For a mere five bucks, this little adapter lets you charge your iPad (or other tablet) from any USB port.
(Credit: Meritline)
At CES last month I encountered Digital Innovations’ ChargeDr, a small USB dongle that promised to do the seemingly impossible: boost the power output of a typical USB port, thus allowing it to charge an iPad (or other tablet).
I got it home, tested it, and discovered that, hey, it actually works! Technically speaking, there’s no actual power boosting going on, but who am I to argue with this weird science? Without the dongle, my iPad says “not charging.” With it: “charging.”
And my tests bear out the claim. My iPad 3 went from 30 percent to 75 percent in about 2.5 hours. Not bad for a lowly USB port.
My only real gripe with the ChargeDr was the price: $ 29.99. (Also, anyone who wanted one would have to wait until March; it’s still not available for purchase.)
Guess what? Meritline sells a USB Charging Adapter for iPad for $ 4.99 shipped.
[more @ CNET]
