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Get a 3-in-1 charging cable for $6.99

Unlike most hybrid cables, this one includes a Lightning connector for newer iDevices.

Rick Broida Senior Editor
Rick Broida is the author of numerous books and thousands of reviews, features and blog posts. He writes CNET's popular Cheapskate blog and co-hosts Protocol 1: A Travelers Podcast (about the TV show Travelers). He lives in Michigan, where he previously owned two escape rooms (chronicled in the ebook "I Was a Middle-Aged Zombie").
Rick Broida
2 min read
You don't often see 3-in-1 cables with a Lightning connector.
You don't often see 3-in-1 cables with a Lightning connector. Ice Monkey

This is an update of a deal I wrote about a couple months ago.

Until wireless charging hits the mainstream (with either Apple or Samsung leading the -- sorry -- charge), we're all slaves to cables.

For example, I'm currently traveling with an older iPhone, a newer iPad, and a Kindle. Because each one has a different power port, I have to travel with three different cables. That's just wrong.

I've seen various hybrid cables that pack multiple charging tips into a single cord, but none with the Lightning connector used by newer iDevices. Until now: For a limited time, and while supplies last, Ice Monkey has a 3-in-1 USB cable with microUSB, Apple/Samsung 30-pin, and Lightning connectors for $6.99 shipped.

Update: Looks like this is sold out, but eagle-eyed reader urbannaja found something similar (in fact, seemingly identical) at Amazon for $6.85 shipped.

Update No. 2: Back in stock at Ice Monkey, at least for now! Which is good, because the Amazon one is now out of stock from that seller, and now going for around $9 from another one.

You'll note that the product page calls this a 4-in-1 cable, but that's not technically accurate: It's a USB cable that splits off into three plugs. (In an ideal world, it would indeed have a fourth: miniUSB, although fewer and fewer devices rely on that kind of port.)

The cable (which measures a travel-bag-friendly 1 foot in length) lets you sync and/or charge any compatible device. According to the product description, it can charge three devices simultaneously, though I think if you split a USB port's power output three ways (or even two), you wouldn't get sufficient juice for any of them. At the very least, charging would take significantly longer.

In any case, I think this is more about the convenience of packing one cable instead of three. And to my thinking, that's a convenience well worth 7 bucks out the door.

Bonus deal: Every car should have Bluetooth. If yours doesn't, consider an adapter. Like this one: Accessory Genie has the GoGroove SmartMini Bluetooth car adapter for $24.99 shipped when you use coupon code SMARTAUX at checkout. (That's a CNET exclusive, cheeps!) This dash-mountable unit offers both hands-free calling and audio streaming, the only caveat being that your car stereo needs an accessible auxiliary input (for connecting the 3.5mm audio plug).

Bonus deal No. 2: Calling all parents! For a limited time, Amazon is offering 25 children's e-books for $2 each. You'll need a Kindle to read them, preferably a color one. I'm thinking you can't go wrong with "Pirates, Ho!" and "Baseball Hour," though let us not overlook the simple joys of "Eliza's Kindergarten Surprise."

Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers.

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