'Blockhead' Plug Provides Space Saving Solution for Apple Wall Adapters

[MacRumors]

Ten One Design today announced the "Blockhead," a side-facing plug for Apple chargers that will allow users to place the large wall adapters flush and parallel with a wall to save space, and open up more possibilities for charging behind large furniture. The accessory replaces the detachable prongs that ship with Apple products, and Ten One Design promises Blockhead will fit "every MacBook" and "every iPad" adapter, with one caveat regarding older model iPad minis.

Specifically sculpted to be a companion for Apple's chargers, the company promises that Blockhead will provide a "strong" grip and electrical connection in lieu of using Apple's first party prongs. Thanks to the geometry of the plug's design, Blockhead also points the Apple adapter's plug downwards instead of straight out from a wall, which Ten One Design says "protects against cord stress."

Blockhead directs your cord downward at a more natural angle. It looks great and protects against cord stress. By turning your adapter sideways, Blockhead brings its center of mass closer to the wall. This means less tension on the plug and a lot less falling out.

In comparison to Apple's chargers, the Blockhead plug is 1.2 inches thick, noticeably slashing the thickness of the MacBook wall adapter's required 3.8 inches of space. Thanks to the Blockhead's design, the new plug can also house two adapters on one outlet, or even adjacent plugs on a traditional two-prong extensions cord.

The accessory will work on any Apple charger rated for 10 watts or higher, so it is compatible with all MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and MacBook models, as well as all iPad models aside from the original iPad mini. Those interested in the Blockhead plug can pre-order the accessory on Ten One Design's website starting today, with shipping estimated to be in "late April." Users will be able to choose between one plug for $19.95 or a "Blockhead Stack" of two plugs for $34.94.

Article Link: 'Blockhead' Plug Provides Space Saving Solution for Apple Wall Adapters

 

[Shredliotti]

Clever idea but definitely not worth $20. Wait a few months and there will definitely be all kinds of imitators and clones.

 

[Patriot24]

Clever idea but definitely not worth $20.

As someone who travels frequently for work, this is worth every penny of $20.

It is shocking that Apple didn't get to this first.

 

[BeyondtheTech]

Note that you can't just throw your Blockhead-connected Apple adapter back in your bag when you're on the go, because their prongs don't pivot closed like the original Apple adapter can. That, plus the fact it's $20, almost half the price of my 29W 12" MacBook adapter, I'll wait for a 2nd-gen or a safe clone/remake of that idea.

 

[AtomicDusk]

Am I jaded to have my first thought be about how soon until a charger with one of these adapters catches fire, and Apple says "Well you Blockhead..."?

 

[Perry Rhodan]

This is cool,

Wonder if there will be a long term impact caused by the additional stress on the adapter from the plug being off centre.

 

[modemthug]

This is so stupidly simple and brilliant. Love it

 

[logicstudiouser]

I like the idea, but I am not sure I am comfortable connecting third party products on the power brick

 

[DryHeave]

*headdesk* They take a brilliant idea, productize it, and ruin it by making it a bright BLUE instead of the proper white that blends in. The FAQ at their website doesn't even address the issue of availability in white. Probably because they hope that someone will see it out in public and ask what it is, which might generate interest? Dumb! It's fugly. They just lost a sale.

I've never understood third-party products that don't attempt to blend in 100%.

 

[sevimli]

It is shocking that Apple didn't get to this first.

Yeah it is shocking, they had only ~15 years to come up...

 

[Col4bin]

Surprised it took a company so long to create this? This will be immensely helpful in my living room behind my couch.

 

[ignatius345]

Note that you can't just throw your Blockhead-connected Apple adapter back in your bag when you're on the go, because their prongs don't pivot closed like the original Apple adapter can. That, plus the fact it's $20, almost half the price of my 29W 12" MacBook adapter, I'll wait for a 2nd-gen or a safe clone/remake of that idea.

Or for $7, you could just throw one of these in your bag to accomplish the same thing, and have a spare outlet to boot.

 

[jonnysods]

Killer idea! Can't wait to get it on ebay from a Chinese knockoff company for cheaper.

 

[fhall1]

$9.95 is a winner...20 bucks, not so much

 

[Defthand]

I like the idea, but I am not sure I am comfortable connecting third party products on the power brick

I wouldn’t use an unproven/unapproved third-party transformer but in this case, the prongs themselves are inconsequential.

 

[Gasu E.]

*headdesk* They take a brilliant idea, productize it, and ruin it by making it a bright BLUE instead of the proper white that blends in. The FAQ at their website doesn't even address the issue of availability in white. Probably because they hope that someone will see it out in public and ask what it is, which might generate interest? Dumb! It's fugly. They just lost a sale.

I've never understood third-party products that don't attempt to blend in 100%.

But, but... you just explained why! and it's not dumb, it's marketing.

Product that does everything it can to draw attention to itself--> Donald Trump
Product that tries to blend in--> George Pataki

 

[DryHeave]

But, but... you just explained why! and it's not dumb, it's marketing.

That might explain why they made it blue. But it doesn't make it a good reason, or change the fact that it's incredibly ugly and should not have been colored blue. I will not be buying one until they make it in white.

 

[cameronjpu]

As someone who travels frequently for work, this is worth every penny of $20.

It is shocking that Apple didn't get to this first.

Apple seems to be determined to make it clear that they don't care about the power adapter for the Mac book. Can anyone explain to me why there is no built in solution to ensure that the wall adapter thingy doesn't get lost? I don't know any "normal" users that I haven't lost that little piece. How hard would it be to have a clip built onto the brick where the smaller adapter lives?

 

[cerberusss]

But it doesn't make it a good reason, or change the fact that it's incredibly ugly

For this particular usage I don't think it really matters; it'll probably sit somewhere invisible.

 

[DryHeave]

For this particular usage I don't think it really matters; it'll probably sit somewhere invisible.

A lot of people use their power adapters out in public, for example at coffee shops.

I'll be first in line to buy one of these when they sell them in white.

 

[macduke]

Or for $7, you could just throw one of these in your bag to accomplish the same thing, and have a spare outlet to boot.

BRB…buying five of these!

 

[usarioclave]

Damn, those hug-a-plug things are great. I'm buying a couple because it's hard to plug crap in behind a bureau. USB stuff sticks out too far, and most power strips don't have flat right-angle connectors.

Bummer that the black 6 packs are $1.04 more than the white ones. WTF?

 

[WinstonRumfoord]

*headdesk* They take a brilliant idea, productize it, and ruin it by making it a bright BLUE instead of the proper white that blends in. The FAQ at their website doesn't even address the issue of availability in white. Probably because they hope that someone will see it out in public and ask what it is, which might generate interest? Dumb! It's fugly. They just lost a sale.

I've never understood third-party products that don't attempt to blend in 100%.

'

At least go with a light grey that somewhat matches!!!

Anyways, this is really, really, really awesome. I might get a few even though they are only in ugly blue. Our dog likes to run around close to the walls and ALWAYS is knocking out our MBP adapters, in fact, the prongs are all bent because of this.

 

[ignatius345]

Damn, those hug-a-plug things are great. I'm buying a couple because it's hard to plug crap in behind a bureau. USB stuff sticks out too far, and most power strips don't have flat right-angle connectors.

Bummer that the black 6 packs are $1.04 more than the white ones. WTF?

I feel like I've seen stuff like this even cheaper at the hardware store.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Or for $7, you could just throw one of these in your bag to accomplish the same thing, and have a spare outlet to boot.

I was thinking about buying the Blockhead until you shared this. I wonder how many sales Blockhead lost over your post besides just mine.