charger

Reflex Dock Pro outputs video, too

I come from the PalmPilot school of gadgetry, which means I like my PDAs, MP3 players, and phones to sit upright, proudly, in a dock when they're pulling desk duty. Otherwise they're just flopping around, along with their sync cables.

Alas, Apple doesn't bundle docks with iPhones and iPods, so it's up to third-party vendors to fill the void.

The Konnet Reflex Dock Pro fills it nicely, if a little expensively. This stylish, lightweight plastic stand is compatible with nearly all models, from the iPhone 4 on down to the iPod Classic. And it does more … Read more

Nyko to release PS3 controller laid out like a 360's

Nyko had another solid showing at last month's E3 2010 expo in Los Angeles, but we're really intrigued by its debut of a wireless controller with an analog stick configuration similar to that found on the Xbox 360 controller.

The Raven wireless PS3 controller will come in two styles. The first will emulate the PS3's conventional side-by-side thumbstick design, while the other swaps the D-pad with the left stick--just like Microsoft's Xbox 360 controller layout.

While the never-ending debate over which system has the superior input device will go on forever, this will be the best chance PS3 owners will have to get an idea of what it's like using the Xbox's configuration on their own console. We'll be sure to update this post with a price tag when we get one.

A deeper look at the Nyko fall lineup includes a few PlayStation Move charging solutions and an inexpensive wired PS3 "core" controller. We've got pictures of the rest of these products after the jump.… Read more

Nokia unveils bicycle-powered phone charger

Nokia unveiled on Thursday a bicycle-powered phone charger.

The Nokia Bicycle Charger Kit, which can be attached to any bicycle, powers up from the pedaling motion of the bike's rider. A dynamo--the electricity generator--is powered by the front bicycle wheel as a rider pedals and transfers electricity to a charger attached to the handlebar, which a phone plugs into.

"To begin charging, a cyclist needs to travel around six kilometers per hour (four miles per hour), and while charging times will vary depending on battery model, a 10-minute journey at 10 kilometers per hour (six miles per hour) … Read more

PowerV Duo juices two Wiimotes, other gadgets

Charging Wiimotes wrapped in their thick rubber jackets has always been a hassle for most Nintendo Wii owners. You could either strip off the overlay each time you recharge the batteries or go with Konnet's PowerV Duo, which utilizes induction technology to juice up the power cells.

Users just have to drop the remote, with or without the jacket, onto either of the two docks to get started. As a bonus, there are two overhead USB ports for other gadgets like your mobile phone, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 controllers.

As a side note, the $35 PowerV Duo at … Read more

Belkin invests in smart charger for electric cars

Will home energy management become the domain of consumer electronics companies?

Belkin, which makes PC peripherals and accessories, said on Thursday it has invested in Juice Technologies, a start-up which makes equipment for charging electric vehicles and home energy monitors marketed under the Plug Smart brand.

Last month, Belkin purchased Zensi, a technology company which makes sensors to give people detailed information on electricity usage. Apple is rumored to have been a suitor for Zensi as well.

The acquisition and investment in Columbus, Ohio-based Juice Technologies--both for undisclosed sums--are part of Belkin's strategy to offer energy management products to … Read more

Crave giveaway: Novothink Solar Surge for iPhone

With summer just around the corner, we thought we'd give away something sun-related this week, an Apple-certified solar charger for the iPhone from Novothink that's being marketed for outdoor enthusiasts.

As anybody who has tried to charge an electronic device using a solar charger knows, it doesn't juice up the device nearly as quickly as your typical power adapter would--and the Surge is no exception. The charging case can provide up to 30 minutes of talk time on a 3G network, or 60 minutes on 2G, from 2 hours of direct sunlight. Novothink also includes a USB … Read more

FastCharge: Power your electric car in 2.5 hours

Electric car charging is set to get a whole lot quicker--at least if Infracharge gets its way. The company, which supplies roadside charging station to London boroughs, will shortly be rolling out a new set of roadside and home charging stations that it says can recharge electric cars in as little as 2.5 hours.

The first of its products is the Chargemaster FastCharge, which is designed for use in public places. This bad boy chucks out a whopping 32A (7kW) current, more than twice the amount offered by today's charging posts. The extra power reduces the time it … Read more

Are cell phone chargers juicing you?

Recently, AT&T announced an eco-friendly cell phone charger called the AT&T Zero Charger.

The allure of this device is it automatically shuts down when not in use, offering what AT&T claims is "zero vampire draw" from the wall outlet. Vampire draw is a term for the power that devices draw out of outlets they are plugged into while they are turned off. AT&T's charger will be USB-compatible, making it practical for many of the phones on the market today.

Sure, a zero-draw charger sounds helpful. With that said, we … Read more

Most exciting laptop charger ever

Like most people, I hate buying things that are boring necessities such as a replacement power supply for my laptop. Sure, my laptop would be an expensive paperweight without it, but it doesn't make me any happier to spend the money. The Targus Premium Laptop Charger, however, is a purchase worth making even if you don't need a replacement because it's more than just a one-product charger.

Though the headline is meant to be facetious, the Targus charger's usefulness does make it more interesting than your average power supply. For starters, it's designed for easy … Read more