Cradles and cases for mobile devices incorporating guide elements or modular components and methods of making and using

A modular docking cradle for a mobile device, the modular docking cradle comprising:

• a device-specific module configured for receiving the mobile device and comprising a frame, a plurality of guide members extending from the frame to guide the receiving of the mobile device, a back plate spaced apart from the frame, and sidewalls extending from the frame to the back plate, wherein the frame has a length and width selected based on a length and width of the mobile device;
• a universal retention module removably attached or removably attachable to the device-specific module and comprising a body and a latch that is slidable relative to the body between a retention position and an unloading/loading position, wherein the latch, in the retention position, is configured to engage and retain a mobile device or case disposed on the mobile device, received in the device-specific module, wherein the latch, in the unloading/loading position, is configured to permit receiving the mobile device into, or removing the mobile device from, the device-specific module, wherein the universal retention module is configured to be removably attached to any of a plurality of different device-specific modules of different length or different width or both different length and different width;
• and
• a universal connector module removably attached or removably attachable to the device-specific module and comprising a body and a device connector coupled to the body, wherein the device connector comprises a plurality of contacts configured for electrically coupling to contacts of a connector on the mobile device or on a case disposed on the mobile device, wherein the universal connector module is configured to be removably attached to any of a plurality of different device-specific modules of different length or different width or both different length and different width.