Remember the ChargeCard? It debuted at this year's CES and made my list of the three things I saw at CES I'd actually buy.
As I noted then, it's a mostly rubber card that's thin enough to fit in your wallet, but able to charge and sync your smartphone, e-reader, digital camera, Bluetooth headset, and the like.
The ChargeCard comes in three versions: iPhone 4/4S (meaning Apple 30-pin connector), iPhone 5 (Apple Lightning connector), and Micro-USB. All three have the same rubber arm that folds out to plug into a USB port, but a different edge-mounted connector for jacking into your mobile device.
The iPhone/30-pin version is in stock; the Micro-USB model is due to ship in a couple weeks, while iPhone 5 users will have to wait until May. Thankfully, all three can be ordered (or preordered) now, and you can get any ChargeCard for $20 shipped when you use coupon code CNET at checkout. That's 20 percent off and a Cheapskate exclusive!
I can't tell you how handy this thing is. How many times do you find your phone running low on battery, and you without a sync cable on hand for a quick charge? Because the ChargeCard rides in your wallet, it goes where you go. Now your only job is to find a powered USB port -- and those things are everywhere.
The ChargeCard is manufactured in California (U.S.A! U.S.A!), and the regular $25 price tag includes worldwide shipping. At $20 out the door it's an even better deal (and lower than I've ever seen it, ahem).
This is a great gift item, either for yourself or someone else. I love mine; it's earned a permanent home in my pocket. What greater compliment could there be?
