The Idea
Rechargeable batteries that plug into your USB port
Why It’s More Than Average?
I’m usually not one for gadgets, but I thought this application for batteries was particularly ingenious.
There are all sorts of ridiculous USB-connective devices out there, and very rarely are they actually useful. Yes, USB-powered beer cooler, I’m talking to you. (Thanks to Michael Faddis for the heads-up).
But in this case, it’s a perfect marriage of functions. I take my laptop everywhere, as well as a digital camera, baby toys (I have a son) and other battery powered devices. I invested in a battery charger a long time ago, and it’s paid for itself ten times over by now - but I still can’t take it with me.
But if I keep a few of these bad boys in my laptop case, I’m never without AA, and soon AAA, 9V and even cell phone power. Sweet.
Will It Succeed?
As long as nothing is blowing up on the side of your computer, I think these should do fairly well. The tech audience should be impressed by the cool factor (it seems anything with a USB connection is cool) and the working-class should get some actual utility out of these things. They’re better than current rechargeables, mainly because you don’t have to drop the 40 bucks on a charger.
Their site makes no claims about how many times you can charge it though, which is a huge factor. I get get 10K charges out of my Rayovacs, and if I can’t get close to that on these, I’ll pass.
How I found out about it
I heard about USB Cell in my RSS feed from Cool Hunting.
That is a pretty neat gadget. The fact that newer computers are equipped with more USB ports makes it even easier to use gadgets like this without having to disconnect your neccessary peripherals.
I can see it being very useful for people who use wireless controllers with their gaming systems.
Left by latoya on February 17th, 2007