It seems like every time I see cool new gadget these days, I click the link and end up at Kickstarter. Is it really possible that individuals are coming up with better ideas, and getting them to the market faster, than big corporations with big R^D budgets? It seems so.

Today on the Gadget Lab Kickstarter Showcase is the WALdok. As a combination of plug-in charger, speaker and iDevice dock, it was impossible that I not write about it. So here goes:

The WALdok is a speaker that plugs straight into the wall. Up on top is a 40-pin dock connector, so the iPod or iPhone can charge as it plays you its sweet music. This also powers the speaker, which consists of a big 40mm driver and a bass chamber behind it.

While it works with any dock-connected iDevice, it looks coolest with the latest Nano, turning nit into the world's smallest (and cutest) boom-box. The WALdok, by Hern Kim, is designed to be small but still offer a better sound than the tinny alternatives on the market.

The Kickstarter goal is $30,000, and Kim is up to $4,000 already. If you want a WALdok, you'l need to throw in a minimum of $59.

WALdok [Kickstarter]

WALdok product page [WALdok]

See Also: