IphoneCharger
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'Tanks' custom iPhone chargers are absolutely unique, quite expensive
If you didn't get what you wanted for Christmas and you pretty much have it all anyway, you might want to point yourself in the direction of Four Corner Store to check out the US$395 Custom iPhone Tank Charger. No, this isn't just a plug -- it's a work of art. The Tank was designed by tech toy designer PHU, and the design resembles a robotic tank cradling your iPhone in cyberpunk class. There are two stock designs -- DATA Yellow/Black for the iPhone 4/4S and M.A.C. Red/Grey for the iPhone 5. If that's not unique enough for you, contact Four Corner Store and you can have one designed to your specifications. The company is also offering to build similar Tank docks for the iPad, once again as a custom commission. A detailed shot of the back of one of the DATA units shows how the USB cable hides out of sight in the charger when not in use.
Griffin's Multidock system charges and syncs up to 30 iPads at once
Don't you hate it when all of your iPads collectively run out of juice? Well, praise Griffin for announcing its first business centric iOS "accessory" in the shape of the Multidock. It has its own power connection for simultaneous charging of ten iPads, but it can be chain-linked to two other docks for syncing of up to 30 tablets with a single Mac. With each server-esque tower measuring up at 18.6 inches (47.2 cm) tall and priced even higher at $700, this one's for IT pros and Scrabble aficionados only. %Gallery-135272%
B-Squares bring portable solar energy and Arduino compatibility to toy blocks (video)
We've seen plenty of portable solar chargers in our time, but few have looked quite as versatile as B-Squares -- a new collection of 3D modular energy storage devices that can be arranged in various configurations, according to the kind of gadget you're looking to juice. Developed by MIT grads Jordan McRae and Shawn Frayne, each solar-powered B-Square features a sticky microsuction surface, along with magnetic and electric contacts at each corner, making it easy to connect and arrange them in different formations. Rotating a single square will change its electrical circuit, depending on its adjacent connection. Some B-Squares, for example, feature LED surfaces, allowing you to create solar-powered lanterns, while others have solar panels, or simply serve as rechargeable battery sources. There's even a square devoted to Arduino boards, along with another surface designed to dock and charge iPhones. McRae and Frayne have already put together a full "recipe book" of different configurations, though the DIY route seems a lot more enticing to us. Their B-Squares are set to leave the prototype phase on May 1st, at an as yet unspecified price. Check them out in video action after the break. [Thanks, Ryan]
iFan concept uses gusts to power your iPhone, solve lingering reception issues
Still haven't found that case you've been looking for? At last, the promise land. Designer Tjeerd Veenhoven has crafted a partly nifty, partly hilarious new wind-powered iPhone charger / case, appropriately dubbed iFan. In theory, at least, this here case would wrap your iPhone up for protection and then catch wind gusts from wherever, in turn rejuvenating your phone as you talked and walked. There's even a bicycle attachment mockup for those who'd rather place it on their handlebars and kick things up a notch. Unfortunately, there's no word on whether the process can be reversed (i.e. if the blades can be turned into a battery-powered cooling machine when you're at full capacity), nor a hard on-sale date. But hey, at least there's no jailbreak requirement. [Thanks, Man Yong Toh]
Hacker reveals how Apple artificially restricts iPhone chargers (video)
Most cell phone manufacturers have charging standards these days, even if they can't always agree on which version of USB to use, but as the hair-tearing message above shows, third-party renditions of Apple's proprietary dock connector haven't always been universal solutions for iPods and iPhones. Now we know another important reason why -- secret resistors placed on the data lines in connectors for each iDevice. Minty Boost creator ladyada recently reverse-engineered the chargers for a variety of Apple gadgets, and discovered that iPhones in particular don't draw electricity until they detect 2.8V and 2V signals when they attempt to charge. At that voltage, the handsets suck down about one amp, leading to a rapid filling of your device's Li-ion belly, but by adding additional resistance to drop the voltage further, the iPhone can be coerced into accepting 500mA instead -- perfect for the set of AAA batteries you stashed away in that Altoids tin. Video after the break, full explanation at our source link.
Novothink unveils first licensed solar chargers for iPhone, iPod
We've seen plenty of solar chargers in our day -- and we're somewhat fond of them as a concept. Novothink's just unveiled the first chargers for iPods and iPhones that's officially licensed by Apple. These attractive little guys have integrated solar panels on the back with LEDs to let you know the state of your charge. If the sun fails you, there's also a USB cable for standard, non eco-friendly charging. These chargers only work with the 2nd generation iPod touch -- which will be available this month, while versions for the iPhone 3G and 3GS will be outed in November. They'll run you $70. Hit the read link for more photos. [Via Inhabitat]
MSI Wind battery used as a not-exactly-portable, unreliable USB charger
Yes, we find the fact that our USB port won't charge our phone when our laptop is sleeping to be pretty annoying, too. But does that mean we'll rip the battery from it and use it as a semi-functional, clunky but self-sufficient charger? Well, probably not, but that doesn't mean someone else shouldn't. Now, we don't want to launch into a big round of spoilers or anything, but we'll say this: it takes a little over four minutes of sweet, blistering house music to get the battery off of the MSI Wind, and there are a couple of false starts before the phone (an iPhone) begins juicing up. The good news? It doesn't seem to permanently damage the battery pack in any way. The bad news? The song eventually does end. Check it out after the break. [Via Oh! Gizmo]
Energizer expands Energi To Go charging line with more solar, iPhone options
We've seen Energizer dabble in portable charging solutions before, but we've yet to see it go all out like this. Thanks to a newfound partnership with XPAL Power, the company famous for making drum-toting bunnies famous has issued several new wares in its Energi To Go line. The rechargeable power packs and emergency chargers -- over ten of 'em in all -- will all ship by July of 2009 and will include devices for PMPs, PNDs, portable DVD players, netbooks and digicams. There's even an AP Charger that mounts your iPhone (à la mophie's Juice Pack Air), and the SP line consists only of solar-driven power packs designed to rejuvenated your iPod, camera and pretty much any other handheld device. There's no mention of price just yet, but as with anything Energizer, you can go ahead and brace for sticker shock.
Mili Phonesuit Power Pack for iPhone adds some style, weight to your device
Sure, iPhone chargers are a dime a dozen, and most of them are a snore-fest, we know. Mili's just-rolled-out Phonesuit Power Pack is eye-catching enough to bring to your attention though. The spiffy looking charger is packing an 1,800 mAh battery which supposedly gives up to 350 hours of standby time, 6 hours of talk / browsing (3G), 12 hours of EDGE use. The only mildly interesting feature of the device is the mini USB port which allows you to charge a device other than your iPhone. This baby comes in 8 designs, and it's going to run you about $80 if you want to nab one. [Via Engadget Spanish]
Scosche vomits out reviveLITE "cordless" iPhone charger / nightlight combo
Look, we know haphazardly stapling an iPod dock onto nearly any product can cause almost-paralyzing fits of hyperbole amongst marketing personnel, but Scosche's description of its sad little reviveLITE nightlight charger as "cordless" because it plugs directly into the wall might take the cake. Oh, wait -- you know what actually takes the cake? It's priced at a delightfully insulting $40. Yeah, we'll stick with the monster under the bed, guys. At least it respects us.
iYo YOYO Induction Charger lets you enjoy your tunes sans AC
For any iPhone or iPod user brimming with energy that might otherwise go wasted on aimless fidgeting, Swedish designer Peter Thuvander has devised the perfect way for you to marry your hyperactivity and your love for your Apple device: the iYo YOYO Induction Charger. While playing with the charger as you would an ordinary yo-yo, a small lithium-ion battery is charged inside, which in turn powers your device. The idea sounds great, and if it ever gets out of the concept stage we look forward to having our idle hands finally used as something other than the Devil's playthings. Check out a video of the device in rendered action after the break.[Via Engadget German]
