Gizmodo: magsafe

PowerCurl Tidys Up Mac MagSafe Wires, Cures Cord OCD

Joanna Stern — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:35:20 EDT

Seriously, one of my biggest pet peeves is disorganized wires so this PowerCurl clip-on cord wrap for Macbook chargers does more than get me a little excited. It wraps both cords (plug end and MagSafe end) around the orange gadget.

The thing was designed by the Quirky.com community and the team of designers will share part of the profits - which can't be much since the plastic object of awesomeness is only $7.25. I'm sure the payoff for those talented product influencers is the warming of their hearts when they know they are keeping the laptop bags of the world more organized. For this, I thank you people of Quirky.

But I stray, the PowerCurl also keeps the charging brick from getting hot since it elevates the adapter off the ground for better air circulation. There is one for the 60W and 85W chargers. This thing makes me want an orange mocha frappuccino. Oh and a new Macbook Pro. [Quirky]

The Not-So-Safe Apple MagSafe Gallery

Jesus Diaz — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:20:00 EDT

I know that there's a lawsuit going on and the not-so-safe MagSafe fire hazard can be a serious issue, but I look at these images and think "hmmm—burned marshmallows." Kind of scary, though:

Ken Brinkman seems to be the last public victim:

"Smoke was pouring out the seam between the unibody and bottom enclosure. I actually burned my hand pretty badly ripping the adapter out. Oh man. This is really scary because what if I didn't wake up? It could have burned my house down."

Note to self: Don't fall asleep again with the MacBook in bed. [Ken photo via TUAW]

Apple MagSafe Replacements Are Now Free

Mark Wilson — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:40:00 EDT

In our anecdotal experience, Apple has been pretty good about replacing clearly faulty MagSafe power adapters—the ones that split or fray from faulty manufacture. But now they are making their replacement policy official and offering free MagSafe replacements for the MacBook (13-inch Late 2006), MacBook (13-inch), MacBook Pro (15-inch Glossy), MacBook Pro (17-inch). (We read that as all models that use the MagSafe power adapter). Bring in your bad MagSafes to any Apple retailer and they'll take care of you. [Apple via Cult of Mac]

Belkin BreakFree: MacBook MagSafe Cable for Your Guitar

Benny Goldman — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:00:00 EDT

The BreakFree is Belkin's fix for crazy rockers who can't get through a set without ripping up their amp or guitar's cord jack by flailing around too much. One part of the $20 two-piece kit fits in the axe's cord jack, while the other goes to the cord itself, and you can rock safe knowing that if you make any wild moves the plugs—which don't degrade sound quality—will snap apart without ruining your gear, a la Apple's MagSafe MacBook cable. Super extreme rockers can get another pack to use for the amp as well, but if you're that wacky on stage, you should probably just go wireless. Out in September, press release after the jump.

Belkin BreakFree Protects Your Amps

¶ Easy-to-Use BreakFree Connectors Complement Your Existing Cables with a Magnetic Breakaway Connector
COMPTON, Calif. —(Business Wire)— Jul. 10, 2008 Belkin International, Inc., announces new BreakFree Connectors, which detach under extreme tension, protecting your amplifier or guitar from unexpected damage. BreakFree will provide noise-free dynamic sound without any degradation in audio quality.

Belkin's BreakFree Connectors are designed to eliminate the popping that occurs when cables are accidentally unplugged from a live amplifier. Additionally, for musicians with multiple guitars, the product makes guitar swapping seamless without the hassle of shutting down or putting your amplifier on standby.

AVAILABILITY

— September 2008 in the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia

BreakFree (F8Z294) - US: $19.99

— Supports 1/4" TRS plug

— Strong magnet with quick detachment

— Consistent audio quality

— Reduces cable clutter

BreakFree Tips (F8Z293-2) - US: $9.99

— Use with BreakFree Connector

— Two in a pack

— Supports 1/4" TRS plug

[Belkin]

MagStay Is For People Who Use Macs But Hate Steve Jobs

Wilson Rothman — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:15:00 EST

You're forced to use a Mac for assorted reasons (boss made you; school requires it; reliability in general) but you don't like it. The best way to stick it to the Jobsman is to buy a $12 MagStay. This little plastic thingamajig locks into the USB port next to the MagSafe magnetic breakaway power adapter, holding it in place come hell or high water. This will show your blatant defiance of Apple design, and your disdain for a particular convenience and laptop-safety factor that PC laptops still don't have. You will have to surrender one of your two USB ports, but hey, what's rebellion without a little bloodletting? [Product Page via Gadget Lab]

Nokia Magnetic Cellphone Port Concept Mimics Apple's MagSafe Ports

Charlie White — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 15:50:50 EST

Nokia is thinking about making its charging and headset ports magnetic, just like Apple's MagSafe ports on its laptops. Nokia users are well aware that the headset and charging ports on their phones are quite similar. The beauty of this idea is that there is a negative magnetic polarity on one of the ports and a positive polarity on the other, making it impossible to plug the wrong plug into the inappropriate jack. Great idea, and maybe a way to get to that "one plug fits all" idea I was ranting about yesterday. [Cellpassion, via MobileWhack]

DIY: Magnetic Power Adapter for Thinkpads

Travis Hudson — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 18:50:24 EDT

MagSafe, schmagsafe. You don't have to have a next-gen Apple laptop to have a magnetic power adapter, just do it yourself like the folks at Instructables. It may not look like the prettiest do-it-yourself job on the planet, but by golly it gets the job done. Good job putting Apple in their place, and making sure they know who is boss. – Travis Hudson

ThinkSafe: A Magnetic Power Connector for Thinkpads [Instructables via Lifehacker]

Apple Releases Magsafe Airline Adapter

Travis Hudson — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 10:15:20 EDT

Now even 30,000 feet in the air you can ensure your exploding MacBook and MacBook Pro battery always has a full charge. Along with the Core 2 Duo MacBook Pros announced today, Apple also unveiled a Magsafe Airline Power Adapter.

This small device plugs into the power adapter on airplanes and gives your MacBook or MacBook Pro a charge while up in the air. The Magsafe Airline Power adapter is available now for $59, and is unfortunately, not compatible with automobile power ports, even though they look similar. – Travis Hudson

Product Page [Apple]

MagSafe Burning Not Isolated?

Jason Chen — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 13:39:08 EDT

Remember the MagSafe connector on the MacBookPro catching on fire? Some people thought it could have been a result of the guy's cats either clawing or peeing on the connector. Well, it may not have been an isolated incident.

Another user claimed on the Bit-Tech Forums that he was using his MBP in bed, smelled something funny, looked down and the power cable was burning/melting right in his lap! Luckily he was using it at the time and not out of the house, or else Apple may have a very large lawsuit on their hands. – Jason Chen

Original Picture [via Bit-Tech Forums via iBloggedThis]