Categories
Cell Phone Accessories

YankCharger prevents cellphone yanking, cord breakages

Just about anybody who regularly charges a cellphone in public places knows how annoying it can be to have their device knocked off of a table while waiting for it to finish charging. Especially when the phone winds up breaking.

The YankCharger, from a Bend, Oregon inventor solves that issue. The anti-yank charging cord has a plug built into it to limit the amount of force that can be applied to a phone charging port. The cord’s reliable connection ensures that the phone will not go flying, no matter how hard the cable is yanked on. Backers who pledge $20 will get a YankCharger with microUSB connection and those who pledge $24 will get a version with lightning connection for iPhones when the device ships in April. The expected retail price of the cord isn’t known. Its inventor is trying to raise $4,500 by Jan. 27 so that he can make a minimum order of product and get the YankCharger custom-tailored to his specifications.

The charging cord has a very narrow purpose, but one that many consumers may find appealing. It’s not clear, however, if consumers will be willing to spend more than $20 just for a cord.

Categories
Cell Phone Accessories Chargers/Batteries

iPhone 6 charging case integrates stand, USB cable

As battery life still hasn’t caught up with the amount we use our phones, we need to be constantly prepared to charge our phones, even when we’re not at home. The Charge Case was designed to serve several important functions for iPhone 6 users. It’s a lightweight black case that will protect your phone. Charge is also a stand that lets you prop up your phone horizontally or vertically. Lastly, it comes with an attached lightning cable so you can charge or sync your phone anywhere. The cable fits discreetly inside the case.

We’ve seen a ton of portable chargers recently, including inCharge, a lightning cable keychain. Charge Case serves several functions, setting it apart from similar products. As with other portable cables, it’s too bad that it can’t also come with some kind of wall outlet. Still, if you have your laptop with you, this case makes charging, protecting and propping up easy. One will cost backers $35 for estimated delivery in March 2015. Charge Case is looking to raise a modest $5,000 on Kickstarter.

Categories
Tech Accessories

inCharge loops you in to tiny, flexible charging cable

USB charging cables determine the stress levels involved in our daily lives. As we’ve become more dependent on our phones, technology has not followed, resulting in battery lives that are far too short to meet the demands of a technology-focused day. inCharge is a portable USB cable on one side and a microUSB or lightning cable on the other that folds onto your keyring. This way, you’ll always have power available to you. inCharge comes in many different fun colors, is flexible, and short enough so that it won’t get all tangled up in your keys. The one downside of this product is that it doesn’t have a wall outlet port, so you must be able to attach it to a computer or laptop for power, unlike the similar Tiny TravelBuddy wall charger. Even so, this product will soon become a must for all smartphone users who depend on their phones. The most basic form of this Italian-made product goes for a $9 donation with estimated delivery set for December 2014. inCharge hopes to raise $20,000 on Indiegogo.