Tag Archives: chargecard

ChargeCard now shipping with micro-USB connector, we go hands-on

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ChargeCard ships wallet cable with microUSB connector, we go handson

Sure, we own dozens of micro-USB cables, but we don't always have one with us when we need to charge up smartphones, cameras, e-readers and countless other devices. That's why we're happy to get behind this wallet-sized cable, coined ChargeCard. We had a chance to check out the Apple dock connector flavor in March, and now the Kickstarter-backed company is shipping its micro-USB version, supporting power and data transfer with just about any USB-equipped gadget. Micro-USB seems to be the accepted standard these days, so the $25 ChargeCard is a reasonable investment. It is indeed thin and light enough to fit comfortably in your wallet, but it will add some heft, and may be an unwelcome addition to already packed vessels.

The device includes a fixed micro-USB connector and a pop-out flexible cable to plug into your computer or another power source. Unfortunately, the cable is not designed to be reversed, so depending on how it fits into your smartphone, the handset may need to face down. We experienced this issue with a MacBook Air and Samsung Galaxy Note II -- you can force the flexible cable to twist into the necessary position, but it appears to cause quite a bit of tension, and our ChargeCard was visibly damaged after just a few minutes of use. Otherwise, our quick test went off without a hitch, and you shouldn't expect to run into any problems, assuming your smartphone's orientation is a non-issue. The card has already begun shipping -- if you backed the project on Kickstarter, expect your ChargeCard to arrive this week. If you haven't placed a pre-order, you can pick one up at the source link below.

Gallery: Micro-USB ChargeCard hands-on

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Source: ChargeCard, ChargeCard (Kickstarter)

ChargeCard pocket iPhone charger starts shipping, we go hands- and wallets-on

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Perhaps we all bemoaned the death of the 30-pin dock connector accessories a little prematurely. Apple may be moving away from the technology in a huge way, but it seems the category's got a little juice left in her after all. On the back of a successful Kickstarter campaign last summer (raising a bit more than three times its proposed $50,000), the duo behind ChargeCard took their iPhone charger on the road to Las Vegas in January. Roughly half a year after hitting its goal, the product has finally started shipping, with one of the units making its way to our desk just this week.

The ChargeCard's clever in its simplicity, a credit card-sized device made from ABS (think: Lego) plastic. A little rubberized arm lives in the center of the thing, unfolding and plugging into a USB port. One edge of the card, meanwhile, fits into your iPhone's port (assuming, of course, that you're not one of those fancy pants iPhone 5 owners, you big shot, you). And, well, that's pretty much all there is to the thing.

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Source: ChargeCard

ChargeCard For iPhone: The USB Cable Slims Down

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This conveniently-sized 30-pin to USB connector is no thicker than a credit card but will allow you to hook your precious iPhone up to any computer for a quick juice up. I’d like it even more if it had a built in battery though.

chargecard iphone kickstarter usb 30 pin

The ChargeCard is a “charging cable” that takes up no space at all. You can put it in your wallet and take it out for emergencies. We’ve all been in situations where we could have used something like this. When it’s not in use, it’s as slim as a credit card. While it’s pretty smart, you won’t be able to use your iPhone while it juices up, so that could be a problem, and it really isn’t practical for use with a traditional wall charger since the flexible USB cable is very short.

chargecard iphone kickstarter usb 30 pin front

ChargeCard was launched as a Kickstarter project, and you can get in on the action for $18(USD).

[via Ubergizmo]