Hot off yesterday’s news of the DIY USB wall outlet (replace your standard outlet plugs with two USB plugs) comes a product that addresses the shortcomings inherent with getting rid of the standard plugs altogether: a wall plate with both standard and USB plugs. Problem solved – and it only costs $10.
Michael Lowdermilk sent this in to our tips e-mail address with the line, “I wanted to get your feedback on this new product I’ve been working on. It’s a custom wall outlet with built in USB charge ports.”
My feedback is as follows: move forward with this. It is a good idea. I will probably eventually buy one.
The “TruePower UCS Power Outlet With Built in USB Ports” is available for pre-order at FastMac.com and is expected to ship early next year. Apparently it’s “currently waiting on final UL Approval,” which is a good thing for safety’s sake.
TruePower UCS Power Outlet With Built in USB Ports [FastMac.com]
I just saw this an hour ago and emailed Michael to inquire if the power supply for the USB ports will consume power all the time – like a wall-wart. If not, I’m sold!
“Please also note that the USB ports only draw power when something is physically connected to the port. We didn’t want a vampire port that continually sucks and wastes power when not in use so this was one of the features on the top of our priority list during the design phase.”
Try reading the link.
Try reading the rest of the comments
*Added to Christmas list*
Ace! can u find one for UK power sockets please ?
:-D
Like this?
http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?moduleno=340875&C=69602
Just got a response from Michael – the item description has been updated to reflect that the ports won’t suck power with nothing connected. Very cool!
Will these come in the other standard outlet colors, specifically ivory.
This seems like a good idea but it looks like one large wall wart plug will end up blocking the usb ports. It’s hard to judge the spacing really without seeing anything plugged into it.
It just looked like they should be spaced farther apart to prevent that issue.
That’s likely the point – outlets are usually designd that way so you can’t plug too much in and over load it…
wall warts suck a relatively tiny amount of power, the reason they’re so huge is because they have to have bulky transformers in them.
I was wondering if there will be a version of this plug designed for houses with aluminum wiring (I have to use CO/ALR outlets rather than the standard ones now).
Jared seemed to have some good luck getting a response to his question – I’ll send in mine, see what response I get, and post the answer.
ill go for that one for sure..
Add this to the list of things I cringe over because I didn’t think of it sooner…
Great idea!!!!
I’m up for 2 or 3 of them for sure!
This unlike the stupid gmail button pad thing is a great idea! I hate trying to find my special plug for my iphone or in general hate turning on my computer to charge things via usb and this would be amazing to have and i would buy it in a heartbeat.
I can’t quite put my finger on it, but that seems monumentally dangerous!
i was thinking the same thing; seems as though you’d be plugging the tiny USB plug into a direct current, which might just melt it (and you) on contact…i’ll wait for the UL approval…
if you can make that price point, WOW….. i’m in for 4-8 of them… any plans on making a double? (4plugs/4usb) GREAT IDEA!! how many watts on the usb?
this is a great idea, i’ld definitely upgrade certain outlets in my home. i see this becoming the standard outlet for all new homes in the future.
Thats a great idea… but do the usb ports have to be off center so much? if not then standardized decorative wall plates would fit, right?
@SysOp – good point about the wall plate. I wonder if the designer had thought about doing away with the bottom plug and just stacking the usb ports on top of one another so that you wouldnt have a problem with wall plates?
Looks like a great idea. I would like to see a product that fit standad Decorator and/or Duplex cover plates. As designed this will not work with a multigang cover. 2 usb over or under a standard plug. (I would prefer USB over outlet; most wall wart cords point down and would better use the lower plug, especially if ploarized.) I would even like a USB (2 over 2) only version. I would install this in a couter/desk height duplecx box.
Once that puppy is UL listed, I’m in!!
Ya the cart says won’t ship until it’s UL listed and good to hear that it won’t use power when nothing is plugged in… Sounds very interesting and I’m sure I’ll be ordering about 6 of these at least
Check out this new power strip at http://www.greenpowerstripstore.com. Whatever is plugged into the first outlet controls all of the other things plugged in. So if your computer is plugged into the first outlet and your printer the second, scanner etc….they say the power button on your computer will then control all of them and when its off, it is supposed to cut the power drain to the other units also to eliminate the extra power draw. They have them onsale this weekend on amazon for $19.50. I ordered 2 of them. When I called customer service they told me they are coming out with one that is controlled through the computer via USB soon.
$9 shipping
Additional information is available on http://www.usboutlet.net, including a few other sites to order!
IT SAYS $10 BUT THEIR PRE-ORDER SITE DISPLAYS $19.95. THIS IS BS.
I hate trying to find my special plug for my iphone or in general hate turning on my computer to charge things via usb and this would be amazing to have and i would buy it in a heartbeat.
I think it is really a good to add two USB ports to a standard outlet. Nowadays, usb interface is used more frequently than before. If so, it will be more convenient in daily life.
it is a good idea ,it will bring many benifits to people