USB Rechargable AA Batteries

[Zephik]

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/2989/30680231ba1.jpg (http://www.xoxide.com/modtek-usb-aa.html)
Click Image for Xoxide Link



Okay, I've officially seen everything now. USB Rechargable AA Batteries!? You gotta be kidding me! I couldn't believe that these things were not some kind of gag gift, but apparently they are not. They are real Double A batteries that you can actually plug into your computers USB port to recharge. It makes me wonder though, do they actually work?

Not only do they have Double A Battery sizes, they also have Triple A as well! Here (http://www.xoxide.com/modtek-usb-aaa.html) is the link to the Triple A versions.

They are pretty ugly batteries in all fairness, or at least, thats my opinion. But, they are USB Rechargeable Batteries! How cool is that!? No more carrying around a box to recharge your batteries, just pop them open and plug them in. You can't get much more convenient than that!

But still, I wonder, do they ACTUALLY and EFFECTIVELY work? I can't seem to find any reviews on the web anywhere. Actually, the only thing that I can really find is the link to the Xoxide page. Makes me worry a bit. :(

[Zephik]

Well I just thought about something.

So, they say they are good for around 500 charges. Well, I replace my mouse and keyboard batteries maybe three to four times a year. Thats heavy usage by the way.

So, are these just as good as my current duracell and energizer batteries? The ones I use currently are non lith ion, just regular, plain old fashioned batteries, yet I can get so much out of them. Makes me wonder; if these are just as good as regular batteries... how often would I need to change them? Once every decade? lol

[xRyokenx]

Looks photoshopped to me... since when are USB ports small enough to fit in a AA and still fit in the port?

[crenn]

Looks photoshopped to me... since when are USB ports small enough to fit in a AA and still fit in the port?

Take a AA and hover a USB connector over it..... it will fit.

[xRyokenx]

Take a AA and hover a USB connector over it..... it will fit.

Oh yeah, would you look at that... what about the AAA batteries? Those mini USB ports maybe? lol

[Zephik]

Looks photoshopped to me... since when are USB ports small enough to fit in a AA and still fit in the port?

Why would Xoxide sell photoshopped products? lol

But you make a good point. I had to do what Creen suggested and it just BARELY fits. Actually, I would have to get a microscope out to see if it actually does or not, thats how close it is. Makes me wonder how they are doing it? Because you can clearly see that there is a little bit of clearance on the batteries.

So are these batteries bigger than normal AA's? If they are, then how can they be called AA's, since they aren't? Or maybe the difference isn't enough to actually matter when you place them inside your device? It does show a picture of the batteries inside of a camera, which usually has fairly tight clearance. Hmmm.

As for the triple A's, it looks like they come with an adapter usb cord. Which made me want to think that the AA's did too, but it shows them plugged into the computer...

ME SO CONFUSED! Xoxide, have you betrayed us after all these years of service? :(

Someone should buy these! C'mon, I bet someone here has 14.99 to burn on.. um.. two batteries that may or may not be quality product. But hey, they are rechargeable... and pretty colored... AND AND AND! You don't have to pee on them (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/08/0818_050818_urinebattery.html) to recharge them! That justifies the price, right? lol

[crenn]

I would expect 2 little problems....

No job and location.


Oh yeah, would you look at that... what about the AAA batteries? Those mini USB ports maybe? lol

It seems like it's USB Mini type A - Male.... just a guess.

[chaksq]

I hate to break it to you guys but this is real, I first saw this months ago when the plans were announced for these. The for the AAA there is a normal connector that folds in half, yea I think it is weird too. They also have a AAA with a miniUSB connector

I actually think these batteries would be quite useful. I use rechargeable batteries a lot and the charges for them are a pain in the ass. I'll probably grab some off these for my wireless keyboard and mice. It's such a pain whenever my batteries in something die, I have to dig for my charger, then find a spare outlet.

They are going to be making standard battery formats and addition formats for cell phones and such.

At any rate their website is http://www.usbcell.com/ check it out for more info. I'll probably grab a set of these.

[Zephik]

Thanks for the Link chaksq! They even have designer ones! lol

I really hope these work. I don't mind if they work just as well or even slightly less as well when compared to your standard rechargeable batteries. They're so handy and innovative its great. They aren't ridiculously priced either. I mean, they are up there, but not in a way that your wallet would be feeling it.

I think a pair of rechargeable batteries and the charger costs about as much as these do, if not more. Its been awhile since I've bought any though.

[xRyokenx]

I should buy some of those when I get a new trackball and keyboard... my current keyboard has fewd in it and this trackball is becoming unresponsive... /TMI

These would be nice as they don't take up a power outlet to charge... maybe get about 8 of them for various wireless computer accessories.

[Zephik]

Found a bunch more links;

http://www.dvhardware.net/article13817.html
http://www.trustedreviews.com/peripherals/news/2006/09/20/USBCELL-Batteries-That-Recharge-Through-USB/p1
http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/16/rechargeable-usb-battery-works-in-aa-ready-devices/
http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2006/09/21/Charge_your_AAs_over_USB/
http://lifehacker.com/software/stuff-we-like/usb-rechargeable-batteries-264177.php
http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/gear/8e82/
http://www.everythingusb.com/moxia_usbcell_usb_batteries_13968.html

I think that last one is a review, I'm checking it out now.

[chaksq]

This may be a real stupid question but I wonder if I could use one of the AAAs with the USB miniplug to charge my cell phone like if I were to be gone for a few days and didn't want to carry my long charger. The phone (Motorola SLVR) charges through it's USB miniplug connector.

[Zephik]

This may be a real stupid question but I wonder if I could use one of the AAAs with the USB miniplug to charge my cell phone like if I were to be gone for a few days and didn't want to carry my long charger. The phone (Motorola SLVR) charges through it's USB miniplug connector.

Good question. My gut instinct says no though. But meh, I really don't know. With batteries, they have two ends. If you are missing one end of the battery, then you get no current of electricity going to your device. So if you only connect your phone through the usb end of the battery, then I don't think you would be getting any electric current going to the phone, so no charge. But, these batteries charge only using one end, unlike traditional batteries, as far as I know at least.

:think:

Well anyways, the same company that makes these batteries also has a seemingly planned lineup of batteries for future market. They have D battery adapters for the AA batteries, etc etc. But what they have, which seems like what you might be looking for, is a usb cellphone battery.

Question: Can't you charge your phone through USB anyways? I have the Moto Razr, so I'm only going to guess that it uses the same charging system, which is the Mini-USB port, right? Or is the Slvr different?

[OvRiDe]

I think its a great idea, but I do see a small problem. These are 1450mAh batteries. mAh is Milliamps per hour, which is basically how much the electricity is stored by the battery. A typical Duracell AA Alkaline battery is around 2800mAh. Most off the shelf rechargeable batteries are between 2200 and 2700, and alot of digital cameras recommend 2500 and up. So bottom line is they will not last as long in most cases, and you will need to recharge them more often. Its not necessarily a show stopper but something to be aware of.

Nice Find!

Curtis

[chaksq]

Good question. My gut instinct says no though. But meh, I really don't know. With batteries, they have two ends. If you are missing one end of the battery, then you get no current of electricity going to your device. So if you only connect your phone through the usb end of the battery, then I don't think you would be getting any electric current going to the phone, so no charge. But, these batteries charge only using one end, unlike traditional batteries, as far as I know at least.

:think:

Well anyways, the same company that makes these batteries also has a seemingly planned lineup of batteries for future market. They have D battery adapters for the AA batteries, etc etc. But what they have, which seems like what you might be looking for, is a usb cellphone battery.

Question: Can't you charge your phone through USB anyways? I have the Moto Razr, so I'm only going to guess that it uses the same charging system, which is the Mini-USB port, right? Or is the Slvr different?My instinct was telling me the same thing. Your logic seems well logical.

The SLVR can charge with USB just like the RAZR, I was only asking because I thought it might be handy to power my phone without needing a charger or something with a USB port. Like if I were out camping (not that I would be using my phone).

[crenn]

There is battery chargers you can buy to do that, they're not in the size of a AA package though.

[Omega]

the problem with these that I can see is the MAh rating...

I have 2650 MAh li-ion AA's that I use in my camera (usually it goes through a set in 15 photos) and i'm on my fifth week on one change of batteries... hundreds of photos.

although if you're in a bind and you have a laptop you're good to go.

nifty idea, just hash it out a little more.

[Omega]

Good question. My gut instinct says no though. But meh, I really don't know. With batteries, they have two ends. If you are missing one end of the battery, then you get no current of electricity going to your device. So if you only connect your phone through the usb end of the battery, then I don't think you would be getting any electric current going to the phone, so no charge. But, these batteries charge only using one end, unlike traditional batteries, as far as I know at least.

USB has four pins: +5vdc, +data, -data, and ground. To charge, you ARE running voltage through the battery as in a normal method. You can't charge using only positive or negative current, it has to flow THROUGH the battery and not into it. That's why electrical systems won't work unless they're grounded.

So theoretically (I don't know if it'll let you discharge through the connector), you could get the proper adaptors and discharge it to a cellphone or whatever.

or just get one of these (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16855998033). Don't be fooled by what it says ("For iPod devices"), it's still 5vdc ad usb's amperage (what, 550mA?) with a USB-A output.

-Omega