❌

Vue lecture

Peak Design’s Charging Station Folds Flat to Charge Two Phones

Charging a phone and a pair of earbuds is easy enough, but sharing that same stand with another phone is a different matter. Peak Design’s new Charging Station addresses that problem with two equally capable magnetic pads and a hinged arm. Stand it up beside your laptop, or lay it flat so two phones can recharge without competing for the better spot.

The shape is straightforward, with a narrow metal arm linking two rounded-square charging surfaces. Die-cast aluminum and zinc form the chassis, while the machined aluminum stem provides the moving structure. Laminated Clarino covers the pads, and a non-slip TPU foot sits underneath. Black and Moon finishes keep the color choices restrained, rather than turning your nightstand into a brightly branded electronics display.

Designer: Peak Design

Two hinges let you adjust the arm and upper pad separately, positioning a phone for a video call or a glance at your calendar. Magnetic attachment supports portrait and landscape orientations, so changing what you’re doing doesn’t require another stand. An earbud case can sit on the lower pad while the phone stays raised, keeping both devices within the same small desktop footprint.

The lower pad gets more interesting when you fold the station flat. Peak Design rates both Qi2.2 pads for up to 25W simultaneously, allowing two compatible phones to recharge at once without assigning one a slower accessory spot. That doesn’t mean every magnetically attached phone will receive 25W, though. The device’s own charging support still determines how much power it can accept.

That folding movement also changes how the charger travels. Packed flat, it measures 6.3 by 2.7 by 0.6 inches, with the arm tucked alongside the body instead of projecting into your bag. At 9.7 ounces, it still adds weight to a travel kit, but you aren’t packing a rigid desktop stand just to keep a phone propped up in a hotel room.

A separate USB-C output makes room for a third device, although this connection is wired. Its 7.5W output is suited to smaller accessories rather than replacing a laptop charger. A watch still needs its own charging cable or puck, so this isn’t a dedicated three-device wireless dock. It simply gives that extra cable somewhere to connect without occupying another outlet on the wall.

The $99.95 price also leaves out the wall adapter. Peak Design includes a fabric-wrapped USB-C cable rated for 100W, but specifies at least a 45W power supply to operate the station and 75W or more for maximum dual charging speed. That makes the adapter part of the buying decision, particularly if your existing charger is already committed to powering something else at home.

The post Peak Design’s Charging Station Folds Flat to Charge Two Phones first appeared on Yanko Design.

  •  

Xbox’s smallest controller is pocket-sized, rechargeable, and only $50

I managed to get my average-sized hands on a below-average sized controller this past week, as the Xbox Nano Controller prepares for lift off.

Microsoft revealed the Xbox Nano Controller a short while ago, but it had leaked a fair bit even before then via patents and regulatory filings. The pint-sized pad is a unique offering from team green, and it actually gives us a glimpse into how their thinking is evolving for their gaming operation in general.

The Xbox Nano Controller goes on sale on November 4, 2026 for the United States, United Kingdom, and other select markets, arriving right in time for Christmas. The Xbox Nano Controller is priced at $49.99 (via Amazon US here), comes with all the standard Xbox inputs, albeit without vibration motors or removable batteries.

We're still putting it through its paces before a full formal review, but initial impressions are positive. There's one feature here that isn't even activated yet ... though. Let's get into it.

Super cute, with super caveats

Xbox Nano Controller pictures

It's a small boi. (Image credit: Windows Central | Jez Corden)

Yes, this controller is indeed Nano by name, and Nano by nature. It's roughly the same width as a standard Xbox controller, but it has a much shorter profile, with ergonomic palm grips that feel good in the hand even as an adult.

The thumbsticks, buttons, triggers, and bumpers are all slimmed down, but are positioned nicely making it easy to differentiate by feel alone. Actuating the triggers is easy because of the way they're lipped, and the bumpers are slightly raised rather than flush, which makes rolling your finger between them intuitive in motion.

As mentioned, there are no vibration motors this time around, however, as they naturally couldn't fit inside. The battery cell doesn't have a listed lifespan on the page, so we're still testing it out, but I've been abusing it a fair bit over the past week and still have 20% left which is impressive. I'm still working on a more in-depth analysis there.

Speaking of "a work in progress," for some reason, Microsoft has strangely tried to hide the fact this controller supports Wi-Fi direct capabilities for Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Xbox Nano Controller pictures

It's pretty damn fun, but don't dip it in your tea. (Image credit: Windows Central | Jez Corden)

Indeed, as shared by The Verge and clarified by our own sourcing, Microsoft will soon reveal its Google Stadia-like capabilities for gamepad connections direct to your Wi-Fi, eliminating the latency of Bluetooth. By connecting directly to the servers over the internet, you eliminate some additional jumps your controller would otherwise have to do to reach the game. I'm told all future Xbox controllers will come with this tech as standard, including the Xbox Elite Controller Series 3, which is likely also imminent for reveal.

The Wi-Fi direct capabilities will only be available in the United States initially, and only in testing, before going global in the coming weeks and months ahead.

In any case, this is a really nice addition to the Xbox controller lineup. It's going to be ideal for travel due to its weight and size, and is easily pocketable. It might also be a better option for younger gamers with smaller hands. Microsoft has been marketing it against Minecraft Dungeons 2, which offers a glimpse at how they're thinking about positioning it.

I'll put together a full review in the coming days, but early impressions are very solid!

The Xbox Nano Controller is up now for preorder at major retailers, offering a portable way to access your games without the hassle of a bigger, beefier home controller.

See at: AmazonView Deal

Click to join us on r/WindowsCentral

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

  •  
❌