Sony's Energy LINK USB power supply / recharger

Not everyone is equipped with the skills (and time) necessary to craft their own flashlight-based cellphone charger, so Sony's looking out for those who'd rather throw down a few bills than handle a soldering iron. Looking to grab business from individuals packing a gazillion or so gadgets that receive energy via USB, the Energy LINK USB adapter provides a no frills alternative to charging and powering your device on-the-go. Aside from doubling as a recharging middleman, it comes with two rechargeable Cycle Energy batteries -- which purportedly "bridge the gap" between alkaline and NiMH cells -- to provide portable charging and power. The included batteries can be fully recharged in around three hours, but there's no word on just how much charging / powering abilities it possesses once powered up. Still, for those needing a simple charging option or a makeshift USB power supply in times of emergency, Sony's $35 Energy LINK should do the trick when it lands this summer.

[Lectoid @ Feb 27th 2007 3:03PM]

BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[brian @ Feb 27th 2007 3:13PM]

Conceivably, couldnt this be used with a Wii to charge up batteries for the Wiimotes?

[triobot @ Feb 27th 2007 3:33PM]

Don't really get this... Using usb to charge everything? in china that intergration has already happened..

and with the AA batteries there, there are usb batteries now... Expensive but better then normal Ni-MH ones:
[http://www.usbcell.com/]

[NHAnimator @ Feb 27th 2007 3:33PM]

Seven Sony stories in a row? Hmmm.

[Zeb @ Feb 27th 2007 3:34PM]

Geez, is everything going to be about sony today?

[Da Bunny @ Feb 27th 2007 3:56PM]

Um, has anyone heard that Energizer have had a device like this out on the market since June 2006? It is called "Energi To Go". Funny how such things are overlooked.

http://www.energizer.com/energitogo/index_flash.html

[Romey Rome @ Feb 27th 2007 4:05PM]

Was there a Sony conference that I didn't hear about?

[Scott @ Feb 27th 2007 4:08PM]

How do you get USB charging (5v) out of two AA batteries (3v - 2.4v)?

[Romey Rome @ Feb 27th 2007 4:13PM]

Magic! It's real and only Sony knows its secrets.

[Jason @ Feb 27th 2007 4:13PM]

You wire the two batteries in series to get 4.8-6V.

[Electrical Engineer NEWB @ Feb 27th 2007 4:45PM]

How can x voltage equal y voltage? It's not magic, it a little thing called a transformer, invented by Michael Faraday in 1831, or if they got really fancy they might use a voltage regulator. Have you ever wondered how "high voltage" line (10,000 volts) give you 120 volts in your house? Same concept, been in use for over 100 years.

[Matt Schinckel @ Feb 27th 2007 7:45PM]

How can x voltage equal y voltage? It's not magic, it a little thing called a transformer, invented by Michael Faraday in 1831, or if they got really fancy they might use a voltage regulator.

Okay, good. How do you transform DC again? Transformers only work with AC, since they rely on the changing magnetic field created by a changing electric current.

Voltage regulators tend to only be able to regulate down.

What you need to use is a DC-DC converter, and as soon as you start doing this, it effectively creates a transformer-like situation. But you'll get some power loss.

[ksmith @ Feb 28th 2007 2:46PM]

It uses a boost converter to up the ~3V from the batteries to 5V.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boost_converter

Or you go always go the DIY route with a Minty Boost. I made one last weekend that works well.

http://www.instructables.com/id/EGBQJPLCB2EP287KTZ?ALLSTEPS