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Velvetwire Unveils First Smart USB Charger Powered by Apple HomeKit Technology
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If I want to check the battery level/charging status of my iOS device or my MacBook remotely, I can already do that. And, the device doesn't have to be within range for a bluetooth connection -- it can be half way around the world so long as it's connected to the internet. Find My iPhone/iPad/Mac for the win!
This solves a problem that no one has. If you don't know how long it takes your various devices to charge, then do yourself a favor and spend the time to figure it out. Having to rely on notifications for little things like this is going to result in short term memory loss in the not so distant future.
I'm genuinely disappointed that one of the first HomeKit-powered devices is utterly useless. I could see the point of limiting "ghost drain" when charging devices, but not for this price tag, and not when I recently read that an iPhone 6 could cost as little as $0.47 cents to charge per year.
I first read the description, read the comments and reread the description. I see no value this product will provide. I've been using an iPhone for seven years and seem to know when to charge without any device notifications.
I was tempted to make a "WTF is this for?" reply, but hesitated, wondering if I would get berated by forum members who are smarter than me who would point out all the great uses of this product.
After reading the comments, I realize I'm not the only one with a "WTF is this for?" kind of bewilderment.
After reading the comments, I realize I'm not the only one with a "WTF is this for?" kind of bewilderment.
Whats the point?
Most "Good" quality phone and tablets already have proper power charging features built into them, they charge quickly for the first N amount of time, then switch to a low power trickle charge to maximize battery performance.
I really don't understand why even a hipster needs to throw this wall wart between them and power?
This is what the "internet" of things and home automation will become, a bunch of ridiculous devices that solves no real problem.
And if you are worried about the "environmental" cost of having a device left plugged in that uses a small trickle of power even after its fully charged, what is the environmental impact of making millions of these useless plastic covered wall warts??? A few watts wasted trickle charging a fully charged device is NOT the problem this world is suffering from.
Sometimes you have to see the forest through the trees and just STOP buying every "green" technology product that comes out. Often not having something is always going to be more environmentally friendly than a product designed to be environmentally friendly.
Most "Good" quality phone and tablets already have proper power charging features built into them, they charge quickly for the first N amount of time, then switch to a low power trickle charge to maximize battery performance.
I really don't understand why even a hipster needs to throw this wall wart between them and power?
This is what the "internet" of things and home automation will become, a bunch of ridiculous devices that solves no real problem.
And if you are worried about the "environmental" cost of having a device left plugged in that uses a small trickle of power even after its fully charged, what is the environmental impact of making millions of these useless plastic covered wall warts??? A few watts wasted trickle charging a fully charged device is NOT the problem this world is suffering from.
Sometimes you have to see the forest through the trees and just STOP buying every "green" technology product that comes out. Often not having something is always going to be more environmentally friendly than a product designed to be environmentally friendly.
I re-read the press release three times thinking I was missing the genius and clever functionality. Then I started reading the comments.
Hope this product can pay for their yacht voyage.
Hope this product can pay for their yacht voyage.
I love this sentence in the press release "By tailoring charging power levels to suit their situation, users are provided a whole new level of interaction with the charging process."
Right. Clearly it's way too restrictive to plug in a device have it charge and then remove it from the wall. Now we need to have a whole new level of interaction.
Right. Clearly it's way too restrictive to plug in a device have it charge and then remove it from the wall. Now we need to have a whole new level of interaction.
I just bought a 40 Watt charger with five USB slots. Charges up to five devices simultaneously, iPads, iPhone, and everything else. For much much less money than this contraption. Works like a charm.
I really haven't figured out yet what a "smart" charger would do for me and why I would want one. I plug in a device, and when I need it it is either charged - great - or it isn't quite charged, not so great, but what would a "smart" charger do differently?
I'll hereby promise to vote up anyone who can give me a reason why I would want this device instead of my 40 Watt, 5 slot, "non-smart" charger that just charges whatever you plug in.
BTW. My charger has a cable. Which means the maximum distance between wall plug and device is not the length of my USB charging cable, but the length of my USB charging cable, plus the 1.5m length of the cable on the charger itself. It also means that I don't have to kneel down at the wall to plug in the USB cable. A lot more comfortable.
I really haven't figured out yet what a "smart" charger would do for me and why I would want one. I plug in a device, and when I need it it is either charged - great - or it isn't quite charged, not so great, but what would a "smart" charger do differently?
I'll hereby promise to vote up anyone who can give me a reason why I would want this device instead of my 40 Watt, 5 slot, "non-smart" charger that just charges whatever you plug in.
BTW. My charger has a cable. Which means the maximum distance between wall plug and device is not the length of my USB charging cable, but the length of my USB charging cable, plus the 1.5m length of the cable on the charger itself. It also means that I don't have to kneel down at the wall to plug in the USB cable. A lot more comfortable.
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Along with another WTF - that sounds about right.
I for one was hoping that Apple would announce something in the homekit arena, or TV arena this fall.
NOPE.
Just another iphone since after all, the ones we had were terrible. LOL!
It's not even a solution. It's so utterly pointless there is no problem, real or imagined, that it could possibly solve.
I am reading the thread myself waiting for that answer. Someone has to know the practical use of this product. Right???