If George Carlin was still around, I can imagine him talking about something like this -- "Why do we need a device that tells us when something is charging? Is charging really that complicated? Just plug the effing thing into the wall and it's charging! Need to know how charged something is? Here's a novel idea -- walk over and LOOK AT IT!"
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Velvetwire Unveils First Smart USB Charger Powered by Apple HomeKit Technology
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If George Carlin was still around, I can imagine him talking about something like this -- "Why do we need a device that tells us when something is charging? Is charging really that complicated? Just plug the effing thing into the wall and it's charging! Need to know how charged something is? Here's a novel idea -- walk over and LOOK AT IT!"
failed product:
It's not like I should remotely turn off charging when a device is fully charged
It's not like there is a charging behavior to simplify life
It's not like I can remotely start a charging, since I have to physically attach the device.
What problem did this product solve?
It's not like I should remotely turn off charging when a device is fully charged
It's not like there is a charging behavior to simplify life
It's not like I can remotely start a charging, since I have to physically attach the device.
What problem did this product solve?
Honestly what can be saved from charging USB devices? They're consuming so little power in the first place, the cost of the device alone negates the product.
Even if i needed to change a battery it would cost me less in the long run. There is not one single possible reason this product even exists.
The energy used in production, shipping, packaging, use of bluetooth all adds up to more than could ever be saved from 1-12watt / 1-3 mA devices.
Energy saving is mostly non-sense anyway, in Europe they've banned high wattage vacuums cleaners and going to ban kettles etc. They haven't factored in that each once completes its task quicker and usually equals out and sometimes means a lower consumption over time, it's mental what is seen as green.
This charger should have a warning it's not good for the environment!
Did you mean to quote someone else? That was the point of my post. It's a ridiculous device.
The switch from full charge to trickle charge makes sense. Around here, we had a bunch of larger batteries fail because of 'trickle chargers' somehow over charging the batteries. Things like dirt bike, tractor, and lawn tractor batteries mysteriously failing, all over one season. I now put them on a light timer so the don't ruin the damn batteries, I hope.
But my first reaction was 'Ah, another product in search of a market', yet I now do unplug most electronic devices when I'm gone for more than a day or two. Phantom power usage is HUGE with some devices, and coupled with blown batteries, yikes, it gets expensive. I was horrified with how much the AT&T/Cisco DVR sucks when it's not being used...
Gosh! We've come a long way since 1977, Popular Electronics, and X-10!
Now, I can get a $90 charger that tells me when my phone is charged while the phone is next to it!
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It's the "1lb of feathers in a metal box is better than 1lb of lead in a metal box hitting your head" theorem.
Now, I can get a $90 charger that tells me when my phone is charged while the phone is next to it!
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It's the "1lb of feathers in a metal box is better than 1lb of lead in a metal box hitting your head" theorem.
The idea is that instead of creating a vacuum cleaner that creates good results by using a bad design combined with lots of power, you'd want one that creates good results by using a good design combined with less power.
Especially when you have to pay $89 for something to try to save $.50 worth of energy over time. This is just.. goofy.
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yes because every product announcement is a bribe. Jesus...
Something like this.. I wouldn't doubt it. No one has any use for this. No reason anyone should report it, let alone this site.
I find it sad so often a polemic is used to make a point. Nobody is mistaking the article for an advertisement and hopefully nobody believes that MacRumors could be lying through their teeth and would take money for an article. The point people are trying to make is that the article is too uncritical in describing the product. But that is apparently not sexy enough, the point is almost always made as a deliberate, insulting lie. Of course, you can also see it as a joke and a lot of people might mean it merely as a joke. Jokes often are partial lies, that is what makes them funny, that they go beyond the truth and realising something is a joke is often realising what is untrue about it (a joke that is true is usually a funny story).
But I don't think the 'How much did they pay for it?' is funny anymore. It's merely a way to make the criticism 'The article is too uncritical' stronger by upping the charge from maybe laziness to corruption.
It allows you too remotely check whether the charging process is done. Mostly this will merely safe you the effort to get up and pick up the device to check. But there can be situations where it can help you plan things by giving you advanced information on what the charge will roughly be when you actually get to the device in situations where getting to the device to directly check is not possible.
What some of the comments alluded to was also the possibility to safe money by scheduling and remotely controlling the charging process (eg, by different electricity rates).
Only $89 for this wonderful, useful device that does oh so much more than the $10 4 port charger I got off Amazon? When and where can I order? Seriously PowerSlayer, shut up and take my money!
I believe it was estimated the iPhone 5 costed 57 cents to charge per year. I guess I owe my boss about 20 of those cents. haha
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So while my iPhone is charging, I can log into the app to check the status, vs just looking at the home screen and seeing my battery is at 100% charge?
I don't get it.
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exactly..
Controlling lights, being able to put those lights into groups (ie rooms), being able to set timers on lights for away mode, etc is solving a problem.
Being able to control your thermostat remotely, or having it learn when your device comes "home" and setting the temperature 30-60 minutes prior. Or if it detects your phone is no longer home, to change the temperature to be more energy efficient solves a problem.
Notifying you of motion in the house on your phone, and automatically turning a light or emitting a warning sound may solve a problem.
This device does not solve a problem. It creates a problem. Let's solve this problem by not buying this product.
Assuming the device saves you $0.05/month - being really generous here - It would take about 150 years to make your money back....
$89 to see wirelessly how much the device is charged? No, thanks.
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The problem is when those situations do arise, once or twice a year, you'll forget that you spent money on this never mind finding it or looking for the app in your phone. It exists for the sake of existing.