Gizmodo: usb charger

Homemade USB Charger Runs Off a 9V

Mark Wilson — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:20:00 EST

In case you're interested in a cheap, reusable 9V to USB adapter/charger, AnythingButiPod has a neat step-by-step tutorial up that requires little more than soldering. Or you can always just buy a Duracell Instant Charger for not much more. [AnythingButiPod]

Solar Charging Hub: Harnessing The Power Of The Sun For Your USB Needs

Simon Crisp — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:20:25 EDT

This may not be the most attractive USB hub, but it's only $20 and it uses the power of the sun to charge your mobile phone and USB gadgetry.

Brando say the USB Solar Charging 4-Port Hub (catchy name I think you will agree) can be used either as a traditional USB hub, or as an eco-friendly charger - using the sun's rays to keep your gadgets going.

The lightweight 54 gram device comes with six mobile phone connectors and houses a built-in battery meaning you don't have to have all your tech attached while it's soaking up the sun. It can also be charged by an AC power supply should the clouds be out or you just want to stick it to the environment. [Brando]

Radtech ProCable Shortz Is an iPhone Charger for Midgets

Andi Wang — Mon, 18 May 2009 22:00:00 EDT

What does this $8 Radtech ProCable Shortz iPhone charger and Jason Chen have in common? They're both cute but only 7cm long, fully extended. [Radtech via TUAW via BBG]

Portable USB Power Supply Doubles as a Flashlight

Sean Fallon — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:00:00 EDT

Unlike so many other portable backup power supplies, this version from USB Geek can do more than just one boring trick. When it's not charging your portable gadgets, the power supply doubles a handy little flashlight. In other words, it's convergence that actually makes some sense. Plus, it comes with every charging adapter you could possibly need for a fairly reasonable $32.

[USB Geek via GeekAlerts]

Four-Port USB Car Charger Has Your Gadgets Covered

Sean Fallon — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 22:00:53 EDT

I've heard of two-port USB car chargers, but a four-port charger? That's two more gadgets, baby! Indeed, it makes complete sense to pick one of these up given the fact that many of our favorite gadgets can be charged via USB these days. And you really can't go wrong for only $12. [gadget4all via Ubergizmo]

Belkin's Mashup Surge Protector and USB Charger is Perfect, Tiny

Kit Eaton — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 05:00:13 EDT

I was desperate for a product just like Belkin's mini surge protector and USB charger combo yesterday, as I struggled behind my desk with the nest of wires, power bricks and surge protection to find my phone charger. Taking the small-is-neat approach, Belkin looks to have tackled their Dual USB Power Adapter and Monster Power Outlets to Go and made them one handy package. Sure, it won't change the world, but it's a nifty product that might tidy your home up a bit. If only it came with Euro-shaped sockets, I find myself thinking. Out soon for $25. [Belkin and CNET crave]

Straightforward Bi-Plug USB Charger Available in Four Bright and Gay Colors

Charlie White — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 13:29:06 EST

The Bi-Plug is actually AC/DC, but gives it to you straight, simplifying the charging of USB devices in a flamboyantly colorful way. We've seen similar chargers before, but much bigger. Not to fret, because even though this diminutive conversion tool weighs just an ounce, size doesn't matter much, because it's packing all the right circuitry up in there to give you just the kind of power you need for that energy-sucking geegaw of yours. Look for these chargers to roll out November 28th. We hear they're going to be surprisingly cheap. What sluts! [Brighton, via Wired]

USB Charger Powered By Simply Inhaling

Charlie White — Wed, 16 May 2007 19:40:00 EDT

Now you can charge up all your USB-powered devices by simply breathing. Here's a guy who figured out a way to make his own charging device out of a few spare parts from a CD-ROM drive and some rubber bands. Strapping this odd-looking thingamajig around his chest, it derives its power from the expansion of his chest when he breathes.

This might be a great idea for high-altitude hikers, who must breathe a lot more than usual while ascending steep slopes into thinner air. From the looks of it, this contraption is not easy to make, but check out Instructables for the full step-by-step instructions. Goes to show, you never know where you might be able to tap into some energy that's already there, literally right under your nose. – Charlie White

Breath powered USB charger [Instructables, via Oh Gizmo]

Lego USB Charger

Louis Ramirez — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 14:38:11 EST

Add this to the list of cool things you can do with your Legos. The hand crank Lego charger lets you juice up any USB-based gadget the old fashioned way, by cranking it up. It seems fairly simple to build as it uses a Lego motor to generate current which then passes through a voltage regulator and onto the USB port. Hit the jump for a video of the charger in action.

– Louis Ramirez
Hand Crank Lego USB Charger [Instructables via New Launches]

Power User - The Best of Lifehacker

Gina Trapani — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 13:30:00 EDT

This week at Lifehacker: Set up your personal wikipedia. Help that feeble brain of yours and develop digital photographic memory. Remedy your memory-sucking Firefox installation. Make Mom a rotating digital photo frame that refreshes with your current Flickr photos. Finally, rig up a portable USB charger with a 9-volt battery.

You gave up Britannica for the Wikipedia a long time ago. But have you ever wished you could have your very own editable encyclopedia to build a reference to the vast swathes of knowledge you absorb every day? Check out our guide to installing the free MediaWiki on your PC and endure us invent the term "personalpedia" all at once.

Disk space is cheap and plentiful, and so are digital cameras. Use the tagging and organizing capability at photo-sharing site Flickr to keep track of your stuff. Archive digital images of business cards, wine labels, meals you've cooked, gadget serial numbers and more. Here's how to turn Flickr into your digital photographic memory.

We loves us some Firefox but the little bugger can get a little greedy with the RAM from time to time. When the memory-usage-o-meter's going through the roof thanks to the 'fox, reduce it using magic! And, um, about:config.

Mother's Day approacheth. What are you giving the woman who dealt with the shock treatment that was your childhood? Beam photos right to Mom's mantle real-time with a DIY rotating photo frame powered by a beater wifi-enabled laptop and your "formom" Flickr tag. What a good kid you are.

Finally, charge your iPod, PDA or any other USB devices on the go with a DIY USB charger made with a 9 volt battery and some basic circuitry. Package the whole thing up in an Altoids tin and you'll be rockin' out off the grid.

Lifehacker's Power User column appears every Wednesday on Gizmodo.