A Jolt of Apple
Apple’s new line of Bluetooth peripheral devices comes with their own pitfalls. Wireless also means powerless, where cords are concerned. The new devices all depend on battery power to survive, and Apple is looking to make a little money there as well.
Apple now has its own AA battery charger that you can buy for $30. The kit comes with 6 AA batteries that will supposedly last you ten years with charging. The truth of the statement remains to be seen. It may end up being a necessity for many Mac consumers, but who knows how well it will work compared to other chargers already on the market.
Lucky 13
I know that I often feel like two USB ports in my computer are not enough, but I don’t know that I’d ever need to extend the number to more than three or four. But, if for some reason you feel the need, you can now access thirteen ports all at the same time.
iMono now offers a thirteen port USB hub with independently switchable ports, meaning you can turn one off while still using the device and other USB drives you still need access too. It’s an attempt at energy consciousness. It’s not a bad idea, it’s just questionable. The trick really is finding desk space for it.
Battery Backup
Back up batteries and travel chargers (especially for Mac products) tend to come in classic Mac white (or black) but that’s not all Mac has to offer. Sure, the classic ipod is white, but the minis aren’t.
That’s where HyperMac’s new external chargers come in. They come in both a range of sizes (from pocketable to not so pocketable) as well as a range of colors to match or clash with any ipod you happen to own. The batteries work with ipods and iphones specifically but also come with a USB connection for other gadget gear as well. The charges range in price from $70 to $120 and claim to racharge ipods from 1 to 6 extra times on one charge themselves.
AT&T Zero Charger is no vampire
AT&T has created a wall-based cell phone charger that does not draw energy when it is not charging a phone.
VoltStar Eco Charger is a similar device that actually shuts down once the phone is charged. It works with any 5V device.
So-called “vampire energy” refers to the energy used by chargers and other devices when they are turned off or not plugged into a chargeable device. According to the AT&T site:
In the U.S., the total amount of electricity that flows through internal and external power adapters is nearly 470 billion kWh per year or about 12 percent of the nation’s annual electricity consumption.
The AT&T device will be available in May. VoltStar is April 12 for $31.90.
Sun Stability
I’m a fan of solar chargers, and the environment, so it’s nice when an official tech company can get behind a green idea and officially endorse it.
That’s what has happened for Novothink’s solar charger for the iphone (second generation) and the ipod touch. The charger has been endorsed by Apple and even looks pretty appealing. Designed almost like a car dock for the iphone the charger slides over the back of the phone (or ipod) and contains LEDs so you can see how much of a charge you really have.
Sure the extra pack will be a little bulky, and a little expensive ($70) but think of the energy you’ll save. Think about the on the go possibilities. It could just be worth it.
Power on the Go
It’s all about power these days. Gadgets only have battery life that lasts so long. Everybody wants an on the go option when it comes to charging and here is yet another one.
The iLuv iAD115 is a Micro sized USB Car Adapter. The iLuv plugs right into any average car through the cigarette lighter and you’re suddenly the new owner of a USB charger (just don’t forget the extra USB wires you may need for your gadgets).
All in One
Find yourself running out of computer centered USB ports recently? Not enough room to charge the ipod, phone, and game device at once? Well, no worries.
The iLuv iAD117 USB wall charger is perfect for the over taxed gadget owner. The iLuv plugs into any wall socket and comes with three of its own USB ports to free up both the ports already present on your computer as well as desk space. Sometimes all a device needs is a little battery juice, and that can come just as conveniently from the wall as from the computer.
Workout Power
I own a Wii Fit and think it’s pretty fun, ridiculous, but fun. As with all game controls, of any kind, power and batteries are just as much, if not more, of an issue with the Wii balance board.
That’s where Mad Catz Power Up Charging Stand comes in. The stand comes with a rechargeable battery pack for the Wii Fit balance board. Basically the balance board can slide in and stand straight on its edge as it charges. The stand also comes with a few USB ports so that other gadgets can recharge as well.
We won’t see the Power Up Stand until later this month, just in time for all the Wii Fit games announced at E3.
Travel Tech for Less
Travelers will have some cool new gadgets to help them out this year as previewed at the Travel Good Show this week in Las Vegas.
MSNBC’s travel writer Rob Lovitt profiled a few pieces for under $50, including a take-with-you digital scale to avoid egregious charges for over-limit bags and an alarm to warn you if your luggage leaves without you.
Another favorite is the e-Solar Charger ($49.95) from Everlite that lets you charge cell phones, iPods or digital cameras via power from the sun.
My sister-in-law travels A LOT for work. I may have to look into something from this list for her next gift.
Universal Mobile Phone Charger on the Horizon
The mobile phone industry has finally decided to create a universal phone charger by 2012, according to GSMA, an industry organization.
Currently, chargers can be brand or phone specific, generating more than 51,000 tons of waste as consumers get new phones that are incompatible. For more information on recycling phones, click here.
Another aim is to create an energy-efficient charger to reduce stand-by or “vampire” energy consumption by 50%. The group wants to create the “UCS” or universal charging solution to use Micro-USB for charging.
Among the companies involved in this initiative are LG, Motorola, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and T-Mobile.
Now if we can just get the printer companies to standardize those blasted ink cartridges.
