Although some companies have tried to remove the chargers they ship with devices like smartphones, they haven’t exactly gone down in number at all. In fact, given the many different charging technologies and sometimes incompatible support, people might be buying more chargers to keep up with the fast-paced changes. But while these chargers are rapidly changing on the inside, they seem to have stagnated on the outside.

Chargers come in all shapes and sizes, but the vast majority of them also come in boxy and uninspiring designs. You’d think that considering how often we use them and put them out in public, people would want these essential gadgets to actually look more appealing. That’s the kind of design innovation that these chargers are bringing to your bag and your life, adding a much-needed facelift to an otherwise mundane object.

Designer: Counterpart

Chargers are boxy for a good reason, at least in the past. Electronic components were often large and bulky, so they needed to cram as much in a small space, making a regular box shape the most efficient choice. But with advancements in technology like GaN (Gallium Nitride), for example, we can squeeze in more in an even smaller space or, better yet, expand the design language that these products use.

The Charger might sound like a generic name, but its design is anything but. Rather than a square or rectangle, these chargers have a more pleasing and pleasing round shape, with a rippling surface that is almost reminiscent of Zen gardens. The cable, which would normally be unruly and difficult, is kept in line using a retractable mechanism that also protects it from wear and tear. Curiously, it gives the charger an image not unlike a snail, which is probably one of the most Zen critters given how slow it moves.

The design goes beyond just changing the way the product looks. It also feels nice in the hand thanks to the use of silicone, while post-consumer plastic adds a touch of sustainability to its character. On their own, these little changes seem inconsequential, but together they completely transform the charger from a humble tool into a lifestyle accessory, one that you wouldn’t be embarrassed to show off while you hog the power outlet.

Despite its small size, The Charger is able to output 35W of power thanks to GaN technology, enough to charger devices smaller than a laptop. If there’s one minor flaw in this design, however, is that the circular shape might block adjacent sockets in more cramped power strips or wall outlets. It’s also a bit bulkier, even if the plug can be folded up when not in use. It’s still a small price to pay for a design that improves not only the user experience but also its appreciation as well.

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Given your seemingly uncanny ability to lose small but important objects like keys and eyeglasses, productivity gurus often advise regularly putting these things in a single place whenever you come home, preferably somewhere near the door. As if our lives weren’t already complicated enough, wireless earbuds add another thing that we can easily misplace, even if they actually have a charging case to call home. Sometimes, even that charging case gets lost in the shuffle.

Part of the problem lies in the transition of those earbuds from our ears to their charging case, which can take more than just a few seconds and a lot of fumbling around. This concept design tries to offer our little audio companions a home of their own while also solving that common problem of having to stop your music or podcast once you’ve arrived home.

Designer: Siyeong Park

Many of us have probably developed the habit of listening to music or podcasts to pass the time during commutes. Sometimes, we even do it when we’re running or exercising outdoors. Regardless of the activity, we all have the same behavior when we get home: we take off the earbuds, search for their case in our pockets or bags, and then slip them in for charging. It’s a simple series of actions that have one rather important consequence: it pauses the music we’ve been listening to.

SOAK is a concept for a wireless speaker that hits two birds with one stone, so to speak. On the one hand, it offers a safe and consistent place for your earbuds the moment you enter the house or room. The vase-like design has a bowl-shaped container on top where you can simply drop the earbuds into. In theory, it should charge the buds even without the charging case, but that would require a different kind of technology for truly wireless charging.

The real magic, however, is that the speakers can seamlessly continue playing whatever is being sent to the earbuds. This means you don’t have to pause the music or podcast just because you need to remove the earbuds, letting you continue the rhythm and the vibe of whatever you were listening to. In other words, you decide when you want to stop the music, not the limitations of technology and manufacturer design.

It’s definitely an idyllic scenario, though it’s probably not that easy to implement yet. Most of the technologies needed, like over-the-air wireless charging, do exist today, but support from devices is still quite poor. It does paint a picture of a smarter home that isn’t just focused on lighting or appliances, but one that is designed around our modern lifestyles and habits.

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Wireless chargers are shaking up wireless charging with a splash of creativity and innovation. Gone are the days of boring, tangled cables. Now, wireless charging is not just about functionality but also about fun and design. The simplest chargers might be flat, but innovations like Apple’s MagSafe and the Qi2 standard have sparked a wave of imaginative designs. This tech leap has taken wireless charging from basic to bold, opening up a world where chargers are not just functional but also fun.

Magnetic wireless chargers have transformed into shapes and sizes that are as diverse as they are functional. Some are stylish and decorative, while others are downright playful. Yet, they all share a common goal: to be efficient and user-friendly, making charging a joyful experience. Enter the Mag Tube and Mag Qube 3-in-1 Intelligent Charging Stations, bringing a unique twist to the design, literally. These futuristic Qi2-compatible MagSafe chargers are not just about charging; they’re about transforming the experience into something delightful.

Designer: ADAM elements

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Say goodbye to flat, boring chargers! With magnetic wireless charging, you don’t have to lay your phone flat anymore. These chargers elevate your device, letting you use it at a comfortable angle while it charges. However, many chargers that offer this feature compromise on versatility, locking your phone into one position. Plus, their design often takes up space even when not in use, which can be a hassle.

Mag Tube Qi2 3-in-1 Intelligent Charging Station

The Mag Tube and Mag Qube are like transforming robots, ingeniously solving these issues. Their top halves rotate at a 45-degree angle, creating a perfect charging surface for video calls or watching shows. And the best part? No manual twisting required. Just press a button, and these chargers magically transform into multi-functional stations, ready to power up your devices.

Mag Qube Qi2 3-in-1 Intelligent Charging Station

But wait, there’s more! These futuristic chargers aren’t just for your phone. With a simple button press, hidden chargers for your Apple Watch and AirPods (or any Bluetooth earbuds) are revealed. At the end of the day, press the buttons again to retract the chargers and return them to their sleek, space-saving forms. It’s a seamless, satisfying experience that you’ll look forward to every time.

Both the Mag Tube and the Mag Qube support 15W max output for fast iPhone wireless charging, as well as 2.5W for both the Apple Watch and the AirPods. You can even charge all three devices at the same time, cutting down on your downtime. You can also just place your phone flat on top when you don’t want to be distracted. The choice is yours to make, not the charger’s.

Offering versatility, these chargers are compatible with the iPhone 12 and newer models. They come with features like Foreign Object Detection, Over-current Protection, and Over-voltage Protection, plus a 3-year limited warranty. The Mag Tube and Mag Qube are not just stylish and space-efficient; they offer a futuristic charging experience that’s both convenient and reassuring.

The Mag Tube and Mag Qube Qi2 3-in-1 Intelligent Charging Stations are game-changers in a time when the wireless charging market is growing at a rapid pace. They combine style, functionality, and a touch of magic, delivering a charging experience that’s as enjoyable as it is innovative. So why settle for ordinary when you can have extraordinary? Embrace the future with these innovative chargers and experience the magic of wireless charging like never before.

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Almost everyone wants to ride the TWS earbuds wave, so it’s not surprising that the majority of designs all look quite similar. It’s only recently that manufacturers have started diversifying the designs of not just the earbuds themselves but also the charging cases. We’re even starting to see charging cases with built-in displays, paving the road for even more variety.

There’s definitely still plenty of room for growth, especially for designs that eschew traditional shapes and form factors. This concept, for example, turns Bluetooth earbuds into something more than just an accessory: it also become something like a friend that keeps you company and entertained all throughout the day and even through the night.

Designer: Eric Cheng

The basic shape of earbuds chargers is box-like for practical reasons. It is, after all, easier to cram everything inside such a plain and simple shape. There are some that go for a tube-like design for some extra impact, though those tend to be more cumbersome to use because of fancy but unnecessary sliding mechanisms.

Being square doesn’t have to mean boring, even though the idiomatic expression does mean exactly that. With a few additional details, a plain old earbuds case becomes an anthropomorphized robot that wouldn’t look out of place in a Toy Story scene. That’s what the DMOOSTER D76 mini TV concept design tries to bring to the table, or to your pocket for that matter, giving an accessory a face and a relatable character you can get attached to.

There are sides to the same coin of this design. The most obvious is the armless robot form, with the charging case’s display as its expressive face. When you pull out its legs, however, you not only see the USB-C charging port, it also becomes the eponymous mini TV that sparks the imagination of a miniature toy world. These two modes don’t really have any practical function, but they bring the otherwise plain and boring accessory to life.

Of course, it’s still a charging case, but the location of the earbuds is curious. They’re actually outside the box, inserted in silos behind the case and to the sides. It does mean you don’t have to open the case to get the buds and put them back in, leaving more room for essential electronics or a larger battery inside. It also means, however, that the buds have a greater risk of being dislodged and getting lost, which would probably earn a frown on this cute robot’s face.

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Cable management and hiding is not only a trend; it has even become an art form. Messy cables don’t just get in the way but are also an eyesore. But what if the cables become part of the desk’s aesthetic? What if the power strip or socket box actually gave you a reason to have those charging wires out in the open? That’s the idea behind this socket box design that appeals to gamers, geeks, and gadget lovers by giving their desks a cyberpunk aesthetic. At the same time, it also makes cable management simpler by not having to hide wires and cables in the first place.

Designer: PTPC

It has become en vogue to hide power sockets and charging ports from view, whether disguising themselves as part of the desk or simply placing them behind tables. While that may be an effective way to reduce the visual mess, it also means most of these outlets are harder to reach. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice convenience for aesthetics, especially if the aesthetic you’re aiming for isn’t the kind that adheres to clean and tidy arrangements.

Trozk is a “hardcore” socket box that makes you want to actually have your wires in plain sight by embracing the popular cyberpunk theme. As the name itself implies, this genre’s design language is sometimes messy, unrefined, and even garish. You have tangled cables, neon lights, and geometric shapes in abundance, though still executed in a stylistic and intentional manner.

The socket box concept is aptly big, boxy, and flashy. On the top, you have six universal power outlets arranged in a 2×3 grid that can accommodate almost any plug type. Beside them is a square with small LED indicators and a square LCD display for information such as power input, output, and the like. Off to the side are USB ports for charging mobile devices. The concept incorporates GaN (Gallium Nitride) technology to handle the load of having 10 ports putting out power.

Like any cyberpunk-themed gadget, Trozk has RGB lighting that highlights the top surface of the box as well as the branding in front. Because of its interesting visual, the socket box is clearly designed to be shown off, even when there are cables coming out of it. That makes it easier to plug and remove chargers at will, while also giving your desk or shelf a sci-fi vibe. Of course, you’ll still have to make sure your cables don’t get tangled up, but at least now you’ll have a cyberpunk excuse for the mess.

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I bought a wireless charging power bank a few months back for my iPhone 15 Pro. I don’t use it anymore just because of how much it heats up my battery. You see, a battery’s biggest enemy is heat. Heat affects the lithium-ion sub-structure, not only causing your battery to lose efficiency over time but also potentially catch fire. Neither of those things are good, obviously – which is why Aukey’s new chargers with its proprietary Omnia-Frez technology keep your devices cool while they wirelessly charge.

Aukey’s MagFusion series, equipped with the innovative Omnia-Frez cooling technology, offers a practical and stylish solution to one of the most frustrating problems of modern tech—overheating during charging. Whether you’re a mobile gamer fighting through long boss battles, an Apple enthusiast with too many cables cluttering your desk, or a commuter relying on your phone for navigation, the MagFusion lineup promises to keep your devices cool, charged, and ready for anything.

“The new Omnia-Frez technology addresses the challenge of overheating while charging head-on,” said David Yunyou Wu, Vice President of AUKEY. “Overheating slows down charging and degrades a battery’s lifespan, but AUKEY’s revolutionary Omnia-Frez cooling technology is changing the game for iPhone users.”

Designer: Aukey

The MagFusion 3-in-1 Pro is the perfect charging station for those who live deep within the Apple ecosystem. It’s designed to handle your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch simultaneously, offering a sleek, minimalist design that’s far more appealing than the spaghetti mess of cables we’re all too familiar with. But it’s not just about looks—this charging hub is all about efficiency. Thanks to the Omnia-Frez cooling system, the 3-in-1 Pro keeps your devices running cool by reducing charging temperatures by up to 20°C (68°F), which leads to faster charging times and a longer lifespan for your battery. In fact, Aukey’s testing shows that an iPhone 15 Pro charges a full 26 minutes faster on the 3-in-1 Pro compared to traditional wireless chargers. Plus, the adjustable stand allows you to prop your phone at the perfect angle for FaceTime calls or a quick glance at notifications.

Not only does it work beautifully, but the 3-in-1 Pro is also easy on the eyes, made with tempered glass and aircraft-grade aluminum. It’s a charging station that will look just as good in a modern office as it would on your nightstand. All the while, a strong magnetic connection ensures your iPhone stays firmly in place—so even if you accidentally nudge it, it’s not going anywhere.

If mobile gaming is your thing, Aukey’s MagFusion GameFrost was tailor-made for you. We’ve all had our phones get alarmingly hot mid-game, only to watch performance tank as the heat throttles the processor. The GameFrost combats this by offering three adjustable cooling modes—Common, Medium, and Freezing—that you can tweak depending on how intense your gaming session gets. This performance enhancer disguised as a charger keeps your phone cool enough to handle whatever game you throw at it without losing speed or lagging when you need it most. And, of course, it charges your phone at the same time, pumping out 15W of wireless power for iPhones compatible with Qi2 and MagSafe.

But Aukey didn’t stop at function; they added a dash of flair with customizable lighting effects. Whether you prefer a pulsing glow during late-night gaming sessions or a solid color that matches your RGB keyboard, GameFrost lets you set the mood. The real-time temperature display is a nice touch, too, giving you live feedback on just how cool your device is staying, ensuring both peace of mind and bragging rights.

For those always on the move, the MagFusion Dash Pro transforms your car into a high-tech charging station. We’ve all been there—halfway through a road trip or stuck in traffic, watching your phone heat up as it juggles GPS, podcasts, and texts. The Dash Pro prevents that problem with its active Omnia-Frez cooling system, designed to keep your phone cool even on long, grueling drives. It delivers 15W wireless charging and is compatible with iPhones using Qi2 tech, ensuring your phone stays powered up without becoming a hot brick in your hand.

What sets the Dash Pro apart, though, is its secure, no-nonsense design. It’s compact yet sturdy, with a strong magnetic mount that holds your phone firmly in place, even over potholes and bumpy roads. The adjustable ball joint means you can tweak your phone’s angle to suit your line of sight—perfect for navigation. With its sleek profile and silent operation, this is the kind of tech you’ll barely notice while it quietly does its job.

Aukey’s Omnia-Frez technology, featured in every MagFusion product, works its magic through a combination of cooling techniques. A 7-blade fan spins silently, whisking heat away, while alloy cooling fins and a thermoelectric chip work in tandem to dissipate heat quickly. The result is a cooler, more efficient charging experience, with no throttling or battery damage from excessive heat. And, unlike many cooling systems, this one is impressively quiet. Whether you’re deep into a gaming session, working at your desk, or listening to tunes on the road, the MagFusion series operates with barely a whisper, making it as unobtrusive as it is effective. So, whether you’re catching up on emails, dominating the leaderboards, or navigating rush hour traffic, you can count on your phone being ready for action without going mercurial… literally.

The post Your Wireless Charger Might Be Hurting Your Battery — Aukey’s MagFusion Pro Series Has the Fix first appeared on Yanko Design.

Anker has brought its new line of chargers to IFA 2024 that enhance your wireless charging experience and hone portability. The one making headlines is the MagSafe-compatible 3-in-1 travel charger that folds like a puck, something similar to the Twelve South Butterfly.

The fold-out charger does draw inspiration from the Butterfly but improves on the design and functionality with an added third charging pad. The trifecta charging pads should be more than enough for travelers who love to carry their share of Apple gadgets!

Designer: Anker

The Qi2-certified 15W MagGo Wireless Charging Station folds into an easily carriable form which lends it ultra-portable aesthetics. The three equidistant charging ports include a Qi2-certified 15W charger, a 5W Apple-certified Apple Watch charger, and a 5W Qi puck in the middle. The latter houses the USB-C power input port to charge up the battery. Targeted for the Apple ecosystem of devices it can simultaneously charge your Apple iPhone 15, Apple Watch, and Airpods Pro while traveling.

The pocket-friendly accessory comes with Apple’s Magnetic Power Profile technology for stable and efficient charging on the go. It has a dedicated StandBy and landscape mode for optimal viewing while binge-watching on the iPhone. There’s a quick snap mode that turns this usable accessory into a puck-sized dimensions of 2.36 x 2.36 x 1.4 inches that can be put inside a pocket – it’s that compact. Anker specifically mentions the charger can also charge Apple Watches with undetachable metal straps which is a bonus.

Anker’s 3-in-1 MagGo Wireless Charging Station comes with a 40W adapter and a 5-foot USB-C to USB-C cable for quick charging of the 3-in-1 pad. It is currently up for grabs on Anker’s website and Amazon for $90. You can choose the accessory from a cool selection of color options including black, white, pink and green. The colorful variants (pink and green) are slated to arrive later this year.

The post Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Foldable Wireless Charging Station is a pocketable accessory for juicing-up Apple devices first appeared on Yanko Design.

Remember when Apple debuted the Apple TV remote without a Find My feature and the internet collectively groaned because losing your TV remote is perhaps the single biggest cliche as far as remote controllers go? Well, here’s a similar situation – imagine losing the charger to your phone or laptop. I’m sure it’s happened to you multiple times (it literally happened to me today)… and while I don’t recommend waiting for Apple to build the Find My feature into their chargers, I really don’t need to because Twelve South beat them to it. The world’s first (and so far only) charging bricks with their own tracking chip, the Twelve South PlugBug chargers made their first appearance at IFA today. Designed to be compact, colorful, powerful, and trackable, these charging bricks are the perfect accessory for the absent-minded tech-user. Imagine misplacing your charger in a crowded cafe, at work, or under the bed at home; with Find My, you can locate it just like you would an AirTag. That’s what Twelve South brings to the table with the PlugBug 50 and the more robust PlugBug 120.

The PlugBug series comes in 2 models – the smaller 50W charger, and a larger 120W charger with replaceable heads for international travel. The smaller PlugBug 50 has a 50W output (as its name suggests) and offers dual USB-C ports, perfect for powering up your iPhone and iPad simultaneously. It’s designed to slide into your daily routine with ease, packing just enough power to handle multiple devices without taking up much space in your bag, or behind your couch.

The PlugBug 120, on the other hand, is a multi-port powerhouse with 120W of total output, enough to charge a MacBook Pro, an iPad, and two more devices—all at once. With four USB-C ports, it’s ideal for those juggling multiple gadgets, whether you’re working from a coffee shop or charging up in a hotel room. Twelve South deliberately ditched the USB-A ports for these plugs, keeping things modern and up-to-date. The standout feature, however, is the interchangeable plug heads for different regions. Whether you’re hopping between the US, UK, or Europe, the PlugBug 120 has you covered with its international plug options. It’s a simple yet effective solution for people who often find themselves digging through a bag of adapters just to get their gear charged abroad.

But what sets both chargers apart from your standard USB-C bricks is their integration with Apple’s Find My network. Misplaced your charger? No problem. You can track it via the Find My app, and yes, this even works when the charger is offline. Unlike most gadgets you lose in your daily hustle, the PlugBug can be tracked just like an AirTag. It’s a feature that’s becoming increasingly valuable as we juggle more devices in our connected lives. Due to electrical regulations, the Find My feature is powered by a tiny, replaceable battery instead of being directly connected to the plug itself (you’ll need to swap it out every year or so). This simultaneously ensures that Find My works even if the charger isn’t plugged in.

The design of both chargers doesn’t stray too far from what we’ve come to expect from Twelve South—clean, minimal, and functional. The foldable prongs on both models make them super portable, while the compact design ensures they fit into tight spots, whether at home or in cramped outlets on the road. They’re also a combination of white and bright red, so don’t worry about not spotting the charger from a mile away. If the charger does become difficult to find, the Find My is a pretty cool add-on.

As for pricing, the PlugBug 50 will run you $69.99, while the PlugBug 120 is priced at $119.99—not exactly impulse buys, but reasonable for what they offer, especially if you factor in the peace of mind that comes with never losing your charger again. Both models are expected to hit shelves by mid-September 2024.

Given how losing a charger can often feel like losing a limb, the PlugBug lineup offers a bit of relief—and a clever way to keep your tech life on track. Just remember to check Find My before you accuse the couch of eating your charger.

The post Twelve South PlugBug Chargers Hands-On at IFA: The World’s Only Chargers with Apple’s Find My feature first appeared on Yanko Design.

It’s almost a fact of an Apple user’s life that owning one product means owning two or three others or even more. iPhone owners are more likely to own AirPods or even an Apple Watch than any other earbuds or smartwatch brand, which does mean they often need accessories that support all two or three. That’s particularly true when it comes to chargers, which is why many Apple-compatible products come in a 3-in-1 design. Unfortunately, those often come with bulky designs to make space for devices, especially where wireless charging is supported because of the space the charging coils take up. This new 65W AC Power Adapter from Nomad, however, has a rather creative solution to that space problem, especially when you need to quickly charge your Apple Watch or even your AirPods.

Designer: Nomad

With so many people owning more than one electronic device, power adapters that have multiple USB ports are a common sight these days. Even Apple eventually launched a dual USB-C charger, though it ironically doesn’t have enough power to support charging multiple Apple devices at the same time, at least not when you have iPhones and iPads and more. Thankfully, there’s a thriving market for third-party accessories, leaving plenty of room for outside-the-box designs like the new Nomad 65W Power Adapter Apple Watch Edition.

As the name says, this particular power brick is designed with Apple’s smartwatch in mind, and it charges it in a rather unique way. The top of the charger is actually a wireless charger that supports not just the Apple Watch but also some AirPods with cases that support wireless charging. For Apple Watch Series 7 and later, it can even do fast charging, so you’ll be off to the races in no time flat.

That’s not the only notable feature that it has, of course. The Nomad 65W AC Adapter features two USB-C ports, each giving the full power output if used on its own, and that’s enough to even charge a MacBook Pro or fast charge a MacBook Air. If used at the same time, however, the top USB-C port indicated with a blue accent will push out 45W of power, leaving the lower port with only 20W.

Best of all, Nomad’s AC charger is nearly half the size of Apple’s official charger thanks to GaN technology. This makes the adapter a great traveling companion, and its creative design will let you easily charge your Apple Watch on a bedside wall socket, no additional charging pads or cables required.

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