Brighton's colorful line of lilliputian USB chargers

In case you haven't noticed, we've got a thing for gizmos that serve their purpose without being unnecessarily large, so it's easy to understand why Brighton's diminutive USB chargers are just so darn irresistible. These things do one thing (and one thing well), and that is to transmit juice from the AC outlet into whatever USB-connected device you choose to plug in. The adapters are available in green, orange, pink and yellow hues, weigh just 30-grams apiece and are set to go on sale next week. Sadly, we've yet to be clued in on pricing details, but we can't imagine these things putting a strain on the budget or anything.

[Kurt MacD @ Nov 16th 2007 9:49PM]

What took em so long? I hope these don't cost like $100

[Kurt MacD @ Nov 16th 2007 9:50PM]

And yes btw, it will blend. (Silly futha muckas)

[wlp @ Nov 16th 2007 10:55PM]

@kurt
clever

[rob72 @ Nov 18th 2007 6:09AM]

Lets hope they also launch a Euro-plug version, voltage should not be an issue since the specs say it supports high voltage already.

And *please* add a regular black or perhaps even (for the MAC folks) a white version!

[kevinm @ Nov 16th 2007 9:52PM]

Bright and Gay! I'd buy the set if it's not over $50.

[Jeremy W @ Nov 16th 2007 10:04PM]

You know how I know you're gay? You color coordinate your AC-USB adapters.

[kevinm @ Nov 16th 2007 10:14PM]

I sure do :p

[mushrooshi @ Nov 16th 2007 10:26PM]

I'M GAY!

(As in Happy)

[Ellianth @ Nov 17th 2007 12:53AM]

sweet, let's have another engadget coming out thread. We had one a couple months ago. Anyone remember? I want one of these.

[TheWakeUpCall @ Nov 17th 2007 6:23PM]

That's what Brighton is all about! (The UK city that is)

[Neebs @ Nov 17th 2007 8:45PM]

U R MR GAY

[Mile @ Nov 16th 2007 10:10PM]

Finally! I'm so tired of my USB jump drives running out of juice when I'm on the road!

[Legodude522 @ Nov 16th 2007 11:42PM]

Huh? "USB jump drives" don't use any power when disconnected.

[Reader @ Nov 17th 2007 2:27AM]

and also that this is an AC plug, so it's useless on the road unless you have an inverter. USB inverters are like 10 bucks too, making it even more pointless.

Either he's clueless or I'm not getting the joke...

[HyperHacker @ Nov 17th 2007 4:26AM]

"Huh? "USB jump drives" don't use any power when disconnected."
That "whoooosh" sound was the joke flying over your head.

[Joshco10 @ Nov 17th 2007 9:05AM]

Shouldn't this thing seriously come in black and white as well. It won't match anything, and will stick out like crazy. Also, probably wont work with phones like the RAZR. Why did motorola have to make things so difficult?!?! Ah well, still cool idea.

[Bobs @ Nov 16th 2007 10:55PM]

iPods and Archos 05s and 04s would benifet greatly from such a device.

[Silivrenion @ Nov 17th 2007 7:23AM]

iPod may not work with it actually. After developing the first Altoids charger to use a 5v circuit to power modern 5gen ipods (the older one everyone read about on hackaday didn't work on modern ones), I've learned that there's a little bit of logic that has to be played with the iPod, specifically, a voltage combination present on the data lines to tell the iPod it is a charging source. I don't imagine these little plugs will have that done to them, because that may mess up other hardware that charges via USB?

[Bobs @ Nov 17th 2007 11:31AM]

Ah, i forgot about that. I had found a 2nd or 3rd gen ipod in the bushes a few months ago that didnt turn on, so i removed the battery to hard reset it, and when i went to reinstall the firmware, it said that it needed to be connected to a CHARGER, not the USB computer one, but a freakin wall charger, and i dont have one, so i tried all kinds of tricks to get it to run, but it didnt.

[klew @ Nov 16th 2007 11:27PM]

not as much functionality as the Energizer Duo ($15-20), which has a wall plug USB port and separate rechargeable unit with 2-battery capacity (charges batteries through USB or wall plug), and I can use the wall plug for ipods and mini-USB phone chargers.

[finnith @ Nov 16th 2007 11:28PM]

Maybe if they make a black one I'll buy it

Wait, do you think they'll work with my iPod, I hate having the computer on just to charge it.

[HyperHacker @ Nov 17th 2007 4:27AM]

Yes. Great idea, but I don't want these bright fruity colours. Give me a black one, plz.

[Grover @ Nov 17th 2007 7:45PM]

I hope they do. My Apple wall charger is monstrous compared to these things. At least they'd be easier to pack without bulging in the outer pocket of my travel bag.

[Bobs @ Nov 17th 2007 10:03PM]

Standby mode is your friend.
Most computers and laptops still power the USB ports when in standby, I know this because that little shuffle iPod does the little charge blink when I close the lid to my laptop.

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Nov 16th 2007 11:50PM]

If these are cheaper than ipod wall chargers (by the looks of it, they are) I'm all for them. It'd be nice if they had one in black though

[IsLNdbOi @ Nov 17th 2007 12:12AM]

The plastic part looks like that cheap type of plastic used in, well... cheap plastic things. Shouldn't be a problem to bust out a can of vinyl dye and change the color to anything one would want.

[Jacob @ Nov 17th 2007 12:32AM]

I'm with the others -- it'd be nice if they had a black one. Or even a plain white one...

[Andy @ Nov 17th 2007 1:09AM]

i'm concerned that it's not a 3-prong.

[Derek @ Nov 17th 2007 1:25AM]

http://www.boxwave.com/products/wallcharger/
Provides the same functionality.

[Invisiblemoose @ Nov 17th 2007 2:10AM]

Yeah. It's not a unique product; it's a unique form factor... And color.

[tiuk @ Nov 17th 2007 11:20AM]

If these are just a couple of dollars I'll buy a handful.

[BazzX @ Nov 17th 2007 11:31AM]

Not the best Japanese to English translation ...

"Because it can do it and is easy to cope with a business trip or a trip, it will be to play an active part as a stouthearted best partner."

[kojo87 @ Nov 17th 2007 2:02PM]

i have a AC to USB charger thingy that was used with my Rio Carbon mp3 player. do you think its safe to use with my Toshiba Gigabeat or any USB powered gadget for that matter? i thought about using it but i didnt wanna blow anything up.

[Richco @ Nov 20th 2007 5:40PM]

I have used that charger to charge my Razor phone and a 2 BG Memorex Mp3 player so I'd say, yeah, you're probably OK.

[kojo87 @ Nov 20th 2007 6:19PM]

sweet. the AC charger for my Gigabeat is rediculous. it actually has a power brick thats bigger than the actual player. im gonna go try and see if this will work.

[Rick @ Nov 18th 2007 1:27PM]

No white and/or black?!?