In-car charger presents four USB ports alongside cigarette socket
By Darren Murph 
posted Aug 12th 2008 8:16PM
posted Aug 12th 2008 8:16PM
[Via Coolest Gadgets]
posted Aug 12th 2008 8:16PM
Estimated time drivers save by using real-time GPS traffic updates
Drivers that use GPS systems with real-time traffic info spend 18% less time behind the wheel than those who do not.
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Also, won't plugging something in block the USB ports on it?
is that a single 500ma supply to all 4 ports?? or each port gets their own 500ma?
@etchshop
"- High power output! (2000mA)"
assuming they are talking about usb and dividing by four, yes. each port has 500ma available to it.
Probably not, most devices with car chargers come straight out, i think this gives enough room, at least to 3, maybe one gets blocked by a weird aggled plug, but I doubt all. I'm going to order one....500MAh each port FTW!! Nice!!!
Faslane
FIRST
Fail.
Engadget should add a word filter to change "FIRST" on a line by itself to: "I have no life!"
Engadget should add a word filter to change "FIRST" on a line by itself to: "I have no life!"
and it should replace all responses to first posts with the same. Even this one.
My name is Adam and I like gefilte fish.
Good for you.
Gefilte fish make me honk.
Chuck E Cheese!!!
Do you like eating the fish or having it as a pet?
or like as in "I like her"
so they should just add more USB ports to this thing?
http://www.jcwhitney.com/Cellular-Phone-Accessories/GP_2012982_N_111+10201+600000582_10101.jcw
hahaha zoom in on the picture of that item and there is a dreamcast!! I cant wait to play my dreamcast in my car
@Wasko
My DC is still in my entertainment center along side all the last gen consoles. Yes, I'm a failure.
Cool tech, ugly design. It looks like somebody chopped of E.T.'s head and stuck his neck in the socket.
When are manufacturers going to abandon these idiotic giant cigarette-lighter sockets and put regular DC sockets in cars?
what regular dc sockets, ive seen so many variations im glad they've stuck with one.
The standard, circular, coaxial ones they've been using on portable devices since the '60s or '70s...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coaxial_DC_Power_Connectors
If they'd just decide which size of these to use in cars (probably the biggest would be best), we could dispense with the giant, hacked cigarette lighters. From Wikipedia on these:
"These sockets were not originally designed to provide DC power, and are not an ideal DC connector for several reasons, notably the fact that three sizes exist (one for 6 V DC and two for 12 V DC) and the mating of the different sized 12 V DC plugs and jacks is problematic. Because of this, and the small gauge wiring sometimes used, they can sometimes provide only unreliable and current-limited power connections."
Im glad alot of new manufacturers got the hint and started adding USB ports to cars. I'd like to see them start adding an AC socket upon request with an inverter and I'd also like to see a high quality DC connection placed towards the rear for trailer or stereo connection
Every American brand already offers built in household power in several vehicle models. I don't know about Euro or Asian brands.
Not bad at all :-)
Better than anything else I've seen for this. 4 ports, fuhgetaboutit!
Faslane
Neat concept - great when you need to charge your iPod and a few other things while on the go. At least you wouldn't run out of USB ports. :D
AC outlet? bah... thats not a 'tweak' thats an entirely different device and there are already plenty of inverters on the market.
this seems like a pretty useful device in its own right, most of the stuff you want to charge on the go can be charged from USB, the only change i would make is to see it in black - ive never seen a car dashboard in white plastic.
as an aside, i reakon we are overdue for redesign on the car DC power outlet, the connection is just crap, hefty devices move around and lose contact - we need something smaller and more sturdy.
What good would an AC outlet be on that thing if all you'll ever get is just 12V?
I suggest googling 'power inverter' before you make yourself look any dafter...
You are so fucking stupid.
@RikF: The device in the article isn't an inverter!
Punk!
"Replace that cig adapter with a traditional AC outlet. Yeah, yeah -- that would make the whole thing a lot bigger with the necessary power inverter, but you can't deny that it would be way more useful"
*slaps own forehead*
Yeah, I believe the idea was that it should contain an AC outlet AND and inverter, thereby giving it the ability to create and output 110VAC.
God, I can't believe I wasted 30 seconds of my valuable life typing that.
And that.
And that.
good for you
host comment deleted again.
these orphaned posts are annoying me
will this work for iPhone 3G?
No, only non-apple USB chargeable devices.
actually I like it better this way since my gps unit didn't come with a wall charger and doesn't use USB. I think I actually might get this
So wait...your nav system only use the cigarette lighter? Why would you get this then? Just plug the damn thing up to your regular cigarette lighter.
I'm guessing that maybe he wants to use....I dunno...the USB ports? Maybe?
Actually, I'd like it better if it ONLY had the USB ports, and no cigarette lighter socket at all. With USB ports I can pretty much charge everything I've got, and they could make it smaller, letting it fit the one inside by arm rest better...
With four sockets I could just leave cables plugged and ready for my cell phone, my wife's, my headset and my iPod...
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12886
I'd like it evden better if all the USBs were swapped for RS232... then I could power my Teletype 8-p
I DON'T SMOKE
good for you!
Even if someone lights you? Whoa! Smokeless guy!!
They do make Power Inverters, about this size, with at least 1 USB port on them, many with 2 or more.
TEG
Agreed, the car charger for my PSP is ultimately a USB charger.
etchshop...heres your answer;
Output Current:
2000ma