Eneloop Stick Booster supplies emergency power to your portable devices
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted Nov 12th 2009 1:23AM
posted Nov 12th 2009 1:23AM
SANYO Announces a New Addition to eneloop universe products: "eneloop stick booster"
A slim and lightweight Handy Power Source for charging mobile devices
Tokyo, November 11, 2009 – SANYO Electric Co. Ltd. (SANYO) is pleased to announce the release of the 'eneloop stick booster,' on December 1, 2009 in Japan. This new addition to the 'eneloop universe' products is a stick-type Handy Power Source that can be taken anywhere for easy charging of mobile devices. SANYO began developing the 'eneloop universe' products in November 2006, as a product line to expand the 'eneloop' rechargeable battery concept of a "lifestyle that values reusing and recycling."
SANYO will continue to develop and expand its 'eneloop universe' product series while emphasizing lifestyles that value-reusing resources, allowing people to enjoy the conveniences the series offers, as well as a sustainable energy lifestyle.
Main Features
1. Easily charges mobile devices such as mobiles phones and personal audio devices, through a general-purpose USB connection
With its USB port, KBC-D1AS easily charges various mobile devices such as mobile phones, portable game units, and personal audio devices. Regular emergency chargers that use dry cells to charge mobile phones may not be able to properly charge certain phones that require high current for charging. Thanks to SANYO's output control technology however, the KBC-D1AS can provide a steady charge to devices that require high current, such as the iPhone, by regulating the charge current sent to the device. The Handy Power Source has a slide switch to turn the charge output on and off, as desired.
2. Stylish and lightweight aluminum body for a portable stick-type charger
The KBC-D1AS features a stick-type aluminum body design. With a diameter of less than two centimeters, and weighing just 76 grams with batteries installed, the slim and lightweight design makes it perfect in all kinds of situations such as business and pleasure trips, or commuting.
3. Comes with two new AA-sized 'eneloop' batteries*6, which are easy to replace
This product comes packaged with two new 'eneloop' batteries that can be recharged about 1,500 times offering the industry's No. 1 reusability. They can charge various mobile devices more easily than dry cells, as they deliver a steady high current. Even after the recharging lifespan of the batteries has been reached, they are easy to replace.
Background and Outline
"eneloop" originated from the concept of "looping energy". Since the first release of "eneloop" in November 2005, the product has received high market appraisal for its unique, user-friendly combination of having the advantages of both dry cell and rechargeable batteries. The batteries come pre-charged like a dry cell, and are economical and environmental as they are able to be recharged for repeated use as well as fully recyclable at the end of their lifecycle. In total, over 100 million "eneloop" battery cells have been shipped to more than 60 countries worldwide (as of October 31, 2009).
In 2006, SANYO began developing the 'eneloop universe' products, to build on the 'eneloop' concept of adopting a "lifestyle that values reusing and recycling." SANYO has released a whole series of lifestyle-changing products such as the 'eneloop solar charger' equipped with a solar cell; the 'eneloop solar light' with USB power port; the 'eneloop portable solar' power generator; the rechargeable 'eneloop kairo' hand warmer; the 'eneloop anka' rechargeable portable warmer; the rechargeable lap blanket 'eneloop soft warmer;' the rechargeable 'eneloop neck warmer;' and the 'eneloop mobile booster,' a charger set equipped with a USB power port and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. In addition, there are the 'eneloop air fresher,' a portable air purification device equipped with 'virus washer' technology, as well as the 'eneloop lamp,' a stylish interior light that doubles as a portable LED flashlight, and the 'eneloop bike' electric hybrid bicycle.
A slim and lightweight Handy Power Source for charging mobile devices
Tokyo, November 11, 2009 – SANYO Electric Co. Ltd. (SANYO) is pleased to announce the release of the 'eneloop stick booster,' on December 1, 2009 in Japan. This new addition to the 'eneloop universe' products is a stick-type Handy Power Source that can be taken anywhere for easy charging of mobile devices. SANYO began developing the 'eneloop universe' products in November 2006, as a product line to expand the 'eneloop' rechargeable battery concept of a "lifestyle that values reusing and recycling."
SANYO will continue to develop and expand its 'eneloop universe' product series while emphasizing lifestyles that value-reusing resources, allowing people to enjoy the conveniences the series offers, as well as a sustainable energy lifestyle.
Main Features
1. Easily charges mobile devices such as mobiles phones and personal audio devices, through a general-purpose USB connection
With its USB port, KBC-D1AS easily charges various mobile devices such as mobile phones, portable game units, and personal audio devices. Regular emergency chargers that use dry cells to charge mobile phones may not be able to properly charge certain phones that require high current for charging. Thanks to SANYO's output control technology however, the KBC-D1AS can provide a steady charge to devices that require high current, such as the iPhone, by regulating the charge current sent to the device. The Handy Power Source has a slide switch to turn the charge output on and off, as desired.
2. Stylish and lightweight aluminum body for a portable stick-type charger
The KBC-D1AS features a stick-type aluminum body design. With a diameter of less than two centimeters, and weighing just 76 grams with batteries installed, the slim and lightweight design makes it perfect in all kinds of situations such as business and pleasure trips, or commuting.
3. Comes with two new AA-sized 'eneloop' batteries*6, which are easy to replace
This product comes packaged with two new 'eneloop' batteries that can be recharged about 1,500 times offering the industry's No. 1 reusability. They can charge various mobile devices more easily than dry cells, as they deliver a steady high current. Even after the recharging lifespan of the batteries has been reached, they are easy to replace.
Background and Outline
"eneloop" originated from the concept of "looping energy". Since the first release of "eneloop" in November 2005, the product has received high market appraisal for its unique, user-friendly combination of having the advantages of both dry cell and rechargeable batteries. The batteries come pre-charged like a dry cell, and are economical and environmental as they are able to be recharged for repeated use as well as fully recyclable at the end of their lifecycle. In total, over 100 million "eneloop" battery cells have been shipped to more than 60 countries worldwide (as of October 31, 2009).
In 2006, SANYO began developing the 'eneloop universe' products, to build on the 'eneloop' concept of adopting a "lifestyle that values reusing and recycling." SANYO has released a whole series of lifestyle-changing products such as the 'eneloop solar charger' equipped with a solar cell; the 'eneloop solar light' with USB power port; the 'eneloop portable solar' power generator; the rechargeable 'eneloop kairo' hand warmer; the 'eneloop anka' rechargeable portable warmer; the rechargeable lap blanket 'eneloop soft warmer;' the rechargeable 'eneloop neck warmer;' and the 'eneloop mobile booster,' a charger set equipped with a USB power port and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. In addition, there are the 'eneloop air fresher,' a portable air purification device equipped with 'virus washer' technology, as well as the 'eneloop lamp,' a stylish interior light that doubles as a portable LED flashlight, and the 'eneloop bike' electric hybrid bicycle.
USB dildo
Funny that it's the first thing that came to your mind. Please go to bed and tell us no more.
all I can say, is that I would love to use this to give my "portable device" an "energy boost!"
;)
First thing I thought.
"Eneloop Stick Booster supplies energy power to your portable devices, alternates as USB Dildo."
kinky article of the day
errr at first glance i thought it was an e-tampon.
They need to add a vibrating feature and it would be perfect.
Haptic Feedback: literally
This is awesome, I'm definitely grabbing one of these when they show up around here.
iVibrate
This is what happens when Engadget posts in the weeeee hours of the morning.
Almost there... I'dve gone with iVibe :o)
I assume it's 5V output, but does it produce more than 500mA? For example, I think the MiFi needs at least 1A...
I also assume it comes with MicroUSB, MiniUSB, and iPhone interchangeable connectors out of the box? What about the PSP barrel plug, or the DS plug?
I assume it has a female USB port. I would expect its full size (e.g. female A), but it might be a mini. Hopefully its USB A. Everything I travel with now has a USB power cable to charge it, so this would fit in perfectly. I'm kind of surprised how many little battery power thingys still think they can get away with the whole "we'd love to sell you a bunch of custom tips" crap. No thanks.
I'll probably pick one of these up when it comes out.
This is fuckin awesome.
Zune plug plz.
We will get this just like we got the C & D cell size batteries.
We will have to wait for the black edition for a bigger size.
Eneloop already makes a USB charger. This is just a different shape.
I got a similar one in a gift bag at one of those customer relations parties. I had no use for it. It was branded with the name of the company that hosted the party so I guess it is a pretty cheap and common item. You can probably get one at dealextreme for next to nothing.
http://www.duracellpower.com/electronic-chargers/portable-chargers/my-pocket-charger.aspx
got two at costco for $15
not as nice but they work great
Does it vibrate?
The description seems wrong. Sanyo say -
*6 KBC-D1AS is designed for electrical output (USB output) only. AA-sized eneloop rechargeable battery charger (sold separately) is needed for battery charging.
So, no recharging of this on the move. Which is deeply sad. I'd love something that's small and light and can do both >500mA charge and discharge.
Regards charge/discharge current, the USB standard says that pre-negotiation, you only get 100mA. Afterwards, you can raise this to a max of 500mA, but most dumb power sources don't negotiate. Instead, there are two ways a device can tell it's connected to one of these, the Apple way, and the way everyone else does it. Apple need 2.5V on D+ and 2V on D-, whereas everyone else uses D+ and D- shorted and floating. Whichever method is used, a device can then draw >500mA.
Maxim now do a chip that can detect which device is connected and supply the right D+ and D- hints to let it charge at full whack.
Ian
OffTopic, but is it possible to change the default password here at Engadget?
thanks
It is practically a good device but I came across toshiba dynario http://www.gizmoji.com/2009/10/toshiba-dynario-direct-methanol-fuel.html Is it a good device as dynario uses fuel it may last long where as this one uses two supplied AAs.
I bought a similar device for my iPhone, the Tekkeon TekCharge MP1550. Cost me about $20 on Amazon.
It takes 4xAA batteries, has a mini USB port to let you charge NiMH batteries inside from a computer, and can power pretty much any USB device.
They also make a variety of adapters for devices that don't support USB. It comes with a bunch, and you can even buy one for the Nintendo DS.
@Guspaz
I would also like to recommend the Tekkeon... you can get about three full charges back on a G1 with 4 Eneloops (I use Eneloops as they are low discharging batteries -- they won't lose their charge while they sit in the Tekkeon).
The ability to charge the Eneloops in the device, or swap out for pre-charged Eneloops, is what makes this a true winner.
If it has only two batteries but produces 5V, then there must be a DC to DC converter in there too?
She calls it the Silver Bullet...
I'm guessing Enloop or Engadget did not forsee the throng of dildo jokes that would rise up because of this new product.
@Adam Zey
Many thanks, the Tekcharge MP1550 seems just about perfect for my needs. The MP1800 is even sexier, but being able to swap batteries is sweet.
Ian
P.S. Yes, I'd also love to be able to change my password.!