Available in Lightning and Micro-USB versions, this clever gizmo lets you sync or charge your phone or tablet anywhere there's a USB port. October 24, 2013 10:30 AM PDT The Nomad ChargeKey comes in Lightning (shown) and Micro-USB versions. (Credit: Nomad) One of my favorite products to come out of CES 2013 was the Nomad ChargeCard, a smartphone sync/charge cable barely larger than a credit card -- and therefore able to ride around in your wallet. Nomad's ChargeKey is its logical successor, a smartphone sync/charge cable that rides around on your keychain. I don't need to hit CES 2014 to know it's an even better solution for road warriors. Related stories Three-deal day: TiVo bundle, Bluetooth speaker, and powered suitcase Get a 6,000mAh mobile charger for $35 shipped EU wants all companies, ahem Apple, to use standard charger The little gizmo is exactly what it sounds like: a bendable, rubber, key-shaped cable with a USB plug at one end and your choice of Lightning or Micro-USB plugs at the other. In other words, it comes in two versions: one for modern iPhones, iPods, and iPads, and one for Android and other devices. As you might expect, it supports both syncing and charging. I suspect most people will use it for the latter, especially alongside portable chargers, as it eliminates the need to pack a long, easily tangled cable. Expected to ship in December, the ChargeKey is currently available for preorder via Indiegogo. If you get there quickly enough, you can score one for the early-bird price of $18 shipped. Once those run out, you'll be on the hook for $25, which is the same price as the ChargeCard. A little steep, perhaps, but I think the convenience of this thing justifies its premium price. And it looks kinda cool, too. Your thoughts? While you're adorning your keychain, check out the Keyprop, a nifty gizmo that turns your keyring into a smartphone stand.
Available in Lightning and Micro-USB versions, this clever gizmo lets you sync or charge your phone or tablet anywhere there's a USB port.
The Nomad ChargeKey comes in Lightning (shown) and Micro-USB versions.
(Credit: Nomad)
One of my favorite products to come out of CES 2013 was the Nomad ChargeCard, a smartphone sync/charge cable barely larger than a credit card -- and therefore able to ride around in your wallet.
Nomad's ChargeKey is its logical successor, a smartphone sync/charge cable that rides around on your keychain. I don't need to hit CES 2014 to know it's an even better solution for road warriors.
Related stories
- Three-deal day: TiVo bundle, Bluetooth speaker, and powered suitcase
- Get a 6,000mAh mobile charger for $35 shipped
- EU wants all companies, ahem Apple, to use standard charger
The little gizmo is exactly what it sounds like: a bendable, rubber, key-shaped cable with a USB plug at one end and your choice of Lightning or Micro-USB plugs at the other. In other words, it comes in two versions: one for modern iPhones, iPods, and iPads, and one for Android and other devices.
As you might expect, it supports both syncing and charging. I suspect most people will use it for the latter, especially alongside portable chargers, as it eliminates the need to pack a long, easily tangled cable.
Expected to ship in December, the ChargeKey is currently available for preorder via Indiegogo. If you get there quickly enough, you can score one for the early-bird price of $18 shipped. Once those run out, you'll be on the hook for $25, which is the same price as the ChargeCard.
A little steep, perhaps, but I think the convenience of this thing justifies its premium price. And it looks kinda cool, too. Your thoughts?
While you're adorning your keychain, check out the Keyprop, a nifty gizmo that turns your keyring into a smartphone stand.
