My son in the Middle East has asked for a device into which he can plug several USB devices at once and charge them up. ( for example, iPod, Kindle, camera battery pack)
What is such a thing called so I can search for it?
Do you mean some sort of multi-port USB charger?
I think they’re called Rio, Buy Duran Duran.
Please note that these chargers generally don’t put out a proportionally larger amperage, so it’ll take longer to charge everything at once, and a tablet might use more juice than it gets unless you turn it off.
I’m using Innergie’s 15W dual charger:
http://www.myinnergie.com/mMiniAC15/Default.aspx
It’s the only one that I’ve found that can charge 2 tablets at once. I’m also looking for one that can charge 4 or more devices at the same time.
$ 710.00!? It better have dinner and a martini ready too.
something like this http://www.flipitusb.com/flipit.html might be useful.
It won’t solve the problem of not enough USB ports but I find it quite useful in certain scenarios
Any cheap USB hub with a power brick will do this. $20, for 4 ports, and you can probably find them cheaper.
It’s not quite true that any charger adapter will do.
My phone, ereaders, and mp3 players require .8-1 amp, while my tablets both require 2 amps.
Not all usb ports on a charger provide 2 amps. And my tablets will not charge from the 1 amp plugs but more slowly. They put up a message that the charger is not compatible and refuse to deal.
Amazon Basics has a 2 amp generic charger available, and there are other brands. Many chargers have 1 amp per usb port. They may say 2 amps, but check whether they mean 1 amp on each of 2 ports, or whether they really have 2 amps per port - it matters if you have a device that requires it.
Not true. I don’t think they can charge tablets, even with a computer, and without a computer they won’t even be able to charge iPhones/iPods. Mine was able to charge my Kindle (2nd gen I think) without a computer though.
Here’s one from Amazon for $21.