Powerslayer Blu: An Apple HomeKit-enabled device smart charger
Since Apple's HomeKit home automation framework was announced with fanfare at WWDC 2014 in June, we haven't heard a whole heck of a lot about products that are designed to work in its ecosystem. Today, smart energy technology design firm Velvetwire announced that it will have an Apple HomeKit-enabled USB charger called Powerslayer Blu (US$89) available this winter.
How will Powerslayer Blu differ from all of the bazillions of other USB chargers on the market? It uses device-aware software connected via Bluetooth Low Energy to turn the charger completely off when charging is complete, preventing overcharging of USB-charged devices and eliminating vampire power drain (energy consumed by electronics while in standby mode).
The charger interacts with Apple devices through a Velvetwire-developed iOS app, and it can interact with other HomeKit applications. The app is designed to give users a visual way to see the level of charge their device is receiving so they can then tailor charging power levels to suit their situation. The new device is an evolution of the original Powerslayer, which had a successful funding round on Kickstarter last fall.
