Technabob » charging

Dodge Dart to Get Optional Wireless Charging System for Smartphones

Shane McGlaun — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 19:30:24 +0000

I hate messing with wires to charge my smartphone. When I used an iPhone, I had a wireless charging case so I could just plop the iPhone down on a charging base without having to mess with wires. Since I moved to an Android phone, I now have to fiddle with plugging in the cable each night, typically in the dark, and it’s a pain in the butt. Every smartphone I’ve ever owned has needed a cord to charge in the car.

Chrysler Group and Mopar have announced the industry’s first in-vehicle wireless charging option that will come on the 2013 Dodge Dart.

This will be a dealer-installed option costing $199.99(USD) including the case your smartphone needs. It’s not clear what smartphones will work with the system other than the iPhone. Installation itself is an additional charge.

With the wireless charging solution installed, the user just has to place the phone into the bin in front of the gear shifter in the center stack. The phone will then be charged automatically, using induction charging. The only thing I worry about is how much the phone will move around if you’re turning or if you have to brake quickly. Still, I’d definitely like this option in my car.

Colorful Incase Mini Cable Kit: USB to Everything You Need

Range — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 15:00:50 +0000

With all of the gadgets people are carrying around these days, it makes sense to keep some cables with you, just in case you need to connect some of them together. This new kit from Incase looks pretty sweet, and the fact that the cables come color-coded makes them even easier to find in the provided handy case.

The USB Mini Cable Kit measures just about 5 inches-tall and takes up very little space in your bag. It covers all of the essentials, including a micro USB connector for smartphones and cameras, mini USB connector for cameras and other electronics, and an Apple Dock Connector for all of your iOS gear including iPhones, iPads and iPods. Each 4 inch-long cable has a standard USB connector on the other end.

The kit is available in the fluorescent colors shown here, or in grey, black and white. It sells from Incase for $24.95 (USD).

[via NOTCOT]

Dexim Visible USB Cables Light Up When Charging: Indicator Overkill

Lambert Varias — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:18 +0000

Finally, a charging cable for the obsessive compulsive people who keep on checking to see if their gadget’s charging or fully charged. Dexim’s Visible USB cables are embedded with electroluminescent material, so the whole thing lights up Tron-style while your device juices up.

Aside from looking neat, the lights also serve another purpose. As you’ll see in the video below, the blinking animation gets slower as the battery of the device being charged nears its capacity, finally fading out when charging is complete.

The Dexim Visible USB cables are available on Amazon, but for some reason the USB-to-micro-USB models are being sold for $60 (USD) – way more expensive than the iOS-compatible variants, which are priced at $15-$20. So if you have an Android phone or any other device that has a micro-USB charging port, you should consider importing one from Sanwa Direct(JP) instead.

[via Digital Trends]

Mophie Powerstand for iPad: Charge and Rotate at the Same Time

Range — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:15:48 +0000

This new charging station from Mophie for your iPad is pretty slick since it allows you to rotate your iPad up to 180 degrees. It’s called the Powerstand for iPad and it looks like a pretty cool stand. The idea makes me wonder how many people actually use their iPads this way (as a sort of mini workstation).

Once you’re finished using or charging your tablet, the whole stand folds up and you can take it with you. It actually folds flat. Granted, it’s not as convenient as those combo keyboard/stand/covers, but it’s a different way of propping up your iPad.

I wouldn’t carry this stand around myself, but if you plan on using your iPad for longer periods of time in a stationary position, then this stand will do the trick. It looks like something that would look good on your workstation. There’s no word yet on a price or release date for the Powerstand.

[Mophie via GeekAlerts]

Nao Robots Can Now Charge in Their Nest, Take Imaginary Dumps

Conner Flynn — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:45:51 +0000

Nao, that lovable robot that has entertained us by dancing and doing all kinds of other awesome tricks, now has another capability. Aldebaran Robotics has created, the makers of Nao, have created a sort of home base for the robot, where it can chill, charge up or just relax after a long day of entertaining humans.

It’s called NEST, short for Nao Energy STation. When his battery runs low, Nao just walks over to the charging station, backs up to a post and plugs in, taking a seat or squatting. Unfortunately, this just makes it look as if Nao is taking a dump, but what can you do? Here, see what I mean:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Nao’s image tracking technology is used to orient the robot to markings on a mat attached to the post. Even if the position of the markings gets shifted somehow, Nao will adjust and remember for the next time it needs to drop an imaginary deuce. When it’s finished charging, the robot stands up and knocks the plug from its back. Pretty cool.

[via Singularity Hub]

Eton Mobius Solar iPhone Charging Case: Juice Up with the Sun

Range — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 15:00:14 +0000

Eton has plenty of solar-powered devices and green solutions in their product lineup, but the Mobius case for the iPhone 4 allows you charge up your phone by using the sun, without having to carry around an external charger. Eton was able to streamline the design, so it’s not clunky.

If you don’t want to leave your iPhone sitting out in the sun, you can also remove the pack and charge it up separately. Once the Mobius is in the sun, charging starts immediately. There’s a handy LED readout to let you know how much of a charge is left in the pack. It can also be recharged using a USB port. A full charge will double the battery life of your phone, which is about 5 hours of talk time or 8 hours of 3G Internet or video playback. There’s a camera hole so that you can still take photos.

An hour in the sun gets you 25 minutes of talk time. The hard plastic case will also protect your iPhone. Mobius is slim and lightweight, and sells over at Amazon for about $80 (USD).

[via Cool Hunting]

U-Socket Adds USB Ports to Your Wall Outlets

Chris B. — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:08:46 +0000

How many USB ports does one really need? I’m of the opinion that one can never have too many USB ports. I mean, just think of all of the gadgets you have that utilize the technology. Heck, some devices even need to recharge using it. Of course, you don’t always want to be tied to your computer to recharge your phone or other gadget. Yes, there are those little wall adapters that give you USB ports, but what about something a little more permanent?

These U-Sockets are the perfect addition to any geeky household. Think about it, the standard wall outlets haven’t really changed since they decided to start grounding them years ago. Adding a pair of USB ports for charging seems like the next logical step. With a price tag of $20 each, you might not replace all of the outlets in your house, but a few well-placed ones could be very beneficial.

[via RedFerret]

USB Packing Ac Outlet Concept is Something All Geeks Need

Shane McGlaun — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:53:27 +0000

My office is probably drawing more power from the wall outlet than some homes do altogether. I have all manner of gadgets, multiple computers, and other devices plugged into the walls. I long ago ran out of outlets in the office and simply daisy chain new surge protectors when I need to plug something in. I bet some of you do the same thing.

USB ports are as hard to find in my office as outlets with my printer, iPhone, iPad, cameras, and all sort of other gear needing to be plugged in there to charge. I have USB hubs just for my stuff. What I need is this concept wall outlet that combines AC power with a couple USB ports in one handy place.

That would free up some of my USB ports for other stuff and I could pull some of the USB chargers from the wall outlets and get those back too. This is one of those simple concepts that needs to be made right now.

[via Yanko Design]

Ixp1-500 USB iPad Adapter: Cashing in on Apple’s USB Stupidity

Lambert Varias — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:56:46 +0000

The iPad can be charged via USB using the proprietary charge/sync cable. But on older Macs, and worse, in some modern PCs, sometimes the darned thing won’t charge. It seems that the problem is that the iPad doesn’t get enough power from the USB ports of slightly older machines. By slightly older I mean even computers sold in 2009 – check the comments on this Cult of Mac article. In these USB ports the iPad will only charge if it’s turned off, but some users have also noticed that if they used an iPhone cable to charge the iPad, the iPad gets juiced even when it’s on. So is it the cable or the port? XMultiple says it’s the cable, and that they have the fix.

That’s the iXP1-500 iPad adapter, and it’s only purpose is to ensure that an iPad can be charged on any USB 2.0 port. If this thing works as advertised, that means the iPad’s cable is borked. And if Apple can afford to give away free bumpers for the iPhone 4′s uncommon antenna problem, then Apple should also give this adapter to all iPad owners. Until then, you’ll have to buy it from XMultiple for $5 (USD).

[via gizmag]

IPod &Amp; iPhone Cable Lights Up While Charging

Range — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:04:19 +0000

I don’t know why there aren’t more cables that light up, but I have to say that these iPod/iPhone charging cables look pretty sweet.

This cable runs from your iPod or iPhone to your computer or power plug. You’ll see neat lights running along the cable while it’s charging. The lights stop moving once the battery is completely charged.

You can see it better if you check out this video:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The lighted cable is available from az-import in either blue or green and retails for €19.99 (appx. $25 USD). They’re looking for U.S. retailers though, so you can get a much better deal if you buy them in quantity.

New Mintyboost V2.0 Charges Your iPod and Still Looks Tasty

Range — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 02:53:55 +0000

One of the things I really hate is when my iPod runs out of power. There’s nothing much you can do about it, if you haven’t prepared for this. However, if I had the choice of portable rechargers, I’d most definitely go for the MintyBoost.

What is the MintyBoost? It’s a stylish and easy way of recharging any USB device. It can charge iPods, iPhones, cell phones, cameras, anything that needs to be plugged into a USB port. Make has just received these updated kits, which will let you build your own little recharger inside the tin of mints or candies.

MintyBoost kits only cost $20 (USD), but you’ll need to find your own tin mint box in order to house the mechanism. Or you can just choose a different box. The box in the pictures is actually a RuntyBoost, a slightly larger box that can house a charging cable as well.

[via Make:]

Grassy Lawn Charging Station Keeps Your Gadgets Juiced Up, Requires No Mowing

Technabob — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 01:08:34 +0000

I’ve been waiting a really long time to buy some sort of box for concealing all my gadget A/C adapters and cords, and I think I’ve finally found the one that I want sitting on my counter. This has to be the best looking electronic gadget charging station – ever.

The Grassy Lawn Charging Station looks just like what it says – your front lawn. Your gadgets gracefully nestle between the tall blades of green artificial turf as they get charged by the hidden cords underneath the surface. Just connect any ordinary multi-outlet extension cord into the base and plug all your portable electronic devices into their charging cables through the grassy lawn on top. The container measures 11″(w) x 7″(d) x 4.35″(h), which should be enough to hold at least 3 or 4 typical chargers and their cables.

It’s available from ThinkGeek for $24.99 (USD). Just remember not to water, mow or fertilize this lawn, as your gadgets would not appreciate it.