While I was at CES this year, I ran into a clever little product. The name is a bit confusing. ChargeCard sounds like it should be a backup battery or a wireless money transfer system. It’s actually a USB or iOS charging cable that folds up to roughly the size of a credit card. That way you can keep your charging cable with you, no matter the size of your purse. Well, you still have to carry the outlet adapter with you, but that still cuts down considerably on space.
The middle section plugs into a standard USB port, and the end plugs either into an iOS (legacy or lightening) or micro USB port. The ChargeCard is made by a team of four people out in Anaheim and was funded with a Kickstarter campaign. The prototypes were 3D printed. The company plans to keep production inside the US as they expand with a more streamlined production process.
Now, when I tried this out, I had an iPad – maybe not the greatest idea. (They didn’t have a micro USB prototype for me to try at the time.) The weight of the iPad makes it pretty impractical to plug into something this small for charging unless you’ve got a very well positioned outlet. However, my husband borrowed it to charge an iPod, and it was perfect. I love a simple, clever solution to a problem. I’m also a sucker for startups.
If you wanted to give them a try, you can now pre-order. ChargeCard is offering us a discount code. Their website is here. Use the code “geekmom” for 20% off of your purchase, no matter how big or small.
