(Credit:
Sarah Tew/CNET)
For this week's installment of the weekly Crave giveaway, we have an assortment of Duracell Smart Power accessories that are just about to hit stores. Included in the package is an Instant USB charger, a sweet Daylite LED flashlight, a Go Mobile charger with two AA and two AAA rechargeable batteries (plus a car adapter), and last but not least, the myGrid cable-free conductive charger (you lay your phone on a mat and the battery juices up). Out of the box, the myGrid only works with the Blackberry, Motorola, and Nokia models pictured, but additional charging adapters are available and next year a charging sleeve, which doubles as a protective case, will be available for the iPhone.
Normally, this collection of Duracell products would cost about $170, but you have the chance to get it gratis.
So, how do you try to win the Duracell goodies? Let me enumerate the basic rules. Please read them carefully; there will be a test.
- Register as a CNET user. Go to the top of this page and hit the "Join CNET" link to start the registration process. If you're already registered, no need to register again.
- Leave a comment below. You can leave whatever comment you want. If it's funny or insightful it won't help you win, but we're trying to have fun here, so anything entertaining is appreciated.
- Leave only one comment. You may enter this specific giveaway only once. If you enter more than one comment, you will be automatically disqualified.
- The winner will be chosen randomly. The winner will receive (1) Duracell Instant USB charger, (1) Duracell Daylite LED flashlight, (1) Duracell Go Mobile charger, (1) Duracell myGrid cable-free induction charger. Approximate retail value is $170.
- If you are chosen, you will be notified via e-mail. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.
- Entries can be submitted until Monday, October 12, at noon EDT.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENT OF ONE OF THE 50 UNITED STATES OR D.C., 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AT DATE OF ENTRY INTO SWEEPSTAKES. VOID IN PUERTO RICO, ALL U.S. TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS AND WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Sweepstakes ends at 12 PM ET on October 12, 2009. See official rules for details.
Good luck.
(Credit:
Ecosol)
While I still love my iPhone 3G, we've hit some bumps in the road in our relationship--in particular its battery life, or lack thereof, depending on what I'm using it for.
I recall one instance in particular. After using the phone more than I usually do in a day, I went to bed without charging it. The next day I woke up to a dead phone. Luckily this was a Saturday morning, so I didn't particularly need it for the next few hours, but this could have easily happened on a weekday.
And there I'd be. On the bus, on my way to work with no way of checking my e-mail or the news of what happened in the world while I slept. I shudder at the thought.
Ecosol has figured out that this is an area where it may be able to help poor guys like me. With its Powerstick V2, users can charge their USB-compatible portable devices anywhere, at any time. Simply hook your USB compatible device and voila, instant juice.
According to Ecosol, the Powerstick V2 can be charged from any USB port and takes about 90 minutes to reach 90 percent of its full power. Purportedly this is also the first "intelligent" portable power adapter, meaning the Powerstick won't consume any power it does not need when charging.
From what I understand, the Powerstick V2 will not get you a full charge on an iPhone 3G, but if you're out of battery power and really need to make a few calls, then it is useful for getting you out of a bind.
The device is available at Best Buy and Powerstick.com at an MSRP of $59.99 and comes in both black and white.
(Credit:
SourcingMap)
We really don't know what to make of this gadget, for a variety of reasons. First there's the odd combination of features--memory card reader, flash drive, USB charger, and a UV counterfeit money detector, of all things. Then there's the $9.99 price, which can barely buy a keychain these days. But weirdest of all is the design: a ladybug.
One can't help but wonder what goes through the mind of an engineer who comes up with something like this. Actually, it's probably just as well that this twisted thought process isn't applied to something even more bizarre. Whatever the case, this gizmo certainly lives up to its billing as a "multi-functional" device. Whether anyone will want this particular combination of functions, of course, is another question.
(Credit:
Fareastgizmos)
As we've noted more times than we care to remember, there are a countless number of useless gadgets that seem to exist only because they use a computer's USB port for a power source. Maybe that's one of the reasons behind Green-House's development of the "Eneplug."
This little device, which Technabob accurately describes as resembling "the decapitated end of a standard 110v AC plug," is a USB charger that skips the middleman and plugs directly into a wall outlet. It's available only in Japan at present, perhaps because that's where there's the most pressing need for such gadgets as MP3 players that give facials.
Power three devices--plus two USB products--with this portable surge protector.
(Credit: Belkin)You'd think that the design for power strips and surge protectors would be pretty much played out, but Belkin has actually done some pretty interesting things with them in recent years: clamp-on models, ones that hide all of the wall warts, and even the forthcoming Conserve, an eco-friendly model that truly shuts off connected devices at the touch of a wireless remote.
The company is taking that spirit of innovation on the road with its latest power product: the Belkin Mini Surge Protector. The travel-friendly model packs three grounded three-prong power outlets and two powered USB ports into its tiny frame, and plugs directly into the wall socket, so there's no dangling cord. A green LED confirms that connected devices are protected against surges, which Belkin backs with a $75,000 warranty. In other words, this one miniature power strip should be able to power and protect your laptop, iPod, and cellphone--and still have space left over for connecting two other AC-powered devices. Belkin even throws in a mini-USB cable, which will work with many brands of cellphones. Yes, laptop-toting travelers can usually use the spare ports on their computer to juice up various mobile devices. Considering that the device is slated to cost less than $25, the Belkin Mini Surge Protector looks to be a worthwhile combination of the Monster Power Outlets To Go (see related hands-on review) and Belkin's Dual USB Power Adapter. Like that latter model, we wish Belkin would include more USB ports, since the list of USB-powered devices--phones, Blackberrys, iPods, the Nintendo DS, PSP, and Bluetooth headsets--is seemingly endless.
You might see the Belkin Mini Surge Protector already available for preorder on some online stores, but the company says that it should be widely available "in office superstores" by the end of April.
On Sale Now: $11.99 - $25.99
View the latest prices for Belkin Mini Travel Surge Protector with USB Charger
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