If you have a iPhone 3G, fourth generation iPod nano, or second generation iPod touch and you have any accessories for it that now do this...

...read on. The rest of you are free to leave now as this review probably won't interest you much.

If you have an old iPhone/iPod accessory such as a speaker system or dock, or car integration accessories that don't support charging your new iPhone or iPod, have I got good news for you. Scosche recently introduced a device that makes them charge your devices as they should (and as they used to with your previous-generation iPhone, iPod nano, or iPod touch).

It's called the passPORT and it's a little black dongle you stick between your device and the charging cable (as shown below) or dock (not shown).

A closer look:

Once the passPORT is in place you'll never see a "charging is not supported with this accessory" message again and your iPhone or iPod will charge normally when used with the accessory.

I only have two devices that do that -- a Cambridge SoundWorks Radio 735i (reviewed here) and an mStation 2.1 Stereo Tower (reviewed here) -- but they're both relatively expensive ($299 each) and I use them both all the time. So I really hated it when I discovered they wouldn't charge my new iPhone, iPod nano (4G) and iPod touch (2G).

The Scosche passPORT worked exactly as promised with both devices and both now charge my newest iPhones and iPods just the way they should.

One last thing -- here's some passPORT compatibility information from the Scosche Web site:

Compatible with: Several aftermarket head-units as well as Acura, Audi, Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ferrari, Ford, Honda, Hummer, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Lexus, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Mercury, Mini Cooper, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Pontiac, Porsche, Rolls Royce, Saab, Saturn, Scion, Suzuki, Toyota, Volvo and VW.

Not compatible with select Pioneer head-units that use the CD-iB100 or CD-i200 iPod to IP-Bus adapter. Call Scosche technical support for details (800) 363-4490x3.

Note: The passPORT is specifically designed to fix the charging error associated with several iPod and iPhone accessories. If the accessory you are intending to use does not initially support the audio or video functionality of the iPod or iPhone , the passPORT will not enable these features.

The Bottom Line

IF:

1. You have an iPhone 3G, iPod nano (4G), or iPod touch (2G).
2. You have an accessory that you wish would charge that device but won't.
3. The accessory isn't among the handful listed as incompatible above.
   AND
4. The accessory would cost more than $30 to replace.

Buying a Scosche passPORT for $29.99 should be a no-brainer.