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MS Design Lets You Put Batteries In Any Way You Want

Posted by timothy on from the dis-orientation dept.

jangel writes "While its strategy for mobile devices might be a mess, Microsoft has announced something we'll all benefit from. The company's patented design for battery contacts will allow users of portable devices — digital cameras, flashlights, remote controls, toys, you name it — to insert their batteries in any direction. Compatible with AA and AAA cells, among others, the 'InstaLoad' technology does not require special electronics or circuitry, the company claims."

7 of 453 comments (clear)

  1. What to work on next. by bob_jordan · · Score: 5, Funny

    Thats one of lifes great problems solved. Any chance they can work on Windows stability next?

    Bob.

    1. Re:What to work on next. by hedwards · · Score: 4, Funny

      What are you talking about? I recently put a Win XP disc into a solvent and it did indeed dissolve. Therefore XP must be solvable.

  2. Re:Did Microsoft REALLY just patent the diode brid by jamesh · · Score: 4, Funny

    Sometimes the stuff you learn in basic electronics can be really useful. In this case though it just made you look like a dick. RTFA.

  3. Now if only... by jamesh · · Score: 4, Funny

    Now if only someone could invent something that would stop my wife putting non-rechargable batteries in my charger and blowing them up. She said it was an accident... I just think she likes the explosions.

    1. Re:Now if only... by Andrewkov · · Score: 5, Funny

      How is she getting through so many batteries??

  4. Re:Dodge this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...but I just realized my old-ass flashlight counts as one.
    ( it's been replaced years ago by a proper wind-up for emergency cases and a decent Maglite-like one with a rechargable set for more frequent/high intensity beam use )

    Thanks a lot

  5. Re:Did Microsoft REALLY just patent the diode brid by k2r · · Score: 4, Funny

    >And Sun Tzu also Said

    It's Oracle Tzu now and it's not a strategic product anymore, you insensitive clod!