Thetownend.com

I'm not promoting any sales here, but I'm interested to see what people would be willing to pay for this product.
It is not out on the market yet, so it is a unique device.

The leaflet I attached possibly oversells the product. It says you can experience 2 to 4x faster charging speeds, but that's compared to the charging speed of a USB cable which is considerably slower than with an AC cable. In reality, the product allows you to charge your device through your laptop or car, with a USB charger, at similar speeds to AC.

One other mention is that you can charge your iPad and tablets via USB. If I recall correctly, you cannot charge an iPad and some other tablets with a USB cable as it does not supply enough current.

Thank you  ;D


EDIT: To summarise..

1. No need for AC charger any more (other than laptop)
2. It works for anything. You don't have to bring your chargers for digital camera, mp3 players, portable gps things..
3. It will charge iPads and tablets. Some, if not most laptops don't charge tablets properly.
4. You can use this to charge things in cars through USB
5. I think there is a new model being made that adds a micro-SD slot in the USB as well, so that it can act as a memory stick. (Everyone owns one of these, and needs one of these, so the charging aspect would be a very welcome addition?)

It depends on whether the port provides enough power or not, though it's likely to only be an issue with older computers. I've never had a problem charging an iPad (or iPhone) via USB, both the ports on my Macbook Pro work fine and I've always found at least one suitable port on other computers when necessary.

Not quite sure why anyone would want to buy this. Think you need another option to vote for.

Thanks for your view  :)

Just one question, how slow is the charging? I've heard that it's either really slow, or does not work at all. Just wondering thanks.

I tend to agree with jonny, but I couldn't tell you how long it takes, mainly because I don't actively charge my phone using my computer, just often leave it plugged in for the sake of it while using iTunes.

And it does definitely charge the phone for what it's worth.

I can't comment on the time as it's not something I pay attention to, but it definitely isn't so slow as to cause an issue. Though I'm the same as Barry, I do full charges from the mains with USB charging more of a bonus than a necessity.

USB 2.0 maximum current is 500ma. My car stereo has a USB port but it is low powered also.

How does it work then?

Not really sure, but it is something to do with communicating with the hardware to release more current (bluntly speaking). I don't think the maximum is 500mA because when a portable charger (for iphone or whatever) was charged using a laptop with a normal USB cable, it gave higher than 500mA.

If you see my next attachment, it should be pretty straightforward.

I guess this product isn't a necessity, like most gadgets. I'm actually surprised more people didn't say they would not buy.

Personally I wouldn't buy, I keep a charger at work and at home. The only time my battery dies is if I've been out all day with no access to any charging facilities (hence I carry a spare battery now).

I guess £10 would be what I would pay if it worked and I needed it.

Incidentally I could achieve the same effect by buying a cheap usb cable and shorting the data pins (or cutting those wires) which would only cost a few quid. But I'm notoriously lazy to try that sort of thing.

I can't see the need for it. If you want mains charging speeds, plug the phone into a mains charger.

Plus, from my very limited knowledge of electricals, the only way to get higher amperage is to change the voltage or wattage of the circuit. I wouldn't want to go messing with that. At the least it might destroy the phone's battery, at worst you'll toast the phone or the PC/laptop power supply.

I think if it was marketed as "get the same power as a mains charger without fucking up your gadget" then it would be a good thing to have on the move, car, work etc.

USB ports can supply more than 500mA, definitely up to 1000mA (maybe more). Initially there wasn't a standard for delivering the higher power level so there were some inconsistencies in how it was implemented, looks like this device simply works round those to deliver the maximum power level. Whether the device will actually achieve anything will depend on the devices involved, I doubt it would help if it was an iDevice connected to a Mac for example.

Might be a market for it though, bit like a sandwich toaster - will seem like a good purchase at the time if it's cheap enough but you'll use it a few times then put it in a cupboard and forget about it.

To be honest I can't really see the point of the product, and therefore I am out :)

If you look at the benefits (that I can see) the only one is that it charges faster than the A/C adapter - the question is, is that a real benefit to anyone ?

Most people will have a way of charging their phone/iPod/iPad etc... at home, and some people will at work.

The times when you need to be able to charge your gadgets outside this area are when you are nowhere near a power source - and this does nothing to help that scenario....

What EVERYONE in the world needs is one of these .....

www.powerfreakz.com (http://www.powerfreakz.com)

If everyone had one of these, flat batteries on gadgets would be a thing of the past....

Now I must admit to having a slightly vested interest in this as I own a third of the company - but I still think everyone needs one :)

can we get a TEF discount ?

That is pretty cool. Little bit pricey for what it is though. What sort of lifespan do these devices have?

Ha Ha - of course !!  Anyone who genuinely orders one and PM's me - I will give a fiver back to - so that's 12.5% discount from the £39.99 purchase price.

I am honestly interested, why do you think it's a little pricey at £39.99 ?  What's that based on ?  Ours comes with the unit, a world wide A/C adapter with interchangeable ends, a retractable USB cable, 7 different "tips" to use on different phones etc.. and a zip up carry case to put everything in.  The internal battery is 3000mAh so will give a good couple of charges to most smartphones - and of course has the advantage of using Solar to charge the internal battery back up (as well as AC Mains or USB)

Our "rivals" are the PowerMonkey Explorer - RRP £64.99 which is a lot more expensive and not as high specification.

Really interested in your feedback on the pricing ?

The solar one is great. May have to invest in one of these as last time I went to the cabin my battery and camera died within half a day...

Thanks Sonic - we think it's great too !!

It also charges iPads as well as smaller gadgets....

I think you understood it wrong. It doesn't charge faster than A/C, but at the same speed.

It charges faster than your USB cable normally would. Which would be good when you're going on travel or at work, where you don't want to carry your huge AC cable. You won't really need the AC cable ever.

I think its a fair price - been looking on Amazon - but you always have to haggle.

The site says 49.99 for the solar power, and 29.99 for the 2500 one?

The problem is that it says it charges an 'average' phone up to 4 times. If you look at the power capacity though, it just about manages to charge an iPhone twice and my S2 just less than 2x. I guess S2 and Apple are higher end phones, but it's also the mode.

Also, is the 'solar' just part of the name, or does it actually charge like a solar panel, like its design suggests? The selling point doesn't seem to the 'solar' aspect of it for some reason. How long would it take to charge it fully with UK sunlight?

Sorry Pericarp - that makes it worse for me :)

If the only benefit is that under USB conditions it charges as fast as an A/C Adapter then I really can't see the point to be honest - I'm not too sure how you would go to market with it when most people would probably say it's not something they have ever deemed to be a "problem"

If in people's eyes it is not a problem that needs solving, then usually that makes it 10 times harder to convince someone they need it.

I'm genuinely not trying to put you off - but I know how hard it is getting any charging device into retail/etail etc... and I can't see how someone like Maplins would ever want it unless it was a £1.99 product of which they were paying around £0.50p

You would only not need your A/C cable if you are somewhere with a computer (and therefore a USB port), and let's be fair the A/C cable for a phone is pretty small anyway - it's not like the block that comes with laptops etc...

The price of the Evo3000 is £39.99 - we have noticed there is an issue on 1 part of the site and are having it amended - however if you click to purchase it is £39.99

Obviously it depends which phone you have and the battery capacity as to how much charge it will give.  An iPhone 4s will charge from empty to full around 2.2 times. 

Obviously the point of having a solar panel is that it captures the light and charges the internal battery from it.  How long that takes from UK sunlight really depends on how strong the light is - it's a bit like asking how long is a piece of string...

For example I leave one on the windowsill inside and it sits there charging away nicely, but can take a couple of days from empty to full if the sun is weak.

The other side to it is I have also been out in the garden with my iPad and it trickles enough power through to the iPad to keep it running all day - while still taking a charge from the sun into the battery

I guess what I am saying is that it is totally dependant on the conditions - wouldn't charge too well today from the sun :)

Ah I see, it's just that no where on the specs I read did it specify that the solar panel actually worked  :D
Apart from the name (and the design) there was nothing to suggest that it actually did the business. I'm probably being special and not being able to find it. I just thought there would be some vague stats on how long it takes to charge via solar etc.

With regards to my product.. I thought it was good initially, but having read some reviews here, maybe not. I just thought it would be neat to have a little USB which you plug your USB cable into. I had heard that iPads don't charge well via USB and this problem solves the issue. It also works in a car via USB, when it otherwise wouldn't.

You haven't seen the latest Apple iDevice usb wall power adaptors have you? The whole thing (wall plug and cable) takes up about the same space as a golf ball, a fraction of the size they were and small enough to go in a coat pocket or handbag.

I got a bit confused with what mobile phone AC's are like these days  :D

The point is. You will no longer need a wall plug if you have a laptop  >:(
I like to have my phone charging via USB, but I never do (unless it's for transferring files etc) because it's just so much slower than via the wall. Maybe I'm the only one who feels this way.

I think you may have answered your own question  :D

Not really  :hmmm:

What happens when the laptop runs out of charge?

The laptop with an AC charger :hmmm:

I meant this  :D

Haha ace, I can't believe I didn't think of this before it was so obvious.

I mean, if you're carrying a laptop and power for that, is a mobile phone charger really a pain in the arse to carry as well? If I have access to a power socket then why not use a proper charger?

I'm not having a go (well I am) but this is genius.

Well a laptop AC charger is obvious.. You can't eliminate that, for trivial reasons.

The advantage of this product is not only for not having to use your AC mobile phone charger.

1. No need for AC charger any more (other than laptop)
2. It works for anything. You don't have to bring your chargers for digital camera, mp3 players, portable gps things..
3. It will charge iPads and tablets. Some, if not most laptops don't charge tablets properly.
4. You can use this to charge things in cars through USB
5. I think there is a new model being made that adds a micro-SD slot in the USB as well, so that it can act as a memory stick. (Everyone owns one of these, and needs one of these, so the charging aspect would be a very welcome addition?)

I forgot to mention the 5th point. I'm not sure how that model's getting on. The initial model hasn't even made production yet, but will be in the coming weeks.

Heh heh. Someone put 25 pounds max.  :clap:

Thanks for voting everyone..

More the merrier..

Valuable information  ;D