http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Dec 3rd 2009 8:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/
I was looking for this a few months back...]]>Dec 3rd 2009 8:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/
After actually R'ingTFA, I see that it's very DIY, and maybe not the safest USB fix out there.

I think I'll wait for an actual USB outlet/wall plate...]]>Dec 3rd 2009 8:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/
Also, you would want to mod your wallplates so that they use some sort of green chip. Putting dongles in your wall that constantly draw power isn't great on your energy bill.]]>Dec 3rd 2009 10:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/
Even better: make one of those 2->4 outlet adapters that fits over the top. Put four USB charing ports on each of the sides. Now you have four power outlets and eight usb charing ports.]]>Dec 3rd 2009 10:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/
Agreed on the constant dongle power usage issue. They should have put an on/off switch next to the thing that would break the connection.]]>Dec 3rd 2009 11:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Dec 3rd 2009 3:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/I'm late but ... why sacrifice one? You can have the two plugs AND squeeze in some USB ports in there.]]>Dec 4th 2009 5:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Dec 3rd 2009 8:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Outlets-of-the-Future-aka-in-wall-USB-Charger/]]>Dec 7th 2009 11:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Dec 3rd 2009 8:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Wow, Finland sucks. We do have licensed electricians in America, but anyone is allowed to work on their own electrical outlets so long as they follow regulations (or simply follow the instructions that came with whatever replacement outlet/dimmer/etc that is being installed).

While electricity can be very dangerous, basic tasks such as these are very simple and anyone can do them. I think it's absurd that people would be outlawed from doing this work themselves.]]>Dec 3rd 2009 8:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Dec 3rd 2009 8:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Dec 3rd 2009 8:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Man that's some serious government intervention. In the US, I got a quote for rewiring a bathroom - it was close to $700, which was essentially the budget for the entire remodel. I spoke to the neighbor, and he taught me wiring 101 in about 15 minutes. I spent $20 on some tools, and $20 on supplies, and did it myself in less than a day. Gotta love the US! ]]>Dec 3rd 2009 8:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Technically, in some jurisdictions, I believe you'd have to hire a licensed electrician to do this sort of thing legally, but it's not like the electric police are going to come knocking at your door to see if you've been changing outlets on your own.

Still, these code regulations exist because there's always some moron out there who thinks he knows what he's doing, but ends up burning down their house because an electrical connection was made improperly.]]>Dec 3rd 2009 8:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/All this "you can do it in America" talk is all well and good, but from an insurance standpoint Allstate may say, "what caused the fire a usb hack? Yeah we aren't paying for your burned down home."]]>Dec 3rd 2009 9:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/19/apple-issues-a-recall-for-its-ultracompact-usb-power-adapter/]]>Dec 3rd 2009 9:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Dec 3rd 2009 9:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Dec 3rd 2009 10:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/
No, it's entirely a liability thing. Technically, safety is a liability. If you burn your own house down you reap the reward of your own inexperience. If you try to claim insurance on your own mistake, that's fraudulence. If your work burns a house down while working for a company, they are libel. That's the only reason for required licenses. So the consumer purchasing your labor knows that you know what your doing.

For the record, this is what it means to have true freedom. If you could be fined or put in prison for doing your own electric work, I pity you and everyone living in your country. You can hire someone with experience that is willing to take on that liability if something goes wrong or you can do it yourself. It's that simple. You are free to make the judgment.]]>Dec 3rd 2009 2:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Dec 3rd 2009 2:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Dec 3rd 2009 8:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/
Maybe even Internet over the USB? Could you imagine?]]>Dec 3rd 2009 10:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/I think WiFi WIN]]>Dec 3rd 2009 10:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Dec 3rd 2009 10:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/
I think a much better solution would be adding 2 USB ports to a regular wall outlet instead of replacing it. I have a lot more things that plug into a standard outlet than ones that run off USB.]]>Dec 3rd 2009 8:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/USB was created in 1996. That's 13 years ago, and the plug is still the same. Even with the brand-spanking new USB 3.0 you can still use stuff from USB 1. Considering some countries are making laws regarding cellphones needing to use standard-USB-based chargers, the past history of USB, and so on..... I'd have to completely disagree with you on USB not being around in 10 years. It might not be the best choice anymore, but it will certainly still be there.]]>Dec 3rd 2009 8:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Dec 3rd 2009 8:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Dec 3rd 2009 8:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/A qualified electrician? Lemmie guess, you get you PC fixed at a shop too. Where is your diy spirit? In reality, changing a wall outlet and keeping it code is extremely easy. All you need is a Philips screwdriver, the replacement outlet, and Google and you could figure it out.]]>Dec 3rd 2009 9:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Dec 3rd 2009 8:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/You assume they all don't have switches...]]>Dec 3rd 2009 8:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/
Great idea overall, I think, but needs a way to kill the Vampires.]]>Dec 3rd 2009 8:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Dec 3rd 2009 8:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Dec 3rd 2009 9:01AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/USB 3 provides more power than USB 2 and would be important if you want to charge your devices quickly. ]]>Dec 3rd 2009 9:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Dec 3rd 2009 8:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Dec 3rd 2009 8:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://i46.tinypic.com/709s83.jpg]]>Dec 3rd 2009 8:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Where could I get me one of those?]]>Dec 3rd 2009 9:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Dec 3rd 2009 10:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Dec 3rd 2009 1:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Dec 3rd 2009 8:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Dec 3rd 2009 12:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Dec 3rd 2009 1:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/It's not a code violation and it certainly isn't a fire hazard.

@victorstuber
The reason I think this is kind of stupid is that it's just a cosmetic hack at the cost of the more flexible outlets. One could just as easily keep an adapter plugged into the wall, even in a recessed outlet.]]>Dec 3rd 2009 1:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/Dec 3rd 2009 8:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/
While I agree that the 120v socket is far more versatile, I'd love to have some neatly installed USB power points right above the spot in the hallway where I drop my keys, iPhone, MP3 player, etc. A simple USB wire extending from the wall to the device is far more elegant than a 120v plug, wall wart, and bundle of cheap wire.

Also, I have to agree with those who think this should be switched. It should also have a telltale light indicating if it's on or off.]]>Dec 3rd 2009 8:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/in-wall-usb-charger-is-as-cheap-as-it-is-ingenious/
Would this simplify things? Yes. It would be nice to have one or two of these in the house.]]>Dec 3rd 2009 9:56AM