Over the last few days, one of Apple’s new products has been all over the internet. Nothing new there, right? But which one do I mean? The new iMac? The 12-core Mac Pro? The cool new Magic Trackpad? Nope. I’m talking about the Apple Battery Charger.
It’s a nice charger, to be sure: it minimizes “vampire draw” by shutting off the power when the batteries are charged. It ships with six batteries which should last up to ten years and it has the usual Apple polish in the form of coded flashing or steady amber and green LEDs. But does this really warrant the amount of coverage that is being given to a battery charger? After all, there are countless chargers out there that are better featured, or simpler, and certainly cheaper.
What this insane news coverage really tells us is that, despite the endless whining comments to the contrary, Apple news is big news. People read it, people want it, and people click on it. Sure, Apple benefits from the almost continual din of free publicity, but so do the people publishing the news. And so do you, the reader: From the amount of interest in any Apple news, it’s obvious that it is in demand.
But back to that charger. The one that costs $30, that only holds two batteries that takes five hours to charge them. I’ll probably buy one. Why? Because it uses the little interchangeable power-prongs, which means one tiny thing less in my luggage.
Battery charger [Apple]
View full post on Wired: Gadget Lab
Sweet! These will go great with my Newton 130!
You obviously don't have a wireless keyboard or mouse.
icrap
Of course, no one noticed that they dropped the small, numpad-less, wired keyboard at the same time. This way, if you want a small keyboard that doesn't take up a lot of room on your desk you have to pay an extra $30 to keep the batteries charged (or keep buying disposables for the landfill). WHAT'S WRONG WITH A WIRE???
@ BruceOksol – why didn't you determine that the Microsoft 6000 BT is a better wireless keyboard for use with the Mac and the iPad. Mine lasts forever it seems and the BT 6000 was way cheaper on closeout than the Apple BT keyboard.
BTW folks Apple news is interesting.
Just as long as you know that your iPad doesn't use “AA”'s.
I think $29 for a charger and six good NiMH batteries is a pretty good price.
Obviously not very familiar with Apple, the 2nd largest corporation (market cap) in the US.
In fact, one of my biggest complaints has been how fast my batteries are used up on the Apple wireless keyboard and the Apple wireless mouse. Now, we have the wireless Apple Magic Trackpad — another Apple device that uses batteries.
oh the irony… apple makes a battery charger… even though none of their shit has replaceable batteries. and it's not even a GOOD charger… 2 batteries… forever to charge???? you can get an energizer charger for $30 that holds 4 batteries and takes 30 minutes to charge.