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A Universal Power Bus?

Posted by Cliff on from the an-idea-whose-time-may-have-come dept.

mjpalm21 asks: "A friend of mine recently sent me this story on a new universal power technology that charges devices through your desk. This is a cool idea, but it seems complex. I have long wondered why there isn't a universal power bus (UPB) along the lines of universal serial bus (USB). UPB would work like this: You would buy a n port UPB hub for your desk, and then all of your electronic devices (cell phone, PDA, computer speakers, modem, phone, hubs etc.) would plug into the hub via a standard UPB cable. I would think that the device manufacturers would be all over this as it would reduce their product cost (no need to bundle a power brick), reduce their packaging cost (smaller box), increase customer satisfaction (I know I would be happier), and give them another device to sell (the UPB hub and all those cables)! Why hasn't this happened yet and what would prevent it from happening?"

1 of 90 comments (clear)

  1. They already make this! by zulux · · Score: 1, Redundant

    The're really cool - You can plug all of your devices into them and they just work - no configuration, no fuss and aparently it's compatable with allmost 90% of the electronic devices on the market:

    Check it out: here

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