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Super USB mobile phone charger takes care of all your needs, almost

Posted by Mark Rollins Categories: Accessories, USB, Smartphones,

This octopus of a USB cable is one of those devices that allows you charge multiple gadgets, because it comes with a boatload of connectors. Here is a convenient bullet point list:

Nokia 2.06mm (or 2mm)
Nokia 3.5mm
Sony PSP
Motorola (V3 series) & HTC and other phones using USB Mini 5 pin as a charging port
Micro USB (for Motorola V8…)
LG
Samsung (20P (s))
Samsung (20P (M))
Sony Ericsson Fast Port
iPhone / iPod (for charging and data)

Those who are counting may notice that it can charge ten different devices, not eight, as its octopus moniker implies. But of course, the PowerSquid name is taken.

Duracell MyGrid wireless charging pad

Posted by Mark Rollins Categories: Accessories, Smartphones, Misc. Tech,

Duracell Smart Power Products uses wireless charging pad Looks like Duracell is looking to follow in the footsteps of products like the Wildcharge system with one of their own. Yup, the copper-top battery giant is jumping on the wireless charging bandwagon with their new “Smart Power” line.

The MyGrid that you see here is one of those that can charge several mobiles at one time including products from Nokia, Motorola, BlackBerry, as well as the iPhone and iPod touch. It should be available in October for $80.

Angelina Jolie Tops Oprah on Forbes Power List

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Movies, Music, Sports, Television,

Apparently I’m a Celebrity has devalued Spencer Pratt’s fame so much, he didn’t even rank in the Top 100.

After combining figures based on entertainment-related earnings and media popularity, there was a surprise shift in the Forbes annual power list. According to the magazine, Angelina Jolie now carries more weight than the reigning talk show queen.

Thanks to a high interest in her new twins, several blockbusters (Wanted, Kung Fu Panda) and her ongoing humanitarian work, Jolie has earned the top spot for 2009. Billionaire Oprah, last year’s #1, slid by only one spot despite a dip in her program’s ratings. Madonna, Beyonce, Tiger Woods, Bruce Springsteen, Steven Spielberg, Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt and Kobe Bryant round off the Top 10.

For a look at the entire list, click here.

MIT Creates Super Battery

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Science, Storage,

Imagine charging your self phone in seconds instead of hours. Professor Gerbrand Ceder from MIT has devised a new lithium-ion battery electrode that is many times faster than its predecessors. While most discharge at a rate of a minute and a half with the best high powered batteries, this one works in only 10 to 20 seconds. That rate will allow a 1 liter battery to deliver about 25,000W, enough power for about 20 vacuum cleaners. Ceder and his team modified lithium iron phosphate, an electrode material, so that electrons and ions could move more quickly.

Current lithium rechargeable batteries can store large amounts of energy but don’t have the acceleration speed. Professor Cedar claims that because the material is not new, but simply remade, scientists could conceivably market it in the next couple of years.

Holiday Gift Guide 2008: Belkin Conserve surge protector

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Home Entertainment, Family, Techies, Under $50,

We know, you’re wondering why on Earth we’d be recommending a surge protector as a gift, right? Well, the Belkin Conserve line is actually pretty cool. In the interest of being green, we are recommending a power strip that is great for the eco-concious folks in your life. You’re able to turn off all connected devices with one switch. Outlets are spaced out to support those unsightly bulky ones, and there is even a remote you can use to control the flow of power. Since electronics pull power, even when powered off, that means you’re wasting electricity constantly unless you unplug your devices when you are done using them. The Belkin Concserve fixes that. They retail for $49.99, but we were able to find them for 24% less - $38.24 at Amazon.

A Town Without TV

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: FOX, Editorial,

It all started Sunday morning. I woke up hearing these terrible noises outside - banging, howling, whistling and scraping. “What’s that!” I cried in alarm.

“Just the wind,” I was answered by the person who lives with me.

Well then, no big deal. Or so I thought.

The power went out while I was taking my wake-up shower. The lights had already flicked several times, so surely this was only a temporary inconvenience.

As my home started to grow hotter and hotter (no power means no air conditioning also), we had to find ways to entertain ourselves. The battery in my laptop lasted only two hours, and we found ourselves still in the heat with no entertainment relief.

The VCR (yes, I still have one) would not work. No video games could be played. It didn’t matter that we have one thousand channels, for none of them could be accessed. We played cards instead, then moved on to the board games.

Click to continue reading A Town Without TV

Revolve Power Strip

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Misc. Tech,

Revolve Power Strip Who says that power strips need to be flat, horizontal, or bulky? If your computer is backed into a corner and you never seem to have enough outlets, consider designer Takumi Yoshida’s answer, the Revolve. The electrical hub rotates 360º making it a lot simpler in cramped quarters. Still at the prototype stage, Takumi admits on his Coroflot page that he has seen devices similar to his, but we say there is plenty of room for the competition. Contact him if you are interested in his Revolve.

Hand-Crank USB Power Charger

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Misc. Tech, Portable Audio / Video, USB,

Hand-Crank Charger Call it being green or minimal exercise for your wrist. The Hand-Crank USB Power Charger can recharge cameras, cell phones or any other piece of electronics with USB access. The device, at a size of 2 1/2 x 4 x 1 1/2-inches and a weight of 6 oz., will work with most Motorola, Samsung, Nokia, and LG phones with included adapters. Crank away when you are out of electric range or use the AC adapter when at home. The charger is available for $39.95.

Read More | National Geographic Online Store

Tributaries T12 Powerstrip

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, PC / Laptop,

Tributaries T12 While we were certainly impressed by Belkin’s latest surge protector, this one from Tributaries is equally fierce. The T12 has 12 outlets, with 8 of them capable of rotating 90°. With 8 UL listings, the gadget features a resettable circuit breaker, a red LED to let you know you are surge protected, and a blue one for grounding. If you live in the U.S., you get a $25,000 connected equipment warranty in addition to a 3 year parts and labor warranty. The T12 has a MSRP of $120.00.

Join Earth Hour To Save Energy

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Editorial, Google, Science, Videos,

If you want to make your mark on the planet tonight, join the global Earth Hour. Created by the World Wildlife Fund, sign up on the site before 8:00 p.m.your time. Then turn off that computer, light candles, and disconnect any unnecessary appliances. Tell a friend about it, too. Even Google is in on the action if you noticed its background today. Cities include New York, Atlanta, San Francisco, Phoenix, Pasadena, Charlotte, Chicago, Honolulu, San Clemente, Minneapolis, Portland, Montreal, Bogotá, and Montreal. For a complete listing of North American cities, check this Earth Hour site. Think of it as giving some extra energy for your kid’s generation.

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