In light of recent events involving the safety of third-party chargers for iOS devices, Apple has launched a new trade-in program for all unauthorized USB power adapters. The company made the announcement on its support site this afternoon.
The 'Takeback Program' officially kicks off next week, and will allow users who have concerns about their USB power adapters to either drop them off at an Apple store for recycling, or trade them in towards the purchase of an official Apple power adapter...
Back in June, a group of researches discovered a flaw in iOS that would theoretically allow an iOS device to be hacked using a malicious USB charger. Their proof-of-concept allowed them to invisibly install malware on non-jailbroken iPhones and iPads.
The results of the experiment were called 'alarming,' and brought to the attention of Apple in hopes for a quick fix. The Cupertino company must have gotten the message, because according to a new report, the exploit has been patched in the latest iOS 7 beta...
Following a widely reported fatality involving a Chinese stewardess who got electrocuted by her iPhone charger (just weeks from her wedding), Apple has posted a statement to its China web site recommending customers use only authorized chargers.
Ten days ago, a Chinese newspaper reported that 23-year-old China Airlines flight attendant Ma Ailun suffered a fatal electric shock when she answered a call using her iPhone that was recharging. Major media outlets picked up the report, creating another PR nightmare in Apple's "most important market" (Cook's words from earlier this year)...
Earlier this week, reports surfaced that a 23-year-old China Airlines flight attendant died after being electrocuted by her iPhone 5 charger. She reportedly suffered a fatal electric shock when she answered a call using her iPhone 5 that was recharging.
At the time, details surrounding the event were a bit foggy, with officials saying that they could not identify the source of the current that killed her. But a new report is out this morning claiming that a 'knockoff' charger could have been the culprit...
We've been following the ChargeCard story since it debuted as a Kickstarter project last fall. The credit card-sized accessory, which has garnered all kinds of media and consumer attention, fits in your wallet, ensuring you're never left without a charging cable.
Earlier this year, we went hands on with a pre-production version of the 30-pin model of the ChargeCard, which is perfect for connecting your older iPhone to a USB port for charging. But what if you have an iPhone 5? Never fear, the iPhone 5 model is here...
Was a Chinese stewardess, just weeks from her wedding, electrocuted by her iPhone 5 charger? That's the claim Apple is investigating following a report widely distributed across a Chinese social media site.
Ma Ailun, a 23-year-old China Airlines flight attendant reportedly died after being electrocuted Thursday when she answered a call using her iPhone 5 that was recharging. The message was reposted more than 3,000 times on Weibo, China's microblogging site...
Running out of the house with an empty iPhone battery can be catastrophic. We have all been there, stuck in the office, out of town, on a long car ride, when the low battery indicator pops up begging for more juice. Despite many 21st century successes, smartphone batteries still weigh us down. Unfortunately, this causes me to keep a Lightning cable near my nightstand, at the iMac, around the office, and in my car.
To prevent such problems, Kero developed the Nomad cable. Cleverly designed as a keychain, Nomad is a 3", fully Apple certified lifesaver. The seemingly simplistic resolution to an everyday problem prevents charging headaches...
This is quite interesting. It appears that AT&T has begun installing charging stations in parks throughout New York to help keep smartphones and other mobile devices up and running. The stations are solar-powered and capable of charging a wide range of gadgets.
The carrier says that the new Street Charge project was born out of its work during the recovery from Superstorm Sandy. After the hurricane ripped through most of the eastern US, AT&T setup charging stations in the blacked out areas. And now it's expanding on the idea...
Determined to provide renewable power for all USB powered devices, SolePower transfers walking energy to a wearable storage unit for on-demand charging. While away from AC outlets, charging becomes increasingly difficult, even when toting around large solar panels. Similarly, battery backup cases only provide a specific amount of renewed life for a smartphone. The team of young engineers with SolePower insists on carrying a charging station all the time, in a shoe!
Walking motion capacitors are not new to the gadget scene, but an interchangeable sole is the new attraction. Adding SolePower is simple, just pull out the existing shoe insert and replace with a new iPhone charging version. Once the conversion is complete, walk between 2.5 and 5 miles to fully charge an iPhone...
Those of you whose mobile collection includes newer Apple products, older Apple products, and an Android phone or tablet may want to check out this 3-in-1 universal USB charging cable from Stack Social.
The cable has the ability to charge up to 3 devices simultaneously, and supports virtually any mobile device that has a Lightning, 30-pin or micro USB port. And right now, the deal site is offering it at 67% off...
Having reviewed different ranges of audio accessories for iOS devices, until now, I had yet to review a portable wireless speaker set. There are plenty around, but none of them ever piqued my interest. Unless my wife started asking about them, I would not have considered owning a wireless speaker considering I have a pretty serious home system and a pair of nice headphones.
After spotting the Braven 600, I figured why not give it a shot. It seemed like a well-built option, considering the price. Braven is a company with which I was not immediately familiar, but when I opened the box, I was quite surprised at the well-packaged speaker. It's a perky little thing, for the size, and it is a nice addition to my current line up. Follow me past the fold for the full details...
There's nothing more boring than an iPhone wall charger. It's a plug, and it charges things when a USB cable is attached to it. That's about as glamorous as it gets. Until now.
Meet iTap, the latest and greatest thing in the world of charging. It quite literally keeps electricity on tap. Well, not a real tap. That would just be silly! The photo above should be able to sell the idea of the iTap much more successfully than any text we can put together, it is a tap plugged into a wall after all...