pocket-lint.co.uk — Moixa Energy have developed the USBCELL as an environmentally-friendly alternative to normal AA batteries. The top of one side flips up to reveal a USB connector, and the battery simply plugs into an open port.
Sep 19, 2006 View in Crawl 4
coopjustSep 19, 2006
Neat concept, but you'll definitely need a cable or hub to charge them. My notebook has 3 ports, but you would only be able to charge one at a time-it's too big.Definitely a great concept though. Maybe we'll see USB used more in charging electronics- iPods use it, a lot of MP3 players, a few phones, makes sense to have a common charger (and to be able to use your PC)
t3rrySep 19, 2006
"I'm thinking along the lines of using a wireless mouse, gps, or other device on the road with a laptop. It's a pain to have to pack a separate charger for standard rechargeable batteries. With this if the batteries get low you just plug it into the laptop for 5 minutes and your good to go."And then it eats your laptop battery so you don't have to worry about your mouse being dead :PIt would be good to a point, you wouldn't have to remember to bing 15 different wall adapters for various items, but honestly anybody with an IPOD knows how painfully slow a 5v usb port charges it... I don't imagine it's be feesable unless you're only using it for very small amounts.(and my GPS receiver does have a usb charging option (GPSlim 236) but i never use it,)
sinembarg0Sep 19, 2006
From Wikipedia:Electrical output of alkaline batteries in this size is 1.5 volts, 1800 to 2600 mA·h.So these wont last nearly as long as some regular AA batteries, and they won't stand a chance in replacing them until they can.
realystSep 19, 2006
@lordthor:it's called IP lawsuits
jpf_Sep 19, 2006
Yeah, just like floppy disks, serial ports, parallel ports, RJ-45 and RJ-11 connectors...
thewolfenSep 20, 2006
That 1300 mah rating makes them worthless in most modern electronics (compared to a normal NiMH). No digg.
burgestrSep 21, 2006
@nerd05Actually, I'm looking at a USB and a AA right now, and the AA is about 1/32" wider than a USB plug. It's almost a perfect design...I'll just add this one to the list of things that I wished I invented.
usbcellNov 13, 2006
This is now Available to buy in the USA from USBCELL.com (as of 10th November) <a class="user" href="http://www.usbcell.com/product/1">http://www.usbcell.com/product/1</a>Also, recent review at <a class="user" href="http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?art=3623">http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?art=3623</a>
nafcomJan 24, 2007
very good reply! Thanks!
rktlrejaDec 22, 2007
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