recharge
Latest
Now this looks like a nice recharge dock
Up until the death of what we hoped would be the accessory to end all accessories, there hasn't been much in the way of docks or storage solutions for the person with 4 Wiimotes. Now, thanks to the React Recharge Dock, we can charge up four Wiimotes simultaneously and still keep the clean aesthetic of the Wii. With a fitting color scheme and its space-saving design, React's rechargeable solution for your Wiimote needs is not only shaping up to be the best solution for those who want a rechargeable pack for their Wiimotes that matches their Wii, but also about the most expensive choice for gamers. This accessory demands a hefty $50 entrance fee before you can enjoy it. However, the pack does include four 550 mAh batteries for your Wiimotes, so in the end, it just might not be such a bad deal after all.What do you all think?[Via Joystiq]
30-year battery may be too good to be true
According to reports, a team of scientists have developed a battery which uses "betavoltaic" cells to keep chugging along for up to 30 years without the need for a recharge. If you believe what they say (and that's a big "if"), the battery uses a non-nuclear form of radioactive material as the basis for power, and that material gives off energy as it decays. Apparently, the batteries are small and thin, and when they've cashed in their energy-producing chips, they're totally non-toxic and inert. Sound too good to be true? Well you're not alone. Rupert Goodwins, of ZDNet, cleanly separates the wheat from the chaff by pointing out a number of problems with claims being made over the batteries, pretty much dashing any real hopes that these things will end up in your next laptop. Raining on the parade, Mr. Goodwins says that the atomic structure of the cells tends to fall apart when hit with high energy electrons, the "inert" battery would still be toxic should its housing ever crack, conversion efficiency would be 25-percent (an abysmal number, which also means 75-percent is heat), and finally, the cells would weigh something like 72-times more than conventional batteries. Guess we'll get back to watching the Orbo progress.Read -- Scientists Invent 30 Year Continuous Power Laptop BatteryRead -- Radioactive laptops? Perhaps not...
Volvo shows off ReCharge plug-in hybrid concept vehicle
It looks like Volvo's the latest to get in on the plug-in hybrid action, with it showing off its new ReCharge concept vehicle in anticipation of next week's Frankfurt Motor Show. Volvo aficionados will likely recognize the vehicle as being based on the company's C30 hatchback, which gives it an all-wheel drive propulsion system. Unlike the standard C30, however, this one has a lithium polymer battery pack in its trunk, which is said to boast enough capacity for 62 miles of all-electric driving. Once that's depleted, a four cylinder flex-fuel engine kicks in to re-charge the battery while you're still on the road. Of course, the key advantage here is that you can also simply plug in the vehicle to recharge the vehicle, cutting down even further on your gas consumption. No word on a possible non-concept version just yet, but you can check out plenty more pics and a video courtesy of Autoblog Green at the link below.
A DS Lite dock and a photo of a depressed dog
Japanese manufacturer Sakurado combined into one device two useful features: a cradle to charge your DS Lite with and a photograph of a disconsolate golden retriever. If his doleful eyes and floppy ears become too much for your frail heart to take in, you could always drop another snapshot into the picture frame instead, but you'd first have to endure the pitiful whines of a puppy who's been punished unjustly.The fused dock and photo stand is available at select Japanese retailers for about 1,420 yen (approximately $11.50), offered in white, navy blue, light blue, pink, and black variations. Interestingly, the charging stand uses the DS Lite's adapter for power, rather than its own proprietary plug. Check past the post break, empty leash in hand, for a comparison image of the cradle's various colors.
A budget remote cradle that doesn't suck
We've had some laughs over Dragon Electronics' ill-conceived accessories in the past, but the Chinese manufacturer really seemed to hit all the right notes with its latest charging dock. Taking more into account than just bundling battery covers and rechargeable AAA batteries, the cradle has every feature we're looking for in a budget solution -- USB adapter, unobtrusive design, room to charge two controllers simultaneously, and LED status indicators.Play-Asia has the charging station listed for $14.90 ($6.70 s/h), while eBay auctions have it priced a few dollars higher. To compare, Nyko's dock sells for about $30. Check past the post break for the full fact sheet.
Load-Thing lets your devices recharge in comfort
The life of a gadget is an arduous one -- devices are being asked to do more and more in ever-smaller form factors, and to be honest, it's rough on them. Stress is the number one killer of gadgets in America today, with no signs of abatement. And let's face it: the whole rechargeable battery thing isn't exactly a picnic. With so much riding on your trusty gadgets, why not have them recharge in style and comfort? The Load-Thing aims to let your gear top off the way it was meant to -- with class and sophistication. This two-tone piece of vinyl slice of hand-crafted leather luxury is yours for only 9.90EUR ($13). All you need now is one of those sugar-fueled batteries and a little umbrella, and it's luau time, baby. [Via Gadling]
Where are the Wii-chargeable battery packs?
Sony got one thing right with the PS3 ... the Sixaxis recharge through USB was brilliant. Even Microsoft has their very convenient Xbox 360 quick recharge station for when you're on a Gears of War bender. As the Joystiq staff discovers that the Wii-mote is making us go through batteries faster than our dissatisfied lovers, the big question becomes: When can we finally expect to see Wii battery packs or recharge stations?The Nyko station (pictured) was a huge hit at CES. The representative for Nyko said that they've had tremendous response to the product, but all they can tell us is that they expect a Q1 launch. We also have been tracking other third party manufacturers trying to get a Wii-mote recharge station out to market. And Nintendo? Who knows. All we can say is that whoever gets those battery packs out first will get our money. Sure, you could get a pack of rechargeable batteries, but we'd prefer plugging into a dock that will always keep our controllers charged up and ready, rather than fumbling to replace batteries. Why can't we just have a Nintendo DS battery put into the Wii-mote v2.0 -- those batteries are amazing!
Phone or yo-yo? ModeLabs unveils new concepts
Never mind those fancy fuel cells -- just knock that phone around a bit to keep it juiced. At least that's the idea with three new concept handsets introduced by France-based ModeLabs, the same company hooking up with Levi's (to produce phones with decidedly less fancy recharging technology and more denim, we imagine). First up is the aptly named "YoYo," a puck-shaped device (pictured) designed to be worn around the neck that draws power from a combination of solar cells and the user's movement. Next up, the "U-Turn" somehow managed to eke out some electrons from the opening and closing of its keyboard, while the fitness-themed "Runaway" gets regenerated while strapped to the wrist. Of course, none of these are anywhere near production, but the folks at ModeLabs are apparently gunning to market the technology to manufacturers before too long.[Via textually.org]
Wii-chargable batt....no. No, never mind.
If you're like us, you've essentially forestalled any and all social responsibilities as of November 19th, 2006. That also means that, if you're like us, you've spent an additional bazillion dollars on those accursed double-A alkaline batteries. Where, Nintendo, are our rechargeables?Well, it seems as if Nintendo won't man up and get the job done, another company is gonna step up to the plate. Joytech, perpetual manufacturer of all things accessory, will release a recharging/docking station for two Wiimotes sometime early next year. Just insert the included rechargeable pack into the Wiimote, and place them into the vertical dock ... we prefer to think of them as thrones of power ... and you'll be ready for another 25ish hours of gaming.It's about time.
Rechargeable Wii Remote batteries and dock in 2007
Joytech is preparing a Wii Remote docking station with built-in charger for an early 2007 release. While we could care less about the company's plastic rackets -- although the second definition of "racket" is fitting -- we're interested in this disposable-battery replacement.We expected Nintendo to release this sort of charger, but if it works, we don't care who makes it. Joytech gives you rechargeable batteries and replacement covers for two Remotes. Nestle a controller into the dock, and it will lap up delicious electrons. While the design isn't perfect -- the pull-out claws that hold the Nunchuks look useless -- the $39 charger may be able to draw power from the Wii's USB port, saving an outlet in our rat's nest of power cables.[Via Engadget]
Just add water: NTT DoCoMo to demo new fuel cell charger
Countrywide 3G coverage: check. Plethora of gorgeous 3G phones in all shapes, sizes, and platforms: check. 4G development well underway: check. Dismal standby times: check. With battery tech having largely stagnated over the last few years, Japan's NTT DoCoMo has turned their attention to powering all that buttery, broadband goodness via more creative means, showing their direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) recharger last year. The DMFC wasn't a bad first effort, but how about shrinking it by a factor of four, doubling the output, and swapping methanol for water? That's what they've managed to do through a partnership with Aquafairy Co., pumping out a prototype polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) that rocks 800mAh at 3.6V -- enough juice to recharge your average FOMA handset in the same time as a wall wart. The new unit gets shown off this week at Wireless Japan 2006 with production plans slated for next year; availability outside Japan is (as usual) an open question, but with battery life falling to under a day on some modern smartphones, we can only hope manufacturers' hands are going to be forced on this one.[Via The Raw Feed]
InFlight USB Power Unit uses audio jack to give you juice
Unless you're one of the few, the proud who not only can manage to find a seat on an airplane with a power outlet, but can remember your adapter as well, you're probably like us and SOL when it comes to battery powered devices on long flights. That's why we're pretty stoked to see this InFlight USB Power Unit. The concept is pretty simple, but fairly ingenious. You just stick the mini jack of the Power Unit into your seat's headphone port and crank the volume. The device trickle charges for 3-5 minutes, and then can power a connected USB device for a minute, after which the cycle starts all over again. The $35 charger will work with small devices like an iPod, PDA or cellphone, and you can get the Power Gomadic TipExchange Bundle for $50, plus $5 for extra tips, to work with 700 different devices. We'd love to see if this thing can keep up with an iPod's rapid battery depletion, but you know the real reason we want this thing is to power our deco lights for a bit of home-away-from-home on those long flights.[Via DailyTech]
PS3 pad loses DualShock name and vibration but picks up Wii-esque motion detection and wireless connectivity
In a shocking turn of events, the PS3 controller has gone from banamerang to wireless DualShock 3, except without the DualShock name and vibration.If you take a good look at the back of the new control pad (see the close-up above), you'll notice that the DualShock 2 brand name imprinted on the old controller has now been supplanted by a row of LED lights to show which input has been set, either wirelessly or via the wired USB recharge port. Sony's now the only name in-line for PS3 controllers either on the pad or in the press releases (see "the new PS3 controller").
