Oh! Gizmo

By Evan Ackerman

There are lots of ways to charge USB devices on the go using disposable or rechargeable batteries, but none of them are as small or as cheap as this DIY one. It’s basically just a female USB connector stuck to the top of a 9v battery, with a voltage regulator in the middle to make sure that there’s only 5 volts coming out. Total cost? If you have a soldering iron and a scrap female USB cable, the voltage regulator will run you about $1.59 plus tax at RadioShack (which I refuse on principle to call “The Shack” like they want me to). The real beauty of this thing is that you don’t have to use a 9v battery. You could use a whole series of D batteries, for example, and go on vacation for a month with your iPod.

Now, yes, you do have to know how to solder if you want to make one of these yourself. But seriously, soldering is easy. And it’s fun! You get to MELT METAL! You can pick up a basic soldering set at The Shack for all of eight bucks, and there are a bazillion beginner guides online (try Instructables or even YouTube). So, have a fun afternoon and learn a useful skill while making a handy little gadget at the same time. Or, you can always just do it with glue, you wimp.

[ AnythingButiPod ] VIA [ Gizmodo ]

By Andrew Liszewski

In the olden days, bicycle dynamos were really only used to power safety lighting on a bike. But in these modern times a cyclist can be using everything from a GPS device to a cellphone to an MP3 player while they’re out for a ride. So the PedalPower+ system safely harnesses the power generated by an AC dynamo and turns it into a safe DC source where the current is regulated and the voltage is consistent enough for electronic devices to be recharged.

The PedalPowerr+ system uses either a bottle dynamo (pictured above) which is relatively easy to install, or a hub dynamo which will probably require the assistance of a bike shop since it requires a re-spoking. But it’s flexible and modular enough that it can also be adapted to a pre-existing hub generator if your bike is already equipped for power. And during the times when you’re not riding, the battery charging unit can be easily removed and used to trickle charge your gear until your next ride, or until the battery is depleted.

[ PedalPower+ ] VIA [ Gizmag ]

By Jonathan Kimak

So Medis has been promising a portable fuel cell charger for years. Now it’s finally available online and will soon be seen in stores like Best Buy.

The Power Pack is a fuel cell that can be used to charge your electronics anywhere and at anytime. The Starter pack comes with a fuel cell and all the adapters required to charge the batteries for laptops, cell phones and mp3 players. The fuel cell is good for 30 hours of talking or 60-80 hours of mp3 player use.

The cells are disposable(or recyclable if you like) and you can buy replacement packs that contain just the fuel cell.

$29.99 for the Starter kit and $19.99 for the replacement packs.

[ Medis Power Pack ] VIA [ Engadget ]

By Jonathan Kimak

There are plenty of gadgets that need charging while you’re on the go. The old standard was that all your gadgets could be charged by plugging an adapter into the cigarette lighter of your car. Now more devices, like mp3 players, use USB to get charged. This multi-use charger has two USB slots and two cigarette lighter outlets so that you can keep your gadgets running regardless of which method is used.

The charger also handles up to 20 amps, which should be enough to charge 4 items at the same time. It also comes with a kit to mount the charger to the dashboard and can be wired directly into your car’s wiring. At under $20 it looks like a great deal.

[ Amazon.com ] VIA [ Lifehacker ]