callpod's Chargepod juices up six of your handheld gizmos

While there's a plethora of atypical options out there for charging up your gadgetry, oftentimes the need to charge up a number of items simultaneously leaves one frustrated by a lack of AC outlets or the brutal realization that you're cellphone charger is a thousand miles away. callpod's Chargepod isn't reinventing the charging wheel or anything, but its portable nature lends itself to the gadget-strapped road warrior who can leave six charging dongles plugged into the device itself and juice up half a dozen peripherals (presumably via USB) with a single power outlet. Notably, this rendition isn't designed to charge up laptops or your electric car, but the company does state that a second version is in the works to handle more demanding applications. The Chargepod can be snapped up now sans adapters for $49.95, and while this should be self-explanatory, feel free to click through for a demonstration if you're somehow still miffed.

[McGinley @ May 20th 2007 5:26AM]

Spamming successful blogs is the first step in admitting that you have a boring blog that no one wants to read.

[Grown Ass Man @ May 20th 2007 5:54AM]

That picture alone is just one more reason to buy an iPhone!! LOL.

[arif @ May 20th 2007 6:09AM]

dammit, just when I gave in and bought a monster usb charger.

let's see here: bluetooth gps, cell phone, pda, mp3 player.. four out of six, I'll have room to grow!

[Richard Lai @ May 20th 2007 7:02AM]

Did the man say "crap" in the video?

[Diarmuid Mallon @ May 20th 2007 8:22AM]

Was very interesting until I spotted this fatal flaw on the product specification page:
Input AC Power 110V AC, 60Hz
Which rather limits for the true road warrior - heck even the mac mini has a universal power adapter.

[craig @ May 20th 2007 2:21PM]

The power supply brick is actually universal and uses a mini-USB plug. There is a car adapter as well. Not listing that in the main specs is an oversight.

[Erwos @ May 20th 2007 9:31AM]

Not to be an ass, but $50 for something that's not even a real USB hub is just crazily overpriced. Wake me up when this thing is $20.

[Jonathan Allen @ May 20th 2007 9:50AM]

No wonder my 5.5 gen iPod only gets 2 hours of video playback. I haven't been charging it from the 30 pin AND the *hidden* charger on the side! Dang it!

[snapa @ May 20th 2007 10:08AM]

Mr. Jonathan Allen,

It obviously shows the iPod wire attached to the bottom on the unit, which runs underneath the iPod itself, and then connected via USB to the charger. That was a horrible attempt at humor.

[Krono6 @ May 20th 2007 3:06PM]

Are you going to try and tell us Santa Claus isn't real either?

[ralphg @ May 20th 2007 11:12AM]

I do the same thing with a powered USB hub ($30). It's not plugged into the computer, just into the wall power outlet. It lets me charge four devices (Samsung camera, Palm TX, Zen Micro MP3, Mio GPS) at once. The power supply handles 110/220v.

[craig @ May 20th 2007 2:24PM]

This, in general, does not work. Devices need the host computer to speak to them in order to make charging currents fully functional. It may work for your devices but it certainly didn't for mine. Nice try.

[ralphg @ May 20th 2007 5:05PM]

This, in general, does work.

Even though the Palm TX, for example, fails to show the lightning bolt icon to indicate charging, it is charging.

So, the computer connection is not required for the four devices I listed earlier.

[david @ May 20th 2007 11:23AM]

at that price (tips are 10$ each), and considering the gadgets are usb powered; i'd rather get a usb hub with a universal ac adapter and deal with longer cables (for portability i went a targus super mini size : 1.7x1.7x 0.37in).

this coupled with a gomdadic double wall charger allows me to charge all my gadgets and electronics except the camcorder and laptop :(

[craig @ May 20th 2007 2:26PM]

Where are you getting the idea that all the supported gadgets are USB devices? How are you going to charge a Palm with a USB hub? Are the tips for you these devices suddenly free with your USB hub? What host controller controls the power circuitry in your solution?

[david @ May 20th 2007 5:27PM]

First of all, my solution works for me, and does not consist of only the usb hub.
By referring to the gadgets as being usb powered, i meant my electronics as well as the fact that each port of the callpod is a usb port with a rated output of 500mA if not in connection. A lot of these gadgets already come with a usb type charger/ sync cable meant to be used with a computer making it free or buy for rather cheap for a comparable or lower price to 10$, not to mention more choices.

the callpod is too close to a powered usb hub that the control circuitry would be similar, but need to get some testing done.

i have no problem charging my axim, or powering a 2.5in HD through a powered usb hub, and not all gadgets are usb driven hence my mentioning the camcorder and laptop.

it works for me

[SM @ May 20th 2007 12:02PM]

I For one Welcome Are Over Zealous Monster USB Charging Squids

[Eli @ May 20th 2007 12:26PM]

Because everybody needs to own a phone from Motorola, Palm, and RIM at the same time.

[KJ @ May 20th 2007 2:04PM]

Because of course i carry around 2 smartphones, 1 regular cell phone, 2 bluetooth headsets, and an ipod...seems a bit useless for the normal person if you ask me

[Beamey @ May 20th 2007 6:09PM]

It looks like some kind of crazy electronic orgy

[Paul C, @ May 20th 2007 6:58PM]

"one frustrated by a lack of AC outlets or the brutal realization that you're cellphone charger is a thousand miles..."

Come on guys, its 'your'

[johnzilla @ May 20th 2007 7:18PM]

Anyone with six handheld gizmos needs therapy.

[chad @ May 20th 2007 10:39PM]

I like the idea of this one... not sure why so many debbie downers. You don't have to have excess or redundant devices to find the idea rather useful... if you're married for one example. I'm tired of carrying 3, if not 4 charging cables with me on trips.

My lady has a Samsung T-809 mobile; I have a SDA smartphone; Moto BT headset X1; and if I'm lucky, perhaps a standard 5v cord which could possibly juice my Casio camera cable so 4 of 6 already gone.

Curious though... I use my desktop, laptop, mini usb 2.0 hub, heck, even my router to charge JUST my SDA via it's USB mini connector. But I wonder if the USB hub can charge all the aforementioned devices simultaneously and as effective... as that would be more cost effective (though less aesthetically pleasing) than the $50 main unit here. I'm guessing so if connected to AC but maybe not so much via PC USB bus power only.

Time to go hunt for the cheapest place for all these adapters... 10 EA seems steep. Whattya think?

[Pygar @ May 22nd 2007 3:56PM]

The gadget misses the mark. What I really need is a AC to DC charger that lets me set the output voltage for each of 6 (or more) devices.

Why? So I don't need 6 wall warts at my desk all sucking 110 24/7, even when the devices are idle or powered off.