) when things get thrown on top of it while it charges. For me, there are a few key features that I want in a dock. First, I want to know that my phone or tablet will be solidly held in the dock and the dock won’t flop over. Second, I want to be able to use the dock with a variety of cases. Finally, I want to have access to the speakers and, if the phone still has a 3.5mm port, the headphone jack.
For me, there are a few key features that I want in a dock. First, I want to know that my phone or tablet will be solidly held in the dock, and the dock won’t flop over. Second, I want to be able to use the dock with a variety of cases. Finally, I want to have access to the speakers and, if the phone still has a 3.5mm port, the headphone jack.
The IONA by LandingZone ticks off all these boxes, and it does so at a good price!
IONA by LandingZone is a premium dock for iPhone and iPad. IONA was designed by the renowned industrial designer, Mike Nuttall, and is manufactured by our factories in Taiwan and China.
The IONA has a solid aluminum base with an equally solid rectangle of aluminum rising from it. This second piece is angled a bit back so that, when an iPhone or iPad sits in it, the screen is easy to see. At the top of the aluminum “riser” is a piece of hard, clear plastic that keeps your precious I-Device from coming into contact with the hard metal. This, in turn, prevents any chance that the dock will scratch your phone or tablet.
Two pieces of white plastic sit in front of the “riser.” The first is permanently fixed to the “riser” and has both a cable “lock” and a slot for the Lightning connector. (More on that in a minute.) The second piece of white plastic is a cover that slips over the first piece. It hides the cable and gives a clean, refined look to the dock.
The IONA weighs 1 pound (454 grams), has a 4.5” diameter at the base, and is 6.5” high. Thanks to the aluminum and white plastic, it looks sleek and refined.
As previously mentioned, the internal piece of plastic has a slit for the Lightning connector. You do not, however, simply slip the connector into it. Instead, you place one of four different spacers over the Lightning connector and then slip the spacer into the plastic panel.
LandingZone includes four different spacers. Each holds the Lighting connector in a different position. The A spacer is used for iPhones that are not in a case. The D connector is used with cases that are fairly thick and ensures that the Lightning connector will be raised enough to make a good connection with the phone or tablet despite the case. The B and C spacers offer two more adjustment heights for cases that fall between “no case” and “uber thick case.” Depending on your preferred case, you will want to try out each of the spacers in order to find the one that lets enough, but not too much, of the Lightning connector to be exposed.
Thanks to this assortment of spacers the dock will work with iPhone 5/5s, 6/6 Plus, 6s/6s Plus, SE, and iPhone 7/7 Plus. It will also work with iPad mini, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, and iPad mini 4, iPad Air, and iPad Air 2.
It works with many iPhone cases including Apple Clear cases, Apple Leather cases, Spigen Tough Armor case, Spigen Thin Armor case, Luvitt Ultra Armor case, Speck CandyShell case, Otterbox Symmetry case. It also works with many iPad mini and iPad Air cases but, the company notes, it will not work with Otterbox Defender Series and most heavy-duty or battery cases.
As they note, “IONA works with many popular cases on the market, however, we cannot guarantee IONA will work with all case models.”
The company includes a 4.5 ft Apple MFi Certified Lightning Cable, but it will also work with the official Apple USB to Lightning cable that ships with the iPhone and iPad. Using these cables lets the dock both charge and sync your device.
The weighted base also rotates so you can move the device to the best viewing angle possible.
Features and Usage:
- Audio: Use as a speaker phone to make conference calls.
- Rotation: Allows multiple participants to join FaceTime calls.
- Seamless Screens: Angle and height are designed to perfectly match MacBooks and Thunderbolt monitors.
- Rotation: Weighted Aluminum base provides 120° rotation.
- Case Compatibility: Fits standard iPhone covers.
- Spacers and clear bumper allows for adjustments.
- Use with iPad: Use the iPad mini or iPad Air as a second screen and with apps like Duet Display.
In all, the IONA is a great-looking dock that does the job it needs to do, lets your iPad serve as a second screen, and provides a solid base for your device when you are charging it. At $29, it is a steal! Check it out here.
Source: Company Supplied Review Sample of the IONA by LandingZone
What I Like: Offers four different spacers for use with a wide range of cases; Includes a charge/sync cable; Rotates for easy viewing; Holds the device at a slight angle for better viewing; Looks good
What Needs Improvement: Does not work with thicker cases; It is a bit unstable with my 10.5” iPad Pro