USB charger cable from Nokia
 

Looks like Nokia finally understands many people want a USB charger. I know there are ways to achieve this currently, but this looks like a sleeker solution...

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/0...-usb-charging/

On that page there is a link to the Nokia Europe site, but looks like you can't order it yet...

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

Dunno how is that going to work in practice? The reason being that the "Nokia device" has no knowledge if it is plugged into "real" charger or into USB port. The real charger is rated for close to 1A of current when the USB one is limited to 500mA (USB standard... correct me if I'm wrong). What may happen that when you plug the Nokia device into this USB charger it may overload the USB port power rating and either break it or cause it to go into overload protection... :eek:

Anybody have any insight how this is handled? Texrat? ;)

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

I have been charging my PSP this way, and similarly, the charger has greater amperage rating than the USB has -- it seems to work fine, only takes longer to charge the device.

Thor

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

If it doesn't have a retractable cord then I'm not getting it. Try using that to charge your N800 from a wall socket USB adapter in a hotel room.... oh well I'm sure some Chinese manufacturer will quickly figure this out and improve on it :)

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

At long last :-)

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

I'm still curious how this will work? Is it so that the N800 (or N770) do take less than 500mA from the charger when charging the battery? Then there should be no issues at all...

But if it does take more how does it regulate the input current to a correct level not to exceed the USB port capability? I'm not familiar with the overload protection method (if that even exist?) built into the typical USB port (and I assume the implementation differs from different manufacturers and units...). What I can think out of my head they may use a simple PTC resistor in series on the +5V line to provide short circuit protection. Or in more advanced design they may have electronic fuse that trips when certain current is eceeded? Or if there is no protection at all the USB takes power from the +5V motherboard voltage rail directly.

With the PTC the N800 can increase the charge current until it sees the +5V dropping slightly, at what point it just stays in that "sweet spot". But with any kind of electronic fuse or foldback current limit scheme I just can not see how this would work properly?

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

As thorbo said, the tablet will take what the USB port gives it (ie 500mA max as per the standard specs), which means it will charge much more slowly than with the mains adapter. It is up to the USB host to limit the current made available to the device, not up to the device to limit itself.

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

fpp is correct. The cable looks far too simple to employ any feedback from tablet to USB and it's unnecessary anyway. It's going to draw what USB provides which is well under upper safety margin. IMO the cable will make a nice accessory for your laptop PC moreso than the tablet in most cases. I saw someone mention a wall outlet USB adapter but I can't see myself using any such thing. I'd rather plug a laptop or desktop in and use it as my hub. In that scenario, this cable is perfect for me as I don't have to worry as much about filling available wall outlets, and my USB hub takes up far less space in my laptop bag than a power strip would. ;)

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

OK.. the current draw is not going to be a problem in practise. Most (all?) USB power port controllers have current limit significantly higher than 0.5A, typically around 2A. You may take a look at National data sheet of such controller:
http://cache.national.com/ds/LM/LM3544.pdf

In other words the USB cable charger will work just fine.

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

Really ? To me they're the greatest invention since sliced bread :-)
Seriously it's a great way to travel light and compact. These things are cheap, extremely compact and light (more so than even the Nokia travel chargers for my phone and 770), and have NO wires -- just a plug.
I hardly ever carry a laptop, but do tend to have several mobile devices with me -- the phone, the 770, the mp3 jukebox... with that tiny plug and a couple of appropriate USB cables I can keep them all juiced up. That's three adapters you don't have to remember packing, carry around, and try not to lose en route...

As I had to buy a CA-44 adapter because of Nokia's different adapter plugs, I could even get the cable with the large one and use it to charge both the phone and the 770 with the adapter.

Of course that will depend how terrorist a price Nokia will fix for such a simple item :-)

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

Oh, I can see a benefit... I'm just saying *I* would prefer USB charger cables along with the slim USB hub I'm carrying anyway.

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

I personally like this.

When travelling and have multiple Nokia devices to charge, it's nice just to stick it to the laptop's (if you bring one ...oh dear..long story) multiple USB slots/mains usb charger and charge them all in one go.

It was annoying at Vegas looking for free plug sockets...and it's kinda the same at home! lol. How much longer would it take though to charge via USB say the N800's 1500mAh battery compared to charging it through the mains?

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

The N800 and the 770 are just about the only two gadgets I have that I haven't been able to charge thru USB...this will be great, because like others have mentioned, I also use my computers as "power strips". I can plug all of my gadgets in and let them charge via USB instead of using those larger power bricks.

I did see a post from someone that showed the setup they were using to charge via USB, but it involved the large-to-small adapter from Nokia and a Nokia USB phone charger...this new solution from Nokia is just a bit sleeker. It could also be used with one of those cheap cigarette lighter adapters that has a USB port on it to charge or power while driving...

Also, for those worried about the charging amperage...as long as the device you are charging has a *higher* rated power adapter, the 500mA that USB outputs will be fine for trickle charging, it'll just take a little longer.

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

I'd never considered USB mains chargers, but an example such as this one combined with the Nokia USB charger cable would make an awful lot of sense to anyone that travels and doesn't carry a laptop. The Nokia USB cable alone also makes sense when visiting remote offices - you can sneak a crafty top-up for the N800 by carrying the cable with you. :)

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

Ok now, Milhouse, a setup like that with a pass-through for electrical sure makes sense...

Oh, and thanks orbitalcomp for the cigarette lighter idea... I just ordered one of those adapters. Keep that, a travel adapter and 3 of the Nokia usb charger cables in the car and I am set for trips! :)

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't something like this work nicely with the 770 & N800?

Nokia Wireless Phone Charger Kit
ZIP-KIT-NK1 / UPC# 724580611097
http://www.ziplinq.com/images/prod-i...IP-KIT-NK1.jpg

For about 17 bucks (or less, I didn't shop around much), you get the ability to charge from a wall outlet, a car lighter socket or a USB port - and a retractable cable, too. And since the whole thing is based around the USB port form factor, you can also use the wall & car chargers with anything else that charges from a standard USB port, as well. Only real downside seems to be that at 400-450ma, it'll be a bit slower than the standard charger, but would be very flexible for travel, etc.

This just seems to bring together all the ideas everyone else has mentioned upthread, in one fairly inexpensive package...

--John

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

See the problem with that one is that the prongs are not retractable. Yes I am *that* anal about these devices ;). Prongs take up space.

This is what I am using now, and the AC adapter prongs fold in. It's also rated at 900mA.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/154/3...1108e6e355.jpg

All these pieces were off eBay about a year ago for around 5-10 bucks a pop.

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

Nice! Yeah, I'm definitely going to keep looking around, as there certainly appear to be plenty of options for Nokia-compatible USB-based chargers already. I seem to recall seeing one USB port travel charger that had both a lighter plug and retractable prongs for a wall outlet, in one unit. Hmm... [Googling]...

Ah, here it is!

VersaCharger PRO™

http://www.boxwave.com/images_bw/pro...vcpro_main.gif

It would still require the Nokia (or third-party) USB charger cable, but it actually puts out a full 1 amp. Looks like we're getting somewhere here... :cool:

--John

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

Man, you guys are just shooting down my post about the Nokia USB charger...hehe, j/k...looks like there are *plenty* of ways to go about charging via USB. The hard part is finding the small tip for the newer Nokias, unless you have their adapter end...


jbennett -

Yeah, that kit looks like it may do the job pretty well. I know Fry's stocks a bunch of that Zip-Linq stuff, maybe they have it at the stores. Also, the Boxwave dual-charger you posted, that looks nice. Boxwave makes some good stuff, I've ordered many accessories over the years from them.

konfoo -

Is that large block on the one end of the retractable cable a step-up converter? I know some of the older Nokia phones required 6V, not 5V, so this somehow upconverts the voltage, I believe. My Socket power pack came with adapters for everything imaginable, and it has one of these also. What kind of charge time do you get with your setup, is it about the same as the stock adapter?

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

I've been using an off-brand USB Nokia 7700 phone charger for a while. Works fine!

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

Oh that versacharger is sweet! I ordered too quick! Arg...

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

i know it might depend on your PC/laptop and amount of actual ports and devices connected, but how long will it take to charge N800 via USB? i had mine plugged in for about 3-4 hours waiting for that "FULL" icon that never came up...

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

I don't believe a USB port has enough power to charge the battery or at least enough to charge quickly. I've tried charging my 770 this way overnight to no avail.

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

To those of you who want a simpler, more compact retractable USB charger specifically made for the smaller power connector on the ITs, I found this one. I ordered two of them a few days ago. However long it takes DHL to send them from Liverpool on the 20th to FL is when I'll have them.

As for compatibility, the description doesn't list the ITs, of course, but the Nokia phones that are listed are the ones with the smaller power connector, and it appears to be the right size. So, I don't know for sure that they will work, but I'll post here when I get them to let you know.

They cost me a little more than retractable USB chargers usually do, but that's thanks to shipping (& I blame it on the surprising rarity of retractable USB chargers for the ITs..it's the first accessory I buy for gadgets these days). They knocked £1 off of the shipping for two (£9 instead of £10, though I think two could just as easily fit into the same package without extra shipping costs); so, my total in USD was $26.32 for the two chargers.

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

It never reaches full on mine. Additionally I've found that if I drain the battery down too low it won't charge. I plug it in and it says charging for a few seconds, then it says not charging :(

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

I received them today!! I'd say five calendar days is pretty good :) They DO work for the N800, and they are smaller than I thought. I've attached a pic here with a few things for reference. From left to right are my N800 (you can see the LCARS charging indicator), one new cable, a USA quarter, the other new cable, and a sync&charge cable for my Treo 680. I had a problem with the AC adapter (w/USB port) that came with my Aliph Jawbone not giving enough power to sustain the N800 (which was nearly dead from today's use), but it works just like the original Nokia adapter when using my old Zip-Linq AC adapter. Even though they are both rated for 5V at 1.0A, I guess there are differences in the circuitry.

So, the point is that this is THE cable that many of you want. Let me know if you have any additional questions.

Re: USB charger cable from Nokia
 

Maybe I jumped the gun just a little. Neither one of those AC adapters work properly. They charge the N800 for a few minutes and then stop. I'll try a few things (different outlets, etc), but it looks like the standard AC-USB wall adapters are not so good for the N800. I do have good news, though. I've tried it (5-10min) both plugged into a USB port on my laptop and plugged into a tiny USB hub from Targus (giving it power with one of these AC-USB adapters and the Y-connector cable that came w/ the hub), and both of these options seem to work without a hitch. I do have one more bit of bad news, though...one of the two cables (the 2nd one I tried) has the loose connector issue that was mentioned earlier in this thread for a different type of cable. I'll do a little more testing and contact the seller for how to proceed. Should I also mention that there will be some additional buyers if he/she does some QA to make sure the cables work properly?

EDIT: It also charges fine from the hub when the hub is not receiving additional power. I have the N800 and the wireless receiver for a Logitech mouse connected to the hub.