Hasta La Gadget!

Most cell phone manufacturers have charging standards these days, even if they can’t always agree on which version of USB to use, but as the hair-tearing message above shows, third-party renditions of Apple’s proprietary dock connector haven’t always been universal solutions for iPods and iPhones. Now we know another important reason why — secret resistors placed on the data lines in connectors for each iDevice. Minty Boost creator ladyada recently reverse-engineered the chargers for a variety of Apple gadgets, and discovered that iPhones in particular don’t draw electricity until they detect 2.8V and 2V signals when they attempt to charge. At that voltage, the handsets suck down about one amp, leading to a rapid filling of your device’s Li-ion belly, but by adding additional resistance to drop the voltage further, the iPhone can be coerced into accepting 500mA instead — perfect for the set of AAA batteries you stashed away in that Altoids tin. Video after the break, full explanation at our source link.

Continue reading Hacker reveals how Apple artificially restricts iPhone chargers (video)

Hacker reveals how Apple artificially restricts iPhone chargers (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 21:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’ve dug deep within the mind of Yves Béhar, and when that man designs something, we take notice. Particularly when the object of reference is an all-new electric vehicle charger that looks good enough for the sparkling streets of Minneapolis. Introduced today, the GE WattStation is a beautifully engineered EV charger designed to “accelerate the adoption of plug-in electric vehicles,” and furthermore, allow “utility companies to manage the impact of electric vehicles on the local and regional grids.” We’re also told that it’s capable of handling Level 2 (240V) charging, and if all goes to plan, it’ll be available globally next year. Oh, and if you’re considering a move to the inner city just to be near one, hold your horses — a specialized home version will be available later in 2010. Hop on past the break for a little showboating from Yves himself.

Continue reading Yves Behar-designed GE WattStation electric vehicle charger spruces streets, juices cars

Yves Behar-designed GE WattStation electric vehicle charger spruces streets, juices cars originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 03:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Can’t say we’re any keener on the idea of blasting our outlets with Super Soakers, but Wet Circuit’s water resistant power strips boast its ability to withstand just such a defiant action — occasional rain and snow, wet hands, temporary flooding, and accidental water spills (assuredly intentional, too). $35 is the asking price, and while the company claims you can put metallic objects in the socket without fear of electrocution, you probably shouldn’t press your luck. Check out a plethora of demonstrations after the break — no really, we beseech you. Crank the speakers for this one.

Continue reading Wet Circuits waterproof power strip presented by all-time best dubbed videos

Wet Circuits waterproof power strip presented by all-time best dubbed videos originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 09:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Got a bunch of photovoltaic cells and a vehicle that requires electricity? Toshiba’s thought up a process dubbed “Charge Grid” by which you can juice the latter efficiently. When the sun’s out and the electrons are flowing, it doesn’t pay to put them into the grid, so this system stores them in a rechargeable battery ready to rapidly charge your EV. For nighttime when the electricity rates are low, a bidirectional inverter lets you hop right back on the neighborhood grid, so your solar cells are put to good use and your car is always well fed. The company tells Tech-On commercialization of the system is still a few years away, so you’ve plenty of time to raze that roof antenna in favor of some photosynthesized electricity.

Toshiba’s Charge Grid puts your solar panels to work, smartly charges your EV originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Based on just how intimately we studied Chris Berman’s hairdo from ESPN’s 1979 launch, we’re more than confident in saying that the video produced here to showcase a “new” wireless desk is most certainly a relic from yesteryear. WiPower — a company that was trumpeting its wireless charging pad way back in ’07 — has purportedly joined up with Gill Industries in order to showcase the planet’s first production through-desk, wireless charging system at NeoCon 2010. The solution would enable laptop users to plop their machine down anywhere on their desk (within the charging area, of course) and have it instantly charge, and if you play your cards right, doing so may open up a wormhole to the era of your choice. In all seriousness, we already saw a working demo of a similar solution at Qualcomm’s Computex booth, so there’s a better than average chance that this stuff is ready to ship right away. Trouble is, there’s no official launch date for Gill’s new family of energy-infused tables. Blast the from past is after the break… if you’re prepared.

Continue reading WiPower flees to 1974, returns with through-desk wireless charging system (video)

WiPower flees to 1974, returns with through-desk wireless charging system (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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