Thanko's Charger Bracelet: dorkier than it sounds

This little external USB "Charger Bracelet" battery from Thanko boasts of an extra 4.5 hours of play time for your PSP, and a hard-to-believe 28 hours of extra play on your DS Lite. Oh, and it also boasts some of the worst quasi-sci-fi stylings this side of the galaxy. Proceed at your own risk.

[NathanG @ Oct 22nd 2007 10:40AM]

That's going to be a nice mark when the battery pack explodes on your wrist..

[Herman @ Oct 22nd 2007 10:50AM]

This will be the perfect accessory for all of you Engadget nerd fests. Pop this baby on while you play world of Warcraft just so you feel extra powerful.

[Sp00ks102 @ Oct 22nd 2007 10:56AM]

if thats the case then, it needs to be my +4.5hr Bracers of Charging

[ipodrulz @ Oct 22nd 2007 10:56AM]

Well at least it looks better than the other external chargers that are coming out lately.

[allaina @ Oct 22nd 2007 11:10AM]

you know, if i had a psp/dslite, i would honestly get this... as dorky as it looks, it boasts a very useful function.. and, holy crap, 28 hours on the dslite? that's pretty sweet, no matter how much f an idiot i'd look like.

it's winter anyways, i'm wearing long sleeves at the moment...

[Herman @ Oct 22nd 2007 11:24AM]

Would you honestly play your DS for 28 hours without any ability to recharge? How lacking is your life?!

[allaina @ Oct 22nd 2007 11:27AM]

no, but if i'm anything like it with my ipod, i forget to charge it constantly.
that, and, i'm constantly places where i can't charge things, or if i plug them in to charge them, i highly risk having them stolen, or forgetting them.

and it's not like i'd WEAR the bracelet. my life isn't THAT lacking..

[spyyder @ Oct 22nd 2007 1:07PM]

@Herman

I take it there aren't any airports in whatever hick town you live in and have never taken and intercontinental flight.

[Herman @ Oct 22nd 2007 5:06PM]

Yeah I have taken international flights, and no I dont live in a hick town, and yes if you play video games during an ENTIRE international flight you are truly as dorky as this battery pack is.

[allaina @ Oct 22nd 2007 10:02PM]

@herman

psp has other functions.
also, there are a lot of tip adapters; mini-usb to usb, ipod, etc. so, as long as it's voltage isn't too low or too high (doubt it is, seeing what it's made for) it's got more functions than a game system.

[Surur @ Oct 22nd 2007 11:13AM]

You know, if that outputs standard miniUSB, it will work with all HTC and Motorola Phones also... Perfect for Geo-caching with that power-hungry Tytn II or Tilt

[PJK @ Oct 22nd 2007 11:16AM]

Freakin beautiful, both looks and function. Want it , want it NOW!

[farfisa @ Oct 22nd 2007 11:16AM]

And the extra bonus is that people will feel too sorry for you to steal your gear!

[Gowtham Mahalingam @ Oct 22nd 2007 11:18AM]

Mark my words.
This bracelet will become extremely desirable vintage/retro wear in like 5 to 10 years.

gm

[Jon @ Oct 22nd 2007 11:18AM]

What about flying...you don't know how many times I would have killed for something like this when one of my devices die in the air. You dont have to wear it on your wrist, just leave it on your lap or something. They should try and expand the marketing for this

[Kalen @ Oct 22nd 2007 11:21AM]

...

We are the Borg, lower your shields. We will add you biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Resistance is futile...

[lav @ Dec 19th 2007 7:32AM]

heej i need that sound "we are the borg...

[Zhalfim Deyn @ Oct 22nd 2007 11:29AM]

if this could be used on other devices as well, it would be pretty useful...

[dxchase @ Oct 22nd 2007 11:32AM]

So when is the belt version with 1 week's worth of extra play time being released?

[PJK @ Oct 22nd 2007 11:49AM]

I was thinking the same thing, I'd buy that, they haven't got the bracelet on their english site yet.

[rcappo @ Oct 22nd 2007 12:26PM]

Just don't try to walk through an airport security checkpoint with it on.

[Nate Beaudry @ Oct 22nd 2007 12:09PM]

If anyone knows a link where I can buy this let me know. I tried to do it off of Thanko's website and I cant translate it well enough with google to get through it.

[DG @ Oct 22nd 2007 12:16PM]

Hmm...Perhaps for international airline travel, except you'd look like you're wearing a bomb.

I don't know why anyone would need 28 hours for DS Lite. The battery it already has is amazing. Granted, I seldom play my DS outside of the rare game of Tetris DS, but I charge the thing every five months or so.

[James @ Oct 22nd 2007 12:23PM]

Wow, so actually get to wrap a Chinese-made LiI rechargeable around my wrist while using it?

Uh... pass.


Seriously, it's a neat idea, I guess, but I think I'd rather have it in pocketable form factor. If it's cheap enough, I might bite anyway, and just keep the damn thing in my glove box.

[N30 G30 @ Oct 22nd 2007 12:59PM]

Dorky? No. But then again, I'm a nerd.

If the price is right, I'm getting this. This is more practical for portable game systems though. How many people actually hold their cell phones for hours at a time?

[Nestor C. @ Oct 22nd 2007 8:44PM]

My Samsung D820's battery lasts little over 3 hours just listening to music (yes, merely three hours) with the screen off, nevermind playing a game or browsing the internet. Too bad it doesn't have a mini-USB port.

[kingofwale @ Oct 22nd 2007 1:23PM]

Is it me or don't it look like the bracelet sex offenders are forced to wear. ;)

as much as I love my PSP, no way am I wearing this,

[hh83917 @ Oct 22nd 2007 1:25PM]

Beware that when it goes into flames, so will your left hand.... :-/

[QBall @ Oct 22nd 2007 2:30PM]

Peter Parker wants his check.

[blueeyesm @ Oct 22nd 2007 3:29PM]

I won't be surprised they didn't get this product worked into the Iron Man movie.

[Wwhat @ Oct 22nd 2007 3:55PM]

I like the idea, but I think the picture has it the wrong way round because the connector is a bit big to have it point towards your hand.
Incidentally, they should make the connector smaller/movable ;)
(I still would not get it because I don't have any handheld device that would need this right now, plus I can't stand things around my wrist(s).)

[Isindil @ Oct 22nd 2007 4:55PM]

I'l like one, although I would very rarely actually wear it. I suppose It'd be possible to just plug in my DS Phat USB-charger. Hopefully.

[Edna @ Oct 23rd 2007 9:32AM]

Where can I buy one? I have tried the Thanko site, however, I cannot find the Thanko Bracelet Charger listed.

Does anyone know how I can get one?

Please let me know.

Thanks! Have a great day!!!

[Henri @ Oct 24th 2007 5:29AM]

What are you guys/gals at engadget talking about this looks totally awsome, are you getting old or something? We don't have enough of sci-fy gadgets this actually looks like an accessory/useful thing. I would consider buying it if they sold it here or if I needed a portable charger.