battery charger
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Eton announces Boost line, lets you crank your way to a charged phone
Is your cell phone dead and there's nary an outlet in sight? It's not an issue if you're feeling zesty and also toting a BoostTurbine hand charger, which Eton just announced as part of its new portable charger lineup. The BoostTurbine2000 and 1000 model numbers denote the mAh of the batteries in each device, which can borrow volts from a conventional outlet, then transfer up to a full or half charge (respectively) to most smartphones. In a pinch, though, you can pop out the hand-crank and grab about 30 seconds of call time for each minute of sweat equity, according to the company (depending on your motivation, natch). The BoostTurbine2000 will set you back $59 while the 1000 model will run $49, and both are now available at Eton's store. The company also outed a new line of regular plug-in portable chargers -- it's all in the PR after the break.
Samsung Galaxy S III accessories shown on video, that C-Pen never felt closer (video)
If you rushed out to buy a Galaxy S III (or are waiting to buy one) but got skittish over decking it out with extras, it's time to relax. MobileFun has volunteered to show a quintet of the Android 4.0 phone's official accessories on-camera to get a feel for how they work. Samsung's desktop dock, battery charger and flip cover all get the video treatment, but the highlights are the WiFi Display Hub and C-Pen. The wireless hub sadly isn't shown with a live Galaxy S III to demo, but gives a feel for just how minuscule it is next to a TV. However, the C-Pen is mostly notable for working only with Samsung's latest: there's no way to wield it as an upscale Galaxy Note stylus. All of the accessories are already on sale, although it might be wise for Americans to just watch the videos below until they have real phones in their hands later this month.
Brookstone fuel cell USB charger to keep phones powered for two weeks, Engadget editors happy
If there's a pain that Engadget writers know all too well, it's running out of battery life for a smartphone when we need it most. Say, at a major trade show. That's why we're enthused to hear of an upcoming fuel cell USB charger that Lilliputian Systems is developing for Brookstone. The lighter fluid-filled tank should provide up to 14 full charges for your phone before you need to spend a few dollars to top up, or two weeks if you power up daily -- we'd call that about two CES' worth in our lingo. Better still, using a solid oxide membrane on silicon not only makes a long fuel cell runtime possible, longer than we've seen for methanol, but makes the phone-sized pack safe to carry on the airliners we ride entirely too often. Pricing has yet to be sorted out, but with Brookstone stores likely to start carrying the fuel cell before the end of the year, it should be ready just in time for our next big trip to Las Vegas.
Panasonic pimps portable power packs purportedly powering phones (and tablets)
Panasonic isn't letting any chocolate egg hangover delay its plans for global smartphone domination. It's releasing eight new external battery packs that'll power your smartphone and / or tablet. The biggest model in the series, the QE-QL301 packs a 10,260 mAh battery that claims to charge a handset four times over, or juice two at the same time (twice). The range also includes three wireless charging plates powered by Energizer's QI platform and, just to show that Panny's thought of everything: the dual-USB ports on some of the models come with a little LED light so you can even find them during night-time power-cuts.
Sanwa pico projector also charges your iPhone
Apple's been making inroads with enterprise users for some time, and now Sanwa's giving the iPhone some serious presentation chops with its new pico projector. The 400-PRJ011 is compatible with both the iPhone 4 and the 4S, powered by its own 2,100mAh battery and also charges your iPhone's battery whenever you turn the projector function off. It's got a five hour charge time, can provide 2.5 hours of steady projection and throws images on the wall up to 65-inches in size at 640 × 360 resolution and a 1,000:1 contrast ratio. A global release date has yet to be announced, but our Japanese friends can pick one up for ¥19,800 ($260).
NTT DoCoMo battery claims 10-minute charge time, we go hands-on (video)
It's not uncommon for our batteries to need the occasional boost while we're running around a trade show, but spending more than a couple minutes tethered to a power outlet can be seriously detrimental to our productivity. And we're definitely not alone. NTT DoCoMo, one of Japan's largest carriers, has developed a prototype battery that's capable of achieving a complete charge in just ten minutes. NTT reps weren't willing to get into much detail about the new technology, which currently employs an external lithium-ion battery sleeve and is only designed to support NEC's super-slim Medias Android (Japan only) smartphone. They did let us take a look at the battery sleeve's AC adapter, which supports output of up to 6.0 amps, but otherwise appeared to be fairly generic. A pair of amp meters compared the power draw of a standard battery with that of the ultra high speed charger, which pulled 0.55 amps and 5.86 amps, respectively -- at least according to the demo equipment on hand at NTT's CEATEC booth. The model we saw definitely looked very much like an early prototype at this point, and the carrier didn't seem to have any idea of when it may begin to be implemented in handsets and other devices, only committing to a release "as soon as possible." Still, we're pretty excited about the potential here (imagine being able to charge your phone completely with only a quick stop at an airport kiosk), and wouldn't hesitate to pick a battery up -- assuming of course that the final version is a bit more refined. Click on through the gallery shots below, or jump past the break for our hands-on video to get a closer look.%Gallery-135558%
Crapgadget: 'it seemed like a good idea at the time' edition
We're sure that most inventors out there are genuinely looking to make the world a better place, but the best intentions don't always produce the best inventions, and while the following gadgets will all likely appeal to someone, somewhere, we can't exactly recommend, say, an ear-shaped iPhone case or a $300 toothpaste squeezer. But as the saying goes, "one man's crapgadget is another man's treasure." Read - It's like a beanbag chair for your iPad! For your lap! Read - At $300, this toothpaste tube squeezer should pay for itself exactly one day before the sun burns out. Read - How is this iPhone case different than all other iPhone cases? Simple: it makes it look like you've contracted some sort of engorged ear disease. Never get bothered during important phone calls again! Read - It's a battery charger! For the ladies!%Poll-69353%
Hands-on with Toyota's Prius plug-in hybrid (video)
Yesterday we attended Toyota's Green Drive Expo where we were given the opportunity to take the production version of the Prius plug-in hybrid (PHV) -- and its smorgasbord of technology -- for a spin. We spent a couple hours driving interfacing with the computers aboard the Advanced model, which besides being outlet-friendly, includes some unique features within the Prius lineup. Explore our gallery below, and hit the break for our impressions and hands-on videos with the latest incarnation of Toyota's iconic vehicle.%Gallery-134091%
Aviiq Portable Charging Station does kitsch-free USB juicing in small black bag
We've seen some rather inventive USB chargers in our time, but surprisingly few have managed to make charging while traveling a painless process. Aviiq's new Portable Charging Station, on the other hand, has threatened to make the outside world a more welcoming place when it comes to juicing up. Acting as a sort of USB hub in a bag, this little black travel sleeve lets you pack and power three USB devices -- even an iPad -- with one outlet. What's more, the station allows for easy syncing by way of a retractable USB port. So $80 ain't cheap, and it won't cook up pork and beans while you sing Camptown Races, but if you're willing to shell out a little extra scratch for a practical USB travel charger, you can get your hands on one at the source link below. Full PR after the break.
iPhones and other gadgets get a charge from bus shelter ads
The next time you're waiting for that bus that is really, really late, there's no need to worry about your iPhone or iPad battery dying. Thanks to a creative ad company and the Vitaminwater brand, bus shelters in several American cities are being equipped with a USB port for charging. The shelters are currently in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. Ad agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky, which is sadly the same firm that brought us the Microsoft "I'm a PC" campaign, is using the tag line "Alternative Energy Source" to describe both the Vitaminwater product and the function of the bus shelter plug. Samsung has had charging kiosks in many airports for several years, so the concept isn't exactly new. But this is the first time that charging has hit the streets, usually the one place that you really need to plug in and charge up. It would be wonderful to see more advertisers providing this type of public service, giving their products and potential customers a plug.
uBeam developing "Wi-Fi for energy" to enable wireless charging
The day when we don't have to plug in our consumer electronics is getting closer, thanks to a new startup named uBeam that has developed a safe way of beaming power to your devices. Rather than using inductive charging, which has a very short effective range and usually requires that the charger and device be in close proximity to each other, uBeam uses an ultrasonic transducer to convert power from your wall socket into inaudible sound energy. On the device side, there's a battery adapter that converts the sound energy back into power to charge your batteries. The ultrasonic frequency used is well above the range that can be heard by humans or dogs. uBeam wants to develop wireless charging units for home and commercial use, with the idea that businesses like Starbucks could install a transducer on the ceiling of each coffee shop to provide power to gadget-happy customers who have a uBeam battery adapter. The product idea was developed by two recent University of Pennsylvania graduates, and they demoed a proof of concept device made from off-the-shelf parts for Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher at the D9 conference. Check out the video below for more information about the technology and the plans uBeam has for making your future even more wireless.
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.
Bird Electron EP-15V charges your MacBook Air from eight C-type batteries
Remember those thick C-type batteries you used to toss in your flashlights before the age of LEDs? Well, they're not likely to overtake the disposable battery market anytime soon, but they did just become slightly more useful to a very select number of Japanese MacBook Air owners. The EP-15V from Bird Electron will bridge eight of those C batts to create a 12-volt power source, giving your 11.6-inch MacBook Air a two-hour boost when used with standard alkaline batteries. The charger was released today in Japan, and will initially sell for ¥19,800 (about $250), not including batteries or the requisite MagSafe Airline Adapter (¥5,800, or about $75 in Japan). The EP-15V isn't likely to be the most practical option, considering its cost, size, weight (2.3 pounds, or just over 1 kilogram -- before you add batts), and the fact that you'll need access to an adapter and eight batteries, which you'll be tossing after just two hours of use. But if you find yourself in a remote village with a hearty C-type battery supply and no electricity or access to the sun, then you might just regret not picking one up.
Mili Power MiFlip re-ups your smartphone battery without the extra baggage
As if we weren't excited enough about MiLi's HDMI iPhone dock, the battery powerhouse has announced yet another multifunctional device for re-juicing your smartphone. The MiFlip foldable smartphone charger -- compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch, and BlackBerry -- functions as a charger, battery backup, and viewing stand, and it's small enough to keep your mobile phone, well, mobile. This skinny battery booster provides eight hours of talk, 15 hours of video, or 80 hours of music, and uses a mini-USB connector to sync with iTunes. MiFlip will be available for $49.99 on MiLi's website, and we'll look for it at CES this week.
Samsung shows off line of Galaxy S accessories, uses Fascinate to model them
Now that Samsung's managed to deploy the Galaxy S far and wide across the globe (though we're still waiting for that Epic 4G and Fascinate, ahem), it's apparently high time for the company to start turning these bad boys into an ongoing revenue stream with a line of first-party accessories that should keep our pocketbooks empty for months to come. Pricing and carrier availability are still an open question, but all told, they're announcing a desktop dock that pairs with a dock-friendly app in the Market (pictured above), a windshield- and dashboard-mountable car dock, and a spare battery charging kit that includes a combo phone stand / battery charger, an extra wall charger, and the 1500mAh pack itself. You've also got a selection of protective cases and screen covers in your choice of regular, mirror finish, and privacy versions. If you bought everything, you'd probably come close to doubling your expense after having bought the Galaxy S itself, but accessorizing is all part of the fun, right? Interestingly, Samsung's shot of the car dock (above) seems to be the first official press picture of the Verizon Fascinate that we're aware of... so there you go. Follow the break for the full press release.
Apple's new battery charger is deceptively cool
Rounding out the list of hardware updates from Apple this morning is a battery charger. Before you dismiss it (as I initially did) as just a battery charger, consider the following. First, Apple is pushing its green aspects. For example, the charger is smart enough to pull less power once the batteries are fully charged. In fact, Apple claims that it has the lowest standby power usage than any similar charger on the market (more on that in a minute). Also, Apple notes that the 6 batteries that ship with it are able to hold a long charge over hundreds of charges. Expect to get 10 years of use out of them, Apple says. The idea is that users will pull less power from the grid and use fewer batteries with Apple's charger. Also consider that this is another step towards Apple's making "the whole widget." For example, you can now buy a computer, mouse, keyboard, Magic Trackpad, batteries and battery charger all from Apple. Who says Steve's a control freak? Finally, let's compare it to a charger I currently own, the Engergizer Rechargeable 15 Minute Charger. When I say "own," I mean "despise." Yes, it charges batteries in 15 minutes, and they'll hold that charge for almost as long! It's also huge (it uses one socket and covers the other) and heats up like an iron forge. For $32 it ships with 4 batteries, compared to the 6 Apple gives you for $29. Yes, it's a battery charger. But it's also been infused with Apple magic.
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. %Gallery-98293%
JumpStart Dual USB charger sports an integrated rechargeable battery
It's a sad fact of life, really. Regardless of where you go, you'll end up needing to recharge something in your carry-on. Just the mere thought of locating an AC adapter in that airport you're headed to is enough to give even the most hardened traveler a reason to think twice, and tracking down one of those inverters for your road trip is just about the last thing you'd like to be doing. DigiPower has just pushed out the solution to all of your problems, with the JumpStart Dual 2-in-1 battery / AC adapter offering the ability to juice up a pair of USB devices via the internal 1,700mAh rechargeable battery. Each port is capable of rejuvenating 5V devices, and there's a status indicator, emergency flashlight and folding plugs for "easy transport." The company claims that this can be recharged over 500 times, after which you'll need to contact Sir Odor Blocker after the break for a pinch of P-P-P-P-P-P-Power.
Digital Works' ReZap recharges disposable batteries, coming to North America in May
We don't know what charlatanism is afoot here, but word is that Australian company Digital Works has come up with a way to recharge non-rechargeable batteries. We'd usually scoff at such blasphemy, but the tech has been convincing enough to at least get PC Treasures (who?) to distribute the ReZap Battery Engineer on the North American continent. This little do-it-all device will juice up rechargeable and standard batteries alike -- allowing up to 10 recharges for the latter type -- and is also capable of electrifying up to four cells of varying sizes at the same time. You can expect the ReZap to arrive in May with an SRP of $59.95, which we'd consider cheap if it does everything it promises, or extortionate in the somewhat more likely event that it doesn't. Full PR after the break.
Energizer confirms software vulnerability in Duo charging software
Energizer's Duo USB battery charger has been around for a couple of years now, but the company has just now fessed up to a fairly significant vulnerability in the software for the device after being informed of the problem by CERT. While the software was intended to simply let you keep watch on the battery charging status, it apparently also opened up a backdoor that allowed commands to be executed remotely, including the ability to list directories, send and receive files, and run programs. That vulnerability is only found in the Windows version of the software, and Energizer has already discontinued the product altogether and removed the download from its website. Anyone that already has the software installed is advised to first uninstall it and then remove the Arucer.dll file from the Windows system32 directory. [Thanks, Michael]
