Since the iPhone 5 Lightning adapter has a chip that prevents you from using third-party cables, you can forget about using an inexpensive off-brand dock. And since Apple hasn't yet released its own branded dock, you're basically stuck, for now, just plugging the phone into a loose cord.
That is, unless you've got a buck and some change and a spare couple of hours.
That setup didn't suit Casey Neistat, a filmmaker who prefers to keep a (now obsolete) dock firmly bolted to his desk. So he set out to build a simple plywood stand using scraps from the hardware bins in his well-stocked studio. Neistat had the parts on hand, but, as for a total project cost, he estimated, "about $1.27?"
That's assuming you have all the appropriate power tools on hand, but honestly if you don't own a drill you may not want to embark on this project in the first place. The filmmaker explains the procedure in the 3-minute clip above. Here are a few highlights of his design—if you take on your own DIY dock project, keep these details in mind:
- Rout out a channel for the cord to travel in through the base of the stand.
- Use glue and a cable clamp to hold the cord so it doesn't strain as the phone pulls away.
- Any scrap 3/4-inch lumber works; just give the phone a second piece to lean against.
Nice work!
You can follow Casey Neistat on Twitter.