Engadget

Sandia Labs develops self monitoring smart outlet, still needs you to plug it in

James Trew — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:50:00 EST

The folk at Sandia Labs work on all sorts of interesting projects, and the latest thing to fan our utopian dreams is this experimental smart power outlet. Unlike most monitoring set-ups, it can measure and control electric load without being connected to a central management system. The outlet comprises four receptacles, each with voltage and current sensors and a small computer which shuttles data over an Ethernet bridge. This autonomous style of operation could lead to more intelligent power grids that self-monitor, adapt and integrate with other grids without complex infrastructure updates. Other benefits include removing large points of failure, desirable in any network, and simpler home power monitoring systems. Sandia Labs' prototype could also improve effectiveness of variable output energy sources such as wind and solar, thanks to its ability to compensate for flux in energy production -- which might come in handy.

Sandia Labs develops self monitoring smart outlet, still needs you to plug it in originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony prepping power outlet that demands payment, identification

Terrence O'Brien — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:27:00 EST

We're already counting down the days until these bad boys find themselves in your local cafe and airport terminal. Sony is working on power outlets that are able to identify a user and determine their permissions at that particular socket. With the quick tap of a card, phone or other NFC device your authentication info is passed to a server over the powerline itself. The tech could be used to manage power consumption or prevent theft, but the more obvious and immediate use will be to make a quick buck. The chips at the heart of the platform are compatible with Sony's FeliCa NFC payment system -- which means travelers waiting at Narita International Airport could soon be paying for both WiFi and to keep their laptop juiced when their flight is inevitably delayed. On the other hand, perhaps being able to charge for a charge will convince New York City Starbucks to give us our outlets back. Check out the source link for some machine translated PR.

Sony prepping power outlet that demands payment, identification originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Powertech Ultra Slim outlet expander brings USB ports to your wall outlet

Michael Gorman — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 01:12:00 EST

There's always a few unexpected devices to be found, and we just caught a glimpse of one such device at CES Unveiled this evening from an OEM called Powertech Industries. Called the Ultra Slim, it's an outlet expander that gives any regular electrical outlet a pair of USB power sockets -- without the wiring required of more permanent solutions like FastMac's U-Socket. The Ultra Slim is just that, as it's only about half inch thick, and has a unique folding collapsible plug on the back to keep its trim figure. Its thin profile is also able to accommodate the depth of regular plugs with extending sections in the back. The adapters we saw were prototypes, though production will begin in earnest this July and Powertech plans to find a retailer willing to rebrand and sell them to the public for an as-yet-undetermined price. A full gallery of pics of the adapter awaits below.

Gallery: PowerTech Ultra Slim outlet expander brings USB ports to your wall outlet

Sean Cooper contributed to this report.

Powertech Ultra Slim outlet expander brings USB ports to your wall outlet originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 01:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FastMac U-Socket review

Donald Melanson — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:40:00 EST

FastMac's U-Socket may have veered perilously closer to vaporware territory after what seemed like an endless series of delays, but it finally started shipping out back in January to those patient enough to hang onto their pre-order, and we recently got our hands on one to see if it was really worth the wait. The short of it is that it does indeed work as promised once you get it installed, although that process may not be quite as painless as you're expecting. Read on for our full review.

Gallery: FastMac U-Socket

Continue reading FastMac U-Socket review

FastMac U-Socket review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FastMac U-Socket now shipping out to the world, making it a better place

Vlad Savov — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 21:31:00 EST

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]

Continue reading FastMac U-Socket now shipping out to the world, making it a better place

FastMac U-Socket now shipping out to the world, making it a better place originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 21:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FastMac U-Socket delayed yet again, now supposedly shipping in January

Donald Melanson — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 04:18:00 EST

Remember the $10 FastMac U-Socket that first turned up way back in December of 2009 and was then beset by a number of delays that most recently led to a promised October ship date and inflated $20 price tag? Well, it didn't ship then either, but the company is now apparently telling customers that it's really, finally getting ready to ship the USB-equipped power socket sometime next month (despite a note on the company's website that still says it's shipping "mid-December"). Anyone ordering one now will apparently still have to wait a bit longer, though -- the company apparently only expects things to return to "normal" by February.

[Thanks, Greg]

FastMac U-Socket delayed yet again, now supposedly shipping in January originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 04:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wet Circuits waterproof power strip presented by all-time best dubbed videos

Ross Miller — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 09:53:00 EST

Can't say we're any keener on the idea of blasting our outlets with Super Soakers, but Wet Circuit's water resistant power strips boast its ability to withstand just such a defiant action -- occasional rain and snow, wet hands, temporary flooding, and accidental water spills (assuredly intentional, too). $35 is the asking price, and while the company claims you can put metallic objects in the socket without fear of electrocution, you probably shouldn't press your luck. Check out a plethora of demonstrations after the break -- no really, we beseech you. Crank the speakers for this one.

Continue reading Wet Circuits waterproof power strip presented by all-time best dubbed videos

Wet Circuits waterproof power strip presented by all-time best dubbed videos originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 09:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FastMac U-Socket delayed due to safety redesign, now going for $20

Darren Murph — Sat, 22 May 2010 10:49:00 EST

And here you were thinking this thing had vanished into the never-ending Lairs of Vaporwareville. Lucky for you, the gents and gals over at FastMac have been hard at work caving to the also never-ending list of demands from the UL and various other safety agencies. That means that the utterly brilliant U-Socket is indeed still on track for mass production, but it'll be slightly redesigned and stacked with a few bonus features by the time it hits the market. According to an update sent out to loyal pre-orderers (which can be seen in full after the break), the USB sockets have been relocated as a compliance measure, but now, they're of the SuperSpeed variety. Each one is also capable of 10W power (read: iPad-friendly) and it also smokes the EPA's Energy Star requirements. The modifications have pushed the expected ship date back to October, and the original $9.95 price has been bumped up to $19.95 -- though the company is quick to point out that each one is made in the US of A, and those who got in early will have their orders honored. An extra Hamilton for USB 3.0 and 10W charging? We're still as sold as ever.

[Thanks, Brian]

Continue reading FastMac U-Socket delayed due to safety redesign, now going for $20

FastMac U-Socket delayed due to safety redesign, now going for $20 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 May 2010 10:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UK Folding Plug takes home design award, emerges in USB-infused flavor

Darren Murph — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:31:00 EST

It's far and away one of the most genius concepts we've seen in the past year, and we couldn't possibly be happier for one Min-Kyu Choi. Said designer, who recently graduated from the Royal College of Art, was recently showered with laud after the above-pictured Folding Plug nabbed the gold in the Brit Insurance Design contest. Unfortunately, we're still no closer to understanding when some moneyed manufacturer will pick this up and start producing it, but hopefully this prize will reinforce its awesomeness and catch someone's eye. In related news, we're also seeing for the first time a Folding Plug version with USB ports on the exterior, which would be just about perfect for UK-based gadget junkies. Here's hoping this dream doesn't die just before reaching the conveyor belt, yeah?

UK Folding Plug takes home design award, emerges in USB-infused flavor originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rambler Socket tucks a recoiling extension cable, pinch of genius within your AC outlet

Darren Murph — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 01:34:00 EST

Meysam Movahedi's latest concept certainly isn't the first revolutionary tweak to the tried-and-true power outlet, but it's easily one of our favorites. Put simply, the Rambler Socket is an in-wall box that contains 1.5 meters of extra cabling along with a traditional AC outlet. Granted, you'll need a pretty deep wall to make something like this work (in theory, of course), but the result is nothing short of brilliant. If your AC cord is long enough, you simply plug it into the socket per usual; if you need a little extra length, the built-in extension cord pulls out with a gentle tug. Once you're done, you simply tug on the cable once more and watch as it recoils back within the wall. GE, or someone -- can we get a contract to this guy, pronto?

Rambler Socket tucks a recoiling extension cable, pinch of genius within your AC outlet originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Dec 2009 01:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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$10 USB power outlet leaves no plug behind

Donald Melanson — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 10:28:00 EST

Don't freak out or anything. But all that time you spent building a DIY in-wall USB charger may have been for naught. Of course, you've gained a useful learning experience and potentially gotten a lesson in the dangers of electricity, but you could have simply ordered this TruPower UCS outlet from FastMac, which packs the same two USB charging ports as the DIY outlet, along with two standard power outlets for your other power-hungry devices. Best of all, it only costs the same ten bucks that the DIY option would have set you back, but it looks like it won't start shipping until sometime early next year.

$10 USB power outlet leaves no plug behind originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Power Bridge flips the strip upside-down, instantly kills ugly

Darren Murph — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 05:58:00 EST

Oftentimes it's the most complex of designs that leads into the next level of a technology. Other times, it's the simplest of tweaks that completely revolutionize things. Take the Power Bridge concept, for instance, which simply takes the conventional power strip, turns it upside down and calls it a day. Designed by Hyukjae Chang, the immensely simplistic device keeps those gaudy plugs underneath the top bridge, and it also makes routing the connecting AC cables all sorts of simple. There's no telling when this thing will finally leave the drawing board and enter the production line, but you can rest assured Monster Cable will figure out a way to throw a "power conditioner" in there and charge two or three C-notes for it.

[Via Unplggd]

Filed under: Peripherals

Power Bridge flips the strip upside-down, instantly kills ugly originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Sep 2009 05:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NEC intros Aterm CA2100P WiFi router and power line adapter

Darren Murph — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 02:22:00 EST

Just weeks after teasing us with succulent 802.11n gear, NEC is hitting back with an interesting WiFi / power line adapter combo dubbed the AtermCA2100P set. The AtermCR2500P WLAN router sports four Ethernet ports, the usual host of IP and security features, and purportedly works in conjunction with the AtermCA2100P HD-PLC wall adapter (shown after the jump) to provide a wireless extension anywhere you can find a nearby AC outlet. Additionally, NEC claims that throughput of 190Mbps is doable, but judging by the ho hum reaction to the power line alternatives that have come before it, we wouldn't be so sure. Still, the two devices can be purchased together for a price of ¥25,000 ($206), or you can pick up the router (¥20,000; $165) and HD-PLC adapter (¥13,000; $107) separately if you so desire.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Continue reading NEC intros Aterm CA2100P WiFi router and power line adapter

Filed under: Wireless, Networking

NEC intros Aterm CA2100P WiFi router and power line adapter originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Jun 2007 02:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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