charging
Mobile

Watch Bugs Unbelievably Charge A Smartphone

This ad by Qualcomm is more impressive and less gross than I thought it would be — it uses bugs on miniature circus equipment to charge an Android phone with a Snapdragon processor. I’m guessing it’s an attempt to show off how low-powered the Snapdragon processor can be? Whatever, complex bugs are cool.

September 15, 2011
Gadgets

Use A Fake Wall To Create A Clean Charging Station

Here’s a simple DIY project from Kitesurfer that’ll let you charge your devices without the distracting clutter of power strips and wall worts.

September 13, 2011
Gadgets

Charge On The Go With The Powerbag

The Powerbag is a backpack, a sling, a tablet bag and a portable charging station for your mobile devices. The convertible bag is also roomy enough to carry your books, clothes and other personal items.

September 8, 2011
Computing

I Want To Love This Inductive iPad Charger Mount, But…

iPort did a good thing in creating such an attractive, efficient wall mount that wirelessly charges your iPad. The only thing holding it back in my mind is that it’s so bloody expensive for what it does.

August 19, 2011
Mobile

Public Charging Kiosks May Steal Your Data

You’re at the airport. You must send an important email. Your smartphone is about to die. Every outlet is being taken up by other idiots travellers. You spot a charging kiosk! You plug in! Now say goodbye to your data.

August 16, 2011
Science

Wearable Flexible Solar Panels For Soldiers Are A Stupid Idea

Some boffins at the Australian National University have developed wearable flexible solar panels for soldiers. You know, so they can charge their gadgets easily and be spotted by snipers from a mile away.

August 14, 2011
Mobile

Are Syrian Rebels Charging Phones With Batteries And Water?

Syrian freedom fighters claim to have come up with a new and creative way of charging their mobile phones when they’re cut off the grid. It sounds too good to be true… and we think it is.

August 11, 2011
Computing

Spec Tweak Will Make USB Capable Of Charging Laptops

What if laptops (or any other device) didn’t need specialised AC adaptors? Well the USB Promoters Group just revealed a near-complete spec revision that would allow USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports to deliver up to 100W of power.

August 6, 2011
Mobile

Why Apple’s Inductive Charging Patent For iPhones Is A Red Herring

Just because a patent’s filed, doesn’t mean the company in question has any ambition to actually make the damn thing. Take Apple’s inductive charger, which proposes wrapping headphones around a charging tower with the earbuds conducting electricity to the iPhone.

August 5, 2011
Computing

iMac Of The Future Could Wirelessly Charge Your iPhone

Wireless charging is already here, but in most instances, the charge base is tethered to a power strip. Not so elegant. What if charging a phone/tablet/MP3 player was as simple as placing it near your computer?

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