Headache is a watch for shippers to go with cell phones, media players and other small electronic devices. It is even more annoying cables and adapters to put in a suitcase when traveling.Can you imagine loading equipment without having to connect them?
I've started doing just that. I tried two pills that charge small devices like the iPod to only put on them. Only the tablet is connected to a socket instead of every gadget. However, these tablets are far from perfect. Special covers are needed for certain devices and adapters. But there is something thrilling about getting rid of almost all the cables.
The first product I tested came from Powermat, which began selling two models of tablet for $ 100 U.S..
One is a rectangular table designed for home and office use, which impressed me since I took it out of the box because it is easy to install and compatible with many popular gadgets. Powermat also sells a rectangle that folds into three parts to travel.
Both are available in retail stores in the U.S. A Latin American stores has not arrived but can be purchased online at sites like Amazon.com.
Powermat Each comes with a white cube that has a miniUSB port - the kind that goes on BlackBerrys and other phones - and eight different ports that fit the charging port on an iPhone, iPod, Sony PSP and other small electronic devices. Once you plug the gadget into the bucket, the bucket should be placed on the tablet to begin charging.
You can omit the step of using the bucket, but it will cost more money. Powermat sells plastic holders for devices like the iPhone, iPod Touch and Nintendo DSi, with special covers for some BlackBerry. All these devices allow you to recharge by simply placing them on the charger. There is also a small charging port that fits the iPod or iPhone.
These supplements can cost between 30 and 40 dollars. But it is much easier to maintain the special sheath placed on the iPhone and then just put it on the shelf when you need more energy.
Each Powermat can charge three gadgets at once; magnets hold them in place. When you put a phone in the Powermat, it emits a soft white light and a buzz to let you know that you are properly connected. A different sound alerts you when the connection is broken.
Powermat uses induction to charge devices. Basically, when a device gets enabled on the table, the two are given a "handshake" using RFID technology, or technology of radio frequency identification. The table identifies the device, determines how much power you need and initiates the transfer of energy to it. Once the battery is fully charged, Powermat stop the flow of electricity.
More important than the process for me was the speed, and bore my gadgets Powermat fairly quickly. It took about an hour and half recharge an iPod Nano, an iPhone and a HTC smartphone myTouch. That was the time it took when I plugged the iPhone in myTouch and the traditional wall adapters. The iPod Nano still needs more time in a wall outlet, a little over two hours.
Table of others who tried, myGrid Duracell ($ 80) was less impressive. It had slow loading times and ease of use is more limited.
Initially launched in 2007 by a company called WildCharge Inc. and recently authorized by Duracell, myGrid is primarily a plastic box covered with steel rods.
The table will come with some ports that connect to the bottom of cell phones. The ports have to be connected to a "power clip and a magnetic disk is placed in the back of the phone helps keep the clip in place during charging. This is cumbersome. If all goes well, the equipment shall be connected and a blue light shining on the side of the platform lets you know that the gadgets are being recharged.
Of course this is assuming you have a gadget that is compatible with the board. MyGrid website says the product works with several phones from Nokia, Motorola and BlackBerry, and as the port that fits the last two marks is miniUSB, should also work with other devices that have this port of loading. I was able to load the myTouch HTC phone with her, although its slightly curved back made it a bit difficult to maintain the connection.
If you have a BlackBerry Pearl or Curve or an iPod Touch, you can buy a rubber sleeve $ 35, which can also load the gadget when you place it in the myGrid platform. I tasted one that fits the iPhone (which goes on sale in March) and found it quite simple.
MyGrid works differently than Powermat, and requires that the contact points of metal clips and rubber sleeves are touching the platform to transmit electricity.
I also took longer to load devices with Powermat myGrid: a little over 2 ½ hours for an iPhone, and about four hours in a myTouch. I could not charge an iPod Nano, because Duracell platform compatible ports or no sleeves.
The advantage of this charger is to charge up to four devices at once instead of three, and no matter where they are placed.
But in general, because of its greater compatibility with gadgets and faster loading times, Powermat offers a better option, although more expensive.
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