Apple need to use this folding-plug

[MrSingh]

news article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2010/mar/16/folding-plug-wins-design-prize

and a vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6DvjKkGT6s

i would love the iPhone usb>power adaptor to be designed like this. it could literally slip into a pocket. the inventor actually came up with the solution after scratching-up his macbook air, as mentioned in the Guardian link!

ps - i just emailed Apple about this

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Cool stuff. Would make traveling w/ an iPad or MB(P) and iPhone so much easier.

 

[MrSingh]

exactly - apple need to be 'all over this'.

 

[Veinticinco]

Hopefully, the plug will also come with a plastic cap cover to protect against the brass pins when broken down.

You know, like normal 3-pin plugs come new with that throwaway cover. Except I'm thinking more along the lines of Apple cables (Firewire, USB etc.) that come with that hard transparent 'cap' protector. Even broken down, the brass pins still represent a scratching hazard against any soft aluminium laptop surface.

Still, a fantastic solution for a problem that has often annoyed me. Congrats to the guy and look forward to availability.

 

[Luke Redpath]

Great design from an ergonomic point of view but is it a viable design? I'm not expert but I have read various things indicating that the design as it stands would not meet the UK's strict safety standards.

 

[Veinticinco]

Great design from an ergonomic point of view but is it a viable design? I'm not expert but I have read various things indicating that the design as it stands would not meet the UK's strict safety standards.

His website says the plug is currently undergoing testing prior to release - it will need to have the BS kitemark and the CE stamp (in accordance with European legislation).

Q – Is the plug safe?
A – Yes. The plug and associated products will undergo extensive testing and be certified by all national safety bodies prior to release.


From what I can see from the schematic of the design, there should be no problem it meeting the relevant safety criteria, and it certainly wouldn't have been won the Design Award if serious doubts persisted.

 

[MadeTheSwitch]

Amazing design. What's really impressive, is not just the plug itself, but the concept for the multi-plug adapter that you can see at the end of the video. Awesome.