duaLink cable charges two iPhones on one USB port, no problem
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted January 22nd 2010 4:19PM
posted January 22nd 2010 4:19PM
The duaLink cable for iPod and iPhone contains its own miniature USB hub, a single USB connector on one end, and two iPod connectors on the other end. If the promise of charging and / or syncing multiple devices from the same USB port hasn't blown your mind, the company has been thoughtful enough to place the whole shebang in a housing that seems to be a little more durable than the (admittedly not so durable) stock Apple cable. We don't believe that this will be compatible with the iSlatelet, but if we hear anything to the contrary (you know, from "leading industry analysts") we'll let you know. Available now from CableJive for $26, hit the source link to get started.
It'll charge slower obviously?
@Waveblade Maybe not so obvious since you have a question mark, no?
There's only 5VDC/.5A available through USB, so it will undoubtedly charge slower.
@cayton I think I should have put a few exclamation points!!!!
Two iPhones, one cable?
@Dafrety
For when you want to talk and surf when the iPhone comes to Verizon :-(
@yulebellow
I think he was making a reference to "Two girls, one cup,"
at least thats the first thing that came to my mind,
yeah i know....im not the same anymore aftr watching that...=*(
@sbi23 Oh god, I wish I had never watched that.. :/
I can't draw enough power out of my Apple keyboard to charge one device. How can you charge two?
@charles hamilton
Plug it directly into the machine then?
@charles hamilton
I have the same problem, I can't charge anything through the Apple Keyboard USB ports.
@charles hamilton
Yea, I would plug into your machine with any hopes of charging anything.
Naturally, I do charge my phone directly from the back of my computer. However the picture shows two devices hooked to an Apple keyboard. My point is, if I can't charge one, how can they charge two?
@charles hamilton It's an extremely short cable, which makes this only useful for plugging into an all-in-one or macMini or a keyboard.
@BigD145 You could buy an extension cable. Do they sell one of those for $26, too?
@charles hamilton
What??? I can charge my iPod Classic AND iPhone 3G with my Alu Keyboard. I always have been able to do it.
Yeah, and I can charge 7 iphones/ipods using one USB port.
It's called a USB hub!!!
The product is interesting, but for the same price in Australia, i can pick up most of the iphone cables and a 7 port USB hub.
@PatrickH So... what are you powering that hub with while on-the-go with your laptop?
@scooterbaga
Just a one standard cable for my iphone.
Even with the product shown above, it's of an apple keyboard for a desktop. If i wanted to go charging 7 ipods/iphones at the same time, I would rather do it at home then expect myself being rolled for them.
@PatrickH How much for just the cables? My tower has 12 USB ports, so no need for a USB hub.
isn't iPhone iPod?
Looks like a gang bang.
@KGB Technically, it's a shebang. According to the article.. haha
Let's get one of those with several mini USB and Micro USB. Pain in my ass to charge PS3 controllers and I loathe those charger stands.
What's the point!!!
@NeoSeer My wife has an iPod classic and an iPhone. Her car's stereo won't work with the iPhone.
@barry99705: wouldn't it have just been smarter to buy a new head unit? one from pioneer or one of the companies that sells compatible head units? they're around 200-250 for a decent one, then she wouldn't have to carry (or sync) more than one device....
I use my powered usb hub to charge a few usb devices at the same time, that seems to work pretty well.
This is one of those times when u think to yourself 'why didn't I think of that!'.
Doesn't sound like everybodys solution but it sure would come in handy to have
Fake. You cannot charge anything from the USB port on Apple's aluminum keyboard.
You can actually but from say an iMac. My MacBook won't do it but the iMac can carry a charge to the keyboard. Even my 16 GB flash drive won't work on my external keyboard hooked to the Macbook but will with the iMac.
This is an ad. Not a review. ENGADGET IS GIVING THIS PRODUCT ADVERTISING! DON'T FALL FOR IT.
Oh noez! Runaway!
@AndroidRokz You're a moron. Get off Engadget.
@AndroidRokz
Are you advertising Android??
How much? WTF, value added my foot. $0.40 worth of copper in $1.00 worth of polymer, with $4.00 worth of proprietary connectors is $5.40, double that and you have $11.00? I wonder if the people making up the price for this work for credit card company or something cause I haven't heard of such a cable rip off in a long time aside from the HDMI ponzi scheme's.
@cosmicinglewood
Yes, it's definitely pricey. But considering that the Apple USB Power Adapter (that charges only a single iPhone/iPod) sells for $29, they probably think that they're a bargain.
iSlatelet?!
No, seriously?
...
Hm that's actually pretty cool. Especially if you can hook it up to the Apple charger that you plug into the wall. So, like if you're travailing with a friend or family, you can just share one charger, instead of bringing or buying a new one.
I like it
This is sweet for iphone devs, because most of them, including me have at least 2 iDevices.
Perhaps it is a two headed cable for the tablet. One of the rumours indicates a two port device. If it were what does it leave dimensionwise.(from the picture)
@RLBurkes It seems it would leave for an 8x6 device.
@RLBurkes Which leaves for a 10" or so screen. This could be on target.
Why the hell would I pay 26 dollars for this, when I could pay 10 bucks to get a USB hub that does the same thing, and works with any device that has a USB cable?
@Solidstate89 "Exactly" why the hell would anyone bend over the barrel to pay this highway robbery price for this two headed snake of a cable?
anybody knows what kind of casing is used on the iphone on the upper pictre?
Bull shit. The iMac keyboard I use in class won't even power a 4GB USB flash drive. Aside from that picture, cool!
Compared with the Apple cables, this is good value. It also comes with a lifetime warranty. Anyone else have an iPhone cable that has started to split? Sales tax...grrrrrr.
Even if it did charge slower, I think it would really be worth it. I might have to invest in one of these...
I've got one of these duaLinks, seems to work OK from the keyboard when charging my iPhone 3GS and iPod shuffle. I'm sure it's not the quickest charge, but 30 mins got the phone from 3/4 to full charge.