Apple Battery Charger gets official: a battery charger, only you know, better (update: hands-on)

Apple's just slipped something into its iMac update press release that we didn't want to go unnoticed: a battery charger. Apple's AA battery-powered lineup now includes the wireless keyboard, the Magic Mouse (which seriously burns through the juice) and the Magic Trackpad, and for $29 you can score a dedicated charger for all that gear. The Apple Battery Charger comes with six long-lived NiMH rechargeable batteries which apparently have a lifetime of up to 10 years.

Update: We just had a chance to get a quick hands-on with the little guy, and well, it's a battery charger. Apple tells us the charger has the lowest vampire power draw of any charger on the market -- the idea is for users to keep two batteries in each of their peripherals and two in the charger, so they can quickly swap out as the cells run out. Interestingly, the batteries are some of the only Apple products in recent memory that don't have an Apple logo on them -- they're just plain silver with "Rechargeable" printed on them. The charger itself has slightly nicer charging contacts than the usual spring-and-flap arrangement, and it features the same removable flippy-prong AC plug as Apple's laptop and iPad power adapters, so you can theoretically swap it for a longer power cord if you like.

Apple Battery Charger hands-on

[oupoliscigrad Posted Jul 28th 2010 10:05AM]

@Androidsugly

If you care more about altruistic stuff like reducing your carbon footprint or whatnot than about how much money you spend on chargers, then I can see why 0.3 vs 0.03 would be significant. Not that I'd buy it based on that, but some people do. Just saying...

[Trax Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:06AM]

Apple's going into the battery industry? Energizer is shaking in their boots now.

[SolidSnake Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:09AM]

@Trax
This is the strangest product they put out today.

[jasonlenik Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:13AM]

@Trax lol

[216 Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:16AM]

@Trax: I'm pretty sure they're just Sanyo Eneloops (white tops) and they're just adding the Apple Tax to them

[arash Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:16AM]

@Trax I was wondering will Nike get bankrupt if they release a magic shoe? i mean i can imagine it selling 3million in 3 days, line of people sleeping in the line to get one

[Kid Red Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:17AM]

@Trax I'll give them a try. i hope they are better than the crap engerizer puts out that drain overnight. That was a waste of $25.

[Engagged Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:22AM]

@Trax
OMG I need one!
The charger is just so beautiful. Its the pinnacle of apple design ever!!

[krishansy Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:30AM]

@Trax
Why the 'd'uck is this not a Breaking News?

[erik1080 Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:40AM]

@Trax

You can only use the Apple Battery charger to work with Apple batteries. The charger is required for the electricity-to-magic conversion process.

[BrandonHarris Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:53AM]

@Trax

I don't really follow the rechargeable battery industry aside from my mothers freezer technique. But I must say this product will have me do some spec and price comparison and eventually lead to a purchase.

My Magic Mouse chews through batteries like kids on the smaller bus in my neighborhood.

[primetime4 Posted Jul 27th 2010 10:14AM]

Looks like something Ikea would sell.

[Andie Posted Jul 27th 2010 10:22AM]

@erik1080
The batteries will not be removable.
They're being held in place by magic.

[nickcraze Posted Jul 27th 2010 10:36AM]

@Trax
How is this better? specially with the unlabeled chinese knockoff battery? and don't tell me you didn't know they were Apple way of selling something that cost them .29cents for 29.00 dollars.

[Plazmic Flame Posted Jul 27th 2010 10:38AM]

@SolidSnake

Now if only we could get these inside of an iPhone....

[whiskers Posted Jul 27th 2010 10:56AM]

@Trax
No, Apple is creating a market for their products - force users to use battery-powered devices, then sell them batteries. Profits go up and up and up. It's pretty clever, I'd say.

[zob Posted Jul 27th 2010 10:57AM]

@Trax a few more "APPLE BREAKING NEWS" please lozl

Apple revolutionized the mouse pad!
Apple revolutionized seat with the Apple Seat!

seriously .. wtf lol

[Mr Oblong Posted Jul 27th 2010 10:58AM]

@Trax
They don't want their logo on them when it turns out they explode or something. I gotta admit, the plain branding is kinda cool. Like a sitcom can of beer that just says "Beer" on it.

[Stratus41298 Posted Jul 27th 2010 11:18AM]

@Trax

Listen, I don't care what anyone says. This is the most revolutionary, innovative thing ever.

Batteries + electricity = Unique Partnership

/sarcasm>



Why does apple continue to do everything? Why can't they just stick to computers? I could understand this move if the iphone was powered by AA batteries or something but how many products do they own that run off of these? I'm tired of seeing this crap. There used to be partnerships.

[VAVA Mk 2 Posted Jul 27th 2010 11:19AM]

@erik1080
My Bullshit-O-Meter registered a 6.4 on this article. Hang on everyone! We are in for some turbulence!

[TheRealCJ Posted Jul 27th 2010 11:29AM]

Holy crap, I Just looked at the AU Apple store, and the local-plug version is 39AUD (around 38 USD).

Sorry, but that's bordering on "only diehard fanboys would even consider buying this" territory.

[Dusse Posted Jul 27th 2010 11:36AM]

@Stratus41298 Apple doesn't try to do everything. In fact, what they're good at is not doing everything. This is something with a close connection to their core business...

[Sarcasme Posted Jul 27th 2010 11:55AM]

@Trax They need to start making oil filter, realy.

[darkmax Posted Jul 27th 2010 12:41PM]

Wow.... I can almost hear the crackling of a burnout pile of wallets from all around the world.

What's next Apple? Charger for the electric vehicle that has an iPhone, iPod or iPad plugged in?

[Dale P Posted Jul 27th 2010 1:22PM]

@SolidSnake This is the strangest product they put out ever.

[binaryhalf Posted Jul 27th 2010 1:32PM]

@SolidSnake
bumper is included. batteries not included.

[Son1ze Posted Jul 27th 2010 2:17PM]

@Trax Magical + Bunnies = Unicorn territory.

[isights Posted Jul 27th 2010 2:24PM]

@erik1080 : It charges other batteries too.

Reading for comprehension - FAIL

[raychill Posted Jul 27th 2010 2:28PM]

@Trax I'm already imaging a video with John Ive saying that this product is "MAGICAL" in many ways... HAHA :)

[APV Posted Jul 27th 2010 4:18PM]

I like to comment on the first comment. JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE! :D

[hunterlholder Posted Jul 27th 2010 4:25PM]

@zob Apple Seat? Where?!

[KiZooN Posted Jul 27th 2010 4:41PM]

@Trax

This does seem a bit out of place. Almost looks like a joke.

Oh well...they are magical lol

Hey Maybe 'lucky charms' are really a product of apple..since they are magically delicious! Lol

[ACE88 Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:12PM]

@Sarcasme

HAHAHA! Only if it lasts 20,000 miles

[colinstalter Posted Jul 27th 2010 10:57PM]

@Stratus41298

Actually, a lot of their products run off of AA batteries now. The Magic Mouse, Track Pad, key board, etc. I don't know why you speak so hostilely about them. What do you mean "there used to be partnerships"? Who do you think makes the Intel Processors in their computers? Or the LG brand screens? or the ATI video cards? Come on. Don't be so naive.

[Cammerv8 Posted Jul 28th 2010 1:29AM]

@SolidSnake think about it a little. apple now have keyboard, magic mouse and the trackpad. they all run on AA batteries that's 6 batteries in total ( me thinks) you get 6 rechargeable batteries for all your apple peripherals

[Arobert Posted Jul 28th 2010 7:07PM]

@TheRealCJ

OK so I checked equivalent prices at Tandy. A pack of 4 Eneloop AAs cost $21.99. The Eneloop charger with 4AAs costs $29.99. According to my arithmetic the cost of a charger with 6 AAs based on Tandy prices should be $29.99 plus half of $21.99, or around $41 all up. Which makes Apples price of $39 AUD look pretty reasonable. Which makes your comment look pretty stupid.

[FTheK Posted Jul 28th 2010 8:40PM]

@216
Well, at least if they are eneloops then they're using great technology. Seriously, best batteries I've ever bought. Though in that case I wouldn't get the leaving 2 in the charger thing, if they were eneloops there'd be no need.

[loocas Posted Aug 12th 2010 4:13AM]

:D:D:D:D OMG! Just saw a review saying that the charger charges only Apple supplied batteries. HAHAHA!! :D:D:D How sad is that?!

[Information Central Posted Aug 22nd 2010 4:25AM]

@Cammerv8

And they all suck. Coincidence?

[Professor Hubert J Farnsworth Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:10AM]

There's something about those batteries which makes me want them; they look so minimalist and cool. DAMN IT; WHY DO I FEEL THE NEED TO BUY THEM?!

[Imadedend Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:12AM]

@Professor Hubert J Farnsworth

Me too, and I just bought an energizer recharger the other day!

[paul34 Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:12AM]

@Professor Hubert J Farnsworth

Because you are stupid? =)

[Professor Hubert J Farnsworth Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:22AM]

@paul34
No; like most people I have a deadly attraction to all things shiny.

[Mikeserena Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:28AM]

@Imadedend
Go price a good AA charger and 6 batteries, you'll see that $29 isn't that far off.

[isotrex Posted Jul 27th 2010 10:03AM]

@Professor Hubert J Farnsworth

It's because it's Apple. There's some magic in their products. And guess what? People are already anticipating for their next gadget release or whatever that is. Heck they're even anticipating the new successor of iPod and all it's idevices. lol.

[Superbelt Posted Jul 27th 2010 10:18AM]

@Mikeserena It's 30 for a dual charger and 4 batteries, isn't it?

I can get a superior and proven hybrid Eneloop 4 charge with 4 batteries for under 18 bucks.
Yeah, 30 is way off.

For $28 I can get that 4 charge, and 8 batteries.

[Maclovinit Posted Jul 27th 2010 10:24AM]

@Superbelt Its the Charger and 6 Batteries, not 4 So its not all that far off. Its less Apple Tax for me!!! Whoo, even though i have no problem paying Apple tax

[Superbelt Posted Jul 27th 2010 10:26AM]

@Maclovinit Ok, misread the post. But still a d2 charger and 6 batteries for 30 is about 10 bucks too much

[Mikeserena Posted Jul 27th 2010 10:58AM]

@Superbelt A decent charger is $10 and a 4 pack of Energizer NiMh is around $10 so add 2 more batts and no it's not too far off.

[GRunner Posted Jul 27th 2010 11:12AM]

@Mikeserena I beg to differ: http://cgi.ebay.com/6-AA-Batteries-Charger-Digital-Camera-PRECHARGED-/280535736938?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41513ba26a#ht_6615wt_1137