Nokia issues recall on 14M mobile phone chargers |

The last time Nokia issued a recall on something it was for batteries that posed a fire hazard. Today Nokia has issued a recall on about 14 million mobile phone chargers. The chargers pose a shock hazard to users.
Nokia points out that it did not build the chargers, they were built by a third-party Chinese maker. That maker is paying all the costs associated with the recall. The recall covers chargers model number AC-3E and AC-3U models, manufactured between June 15, 2009 and August 9, 2009; and the AC-4U model, manufactured between April 13, 2009 and October 25, 2009.


Emerge Technologies just dropped its latest retractable universal notebook charger dubbed the ReTrak. If you carry a lot of devices with you, this will come in very handy. It’s designed specifically for those on the go and aims to make your life easier.
The war against wires continues, with the next salvo being fired on October 15th. That’s when the Powermat arrives in the UK. It can juice up up to three low-power devices simultaneously. And without wires. It’s available in a few different versions.
Solar power has come a long way. They used to be something you only saw on hippie communes and Sci-fi movies. Solar panels are on everything now, especially our charging gadgets. The latest to sport a solar panel is the Surge iPod Touch charger, which allows you to recharge your iPod Touch anywhere, as long as you have sunlight.
Solar Technology’s CamCaddy universal camera charger is already available in a bundle with the company’s Freeloader Pro solar charger, but now it’s available by itself. The charger isn’t 100% “universal”, but the company says it should be compatible with over 85% of the proprietary batteries used in digital cameras, camcorders and DSLRs, and if you are unsure, just check their website before you buy. 
The Bluelounge Refresh comes with a bunch of connections that allow you to charge several gadgets at once. Four at a time. It will make your life much easier. The connections include 2 x iPod/iPhone which lets you charge up to two iPhones or iPods at once, 2 x USB, and 1 x micro USB and 1 x mini USB.
You have your choice of iPhone/iPod battery packs, but Kensington has thrown one in with its new $70 charging dock. The Kensington Charging Dock with Mini Battery Pack comes with its own mini battery that will charge next to your iPhone or iPod, so you will never be short on precious juice.
The ideal phone would never have to be plugged in or at least would need to be plugged in only rarely. The reality today is that high-end devices like the iPhone burn lots of battery power and require almost daily charging to remain usable.
This DIY gadget is dubbed the “smart charger” and it’s from two Kenyan students who reside in rural areas without electricity. They also use bikes to get around. Jeremiah Murimi and Pascal Katana use a dynamo attached to the bicycle in order to charge cellphone batteries. The whole process costs practically nothing.
Many of us have been there. You leave your lights on and next thing you know your battery is dead. Not a problem as long as you have jumper cables and another vehicle. Or if you are on a hill you can pop the clutch. But it stinks having to open the hood and go through all of that.
Energizer is really onto something with their Energi To Go gear. A few weeks ago we told you about their new
A battery charger powered by a battery. You will be free and untethered, assuming you have some D-sized batteries to power it. Isn’t this like robbing Peter to pay Paul? Or robbing Duracell to charge Energizer. Something like that.
One day after the robots have had their way with us and the zombies have attacked, you’ll be glad you have your trusty steam powered iPod charger. How else are you going to listen to your tunes, with civilization as you know it destroyed?








