At our house, a mission to complete Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars on the Wii has been undertaken by my son and me, with assistance from my daughter (Mom’s not so into it).  As you might imagine, this tends to drain a lot of Wii controller batteries.  Rather than waste a small fortune buying standard batteries, I’ve started to convert to rechargeable battery packs and chargers, like the Revolution 2 Universal Controller Charger by LevelUp.  Let’s have a look!

Packaging

The exterior packaging illustrates the product inside the box pictorially.  While I realize it may not always be practical or cost-effective, I do prefer gadget packaging to have a window or some way to actually see what is inside, particularly if it is sold in a retail store setting.  The packaging is cardboard and so is recyclable.

Unboxing

The Revolution 2 contains:

• 2 battery packs
• 2 Wii battery pack adapters
• 2 XBox 260/Playstation 3 battery pack adapters
• Charger base unit
• AC power wall adapter
• Instruction manual

The Product

The Revolution 2 Universal Controller is a system for charging game console remote controllers.  It is called “universal” because it can charge controllers from what are arguably the three most popular consoles, Nintendo Wii , Microsoft XBox 360 and Sony Playstation 3.   It can charge two controllers at a time or a combination of them by using two sets of adapters, one set for Wii controllers and one for XBox 360/Playstation 3 controllers.  The battery packs and adapters are shown below.

Below is a shot of the one of the battery packs snapped into each of the two types of adapters, the Wii adapters on the left and the XBox 360/Playstation 3 adapters the right.

And a shot of the above components, but flipped over to show the undersides:

Below, a shot of the two battery packs and XBox 360/Playstation 3 controller adapters.  On the left, the battery pack is partially snapped into the  adapter, on the right, it is completely snapped in.  Contacts are only present on the near end of the battery pack, so it is fairly simple to determine the correct orientation of the battery pack in the adapter.  It is easily inserted and locks in securely.A small tab on the opposite end from the contacts allows the battery pack to be removed should you need to snap the batter pack into a different adapter.

A shot of both battery packs snapped into the Xbox 360/Playstation 3 controller adapters:

At our house, we have a Wii only, so I installed both battery packs into the Will controller adapters, as seen below.

Once the battery packs have been installed into the adapters, the entire assembly locks down into the Will controller easily, as shown below.  I suspect that the black color scheme may have been designed to visually match the current generation of Wii systems, which is all black.  However, functionally they are fully compatible with both the older and newer Wii systems.

Just for giggles, I’ve shown what the battery pack looks like when installed in the Wii controller, but without the adapter.  It is possible to use it in this way; the battery pack locks securely into the Wii controller even without the adapter.  But it is a bit ugly and a uncomfortable to hold while gaming.  Make note of the three contact pads on the battery pack and the indentation in the center; we’ll come back to these in a bit.

Below, a shot of the charging base itself.  The three small wires are actually spring-loaded contacts that touch the three contact pads on the battery pack.  In addition, the protrusion just below the three wire contacts fits into the similiarly-shaped protrusion in the battery pack, ensuring alignment of the controller when docked in the charging base.

A shot of the charging base with both Wii controllers docked on it, and the AC wall power adapter plugged into the back of the base.

The one drawback to the Revolution 2 is its large footprint.  I have seen other charging bases that allow the controllers to stand vertically while charging, which minimizes the footprint area required.

It took a few attempts at docking the controllers in the charging base before getting the feel of it, but then it became quite easy, as it just clicks in place.  As the instructions note, the charging base has two red lights which indicate the charging status, one for each controller.  This is a fairly clear indicator but could be made to be a bit more obvious and visible.

The longevity of the battery packs, at least through several full charge/discharge cycles, seems to be comparable to a fresh set of non-rechargeable batteries.  How quickly they begin to acquire a “memory” and how this affects the overall ability to hold a charge remains be be seen over the life of the product.

Conclusion

The  Revolution 2 Universal Controller Charger performs as advertised, charging two Wii, XBox 360 or Playstation game controllers at a time, or a combination of them.  The battery packs and adapters are easy to install and easy to dock into the charging unit.  The battery longevity depends on how heavily you are using your game controllers of course, but seems to be comparable to standard batteries, and at least you won’t have to continue to feed them batteries.  The only drawbacks I found were the large footprint area required, which takes up a fair amount of space, and that the charging indicator lights could be a bit more obvious.  In all, not a bad product for the $29.99 price tag.

Filed in categories: Gaming Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Charger, Video game accessory

Revolution 2 Universal Controller Charger Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 8, 2012 at 9:00 am.

Use The Force to charge your phone….the force of your breath that is.  Looking like something out of Star Wars, the Aire Mask is a concept design by Joao Lammoglia that uses your breath to turn small turbines and convert the air displacement into energy to charge your phone.

“The consumerist tendencies of today’s industrialised society make the use of gadgets increasingly common, either by necessity or hobby. Though many of our gadgets offer benefits, they tend to consume a high amount of electrical energy. This may cause problems for the environment, especially if the energy used by these devices is derived from non-renewable sources.”

Filed in categories: Miscellaneous, News

Tagged: Battery, Charger

The AIRE Mask – Charge your Phone with The Force originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 5, 2012 at 8:15 am.

When Julie, The Gadgeteer, asked if I would like to review Digital Innovations’ speaker dock for Android smartphones, I jumped on the chance. I had just been asking myself if there was a speaker dock out there for Android Smartphones. I know there are plenty of them available for iPhones and iPods, but I had never seen any for the Android phones.

When I received the box for the Universal Speaker Dock for Android, I was thinking “WOW, this thing is huge!” After opening the box however, I realized most of it was just the packaging and that the speaker dock was actually fairly small in size. It measures 12.5″ x 4.2″ x 5″, which is conveniently compact.

What’s included in the package:

• Speaker Dock for Android
• Remote control
• Universal AC adapter
• Quick Start Guide

Here is a back side view of the speaker dock. This is where the the AC adapter plugs in as well.

This dock looks nice sitting on a bedroom nightstand or sitting in any other location you’d choose to enjoy it. I can see it being a fixture on your kitchen counter to enjoy music while you cook, or in your living room near where you sit and relax. I chose the nightstand because I have been using it as my alarm clock. I can wake up to music and it has been working perfectly for that purpose.

To be able to utilize the dock, you have to download a free app from the marketplace called SONR Labs. This app has to be started before you hook your phone into the dock to be able to utilize the buttons on the dock, as well as for use of the remote control (which is included). This process was fairly effortless.

Hooking up your Android phone to the unit is quite easy also. There are two connections to hook up; the microUSB connection and the 3.5mm audio connector. When I first tried to hook up my phone, I was a little concerned with the length of the cables. I started reading the instructions again and noticed that the cables actually pull out of the unit to a length of around 8″, which made hooking up my phone a lot easier. I did find that pushing the 3.5mm audio connector cords back INTO the unit was quite troublesome. The diameter of the wire was a bit cumbersome. With a little determination however, they can be pushed back inside.

After hooking up the phone, you can either set the phone in the dock in landscape or portrait mode. I have been using landscape mode and setting my phone in the Desk Cradle so I can have a clock displayed on my phone. I turned the music player on for the phone, selected a song and started playing around with the controls on the dock. There are 6 buttons on top of the dock: Volume Up & Down, Play/Pause and Skip/Back, and a power button.

I have a Samsung Fascinate, and the only buttons I could get to work on the dock were the Volume Up & Down and the Power button. I am not sure if it is a compatibility issue or whether the app is still in beta, but the other buttons would not work. Needless to say, I just had the music player set to random, and I was ok with at least being able to change the volume with the unit. The included remote control is a nice feature because it has the same buttons. The buttons have some feedback to them when they are depressed. Of course I had the same problem with the remote (limited functionality of the buttons). I could only get the Volume buttons to work. I also tested a Droid X smartphone on the dock; after downloading the app and setting it up, all the buttons seemed to work, although I did have to depress the Skip/Back buttons at least two to three times to get them to work. The Play/Pause button worked great on this phone, so I am going to assume that the reason my phone did not work as well is because the app is still in beta.

The sound quality of this speaker dock is very impressive. The unit boasts “6 watts of crisp, clear treble, delivered by two high-quality speakers” and “10 watts of punchy, booming bass delivered by a sub-woofer”. I will admit that this unit does a great job at recreating the vocals of the songs that are loaded on your phone. You can even stream music to your phone and play it back through the speaker dock, using Pandora or whatever app you use to stream music.

I was able to turn the volume up close to the highest level that the smartphone offers and could feel a little bit of the bass being pumped out by some of my hip-hop songs that I played. I am no aficionado when it comes to music or how speakers are supposed to deliver high quality sounds, but I am fairly certain that most consumers would be happy using this speaker dock. I would definitely recommend this speaker dock for anyone looking for a nice way to play music on their Android smartphones.

3/30/12 Update
Tried an app called WinAMP, which is available from the Google Play Store. By using this app with the SONR app I was able to use all the functions of the included remote, the buttons would all work without having to depress them more than once. I was able to shuffle songs, play and pause each song, fast forward through the songs and even go back to the beginning of each song that was playing. The only time I was not able to do any of this was when I would minimize the WinAMP app so it was not being displayed on my phone screen and running in the background. Doing this the buttons would not work, so the app has to be showing on your phone screen. This is nice, since that way you can see your album covers while the songs are playing.

Filed in categories: Android related, Audio, Video, TV Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Android phone accessory, Charger, External speaker

Digital Innovations Universal Speaker Dock for Android Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 18, 2012 at 11:00 am.

Using only twigs, you can cook your food with this quick-lighting little camp stove.  The CampStove from BioLite is only 8.25″  x  5″, weighs 2 pounds, and folds up for easy packing.  When you get to the campsite, it burns twigs, pine cones, pellets, and other biomass, so you don’t have to carry heavy fuel cylinders.  The CampStove can also convert some of the heat from your fires into energy to charge your USB-chargeable phone, LED flashlight, or GPS.  It’s also useful to have at home in case of power loss or other emergency conditions.  BioLite is also using this technology to provide safe fires in developing countries.  The CampStove will ship in time for the camping season this year.  The cost is $129; you can reserve yours now, but you won’t be charged until the CampStove ships.

Filed in categories: News, Outdoor Gear

Tagged: Camping gear, Charger

Cook Your Food and Charge Your Gadgets with BioLite CampStove originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 8, 2012 at 12:00 pm.

One of the hardest things about taking your young child with you when you do errands is dealing with the stroller.  The Origami Stroller from 4Moms opens and folds itself at the touch of a button, so you don’t have to fight with it yourself.  One of the wheels has a generator inside to keep the battery charged up; one short walk is enough to keep the battery charged, or you can charge it with AC power.  (You can also fold it manually).  It has safety features: seat sensor so it won’t fold when a child is in the seat, a 2-step fold process so you don’t start it accidentally, daytime “running lights” so other people see you, and pathway lights so you can see your way in dim lighting.  The generator even produces enough power to charge your cellphone (requires an optional accessory).  An LCD display shows you the status of the battery and even shows how far you’ve walked.  The Origami Stroller is $849.99, and optional color seats are $99.99 each; both are available now.  You can pre-order the cellphone carry bag and charger for $39.99 or the Graco car set adapter for $59.99.

Filed in categories: Kid Gadgets, News

Tagged: Baby Stroller, Charger

Charge Your Phone with Your Baby Stroller originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 31, 2012 at 8:00 am.

Kensington Computer Products Group is one of the old-timers in the computerperipheral business having launched their first product (Apple II System Saver) back in 1981. Kensington’s most ubiquitous product is the K-Lock security slot that is found on many laptops. As Kensington is an established company with a history of quality products I felt relatively safe in trusting my high-priced electronics to the AbsolutePower Charger. A bad/incorrect charger can ruin a battery or worse very quickly so it’s always a good idea to double check the power supply you’re going to use before plugging in your expensive gadgets.

While not the only device to have this issue, the Apple iPad introduced many people to the concept that not all USB ports are equal especially when it comes to providing charging power. Rather than go into a discussion on electrical theory and USB standards those interested may want to check out this article in MacWorld.

For the rest of us, just because your charging cable has a USB plug at one end doesn’t mean that all USB ports will be capable of providing sufficient power to charge your device. However, the Kensington AbsolutePower charger provides enough power to its two USB ports (one micro, one standard) to handle most power hungry devices like tablets (but not all).

What's in the box...

Kensington includes 10 charging tips with the charger that work with many laptops by Acer, Asus, Compaq, Dell, HP, IBM, Lenovo, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba among others. For a list of compatible devices check Kensington’s website. Most notably absent from the list are Apple’s MacBooks that use a proprietary connector (MagSafe) which is kept away from other companies by a slew of lawyers.

The AbsolutePower, like most quality chargers works with AC power of 50 or 60 cycles and from 100 to 240 VAC making it capable of handling most “wall” power available throughout the world. There are no international adapters in the box so I can only assume that when purchased in countries outside of the US either an adapter or different power cord is included.

Kensington claims that the charger is the smallest, lightest, most powerful charger in its class (when compared with similar in-class power adapters). The box lists the weight at 8 ounces (225g) and the dimensions at 4.3” long, 2.75” wide, and .73” high (110mm x 70mm x 18.5mm) or roughly the size (but thicker) than an iPhone 4s. Be aware though that Kensington didn’t include the weight of the power cable in that measurement (you gotta love those “marketing” specs). With both cables connected and an adapter tip in place, the charger weighs 10.8 ounces (306g). That’s still not a bad size or weight for a 90-watt charger.

A relatively small and lightweight charger that comes with a slew of adapter tips that cover laptops by almost every major manufacturer and two high-power USB ports…that sounds great…well, almost.

So, what’s not to like?

Just a few things really, but they’re pretty darn annoying.

The first issue I have is with the lack of a suitable case for the device. The AbsolutePower charger is marketed as being small and light and without a doubt it’s meant for use by travelers. Since it comes with 10 easy-to-lose power tips, a separate power cable, and a micro-USB to USB adapter it would have been nice if they had included a case for storage and transport. I ended up tossing it all in a ZipLoc bag…far from an elegant solution.

Exacerbating the storage issue is the fixed power cable on one side. The input power cable (one that plugs into an outlet) is not attached permanently to the charger making it easy to remove and store, however the cable that connects between the AbsolutePower and the laptop is permanently attached. This means that while the charger is small, the cable must always be wrapped next to it for storage. At $120 Kensington could include a case/pouch that holds all the parts compactly making it easy for customers to toss it into their briefcase or laptop bag.

Size matters!

I have another problem with that fixed power cord: it’s too darn short! It’s just 24 inches long forcing you to keep the charger on the table or desk close to your computer rather than on the floor. The charger has a hard plastic shell and no rubber feet so it’s all too easy for it to fall or be pushed off your work surface. This could cause it to come unplugged or even damage the laptop’s charging port. I would much prefer a cable that was long enough to allow it to drape off the work surface and have the charging unit on the floor. I realize that might make it a little harder to get to the USB ports, but USB cables are available in lengths more than long enough to make that a non-issue.

Nothing good can come of this.

Also be aware that the adapter tips are made with a 90-degree angle to the cable. While this wasn’t a problem with my laptop it’s possible that this type of connection could block access to a port or ventilation. Check your specific laptop and make sure you have at least 1.5” of clearance on one side of the power input.

Most people assume that setting up a laptop charger involves nothing more than plugging one end into an outlet and the other end into their computer. The AbsolutePower adds another level of complexity into the mix that some manufacturers (Targus and iGo) of similar devices seem to have done away with, and that’s a voltage switch. On the end of the charger is a small switch that sets output voltage at either 16 volts or 19 volts. The unit’s Instruction sheet states that the end user must find out the input voltage for their laptop and then set the switch accordingly. When I checked my ThinkPad I found a small sticker with typical micro-font that listed the input voltage at 20 volts. Fortunately, I looked at the side of the AbsolutePower box and realized that the 16 volt setting was actually good for 14 – 17VDC (at 5.0 Amps) and the 19 volt setting handled 17 – 21VDC (at 4.72 Amps). This information was not included on the rather sparse instruction sheet.

Power output, 2 x USB and voltage switch/power LED

The switch also doubles as a power LED and is inset (requiring a small screwdriver to move it) and with the voltage settings engraved by the switch as black on black many people will never know that it is a switch or a setting that needs to be selected. While you can clearly see the switch settings in my picture in anything other than direct light from a few inches away the settings are all but invisible. Requiring users to find their laptop’s voltage requirements is an inconvenience; not marking the switch clearly could potentially cause problems. Whether having the wrong setting would cause serious damage to someone’s laptop is questionable, but I’d argue if it’s important to make the choice it’s important to make the necessity and method for doing so a whole lot more evident than Kensington has done.

Finally, I was a bit surprised that Kensington didn’t include an Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad charging cable in the kit. Since the iPad is a primary reason people are looking for high-powered USB ports nowadays a cable would have been nice. Even better make the fixed power cord 48 inches long and include an Apple compatible cable to match!

Settings and power cord issues aside the charger does its job without getting very warm. After several hours of use the charger was barely over 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The AbsolutePower charged my Lenovo ThinkPad x220 laptop, Apple iPad and TMobile G2 phone simultaneously. Although, it did seem that with both devices plugged into the charger’s USB ports and the laptop running the rate of charging was a bit slower than if they were all on their individual chargers there didn’t appear to be a dramatic difference.

The HP TouchPad was the only device that wouldn’t charge from the AbsolutePower. Using the USB cable that came with the TouchPad the device warned that it might not charge when connected to the AbsolutePower’s micro USB port. When I connected the TouchPad to the standard USB port on the AbsolutePower there was no warning or indication of charging at all (swapping USB cables made no difference). The TouchPad’s own charger lists output at 5.3 volts at 2.0 amps which is slightly higher than the 5.0 volt/2.0 amp rating for the AbsolutePower and is higher than the iPad’s requirements.

I like the concept of the Kensington Absolute Power charger. Dual high-power USB ports in a reasonably sized package are a definite plus. After spending some time with the charger though the short power cable would probably make me look at competitors. I just like my power “bricks” to live on the floor. If that doesn’t bother you and you can figure out the voltage requirement for your laptop this unit is certainly worth comparing to the other top brands in the marketplace as either a replacement power supply or second unit to keep in your travel bag.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, Laptops and Gear, Reviews, Tablet Computers and Gear, Travel Gear

Tagged: Charger, power adapter, USB

Kensington AbsolutePower Laptop, Phone, Tablet Charger Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 21, 2011 at 11:00 am.

When it comes to your device’s battery having a portable charger around in an emergency is a great battery saver. But when that battery charger is capable of charging two devices at a time, well then, it becomes a lifesaver.

For someone like me who constantly uses two cellphones, having a battery charger is a necessity. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been on a cellphone and I start to hear a beep that lets me know that the battery level is low. And using features on the phone such as GPS, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi can be a real battery hog. Fortunately, there are portable battery chargers but what happens when you have two devices and only one charger? Well, that’s where the TekCharge from Tekkeon comes in. With it’s dual USB ports it can charge two 5 Volt devices at a time.

The TekCharge MP1860A has a 4,400 mAh rechargeable Lithium Ion battery cell so it can hold a good amount of charge for two devices and extended hours for one device.

The MP1860A can provide output power from as less as 100mA to as high as 2.1A  It  uses a retractable USB cable with an interchangeable tip to switch from a MiniUSB to MicroUSB. It also comes with an Apple Dock connector for iPhones, iPods and iPads.  (My iPod was MIA at the time  of this review so my picture doesn’t have one shown.)

The TekCharge feels pretty solid and lightweight. It is small enough to fit into a purse or small bag without any bulk.

It also has small ribs on the sides for a secure grip and has these circles on its back which have a slight stickiness to it. So, having the TekCharge on a slanted table or even a car dashboard  the sticky circles would prevent it from doing a lot of sliding around.

Tekkeon has included a flashlight in the TekCharge which is a nice little add-on.  Basically, it is an LED light which gives off a surprisingly decent amount of  illumination. Nice to have in an emergency.

According to Tekkeon, the MP1860A can provide an iPhone up to 80 hours of audio playback, up to 20 hours of video playback, up to 14 hours of talk time and up to 20 hours of internet use on Wi-Fi. For an mp3 player, it can provide up to 50 hours of audio playback and for a Mobile phones and Smart phone between 14 and 18 hours of talk time. For e-readers, such as a Kindle or Nook,  it can power it for up to 20 days. To me these were pretty impressive figures considering some other portable battery chargers I have used in the past didn’t hold a charge as close to these numbers.

And when I used  this charger with my HTC Evo and an HTC Touch Pro2 together the MP1860A held a substantially long charge. The only thing about that was that I had to use the USB from my EVO with the charger because although it comes with 2 tips (one for a MiniUSB and one for MicroUSB) there is only one retractable USB. But no biggie. Lots of  newer cell phone’s wall chargers are coming with detachable USB cables so shouldn’t be a need to go and buy a separate USB cable.

The MP1860A is charged using the same supplied USB cable. However, the MiniUSB is plugged into the MiniUSB port on the charger and then the USB end is plugged into a supplied wall plug. The wall plug gave me a little difficulty in opening it to expose the metal prongs. It was a struggle to use my finger to flip it open. It would have been nice to have some kind of tab or something to help flip it open since it sits flush against itself. But that’s not a deal breaker.

For such a small battery charger that has a big charge that can last for hours, the TekCharge MP1860A from Tekkeon is a fantastic portable battery charger which can add extra life into your iPods, iPhones, MP3 players, Smartphones, e-readers, video game or any other Mini/MicroUSB devices and more.

The TekCharge MP1860A weighs 4.5 oz and is 3.5 in. x 2.1 in. x 1.1 in.

It goes for a MSRP price of $69.95.

Filed in categories: Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Battery, Charger, portable

Tekkeon TekCharge MP1860A Portable Battery Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 13, 2011 at 1:48 pm.

One thing a good mobile warrior needs is a way to extend the battery life of their mobile devices. As we depend on our cell phones and smart phones more, a dying battery – which used to just be a nuisance – can become a real concern. Technocel has added a ‘universal charging solution’, the PowerPak XT, to their mobile devices product line.  Let’s give it a look.

The new PowerPak XT has a 1600mAh battery compared to the original PowerPak’s 1000mAh battery, but otherwise has similar specs:

• Additional 4.5 hours of talk time
• Recharges via wall outlet, and can run a mobile device while charging
• Folding AC plug
• Holds charge for up to 1 year
• 2 3/8″ x 2 7/8″ x 7/8″

(Note- I’ll occasionally be comparing this to the earlier reviewed Radio Shack Enercell 2-in1 Battery and AC Adapter, but that should not suggest that the Enercell is the ‘gold standard’ for this type of product.)

The PowerPak incudes a soft fabric pouch, the main USB charging cable, a selection of 10 specialized tips (there is a list of tips on the site), and a instruction sheet. You connect the correct tip and twist it to lock it in place. The resulting charge-only cable is about 5′ long and includes a nice little Velcro wrap. Each tip and cable is also clearly labled- a nice touch!

Included in the package

There are few controls or ports on this device- a power test button and 4 red LEDs on front, a folding AC plug on back, and a USB port on bottom. Pushing the test button shows a bar graph of battery level using the 4 LEDs (a nice feature lacking on the Enercell). One LED also lights when the unit is plugged into AC power. It passes the ‘Creak Test’ with minor ‘plastic groaning’ from the case. The case is slightly rubberized and very smooth. The Enercell’s seems a bit more rugged, but the PowerPak seems plenty tough enough for usual Mobile Warrior standards.

Only one button, one port- nice and simple

The 1600mAh battery is a bit small by most standards (the Enercell is 1700) but it gets the job done. I charged it completely and let it sit for a couple weeks to somewhat test its ability to hold a charge. The first time, it was completely discharged after a week- but that may have been my fault as I had left the cord plugged in and was carrying it in the bag with me. Something might have drained it at the tip. A second test showed no loss of charge at all, even after two weeks. Since units like this are generally not used often but are really needed when you need one, holding a charge reliably is a big deal.

Another big issue is portability. This unit is actually a bit smaller overall and lighter than the Enecell (it is a little thicker, a bit wider, and a lot shorter). The cables may be a bit of an issue- the included 5′ of cable with the connector is a bit bulky and cannot be used for sync. You may wish to go to a retractable charge/sync cable instead. The version shown in the photos is my GigaWare 26-407 2′ cable shown with a separate mini-to-micro adapter tip- shorter overall and not a big improvement as far as volume goes, but it does sync as well. Some of the generic retractable cables, such as those from eBay, are much more compact.

Enercell on the left, PowerPak XT on the right

The unit plugs nicely into my Sprint HTC Evo 4G, and does indeed power it for several hours, or recharge it about 1/2 way after about 30 minutes- roughly what the Enercell does. It seems like it charges my Evo more slowly when used as an AC charger than my usual charger does- more like the speed of a powered USB port- but it does charge the Evo completely this way.

I don’t see any pricing online yet for this new product, but it is a simple device that is easy to carry and does what it claims. It strips away bells and whistles, like the Enercell’s flashlight, power button, and second USB port, but provides a nice feature the Enercell lacks in the charge indicator display. This will definitely find a place in our gear bags!

Filed in categories: Gear, Reviews, Travel Gear

Tagged: Charger, power pack

Technocel PowerPak XT Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 15, 2011 at 2:37 pm.

With the proliferation of electronic gadgets it gets difficult to keep your tools charged. Most electronic devices have moved to a standard USB port for charging. This is a welcome change. Now I can use my AC USB port at home, the USB port in my laptop at work, my USB car adapter on the road, and finally, my USB portable charger anywhere.

The Arctic C1 is cleverly designed to enable me to recharge any device with a USB adapter (or one of the included adapters) with what is essentially, a spare battery. The twist with this device is the inclusion of a solar cell. I can recharge this battery using the sun (or indoor light) as well as the more conventional USB port.

What’s in the Clamshell

First off, it comes in a plastic clamshell. So things did not start off well. I am not a fan of this packaging, it is an unfortunate choice. I wish I could wrestle this gadget from Julie.

Once you manage to free the charger from its plastic tomb you discover a number of items:

• Charger
• Manual
• Cable with multiple tips

Here is a look at the back of the charger:

The specs for the Charger:

• 4.3″ by 1.7″ by .47″
• 4440 mWh Li-ion battery
• 5.5 V, 80 mA Solar Panel
• 5.5 V, 300 mA USB input
• 5.5 V, 500 mA USB output

The cable includes adapters for:

• Nokia
• Sony Ericsson
• Samsung
• Mini-USB

However, if you have a USB charging cable for your device, you do not need the included cable or tips.

Charging the Charger

Before you can use the charger, it needs to be charged. There are two ways to charge it. You can let the solar panel charge it, or plug it into a 5V USB power source. The solar option is nice, but can take awhile. To charge it using USB you plug the power source (for example, your computer’s USB port) into the Mini USB port of the charger.

The Mini-USB port on the left is used to charge the charger, the regular USB port on the right is used to plug in the device you want charged. A very simple, and straightforward approach.

The C1 has 3 unlabeled LEDs on the front. These indicate if the battery is charging.

The LEDs are the three dots in the above picture. The manual labels them A, B, and C. In this picture, A is the top LED, and C is the bottom.

When the battery is charging via the Solar Panel, LED C lights up. When you are connected via USB to charge, LED A lights up. So, if you are not sure there is enough light, you can check the third LED. If it is not lit, you either have insufficient light, or the battery is full. I found charging via USB to be a better option. Simply plug it in, and when the first light goes out, your battery is full.

Charging Your Device

The included cables and tips cover a wide variety of devices. Fortunately, most of the devices I use today charge via USB, therefore I just use one for the cables I already have. Plug the cable into the regular USB port (it is clearly marked as OUT on the back of the charger) and attach your device. Now the three LEDs indicate how much charge the Charger’s battery has:

• 1 LED 10-30%
• 2 LEDs 30-70%
• 3 LEDs 70-100%

I have used this to successfully charge multiple Android phones, an iPod Touch and an iPod Nano. I have had no issue with it, and it is quite handy. Besides packaging, my only complaint is the battery size. I would definitely be interested in a version with a larger battery. Even fully charged, it will not fully recharge my Droid X, but it is a great way to keep my phone going in a pinch. This has earned a permanent spot in my laptop case.

Filed in categories: Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Battery, Charger, Solar

Arctic C1 Mobile Portable Universal Charger Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 10, 2011 at 12:00 pm.

Remember the FlexUSB? It was a little USB adapter from IDEATIVE that allowed you to position a USB connector in a variety of ways when faced with a cramped space. Now, these same folks have a new product. It’s the Flipit! USB Charger, which will let you charge a USB device when you don’t have an available wall socket or a free USB port on your computer. No, it’s not magic, but it is innovative and possibly useful.

The Flipit is a small White plastic module that has a female USB connector on one end…

And a special power plug adapter on the back.

This plastic adapter looks like super thin wall port and can swivel 270°.

At first glance you might wonder how the heck the Flipit even works. I was scratching my head till I took a very close look at the top two slots in the rotating adapter.

If you click the image above, you’ll be able to see the very small metal contacts that line the top two plug slots. This is what carries power to the USB adapter.

All you have to do is slide a 2 or 3 prong cord into the Flipit adapter and then into an empty wall outlet.

Next plug in a USB cable (not included) for the device that you wish to charge. The Flipit provides 5V/750 mA of power. IDEATIVE plans to offer 1 Amp version very soon.

Like magic, the Flipit will charge the device  just as if it were plugged directly into the wall using its own USB enabled AC adapter. I tested this adapter with a Kindle 3, iPad, iPod mini, iPhone 4, and a Droid X.  All of the devices appeared to charge just fine except for the iPad, which displayed a “Not Charging” message in status bar. Unfortunately, the iPad requires more juice than this adapter can provide.

In addition to the iPad charging issue, I also found that the Flipit will not work well if you need to use it with a ”wall wart” adapter. Some AC adapters will work with no problems, but the larger ones are too big to fit in the Flipit adapter. The Blue part of the Flipit isn’t long enough to allow the plastic around some AC adapters to clear the body of the USB part of the charger.

One thing that might not be obvious is that to use the Flipit, you’ll need something already plugged in to an outlet to use it.

We can all probably agree that the Flipit is a clever device. But is it really all that useful? How often have you had the experience where you needed an AC outlet to charge a USB device and did not have one? Most of us either have power strips or a USB hub at home or the office. That said, I can remember instances where I have had to juggle outlets in a hotel room while traveling. But after such an experience I started carrying a very small 4 port USB hub with me that solved that problem. For that reason, I’m not sure the Flipit is the most cost effective solution for traveling since it only offers 1 additional USB port. If IDEATIVE offers a slightly larger version with 2-3 USB ports that can also handle charging a device like an iPad, I’d be much more likely to recommend it.

I still think it’s really clever and will probably keep this one in my gear bag just in case, but am not sure it will get used very often.

Filed in categories: Miscellaneous, Reviews

Tagged: Charger, USB

Flipit! USB Charger Adapter Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 29, 2011 at 2:00 pm.

One of the things I disliked about the Apple Magic Mouse when I first tried it out was that the batteries could not be easily recharged like they can with most other wireless mice. Mobee Technology has solved that problem in a very elegant way. They are offering a special battery pack that works with their inductive charging base station. Just pop out your existing AA batteries, pop in this special battery pack, place the Magic Mouse on the base and you’re done. Simple! What’s even better is that the base doesn’t require a wall charger. It uses USB. The Mobee Magic Charger is priced at $49.90.

Filed in categories: Bluetooth Gear, Desktop Computer Gear, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: Charger, Mouse, Spotlight Gadgets

Make your Apple Magic Mouse more magical with the Mobee Magic Charger originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 20, 2010 at 9:00 am.

The new Dock.id series of universal chargers from Paxon Energy is taking a modular approach that allows simultaneous charging of 3 devices. With its interchangeable adapters, the Dock.id is compatible with most portable devices of the market. Their first offering is the Dock.Id Mobile edition, which is available in 3 different packages: the Dock.Id Mobile with 8 adapters (2x Apple, 2x Micro USB, mini USB, Nokia II, Samsung IV and Sony Ericsson) at a SRP 69.95 euro, the Dock.Id mobile with 6 adapters (2 Apple, 2 micro USB, 2 Mini USB), and the Dock.Id mobile with 6 different adapters (Apple, Micro USB, Mini USB, Nokia II, Samsung IV and Sony Ericsson) at SRP 59.95 euro.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Charger, Spotlight Gadgets

Paxton Introduces a Universal Modular Charger originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 26, 2010 at 8:30 am.

The SoliLight SoliCharger is a solar powered battery charging pack for your iPhone. In addition to keeping your phone charged, with the included USB adapter kit, it will also charge most other brands of MP3 players, cell phones, digital cameras, GPS units, etc. But what intrigues me most about this solar charger is the fact that they say it will work with incandescent light as well as the sun. I’ve tried a few solar chargers over the years and have had problems placing them in a location with enough direct sunlight to charge the solar cell. If this one really does work indoors, it sounds like a great free power sourc. Price $59.95.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: Charger, iPhone, Solar, Spotlight Gadgets

Solar iPhone charger that even works indoors originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 15, 2010 at 1:00 pm.

I tend to recharge my cell phones over night, whether I really need to or not.  I charge everything on my desk, which happens to double as a nightstand.  As you can imagine, this gets pretty cluttered pretty fast, once you add bluetooth headsets and other gadgets.

In an effort to combat this cable clutter, IDAPT has devised a clever two and three station desktop charger.  The aptly named I2 charges two devices, and the I3 does three.  Much cleaner looking than the jungle of wires and wall warts.  Comes in Black, White, Silver or Pink.  Thankfully (for me) I received the Black one.

The side of the box shows the tips you're getting.

Adapters, IDAPT and power cable

Some of the tips. Note the contact points on the rear.

Side view of the IDAPT I3

Rear of the IDAPT I3

To insert adaptor tip, simply push in. To remove, press release buttons.

Each adapter can pivot slightly one way...

...and the other

What sets this device apart from others is the interchangable plugs.  Your new gizmo takes a mini USB and not a micro USB?  No problem.  Just swap them out, or mix and match.

The IDAPT models come with an assortment of tips out of the box.  The I3 model I evaluated came with a bunch, cleverly displayed on the side of the box.  You can buy additional or different tips from the IDAPT website.

I lucked out.  The three kind of devices I’d charge up the most often would be for the iPod/iPhone, micro USB, and mini USB.

One minor “gotcha” is that the tips are not reversible.  The Blackberry Pearl (above) lucks out.  The screen faces forward.  But other devices, such as the Sprint/Verizon MiFi, ends up sitting “backwards” so the charging light faces backwards.  Not a dealbreaker, but worth mentioning.

I was curious about the current capacity of the IDAPT.  I was told that “each of the 3 points of charge with tips can supply separately up to 870 mA, whereas the USB port can supply 1000 mA.  The effectivity of the charger is the same no matter  if you charge 1 or 4 devices at the same time.”

Overall, the IDAPT is a clever way to reduce charger clutter.  This now has a permanent place on my nightstand.

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Charger

IDAPT Universal Multi-Charger Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 25, 2010 at 10:00 am.

The One For All Universal Multi-Charger can charge up to three devices simultaneously, with no sloppy wires. There is an LED light for each charge slot. Once each device is fully charged, that slot shuts down automatically and the LED goes out – so, as well as saving energy, you can tell the charging process is complete without having to check the device itself. It also uses turbo-charge technology to reduce the charging time.  For example, to charge a Nokia 5200 phone from 0-100% using a standard charger would take 155 minutes.  With the Universal Multi-Charger, it takes just 115 minutes – that’s 25% faster.   When no devices are charging, power consumption is less than 0.5W. Seven interchangeable tips are included in the pack for iPod/iPhone, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, MiniUSB (5 pin), LG, Samsung and MicroUSB. The charger is will be available in the UK and priced at £59.99.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Charger, Spotlight Gadgets

End “charger clutter” and reduce power consumption originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 28, 2010 at 5:59 pm.

As can be seen in the figure, the main draw of the Duracell GoEasy Recharger ($12.99) is its succinct size — no wall wart nor long cable needed.  One of the several new Duracell “Smart Power Initiative” devices, it is a an unpretentious little charger for AA or AAA Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries.  It is compact and unobtrusive – note that the two AC prongs fold up for storage.

Here are its pedigree points:

• Charges two AA or AAA NiMH batteries in about 8 hours
• Turns off charging when complete, displays red LED during charging, green when charging is complete (see figure)
• Comes with 2 AA NiMH batteries, 1700 mAH at 1.2 V
• Prongs fold up for storage
• Input: 120V AC/60Hz, 2W
• Outupt:  2.8v DC/300 mA (for 2 AA), 2.8v DC 140 mA (for 2 AAA)

GoEasy during charging cycle - charging takes up to 8 hours

The GoEasy is light weight and truly portable and can fit in a backpack or roll on luggage (or a kitchen drawer) without getting snagged or caught.  But it still takes a long time to charge, and it only charges two batteries at a time.  And this may be fine for some consumers, depending on their requirements.  I’d probably be inclined to go for the Duracell GoMobile device, however, which can not only charge four batteries, but purportedly can do so in only an hour, and comes with a car lighter adapter (see The-Gadgeteer review for the Duracell GoMobile Charger.)

The GoEasy is a nice and inexpensive though not flashy charger.

Filed in categories: Travel Gear

Tagged: Battery, Charger

Duracell GoEasy AA NiMH Rechargable Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 23, 2009 at 7:37 am.

Duracell’s Pocket Charger is for those who have places to be or are on the go, but never remember to charge up their cell-phone or digital camera like a responsible person – just kidding. We’ve all been there without juice, panicking about how we need to check our email for the 50^th time. Now you can just pop out your pocket charger, give the cell a hit of juice, and slink it right into your hip pocket when you’re done.

I had a spare Blackberry curve lying around, and I gave the cute lil’ pocket charger a spin.  I juiced up the pocket charger on my computer for about an hour. Obviously, if you forget to charge the charger, then the product is useless. When the pocket charger charges itself the device glows amber and goes green when fully charged.  Thankfully, it charges up rather quickly and because it has an on/off switch, you can charge it up and forget about it until you need it.

After the pocket charger charged, I turned it on and plugged it into the blackberry. The blackberry had two bars at the time. I sat and let the pocket charger work its magic. After letting it go for about an hour, the pocket charger brought the curve up to a full charge.

On a dead blackberry, the pocket charger will zap you up around two bars. Great if you really need your phone in a pinch. Although, the the backup charger can help you out in a tight situation, it can’t go from zero bars to full  because it doesn’t have enough power to get the phone fully charged. Once used, you have to plug it back into the computer to give the pocket charger a full charge.

The device doesn’t have a lot of buttons and inputs to mess with. All you see is a simple on/off switch and a mini-usb port. That’s it. Pretty simple set up and easy to use. Fits right in the palm of your hand, easy to slip in your pocket or purse. Box comes with the device, directions and a mini-usb cable.

Apple users beware. If you use an iPhone, iPod Touch or practically any Apple device the Duracell pocket charger isn’t going to be of much assistance since it only boasts a mini-usb connector. Duracell does make alternative pocket charger that does work with ipods: iPod Pocket Charger & it uses two AA batteries instead of the lithium rechargeable technology utilized within this pocket charger.

Filed in categories: Gear

Tagged: Battery, Charger, Duracell

Duracell Pocket Charger: Take it Wherever You Go originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 3, 2009 at 2:30 pm.

The Powerhouse by Duracell is a little  portable charger that comes in handy when you need that extra juice to your cell phone or any other USB/MiniUSB device such as an iPod, mp3 player  or digital camera.

After spending a few days with this charger I felt that it serves its purpose well.  I used the Powerhouse to charger my HTC Touch Pro.  However, it seemed that it was a slow trickle to charge my phone to full capacity. Much like charging from a USB port from your computer or laptop. On one note I tried charging my LG Lotus via the Powerhouse but I kept getting a notice on my Lotus to “Change to LG travel charger.” I think this was due to the fact that I was using LG’s USB cable.

It took  nearly two hours for my HTC Touch Pro  to fully charge to 100%. The Duracell website states that the Powerhouse is 2000 mAh.

The Powerhouse comes equipped with a MiniUSB  swing arm as well as a supplied USB to MiniUSB cable.  The swing arm felt solid when retracted and didn’t feel flimsy at all. However, the charger itself has  a plastic feel to it.  Considering the Powerhouse’s price tag I think it should have had a more solid feel to it.

The Duracel Powerhouse  features an on and off button to conserve power.

The  Powerhouse is charged via the MiniUSB port on top of the charger.   On the bottom of the charger  is the  USB “Out”.

There is an LED light on the bezel-like front above the On/Off button that lights orange when charging and green when fully charged.

The Duracell Powerhouse is part of Duracell’s new Smart Power Products.  Other products include The Duracell Instant Charger, The Duracell Pocket Charger, The Duracell GoMobile, and The Duracell GoEasy.

Filed in categories: Gear, Travel Gear

Tagged: Charger, Duracell

Duracell Powerhouse Charger Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 23, 2009 at 5:46 pm.

Anyone who has owned an iPhone for even a short period of time can tell you that its biggest flaw — or at least, the biggest flaw that isn’t directly related to the carrier — is its frustratingly insufficient battery life, especially compared to standard mobile phones.  The typical solution for most users is to either switch off services such as Wi-Fi, 3G or Bluetooth when they aren’t being used, or to simply charge the iPhone one or more times during the course of the day.  I rarely use my iPhone as an actual phone, and I still find myself running the battery down below 20% during an average day if I don’t take the time to recharge it at least once.  I’m not always in a position where I can sit around and wait for my iPhone to charge, however, and that’s precisely the problem that Griffin Technology‘s PowerDuo Reserve is intended to solve.

You may recall that Griffin had previously released a car charger and a home AC charger called the PowerJolt and PowerBlock, respectively.  Each of these chargers had a single standard USB port and included a USB to Apple dock connector cable allowing you to charge any of the iPod models, from the Shuffle to the iPod Touch.  Griffin has now replaced these with the PowerJolt Reserve and the PowerBlock Reserve, omitting the included USB to dock connector cable and replacing it with a rechargeable battery pack.

Battery pack docked in the PowerJolt Reserve

You can purchase the PowerJolt Reserve and the PowerBlock reserve separately, or you can purchase them together as the PowerDuo Reserve.  The major difference between buying the individual packages and buying the PowerDuo pack is that the latter includes only one battery pack to share between the two chargers.  If you anticipate needing to keep a charged battery pack in two different places, or you simply would prefer to have two battery packs charged and ready at any time, you may want to consider buying the separate packages.

The styling of the chargers has changed pretty significantly since the previous versions, both now employing a theme of shiny black plastic and rounded right-angles that is far more in line with the Apple aesthetic.  The PowerJolt Reserve features chrome trim around the area where the battery pack is docked, which not only makes it a better match for the decor of most modern automobile interiors, but it also serves to make the area more visible in a darkened vehicle.  It’s a minor feature, but it makes the device just that much easier to use, and serves as a further indicator of the kind of thought that went into the design of the product.

Speaking of both small details that I love and design cues wisely borrowed from Apple, all three pieces of this kit (PowerJolt, PowerBlock, and battery pack) have a small magnet built into the housing, making charging the battery pack as simple as putting it approximately in the right place on one of the chargers.  Get the pack within roughly half an inch of its home, and it jumps right into place, just like the MagSafe plugs on modern MacBooks.  The amount of magnetic pull is just right, too; removing the battery pack from the charger doesn’t threaten to dislodge the charger from the wall socket or your car’s accessory plug, but it holds it well enough that the pack will stay in place through all but the most violently bumpy driving.  Since the charging takes place via two metal contacts on either side of the battery pack dock connector, this also saves wear and tear on the dock connector itself, potentially extending the life of the entire system.

The battery pack itself is about an inch and a half tall (including the dock connector), and just under two inches wide, so it’s easily pocketable, roughly two-thirds the size of a Zippo lighter.  The front of the pack is finished in soft-touch plastic, so it doesn’t easily scuff, is basically immune to fingerprints, and is easy to grip when plugging it into or removing it from an iPod/iPhone or one of the chargers.  A single slightly-recessed button allows you to check the battery level via a set of five green indicator lights.  It’s worth noting that this button doesn’t do anything if the pack isn’t plugged in; if you press the button while it’s disconnected, nothing happens.  The first time I pressed the button and got no response from the battery level lights, I presumed that the battery pack was dead, and only discovered otherwise when I plugged it in again to charge.  I suppose this is to prevent accidental button presses from running the battery down, but it would certainly be nice to be able to check the battery level without plugging it in to anything.  The charging process seems to take a couple of hours, and the battery level lights are illuminated throughout the process to reflect the extent to which the battery has been charged.  The base of the dock connector on the battery pack sticks out just a couple of millimeters from the body of the battery pack, no doubt to allow it to be used with all but the thickest of protective sleeves or cases.  I keep my iPhone in one of Griffin Technology’s Clarifi cases, and the case and the battery pack don’t even make contact when the pack is plugged into my iPhone.

Battery pack charging the iPhone 3G

Of course, the most important question here is, “how much power can I get out of the battery pack?”  To test this , I charged the battery pack fully and ran my iPhone down until it would no longer power on.  I plugged in the battery pack until it had exhausted its power supply, and took note of both the charging time and the iPhone battery life reported by one of the many battery life apps in the App Store.  In my tests, I found that the pack would charge the iPhone for 35-40 minutes before it was completely drained, and this was generally sufficient to bring the iPhone battery to just over half capacity.  I did also note that the first few lights on the battery pack went out pretty quickly, and the last light seemed to last considerably longer, so the lights may not be a completely accurate measure of the amount of power remaining in the battery pack.

So is there anything that could be improved about the PowerDuo Reserve?  Sure.  The iPhone isn’t exactly pocketable while the battery pack is plugged into it.  While you probably could physically cram the whole thing into your pocket, I would be worried about snapping the battery pack connector off inside the iPhone.  Second, the dock connector on the battery pack is completely exposed while it’s not plugged into something.  This hasn’t proven to be a problem in day-to-day use for me, but if a lifetime of gadget ownership has taught me anything, it’s that any nook or cranny, if not properly protected, will eventually become stuffed with pocket lint.  Some kind of protective cap for the battery pack would have been nice.  The size of the battery pack might also prove to be problematic for owners of certain devices.  The pack is wide enough that it will block the headphone jack of both the iPod Nano and the iPod Touch, making either of those devices of limited usefulness while they charge.  Finally, the omission of the USB to dock connector cable is a bit frustrating.  While it’s true that most iPhone or iPod owners who have bought a charging accessory in the past probably have at least one extra cable lying around, cables are cheap, and I can’t imagine that including one would have significantly increased the price of the package. If I had lost my Apple charger and cable and bought the PowerJolt, PowerBlock, or PowerDuo Reserve to replace it, it would be pretty frustrating to get home and discover that I also needed to buy a separate cable.

Overall, Griffin Technology has put together a pretty solid set of hardware with the PowerDuo Reserve.  While there are certainly other portable battery packs that provide considerably more power, no other battery pack is as easy to charge as this one.  No cables to plug in, no lining up connectors, just drop it in to charge and pull it out when you need it.  Furthermore, most other battery packs require their own dedicated charger, while the PowerDuo Reserve system serves as both a battery charger and iPhone/iPod charger combined.  The PowerBlock Reserve has replaced my original Apple charger as my default charger both at home and for travel.  If your regular iPhone use is such that you could probably survive a full day if the iPhone battery had just 50% more capacity, and if you need that extra power to be portable and rechargeable just about anywhere you are, the PowerDuo Reserve is probably just what you’re looking for.  If you need far more power than the standard iPhone battery provides, though, you might want to consider one of the more capacious offerings out there.

Filed in categories: Car Gear, iPhone, iPad, iPod related, Travel Gear

Tagged: Battery, Charger, iPhone accessory, iPod accessory

Griffin Technology PowerDuo Reserve Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 12, 2009 at 1:12 pm.

The new iLuv iAD 115 Micro USB Car Charger is a solution for people with iPod, iPhone, MP3, GPS and other devices who need an easy way to charge their gadgets while driving. The iAD115 Micro USB Car Charger is so small it can be concealed inside the cigarette lighter by simply closing the cover. It will be available in September 2009 for the MSRP of $14.99.

Filed in categories: Car Gear

Tagged: Charger, Spotlight Gadgets, USB

Charge USB gadgets in your car – iLuv iAD 115 Micro originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 20, 2009 at 1:52 pm.

Charge your iPhone or Blackberry Bold from your hip, with this protective case, carrying solution and phone charger all in one! The FUEL case from case-mate.com has a rechargeable lithium polymer battery built into the soft-grip holster case that clips to your belt. Talk time, standby time, and internet usage are all extended by 2.5 times for the iPhone and 1.5 times for the Blackberry Bold. There is an on/off button that makes the FUEL more efficient by only drawing power when you need it. It’s available now for $79.99.

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Blackberry, Case, Charger, iPhone, Spotlight Gadgets

case-mate FUEL iPhone and Blackberry Bold Cases originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 15, 2009 at 4:46 pm.

Sometimes, products solve problems you’ve been conscious of for a long time. You’ve made do, tried other alternatives, and groused about it to everyone within earshot. When the solution is invented, you breathe a sigh and say, “At last!” Sometimes, however, a product comes along to solve a problem you really didn’t think you had. That’s my story on the Dexim Dual Dock Charging Station that was sent for review from RichardSolo.com.

I’ve been carrying an iPod around since the original. I ditched the Rio (with it’s massive 128MB, 8-song library) for a 5 GB original iPod and never looked back. I’ve upgraded over the years, and last year, my older daughter, who had been dismissing the whole iPod phenomenon as some passing fad, called me up and said, “Dad, go ahead and say you told me so and get it over with. Then help me find the right iPod. I’m tired of dealing with CDs.” Maxell had to downgrade their stock that quarter, but I was happy. My other daughter and my wife have been happily iPodding for years now. What really trips us up is charging. Every vacation, and many times around the house, someone will say “My iPod’s dead. Can I borrow your cable? Mine’s at the office/someone’s house.” Likewise at my office, I’ll have someone drop by to get a charging cable for iPhone/iPod on an almost weekly basis.

The Dexim Dual Dock Charging Station solves this problem with two dedicated power (not syncing) docks and a selection of adapters to fit every iPod/iPhone model except the shuffles. The day I brought mine from home to the office, someone announced over Twitter (our interoffice message board – grouptweet.com rocks!) that one was needed. I pulled it out and we found the cradle adapter to fit and he was off to the races. With this setup on hand, any iPod/iPhone can be fully charged from stone dead to full in 60-90 minutes.

In the Box

Included in the box is the unit itself (it comes in black or white smooth, shiny plastic), a power cable, and six dock inserts. Snapping them in and out is not intuitive, but once you pay attention to it once, you’ll be able to use them in no time. All the parts are held in vacu-formed clear plastic in a cardboard box. No Jaws of Life are required to extricate anything.

The complete contents of the package. The six adapters (upper left) are each sealed with a pull-off film.

Operation

Plug the power wall wart in, snap in the proper adapter, push the device into the dock. The charging screen shows up and you’re done. It really is that simple. If you want the added ambiance, you can flip the small switch on the side, and a single line of blue illumination glows around the entire device and the outlines of the cradle adapters.

The benefits of this are quite obvious, but so are the limitations: it’s only for Apple stuff. No Zune, Palm, Samsung, or G1 need attempt to charge here. So, if you’ve got Apple stuff cluttering up your workspace, or if you live/work where there are many iPod/iPhone users, this device will be in constant demand. If that’s not the case, you’ll not see the need.

I’ve played with devices that hide your adapters under a holder for various phones, PDAs, etc., but they have some huge drawbacks: you have to have an adapter specifically devoted to the rack for each device (pricey), and then you have to remember which one goes where. While this may be a good idea if you have many different devices, since iPods all have the same cable connector, this device is much handier and easier to set up and use. And the all-in-one units have a power strip to plug all those wall warts into, so they’re pretty large. This unit is small, sleek, and nicely designed: a stylish addition to any desk, dresser, or nightstand.

All told, I’ll have to take away a half star for the adapters and not connecting to the computer to charge. While it’s not the stated purpose, there’s still a strong mindset of either playback or syncing when you plug an iPod into a dock. To get neither feels like being slighted somehow. And there’s ample room to somehow identify the proper adapter, either as part of the mold on the underside, or a small engraving/hot stamp identity on the surface. Either way, it would be better than the “snap in, test, snap out, snap another in, test, repeat” situation the current model offers. So, 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related

Tagged: Charger, iPhone accessory, Power, power adapter

Dexim iPhone/iPod Dual Dock Charging Station Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 1, 2009 at 4:35 pm.

When I go on a vacation or business trip, I seem to always have issues charging all my USB enabled gadgets. I either forget  to bring along a bazillion individual USB AC adapters or I have issues running out of USB ports on my laptop. Sometimes I don’t even want to bring my laptop on the trip. Then there’s the issue of what to do when I travel outside the US. To solve all these problems, I found a convenient solution – The AC to 5-USB Power Adapter from Brando.

Specs and Features

Package Contents

At first glance, the square White plastic adapter with rounded sides totally reminds me the AC wall wart for my 15″ Apple Macbook Pro.

But on the outside edge of this adapter, you find 4 female USB power ports…

While the opposite side has an interchangeable power plug port.

The plug adapter pops off semi-easily.

Plug adapters for UK, US, Asia and Australia are all included. Since I haven’t had the opportunity to travel outside good old Columbus, Indiana USA during this review, I only tested the standard 2-prong US adapter.

You might wonder why this product is called the AC to 5 USB power adapter when it only has 4 USB ports. Slide off the outside cover to reveal a mini USB cable wrapped and hidden inside. Nice!

Packing this power adapter is much more convenient than packing 5 different AC adapters. I tested it with several different devices and it worked flawlessly. The only weirdness that I noticed was a faint buzz or whine coming from the adapter when it was plugged in.

The only thing that would make this product better would be a small zippered pouch to hold the adapter and the individual plugs. Other than that, it’s a keeper.

Filed in categories: Travel Gear

Tagged: Charger, USB

Brando AC to 5 USB Power Adapter Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 22, 2009 at 1:00 am.

Scosche announces availability of their reCOIL retractable car charger for the iPod and iPhone. $29.99 will get you a retractable charger that you can use in your car. I like the idea that I won’t have loose cables laying around and getting tangled.

Filed in categories: Car Gear, iPhone, iPad, iPod related

Tagged: 12V, Charger, Power, Spotlight Gadgets

Scosche ReCoil iPhone Charger Now Available originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 8, 2009 at 3:18 pm.

Go Green with this 1500mAh solar charger from epogo. Comes with 12 connectors covering all popular mobile phones, handheld games consoles such as Nintendo DS and Sony PSP and MP3 players including iPods.

Filed in categories: Gear

Tagged: Charger, Green, Power, Solar, Spotlight Gadgets

Spotlight Gadget – Juicebar Pocket Solar Charger originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 23, 2009 at 11:26 am.