"ipad" ranked second amongst the fastest-rising search terms of 2010, says Google. The query lost to "chatroulette" only by a short margin; both beat celebrity searches for the likes of Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry. Two other prominent technology entries, Twitter and Facebook, ranked a distant eighth and 10th respectively.
Duracell has introduced a new myGrid USB Charger that is compatible with the company's own myGrid wireless charging pad. The charger uses a lithium-ion rechargeable battery that recharges the batteries of other devices such as cellphones, e-readers and tablets through a USB port. Cellphone batteries are said to be boosted by up to four hours, while an e-reader's life can be extended by up to 100 hours.
Microsoft has developed technology which allows installing disposable cells without concern for positive or negative polarity. Called InstaLoad, the battery installation technology uses new contacts that can take a charge regardless of the battery's orientation. Microsoft sees ideal applications of InstaLoad in devices that require frequent battery changes, use several batteries or are used in harsh environments.
The Wireless Power Consortium on Thursday announced that cellphone maker Nokia has become one of its members. This is expected to result in quicker development and the more widespread use of the Qi wireless charging standard the Consortium is working on. With the addition of Nokia, the company has backed the open standards that would be shared among many makers of cell phones and other portable electronics devices.
Battery maker Duracell has recently announced a charging system called myGrid that will charge cellphones and other devices placed on its surface. Similar in concept and execution to the WildCharge energy plate, the device can be ordered as a kit that is compatible with Apple's iPods, the iPod touch and the iPhone, as well as a number of handsets from Nokia, Motorola and RIM's BlackBerry handsets, though each kit requires a charging sleeve.
Duracell has announced the latest in its line of accessories for mobile devices, the Duracell USB Charger, and three different connectors for the Duracell My Pocket Charger. The USB Charger provides 5-volts of power, fits into a car's DC outlet, and displays a light blue glow when the device is ready to charge. My Pocket Charger now features three different connectors for mini and micro USB as well as Apple's Dock Connector, which enables it to charge devices such as iPods and iPhones, as well as most cellphones and MP3 players.
