Reading and Charging Stands

[Jack Tingle]

So, we upgraded our phones to smartphones, and with the two Samsung GS5s*, we got a pair of Samsung Tab 4 8.0s** for 'free'. We now have 7 screen things in the house for two people! (First world problem.)

My wife wanted a charging stand for her phone, but when we ordered two for the GS5s they were pretty useless (for a variety of reasons) and they're going back. We got a charging valet and a ten USB port charger that fits inside instead. That charges 4-6 things at once and solves the multiple cable problem. I looked at other charger cradles, but none of them really worked. I even looked at do it yourself stands. Some of those were actually better.

So, I keep my phone upstairs by my bed and charge off of a single line. I also tend to keep the Tab 4 there as well. I have a reading stand by my bed, as much for music from my Nexus 7 as for reading. (It's a $3.99 small easel stand from Michael's.)

In the end. I reversed the order of the things on my nightstand, adjusted the easel just so, such that the phone and the tablet would both fit decently***, and reversed the direction of the charger cord. Now the (flat object with screen) fits in the stand on its side and the charger cord plugs into the end away from the walkway.

So, the winner for reading stands, still wire easels from the craft store. I did see a high-rise plate stand suggested if you like to charge your stuff standing vertically. For mass charging, an attractive bamboo valet that handles everything from 10" tablets to 5" (or smaller) phones.

*Very pleasant to read on, by the way. I currently use PocketBook and Kindle for most of my Android reading. My Kindle actual is still the best, though by a decreasing margin.
** Also decent for reading, although the low-res screen gets a bit wearying. Hey, they were free.
*** The hardest part of the whole evolution.