Gizmodo: power adapter

This Is Why They Make Travel Adapters

Danny Allen — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:40:00 EDT

Future Darwin Award nominee or desperate genius? Maybe both. But shoving things into what looks like a UK 220V outlet is probably not going to end well. Just ask the guy in this retro UK electrical hazards PSA:

[There I Fixed It]

Apple Shamed Into Shipping Tiny iPhone Power Adapter in Non-Gargantuan Envelopes

matt buchanan — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST

A couple weeks ago, Apple made its grand entrance into our Shipping Hall of Shame by sending out its new, less horrifically hazardous USB power adapter for the iPhone 3G in these monstrous boxes, despite their huge emphasis lately on going green. All those boxes really add up too, since Apple recalled every single adapter. The iPhone Blog reports that they're now shipping them in much tinier, more efficient padded envelopes.

It seems sorta trivial, but when you consider how many huge companies send out thousands of ridiculously wasteful packages, the extra space and weight they take up on delivery trucks, requiring more fuel to be burned, it's actually kind of staggering just how anti-green these huge, unnecessary boxes are. So we're glad to see Apple, Amazon and others continually shrinking packaging and make it out of more eco-friendly materials, since it really will make a difference, and it's such an easy one to make, too. [The iPhone Blog]

So That's Why Apple Recalled the iPhone 3G's USB Power Adapter

matt buchanan — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:40:00 EDT

Apple's (truly) massive recall of the iPhone 3G's compact USB power adapter makes total sense now: It's a piece of a shit. The "certain conditions" that'll make its prongs break off are basically breathing too hard, too close, since they only extend about 1/8 of an inch into the adapter and are "held in place with some type of glue and a bit of wishful thinking." If you haven't swapped it out yet (like me), step to it (like me tomorrow). [Mac Merc]

Apple Recalls Ultracompact USB Power Adapter for the iPhone 3G

Sean Fallon — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:22:00 EDT

Apple has revealed that the tiny little USB power adapters that shipped with the iPhone 3G are potentially dangerous and must be recalled.

"Under certain conditions the new ultracompact Apple USB power adapter's metal prongs can break off and remain in a power outlet, creating a risk of electric shock. Users with ultracompact power adapters should immediately stop using them until they exchange them for a new, redesigned ultracompact adapter."

In the meantime, users should charge their phones via the USB cable only. Replacements can be ordered at this web address, or at your local Apple Store starting on October 10th. Hit the link for the full details [Apple]

What's in the iPhone 3G Box? Not as Much as You Think

Christopher Mascari — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:30:00 EDT

With iPhone 3G availability still a month away, inquiring minds can't help but scour the Apple site for clues. After drooling over the 3G and GPS info, we spotted a less tantalizing update: the included accessories. Where's the dock, what's up with this cheaper-looking power adapter, and was it really worth it to include a paperclip replacement?

A quick look at the bottom of Apple's iPhone 3G page shows a rundown of what's actually in the box.
Of course, the first major difference, one that Jesus already outed, was the addition of this SIM ejector tool. Beyond that, we were surprised to see that there's no dock listed. This was an included in the box with the original (way more expensive) iPhone. But now, it's a sold-separately accessory, and probably one that could cost $50—the current price of an a la carte iPhone dock. What's even more interesting, is the un-clickable link that describes it: "iPhone 3G Universal Dock Adapter 3-Pack." What the hell does "3-Pack" mean?

The disappearance of the dock from the box, isn't the last thing to change. There is now a whole new power adapter, one that doesn't look as cool. Yea, it might be more compact, but compared to the old included power adapter, one that could be fitted with different heads when traveling the world, this thing looks like it's US-only, and cost a few cents to make. Globetrotters, beware of possible added cost.

So why has Apple cut out the fancy included accessories? It could maybe sorta have something to do with that drastic slash in price. And really, it's not the first time Apple has removed in-the-box accessories when a product got cheaper.

Remember when the 4th Generation iPod came out. Before the cheaper 4G iPod, the 3G was packed with in-the-box accessories. A dock, a wired remote, a 4-pin firewire adapter and a hard-case, were all removed when the 4G took over.

Just as the 4G iPod lacked all those fancy in-the-box accessories, so does the new iPhone 3G. Sure it's not a deal breaker, but it's interesting to see how Apple subtly works its own product costs down, without many of us even noticing.