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EasyAcc 10W PU Leather Qi Charging Pad review

REVIEW – Many chargers for Qi-enabled devices have entered the market in the past few years.  Most have a very simple design and are typically made of plastic with perhaps some metallic components to add a bit of style.  But did you ever wish your Qi charging pad had just a bit more of a sophisticated look?  EasyAcc must have wanted that too, so they designed their PU (Polyurethane) Leather Qi Charging Pad.  Let’s take a look.

What is it?

The EasyAcc 10W PU Leather Qi Charging Pad is a charging pad for Qi-enabled devices that is very thin and has an elegant-looking polyurethane leather-like surface on its exterior.

What’s in the box?

  • EasyAcc PU Leather Qi Charging Pad (with integrated USB power cable)
  • Instruction booklet

Hardware specs

  • Charge modes:
    • 10W quick charge for most Android phones
    • 7.5W mode for Apple iPhones
    • 5W slow charge mode for Pixel devices
  • Exterior: Polyurethane (PU) leather-like material that is mothproof and antibacterial
  • Dimensions:
    • 4.25 inches (10.8 cm) in diameter
    • 7/16-inch (6.5mm) thick
  • Charging cable: 4 feet, 9 inches (57 inches or 145 cm) long integrated USB
  • Compatibility
    • Will charge virtually any Qi-enabled device, with a few exceptions
    • Can charge through cases up to 5mm thick
  • Built-in protection against overheating, overcharging, and short-circuits
  • Warranty: 18 months

Design and features

My initial impression of the EasyAcc 10W PU Leather Qi Charging Pad was that its PU leather material was very soft and felt and looked almost like real leather.

The PU leather material has been applied to both the top and bottom of the charging pad, and it acts as a non-slip surface on both sides of the device, helping to prevent your phone from slipping off its top, as well preventing the charging pad from slipping off smooth surfaces.

Despite the layers of PU Leather on its top and bottom surface, this is a very thin charging pad at only 6.5mm thick.

The hand-stitched PU Leather material is of course not actually leather but rather artificial polyurethane leather-like material, which is often abbreviated as PU leather or simply PU.  When PU leather was introduced to the market some years ago, it often had a less than flattering reputation due to it often looking and feeling quite fake and un-leather-like.  However, the design and manufacturing processes that produce PU leather today are much more sophisticated and give this material a much more leather-like appearance and texture along with durability and less expensively than real leather.  In addition, the EasyAcc 10W PU Leather Qi Charging Pad is 100% handmade.

This charging pad’s USB power cable is actually integrated directly into the pad itself and is non-removable from the pad.  This helps cut down on the thickness of the pad and also helps give the overall look a more simple, elegant appearance; however, it does require that the cable be plugged into a computer, AC adapter, or another device with a USB port.

When the pad has been plugged into power but there is no device on it being charged, a tiny LED on the top of the pad glows blue.

When a Qi-enabled device has been placed upon the charging pad, the tiny blue LED switches to a green glow to indicate that a device is being charged.

I first used my wife’s iPhone X as a test subject (seen in the photos here), and later my daugher’s iPhone 8 Plus, and the pad charged both iPhones easily.  This pad also seemed to be a bit less sensitive to having the iPhone positioned in a certain location in order for charging to take place, unlike other charging pads that I have tried that seem to require the device being charged to be in a precise spot on the top of the pad.

The charging pad was also able to charge my wife’s iPhone X and my daughter’s iPhone 8 Plus while the iPhones were inside of their protective cases.  This case is about 5mm thick but this did not seem to inhibit charging.

This charger looks quite nice sitting on a nightstand, desk, or just about anywhere you want to use it.

What I like

  • PU leather material has an elegant appearance and feel
  • Very thin
  • PU leather provides a non-slip surface to top and bottom

What needs to be improved

  • Nothing that I can see

Final thoughts

I was impressed with the EasyAcc 10W PU Leather Qi Charging Pad.  Its leather-like PU material gives it a sophisticated appearance and texture, yet it is quite affordable in price.  It is also very thin and not particularly sensitive to the placement of the device being charged.  If you are in the market for a Qi-enabled charging pad that is affordable and has an elegant look and feel, the EasyAcc 10W PU Leather Qi Charging Pad might be a good option for you.

Price: $16.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by EasyAcc.

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EasyAcc 10W PU Leather Qi Charging Pad review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 12, 2019 at 8:00 am.

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One charging cable to rule them all?

CROWDFUNDING NEWS – d

What is it?

The C17 All-In-One Charger Cable is a 4FT (125cm) USB cable that provides 3 or 4 different connections (depending on the cable version) for USB-C, micro USB, Lightning, and the Apple Watch.

Why do I like it?

I like the C17 cable because it’s one cable with all the connections most people would need. Besides that, the cable has a nylon braided cover which I like, and even better is the fact that you can use all 3-4 connections at once. You can charge your Apple Watch, an iPad or iPhone, a USB-C device, and a micro USB device all at the same time only using one USB power adapter. I think this would be a great cable to have for travelers.

Some things to consider before pledging

It’s important to know that although this cable can charge up to 4 devices at the same time, it does not support data for all of those connections. According to the FAQ on the campaign page, the only connection that will work for data is the Lightning connection with an iPhone.

You will also need a USB power adapter which won’t be included with the cable.

The max 3.8Amp current load and the Fast Charging is up to USB power adapters. We recommend the minimum output current 2.2 A/ 5V when you charging all devices at the same time.

Where can I find more info?

The C17 All-In-One Charger Cable campaign ends on 7/3/19 they are working towards their funding goal of $5,101. You can pre-order the 3-in-1 version of the C17 cable starting at $19. After the C17 campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in July 2019. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

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One charging cable to rule them all? originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 5, 2019 at 12:00 pm.

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Add this little Apple Watch charger to your EDC

NEWS – If you have an Apple Watch, you need a small charger to carry with you when you travel. The UGREEN Apple Watch charger is small and convenient because no extra charging cables are needed. Just plug this tiny Apple MFi certified charger into a USB port, balance the watch on top and you’ll charge your Apple watch series 4, 3, 2, and 1 at the original charging speed.

The charger features a lanyard so you can attach it to your bag and it has built-in over current, over voltage, short circuit and over temperature protection so you know it’s safe to use.

We’ll have a full review soon, but if you can’t wait, you can buy UGREEN’s portable Apple Watch charger now. It is priced at $39.99, but you can save a few $’s and grab one for $32 if you clip the $2 coupon and add promo code HDSHVH58 on Amazon.

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Add this little Apple Watch charger to your EDC originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 4, 2019 at 8:00 am.

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PBL by EVOTech Labs is a wireless charger and wireless backup battery

CROWDFUNDING NEWS – Now that I’ve switched from the Pixel 2 XL to the Huawei P30 Pro, I’m able to enjoy wireless charging again. Yay me! I’ve been trying several different Qi chargers and recently was introduced to the EVOTech Labs PBL which is currently seeking funding on Kickstarter.

What is it?

The EVOTech Labs PBL is a Qi wireless charger AND a portable backup battery that can be used to charge your phone wirelessly or with a USB cable.

Why do I like it?

I like the EVOTech Labs PBL because it’s a wireless charger for your desk and you can remove the charger/backup battery from the magnetic base and take it with you to charge your devices while you’re on the go.

EVOTech Labs sent me a pre-production demo of the PBL to test while I was on vacation this week. I found it to be really handy while we were hiking in the Red River Gorge in Kentucky where there are obviously no electrical outlets!

Where can I find more info?

The PBL campaign ends on 4/3/19 they have already met their funding goal of $5,000. You can pre-order a PBL starting at $39. After the PBL campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in May 2019. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

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PBL by EVOTech Labs is a wireless charger and wireless backup battery originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 30, 2019 at 6:06 pm.

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Lecone wireless charger and desk caddy review

REVIEW – Wireless charging is included in almost every smartphone these days. Since they all use the Qi charging protocol, the market is being flooded with chargers in all shapes and sizes. The latest one to pass through my hands is the Lecone Wireless charger and desk caddy.

What is it?

A fabric-covered wireless charger with a captive USB cable and a desk caddy in a single piece.

What’s in the box?

Just the charger.

Hardware specs

(From company website)

  • Textured fabric charging stand: High quality fabric design not only provides good touch experience, but also adds a clean, modern and stylish look to your home or office
  • Upgraded Fast Charging: Save you about 30 minutes than standard wireless charging stand. Charging times vary based on different adapter and device
  • Versatile Viewing Experience : Upgraded Dual-coil design allows you to charge your phone vertically or horizontally while using FaceTime or watching videos
  • Safety Guarantee: Temperature control, foreign object detection, power input monitoring, and more ensure safe operation
  • Non-slip Pad: Anti-slip rubber pad on bottom can efficiently keep your phone more stable in place and preventing the charger itself from slipping or being knocked out

Design and features

The Lecone Wireless Charger and desk caddy is a simple concept with great execution. It’s a phone cradle that’s 3.25″ wide with a 4.5″ resting surface for the phone that is 56º from the desk. There’s a .75″ lip to hold your phone, which will handle all but the thickest cases – which probably won’t work with the Qi charger anyway! This places your phone in the perfect position to glance at when, say, an alert message displays. It’s also the perfect angle for video calls.
The caddy is a box on the left side of the unit with a 10º sloped front (from vertical) and an opening of 3.5″ x 3″. At 4.25″ deep, you can easily reach your hand in, if you lose something small inside.
Every surface of the caddy except the bottom is covered by a tight, grey-patterned linen-like cloth, that feels very nice under the hand. The bottom is made from a dark leather-like material, not exactly grippy, but a smoother texture than the other material, so as not to scratch wooden tables. All edges are turned under and tightly stitched, and the fabrics are glued to the underlying materials.
There is only one visible piece of branding – a small white logotype on the lowest edge of the caddy. There is also an LED centered on the charger cradle that lights up to indicate charging (green), power with no device present (blue), or goes out when the device is fully charged.
A ~5 foot USB cable comes from inside the unit and passes through a hole behind the cradle. There’s a small compartment created by the cradle and the vertical back (also lined with the fabric) where small items could be placed (a file drawer or desk key, perhaps?) or excess cable pulled in for those who love hidden cables.

What I like

  • Very attractive linen-like surface
  • Captive cable means it won’t get disconnected
  • Perfect size and angle for phone charging, video calls and desk/nightstand
  • Qi certified – Compatible with a wide range of devices

What needs to be improved

  • I can’t think of anything

Final thoughts

I’ve not been a fan of desk caddies personally since I left the graphics world and paper behind. At home by my TV loveseat, however, this caddy has been a great find. I plop my phone in, grab the TV glasses from the caddy and store my “walking-around” glasses, and always know where the remote is. It looks great, which means it won’t cause any – um – “discussions” with the Lovely Bride. Five stars.

Price: $27.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Lecone.

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Lecone wireless charger and desk caddy review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 28, 2019 at 10:00 am.

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