Technabob » outlet

African Entrerpreneur Making Wooden Outlet Strips

Technabob — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 03:50:52 +0000

Here in the U.S. and in much of the Western world, we take many of the little things for granted. For instance, if you want a power strip, you just head down to your local Best Buy or other mega-chain store and buy one. But in some parts of the world, even relatively small stuff like that is out of the reach of many households and neighborhood businesses.

While it’s an unusual concept, it’s not a surprise that one young entrepreneur in the Kiandutu slums of Kenya has decided to build his own power strips. Amos Njoroge really wanted to be a professional an electrical engineer, but lacked the resources to go to school and earn a degree. Instead, he decided to take his self-taught skills and set up a small assembly line where he churns out wooden power strips that he sells in his neighborhood. I love how he calls his tiny start-up “Gigantic Electronics.” Think big, Amos. Think, big.

Like me, your first reaction was probably that a wooden outlet strip is probably not the safest way to distribute electricity – especially in damp environments. But as long as it remains dry, wood is nearly as good of an insulator as plastic or ceramic, so I don’t think it’s dramatically more of a shock hazard. They are painting them with something in the video, so that might help seal out the moisture too. On the other hand, my scientific instincts tell me a wood outlet strip is way more of a fire risk than a plastic one, but that’s just me.

On the other hand, this self-taught skill and spirit of ingenuity is helping Njoroge and his co-workers make a living in one of the poorest parts of the world, while at the same time providing his community with a product that’s in demand. Hopefully, any fears about safety will be unwarranted, and Amos will continue to see success in his budding endeavor.

[via Afrigadget via Reddit]

American Standards Lamp Has Its Own Wall Switch and Outlet

Range — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:00:38 +0000

Peter Bristol’s minimal American Standards Lamp has its own walls switch built right in. The light switch is fully-functional, so you just flick it when you want some light.

There’s even a handy spare power outlet on the back if you need to plug in another device. The light it emits is diffused, making it a nice ambient light source.

The lamp is definitely unusual, but it’s not just made for fun. It was also meant as a critique of the homogenized nature of construction materials in the U.S. It’s true that most light switches and outlets do look similar, especially in older homes. Hopefully, it will inspire people to use less ordinary materials and light switches when designing their homes.

[via core77]

Creative Outlets

Technabob — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 13:00:40 +0000

The household outlet. It’s about the most mundane looking thing in your home. But it doesn’t have to be. Thanks to these fun stickers, your outlets can finally have some personality.

The Creative Outlets sticker set includes everything you need to turn common (U.S. 110V) outlets into tiny expressive faces. You know, I always thought the 3rd prong hole (ground) looked like a surprised mouth, so these are perfect. Each set comes with various glasses, facial hair, a hat and even a dog, in case you’d rather turn your outlets into animals instead of anthropomorphize yours.

While you might be tempted, you probably don’t want to put them on outlets where toddlers are playing, though, lest the decide to play kissy-face with their newfound friends. That said, if you live in a child-free house, or your kids are old enough not to want to stick forks in your outlets, you can grab a set of Creative Outlets from Perpetual Kid for $3.49 (USD).

Alternative Alarm Clock Wakes You by Turning Things on

Shane McGlaun — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 18:02:30 +0000

We like to talk about weird alarm clocks around here, if for no other reason than we think it’s funny that some people actually have clocks rather than just using their smartphones these days. If you are into weird clocks, the Alternative Alarm Clock by designer Ki Hyun Kim is an interesting one. It has two AC outlets on top and a quick look at them tells you there aren’t meant for the U.S.

The clock will wake you when the alarm goes off by turning on whatever it is that you have plugged into the outlets. You could have it wake you to music, a coffee maker, or a margarita blender depending on what you like first thing in the morning.

Other than those outlets, the clock is rather plain, although it does come in white or red colors. I would like to see some sort of cover over the ugly plugs when they’re not in use. I think most people would rather just stick with using their radio to wake up and a coffee pot with a timer to have their brew ready. Regardless, the Alternative Alarm Clock is only a concept for now.

[Vimeo via Dezeen]

Flipit! USB Charger Doesn’t Require an Outlet All to Itself

Chris B. — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 15:07:22 +0000

There are never enough outlets in the world. One of the things I hate about checking into most hotels is that there are never available outlets by the bed. Sure, they’ve got free ones on the other side of the room near the desk. However, that doesn’t help me when I want to plug in my phone, which is also my trusty alarm clock. No, I have to dig around and unplug either their crappy alarm clock or the lamp. Naturally, the alarm clock usually gets the boot. It would be nice if I just didn’t have to choose at all.

The Flipit! USB Charger is the perfect solution for the above situation. Instead of taking up an entire outlet all to itself, it rests between the socket and another plug, with the prongs of the other plug passing through it. Pretty cool, right? The only two things I would change would be to have a set of prongs that could flip out, in the event that you don’t actually have anything plugged into the outlet. Also, having a power rating of more than 750ma would be great. Otherwise, this little $16 gadget is perfect for anyone on the road that needs to charge a USB gadget.

[via EverythingUSB]

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]

Quirky Cable Collar Collects Cables Conveniently

Shane McGlaun — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 13:30:13 +0000

I’m a messy person. If you ask me to install your home theater, I will do it. I won’t like it though and I will leave a tangled mess of cables behind your entertainment center to remind you every time you look back there to hire someone next time. I will do the same for your PC, you are warned. If you want to keep things behind your desk or entertainment center tidy, Quirky has a new product for you.

The thing is called the Cable Collar and it is a plate that looks like those rings you hang a water hose on to me. Rather than going on the outside of your hose, the Cable Collar goes behind the faceplate to your outlet and allows you to wind the extra cable around it for a tidy install.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

It has six holder slots around the collar to clip those cables and is large enough to hold up to 24-inches of extra cable. The plastic is heat resistant and it won’t affect the usability of your outlet. Quirky wants to build 3000 of them for $6.99 each and 118 are already sold. Get in on the pre-sale action now.

Total Plug Safety Concept Keeps You From Shocking Yourself

Shane McGlaun — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:11:13 +0000

I would bet at one time or another we have all shocked ourselves from the AC outlets in our homes when were weren’t paying attention unplugging a device or plugging it in. You know how it works, you are distracted and touch the prongs before they are all the way out of the outlet and zap.

A new concept plug from Luofang Jun called the Total Plug Safety, and promises to keep you from shocking the crap out of yourself. The plug is normal enough, but it has a blue accordion-like folding sheath that covers the prongs of the plug as they go in and out of the socket. The thing is sort of like a plug condom, keeping the prongs from spilling their electricity all over the place.

As you unplug the cord, the sheath extends so all you touch if you are not paying attention is the plastic. This would also be a great way to keep kids from shocking themselves as well. The concept is cool, but some have pointed out that plugs in Europe are recessed to prevent this from happening there already.

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]

Wet Circuits: the Safest Power Strip, as Seen on Youtube!

Lambert Varias — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 09:55:32 +0000

The Wet Circuits power strip is a water resistant power strip that also has a circuit breaker to prevent overheating. It’s patented design ensures that electricity will be conducted only when a “proper plug is 100% inserted into the outlet.“ The outlets are coated with a “special protective material”, making them water resistant, although the company admits that if the power strip is submerged for more than 2 hours then its circuits will be wet.

Here’s a Home TV Shopping-ish demo of Wet Circuits:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

AI-YA! You can buy Wet Circuits at its official website for $35 (USD). They’re also selling something called a “Power Oulet”. AI-YA!

[via Engadget]

Pivot Power Crams in All Your Power Adapters, No Matter the Size

Technabob — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 05:01:27 +0000

The latest item to hit the prospective shelves of product crowdsourcer Quirky, the Pivot Power helps you fit all of those weirdly-shaped power bricks into their outlets without the jigsaw-puzzle challenge posed by conventional power strips.

The Pivot Power strip features a unique flexible outlet system, in which each individual outlet can be rotated to maximize space for adapters.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

This simple, yet ingenious little invention still needs some more orders before it’s actually produced, so head on over to Quirky, and plunk down your pre-sale commitment for $23. If they hit their 960 order goal, they’ll move forward and make ‘em. If not, you’ll be stuck with your crappy old power strip, and we wouldn’t want that.

Thanks Shirt, I’Ll Never Look at Plugs and Sockets the Same Way Again

Lambert Varias — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:22:46 +0000

I know that the analogy isn’t that hard to imagine, but I had avoided thinking of it until this nameless shirt came along. So I’ll defile your minds as well!

What was seen, cannot be unseen. Now we’ll all feel dirty when we plug in our gadgets. Hell, “plug in” seems like a dirty phrase to me now.

I wonder if they like it when we stick a bunch of them into a power strip… aaaaaarrrg!!! Enough! Go buy this shirt at Go Ape Shirts for $18 (USD) until all of them are sold out! All of them!

[via Fashionably Geek]

Power Strip With Socket Icon – Life Imitates Software

Lambert Varias — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:30:20 +0000

Thanks to Takumi’s Icon Socket, computer-savvy folks can easily find out where to plug their real world app(liance)s: just look for the socket icon.

As you can see, you can plug in up to 4 sockets to Icon Socket. It also has a magnet screwed on its back, so you can mount it on the legs of your desk, or on your file cabinet, although I’m not sure if the magnet is strong enough to bear the full-force of 4 sockets. Takumi’s Icon Socket sells for ¥3,150 ($34 (USD)) at the Japanese online store e-goods. Not Japanese? You can still purchase the Icon Socket through Rinkya.

[via a rinkya blog]

Monster Outlets to Go Power Strip With USB Port: Monstrously Useful

Lambert Varias — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:30:06 +0000

Monster hasn’t had a great year, what with their fake performance tests and their un-endorsements. But that doesn’t mean that the company is 100% crap. Take their Outlets To Go power strip with USB port for example. It’s a well-thought out product that’s geared primarily for travelers – packing 3 outlets in a slim and light form – but it’s USB charging port makes it a very handy gadget for almost anyone who owns gadgets.

The outlets are widely spaced so that even the bulkiest of adapters won’t block the other outlets (the 3rd outlet is on the other side. I think.), and it plugs it into itself when not in use, eliminating cable clutter. Measuring only 1.8″ x 2.25″ x 4.75″ and weighing a scant 6 oz., it’s a nice accessory for the traveling techie. You can buy the Outlets To Go power strip with USB port at Radio Shack for only $25 USD.

The Outlet Wall Does Away With Need for Those Pesky Power Strips

Technabob — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 02:30:47 +0000

If you look at the outlet strips behind my home theater setup, you’d understand why I think this idea is so cool.

The Outlet Wall is obviously a bit of creative Photoshop work, but I think the concept is fun. Imagine all your walls completely covered with outlets, so you’ll never need to look for a place to plug in your electronic devices. Sure, rigging and wiring thousands of side-by-side wall outlets is completely impractical. And if you have kids in the house, you’d have to buy a crapload of outlet covers. I don’t care. I still like it.

[Ironic Sans via Gadget Venue]

Electric Man Power Strip: This Little Guy Actually Enjoys 110-Volts Running Through His Body at All Times

Technabob — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:55:19 +0000

This electrical dude has got to be my favorite power strip ever. All other power cords in the universe should immediately be destroyed and replaced with an army of Electric Men. Do your part and head over to Urban Outfitters start plugging them in everywhere.