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Kanex Sydnee recharging station traces design to an unusual source
Kanex is an accessories manufacturer that has traditionally built cables and connectors for Apple products. The company has recently brightened up its branding and is introducing some new products that are sure to grab some attention. I was able to take some photos of the new Kanex Sydnee iOS recharge station at Macworld | iWorld 2012 last week, and heard a fascinating story about the origins of the design of the Sydnee. %Gallery-146080% First, a little bit of background about the Sydnee. It's designed to charge up to four iPads simultaneously. That means that it supplies the requisite 2.1 Amps of current to four individual USB ports. Sure, you can swap out some or all of those iPads with iPhones or iPod touches, but where the Sydnee really shines is in the area of charging multiple iPads at one time. What's nice about the Sydnee is that it manages to be both functional and stylish at the same time. In terms of functionality, the Sydnee does an amazing job of holding three iPads at the same time while feeding power to them through included USB cables that are just the right length. The fourth iPad (or an iPhone) must sit on the table, uninvited to the party. Now, about the style. As you can see from both the image at the top of this post and the gallery, the Sydnee uses a unique design that allows it to hold three iPads gracefully. There's a clear plastic piece in the center of the oblong "loop" that separates two of the iPads, while the third perches on the outside of the device. If this design seems vaguely familiar, than you must be a fan of Disney Pixar's Wall•E. The Kanex team told me that Sydnee's design was inspired by the Axiom, the huge BnL spacecraft that is inhabited by a "lost colony" from Earth. Whether that story is true or the team was pulling my leg, there is a resemblance, and the design is striking. Sydnee's not available yet, but you can sign up for updates on availability. The recharging station is expected to retail for US$149 when it appears, and you'll be able to get it in either black or white. I just wish it had a Buy n Large logo sticker on the outside...
Oregon Scientific's Time and Wireless Charging Station+ does what it says
Oregon Scientific isn't usually known for making gadgets that get cozy with phones and whatnot, but this year we'll be seeing some changes. For starters, this Time and Wireless Charging Station+ will be the company's second Qi wireless charging station, and it shares many similarities with its smaller predecessor (which is conveniently dubbed Time & Weather Charging Station): you get a single charging pad along with a monochrome LCD for the time, indoor temperature and outdoor temperature (five channels; one sensor included). Of course, the plus sign in the name means there are some extra goodies, namely a radio-controlled clock, a barometer for weather forecast plus a projector for the time and temperature; but you'll need to pick up your own Qi phone sleeve -- Oregon Scientific sells one for the iPhone 4. Expect to see this clock on the market at some point for around $129.
Mad Catz Xbox accessory shocker! Kinect, wireless controller get stands at E3
Mad Catz, our favorite provider of gaming accessories that happens to be named after mentally ill house pets, has announced a plethora of devices for the new Xbox 360. First off, if there is a Kinect in your future you are probably thinking: "where am I gonna put the damn thing?" Well, you can stop thinking right now! the Xbox 360 Kinect Floor Stand includes a weighted base, 2.5-foot mounting pole, and it costs $30. If you feel like saving a few bucks, a camera tripod adapter is available for $15. There also is something called the Controller Charge Stand, which -- for a mere $30 -- allows you to store two controllers and charge up to two Microsoft Rechargeable Battery Packs at the same time. Pretty great, huh? PR after the break.
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.
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.
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]
