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Save 20 percent on a ChargeCard sync cable

Normally $25, this insanely handy gadget can be yours for $20 as part of a CNET-exclusive promotion.

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

The ChargeCard can sync and charge your mobile device, but it's small enough to tuck into your wallet.
The ChargeCard can sync and charge your mobile device, but it's small enough to tuck into your wallet. ChargeCard

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 Micro-USB version of the ChargeCard is just about ready to ship.
The Micro-USB version of the ChargeCard is just about ready to ship. ChargeCard

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?