It can charge two iPod/iPhones simultaneously while also charging a Blackberry and a bluetooth headset for instance. In fact, using the two iPod connectors and two of your own iPod cords, you could even charge four iPod/iPhones at the same time.

It's good to see they've thrown in Micro USB, too. That's a nice bit of future-proofing given that most cell phone makers (in Europe at least) will soon be using it universally. You can pick one up in white, black or pink for $90. That isn't exactly cheap, but the Refresh definitely looks like a pretty slick piece of kit. [Bluelounge via Yanko Design]

Granted, most of these 'stations' will just be small, designated sockets clamped on to existing lines at homes, businesses and parking lots, and the battery swap stations will essentially trade your batteries the same way that Ace Hardware does your propane tanks. But even if the technology is kind of trivial, the fact remains that a significant part of Australia's population will soon have a ubiquitous infrastructure for electric cars.

The Australian government is currently encouraging domestic automakers to answer the anticipated demand for electric vehicles, because, well, there are about two right now. There is, however, a suspicious aspect to this plan: the government is suggesting cell phone-like contracts as a method of charging for the juice, which sounds like about as good an idea as Kangaroo Jack IV. [AP via Slashdot]

The Price: $45

The Verdict: We've been fans of Kangaroom's organizational kits for a while now, and this bamboo laptop stand continues their tradition of quality organizational products with a gadgety tint. In this case, this product design combines four good concepts into one useful device.

• Laptop stands = useful
• Things made out of bamboo = fun for eco-fetishists and pandas
• Gadget charger dock = good times for gadget-heads
• Ventilated middle = keeps your laptop cool

And all of those features in a sturdily constructed shape means we'd gladly pay the $45 for one of these. It even feels nice when you take it off a desk and put it on your lap, giving a nice bamboo barrier between a hot laptop and your fleshy (uncharred) thighs.

[Kangaroom]

After your box is made, you trace your various cables and power strips through the appropriate places and voila — your floor is clean. Granted, this isn't the most revolutionary of inventions, but it's a great, cheap way to organize the horrible tangled mass that is your cable collection. [Instructables via Lifehacker]

The Verdict: Sturdy build (slip-proof surface) and lots of charging tips allows you not to have to sacrifice quality for convenience. Oh, and it's reasonably priced too, which makes this a definite buy if you've got multiple gadgets to charge.

The Catch:

You still have to buy individual charging tips, which are sold separately. It's also somewhat bulky, but considering that it's four chargers in one, it's quite reasonable.

The Performance: It charged our phones and MP3 players in just about the same time as it would take with a standard charger. Most devices fit neatly onto the slip-proof tray, but large devices such as Nintendo DS Lite may require some arrangement.

The Price: $49.95 for the base unit, $5.95 for each charger tip.

The Recommendation: If you have a lot of stuff to charge (phones, MP3 players, DS Lite, whatever), get one of these. At $49 + $24 (for four tips), you'll save lots of space and have a nice station for all your electronics to boot. It doesn't charge quite as many devices at once as the Chargepod charge station, but each tip only costs $5.95 instead of $9.95.

[Gomadic]

How do they do it?

Well, the charging station combines a cable organizer/hider with exchangeable tips. This way you can swap in and out tips depending on what stuff you're charging (no points for finding obscure ones they don't support) so you can keep your original chargers at work or elsewhere.

Gomadic's claim is that keeping a power strip and AC adapters hidden is a bad idea because it may lead to the universe imploding. Or fires. We didn't read very carefully. In any case, this charger seems like a neat idea if you have gadgets that are supported by Gomadic's tips. – Jason Chen

Sneak Peek [Gomadic via Digital Media Thoughts via Uber Gizmo]

All you need is some wood, USB cables, cutting blades and the ability to not hack your fingers off while you're working. On second thought, you'd probably be better off waiting for a pre-made one. – Jason Chen

Instruction Page [Instructables]

This mahogany charging station is totally classy, just like you pretend to be. It's got spots to hold all your various phones and music players while they charge, as well as little drawers to hold your Prada glasses and the keys to your Porsche.

Man, you're a douchebag. –Adam Frucci

Product Page [via Red Ferret]

Maybe its generously-sized tray on top is a good place to set your keys along with devices that are being charged, with their unsightly wires going through a opening leading to all of those wall warts and cables stored below and out of sight. Its energy-sipping LED light only eats up 4.2 watts of power, so you might leave it on and use it as a shiny flowerpot-shaped night light. Weird. If it didn't cost $175 (and that's on sale) it might be a slightly useful object. – Charlie White

Multipot table lamp and charger [YLighting, via Sci Fi Tech]