In an ideal world, there'd be no surge protectors choked with chargers, or knots of cables behind bookshelves. This USB wall plate charger from RCA is an elegant solution to the madness around your wall outlets, and it doesn't require an engineering degree to install.

Every time I travel, I find myself staring longingly at unavailable power outlets—if only I could just slip in my USB-powered gadget for just a few moments! Thanks to the clever FlipIt! charger though, such woes are over.

The iPad won't charge with all USB chargers. But that's because your USB chargers are weak. The reVIVE II Dual USB Charger can charge both your iPad and your other weakling gadget. The reVIVE II is not weak.

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]

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.

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]

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…

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]

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…