Best Charging Stands for Google Pixel

Elevate your Pixel off the table while it charges with these charging stands.

Finding a charging stand for your Google Pixel is, as we learned, a matter of making compromises. One of the best features of the Google Pixel is its fast charging ability, but you’ll get the best results using the charging cable and wall outlet that came with your phone.

There are a number of charging stands that support a USB-C connection, but the power being supplied to the stand typically use older USB cables which are usually not enough to support USB-PD. Alternatively, there are universal stands that will accommodate the proper cords and wall chargers for rapid charging.

Ultimately, which style you go with will depend on how you plan on using the charging stand — if you intend to plug your phone in bedside while you sleep, or on your desk while you work (or vice versa), slower charging speeds might be a non-factor. But if you must have quick charging, you’re best off using your own trusted cables with a universal stand.

• Encased Google Pixel Charging Stand
• FanTEK Desktop Charger Dock Station
• Accesorz USB-C Charging Stand
• SUPVIN USB-C Charging Dock
• Esonstyle Desktop Cell Phone Stand
• Lamicall Desktop Cell Phone Stand

Encased Google Pixel Charging Stand

This charging stand from Encased was specifically designed for the Pixel — but does not support rapid charging. Despite that, it’s got a great look to it and will accommodate a slim case on your Pixel. The fit is snug, so much so that you’ll probably need two hands to remove your phone from the dock — better than having a flimsy connection, right? Even better, each charging stand comes with a lifetime guarantee from Encased, and is available for Amazon Prime shipping.

See at Amazon

FanTEK Desktop Charger Dock Station

Looking for an all-in-one desktop charging dock on the cheap? This FanTEK dock features a built-in USB-C connector but doesn’t come with the wall adapter so you’ll want to use the one that came with your Pixel for optimal performance. You may also have to take your phone out of a case to get a right fit, but it should work with slimmer cases. Best of all it is the price — at under $10 it’s the cheapest option on the list. Considering this is a mostly stationary accessory that’ll stay sitting on your desk, it’s worth checking out!

See at Amazon

Accesorz USB-C Charging Stand

Coming in at $12, this USB-C charging stand works well for the price, and states that it supports fast charging for the Pixel, but you’ll have to ensure that you’ve plugged the included micro USB cable in with a wall adapter that supports USB-PD. The USB-C connector is adjustable up to 15-degrees, and is deep enough to accommodate a case on your Pixel. There’s reusable sticky pads on the bottom, which help to secure it on your nightstand or desk.

If you don’t use a case on your phone and you find the connection is not as flush as you would like, you’ll want to reach out to the seller customer service. They should be able to help you out.

See at Amazon

SUPVIN USB-C Charging Dock

This dock has a classic look and will work great with your Pixel or Pixel XL. The USB-C connector is adjustable so you’ll be able to rest the body of your phone on the backrest, which also helps with the viewing angle of your device when you’re working at your desk. Again, this charger says it supports fast charging but it uses USB 2.0 cable to plug into a computer or wall charger, so don’t go in with high expectations. Other than that, this is a great option that won’t take up much real estate on your desk or nightstand.

See at Amazon

Esonstyle Desktop Cell Phone Stand

If rapid charging is a must-have for your Pixel charging stand, you’ll need to look at a universal stand, like this one from Esonstyle, that lets you use the USB-C charging cable and wall adapter that came with your Pixel. This stand is made from aluminum offers a nice viewing angle for using your device when you’re sitting at your desk. And, given that it’s universal, you have the versatility to use this stand with all your devices. With the price under $10, you really can’t go wrong here, can you?

See at Amazon

Lamicall Desktop Cell Phone Stand

This universal charging stand is another great option for using with your Pixel, or really any phone or tablet at your disposal. There’s ample space for the USB-C cable to plug into your pixel, and you’ll enjoy the design with the stylish and minimalist design. The rubber feet on the bottom help to keep it secure on your desk, while the rubber on the cradle helping to keep your Pixel secure while also keeping the edges of your device secure and protected from scuffs. It’s also available in silver, red or black.

See at Amazon

Update July 5, 2017: Added the FanTEK charging dock to our listl.

What are your thoughts?

Did we miss your preferred Pixel charging stand? Let us know in the comments!

Google Pixel + Pixel XL

• Google Pixel and Pixel XL review
• Google Pixel XL review: A U.S. perspective
• Google Pixel FAQ: Should you upgrade?
• Pixel + Pixel XL specs
• Understanding Android 7.1 Nougat
• Join the discussion in the forums!

Google Store
Verizon

Play the lost ‘Rayman’ prototype if you have a SNES emulator

While the dream of playing a lost version of Rayman for Super NES on Nintendo’s Switch console hasn’t come true (yet), we have a bit of an update about the game itself. Archivist and game developer Omar Cornut recently borrowed the ROM original developer Michel Ancel (above) teased last fall, dumped it to his computer and then uploaded the files to Dropbox for everyone to play. Everyone who has a Super NES emulator that’ll read a .SFC extension, of course.

< dir=”ltr” lang=”en”>I’ve dumped a prototype demo of unreleased Rayman for SNES, here it is! (NB: very early dev build, not a full game) https://t.co/F3XB9XRhTA pic.twitter.com/oLhOdNDyHF

— Omar (@ocornut) July 3, 2017

The 1MB build is fairly limited, but Cornut teased that there might be a few hidden bits buried in the code. “The stuff like two-player moded that have been show in screenshots are not really in this build,” he told Kotaku. “Perhaps the ROM contains secrets, in which case homebrew hackers will hopefully unearth them soon.”

That sounds like a challenge if I ever heard one. If you don’t feel like fiddling with an emulator, then peep the gameplay recording embedded below.

Via: Eurogamer

Source: Omar Cornut (Twitter), Kotaku (Aus)

NVIDIA will power self-driving cars in China

NVIDIA has already forged self-driving alliances with big car manufacturers like Audi, Toyota and Volvo, but its latest is a particularly big deal — at least if you live in China. The chip designer has unveiled a partnership with Chinese internet giant Baidu that will see the two work together to boost the use of AI. Most notably, NVIDIA’s Drive PX tech will find its way into Baidu’s Apollo self-driving car platform and autonomous vehicles from “major” Chinese firms. The automotive pact is important enough that Baidu chief Robin Li traveled to the event in one of his company’s driverless rides — even though it was against the law.

The pact will also make NVIDIA’s deep learning Volta GPUs available to Baidu Cloud customers, optimize Baidu’s deep learning platform (PaddlePaddle) for those Volta processors and use Baidu’s conversational AI, DuerOS, for voice commands on NVIDIA’s Shield TV.

It’s a business win for NVIDIA, of course, but it’ll be particularly important for Baidu and anyone in China eager to take their hands off the wheel. Baidu is determined to catch up to Waymo, GM and other companies that have spent years developing self-driving cars, and creating an open platform with NVIDIA’s help (not to mention other partners like Ford, Intel and Microsoft) could help it make up for lost time. This leg up, in turn, could make autonomous driving relatively commonplace in China without needing as much help from foreign brands.

Source: NVIDIA

Apple Stores at CambridgeSide and Danbury Fair Reopen July 8

Apple this week announced that two of its retail stores, located at CambridgeSide Galleria in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Danbury Fair Mall in Danbury, Connecticut, will reopen Saturday, July 8 at 10:00 a.m. local time. Both locations have been closed for renovations for the past several months.

Apple Store with next-generation design in Brussels, Belgium
Each store has received a makeover based on Apple’s next-generation retail design, which typically includes wide, open spaces with some combination of large glass doors, sequoia wood tables and shelves, large video screens for Today at Apple sessions, and light boxes spanning the length of the ceiling.

In February, we reported that the Apple Store at Danbury Fair Mall would also expand into a few neighboring units to accommodate more customers.

All new Apple Stores opened since mid 2015 have been based on the new design language, including flagship-tier locations such as Apple Union Square in San Francisco and Apple World Trade Center in New York City. Apple has also renovated over 30 other stores to reflect the newer aesthetic.

Where possible, the new layout includes some combination of The Avenue, Genius Grove, The Forum, The Plaza, and The Boardroom.

(Thanks, Steven!)

Related Roundup: Apple Stores
Discuss this article in our forums