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BatteryBox portable charger promises to keep the juice flowing even after five years
A new portable battery promises to carry enough juice to charge eight iPhones and keep your MacBook Air going for 12 hours, five years after you buy it. Unlike others that lose their capacity over time, BatteryBox uses a new energy management system called BatteryOS that monitors what's going on inside your Lithium-Ion battery and optimizes power in such a way that prevents degradation. It's an operation that ensures the battery can handle 96% of its original capacity after 3,000 charges and discharges, almost twice as long as without the system says BatteryBox. And it does it all for $139, about what you'd pay for a competitor. BatteryBox's 12,000mAh battery is the first implementation of the technology, but the company hopes to work with third-parties to get its system into things like electric vehicles. For now, we're just excited to see a portable charger that can keep us churning out posts from the outlet-free wasteland of CES through 2020.
EU law to require that all cellphones charge through a common standard
The EU successfully pushed for voluntary adoption of a cellphone charging standard a few years ago, and it's now close to making that standard mandatory. The European Parliament has voted in favor of a draft law requiring that cellphones work with a common charger. Provided the Council of Ministers green lights the regulation, EU countries will have until 2016 to put it into their local laws; phone makers will have until 2017 to change their hardware. The charger requirement is a formality when many phone designers already support the concept, but it could force some companies to shape up -- and spare more Europeans from tossing out power adapters when they switch handsets. [Image credit: Thierry Monasse/AFP/Getty Images]
Designing a better MagSafe 2 connector
Apple's original MagSafe connector was a simple, but revolutionary new feature for its notebooks. Its T-shaped design also hates being placed in a lap. The straight-out shape makes it difficult to rest a MacBook on a pair of crossed legs without snapping the charger out of place. The second generation of the MagSafe addressed this issue by changing to an L-shaped form factor. Problem solved, right? Well, it was, until the MagSafe 2. For whatever reason, the new, thinner MagSafe 2 connector took a step backward with the lap-unfriendly T-shape. Users on forums across the web weren't pleased with this, and predicted that the change was made so that the company could come out with a "new and improved" L-shaped version at a later date. But rather than wait on Apple to potentially roll out a better MagSafe 2 product in the future, I decided to have a go at designing one myself. Things started modestly, and all I had to work off of was the dimensions of the existing MagSafe 2 adapter. I took those into account and made sure the surface area of the magnetic portion matched perfectly, along with the overall length and width of the connector. After I had the core dimensions in place, it was time to start smoothing a few of the edges and tweaking how far the charger would protrude from the side of a MacBook when plugged in. I used the L-shaped MagSafe 1 adapter as a guide for how thin I could make it. I also added the cord at this point. After adding the materials to the project, I came up with the first version of the adapter, and I thought it looked pretty good. But after walking away for a while and coming back, it struck me just how round the whole thing felt. That would be fine for some of the later polycarbonate MacBooks with their bulbous edges, but not so much for today's Airs and Pros. So I did some additional tweaking. I sharpened a few of the edges and once I did it really started to look like something I could see stuck to the side of my MacBook Air. It's as narrow as the L-shaped version of the original MagSafe adapter, has the exact contact surface of the current MagSafe 2 adapter and doesn't hate your lap. This one is free, Apple.
Honda's new EV charger can draw some of its power directly from the sun
While your new EV or plug-in hybrid is surely green, plugging it into the coal-fired grid may not feel so much like winning. Solar energy is a much better story, though, and Honda has just announced a new exterior, wall-mounted plug-in charger that can work directly with such systems. The charger will switch between standard AC and solar according to the amount of power produced by the sun, and even work during a power outage. It'll also allow smart-card metering for commercial installations, tamper-proof locking and smartphone monitoring via WiFi. There's no timeline or pricing for it yet, but for the chance to stick it to big energy? We can't wait.
Tesla will give Model S owners safer wall charging adapters to prevent fires
Tesla isn't relying on software alone to reduce garage fire risks for Model S owners. The automaker will soon offer drivers a free, upgraded wall charging adapter with a thermal fuse. The new device will cut electricity when it detects overheating, even if circuit breakers in the car or house don't intervene. Both new and existing Model S owners should start receiving new adapters within weeks, Tesla says. While the company doesn't believe that the chargers are necessary to minimize the danger to customers, it doesn't want to leave anything to chance -- even if it's prepared for the worst.
FINsix laptop adapter is tiny, yet powerful, arriving in time for summer
It's 2014, and while some of you have already upgraded to an Intel Haswell laptop, many still have to carry a bulky power adapter for the more demanding machines. Luckily, MIT spin-off FINsix has come up with a breakthrough technology that dramatically reduces both the size and weight of laptop adapters. As you can see above, the startup's new 65W brick is dwarfed by its conventional counterparts; the claim is it's four times smaller and six times lighter. The new adapter also comes with a handy 2.1A USB port alongside the laptop plug, both of which can be used at the same time. Fret not, MacBook users, as FINsix is working on getting Apple's approval to make a MagSafe version as well. We won't go too deep into the technical details, but in a nutshell, the FINsix adapter is enabled by MIT's VHF (very high frequency) switching technology, which is a thousand times faster than what we use today. As with all legit electronics, this new product will go through the usual safety compliance tests, so there should be nothing to worry about once it hits the shelves. There's no pricing just yet, but watch out for a pre-sale campaign in two months' time ahead of the summer launch. Check out our video after the break, in which the lovely CEO Vanessa Green introduces her company's product at CES.
HP Chromebook 11 now ships with an all-new charger after official recall
A month after HP and Google put the kibosh on Chromebook 11 sales due to overheating chargers, and the laptop is now available with a brand new power adapter. According to 9to5Google, it looks like a smaller version of the one for the Pixel except it has a micro-USB tip instead. If you already have a Chromebook 11, do remember that you should be sending yours back in exchange for a new one due to a company recall issued a couple days ago. But if you haven't already pulled the trigger, now is definitely a safer time to do so for one of the best Chromebooks we've seen so far. [Image credit: 9to5Google]
EU may force Apple to change Lightning connector
EU lawmakers today agreed to a draft regulation stating that all consumer electronics manufacturers must use a common standard battery charger device. While the law may not take effect until 2017 or after, that means that Apple -- which uses its own Lightning adapter rather than the micro-USB connectors adopted by most other smartphone and tablet manufacturers -- would be forced to change its connector standard. The draft legislation could be voted on as soon as March 2014, at which time it will need to be turned into national laws by each EU state. Manufacturers will have another year after state adoption to comply, which means that 2017 is about the earliest that Apple might have to change the Lightning connector. However, this entire situation -- which was brought on by consumer advocates -- might be a moot point. A new USB connector, under design by one of the original USB architects, Ajay Bhatt, is being considered for adoption and would provide a reversible plug similar to the Lightning connector. This new standard will be called the Type C USB connector, and it might be well worth Apple's investment in time and money to influence the design to be compatible with Lightning. Other changes are included in the draft legislation, including common rules for radio equipment including mobile phones and data modems, as well as forcing manufacturers to register products prior to market release. A similar registration program is already in place in the United States, where the Federal Communications Commission must approve products prior to sale.
Google and HP recall overheating Chromebook 11 chargers
Google and HP may have already put the brakes on Chromebook 11 sales due to overheating chargers, but there are many Americans who still own the risky equipment. Accordingly, the two companies have just issued an official recall for all 145,000 adapters in the US; owners now have to contact Google for a free replacement and stop using the flawed gear. There's still no word on just when Chromebook 11 sales will resume, although the existence of a fixed charger suggests that the 11-inch system will return to shelves in the near future.
Wireless Charger for Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 available today on Google Play
Google's Nexus Wireless Charger, designed to work with the Nexus 4 and 5 smartphones and the Nexus 7 tablet, is available for purchase today on Google Play. The compact Qi power cube ships with a 9-watt AC adapter and a micro-USB cable, and it may make it to your doorstep by the end of the week (if you opt for the $17 overnight delivery). For residents of Hong Kong and India, the good nws is that the Nexus 5 and Nexus are now available on Google Play. The charger will run you $50 plus tax on its own, and another $5.29 for ground shipping. Snag it now at the source link below.
Digital Treasures ChargeIt! charges all of your Apple devices ... and more
Like my Food Network hero Alton Brown, I'm a real fan of multitaskers; those devices that can be used for more than one purpose. In this review, I'll take a look at the new ChargeIt! 3600 mAh Power Bank (US$49.95), which definitely fits the description of a multitasker. The idea behind the ChargeIt! is that you have one small convenient package that contains everything that you need to keep the devices in your life charged up. As such, the ChargeIt! 3600 mAh Power Bank includes a 3600 mAh battery pack and a variety of cables -- a USB cable, a 30-pin Dock Connector cable, a Lightning cable, and a micro-USB cable -- all in one mouse-sized package. With that plethora of thin cable happiness, it can provide power to any new or old iPhone, iPad or iPod touch or even those odd micro-USB devices you have hanging around. The ChargeIt! even looks like a mouse, with curved edges that will keep it from getting snagged on anything in a purse, backpack or bag. It weighs just 4.4 ounces (124.7 grams), so it won't weigh you down. Under a cross-shaped door on top of the ChargeIt! that conveniently swivels out of the way are the cables, an On/Off switch, and a set of five light blue LEDs that indicate how much of a charge you have. Note that to charge the battery, you're going to need to plug the ChargeIt into a USB port or AC adapter. The cables are quite short -- only about three-quarters of an inch (2 cm) long. If there's one thing I wish they had done with these cables is to make them extendable using some sort of retractor mechanism. But there is an advantage to those stubby cables, as there are no long cables to get tangled and it's simple to pop the cable ends (the adapters) right into their respective slots for storage. Now, 3600 mAh isn't a very large battery pack. However, your iPhone 5s (you do have one, don't you?) uses a 1560 mAh battery, so you'd be able to recharge it a little over two times before needing to recharge the ChargeIt! However, it's only able to charge an iPad Air (8820 mAh battery) about 40 percent of the way to full, or an iPad mini with Retina display (6471 mAh) a little over halfway. So the ChargeIt! is probably better off as an emergency charging companion for your iPhone or iPod touch than it is for an iPad. Thanks to the micro-USB connector, you'll also be able to lend a helping hand to your Android phone-owning friends. Conclusion The Digital Treasures ChargeIt! 3600 mAh Power Bank is a standout charger/battery pack featuring just about every cable you'll need to keep your devices powered up. It's nicely designed so that all cables are tucked out of the way when it's not being used, perfect to toss into a purse or bag, and has enough power to keep your iPhone going for a long, long time. Pros Lightweight and not too big Curved edges and snap-tight door keep it from snagging in a bag Features Lightning, 30-pin Dock Connector, and micro-USB cables to cover just about every device 3600 mAh battery pack is sufficient to keep an iPhone powered for days Reasonably priced Cons Cables are a bit short Who is it for? Anyone who needs extra power on the go, and everyone who is looking for the perfect stocking-stuffer for that special person on their holiday shopping list Giveaway The ChargeIt! is so useful that we want one of our TUAW readers to have it at hand for those emergency charging needs. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before November 17, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Digital Treasures ChargeIt! 3600 mAh Power Bank valued at $49.95 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Charging products from JustMobile: Review and giveaway
JustMobile's line of accessories that look like they could have rolled out of a lab in Cupertino just got a bit larger with the addition of two new car chargers -- the Highway Duo (US$39.95) and the Highway Max ($29.95) -- and a trio of Lightning charging cables; the AluCable, the AluCable Mini, and the AluCable Twist. Sure, these aren't the most exciting accessory products on the market, but you sure can't do a lot without a charger and cables! First, let's take a look at the car chargers. I was confused by the names of the Highway Duo and the Highway Max. Wouldn't you think that something called the "Duo" would have a pair of USB charging ports? Wrong. The Highway Max is the one with the two ports, both set up for 2.1 A output that's perfect for charging up a pair iPhones or iPads while on the road. The Highway Max comes with a knurled aluminum end piece that looks good and provides a good grip for, and it has a USB to micro-USB cable included in the box. The Highway Duo does have the ability to charge two devices at once, as there's a built-in 1 m Lightning cable that serves up 2.1 A of current to your favorite Apple device and one open USB port (1 A) for another device. Of the two chargers, I think the Highway Max would be the more useful one as it can handle two devices at 2.1 A each, and it also features a fuse for circuit protection. If you already have cables for your iPhones or iPads, you can use those and get away with saving ten dollars over the cost of the Highway Duo. Surprisingly, the Highway Duo doesn't have a fuse built in. Now let's look at the cables. Apple charges $19 for a white USB to Lightning cable in either .5 m or 1 m lengths, and $29 for a 2 m cable. JustMobile's AluCable Mini is just .1 m (10 cm) long and costs $19.95. The AluCable is a full 1.5 m long and sells for $24.95, and the coiled AluCable Twist (1.8 m length) is also $24.95. The JustMobile cables are all MFi (Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad) approved, and at least for the AluCable and AluCable Twist, are less expensive than their Apple counterparts. The AluCable line also has another thing going for it -- the cables just look cool. There's a aluminum casing around both ends of the cable, and they look like they'll last a lot longer than Apple's standard white cables. Conclusion JustMobile makes quality gear, and the new charging cables and car chargers are no exception. If you're looking for an alternative to Apple's Lightning cables, the AluCable series is well-built and competitively priced. We also recommend the dual-port Highway Max for its fuse-protected design, high output, and excellent price. The Highway Duo doesn't receive our recommendation, as it is priced higher than competitive car chargers and does not offer circuit protection. Giveaway Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before October 9, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Five winners will be selected, which each person winning one of the following five products from JustMobile -- the Highway Duo valued at $39.95, the Highway Max valued at $29.95, the AluCable valued at $24.95, the AluCable Mini valued at $19.95, or the AluCable Twist valued at $24.95. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Rohm showcases colorful solid hydrogen-source fuel cell chargers at CEATEC
You know what makes a fuel cell charger in your pocket a little less frightening? Colors! CEATEC mainstay Rohm has arrived back in Japan with a new set of hydrogen-source fuel cell chargers, with the latest prototype lot boasting a litany of new hues that may very well match up with that iPhone 5c you're (presumably) picking up soon. The actual technology used within hasn't changed from last year, but the company is evidently considering the release of such portable chargers for those who'd prefer something a bit less drab. We're told that a fully-fueled pack can keep the average smartphone alive for twice as long as it would otherwise last, but as has become the norm at this show, there's nary a hint of a price / release date. Mat Smith contributed to this report.
Palo Alto to require wiring for fast EV chargers in new homes
Palo Alto is an ideal place for electric vehicles when it's full of wealthy, tech-savvy executives. It only makes sense, then, that the city council has voted in favor of a proposal requiring that new homes include wiring for speedy Level 2 EV chargers. The mandate should add less than $200 to a home's price, and could represent a bargain for future residents -- they'd have to pay four times more for a retrofit, Mayor Greg Scharff says. Established locals may also catch a break, as the council wants to simplify the process of getting an EV charger permit. The moves aren't very bold -- many in the area could buy a Model S with spare change -- but they may start a trend that spreads to less affluent regions. [Image credit: Steve Jurvetson, Flickr]
Nissan treats new Leaf owners in Texas to one year of free charging
Hey, EV fans in Texas, you might want to wait until October 1st before purchasing or leasing a Nissan Leaf. That's because the company's taking a leaf out of Tesla's book and giving new owners in Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston a year of unlimited free access to all eVgo charging stations in those areas. Unfortunately, that does mean that if you've already got one of the company's electric vehicles, you don't get the perk -- ouch. As for potential customers in other states, don't despair. Nissan's Brian Brockman has hinted that the program might expand to other eVgo locations -- depending on how well it does in the Lone Star State.
iPad 101: No bottle opener? No problem
This handy tip first made the rounds in May of 2012, but it's worth reviving for a holiday weekend filled with barbecues, beer -- and probably a few missing bottle openers. According to Twitter's @EvaGiselle (and technique confirmed/photo thanks to TechHive's Susie Ochs), you can indeed pop the top on a frosty bottle of suds using nothing more than your bare hands and an iPad charger. Although CNET originally ran into some troubles (cracked adapters) with this approach, the Huffington Post was able to use it with ease given a little bit of care and finesse. Needless to say, if you break your adapter using it in a manner for which it was not designed, good luck getting it replaced at the Apple Store on Tuesday. (That's why the more expensive MagSafe laptop adapters are completely off-limits.) Even though Mophie's original Bevy bottle opener/iPod shuffle case is no longer sold, there are plenty of modern-day options to choose from, including the Opena case for both iPhone 4 and 5 models. Enjoy the weekend, and remember to charge responsibly -- always designate a sober friend to keep track of the iPads.
Apple's official charger trade-in scheme will cover UK, Canada and Australia
When we originally reported on Apple's replacement program for third-party USB chargers, we only knew for sure that it covered the US and China. As 9to5Mac has spotted, however, the official webpage for the scheme now lists a number of other countries in which Apple will start accepting trade-ins on Friday, August 16th. These include the UK, where an official first-party charger will be reduced to £8 (from £15) when you hand over a third-party charger you have concerns about -- and some Brits will indeed have concerns, as local Trading Standards agencies have issued warnings about knock-off chargers posing a risk of electrocution. Australia (where a new charger will cost $14 AUD), Canada ($11 CAD), France, Germany (10 euros) and Japan (1,000 yen) are also on Apple's updated list. Head to the source link to find your nearest participating store or service provider, and just as a quick heads-up: it's one replacement per device you own (a store rep will record your serial number) and the scheme will end on October 18th this year.
Apple to start USB power adapter trade-in program, offer new chargers for $10
Apple is investigating the death of a flight attendant who was electrocuted by answering an iPhone 5 that was charging, and now it's taking a step to ease fears about potentially faulty USB power adapters. Though Cook and Co. don't identify whether the plug involved in the deadly incident was from a third-party manufacturer, they explain that "recent reports have suggested that some counterfeit and third party adapters may not be designed properly and could result in safety issues." With that in mind, the House that Jobs Built is instituting the USB Power Adapter Takeback Program, which will let folks pick up first-party iPad, iPhone and iPod plugs for $10 (instead of the usual $19) if they return any of their current adapters. Don't plan to stock up on the power-giving cubes though, as the deal is limited to one adapter for each device you own. While the company does draw attention to concerns with chargers made by other manufacturers, it notes that "not all third party adapters have an issue." If you're interested in trading the accessory for some peace of mind, you'll have to head to an Apple retail store or an authorized service provider between August 16th and October 18th.
Apple: iOS 7 fixes the nefarious charger hack
Three Georgia Tech hackers demonstrated how to install malware on an iPhone using a custom charger at the Black Hat USA 2013 conference, according to a report in ZDNet. The hack exploits a vulnerability that is present in all shipping versions of iOS, but has been patched in the latest beta version of iOS 7. Billy Lau, Yeongjin Jang and Chengyu Song showed off their malicious "Mactans" charger that was constructed with a BeagleBoard running Linux. Once an iPhone was attached to the charger, an unsuspecting user could type in his passcode to access his phone and kick off a chain of events that would compromise his handset. In the Black Hat demo, custom software running off the BeagleBoard deleted the Facebook app on the phone and replaced it with a fake, malicious app. The Georgia Tech team informed Apple about this vulnerability, but it has not been patched in iOS 6 or older. Apple told Reuters that this vulnerability has been closed in iOS 7 beta 4. "We would like to thank the researchers for their valuable input," Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr told Reuters.
Apple says iOS 7 will patch exploit that lets rogue chargers install malware
Recently, Georgia Tech researchers discovered an unusual way to attack iOS: a third-party charger with a hidden computer can install malware when an iOS device is plugged in and unlocked. That won't be an issue for much longer, however, as Apple has confirmed that iOS 7 beta 4 and future releases contain a fix. While the company hasn't said what that solution is, Georgia Tech's Billy Lau says that the new OS can tell when it's plugged into a computer instead of a charger -- there shouldn't be any rude surprises. The dependence on an iOS 7-based fix could leave many users vulnerable until the fall, although the hardware-specific nature of the exploit means it's unlikely to be a major concern.
