UsbPower
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USB Power Delivery spec upped to 100W, aims to make proprietary power connectors obsolete
The battle between Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 has only recently begun in earnest, what with mobo's finally emerging to give non-Mac computers access to the 10Gbps interface. While USB 3.0 can't match Thunderbolt in terms of data throughput, it now has the upper hand in power capabilities, as last week the 100W Power Delivery spec was approved for both USB 2.0 and 3.0. That's ten times what Thunderbolt can do, and it means that you can charge up your laptop or power most any peripheral via Universal Serial Bus. Naturally, the new specification relies on beefier cables to deliver maximum juice, but we won't have to go replacing all our old wires -- it includes a means to check attached cables and devices and set the voltage and amperage accordingly. Perfect, that means we won't have to carry around bundle of proprietary power cords when we travel, and we get peace of mind that charging via USB won't have any, ahem, unpleasant side effects.
Timbuk2 Power Commute and Power Q bags will juice your tech from here to...
Whether it's a tropical vision quest, or a summer jaunt in Europe, the well-traveled gadgeteer faces one eternal scourge -- power. Timbuk2 hears this, and has partnered with Joey Energy to bring you two new travel bags (the Power Commute and Power Q) with internal chargers. Okay, you don't need to have the crunch of sand underfoot to benefit from one of these, in fact, dashing across town will also be a much more liberated affair, knowing that you don't need benevolent weather, or have to pack a dedicated device. The power supply has been designed to deal with the rough and tumble of the outside world, and claims to power pretty much anything that charges over USB. The Joey T1 claims to be able to provide about two full mobile charges, and both of the new bags come laden with all the tech-hiding covey holes you'd expect, costing $199 when they launch in October.
Sanho HyperJuice Plug solves the multiple iPad owner's power conundrum
One for fun, the other for work? If that's how you roll with your iPads, then you might be well trained in the art of battery juggling. If, however, you're not, or you just like to keep things tip-top at all times, then makers of fine accessories, Sanho, have the product for you. The company claims the HyperJuice Plug is the world's first 15,600 mAh portable battery pack that can recharge a brace of iPads at the same time -- complete with retractable wall plug for convenience. It's not just Apple's slates, of course, with pretty much all USB gadgets being able to mainline the 15 watts (sharable over two ports) of juice. The HyperJuice Plug launched this week at the Singapore PC show, and lands in six "juicy" colors, yours from an equally juiced up $129. Update: As some of you have pointed out $129 is the price for the 10,400mAh version, with the 15,600mAh device costing $159
PowerPad 16 USB station charges your iPad and 15 others
So you've found the perfect solution for staying juiced up during your month-long African safari, but how are you possibly going to keep all 16 iPads powered until just before it's time to go? Why the Datamation Systems PowerPad 16 ES-IP-PP16 USB Charging Hub, of course! Sure, there's no practical household application for the PP16, even in the most gadget-obsessed of families, but it'd be more than welcome in an enterprise environment or even an airport (especially an airport). The PowerPad's maker claims that it was "designed for charging Apple devices," though there's no reason you wouldn't be able to put 16 2.1-amp USB ports to use with other battery-powered devices. And we do need to address the elephant in the room -- that rather beastly fan-sporting housing -- but as Datamation points out, the thing can always live under a counter and out of view. Hit up the source link for a closer look.
USB power pot uses excess heat to charge your gadgets
Most stoves produce heat that far exceeds the temperature necessary to boil water, but TES NewEnergy has found a way to convert that excess energy into power, which can subsequently be used to charge your USB gadgets. Released yesterday in Japan, the Hitochaja HC-5 USB power pot can generate up to 400mAh of juice -- enough to charge your iPhone in three to five hours. Considering it needs a constant heat source to generate electricity, the ¥23,000 pot (about $285, before tax) is even less practical than last week's C-type battery laptop charger, but if you want to expand the service offerings at your local soup kitchen, this double-duty cooking vessel may be the solution you've been looking for.
FastMac U-Socket now shipping out to the world, making it a better place
Celebrate, oh U-Socket faithful, for thy object of convenient desire has finally started shipping. FastMac's wall socket that serves up a pair of standard 110V power outlets alongside two USB juice ports is today taking the final steps to reaching its expectant owners' homes. Confirmation emails have been sent out to those who ordered earliest (we've got one for your perusal after the break) and the retail site promises a three- to four-week delivery time for orders placed today. The price is still just under $20, while the utility of being able to plug your USB device directly into the wall has probably never been higher. [Thanks, Gareth]
Simple hack turns the Magic Trackpad into a USB-powered affair
While many hacks we feature on these virtual pages are terrifyingly complex, this one is anything but. Even more surprising, it's actually useful. Mark Bog decided to tether his Magic Trackpad to the sweet, endless power supply of his computer over USB, instead of swapping out AAs endlessly. To do this he merely pulled out the black and red power wires of a USB cable and attached them to a battery-shaped dowel, which slots easily into the Trackpad. The best part is that this seems basically non-destructive to the trackpad (if the 5 volts coming from the USB cable isn't too much for its precious internals), so Mark shouldn't have much trouble switching back if he suddenly misses the wireless freedom for a stationary desktop object that so far seems lost on him.
Gigabyte, ASUS and MSI deliver driver software to allow iPad charging from the PC
You one of those unlucky folks who found out about the iPad's dislike of low-powered USB ports on standard PCs after you'd already pulled the trigger? Well, you can stop crying yourself to sleep nights and finally do something about it: Gigabyte, MSI, and ASUS have all come out with software that hops up their respective, fairly interchangeable motherboards and delivers extra juice to an iPad-plugged USB port. Of course, they built these softwares for their own hardware, but there's a video after the break of a reckless user putting the ASUS software to work on a myriad of non-ASUS (mostly Sony) machines. Your mileage may vary, but if you wanna play it safe we'd say look into who built your motherboard before installing: we're not scientists, but we hear extra electricity "does stuff." [Thanks, Jeff F.]
Apple iPad charging woes: USB hubs, non-Macs and weak ports not rejuvenating
Heads-up, iPad owners (or to-be owners, as it were) -- the same devices you currently use to juice up your iPod touch or iPhone may not work on your fancy new tablet. Consumer Reports, TUAW and our own Chris Ziegler have confirmed that their powered USB hubs wouldn't charge the iPad, and we're even seeing reports that some Wintel rigs won't either. The only sure bets right now are Apple computers and your nearby AC outlet, leaving iPad owners with fewer options when it comes to topping off that battery when away from your abode. We're pretty certain this all boils down to the iPad requiring more power than most powered USB ports are designed to give, but it's still something to keep in mind. So, any of you early adopters finding that your own powered USB hub or non-Mac does rejuvenate the iPad? Let us know in comments below. Update: Macworld has a nice explaination of the whole situation. Looks like tablets just require more power to charge than smartphones -- who woulda thunk it? Update 2: And now Apple has come right out with a support article -- head on over to see what it recommends.
In-wall USB charger is as cheap as it is ingenious
What you'll require here is about 30 minutes' endurance, a $10 budget, and a good reason why you'd want to swap some good old versatile wall plugs in for USB-only power outlets. Once you've got all that sorted, it's a quick skip to the source link, where you'll get step-by-step instructions on converting to "the future" of power distribution. And hey, just to help you justify all that expenditure of effort, we've got a whole category devoted to the cornucopia of most awesome devices you can power via USB. Kudos gained for clever design, kudos lost for relatively redundant outcome.
Conceptually simple hack turns VGA port into power-only USB socket
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/hardware/Simple_hack_turns_VGA_port_into_power_only_USB_socket'; Seriously, it should be a Class 1 felony that there's no way to buy this. Okay, so maybe that's a stretch, but we can't get over how genius this is. As the old adage asserts, the best solutions are spawned from the most perplexing quandaries, and when one hacker determined that two USB ports on his laptop simply weren't enough, he figured out a way around it. Essentially, he utilized a VGA gender changer, a spare USB port and a bit of old fashioned solder work in order to transform an unwanted VGA connector into a power-only USB socket. Sure, the applications are limited, but are you really going to complain about an extra option for charging your cellphone / DAP / Darth Vader voice changer? No, no you are not.[Via EverythingUSB]
Video: DIY USB pan cooks your egg faster than a cellphone
Look, we know it's pointless and likely in violation of even the most rudimentary safety codes enacted since the Middle Ages. But there's something about DIY hackery of that 500mA USB port that tugs at the little Erector Set cobbling kid in each of us. Just wire up an off-the-shelf pan with some insulated tungsten filament and you'll be cooking an egg in about 7 minutes -- you know, after an overnight pre-heat, presumably. Now prepare to have your noodle scrambled along with an egg in the video after the break.[Thanks, Mira B.]
Macally busts out seven new iPhone accessories
Macally is well aware of the fact that you and 700,000 of your closest friends have just purchased an iPhone, and they would like nothing more than to help accessorize your new device. This week, the peripheral manufacturer is rolling out seven new add-ons for Apple's moneymaker. For protecting and carrying your device, Macally offers the mCLIP and mCLIP-X, two "stylish" belt clips (the latter done up in leather), the mCASE, a hard leather case for your new toy, the mSLEEVE, a soft leather sheath to slip your phone into, and the mPOUCH, a leather pouch which can fold into a mini iPhone stand. The company has also whipped up two new charging accessories, the USBPOWER, which is a universal AC / USB charger for wall outlets or cars, and the USBCIG2, a cigarette lighter charger for your Camaro. Products range in price from $14.99 to $29.99 and are available now.
SolidAlliance's USB 2.0 Engine HUB drives up your geek cred
Oh dork lord incarnate, meet the SolidAlliance 3-port USB Engine Hub. Modeled after a motorcycle engine, SolidA's latest features a kick starter, gear shift, and enough faux-engine revving effects to drive everyone around you nuts. No word on price yet, but it's available starting tomorrow in Japan. Now check the video action after the break.Update: Priced at ¥5,250 or about $43, vroom vroom daddy, vroom vroom.
Samsung patents combo phone antenna / USB charger
The crafty engineers at Samsung haven't given up on their lil' stubs -- the company has just received a patent for integrating a USB or FireWire plug into a stick-out antenna, allowing you to charge or sync your phone with ease. We don't know what Sammy is planning to do with this, but that illustration is giving us hope that it's about to release a new take on one of our all-time faves, the Ericsson T39m.[Via The Raw Feed]
Hello Kitty takes a dip in USB-powered aquarium
You might wonder why a cat would enjoy being trapped inside a container of water, but as you should already know, all rules are thrown out when it comes to Hello Kitty. The USB-powered aquarium features a couple of oh-so-cute Hello Kitty mermaids in a snow globe / fish tank fantasy land, and while we're sure the hordes of fanboys and girls just adore the idea, this one could actually satisfy those on the other end of the spectrum as well -- fess up, it's not too often that you get to satisfy your SO and take pleasure in holding your (least) favorite feline underwater for an indefinite period of time, right?
Homegrown USB-powered calculator synth doubles as pillow
As if the Cushion Control pillows weren't cute enough, here we find a USB-powered, felt-covered calculator synth to ooh and aww over. Artists Kelli Cain and Brian Crabtree were able to conjure up this nifty device at a Felt Circuits workshop held in Los Angeles, and while details are relatively scarce, the creation is essentially a homemade eight- x six-inch calculator constructed from dyed wool that was hand-rubbed into felt. The two also "designed, etched, and populated noise-making circuit boards" which were then put into the contraption, and when connected to a USB port, touching the metal contacts that are sewn on "makes a bunch of noise," which we can causally refer to as abstract music. Unfortunately, there's no sign of these things going on sale, but if you beg the duo hard enough, you might find out if another workshop is in the pipeline.
USB heated knee pads -- 'cause they can, that's why
Now you can add the $20 Warmmi "USB knee pads" to your USB heated ensemble. So what's keeping ya? Just toss your laptop into a rucksack and slip into a tethery outfit of USB knee pads, slippers, and gloves and head out to the Burning Man playa, playah. Just leave the USB lap warmer at home -- hippies hate anything Hello Kitty.
Greenhouse's USB car ashtray sucks, and does
It's not the first USB ashtray we've seen, but hell, it's been awhile and these are the holidaze. And what better way to show you care (about yourself) than by picking up this ¥500 (some $4 and change) USB Car ashtray with real suck-action for that nicotine fiending friend, family member, or colleague. Drop the top and on come the headlights and fan to keep the air free of second-hand smoke. It's powered by the USB tether or with the help of a couple AAA batteries -- the ashtray section can even be removed for a quick wash. All for less than a fin when these hit smokes-obsessed Japan near the end of December.[Via Impress]
USB-powered "G-Gloves" for the ladies
Alright fellas, if you're sitting around enjoying the cool breeze emanating from your seat cushion, then you're fully aware of how invigorating a USB-powered gizmo can be during the summer months, and equally aware in the depths of winter. For that lucky lady in your life (or cyberlife), these comfy G-Gloves (G for girl, we presume) can keep her hands warm during those chilly December fragfests, and thanks to their ability to quickly convert into mittens, even her fingertips are covered. Sporting a detachable cable, on / off switch, alphabet stitching, dual warming pads, two-levels of heat intensity, and the ability to get toasty through any powered USB port (yes, even the Wii), these should be a sure fire (ahem) hit in the stocking this holiday season. The G-Glove hand-warmers are available now to heat things up in pink or blue for $22.[Via MobileMag]
