Duracell has created a new product called myGrid that can charge your handheld devices simply by making contact with them.
MyGrid has a super slim profile, and can charge four devices at once. Depending on which phone you have, you would need to attach a clip or a sleeve to it in order for the power transfer to work, but those additions can stay permanently so you're never left searching for the right charging equipment again. If an errant key or paper clip hits the myGrid, it will automatically shut off. It also eliminates the need for many cords running behind your desk area and buying new chargers for each device you acquire.
Moving toward universal charging systems seems like a very eco-friendly and economical idea. Have you used the myGrid?
Via: Duracell
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actually, it was engineered and designed by pure energy solutions in boulder CO. duracell generously bought rights to the design... the coolest thing about this device is that you don't have to have the phone in a certain spot to charge, and it can charge up to 8 devices at a time. pure energy actually makes one that charges laptops or hendhelds. check out pure energy here http://www.shoppureenergy.com/wire-free-solutions/
The next step of awesomeness would be to make one that also connects to your PC, so you could charge AND sync at the same time, wirelessly. The thought makes me giddy.
I've been hoping for a careful analysis of this product - has anyone out there checked its energy consumption? Chargers vary in their energy use once the battery is full. I'd love to hear from someone who uses this regularly, as it is a super awesome concept.
Some of those comments sound like spam bots, but the profiles show otherwise. Weird.
This product screams galvanic corrosion. I'd like to see what happens in a wet climate. Also, the design just seems really dumb in a lot of ways. It's smart enough to turn itself off, but it's more or less the same thing as plugging something in the wall.
It may charge up to 4 devices at one, but look at them! They are crammed on there. The product is too small, but that's okay because it's ugly.
This just seems so 19th century to me. It would be nice if it maybe used inductive charging technology. That at least would be 20th century. 21st century might be say, inductive charging at a distance, or wireless electricity. You put a case on your device that has electricity sent to it wirelessly from an a device in plugged in the outlet.
Now the big question, how much did Duracell pay you to make this post, and how much did they pay you three to make those comments?
I've seen this product in stores, but I don't know anyone who has one. I would also be interested in reviews of this product from folks who use it - is it really worth the money? Does this have real added value over simply using the cords that come with handheld devices?
This is hardly unique:
http://www.energizer.com/inductive/
http://www.powermat.com/us/home/
http://www.shoppureenergy.com/store/wildcharge-pad/
...and many, many more.
Perhaps a comparison review of these different products would be useful?
@bepsf:
Dear Unpluggd...
I have one of these for my iPhone 3G. The iPhone has to be in the case provided to charge it, and the case plugs into the iPhone's syncing slot to move the charge from the pad to the iPhone.
It's a very ugly case, and blocking the sync is a big negative for me. I don't use the charger at all.
adventrisisng, this is inductive charging. all the companies are trying to get charging through the air, but for now, it has to be close. The same way an electric toothbrush works.
@GregPGH. Inductive charging is when it is charged wirelessly. Electricity moves through a coiled wire, creating a magnetic field. This field then passes over another coil, which is then translated back into a current. The base of inductive chargers sends out magnetic waves which are turned into electricity inside a special case around your device. This is how electrical transformers work. The powermat, as well as many electric toothbrushes (sonicare for instance) use inductive charging.
The duracell myGrid is not inductive. It is conductive. On the device cases there are four little metal nubs arranged in a way so that no matter how the device is placed on the mat a conductive (not inductive) circuit is made. The case then sorts out the negative and positive and properly routes the electricity into the device.
This is why the mat has to be smart enough to turn itself off if you drop your keys on it or lick the darn thing. With an inductive charger you could drop your keys on it and lick it all you want and there would be no need to turn off automatically because the surface of the mat doesn't conduct or complete a circuit with the devices.
Why would you need to protect your fingers or keys from small magnetic pulses? Why would they put stupid metal strips all over the mat if it was inductive? There aren't metal strips on your sonicare toothbrush. Try placing your finger or keys on your toothbrush charger and see what happens. Do you feel anything? No? Not even a little stupid?
adventrising, thanks for the correction. I was under the impression it was inductive. Now I would not consider buying it.