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myCharge UNPLUGGED 10K Fast Wireless Powerbank review

REVIEW – Powerbanks, external batteries, portable chargers, no matter what you call them, they are useful accessories to have in your gear bag for those times when you have no access to a wall outlet and your smartphone or other gadget has run out of juice. Powerbanks aren’t the most glamorous gadget and pretty much only do one thing and that’s charge a device. But today I’m going to show the myCharge UNPLUGGED 10K fast wireless powerbank that has an extra feature that increases the convenience of an already convenient product.

What is it?

The myCharge UNPLUGGED 10K fast wireless powerbank is a 10,000mAh 10W backup battery that has 2 built-in USB ports and built-in Qi wireless charging so you can charge three devices at once.

What’s in the box?

myCharge UNPLUGGED 10K powerbank
micro USB cable

Specs

Battery: 10,000mAh Lithium Ion
Product Dimensions: 2.8 in x 0.8 in x 5.8 in
Product Weight: 0.4 lbs.
Wireless Output: 10 Watts
USB port delivers 2.4A output

Design and features

The UNPLUGGED 10K is a powerbank with a soft-touch white shell and a power button that turns on the wireless charger and is used to see the battery capacity by lighting up the row of status LEDs on the top.

On one end are 2 USB-A 2.4A ports and a micro USB port that is used to recharge the powerbank itself. Note that this powerbank has pass-through charging which means that you can charge the myCharge at the same time the myCharge is charging up to 3 devices.

The UNPLUGGED 10K powerbank comes pre-charged and ready to use. But when it needs to be topped off, you just plug in a micro USB cable and let it juice up until the 4 white LEDs light up.

My first test of the myCharge was to see how quick it could re-charge a Sony Xperia XZ2 from flat to full. Here are the results.

Started with battery at 0%
30 mins battery 11% charged
60 mins battery 24% charged
1 hr 30 mins battery 38% charged
2 hrs battery 50% charged
2 hrs 30 mins battery 62% charged
3 hrs battery 71% charged
3 hrs 30 mins battery 81% charged
4hrs battery 92% charged
Test end

In another test, I connected my Pixel 2 XL and my drained Rowkin micro Touch Bluetooth earbuds to the myCharge the next day after my Sony test.

Pixel 2 XL battery at 29%, Rowkin earbuds 0% (or what appears to be 0%)
30 min Pixel 2 XL battery 47% charged, one Rowin earbud fully charged, the other still charging
1 hr 10 mins Pixel 2 XL battery 75% charged, Rowkin earbuds fully charged
2 hrs Pixel 2 XL battery 86% charged
2 hrs 30 mins Pixel 2 XL battery % charged
Test end

At the end of my 2 tests, the battery level of the myCharge UNPLUGGED 10K was down to just one lit LED.

What I like

  • Can charge 2 USB devices and 1 wireless device at the same time
  • Meets Apple and Samsung fast charge standard
  • Pass through charging – Can charge the myCharge AND charge 3 devices at the same time

What needs to be improved

  • Wireless charging is slow

Final thoughts

If you’re in the market for a powerbank and you have a Qi enabled device like a newer iPhone, Sony Xperia or Samsung Galaxy, the myCharge UNPLUGGED 10K is a nice option because it offers the ability to charge those devices wirelessly and also charge 2 other devices at the same time. Even if wireless charging is slower than plugging in a cable, the fact that this one powerbank can charge more than one device simultaneously gives it an extra check mark for usefulness.

Price: $69.99
Where to buy: myCharge and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by myCharge.

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myCharge UNPLUGGED 10K Fast Wireless Powerbank review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 17, 2018 at 12:00 pm.

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Wofalodata Fast Wireless Charger review


What is it?

The Wofalodata Fast Wireless Charger is a 2 in 1 wireless charging pad with a kickstand that meets the QI fast charging technology standard.

What’s in the box

Package contents:

1 x Wireless charger
1 x Kickstand
1 x Micro USB cable
1 x Instruction booklet

Design and features

The Wofalodata Fast Wireless Charger is a small and compact wireless charger that conforms to the QI wireless charging technology standard. It is made up of a wireless charging pad and a removable kickstand that can be neatly tucked away in the back.

On the side, there is a micro USB port that accommodates the included micro USB cable to supply power to the pad for charging.

On the front of the charging pad, there is a LED light. When the charger is first plugged in, the LED blinks red and then goes to a steady blue when it is ready to provide charging. The instructions suggest that you can place your phone in a horizontal or vertical position, but I found that with my iPhone 8Plus, it was awkward and would tend to want to tip over. The vertical position did not seem to allow the larger phone to make good contact with the charging pad. Horizontally, it fit well, but that is as far as the good news goes when trying to charge my iPhone 8Plus. Once I placed my phone to charge, it would initially charge for approximately 2 minutes with the steady blue LED light, and the blue LED would start blinking for about 90 seconds and then the LED would turn red and the phone would stop charging. After a few seconds, the LED would turn blue again, and start charging again. This cycle of events continued until I removed the phone from the charger, and occurred each of the dozen or so times I tried.
Now it is important to note that I have at least 3 other Qi wireless charging pads, 2 of which are cheap no frills pads, and one is a more expensive Samsung pad. Irrespective of the make, they all perform flawlessly. This issue that I experienced with this charging pad is unexplainable.

After deciding to no longer risk trying to charge my iPhone on this pad, I tried an old Samsung Galaxy 6 phone, and that worked without issue. In about 30 minutes, the Samsung charged approximately 30 percent.

What I like

  • Wireless charger is lightweight
  • Nice and convenient Kickstand

What can be improved

  • Wireless charger must be able to charge all cell phones that meet the QI wireless charging standards.

Final thoughts

There are numerous inexpensive wireless chargers available today, and each one needs to meet the basic criteria for wireless charging to be considered for purchase. While this charger is lightweight and has a nice compact form factor, the issues I experienced with it when trying to charge my iPhone 8Plus, make it a “no go” for me.

Price: $12.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Wofalodata.

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Wofalodata Fast Wireless Charger review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 3, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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Enjoy convenient with wireless charging with the FurniQi – Bamboo Qi Wireless Charging Side Table


Some days when I wake up in the morning, I often wonder to myself: “where will technology take us next?” From smart locks, to smart cars, to entire smart homes, innovative designs and gear are continuously stretching the boundaries of what we can do, when we can do it, and how we can do what we do.

A few days ago, I was in my usual browsing mode when I came across the FurniQi – Bamboo Qi Wireless Charging Side Table. Now I am used to the small Qi wireless charging devices that I use to charge my phones, but I never even thought that a table existed somewhere out there that incorporated the wireless charging feature into the tabletop.
This table is a very nice and simple looking side table and it has a built-in USB port that is colored to blend into the table. You can use any USB cable and wall adapter to provide power to the table. The electronics are well hidden so that it looks like a normal table, with the charging spot discreetly marked on the surface, and an optional audible indicator to notify you when you have made the appropriate contact. The charging spot is also visible in the dark.

If you would like to purchase the FurniQi – Bamboo Qi Wireless Charging Side Table, you can head over to the Fone Salesman website and pick one up for $199.

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Enjoy convenient with wireless charging with the FurniQi – Bamboo Qi Wireless Charging Side Table originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 2, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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Baseus Wireless Charging Gravity Car Mount review

Mounting your phone where you can see it while driving has become the norm. Whether you’re using it for a GPS system or entertainment, everyone wants their phone easy to get to, or at least within their visual field. I was recently sent a one-hand air vent clip from Baseus in black to test.

Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.

What is it?

The Baseus wireless charger incorporates a clip-on air vent holder with a one-hand operation gravity holder, and then adds the secret sauce of wireless charging to the mix. The charger itself has a cable that runs to a power source, and the arms are activated by the downward pressure from the weight of the phone in the holder.

Hardware specs

  • Wireless charger
  • Gravity car mount
  • Safe and quick charging
  • One-hand operation

What’s in the box?

  • Clip-on charger
  • USB-A to microUSB cable
  • Instruction sheet

Design and features

The Baseus Wireless charger at first glance is a bit confusing. The two side arms and the bottom cradle are geared together inside somehow and don’t lock into place. While unboxing it, I moved them around, trying to find the “lock point,” but never got it to work. I plugged it into a spare microUSB cable at my desk and then placed my iPhone 8 Plus into the cradle, just to see if maybe having power would make it lock. When the phone got close to the clip, I felt and heard the familiar “ding” indicating charging. I was a bit surprised that it contacted so easily since I had read and heard on podcasts about how finicky many chargers are.


I was still a little confused on how it would lock into place until I put it in the proper orientation. The slight weight of the phone pulled the side arms around the device just enough to hold it firmly. When you grasp the top of the phone and lift it up, the base’s spring-loaded action draws it up slightly, and the arms are pushed outward, releasing the phone. I drove over some pretty bad road construction while testing, and never got large enough bumps to where the phone bounced out of the holder.


The spring on the air vent clip is quite tight. I could barely get it to open enough to get the prongs onto the vent slat. There is a slight “tooth” sticking up on the lower prong that prevents the clip from vibrating off over time, and foam glued to the inside of the jaws cushions them from scratching your dash. When it’s removed, there is no evidence it was ever there.

Setup

I recommend deciding where you’re going to place the holder first, then deciding on wiring routes. Also, connecting the wire before clipping the holder in place will make your install less stressful. It’s quite difficult to get the angle right on the wire once the clip is installed.

Performance

I cannot overstate how well this unit performed. It started charging every time my phone got within range, and never gave me a moment’s trouble when adjusting it. Once set into place, it is rock-solid, and just became part of my instrument panel, which is exactly what I want from a unit like this.

What I Like

  • One hand operation
  • Charging starts immediately and never stutters
  • Very adjustable, yet sturdy, with no vibration

What needs to be improved

  • Nothing

Final thoughts

As mentioned, I have several iPhone holders for in-car use. None were active when I was sent this unit. I’ve not taken it out since getting it, except to get a few photos of the back that I forgot to get before installing it. I use it almost every day and would buy another one if this one got broken or stolen. Much of that is because it’s so easy to put the phone into and take out. Even though I have to plug in a cable since I don’t have Bluetooth, it’s still far less hassle than any other car mount I have ever used, bar none.

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

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Baseus Wireless Charging Gravity Car Mount review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 26, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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Logitech’s POWERPLAY charging tech will charge your wireless mouse while you use it

I’ve been an advocate for wireless charging since the days of Microsoft’s SPOT watches. The SPOT watches were the first smart watches and some versions came with a wireless induction charging dock which felt ultra futuristic back in 2004. Other gadgets have adopted wireless charging features over the years, notably, Android smartphones which use Qi wireless charging tech. Now Logitech is adding POWERPLAY wireless charging technology to a gaming mouse pad.

A mouse pad with a built-in wireless charger? Yes, but it’s not what you might be thinking. You won’t use the mouse pad to charge your phone or other gadgets. This special tech is to charge select models of Logitech’s G wireless gaming mice (G903 and G703).

The mouse pad doesn’t use Qi technology. It uses electromagnetic resonance which creates an energy field above the mouse pad’s surface. The really cool thing is that you can use the mouse while it charges so there’s never any down time.

You can read more about the Logitech POWERPLAY by visiting http://gaming.logitech.com/en-us/product/powerplay-wireless-charging and you can pre-order the POWERPLAY mouse pad for $99.99. It’s due to be released in August. The G903 and G703 mice are priced at $149.99 and $99.99 respectively. Visit Amazon to order.

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Logitech’s POWERPLAY charging tech will charge your wireless mouse while you use it originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 17, 2017 at 8:17 am.

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