Product Name: Chargepod

Manufacturer: CallPod

Website: www.callpod.com/products/Chargepod

Price: Chargepod is $49.95. Individual accessory cables are approximately $9.95 each. Package pricing is available.

Synopsis:

Chargepod is the functional equivalent of a powered USB hub with optional custom cables to connect to an assortment of personal electronic devices to charge up to 6 devices at once

Chargepod unit as packaged

Description:

The Chargepod is a circular "hub" about 4" in diameter with 7 ports evenly spaced around the outside edge. 1 power input and the other 6 ports are for accessory cables to connect to assorted personal electronic devices like MP3 players, BT headsets, cell phones, PDAs, etc.

Each accessory cable is about 4" long and there are cables for dozens of assorted devices available.

Each component for this unique charging system is well packaged and looks well constructed with solid connectors with a very stylish appearance.

Benefits:

The Chargepod and its accessory cables are very compact and can be carried in about the same space as 1 or 2 typical individual charging cables. This is very convenient for the road warrior with a bag of electronic devices.

As this is a multi-charge solution, there is only 1 power cord plugged into the wall/power strip.

Each port is engineered to provide 500ma regardless of how many devices are connected at once, so the charge time for each device is based upon the device's battery, not by how many are charging at once.

Shortcomings/Areas for Improvement:

A full load of 6 devices connected at once uses a substantial amount of desk space as the 4" accessory cables limit the placement of devices centered around the Chargepod. Additionally the short cables make it difficult to manipulate a device without pulling/shifting the other devices. A suggestion for improvement would be to use retractable cables to allow some flexibility in arranging the devices on the desk while still being compact and easy to transport.

Each accessory cable is connected to the Chargepod base via a custom connector. This requires all cables to be purchased from CallPod, or to use USB accessory cables (also by CallPod) for a more generic cable system. It would have been more convenient if the Chargepod base would have used standard USB ports so you could use whatever USB charge cables that you may already own, although this would have increased to overall size of the unit itself.

Perhaps a "MiniPod" hub could be developed that would only have 1 or 2 ports, so if you only have a few devices to charge and/or limited space so you could still use the same accessory cables.

Since the input source is a typical miniUSB port, it should be possible to connect an external battery pack for use while camping or otherwise when AC power is unavailable.

The blue LEDs could be turned down a notch, as they are bright enough to light up a room at night or if outside to be confused with a helicopter landing pad.

Other Accessories:

Overall Recommendation:

This is a well engineered and nicely finished product with a fair style and efficient function. If you carry multiple devices at once, this could be invaluable and very convenient.

It would have nice to be able to use common USB cables that may already be owned, but as most charging cables cost $10.00 or more anyway, you may as well buy a Chargepod cable as the spare.

While it is an efficient model to eliminate a corded mess behind your desk, it becomes a corded spider web upon your desk, while potentially using up about 2 or 3 square feet of desk space, So plenty of space is needed to use this efficiently.

Score: 3 1/2 out of 5

Rad's Laws:

1. All devices should charge via USB (where possible)

The device's input supply is connected via Mini-USB, which should allow 3rd party battery or other sources/solutions even if CallPod doesn't develop them. This Rule is met.

2. All devices should have more than one function or interface with other devices

As this device will charge multiple devices simultaneously, this Rule is met.

3. Bluetooth LEDs are at least 50% too bright and should only be lit when an error is present, searching, or charging

This device not only has bright LEDs, it has 6 bright blue LEDS and a green one. The 6 blue LEDs become lit with only having a cable connected to a port on the Chargepod. When combined with the charge indicators on the assorted devices being charged by the Chargepod, it should look like a Christmas Tree sprawled across the desk. This rule is being slowly strangled by "Big LED"