Rechargeable USB battery works in AA-ready devices

While one may assume that the above device is simply a USB flash drive in disguise, it's actually quite a bit more useful than that. You see, this rechargeable USB battery (á la the USBCELL) actually fits into any device that readily accepts AA cells, making it quite possibly the most 1337 (not to mention affordable) rechargeable cell we've ever seen. Reportedly, it takes around four hours to juice one up, and while we've no idea how many channels you can flip through on a set of these bad boys, at least they're sold in pairs. Pick up a pack (or two, or three) now for $7.51/set.

[Thanks, Erie]

[Philometalist @ Oct 16th 2007 11:23AM]

Ok but, why not just make all devices USB rechargeable???

[Gibbstar @ Oct 16th 2007 11:57AM]

I dont get why there is USB freakin' everything. Why would I want to have to use my computer to charge batteries? Its like all the stupid USB christmas trees, and beverage warmers. Are people that nerdy and asocial that they need to have all their shiz connected to their computer?!

[Philometalist @ Oct 16th 2007 12:02PM]

Because it's too easy to put USB on anything and everything.

[Jay @ Oct 16th 2007 1:35PM]

My laptop can charge USB devices while in stand-by mode, so it's kind of like a portable power source. These batteries would be awfully great for use on the road, when it is not possible to find a power outlet. Although it's been some time since I last used anything with AA batteries, I'm sure it would come in handy some time.

[SpaceParanoids @ Oct 16th 2007 2:13PM]

"I dont get why there is USB freakin' everything."

What's the "U" stand for again?

[Philometalist @ Oct 16th 2007 2:16PM]

USB = Universal Serial Bus

[Che361 @ Oct 16th 2007 3:02PM]

This is great to use it for the Nintendo Wii controller and the USB ports on the Wii.

[Patrick #2 @ Oct 16th 2007 3:07PM]

Energizer has a USB charger that is better in my opinion:

http://energizer.com/usbcharger/

I picked one up at Home Depot, and it is quite convenient to be able to charge both AA and AAA on the go with my computer. It comes with a wall socket USB charger, and software exists for it too in the form of a widget for both Mac and PC.

[CW @ Oct 16th 2007 4:46PM]

Gibbstar:

I would use my computer to recharge batteries. 1) My computer is always on, 2) I have several open USB ports at any given time, 3) these are cheaper than $20 device to do the same thing, 4) my digital camera eats up batteries like crazy.

[Gibbstar @ Oct 16th 2007 9:28PM]

You guys are all a bunch of nerds. Go get a girlfriend and some REAL batteries, instead of some half capacity toys you plug in your computer. I guess they would look great next your Halo Spartan Helmet and your World of Warcraft action figures though.

[DarkAardvark @ Oct 16th 2007 11:44PM]

gibbstar:
youre calling everyone nerds and yet youre reading a tech website. nice

[Philometalist @ Oct 16th 2007 11:48PM]

Amen Dark, Amen.

[Gibbstar @ Oct 17th 2007 12:01AM]

I am not reading a tech website, I am trolling a tech website. There's a difference.

[Kasey D. @ Oct 16th 2007 11:30AM]

Thought I'd be the devil's advocate and put up my "been there, seen that" flag... usbcell.com

Interesting concept, but wireless power will put them out of business in a few years.

[suv4x4 @ Oct 16th 2007 11:55AM]

Interesting concept, but wireless power will put them out of business in a few years.

Where is my flying car?

[bombastinator @ Oct 16th 2007 12:29PM]

you mean wireless broadcast power or those little short range mats?

Broadcast power is not new, it's been around for a very long time. The reason it is not normally used is that it is extremely inefficient. In this day of "low energy footprints" I dxoubt wireless power is going to get very far.

As for the mats that will depend closely on what their final costs are. How much more expensive is a mat and the extra electronics to make it work? If it's over 50$ as I strongly suspect it will be, You're not going to see it much except in high end devices. adding an extra 50$ to a 5$ remote or a 15$ toy is not going to go over well.

[paul34 @ Oct 16th 2007 12:04PM]

And my self-toasting toast.

Where is my self-toasting toast?!

[feffrey @ Oct 16th 2007 1:06PM]

I just want containers of ramen noodles to self cook in 10 seconds powered by usb.
although a firewire one would cook in 5 second I am guessing...........

[Paul @ Oct 16th 2007 1:36PM]

Not only is it old, Engadget already reported on it almost exactly a year ago:
http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/19/usbcell-batteries-feature-built-in-usb-plug/

Still, for those that had not read that old post it is an interesting concept.

[Paul @ Oct 16th 2007 1:39PM]

Aha, someone pointed out below something that I had missed, the previous post (1 year ago) stated the batteries would be $24, whereas these are only ~$7, which is pretty cool.

[NHAnimator @ Oct 16th 2007 3:26PM]

Flying cars??? Self-toasting toast???

Why not just invent flying toast... er...

[Sir.Byrd @ Oct 18th 2007 10:25PM]

And where the hell is my jet pack!!!

[K @ Oct 16th 2007 11:31AM]

Nice way to mix new technology with old one i guess... kudos?

[JoKoLoKo @ Oct 16th 2007 11:32AM]

This is old news, I have a pair of AA batteries that are charged via USB, and I have had them for over a year. Have a look at www.usbcell.com

[krisp @ Oct 16th 2007 11:41AM]

These are less than half the price.

[riggs @ Oct 16th 2007 12:27PM]

doesnt make them any newer.

[Rik @ Oct 16th 2007 11:35AM]

Briljant!

[L @ Oct 16th 2007 11:46AM]

Quite a nice idea - now, they should add a another plug into each cell, so that you cascade them. After all, more than one cell is needed for most stuff, and I don't wanna have every side of my laptop taken up by battery like suckers :D

[Simon @ Oct 16th 2007 11:48AM]

lmao these were on here a year ago, whats going on?!

[bombastinator @ Oct 16th 2007 12:29PM]

well if they're going for 7.50$ now instead of the previous 24$ they might be worthy of another review. That's a serious shift.

[Wolfticket @ Oct 16th 2007 11:51AM]

The usbcell, and I'm imaging this, are a pretty silly implementation of the "charge batteries by usb" idea.
It seems that including the usb plug in each battery means you need a usb port for each battery, and also means the capacity of the batteries are lower (presumably due to the space taken up by the plug).
These may be 1337, but a compact 2 battery usb powered charger makes much more sense, if you are determined to charge every device you have off the mains, but via your computers PSU.

[trimbandit @ Oct 16th 2007 11:56AM]

OK idea, but with half the capacity of an alkaline, I think I will pass.

[Rick @ Oct 16th 2007 6:54PM]

I guess you don't have a cable box? Or a DVR? Or a gaming console? Or an mp3 player accessory USB cable? Why the whining about a product that saves you money? That's called intellegence.

[trimbandit @ Oct 16th 2007 11:58AM]

OK idea, but at half the capicity of alkaline, I think I will pass.

[Landlocked @ Oct 16th 2007 12:05PM]

1) How long will these puppies hold juice
B) What extra wear and tear, if any, will this put on my laptop?

[soniiic @ Oct 16th 2007 8:42PM]

A) Not long i presume
2) Barely anything
iii) learn to list consecutively
00000100) i just wanted to write in binary

[Jhongerkong @ Oct 16th 2007 9:06PM]

1.
B.?

What the hell?

[bombastinator @ Oct 16th 2007 12:09PM]

This is not the same product as the usbcell.

They do not have the same cap style for one thing and the packaging is different. The USBcell had 1300ma which is kind of impressive.

These are very possibly a great deal smaller. This is supported by their conspicuous lack of power information.

[tintin @ Oct 16th 2007 12:10PM]

good luck putting two of these in two adjacent USB ports on your computer.

[bbb3108 @ Oct 16th 2007 12:21PM]

"There are over 2 billion USB ports around the world on desktops, laptops, hubs, games consoles and even keyboards and monitors. No need to carry cables, adaptors or travel plugs ever again."

Make sense now?

[oddacorn @ Oct 16th 2007 12:48PM]

And, why bother charging your batteries at home when you can just swipe some juice from the benevolent corporation you work for. Now if they'd just come out an 1800Ah version!

[Znarfaggle @ Oct 16th 2007 6:05PM]

and the are 1.999 billion taken up by USB power rocketlaunchers, USB powered earmuffs, USB powered cheesegraters...
just kidding, but it's true that the number of total USB hubs really isn't the same as the number of free USB hubs...keyboards, mice, card readers, etc...

[John @ Oct 16th 2007 12:24PM]

Perfect for smuggling documents back to the USA from Soviet Russia!

[aptmunich @ Oct 16th 2007 12:43PM]

You obviously missed the point... ;)

[TMF @ Oct 16th 2007 1:07PM]

In Soviet Russia, battery charge YOU!

[Zenshai @ Oct 16th 2007 12:33PM]

Wouldnt it be easier to have a USB charger, instead of each battery having a USB connector?

[bpmcneill @ Oct 16th 2007 12:38PM]

The best use I can think of for this would be for the AA battery in my wireless mouse.

[DrNeuralgia @ Oct 16th 2007 1:55PM]

that's exactly the reason i have the usbcell ones.

the ones posted today, you can loose the cap :(

not sure for specs, or capacity, but the ones i use on my mouse run 4 ever.

[iansarchibald @ Oct 16th 2007 12:39PM]

Charging time: 4 hours on a 500mA USB port

That would suggest a capacity of about 2000mah, not bad. But yes, it would be easier to use a usb charger and some higher capacity cells.

[james.fogal @ Oct 16th 2007 12:45PM]

I travel all the time and wish everything could be charged with USB. I have a whole computer bag of cords for charging.
Computer
Cell Phone-120V and Car Charger
Wireless Head Set for Cell Phone-120V and Car Charger

Its amazing how you just build up so many cords to charge with.