Hasta La Gadget!

Like a hamburger Happy Meal, Nissan’s brand new quick-charge station is fast, cheap and easy, thanks to its tasty new electric circuit technology. Nissan claims the 49kW charger takes up less space, is easier to install and a heckuva lot cheaper than former models, leaving only a ¥1 million yen (or around $10,000) dent in your pocket compared to the former ¥1.47 million (or $19,088) crater. Hoping to sell around 5,000 units and set up charging stations throughout the Land of the Rising Sun by March 2016, Nissan sees the technology rolling out in the US and Europe sometime in the near future — no toy included. Pull over for the full PR after the break.

Continue reading Nissan downsizes EV quick charger, slashes price while eying US, EU and Japanese markets

Nissan downsizes EV quick charger, slashes price while eying US, EU and Japanese markets originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 21:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bluelounge’s MiniDock is a tiny L-shaped adapter that turns your existing iPhone or iPad charger into a plug-mounted iPhone stand. It lets you charge your iPhone or iPod in any socket you like, without having to leave it laying vulnerable on the floor.

The MiniDock plugs straight onto the USB port of the Apple adapter you already have, and offers up a 30-pin dock connector and a nice, laid-back cradle for the iDevice. It also comes with three spacers of different thicknesses so that back of the device has something to lean against, whether it’s a skinny iPod touch, a thick iPhone 4 in a case or a teeny little Nano.

The $20 adapter comes in three versions, fitting the various iPod chargers of the U.S, the EU and the UK. This is somewhat confusing, as the U.S version will work with iPad adapters from all countries. The best thing to do is take a look at the photos before you order.

And remember, you can always make a free version with an old shampoo bottle.

MiniDock product page [Bluelounge via Oh Gizmo!]

See Also:

• Hands-On With Griffin's USB Mini-Cable Kit
• Neat iPhone Wall-Dock Sits Atop the Socket
• Tiny Plug-In WALdok Turns iPods Into Boomboxes

How seriously is Apple considering the possibility of adding inductive charging to its line of iOS devices? Seriously enough to submit some crudely drawn images to the USPTO, at least. The company’s application for “Using an Audio Cable as an Inductive Charging Coil” surfaced today, featuring some interesting solutions to the problem of inductive charging. The first looks a bit like an iPhone scratching post. It’s a big monolith you wrap an audio cord around several times, effectively turning the cable into an inductive receiving coil. The earphones in the example have a metal mesh that serve as a contact for charging the device.

Another proposed system also puts the earphones to work — though without the need for that giant charging post. Instead the headphones slip into an acoustic charger, which cause their speakers to vibrate, creating a current that charges the device. As ever, just because a patent application surfaces doesn’t mean a final product will ever see the light of day — and these methods (particularly that big charging post) do seem like a long way to go to shave off the precious millimeters that inductive charging traditionally brings. But hey, Apple’s all about the svelte devices, and stranger things have certainly happened.

Apple’s inductive charging patent application finally puts its earbuds to good use originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 10:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The power of Qi has grown and grown since the wireless charging standard was finalized. With cord cutting becoming more desirable — and dare we say, de rigeur, for many mobile devices — the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) has launched an independent lab to certify gadgets wanting on its induction charging bandwagon. TÜV Rheinland’s providing the speedy certification services at its Taiwanese testing facility, so we should see the legion of Qi-powered devices continue to grow at an ever-increasing rate. Guess Power Matt made the right move joining the WPC superfriends. Qi’s up, cords down, playa.

Continue reading Wireless Power Consortium launches Qi certification lab, cuts power cords for approved devices

Wireless Power Consortium launches Qi certification lab, cuts power cords for approved devices originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’ve seen some rather inventive USB chargers in our time, but surprisingly few have managed to make charging while traveling a painless process. Aviiq’s new Portable Charging Station, on the other hand, has threatened to make the outside world a more welcoming place when it comes to juicing up. Acting as a sort of USB hub in a bag, this little black travel sleeve lets you pack and power three USB devices — even an iPad — with one outlet. What’s more, the station allows for easy syncing by way of a retractable USB port. So $80 ain’t cheap, and it won’t cook up pork and beans while you sing Camptown Races, but if you’re willing to shell out a little extra scratch for a practical USB travel charger, you can get your hands on one at the source link below. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Aviiq Portable Charging Station does kitsch-free USB juicing in small black bag

Aviiq Portable Charging Station does kitsch-free USB juicing in small black bag originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 02:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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