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Motorola to roll out cellphone-charging bicycle in "emerging markets"
Here's one we weren't exactly counting on seeing. Motorola's cheif executive Ed Zander rolled into a packed room here at CES on a bright yellow bicycle, topped off by having Queen's "Bicycle Race" cranked in the background. Yes, oddly enough, Motorola is coming out with a self-branded bike for "emerging markets," which translates into countries where energy sources are scarce. While the company has seen declines here in America due to a very saturated handset market, nearly 5 million folks per month are going mobile in China, thus the need to penetrate those potentially lucrative third world areas. The vehicle will sport a cellphone charging system to provide a way to energize those handsets so intently desired all around the globe. As expected, a cradle on the handlebars would house the mobile, while the motion of the pedals would generate electricity to recharge its battery pack. While this might not sound convenient or even worthwhile in a place like America, "more than 500 million Chinese people rely on bicycles as their primary mode of transportation," which could also mean that half a billion folks in China will soon be cruising the streets while doubling as an AC adapter.[Via Textually]
Nyko announces wireless Zero controllers for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
If you were lucky enough to snag a new console (or better yet, unwrap a free one) this holiday season, you're probably winging it with just one or two controllers until you can start hacking away at that towering December credit card bill and pick up a few extras. If so, Nyko's got its aim on you, hoping to snag those would-be first-party controller sales away from Sony and Microsoft and get a big fat Zero between the cusp of your hands. The 2.4GHz wireless controller already available on the PS2 (pictured) will soon be available on the Xbox 360 and PS3 consoles, giving users another option if you aren't too fond of the ones already out there. These Zeroes will reportedly feature "heat-dissipating aluminum panels, backlit buttons, and a unique ergonomic design," but unfortunately, won't save you any cash in the process, as each of these (along with an apparently less important PC flavor) will be available for $49.99 when they land shortly after CES.[Via Xbox360Fanboy]
JoyTech announces Wii PowerStation to keep your Wiimotes juiced
JoyTech's no stranger to the Wii accessory scene, and the firm is hitting us up once more with its Wii PowerStation. As the title implies, this docking unit can safely house two Hattori Hanzo swords potentially dangerous Wiimotes, and comes stocked with twin rechargeable battery packs to save you those late night trips to the battery department. Additionally, there's a pull-out cradle on each side to place your nunchuck, and while there's nothing to prove (or disprove) the theory, it looks as if the charging station can receive power from any USB port. So if the days on end of Wii Sportin' it are chewing through the Engergizers at an unacceptable rate, you can pick this up in late January for £19.97 ($39).[Via VideoGamesBlogger, thanks Mark]
HTC TyTN Music Dock charges, syncs, and delights
While we don't expect the Hong Kong-derived HTC TyTN Music Dock to produce the same level of audio fidelity as Orange's Bluetooth variety, we'll admit that getting a dock, charger, and paperweight for 28 bucks isn't such a bad deal. The device sports a charging / syncing cradle for your HTC TyTN (Hermes), i-mate JasJam, Qtek 9600, O2 XDA Trion, Dopod CHT 9000, Orange SPV M3100, or Cingular 8525, as well as touting a pair of stereo speakers, 3.5-millimeter line in jack, and that oh-so-important LED illumination. You'll even get a stereo cable to save you a trip to Radio Shack, but the lack of a headphone port (or line-out) sort of puts a damper on things. Nevertheless, the HTC TyTN Music Dock can be picked up now for HK$190 ($28), but the overseas shipping just might kill the deal.
Energizer's Energi To Go charges gadgets with AAs
We'll sheepishly admit to being among the reported 20 percent of cellphone users whose phones conk out at least once a week (in fact, it just happened today), so you can bet we'll be first in line to pick up one of Energizer's new AA-based cellphone chargers when they hit stores on September 1st. Eschewing proper spelling for catchy branding, the Energi To Go line will come in numerous configurations to support a claimed 100 handsets covering most major manufacturers, with each package containing a special tip for individual models. Energizer promises that its e2 batteries will enable most dead phones to make a call in just 30 seconds (you can use regular alkalines, but of course Energizer recommends its own pricey products), with smartphones requiring several minutes to suck up enough juice for calling. Along with the $20 cellphone version, Energizer will also be releasing a $30, four-battery model to charge DAPs and portable gaming devices, with iGo-developed tips available for iPods, PSPs, Nintendo DSes, and other small gadgets you see mentioned with regularity on these pages.[Via Mobiledia, thanks Ryan]
APC's Mobile Power Pack delivers juice via USB
Add the Mobile Power Pack from APC to the growing list of accessories able to provide your portable gadgets with precious extra hours of runtime. Promising up to 55 more hours of juice for your iPod nano or eight to ten hours for your Treo, the MPP UPB10 sports a high-capacity, user-replaceable lithium polymer battery that can power and charge nearly any device with a USB or mini-USB jack. If you don't have the time/inclination to build your own solution, this may be seventy bucks well spent.
