Weekly Daily Giz Wiz, Week of October 17th, 2011 Netcast 1336
October 15, 2011 4 Comments A charging station for all your Apple gadgets.
If you like all things Apple and you travel with a MacBook, an iPhone/iPod Touch and an iPad, this is a gadget you should know about. It’s the new iSurge Travel Charging Station from Energizer. It’s an all-in-one charger with surge protector, USB charging port and even a nightlight. It lets you plug in and/or charge 6 of your devices once. At the top of the device there’s a 30-pin dock connector for mounting your iPhone or iPod touch. Then there’s a USB charging port with a 2.1 Amp output. That’s powerful enough for charging your iPad. For some reason almost all the blog descriptions I’ve seen indicate that the iSurge Travel Charging Station has two USB charging ports, but there’s just one. This gizmo is on the large size and it will cover two AC outlets in most cases. But not to worry, because it adds 3 surge-protected power outlets for your computer, etc. The built-in nightlight has it’s own on/off switch and the entire iSurge has a plug that rotates 180°. The Energizer iSurge Travel Charging Station just became available. As of October 14, 2011, I don’t see it listed on Amazon or even on the Energizer website. But it should start appearing in retail channels soon. MSRP is $59.99, but I assume it will be discounted once it’s in the marketplace.
It just appeared at one place on Amazon at the full MSRP:
See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1336
This link usually goes live on Sunday afternoon, the day after we record the Netcast.
The Giz Wiz
After this Netcast went online, I received this email from the folks representing Energizer:
You’re right that early plans for the iSurge included two USB ports, but as the product progressed into tangible form one of the ports was removed and the amperage was lowered as well. The iSurge features a 1 amp port, so not ideal for charging an iPad. However, a user could easily charge his or her iPad via one of the three AC outlets.
Reader Comments (4)
Dick, you provide such great gadgets in such an entertaining way. I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for making this Geeks like so much better!!!
I do tech support and have actually suggested some of your gadgets! It's just great to follow you! Thanks again
geekygarret at http://www.garretsgeeks.com/ or http://www.facebook.com/garretsgeeks/
A gadget for all my Apple Gadgets... Really cool. Thanks for sharing.
Great idea but I'm just wondering how useful it will be for most. Most outlets are not in ideal places, wouldn't it have been better if this had an power cord which enabled the device to be placed on a desk, nightstand or dresser.
There are never enough convenient outlets in hotel rooms! When I travel, I like to take a long power strip with me - I call it my "charging station". I plug in chargers for two iPhones, an iPad, a laptop and a camera. Don't need a nightlight - the red light on the switch does enough! When we leave the hotel, I just wrap all the cords around the power strip and throw it in the suitcase. And I don't forget to charge anything overnight!