Tag Archives: charger

This Battery Charger Shows Which AAs Are Dead on an E-Ink Display

Posted on by

The drawer full of half-used AA and AAA batteries, some new, some dead, some leaking, is familiar. The last-minute scramble for batteries when a remote dies usually means digging through the pile, testing them one by one, and feeling uneasy about throwing spent alkalines into the trash. The problem is not just waste, it is the lack of a clear system for how we power small devices scattered around a home.

Linogy is a rechargeable battery ecosystem built around 1.5 V Li-ion AA and AAA cells plus an all-in-one smart station. The station lives on a desk or shelf, acting as a battery tester, fast charger, and organizer case that holds up to 40 cells. The goal is to replace the random drawer with a single, visible place where all your batteries live and get managed.

Designer: Linogy

Disposable alkalines are convenient but add up to billions of cells tossed each year, along with tens of thousands of tons of waste and CO₂. Ni-MH rechargeables solve part of that but bring their own quirks: 1.2V output that some devices dislike, high self-discharge, lower energy density, and slow charging that makes topping them up feel like a chore you keep postponing.

Linogy’s cells pack around 3,600mWh and deliver stable 1.5V, closer to what devices expect from alkalines, so performance and battery indicators behave more predictably. The cells are rated for up to 1,200 cycles, meaning one rechargeable can stand in for roughly 1,200 disposables over its life, and built-in protection layers handle overcharge, short circuit, and drop impacts without leaks or smoke.

Dropping a mix of AA and AAA cells into the station, it automatically detects type, health, and charge level. The e-ink display shows which batteries are full, which are charging, and which are ready to retire, without bright LEDs or guesswork. A full charge takes around three hours, and once topped up, the station stops charging and simply holds the cells until something needs power.

The station is compatible with Linogy’s Li-ion cells, Ni-MH, and Ni-Cd AA and AAA batteries. You do not have to throw out existing rechargeables; the same box can test and charge them while you gradually swap in higher-capacity 1.5V cells. Over time, the random mix becomes a more coherent set of batteries you actually trust instead of avoiding.

A simple change in how you handle AA and AAA power can reduce waste and friction. One Linogy cell replacing up to 1,200 alkalines, recyclable packaging, and a charger that looks like a small appliance rather than a tangle of cables all add up. It turns the humble battery from something you forget about until it fails into a part of the home that is designed, visible, and surprisingly satisfying to keep in order.

The post This Battery Charger Shows Which AAs Are Dead on an E-Ink Display first appeared on Yanko Design.

Anker’s CES 2026 Charging Lineup Treats Power as a Coordinated System

Posted on by

Charging has become a daily background task with a mix of wall bricks, wireless pads, power strips, and docks that rarely feel coordinated. As devices become faster and more power-hungry, the friction shifts from “do I have enough power?” to “how many adapters do I need without cluttering the desk?” The answer usually involves a drawer full of chargers that don’t talk to each other and rarely work where needed.

Anker’s CES 2026 portfolio treats this as a system. The Anker Charging lineup introduces four products, the Nano Charger, Prime Wireless Charging Station, Nano Power Strip, and Nano Docking Station, sharing ideas like smarter device recognition, Qi2 25 W wireless, AnkerSense View, and ActiveShield 5.0, but slotting into different moments where power is needed, wanted, or quietly essential to keeping momentum going without searching for another cable.

Designer: Anker

Anker Nano Charger (45W, Smart Display, 180° Foldable)

The Nano Charger recognizes recent iPhone and iPad Pro models in seconds, then uses a three-stage power profile to deliver up to 45 W tailored to the device. That auto-matching unlocks faster charging when the battery is low while easing off as it fills, avoiding overstressing batteries for people who charge overnight or keep devices plugged in during long work sessions without thinking about optimal timing.

TÜV-certified Care Mode keeps the phone’s battery about 9 °F cooler than other 45 W chargers, a quiet win for long-term health. The small smart display shows real-time power and temperature with friendly icons, and the 180-degree foldable prongs let the charger sit in tight outlets while keeping the screen visible, fitting desk plugs, kitchen outlets, and behind-cabinets spaces where flat bricks fail.

Anker Prime Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1, MagGo, AirCool, Foldable)

The Prime Wireless Charging Station handles an iPhone, earbuds, and a watch without three separate cables. It uses Qi2 25 W wireless charging to bring iPhone speeds close to wired, quoting 80% in about 55 minutes for an iPhone 17. The stand folds into a palm-sized block lighter than an iPhone 17 Pro Max, so it can live in a bag full-time, turning one USB-C input into a small charging island.

The AirCool airflow system keeps the charger and devices at stable temperatures when everything is stacked overnight or during work sessions, important when running 25 W to a phone while also topping up a watch and earbuds. That thermal management keeps the 3-in-1 from becoming uncomfortably hot on a nightstand or desk, and the foldable form clears cable clutter from hotel rooms and home offices, making it the kind of charger that actually gets packed for every trip.

Anker Nano Power Strip (10-in-1, 70W, Clamp)

The Nano Power Strip is a dual-zone power bar that lives at the desk edge instead of under it. It combines six AC outlets with two USB-C and two USB-A ports, with a single USB-C delivering up to 70 W, enough to run a laptop or gaming handheld directly. The clamp-on design keeps the strip fixed in place while making ports easy to reach, so you stop crawling under desks to plug in temporary devices.

The built-in 1,500 J surge protection shields connected gear from spikes, which matters when monitors, desktop PCs, and audio equipment all share one outlet. Having the USB ports face forward and the AC outlets below the desk creates a cleaner visual line and makes it easier to manage cable runs, turning the strip into permanent desk infrastructure that handles both power and data charging without sprawling across the surface or tangling behind a monitor stand.

Anker Nano Docking Station (13-in-1, Triple Display, Built-In Removable Hub)

The Nano Docking Station is a 13-in-1 dock for people who treat a laptop as their main machine but want a desktop-class workspace. It supports triple-display output with up to 4K resolution on a single monitor, up to 100 W upstream charging, and USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, and SD / TF 3.0 card slots, all running at up to 10 Gbps, where it counts for fast file transfers and external storage.

The built-in 6-in-1 removable hub slides out, letting someone leave the desktop cable tree intact while taking key ports and card readers on the road with a single, slim module. That bridging between permanent and mobile workflows makes the dock feel less like a fixed base station and more like a system that adapts to whether you are spending the day at a desk or heading to a meeting with just a laptop and the small hub in a bag.

Anker at CES 2026: Charging as a Coherent System

These four products sketch out Anker’s view of charging in 2026, not as isolated bricks and pads, but as coordinated tools that follow people from pocket to bedside to desk. Instead of chasing ever-higher wattage alone, the lineup leans into smarter interfaces, cooler operation, and forms that respect the spaces they live in, the kind of thinking Yanko Design readers expect from everyday hardware that earns its place by working better and quieter.

The post Anker’s CES 2026 Charging Lineup Treats Power as a Coordinated System first appeared on Yanko Design.

This DIY Wooden Battery Charger Brings Dead AAs Back to Life

Posted on by

Most homes accumulate a drawer full of dead AA and AAA batteries, and the uneasy feeling of tossing heavy little cylinders into recycling or the trash. Alkaline cells are marketed as single-use, even though the chemistry can often be coaxed back to life with the right kind of intervention. RegenBox 1 is a small, hands-on challenge to that throwaway logic, turning battery regeneration into a bench-top ritual that requires patience, measurement, and a soldering iron.

RegenBox 1 is a kit that arrives as a flat collection of components, a printed circuit board, electronic parts, and laser-cut wooden panels. Once assembled, it becomes a USB-powered regenerator for AA and AAA alkaline batteries, designed for electronics hobbyists rather than casual users. The wooden case and visible PCB make it feel more like a lab instrument or workshop project than a sealed plastic charger, and building it yourself is half the point.

Designer: Regenbox

Assembly requires a soldering iron and solder, a voltmeter, flat-nose pliers, wire cutters, and a small screwdriver, plus some electronics confidence. The kit supplies the PCB, resistors, diodes, LEDs, IC, battery holders, USB cable, and the wooden enclosure. You are not just buying a gadget, you are learning how it works as you put it together, turning the components into a functional regenerator that can sit on your desk or workbench for years.

Using it starts with testing each alkaline cell with a voltmeter. Below 0.9 V goes to recycling, 0.9 V to 1.35 V is a candidate for regeneration, and 1.35 V to 1.5 V is already reusable. Once cells are slotted in and the USB 5 V input is connected, the circuit feeds very low current for 8 to 24 hours, slowly reversing part of the discharge without stressing the casing or causing leaks.

The boundaries are strict, alkaline only, no lithium, no damaged or leaking cells, correct polarity, and room-temperature use. The red and orange LEDs indicate current flow and help with diagnostics, but the real discipline is in measuring voltages before and after, and respecting the chemistry. It is not a fast charger; it is a patient tool that trades speed for safety and extended second lives.

Getting one or more extra cycles out of batteries that would otherwise be discarded adds up across a household or community. The open, repairable design invites modification and learning, turning energy use into something you can see and tweak. RegenBox 1 becomes a quiet protest against sealed, opaque devices, and a small workshop ally for anyone trying to reduce waste while gaining control over the objects they depend on.

RegenBox 1 changes the way you look at dead alkalines. Instead of being the end of the story, they become candidates for triage, measurement, and careful regeneration. The wooden box on the bench is a reminder that design can intervene not just at the point of purchase, but at the moment we usually give up on an object, asking whether it really needs to be thrown away yet or if a slow, gentle charge might bring it back for another round.

The post This DIY Wooden Battery Charger Brings Dead AAs Back to Life first appeared on Yanko Design.

GaN Charger Lets You Swap Plugs, Stack Blocks, Pick Your Wattage

Posted on by

GaN chargers have gotten smaller and more efficient over the years, but they still look like anonymous black or white bricks. Most people toss them in a bag and forget about them, and if you travel frequently, you end up carrying a separate adapter for different plug types. It’s functional but incredibly boring, and the whole category feels like it stopped trying once the engineers got the size and wattage right.

Bang Design’s LEGO-inspired GaN charger is an intern project that tries to make chargers fun and modular instead. The concept treats the charger as a colorful block system, with different cubes for different wattages and swappable plug modules for different countries. It’s patent-pending but still just a concept, though it looks polished enough that you could imagine buying a set off a shelf and arranging them on your desk like tiny toys.

Designer: Bang Design

Every module is a perfect cube or tall cuboid with sharp edges and flat faces that instantly read as building blocks. The 65 W version has a red top half, white bottom half, and large “65 W” printed on one side in light gray type. A subtle asterisk mark on the top hints at a LEGO stud without copying it directly. The rest of the family uses green, blue, yellow, and pastel beige blocks with the same bold geometry.

One green cube houses a sliding plug carriage with metal prongs that can be removed and replaced with different pin standards for US, Indian, or European outlets. A rectangular recess on one face holds the carriage, and gold contacts inside suggest a cartridge-style electrical connection. The plug becomes just another swappable piece of the system rather than something permanently wired to the charger, which is the whole point.

Different wattage blocks have different port configurations. The blue 30 W cube has one USB-C port, the yellow 120 W block has three outputs, and the beige version mixes USB-A and USB-C. Users could pick the block that matches their device or build a small family that shares the same plug module. The big printed wattage numbers make it easy to grab the right cube without squinting at tiny labels.

One cube plugs into the wall while the other blocks sit on the desk like small sculptures. The chargers stop being clutter to hide and start looking like a collection you might actually enjoy arranging. The LEGO reference makes the whole setup feel approachable and almost toy-like, especially compared to the usual tangle of anonymous black bricks and bulky travel adapters that most people carry around.

Turning this into a real product would mean solving serious issues around safety certifications, heat dissipation, and mechanical durability for those swappable parts. But the concept is still valuable because it shows how even a commodity accessory can carry personality and systems thinking. The LEGO-inspired GaN charger hints at a future where chargers are not just smaller and faster, but also more playful and easier to live with.

The post GaN Charger Lets You Swap Plugs, Stack Blocks, Pick Your Wattage first appeared on Yanko Design.

EDC flashlight and charging case makes sure you won’t be in the dark for long

Posted on by

Small pocket-sized flashlights are a dime a dozen these days, especially in the era of EDCs or Everyday Carry bags. Many of these come in rugged designs with bright LED functionality, and most of them utilize rechargeable batteries for convenience. Of course, that implies having some sort of charger always at hand, which requires carrying yet another separate device in your kit.

This EDC tool, however, takes a cue from the now ubiquitous wireless earbuds design, providing a carrying case for the LED flashlight that also serves as its charger. Even better, you can actually use the flashlight while it’s still in its case, removing the need to fiddle with two separate devices when you’re in a hurry.

Designer: Olight

On its own, the Olight Baton 4 LED flashlight looks pretty ordinary. It has a small cylindrical body typical of tiny flashlights, though it boasts a brightness of 1,300 lumens and a throw distance of 170 meters. It has small LED indicators for its brightness level and remaining battery charge, but that’s pretty much it for the flashlight itself.

The real killer feature of the Baton 4 Premium Edition, however, is its 5,000 mAh charging case. It has a flip-top design that makes it easy to open and close with one hand. You can easily slip in any compatible Olight flashlight for charging, but there’s a special function when used with the Baton 4 or Baton 3 flashlights. You can simply flip open the cover and press the side button to turn on the flashlight while it’s still in the case, so you don’t have to lose time pulling it out and putting it back in again.

The case itself has dual charging functionality. It can charge the flashlight inside or charge a phone like a power bank. This means you don’t really need to carry a separate charger for the flashlight and your phone, as the case can do both. It might sound like a small convenience, but for people who always find themselves outdoors in the dark, intentionally or otherwise, it can be a critical space-saving feature that helps make room for more things inside their EDC bags.

The post EDC flashlight and charging case makes sure you won’t be in the dark for long first appeared on Yanko Design.

MagSafe phone stand concept adds hands-free face tracking for perfect framing

Posted on by

Video calls have become a staple of online communication today, whether it’s for meetings or even just personal one-on-one calls. Unfortunately, the devices we use for video calls haven’t caught up quickly with the trend, and we’re only recently seeing webcams with better sensors or phone stands with better angles. Even then, however, there is still some missing aspects to make these videos more engaging and natural.

This simple-looking phone stand tries to deliver that missing piece by making sure that the user’s face is always within the frame during those video calls. It isn’t a one-trick pony, though, and can keep your phone’s battery topped up or be an interesting piece of desk decor even when not in use.

Designer: Kunal Wagh

Webcams are admittedly getting more sophisticated, both in terms of hardware as well as software. While those integrated into laptop screen bezels are limited to simply upgrading their imaging sensors, external cameras are now sporting stabilizers and gimbals. There are also apps that do automatic focus, zooming, and framing. That’s all fine if you’re using your computer, but not if your smartphone is your device of choice.

Orbit is a design concept for a phone stand that brings those features to mobile devices. It’s practically a MagSafe-compatible charging stand with a unique, minimalist design that makes it look good even when not in use. It pretty much looks like a miniature trophy, with a dome-like shape on top held aloft by two thin arms.

Simply place the phone on the stand and go about your video call or even watch videos. Orbit will simply follow your face to make sure that you always have a clear view of the screen or that your face is always in frame. The concept doesn’t exactly explain the software that makes this possible, but it’s not that difficult to pull off given today’s technology.

Of course, it also functions as a charger to make sure your battery never goes empty, whether you’re on a call or not. Unlike a phone gimbal, Orbit’s simpler design makes it suitable for use almost anywhere, even when away from your desk, as long as you have a power source to keep that charger and internal motors running.

The post MagSafe phone stand concept adds hands-free face tracking for perfect framing first appeared on Yanko Design.

Wireless headphones concept sits on a charger that doubles as a speaker

Posted on by

Although they have been around for a long time already, it was the retirement of the 3.5mm headphone jack from smartphones that really caused a surge of interest in wireless headphones and earbuds. There is a wide variety of designs for over-ear cup headphones, most of them naturally focusing on the headphones themselves. The experience of using these accessories, however, doesn’t stop after you’ve taken them off, but most manufacturers seem to make charging headphones an afterthought. This design concept, in contrast, offers a more holistic experience, one that ensures you can continue enjoying your tunes even when your headphones are charging.

Designer: Zeta ID

Although it’s only too easy to lose one or two wireless earbuds, the small objects at least have a proper place to call their home. In contrast, larger wireless headphones have to be hung somewhere if they’re not left lying on a desk, and even then you have to remember to plug them in to charge. And, of course, you’re left with your phone or laptop speakers while its charging, perhaps with a noticeable loss in sound quality.

If earbuds and charging cases always come together, then maybe wireless headphones should also come with a wireless charger out of the box. That’s what the Eko concept tries to bring to the table, almost literally, offering a standard place where you know you’ll always find your headphones. Of course, it also charges while resting, so you can be sure that your personal listening device is always ready by the time you leave.

That stand, however, does more than just charge the headphones. It also functions as a Bluetooth speaker, so you can enjoy high-quality audio even when the headphones are docked. The concept doesn’t exactly say whether it can work independently of the headphones, but that’s often the case with Bluetooth speakers anyway. There can perhaps be a feature that could make it seamlessly switch between the headphones and the speaker as needed.

Eko also has a modern and stylish appearance, one that uses a streamlined band design instead of the usual circular cups. The speaker charging dock is a triangular prism that matches the dark motif of the headphones. One concern about the concept design is the comfort of the headphones themselves, as its speaker don’t seem to go over the ears like most designs and would instead press on it.

The post Wireless headphones concept sits on a charger that doubles as a speaker first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 5 Innovative Charging Solutions That Are Transforming Device Power Management

Posted on by

In today’s world, we are extremely reliant on technology, we can’t survive without it, as frightening as that sounds. In such a time and age, we need innovative power solutions, that ensure our handy devices and gadgets are always charged. We need these devices to have a dependable energy supply, allowing us to stay connected with the world and productive. A new genre of power solutions has been created to meet this need – they are efficient, unique, and designed to cater to our modern living requirements. These innovative designs optimize energy usage and focus on convenience, portability, and sustainability. We have curated our top 5 innovative power solutions that will power your life with effectiveness and efficiency, ensuring your daily routine is seamless and empowered.

1. EcoFlow Power Hat

Designed by EcoFlow, this is the Power Hat. It is a sun hat with a USP! The sun-blocking rim of the hat is equipped with solar panels that don’t simply cut the glare, but also capture it and convert it into electrical power. The Power Hat was debuted at IFA 2024, and it is a unique accessory that will turn heads.

Why is it noteworthy?

When you look at the Power Hat, you may think it’s your everyday wide-brimmed hat, but the hat conceals a flexible solar panel that has been sown into the brim. This panel is designed to absorb sunlight, transforming it into usable power that charges your devices using a USB-C port that is tucked artfully in the inner band.

What we like

  • An excellent option for people who spend time outdoors such as hikers, campers, etc

What we dislike

  • The size is quite comically huge on the head and may be uncomfortable to wear

2. Mello

Say hello to Mello – the world’s sleekest high-performance charger! If you’re exhausted of traveling with bulky chargers and want to use the best tech, then you may want to get your hands on Mello. It can charge in over 200+ countries globally, including the US, UK, Europe, South America, Australia and Asia. The ultra-compact design lets you carry it wherever you like, but don’t be fooled by its minimal size, it packs a punch with its charging capabilities.

Why is it noteworthy?

The finest materials and top-notch technology were applied to create this sleek and luxurious charger. It provides 20 Watts GaN fast charging which is 3x faster than any standard charger. You can clip it onto your keychain with ease, or simply put it into your pocket as you travel.

What we like

  • Foldable and compact design
  • Compatible in 180+ countries

What we dislike

  • Pricier in comparison to other compact charging solutions

3. Solar Paper

Meet the one-of-a-kind Solar Paper! This is the world’s first solar power charger that can be easily placed inside your planner or notebook. The charger is paper thin, and also ultra lightweight. It can charge your smartphone in about 2.5 hours on a sunny day. You can also set up multiple panels using magnets to charge larger devices.

Why is it noteworthy?

Since it features a compact and lightweight form, it is great for those who spend a lot of time outdoors. They can clip the charger to their backpack, and charge it while hiking or camping. You can also easily slip it into your jacket pocket or notebook. Many solar chargers need to shut down and manually reset, but the Solar Paper automatically resets itself.

What we like

  • Lightweight form that can be carried everywhere with you
  • You can expand it if you need to charge larger devices

What we dislike

  • Its usability is limited in places with cloud cover or frequent rainy days

4. MemKeeper

When you first look at the MemKeeper you may assume it is an ordinary phone charger, but it is truly quite unique. It uses cutting-edge GaN technology and can provide 65W of power, which is more than enough for most smartphones and some laptops. It features two USB-C ports and a single USB-A port. It can charge three devices in one go in a 30W, 18W, and 18W combination.

Why is it noteworthy?

However, what makes MemKeeper unique is that it also doubles as a secure data storage solution. It automatically backs up the connected device’s data into its built-in storage, which is available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB capacities. When you charge your phone, rest assured that your smartphone’s data is safe and sound.

What we like

  • Stores data for up to 32 different devices
  • Only backs up authorized devices, so you can share the charger with friends

What we dislike

  • Doesn’t put out enough power when all ports are used simultaneously

5. Dino Charger

Say hello to the Dino Charger, which serves as more than just a typical charger. It may look typical, but it features a pill shape with one end chopped off, offering a flat surface for your smartphone. However, when your smartphone isn’t placed on it, you will see a small circular display, which functions as an interesting USP of the charger.

Why is it noteworthy?

The screen is the same size as a circular smartwatch, and it also functions as one. Even though it has small screen real estate, it showcases a few pieces of data through icons and images like the weather, battery levels, and the time. The screen also displays a Bitmoji or Apple Memoji. Most of the use of this function is left to the imagination.

What we like

  • Turns an ordinary charger into an exciting multi-functional charger

What we dislike

  • The screen is pretty much useless when a smartphone is placed on the charger

The post Top 5 Innovative Charging Solutions That Are Transforming Device Power Management first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 5 Innovative Charging Solutions That Are Transforming Device Power Management

Posted on by

In today’s world, we are extremely reliant on technology, we can’t survive without it, as frightening as that sounds. In such a time and age, we need innovative power solutions, that ensure our handy devices and gadgets are always charged. We need these devices to have a dependable energy supply, allowing us to stay connected with the world and productive. A new genre of power solutions has been created to meet this need – they are efficient, unique, and designed to cater to our modern living requirements. These innovative designs optimize energy usage and focus on convenience, portability, and sustainability. We have curated our top 5 innovative power solutions that will power your life with effectiveness and efficiency, ensuring your daily routine is seamless and empowered.

1. EcoFlow Power Hat

Designed by EcoFlow, this is the Power Hat. It is a sun hat with a USP! The sun-blocking rim of the hat is equipped with solar panels that don’t simply cut the glare, but also capture it and convert it into electrical power. The Power Hat was debuted at IFA 2024, and it is a unique accessory that will turn heads.

Why is it noteworthy?

When you look at the Power Hat, you may think it’s your everyday wide-brimmed hat, but the hat conceals a flexible solar panel that has been sown into the brim. This panel is designed to absorb sunlight, transforming it into usable power that charges your devices using a USB-C port that is tucked artfully in the inner band.

What we like

  • An excellent option for people who spend time outdoors such as hikers, campers, etc

What we dislike

  • The size is quite comically huge on the head and may be uncomfortable to wear

2. Mello

Say hello to Mello – the world’s sleekest high-performance charger! If you’re exhausted of traveling with bulky chargers and want to use the best tech, then you may want to get your hands on Mello. It can charge in over 200+ countries globally, including the US, UK, Europe, South America, Australia and Asia. The ultra-compact design lets you carry it wherever you like, but don’t be fooled by its minimal size, it packs a punch with its charging capabilities.

Why is it noteworthy?

The finest materials and top-notch technology were applied to create this sleek and luxurious charger. It provides 20 Watts GaN fast charging which is 3x faster than any standard charger. You can clip it onto your keychain with ease, or simply put it into your pocket as you travel.

What we like

  • Foldable and compact design
  • Compatible in 180+ countries

What we dislike

  • Pricier in comparison to other compact charging solutions

3. Solar Paper

Meet the one-of-a-kind Solar Paper! This is the world’s first solar power charger that can be easily placed inside your planner or notebook. The charger is paper thin, and also ultra lightweight. It can charge your smartphone in about 2.5 hours on a sunny day. You can also set up multiple panels using magnets to charge larger devices.

Why is it noteworthy?

Since it features a compact and lightweight form, it is great for those who spend a lot of time outdoors. They can clip the charger to their backpack, and charge it while hiking or camping. You can also easily slip it into your jacket pocket or notebook. Many solar chargers need to shut down and manually reset, but the Solar Paper automatically resets itself.

What we like

  • Lightweight form that can be carried everywhere with you
  • You can expand it if you need to charge larger devices

What we dislike

  • Its usability is limited in places with cloud cover or frequent rainy days

4. MemKeeper

When you first look at the MemKeeper you may assume it is an ordinary phone charger, but it is truly quite unique. It uses cutting-edge GaN technology and can provide 65W of power, which is more than enough for most smartphones and some laptops. It features two USB-C ports and a single USB-A port. It can charge three devices in one go in a 30W, 18W, and 18W combination.

Why is it noteworthy?

However, what makes MemKeeper unique is that it also doubles as a secure data storage solution. It automatically backs up the connected device’s data into its built-in storage, which is available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB capacities. When you charge your phone, rest assured that your smartphone’s data is safe and sound.

What we like

  • Stores data for up to 32 different devices
  • Only backs up authorized devices, so you can share the charger with friends

What we dislike

  • Doesn’t put out enough power when all ports are used simultaneously

5. Dino Charger

Say hello to the Dino Charger, which serves as more than just a typical charger. It may look typical, but it features a pill shape with one end chopped off, offering a flat surface for your smartphone. However, when your smartphone isn’t placed on it, you will see a small circular display, which functions as an interesting USP of the charger.

Why is it noteworthy?

The screen is the same size as a circular smartwatch, and it also functions as one. Even though it has small screen real estate, it showcases a few pieces of data through icons and images like the weather, battery levels, and the time. The screen also displays a Bitmoji or Apple Memoji. Most of the use of this function is left to the imagination.

What we like

  • Turns an ordinary charger into an exciting multi-functional charger

What we dislike

  • The screen is pretty much useless when a smartphone is placed on the charger

The post Top 5 Innovative Charging Solutions That Are Transforming Device Power Management first appeared on Yanko Design.

Cyberpunk-themed power socket box concept removes a reason to hide your cables

Posted on by

Cable management and hiding is not only a trend; it has even become an art form. Messy cables don’t just get in the way but are also an eyesore. But what if the cables become part of the desk’s aesthetic? What if the power strip or socket box actually gave you a reason to have those charging wires out in the open? That’s the idea behind this socket box design that appeals to gamers, geeks, and gadget lovers by giving their desks a cyberpunk aesthetic. At the same time, it also makes cable management simpler by not having to hide wires and cables in the first place.

Designer: PTPC

It has become en vogue to hide power sockets and charging ports from view, whether disguising themselves as part of the desk or simply placing them behind tables. While that may be an effective way to reduce the visual mess, it also means most of these outlets are harder to reach. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice convenience for aesthetics, especially if the aesthetic you’re aiming for isn’t the kind that adheres to clean and tidy arrangements.

Trozk is a “hardcore” socket box that makes you want to actually have your wires in plain sight by embracing the popular cyberpunk theme. As the name itself implies, this genre’s design language is sometimes messy, unrefined, and even garish. You have tangled cables, neon lights, and geometric shapes in abundance, though still executed in a stylistic and intentional manner.

The socket box concept is aptly big, boxy, and flashy. On the top, you have six universal power outlets arranged in a 2×3 grid that can accommodate almost any plug type. Beside them is a square with small LED indicators and a square LCD display for information such as power input, output, and the like. Off to the side are USB ports for charging mobile devices. The concept incorporates GaN (Gallium Nitride) technology to handle the load of having 10 ports putting out power.

Like any cyberpunk-themed gadget, Trozk has RGB lighting that highlights the top surface of the box as well as the branding in front. Because of its interesting visual, the socket box is clearly designed to be shown off, even when there are cables coming out of it. That makes it easier to plug and remove chargers at will, while also giving your desk or shelf a sci-fi vibe. Of course, you’ll still have to make sure your cables don’t get tangled up, but at least now you’ll have a cyberpunk excuse for the mess.

The post Cyberpunk-themed power socket box concept removes a reason to hide your cables first appeared on Yanko Design.