Mobility Digest » Charger

Fulton Innovation Unveils the Next Generation of Wireless Power Solutions at 2012 CES

Kristofer Brozio — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:42:26 +0000

I don’t think I know enough about wireless charging to make an opinion of it. It is an interesting concept though, but wireless power is an odd thin if you think about, we have so much stuff floating around in the air and now we’re going to have power floating around up there too? It is the logical next step in charging but I don’t know about it just yet, it’s still new but it is a cool concept. Fulton has come up with a wireless charging solution that allows you to charge not just on a surface but above it as well. You can leave your phone in your bag and it will still charge.

Fulton Innovation the creator and exclusive licensor of eCoupled™ intelligent wireless power (www.ecoupled.com), is announcing technological breakthroughs in wireless power, showing demonstrations of multi-range, multi-protocol, and multi-surface applications at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Fulton is taking wireless technology to the next level by increasing spatial freedom with interoperability that enables a device to be moved around both on and above a surface while maintaining efficient and continuous charge. The ability to wirelessly charge through a metal surface is another industry-first that Fulton will be demonstrating.

The new development in spatial freedom for wireless power technology will be demonstrated by charging a cell phone through a handbag, without the need for wires (video: http://bit.ly/rZs9BP). Other demonstrations include devices within the general area of a wireless power transmitter than will still charge. The days of having to place a phone on an exact charging spot will soon be a thing of the past.

Fulton has developed an advanced wireless power solution that can be built into almost any surface, including packaging and publications. At CES, Fulton will show a copy of Entertainment Weekly powered by eCoupled intelligent wireless power technology. The magazine will light up on the shelf using wirelessly powered printed electronics –a low-powered, low cost, truly flexible example of wireless power in action.

Fulton’s booth will include the cockpit of a car that has its interior surfaces enabled for wireless power. Phones, tablets and other devices can be placed in the glove compartment or the center console and charge without plugging in a single cord.

Mobility Digest Review: Monaco Solar Charger

Jim Szymanski — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:02:11 +0000

Although this charger is not very new to the world, it’s new for me, so figured I should share my experience. I am not one of those people who uses energy conservation (user limiting) efforts on their phone; like dimming the screen to unusable levels, setting auto off to 30 seconds, or disabling any of the live tile features that makes Windows Phone special. So I am always looking for charging solutions. As I am currently working for a renewable energy company, thought it would be a good idea to give a solar charger a try.

The Monaco Solar Charger is a lightweight powerhouse, capable of dishing out 1800mAh of juice on a full charge. Enough to bring most any phone from brick, back to life. The charger measures 2.5” x 4.625” x 0.625” thick and weighs in at about 2.75oz. Although we are talking solar power here, if by chance you winter in a northern Scandinavian country, you can also power the charger from any USB port or the included AC adapter (Output 5V, 1A). But come on, what fun is that when you have the sun at your disposal. Just place the Charger on you dashboard, windowsill or back deck in the morning and you will be good to go by late afternoon. The specs claim a full solar charge will take about 8 hours, while an AC/USB charge should finish in six. Btw, you can also charge the Solar Charger with a desk lamp (doing that right now), but that would be an extremely inefficient method, unless of course the desk lamp had to be on anyway, which would then make it a really good idea.

The Solar Charger is light on packaging; nothing more than a plain white E flute (packaging lingo) box. Not sure if that makes it cheap or environmentally friendly. But the lack of any type of printed information; on the box, in the box, or on the device itself does make me a tad suspicious. The charger includes; a 30” USB to Mini USB Power cable that connects the Charger to your computer or the included AC charger block, a 60” device charging cable with two pin tips for mini and micro USB outputs, which will work with most any of today’s phones. Well almost any. The vendor also offers an iPhone/iPod adapter ($7.95) so you could charge your iDevice. An indicator on the Charger face will glow red while charging and change to green when fully charged. There is no indicator when the Charger is actually connected to your device, but that’s not a problem for me.

I left the Solar Charger on my dashboard for about 7 hours of daylight today and it was fully charged when I checked back. Plugging in to my phone, it immediately started charging. Not sure about its capacity yet, which will take a few cycles to prove out, but so far it appears to work as advertised. I would have like to see a simple pouch included to protect the Charger’s face, but fortunately I had a couple lying around that fit quite well.

Whether you choose to use the Monaco Solar Charger as your primary juice machine or simply for those those times where a power plug is not a practical option, you will be doing your part to free yourself from the grid. And that’s always a good feeling. I picked up my Solar Charger from WirelessGround for $39.95, with a 15% discount and free shipping. But a quick search brought up multiple hits, including one on eBay for $29.95 with free expedited shipping. So what are you waiting for. Time to cut the cord.

Mobility Digest Review: PowerGen Mobile Juice Pack

Jim Szymanski — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:55:09 +0000

Back in my WinMo days I was a battery bloodhound, constantly checking for apps and tweaks that stole more juice than they were supposed to. With my Tilt2 Extended Battery, along with logging tools and my snooping efforts, I squeezed as many hours as you possibly could out of my phone, without compromising the user experience.

Shortly after picking up my Surround though, with it’s miniscule 1230mAh battery, locked down access to pretty much everything, and no possibility of ever seeing an OEM extended battery (for the 30 or 40 of us who really wanted one), I needed to find an alternative. Compromising the way I use my phone, like; dimming the screen to unusable levels, setting the sleep time out to 30 seconds (3 minutes for me), turning off email sync, avoiding live tiles, turning data and/or wifi on/off all day, and all those other things that people do to save power are not options for me. Like putting plastic slip covers on your living room furniture. I bought my phone to enjoy and I damn well will, while I can.

My solution was a USB Portable Power Supply. Been using a DigiPower Power Plus 1700mAh, with a convenient AC plug built in, but after probably 500 charges, it is starting to lose some juice. A search on Amazon found the PowerGen Mobile Juice Pack. This little guy sports a 2900mAh capacity and a couple other bells and whistles.

The Juice Pack measures about 4.125” x 2.25” x 0.375” and weighs in at 3.5oz, so it’s easy to slip in a pocket, or just about anywhere else. Included in the box is a 27” USB to PIN cable along with three adapters for; iPhone/iPod, Micro USB and Nokia Small DC. All white, btw, for the iApple fans out there. Output is DC5V / 0.6A, which is 0.1A more than my DigiPower charger. You charge the unit via a Micro USB port (cable not included) connected to either a standard AC or car phone charger, or through any standard USB port on a computer.

While charging, or by pressing the button on the Juice Pack, a display will appear showing current charge level of; 25, 50, 75 or 100%. Press and hold the button for about 1.5 seconds and a convenient LED light will help you find your way. The included cable plugs into a standard USB port on the front of the unit, but tucked on the side is a Mini USB plug with a 3-4” long spiral cord. The built-in cord may not be ideal for everyday use, but good to have if all you want to carry is the Juice Pack, and you have a phone that uses Mini USB.

I found a USB to Mini USB cable online a while back that measures 12” plug to plug, and is my preferred method for charging my phone during the day. I can walk around the house with the phone and charger cupped in my medium size mitt, without being tethered to a 4’ long cord. Not perfect, but it works for me. I will also often carry the pair out to the car with me rather than digging my car charger out of the glove box, plugging in, then unplugging and stowing away later. Gives me as much power as possible to play once I reach my destination.

USB Portable Chargers are not suited for being pocketable while in use, but for most any other situation they do come in handy.

You can find the PowerGen Mobile Juice Pack at Amazon for $22.99. Just discovered that you can also find this in white for a couple extra dollars.

Mili Charging Station Can Do It All!

Kristofer Brozio — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:18:07 +0000

Here’s an interesting take on the universal charger, the Mili Charging Station can charge just about everything out of the box. It’s good for most phones, cameras and MP3 players out there, just use one of the six included tips. It’s for home or business use, there’s a display on it that can be used for advertising or personal things. It’s kinda neat..

Today MiLi Power, specialist in design and development of portable battery accessories, charging solutions and docking stations, announces the release of the MiLi Charger Station which is a public multi-plug charging station for iphone, android, and other mobile devices. This way, travelers aren’t required to bring all of their cables and chargers on the road.

The MiLi Charger Station is a USB power hub that features a unique 6 output design in order to charge devices at 5v. It can produce 2.1A to charge iPad as well & can handle up to three devices at once. The MiLi Charger stations comes with 6 of the most popular plugs that include iPhone, iPod, iPad, Blackberry, HTC, Droid, Samsung, Nokia, Ericsson and other smart phones.

The MiLi Charger Station covers most of the mobile phone, digital camera, and music device market. It comes with a bright LED lighting display to advertise while charging. It is best used in public places like restaurant, library, bar, club, airport, hotel or train station. It is convenient so people can have a miniature charger center at home.

One for the Ladies: Umiushi Smapho 2800 Smartphone Battery Charger

Kristofer Brozio — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:41:52 +0000

Apparently this little phone charger is made with the ladies in mind. It’s called the Umiushi Smapho 2800 and it’s basically a universal charger that includes iOS dock connector and a micro USB connector. It’s charged with a standard USB port and it has a 2800mAH battery in it for power to your devices. There’s no link to any official website, but here’s the PR and a picture for you..

PANS LTD. of Tokyo has unveiled at CEATEC JAPAN 2011 the latest addition to its production lineup, "Umiushi Smapho 2800," a rechargeable battery charger for iPhone and Android phones requiring no external cables or adaptors.

This palm-size smartphone charger comes with a battery capacity of 2,800mAh. Designed perfectly for ladies ages 20 to 40.

Chargers currently available in today’s market mostly come with a bunch of adaptors and cables compatible with multiple mobile devices. Once the user loses or forgets their cable or adaptors, the charger becomes useless.

Umiushi Smapho 2800, the new product announced at the CEATEC exhibition, is a portable charger complete with three built-in adaptors — an iPhone/iPod dock connector, a micro USB adaptor for smartphones, and a USB plug for recharging, all built into one unit. The user can leave home without any extra cables or adaptors. This non-cable charger, is also a device which can be used worldwide irrespective of voltage.

This original product took PANS one whole year to plan, design, mold, and manufacture. PANS proudly introduces this design in Japan in three colors — fire red, pearl white and ocean blue.

The unit has a LED meter capable of showing four levels of remaining battery power. It also comes with a fashionable leather strap accessory matching with its body color.

There is a link with the same info and info about some other products they’ve just announced: http://pans.co.jp/ceatec2011/english.html

Mobility Digest Review: Universal Charger IDAPT i4

Kristofer Brozio — Sun, 29 May 2011 21:27:59 +0000

It’s Sunday so I figured let’s go with another review, maybe even I’ll post another later. Who knows, we’ll see how industrious I feel later today. For review today I’ve got a universal charger from a company called IDAPT and it’s aptly named the IDAP i4. This charger is certainly unique, it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen. The i4 uses a system of adapters that plug into a base to charge your devices, it has three adapters and a standard USB port so you can charge four things at one time.

Author: Kristofer Brozio

Vendor: IDAPT

Price: $59.99

Overall Rating: 4/5

Universal Charger IDAPT i4

IDAPT I4 is an innovative charging solution that can charge up to 4 mobile devices simultaneously and is compatible with over 4,000 mobile electronic devices including the iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Nintendo DS, PSP, GPS systems, digital cameras, and Bluetooth products.

The IDAPT i4 features an interchangeable tip system making it completely customizable. It has 3 charging points and an additional USB charging point, allowing users to charge their electronics without the mess of tangled cords or the need for more than one outlet.

Features:
-SIMULTANEOUS – Charge up to 4 devices at the same time
-ECOLOGICAL – LEDS indicate the charging status of your device. Save energy and switch off IDAPT when not in use
-FUTURE PROOF – IDAPT is committed to constantly update the range of adapter tips as new devices are launched.
-UNIVERSAL – Charge all your electronic devices with complete compatibility.
-SAFE & ERGONOMIC – The articulated tips make IDAPT a sturdy adaptable product for everyday use
-EASY AND SIMPLE – Simple connection and disconnection of electronic devices.

Specification:
AC Input: 85-240 VAC – 0.2A; 50/60 Hz worldwide compatible
4 independent chargers with self-regulating power supply
DC Output: Up to 13 W
Cord length: 1,6 m
Dimensions: 169 x 135 x 32 mm
Weight: 300 g

What’s in the Box?

So it comes in a box, everything comes in a box right? The box for the IDAPT i4 is attractive, and nicely done but it’s a bit flimsy.

Inside the box you’ll find documentation, power cable, charging station and six adapters.

The adapters that come in the box are not exactly popular, at least in my opinion anyway. Some of them are like the the iPhone, mini and micro USB connections but I don’t see what the needs for the Nokia, Samsung and Sony adapters are needed for. Anymore most every phones uses a USB adapter. Then again though I guess people have old phones and I guess some of the non smartphones might have those funky adapters. I can’t wait until there’s actually a standard for all phones out there, this proprietary crap is ridiculous I think.

The base I got for review is a glossy black in color, it’s nice and rather stylish. The i4 should fit in with any décor, either in an office of your home. There are three holes for the adapters and a power switch towards the top or back. On the side, not pictured, is a regular USB port.

When it arrives it’s all covered in plastic, the bottom is as well. There are also four rubber feet there and on the back of the base is the power connection.

Impressions / Review:

The individual adapters just plug right into the base station and lock into place. On each side of the adapter are buttons, pushing both at the same time unlocks the adapters and they pop out.

I grabbed my Captivate, Tilt and iPod Touch and plugged them in. Yes I still have my Tilt floating around, I couldn’t really find anything else handy that uses a mini-USB port for charging.There are LEDs for each port, they light when active and green when not.

You might notice that my Captivate is upside down, well the microUSB port is on the top of it. I did grab my Motorola Backflip to try that, but it has a USB port on the side so it wouldn’t fit with the iPod charging.

So depending where the charge points are on your devices you might need to move the adapters around, or things might not fit.

Conclusion:

The i4 works fine for charging, and it’s nice to be able to charge several devices at one time. It seems to take the same amount of time to charge as it would using the regular AC adapter that comes with the phone.

I don’t like the idea of having different adapters and having to buy more of them. Maybe it’s me, but I don’t think I should have to keep paying for something after I already bought it. On the other hand I guess paying a small amount just for an adapter is better than having to buy a whole new device.

Pros:
+Very simple to use

+Looks great, very stylish

+Seems well made

Cons:
-Can’t reposition adapters

-Some things just don’t fit

Turn Your Phone’s Display into a Solar Cell

Jim Szymanski — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 02:39:04 +0000

Ran across this article today over at Engadget about a French startup called Wysips that has developed a transparent photovoltaic film, basically generating power from light, which could theoretically turn your smartphone’s touchscreen into a self-sufficient, solar charger. The film would be applied directly to the screen, below the capacitive layer, so no effect on touch performance. There are some issues with clarity but the developers are said to be working through it. May not generate enough power to keep a smartphone perpetually charged but it could easily extend the capacity of your battery without adding any weight or bulk.

The firm is in the process of locking up deals with suppliers, manufacturers and carriers, which sounds like a very good thing. The first commercial devices are expected to hit in 2012. Good stuff. You can read the whole article here.

IDAPT i2+ Now Available

Kristofer Brozio — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:49:36 +0000

A lot of universal chargers out there aren’t really universal, but the new idapt i2+ is one that I think is with compatibility with over 4000 devices. If you’re looking for something to charge pretty much everything you own then this might be what you want..

IDAPT, a leading mobile technology leader, is excited to announce the availability of the new IDAPT i2+ universal charger. The new charger, announced originally at CES, allows users to charge up to 3 different mobile devices simultaneously while eliminating cord clutter.

The IDAPT i2+ has 2 charging ports and a bonus USB connection to meet all mobile electronic charging needs. The new i2+ also features IDAPT’s unique interchangeable tips system, making it compatible with over 4,000 different devices including iPad, iPhone, BlackBerry, Nintendo PSP, XBOX controllers, GPS systems and Bluetooth products. Additionally, the “quick release” button allows for safe and easy ejection of the interchangeable tips.

The IDAPT i2+ is available now for $39.99 at IDAPTweb.com and soon at PC Richard, Batteries Plus, BiMart, Costco.com, Walmart.com, Crutchfield.com and Frontgate.com with other IDAPT branded products. The packaging includes 6 of the most popular tips – miniUSB, microUSB, iPod/iPhone, Samsung 4, Nokia 2 and Sony Ericcson 2. Additional tips can be purchased at IDAPTweb.com.

Scosche Announces Availability of goBAT II – Dual USB Portable Charger & Backup Battery

Kristofer Brozio — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:13:26 +0000

Need more power for those devices on the go? Then the goBAT II might be just what you need!

Scosche Industries, award-winning innovator of consumer technology, is excited to announce the availability of the Scosche goBAT II, dual USB battery backup and charger. The goBAT II pairs a 5000mAh rechargeable lithium ion battery with dual USB outputs including a 10 Watt (2.1 Amp) port to meet the larger power requirements of tablets as well as a standard 5 Watt (1Amp) port for virtually everything else.

The goBAT II also ships with a USB adapter for the Galaxy Tab, maximizing tablet compatibility. It’s 5 Watt (1 Amp) port allows users to simultaneously charge another USB powered device like an iPhone, Blackberry or Android device while powering up a tablet. The goBAT II also features a simple LED battery level indicator so users always know how much power is left. Also included is a micro USB cable for recharging the battery, which can also be used when charging any micro USB device from the goBAT II. The goBAT II also works with Scosche’s free reVIVE charging app. The reVIVE app indicates how long a device will take to charge on any of Scosche’s chargers and can also be configured to send an email notification once a device has been fully charged.

“The vast majority of our customers that own a tablet, also own a mobile phone that can be charged via a USB connection,” said Kas Alves, Executive Vice President of Scosche Industries. “It only made sense for us to design a battery backup that could meet the demands of both types of mobile devices, eliminating the need to carry two chargers or battery back-ups.”
The Scosche goBAT II is available now at Scosche.com for $89.99

Duracell Unveils Advanced Power Inverters and Laptop Adapters

Doug Smith — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 14:38:52 +0000

As our mobile devices continue to become more and more feature rich, we are going to have find ways to keep them fed with power. Check out Duracell’s newest offering of USB 2.1 Amp Charging Devices.

Ultra-Fast, Efficient Chargers are Most Comprehensive Line of USB 2.1 Amp Charging Devices

BETHEL, Conn., Jan. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Duracell responds to increasing consumer need for dependable charging solutions with the launch of a new line of Duracell Portable Power Inverters and Duracell Laptop Power Adapters. The new portable power lines from Duracell are the first to market with advanced USB 2.1 Amp charging ports across inverters and laptop adapters, making them the most comprehensive line of USB 2.1 Amp charging devices available.

The demand for USB electronic devices such as iPads, tablet PCs, e-Readers, smartphones and iPods continues to grow. In 2009, more than 3 billion USB-enabled devices were shipped worldwide and over 4 billion are expected to ship in 2012. (1) The five new inverters and two new adapters from Duracell with USB 2.1 Amp charging offers the latest standard in USB power and provides the high level of power needed to charge these power-hungry devices.

"With the popularity of USB and AC electronic devices continually on the rise, consumers are in need of efficient, dependable portable power," said Bob Jacobs, Duracell marketing director-North America. "Duracell Portable Power Inverters and Duracell Laptop Power Adaptors provide consumers with the power solutions needed to stay connected to their mobile devices."

Duracell inverters convert the 12-Volt DC power from vehicle cigarette outlets into 120-Volt AC and 5-Volt USB power giving consumers the ability to charge thousands of devices on the go including the iPad and other tablet computers, iPhones and smart phones, iPods and MP3 players, e-readers such as Kindle and Nook, digital cameras and camcorders, as well as netbooks and laptops. The power inverter line includes five models which can simultaneously charge two devices and range from the compact Mobile Inverter 30 and Mobile Inverter 100, the slim Pocket Inverter 100 and Pocket Inverter 175, and thePower Inverter 130 that fits seamlessly into a car cup-holder and includes AC, DC and USB 2.1 Amp ports able to charge three devices at once. All models are equipped with high-quality cooling technology which dramatically reduces fan noise and makes them the quietest, most efficient inverters available. Many current competitor models rely on internal cooling fans which can emit enough noise to drown out normal conversation.

The Universal 90-Watt AC Adapter and the Universal Energy Efficient 90-Watt AC Adapter are the latest entries to the Duracell laptop power adapter family. The Universal Energy Efficient model exceeds the stringent EnergyStar efficiency requirements and is designed to use 90 percent less energy than comparable adapters. Both models include 10 patented voltage-controlling tips to ensure safe, efficient power to all popular laptop models from top manufacturers including Acer, Asus, Compaq, Dell, Gateway, HP, IBM, Lenovo, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba and more. The additional USB 2.1 Amp power port can simultaneously charge thousands of popular handheld devices.

Duracell is also answering consumer demand for environmentally-friendly product packaging with an innovative new "green packaging" design. The new structure eliminates the use of plastic by up to 85 percent versus traditional "clamshell" cases and incorporates several leading-edge technologies that together make a significant positive impact on the environment. These innovations include 100 percent recyclable paper made from 50 to 60 percent post-consumer recycled paper, 100 percent recyclable plastic made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled PET plastic, Zero-Hassel Zero-Residue™ water based adhesive and vegetarian soy-based inks.

The new lineup of Duracell Portable Power Inverters and Duracell Laptop Power Adapters will be available in Spring 2011 with an MSRP of $29.99 — $59.99 and feature a 3-year warranty.