On either side of the device is an "air holder," where batteries can be recharged, and there's also a USB port for charging other gadgets, like your iPhone, and the AC input for charging the actual device. While it's shown up on king of the concepts site Yanko Design, it's actually going on sale in Japan and Taiwan in the first half of 2010, and then the US after that. [Nobil via Yanko Design]

It charges via USB and can power most any mainstream gadget, from handheld gaming systems to phones, as well as anything with a microUSB port. It's got LED indicator lights, just in case you were really doing well with the ladies lately and want to put a stop to that. $35. [RedFerret]

Google Cuts Price of Online Storage by 800%

You know how sometimes the new version of a product will offer 50% more, for the same price? And how you think that's such a great deal? Well, Google just stomped all over your puny 50% upgrade by bumping their online storage to a ridiculous extent. Now you get twice the amount of storage for a quarter of the old price. That's right, that's eight times more for the same amount of money. For those that are having trouble with math, that means the storage now costs $5 a year for 20GB of space, and you can buy up to 16TB at that rate. If you're looking to store stuff in the cloud, this is a pretty killer deal. [Google]

Apple Updates Genius Bar Reservation System

Apple's Genius Bar is a pretty good system, although the first time I went they told me to arrive 15 minutes before my appointment, like the fact that their 6-week-old, $1500 product spontaneously broke was somehow my fault and not something for which they should accommodate my schedule. They're tech support guys, not doctors, right? ANYWAY, they've redesigned their online reservation system, and while I have screenshots of the new version, I never cared enough about the system to be able to notice what's different. It's in Remainders for pretty obvious reasons, I think. [Thanks, Grant!]

Gold-Dipped PS3 Slim: The Hot Holiday Gift (in Donald Trump's House)

The dudes at Computer Choppers have dipped a PS3 Slim in 24kt gold (along with two controllers) and will be selling them for an undisclosed price in a limited run of 5. To the only person reading this: Hey, Mr. Trump! More photos and price will be coming soon, so if you just toss me your email I'll be sure to let you know when you can finally get the current-gen gaming console to match your skyscraper. [Geeky Gadgets]

Sanyo's "Stick Booster" Looks and Sounds Far Dirtier Than It Is

Sanyo's "Stick Booster" name sounds like the kind of product you hear about in spam emails, and it looks mostly like a vibrator. But it's actually a pretty nice-looking gadget charger, once you realize what it's for, taking two AA batteries (rechargeables, of course; it's in Sanyo's green initiative line) and offering a USB port to charge your phone, camera, or whatever for about 90 minutes. It's available now for about $35. It winds up here in Remainders because it's definitely not the first AA-USB charger we've seen, although it might be the prettiest. [CrunchGear]

Plus, when the car adapter is attached to the main unit, you can charge up to two USB devices at once. It's a pretty versatile device for $35 (without iPhone/iPod charge and sync cable), but if you are looking for something that offers even more portability, Duracell has been coming out with a lot of battery-powered portables lately that should fit the bill.

Oxnard, CA – October 29, 2009 – Scosche Industries (www.scosche.com), an award-winning innovator of iPod and iPhone accessories, announces the availability of the powerFUZE™ - home and car USB charging system. The powerFUZE is both "Made for iPod" and "Works with iPhone" certified and allows users to carry just one charger for all their USB based devices when traveling.

The powerFUZE's unique design can be configured in several different ways to provide many charging solutions. The main body is a home charger that features a USB charging port as well as an AC/DC converter port (in-car style port). The AC/DC converter port allows users to plug their favorite car accessories into any wall outlet. The product also includes an ultra low profile USB car charger that nests neatly in the AC/DC converter port. With the car charger installed in the main body, the unit becomes a dual USB home charger capable of charging 2 devices at once. The USB car charger also fits flush in any vehicles 12-volt power socket, allowing users to charge any USB powered device in the car. Each of the USB ports features 1 Amp output to ensure the fastest charging possible.

"Customer convenience is key factor in all of Scosche's product designs," said Kas Alves, executive vice president of Scosche Industries. "With the powerFUZE our customers can replace multiple chargers with one that works both at home and on the road."

Customers can choose between the $ 34.99 powerFUZE; the powerFUZE PRO, which ships with an iPod/iPhone sync cable for $44.99; or purchase the standalone powerPLUG Ultra low profile USB car charger or powerPLUG Pro version that includes the iPod/ iPhone charge and sync cable for $19.99 and $29.99 respectively. They are available now on Scosche.com and at select retail locations throughout the US.

[Schosche]

It looks like the Universal Charging Solution (UCS) has some pretty broad support, from handset manufacturers like LG, Motorola and Samsung to carriers including AT&T and T-Mobile. No word on whether the standard will match the one the GSM Association has been working on, but they're both rallying around MicroUSB, so we'll call it likely for now.

What's sad to me is that, according to the source, this standard could save 51,000 tons of waste if it were in place today. Considering all phone chargers do exactly the same thing, it's pretty ridiculous there wasn't a standard in place before.

Participating carriers and handset makers should fully adopt the UCS by 2012. Hopefully America hops on board before then. [Reuters via Electronista]

The first 3,000 run will cost 29800 Yen ($328), and you get five cartridges for 3150 Yen ($34), which makes it cost ineffective if you're talking about practical charging. But if you really need power on the go and you don't have time to charge up traditionally, this is the future—so long as you're part of the first 3,000 that they'll test this out on before going on a wider release. [Toshiba Japan via Engadget]

According to the manufacturer "it's not bulky either as it just extends a little at the bottom"—yeah right, and Steve Ballmer is just a little intense. The Super Charger is positively ginormous, but if you have a sherpa (or intern) to help you schlep it around, the battery pack can be picked up for $60. It won't void any warranties, but it should. [USB Fever via Crunch Gear]

The upside is that it's $40, and you don't always have to charge two devices simultaneously. The advantage to using this over a specialized charger, like an iPhone battery pack, is that you can also take advantage of Callpod's various tips for their Chargepod adapter. It should fit almost all devices out there now.

The Fueltank Uno will be available at Best Buy starting Sept 27. Callpod's mobile password app, Keeper, is also being pushed out to Vodafone customers as well. Basically, it's a desktop password management that can also sync to your cellphone so you can take your passwords with you. You can get that now for $15. The phone part is free. [Callpod]

According to the author of the hack, the iPhone 3G took 2 hours and 22 minutes to fully recharge, leaving 50% of the power in the MSI Wind battery. The hack also includes a normal jack to provide with 12v power to any other device.

[Prusadjs]

This DSLR battery clip charges via a special USB source (like Energizer's own portable battery pack, which has a higher voltage than standard USB) and clamps on to "any" digital camera or camcorder battery. The compatibility list is probably high, but we're unsure if any actually means any, so check out the site before buying. The entire Energi To Go line will be available next month. [Gearlog via Oh Gizmo]

No idea. We're surprised that Apple is getting in on this agreement, though, and we're wondering if the microUSB port will supplement or replace the standard Apple 30-pin iPod port. We're guessing supplement.

As a refresher, you should go and look back at our cable explainer to see what other kinds of cables are out there now. [Reuters via Slashdot]

Update: Looks like Apple's going to provide an adapter. [PocketLint]

We kid the Pre, honestly, because as other sites have already noted today, many electronics companies have been taking bargain bin components, adding a slick coat of paint, and charging a premium for some time now.

Still, $5 worth of commodity plastic and transistors marked up to $70? Surely there is some other latent super power slumbering within the plastic confines of this phone charger that will awaken with a flash someday? Right?

FYI: The same tear down at iFixit revealed about $170 worth of parts go into the Pre. [iFixit via Engadget]

Because that's the rumored price this morning, delivered blurrycam style by some mole at Best Buy with access to the inventory system. There's a host of other lesser Palm Pre accessories listed there too, along with a dubious May 10 "stock date" that has obviously not come to pass.

As Engadget notes, inductive charging isn't really all that impressive anymore, so I guess what you're paying Palm for is the ability to "magically" suspend your phone above your desk thanks to the power of that mystical magnet house within. Spooky action at a... high price!

It is Best Buy, however, and internal prices have been known to change dramatically before launch. Or maybe $70 makes perfect sense to you. Let us know either way. [Pre Thinking via Engadget]

The Price: $30

The Verdict: For the most part, it works. The cigarette 12V adapter in my car does not charge my iPhone 3G correctly, but if I plug in through this converter, everything's great.

The problem comes from the fact that it's a pass-through, so if you're not careful, the adapter (and the charger) might snap off if bent too far in one direction. It also is awkward if you're plugging your iPhone into this, and then into a dock from the top without proper support. There's also the matter of it obstructing certain types of iPod/iPhone holders since they weren't designed to have something in-between the connectors.

But as for being able to convert Firewire charging devices to USB charging devices, yeah, it works with most devices, but there were two "older" docks that we checked that it didn't work with. So YMMV, since there are so many different iPod docks and chargers that have been made in the last five years. [Griffin]

Great when it works

Blocks or otherwise awkwardly arranges docking in certain chargers and accessories

Doesn't work with all older docks and chargers, which makes this moot if you've got one of the devices it doesn't work with

Apart from the weird look, the home theater speaker is particularly interesting as it can run for months without needing a recharge.

I'm not so sure about the indoor fuel charger, however. Would it be cheaper than just connecting your devices to your computer or power plug? []

The ChumAlong solar tracking system looks like it should be mounted on a Mars rover, but it is portable and intended for every day use. Plus, the 5W panel automatically follows the sun as it moves across the sky, so you should be able to power-up your gadgets with 30%-50% greater efficiency. On the downside, the unit itself will set you back $400—and that is without the rechargeable battery. [Scientifics Online via Red Ferret via SlipperyBrick]

Their tent, sponsored by LG, had connectors for a variety of handsets (good on LG for that), and I've read scattered reports today that said you'd get about a 30% charge in 30 minutes.

Now, if they could only find a way to recharge our exhausted CES 2009 staff, who are no doubt spent after their extensive conference coverage and a few innocent pranks. Those CES massages were a start, but only a start. I imagine they need something more.

TreeHugger has some video of a GotWind rep explaining the system and making a charge:

[Treehugger]

Apparently, one hour of exposure to wind or sunlight will net you around 30 minutes on the phone. A full charge should be able to power up a typical cellphone five times over (LED lights indicate charge levels). There is even a handy clip to attach the charger to a bike or ATV to help generate wind. Obviously, this would be a seriously handy device for outdoorsy types or as an emergency backup. A release date had not been made available, but the Kinesis K2 is expected to retail for $100. [Kinesis and DVICE]

This thing is amazing, but it's $200. It can support a laptop, three "small devices" (MP3 players, cellphones, Bluetooth headsets) and three USB devices at the same time. We don't know how it charges Macs, because Apple's Magsafe is proprietary, but we're finding out. This does seem like the best thing ever for working from the road. [Callpod]

Hot!

Sure, this cable is from Brando, and could very well toast all your handhelds with questionable craftsmanship, but just think of the tag team fun you'll grant your Game Boy and PSP on their way out.

Seven bucks to make a handheld's day. What's to lose? Oh, it's Brando. Might 'splode [Brando via DSFanboy]