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All posts tagged "power"


Thursday, August 4, 2011

Bring the Power Along with the Tekkeon TekCharge MP1860A

Posted by Ron Hostetter in "Digital Home Hardware & Accessories" @ 07:00 AM

Product Category: Mobile Power
Manufacturer:Tekkeon
Where to Buy: Amazon.com
Price: MSRP $69.95
Specifications: Please see manufacturer website.

Pros:

  • Easily provides power for your devices;
  • Can charge two devices at once;
  • Long lasting battery.

Cons:

  • Cheap on/off switch can accidentally be switched;
  • Flashlight seems gimmicky.

Summary: Like power windows in a car, this little battery is the product you never thought you'd need, but once you have it, you won't want to live without it. The MP1860A gives you a pocket full of juice for your devices. Read more...


Monday, July 25, 2011

Get Extra Device Power with the Tekkeon myPower MP3750 External Battery

Posted by Jason Dunn in "Digital Home Hardware & Accessories" @ 07:30 AM

Please click on the video title above to watch it on YouTube in 1080p full screen video.

Who doesn't' want more battery life from their mobile device? I think we all do. I've been on a personal quest for years to find the best multipurpose external battery that I could find. I've looked at a few of them of the years (such as this one, and this one), but every one I've looked at has had limited functionality in some way. Usually it's that it's not compatible with whatever new laptop I'm using. The Tekkeon myPower MP3750, which sells for $119 in the Digital Home Thoughts Amazon.com store, is versatile battery in that it not only serves as a power source for a laptop, but with the USB port it can power a variety of devices. I was eager to take a look at it, and for the most part have been quite impressed with it. Read more...


Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Are Aesthetics to Blame for Poor Functionality?

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad" @ 04:00 AM

http://www.edibleapple.com/apples-f...an-explanation/

"What you see above is the difference between an Apple powercable circa 2007 and 2009. The one on the left is robust while the one on the right tends to break a whole lot easier. Indeed, an iPod Touch cable I purchased about 9 months ago is already starting to fray after only moderate usage while an old school iPod power cable proved to be extraordinarily resilient."

As the article goes on to say, an insider reports that certain levels of the hierarchy in Apple can influence the design of a product, altering a perfectly good and functional one for one that, to be kind, doesn't work quite so well. Case in point is the design of this power cable. I certainly believe that those that aren't to be "bothered" by the intricacies of functionality might like a cleaner design, but I would also suggest that perhaps it wasn't explained well enough as to why the design on the left needed to stay. Who knows, but the change certainly wasn't for the better if what you get is a faulty product. What are your thoughts?


Thursday, March 24, 2011

Magsafe Adapter Shortage?

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Laptops" @ 07:41 AM

http://www.hardmac.com/news/2011/03...fe-60w-adapters

"Apple offers packs of 5 or 20 units or Magsafe adapters to its retailers. There are packs of 85W adapters for the 15 an 17" MacBook Pro, 60W for the 13" MacBook (and Pro), and 45W for the MacBook Air."

Now, however, they are only selling single Magsafe adapters in the 60W version so either there is shortage or they are focusing efforts elsewhere on the production end of things. They offer a couple of good points though, in case you need to get an adapter. For one, you can use a more powerful adapter to charge your computer, it will only use what it needs but using one less powerful will limit your charging capability. For example you are good if you need a 60W and use an 85W but using a 45W when you need an 85W not such a good idea. Same premise when it comes to the iPad and iPhone adapters. You can use the iPad adapter for either the iPad or the iPhone, but using the adapter for the iPhone to charge the iPad doesn't work so well, mainly because it isn't powerful enough to charge the iPad in a timely manner.


Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Great Deal on iPhone 4 Power Adapter from TiPb

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad" @ 01:19 PM

http://store.tipb.com/apple-usb-pow...e/5A17A5673.htm

"Featuring a compact design, this convenient USB-based power adapter offers fast, efficient charging at home, in the office, or on the go. It works with iPhone 4 and all iPod models with a dock connector."

I have several USB cables for iPhones, but with the iPhone 4 and the bumper, I have to use the latest version (unless I want to take off my bumper to charge and that gets annoying) of the power adapter in order for it to fit properly. Dropping $30.00 USD isn't my idea of fun so with this sale, it only makes it half as painful since they are selling them over at TiPb for $14.95 USD. Great deal if you need an extra adapter.


Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Charge Your USB Device While Sharing An Electrical Outlet

Posted by Brad Wasson in "Windows Phone Talk" @ 09:30 AM

http://lifehacker.com/5743311/flipi...ll+(Lifehacker)

"To give your USB devices the power they crave without hogging the outlets that other gadget-obsessed folks crave, the Flipit! has a small power tab that flips out and goes over an AC outlet. When you plug in another device over it, the Flipit! borrows some of that power to charge your USB devices."

Here is an effective gadget that may get you out of a tough situation when you cannot find an available power source for charging your USB device. The idea is simple: share an outlet with another device. Flipit! is inserted between the wall outlet and the power cord prongs. Your USB device plugs into the Flipit! and can then be charged by sharing the power source. For comparison purposes, Belkin has a similar product that you might also consider. These are definitely handy tools to have at your disposal at work or while traveling.


Tuesday, January 18, 2011

FastMac U-Socket: Simple Yet Brilliant

Posted by Jason Dunn in "Laptop Thoughts Accessories" @ 02:00 AM

http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/17/...king-it-a-bett/

The above picture pretty much says it all, doesn't it? It's so simple, so obvious, yet so brilliant. $19.95 per plate is a bit expensive if you deploy them all over your house, but I bet the average home could make make great use of a handful of these placed in smart areas for charging smartphones, tablets, MP3 players, etc. Each USB port kicks out a potent 2100 mAH, which should be plenty to charge any device that can accept USB power. I think I might order a couple - I'm not much of an electrician, but I suspect they'd be pretty easy to install. Just make sure you turn off the breaker for that zone of your house first!


Monday, January 11, 2010

The Scosche passPORT Charging Adapter

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple iPhone & iPod Touch" @ 07:00 AM

http://www.amazon.com/Scosche-passP...62629928&sr=8-1

The Scosche passPORT Charging Adapter for iPod touch 2G, 3G; iPod nano 4G; iPhone 3G (Black)is something I just picked up, wondering if I could actually put to use some of the old charging cables that are currently gathering dust in one of my drawers. Is this the fix-all that I was hoping for? Well, not quite, but read on.

Read more...


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