Scosche intros Revive II charger with iPad-optimized USB power port

Still weeping over the fact that your iPad won't charge on that 2002 Latitude your company refuses to replace? Take heart, young buck. Scosche understands your frustrations, and it's out to make coping somewhat easier with the Revive II dual-USB chargers. With one for the car and one for the home, you'll most likely never, ever be in a location where your iPad can't be juiced. In case you haven't guessed, one of the USB ports on each charger is of the high-power variety, while the other will happily charge your iPhone, iPod or nearly any other USB-infused gadget that's smaller than a 9.7-inch tablet PC. Both of 'em are up for pre-order now through the company's website, though the $24.99 (car) and $29.99 (home) price tags do feel a touch steep.

[inspiron41 Posted Apr 14th 2010 3:14PM]

gdi...$25 and $30.. Seems over priced to me. But i guess if you need it, go for it.

[IBKid Posted Apr 15th 2010 5:21AM]

@inspiron41

the port isn't high power... its high current!

get ur technology right engadget.

[IBKid Posted Apr 15th 2010 5:23AM]

@IBKid

its the iPad that is 'high-power' since it requires more watts (energy/time).

[ajwoodhouse Posted Apr 14th 2010 3:14PM]

is there any other device that needs 10V USB or is it only the ipad? and...why the hell did apple do that?

[strawe Posted Apr 14th 2010 3:18PM]

@ajwoodhouse
There are a few external DVD drives that needs higher power. My samsung external needs to be plugged into 2 USB ports.

[patsy Posted Apr 14th 2010 3:27PM]

@ajwoodhouse They're still 5V ports, they just provide more current. I don't know why they couldn't make both ports of the higher power variety really.

[Metaluna Posted Apr 14th 2010 3:54PM]

@patsy

Maybe the power supply inside is not capable of providing the >20W needed for two high-power ports, or they wanted to avoid a cooling fan or something.

Or, maybe they figure anyone who can afford two iPads can certainly afford two of these ;).

[John Stracke Posted Apr 14th 2010 4:24PM]

@strawe : At least some 2.5" hard drive enclosures are the same way.

[whiskers Posted Apr 14th 2010 5:03PM]

@patsy
Well, the 'unwashed masses' have no idea about current, voltage, and other such shenanigans; can't read specs. That's why marketing is so successful. "Hey, let's make a 2-Amp USB charger and label one port 'iPad' and the other one 'everything else' and charge $30 for it" - "brilliant!"

[dswatson83 Posted Apr 14th 2010 3:15PM]

man this ipad is getting expensive fast

[TMoney2007 Posted Apr 14th 2010 3:15PM]

Leave it to Apple to have non-spec power requirements that force manufacturers to conform to their needs...

[AlienSix Posted Apr 14th 2010 3:16PM]

@TMoney2007 it is their way

[mynando Posted Apr 14th 2010 3:20PM]

Slash 10 bucks off and you're in business.

[petepete Posted Apr 14th 2010 3:25PM]

the ipad HAS a wall charger!

[rynoondew Posted Apr 14th 2010 3:26PM]

what happens if you plug a non ipad into the wrong port?

[patsy Posted Apr 14th 2010 3:48PM]

@rynoondew A lower power device in a high power port works just fine, a higher power device in a low power port probably won't power up or charge.

[dcnoren Posted Apr 14th 2010 3:28PM]

Ah, but wouldn't they be a "Scosche" too steep rather than a "touch" steep?

[Neosubu Posted Apr 14th 2010 3:29PM]

Scosche... even being from Belgium I'm having a hard time trying to pronounce that.

[microlith Posted Apr 14th 2010 3:31PM]

I think you mean:

Scosche intros Revive II charger with USB power port optimized for spec-violating iPad.

If it requires you plug it into two USB ports, it's violating the spec. If it doesn't work on PCs or other devices by default, it's violating the spec. I wonder how many USB ports got temporarily cut off due to over draw.

[Shalabi Posted Apr 14th 2010 3:34PM]

Only with Apple do limitations create markets.

[htd Posted Apr 14th 2010 3:43PM]

will it charge ps3 controller?

[ivealwaysgotmail Posted Apr 14th 2010 3:55PM]

The 20$ "portable usb power supply" from ThinkGeek works great with the iPad..... And its portable w/ a battery in it....

Hell, It charges 2 iPads at one time! Without even being plugged in! lol

(takes picture of 2 iPads charging at one time from it and submits it to ThinkGeek as an action shot)

[Narutogrey Posted Apr 14th 2010 4:22PM]

Existing iPod/iPhone chargers (lighter socket or wall socket) both work for the iPad. It just takes a little longer to charge (I tried). This product just makes it faster. It doesn't hurt if you accidentally switch the 2 ports around.

[robman84 Posted Apr 14th 2010 4:27PM]

1.21 gigawatts? Great Scott!

[BigD145 Posted Apr 14th 2010 4:32PM]

At that price you might as well buy a power inverter.

[leey Posted Apr 14th 2010 11:26PM]

Great Scott!
Thanx for the news, guys I think you'll be interested in geting more info about Apple iPad tablet, its video & audio formats, review, tips and tutorials, I recommend a just right place: http://www.ifunia.com/ipad-column/index.html

[cashclientel Posted Apr 15th 2010 4:38AM]

Porsche!?oh wait, nevermind...

[Dan Fruzzetti Posted Apr 15th 2010 2:43PM]

OMFG I didn't realize you could run an air conditioner on the amount of power it takes to charge an iPad. Score one for the environment? LOL