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X-Power1 Rechargeable iPhone/iPod charging cable: Everything you know is wrong

Sometimes, when I see something new, I have to smack myself in the head and think: "Why didn't I think of that?" Remember the old V8 Juice commercials? I just heard about one of these and It's the X-Power1 USB Rechargeable Battery Backup Cable from Xmultiple.

It looks like a USB charging cable swallowed a AA battery. What's inside is a lithium-ion battery with more capacity than built into any current iPhone or iPod. Using this cable, sync or charge your device while the internal cable battery charges. It will take about 3 hours to fully charge. Then when your device runs out of juice, plug in the cable and get power while you charge your device's battery.

I spoke with Alan Pocrass, the CEO of Xmultiple, and found that the information now circulating around the Internet is wrong. If you've already read something about the product, that information was based on a production prototype that will not be be built. The publicity picture is also inaccurate. The cable will work with iPhones, iPod touches and USB-charging iPods only, so earlier iPod owners (those that charge via Firewire) are out of luck.

Keep reading for more specifications...
Xmultiple produced 10,000 units and sold out in two weeks. A new shipment of 100,000 is due to arrive on August 25th and will at first be available from Xmultiple with the intention of later rolling it out to a number of vendors.

Three models of varied length and battery sizes will be available:

3 inches with a 2100 mAh battery for $19.15
6 inches with a 2300 mAh battery for $22.95
10 inches with a 2500 mAh battery for $25.95
There will also be a 42 inch one with a 2500 mAh battery which is the size that Apple ships.

[Earlier lengths listed in feet were incorrect; miscommunication with Xmultiple]

The only cable tested was 10" and it provided the following results:

4.5 hours of 3G talk
9 hours of 2G talk
up to 5.4 hours of Wi-Fi
270 hours of standby time
6 hours of video playback

The August 25th shipment will not contain an inline flash card as commonly reported. That configuration is planned but will not be available until the fourth quarter along with a proposed retractable cable.

[via Gadgetreview]

Sometimes, when I see something new, I have to smack myself in the head and think: "Why didn't I think of that?" Remember the old V8 Juice...
 

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Joe Mayerik

How do you order one of these??? I've looked through the manufacturers cite and can't find a place to make an order!

July 31 2009 at 10:54 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chris

Love the Firesign Theater quote in the title! :)

July 29 2009 at 8:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Chris's comment
David Winograd

You are the first and only one to get the reference. If TUAW had a budget, you would be first for a prize,

In fuddles,
George Leroy Tirebiter.

Please check out my old film, 'High School Madness'.

July 30 2009 at 4:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ryan

NSFW picture there on the website of the girl listening to her ipod....

July 29 2009 at 8:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dave

Maybe it's just me, but I don't get a warm fuzzy when the press release is wrong, the CEO said feet, then inches, and the copy on the site looks like it was edited by my five year old. Get your act together, then bring it to market.

July 29 2009 at 7:19 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Dave's comment
David Winograd

You think? ....

July 30 2009 at 4:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cris

Is this for sale anywhere?

July 29 2009 at 6:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Cris's comment
David Winograd

In a word: no.

From what I was told (which changed quite a bit) the boat from China with 100,000 units shows up on August 25th.

July 29 2009 at 8:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
NoAndThen

This would be great if they could work it out for something like an external power that your bus isn't quite providing enough power for; almost like a long term capacitor for your usb bus.

July 29 2009 at 6:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Raj

I am a bit skeptical, but the price seems good enough to try this out.
I'd love to hear from someone who already has one and reviewed it!

I imagine this scenario:
1) I carry a connector (spare) cable in my travel bag.
2) I am out of juice for my iPhone/iTouch
3a) I connect as a battery extender (downside: tail w. usb dongle)
or
3b) I am near an outlet and plug it in to charge (use it as a cable)

3a could be mitigated if you had a way to roll-up the cord or somehow attach it to the iDevice, even if it was a bit clunky, I can't see myself talking on the phone with a dangling cord hanging off the phone.

July 29 2009 at 4:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to Raj's comment
Aaron Douglas

"Cable available in different size: 6 inches, 20 inches or 30 inches." per X-Power1's referenced site.

Not feet.

July 29 2009 at 4:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Aaron Douglas's comment
David Winograd

Called AGAIN and this time was told, by the CEO 3, 6,10 and 42". The press release was wrong, but they didn't take it down.

July 29 2009 at 6:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jdechko

So I understand what this does, but how is this better than an iPod/iPhone battery pack? Explain why I'd want a tail on my iPhone.

July 29 2009 at 4:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to jdechko's comment
Rendus

I think this is more to replace the cable you might keep in your laptop bag, than to replace a battery pack.

July 29 2009 at 4:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
naturlichfrisch

I'm trying to figure out why I'd want a 10 ft. usb syncing cable. I mean I would appreciate the larger battery, but 10 ft.? That seems a bit excessive. What length is the one that comes with the iphone 3G or 3GS?

July 29 2009 at 4:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to naturlichfrisch's comment
David Winograd

Called them up again and the CEO misspoke. He meant 3, 6, and 10 inches.

Must be the rain.

July 29 2009 at 5:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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