We recently told you that Ikea has announced a line of furniture and lamps with built-in Qi chargers. What about people who don’t use Qi charging? We want nice things, too! Well, Hammacher Schlemmer has a Device Charging End Table that has a built-in charging station for those of us who still need to cable up. A compartment flips open at the back and has a dual electric outlet with an additional USB charging port built in. (The image actually looks like two USB charging ports to me.) The cover of that compartment has a cut out at the edge to guide the charging cables out neatly. A storage drawer in the front holds remotes, your reading glasses, and the like, and an open shelf at the bottom adds even more storage. There’s even a little tray that pulls out at the middle front to hold your drink. It measures 23″ tall x 22″ wide x 16″ deep, and it’s made of hardwood solids and birch veneers with a warm chestnut finish. Assembly is required. The Device Charging End Table is $249.95 at Hammacher Schlemmer.
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We come full circle, This was semi-popular in the 70’s.
I don’t remember furniture with outlets in them in the 70s. What was the purpose? So you could hook up a lamp and a clock but only have one cord going to the wall? The only gadget I had back in the 70s was my TI calculator, and it used batteries! 😉
I remember my parents and aunts had them, Usually exactly that. I think both had a lamp and clock. Maybe it was something with my family, maybe they all went to a motel auction. But I remember it as a kid, and remember spilling a coke into it and getting yelled at.
Yes, Andrew! You’ve nailed it. These are motel furniture endtables. Or nightstands.
We have a Hotel Surplus warehouse near by. I have two pretty decent looking lamps I picked up for $10/ea that have built-in USB ports (~2Amp).
They had a similar (but more square) end table with built in power/USB for about $50 or so at the time, too.
I wish I would have picked up one of the mini fridge’s they had. $25. I can’t charge my iphone with it but I could keep my soda cold at the office…