Completely useless extension turns laptop adapter into power strip
It's 2:30pm at your favorite cafe, and not a single power outlet's available to save your dying laptop from its fate. You're screwed, but a world away, your Japanese counterpart knows just what to do. They pull out this tiny little brick, stick it into the end of their laptop power supply, and deferentially ask another patron if they would kindly share. For the low, low price of ¥1,400 (about $15) for a two-prong version or ¥2,000 ($21) for three prongs, it's a fantastic idea... for mooching money off those who've never heard of a triple tap.
























It's a pretty good Idea, will considor buying one for that price!!!
@AdamSapnik
Please click on the "triple tap" hyperlink in the article and then tell me if you feel like buying.
@AdamSapnik
are you serious?? you can buy a simple 3 jack splitter for like 3 bucks. Why would you ever need this??
@Streetfights it's not the same, this one lets you to use your laptop cable as a plug extension, so not all cables have to go to the wall.
it is not the best invention ever, but neither is useless, that you don't like doesn't mean no one does.
@AdamSapnik totally not useless then homes!
@gapechorin
Yeah, I actually though this was pretty reasonable ... brings a couple of outlets up to easy reach, and you can plug in your (three pin) laptop AC-DC adapter in directly without having to use another power cable.
Anything reasonably priced that reduces cable clutter gets a thumbs up from me.
@AdamSapnik
Sounds like typical japanese tech-excess.
@mominshahab
I clicked on it, then compared it with this one. Like some of these people said, it allows you to use your cable as an extension, and on the plus side, things plugged into it won't weigh it down (e.g. those MacBook power adapters); The price is a little steep but at least it is kind of unique.
@AdamSapnik: Seems like a good idea (out of the box thinking). Why would you call that useless Sean?
@mominshahab
FYI
Triple Tap has no ground plug
@Streetfights
Actually, one of these would have come in handy for me when I gave a presentation with a laptop & projector just this past week. I instead of using 2 extension cords, I could've plugged in my laptop and projector in the same cord, thus limiting excessive cords and preventing tripping on them.
Completely useless article to fill in the blank space between Apple news
@zyo really? of all days to complain about Apple bias...
Completely useless for Apple fanboys you mean!
This message approved by CaptainPlanet
They get points for trying...I like their innovation. But WAY over priced! This is what I use: http://www.summitsource.com/3outlet-grounding-wall-tap-adapter-ul-ac-120v-polarized-3-prong-steren-905110-converts-1-ac-to-3-ac-way-triple-3in1-with-grounding-spade-part-905110-p-8372.html
This is what I paid for mine: $1.50 oh and did I mention? You can get em at your dollar store, Wally World, Staples, hell - anywhere for that matter, even a grocery store...
Its not black, nor quite as "cool" but it works and works WELL and you could have 10 of them for the price of one of theirs.
It packs really nicely in a laptop bag too...
@Chaosdivine
My mind thought your usericon was a pair of legs with a thong of some sort.
Oh internet porn.., how you've corrupted my mind.
@Neosubu
But what is it?
Oh, I see. Tricky tricky.
@Chaosdivine
Well some peripherals benefit by not having to have a cord all the way to the wall. Say you got your laptop plugged in at a cafe and you wanna charge your cell phone. Not everyone has a USB chargable cell phone so this little gadget would make it a bit easier for them.
I hope that has a small rated circuit breaker in it, since laptop cables are usually only good to 3 or 5 amps. In low voltage countries thats barely enough for a couple of laptops.
Some blonde would probably try plugging in a hairdryer to this and blowing stuff up...
whats wrong with a powerboard?
Deferentially? You know, if you need to make an article appear funny by including national stereotypes, then why don't you continue the story by explaining how the American refuses to share, kicks the poor Japanese out of the cafe and takes the power outlet for himself.
@Bauer
They weren't stereotyping buddy, they said 'Japanese counterpart' because the company that makes this is Japanese (or at least the source link is a Japanese site).
Why is everyone so quick to try and play the racism card these days? Have Engadget ever been anything but diverse?
In low voltage countries thats barely enough for a couple of laptops.if you need to make an article appear funny by including national stereotypes, then why don't you continue the story by explaining how the American refuses to share.
http://www.fuzal.com
would be useful for me on stage. laptop needs power, so does the lemur. it would be nice to be able to chain them.
then again, a simple strip would work, too :) (or, does, actually)
but it would be great if it would be integrated :)
those multi-face plugs fail big time when the power sockets are located in corners or small spaces, like japanese homes.... :(
this will solve that problem...
Whatever, too many occasions comes to mind where I would have actually used that stupid little thing. (and liked it)
Useless? Not completely.
Expensive? Rather.
Will I buy it? Probably not ever.
Does it at least have a surge protector on it?
It's more ellegant than tripple tap, and if it has a surge protector it would be even more useful :)
i wouldn't say useless. i built one of these a year back by cutting off the head of a cheap 3 receptacle extension cord and soldering it to the power brick side of cable. i use it cause the plug for my laptop is across a walkway and the less cords i have there the better
I disagree on the uselessness.
Yes you can buy a three plug adapter, but then I have to carry that around in addition to everything else.
With this? I just leave it plugged into my power supply, and the plugs are CLOSER. I could plug in my iPod (or insert your personal favorite MP3 player) close to me instead of at the wall (just as an example).
@CraniusLupus
I agree with not having to carry an additional item, you already known you will be carrying your cord for your laptop anyway.
Also, at the bookstore can use power too.
No status light or reset button in the pics, so I'm guessing that it doesn't have a surge protector in it. Possibly a one-and-done fuse, which would be slightly better than a typical dollar store 1-to-3 AC adapter, but unlikely.
http://www.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=400738
just buy that, its great , comes with also two usb plugs
Silly idea, Engadget writers: just tell us about stuff, and let us decide for itself whether its good/bad!
'Cuz see, that saves you the trouble of getting on the bad side of readers who think an item might be good *for them*.
Now, if your point is that it's a badly executed idea, ok - but it seems this solves the problem a multi-outlet converter does not (they even come in 6 outlet versions!!! but it's still all the way over there....)
Less snark, more report.
m'kaythanksbye!
Great job calling Apple products completely useless.
A lot more money for the same results, and a little bit of elegance.
Great job calling Apple products completely useless.
Horridly overpriced, with just a little bit of elegance.
I actually felt the need to downrank you on more than one computer. 3 to be exact.
@VetteDude Oh crap that was supposed to be a reply to the guy who said about the American's that won't share.
My computer has a two prong cord. Will this work for me?