Yesterday we spoke about Elcom introducing a USB power strip and today we have USB Fever with a  solar powered USB hub.  We where very excited to hear about this product -  as it seems to be a step up from the introduction from yesterday, and it’s got some great features, but unfortunately, the solar power charging system isn’t for the USB devices which are connected, but rather the built-in LED torch light [insert sad face here].

I understand it would take a fairly big solar panel to correctly power 4-5 devices connected to a USB hub, but it would be nice to see a trickle charge feature for anything connected.  Like I said yesterday, in our house we have 3 iPhones, a Flip Video camera, two blue-tooth headsets and some other stuff, so a solar powered trickle charging USB hub would be nice.

About three weeks ago I started the process to design a USB power strip where the device would be a dumb down version of a USB hub…it only gives power.  The reason why I wanted to design something like this was for the infinite number of USB items I have.  Just in my house alone, we have 3 iPhones, one Flip Video camera and two blue-tooth headsets…all powered and recharged by USB.

So enter, stage left, my thought of a USB power strip.  Well, Elcom was thinking the same thing, but only months earlier!  They have officially released the USB for port power strip and the 7 port USB power strip.  Clearly I think the idea is simply brilliant.

Elcom includes LED lights for each port to show if a device is active or not.  They include a switch to flip On or Off that particular port and last, Elcom gives you some clear labels [in English] to label what cable is going to which device.

The 4 port USB power strip is $40.  The 7 port USB power strip is $110.  Both are available at Geek Stuff 4 You.  Page.

HyperMac updated their power blocks to include support for the iPad product line.  There are a couple models to chose from, but the high end, $500 unit, will give you 99 hours of iPad life.  More then enough for that weekend get-away.

For a bit less, the $200 battery pack will get you the 60 watt version capable of powering your beloved Apple product for 34 hours. For this price, at least they include USB ports to power those USB gadgets you have in every corner of your office.

The HyperMac power bricks are not yet available, but will be within a couple of weeks.  Just in time to be received with your long delayed iPad order.

At first glance we became very excited about this 80 port USB board, we thought it was a huge USB hub.  Then we read the details and realized it’s just an 80 port USB power source.  And we say “just” with all the enthusiasm that word can carry.  Wicked awesome from our point of view.

We’ve done the math and have still come up short on the exact NEED for the 80 port USB power board, but never-the-less, it makes you smile.  Kinda like the iPad [even without USB support].

Our calculations seem to bring us back to quality control, that is the only legitimate reason why this board would be of “true” value.

Thanko is offering the USB power board for $165.

I have two questions, please answer on Facebook:  1) do you need this?  2)  what is a legit use for this other than QC testing for some USB gadget?

At the time of this article, Buy.com has a set of AA battery chargers which re-powers via USB at a 72% savings.  List price went from $24 down to $7 bucks!

Great stocking stuffer for the geeky Dad, brother or in-law.

Save the environment by throwing fewer batteries away! This Ni-MH battery recharges with any USB port and has a built in safety circuit to prevents overcharging. LED indicator light lets you know when your battery is fully charged.

Grab the Get USBDealz now!

iLuv is showing their love to USB with this three port charger.  Not only does it support multiple devices, it looks cool too.

iLuv put in a flip-out AC adapter so if the USB charger needs to be stored or thrown in a desk drawer it’s a bit more compact.  Not much else to report about it other than a $20 price tag and available in Sep 09.

Today I was doing some research for a good solar powered iPhone charger.  I went the direction of a DIY [Do It Yourself] project then realized this is all a waste of time.  Maybe there are a select few that would jump on a DIY solar powered iPhone charger project, but considering the complexity of the tutorials I found, very very unlikely my average reader would actually do it.

So to save yourself the 30+ minutes of looking for a good tutorial, just spend 3 minutes and buy one that will A) work better, B) look better and C) be cheaper.

The project directions can be found here and you’ll quickly see it’s a complex project that requires some tools you might not have, plus supplies you’ll surely need to buy.  All in all, it’s about a $70 project,