iHustler by Chaosoul

iHustler is a device to let you charge your iDevices using any USB power supply. Many cheap USB chargers and hubs have power, but not the intelligence to let the device know it can charge. I think what the iHustler does is provide authentication, or short some pins to trick the device. The interesting thing is, they have different versions for iPhone and Samsung devices. Why can't they make one for both? I suspect they're using a simple trick (shorting pins), which varies depending on device. It also claims to be able to charge iPads, but I wonder how it handles USB ports that won't supply enough power.

I got it for $5, looks like it's selling for >$10 online!

It works! My Belkin hub was unable to charge before, now it can charge my iPhone without a computer!

This is what the back looks like:

Looks like this is a useful thing to carry around, in case you find a USB port that won't charge your iPhone.

iPad

• USB hub alone: no response
• Computer: Not charging
• USB hub + iHustler: Charging (but not sure how fast)

Problems

• It seems to prevent data transfer. That could be another feature, actually.

Also, I'm trying to compile a chart of what charges what. The white boxes are untested. There are different types of "charging" though. Normal charging is 0.5 A, fast charging is 1 A and tablets are 2 A. I'm looking for a way to measure what the charging current is.

Update 18 Dec 13
I tested it with my PortPilot Pro and it identifies as Apple 1A, but it has a high impedance of 0.6 Ohm:

It really works, and even speeds up charging. When directly connected to the computer, the iPhone charges at 500 mA, but the iHustler increases current to 700 mA. It doesn't do anything for the iPhone's included adapter, though.

Update 24 Dec 14
I'm in the market for another one of these, and they're surprisingly hard to find. One reason is there's no proper name for this type of device. You can search for charge/charger/charging accelerator/booster/rapid/quick/fast, but you'll have to weed out the normal cables that claim fast charging. (A proper such device will block data) It's unexpected that these aren't more common, because they're very simple, I think just short the data pins or put some resistance between them. There's only one seller on eBay selling the iHustler. Another product I found is by PortaPow.

I thought there were also lots of projects for these on Kickstarter, but these are all I could find:

Legion Meter: Actually like the PortPilot Pro, it's meant to measure the charging current and voltage. But it can also emulate different charger types. The advantage over the PPP is it can do so without a computer - it has a switch on the side. The PPP needs a computer to change the emulation type.

LockedUSB Adapter

DouBBleTime: Might have some durability issues. Also, looks like they don't have a proper Apple authentication chip, so it doesn't work with new iPhones/iOS.

USB Meter Pro

Smart USB (canceled)

Commercial products:
iHustler by Chaosoul
PortaPow on eBay
Juice-Jack Defender
SyncStop / USB Condom
Wocol Charge Booster (listed on Qoo10 as usb quick charge adaptor upgrade slow speed of charging)

Update 13 Apr 15
I got the PortaPow from eBay. It's pretty reasonably priced - 5 GBP including shipping, and I got it in about 10 days. I got the Apple (2A) version. It indeed identifies as Apple 2A:

They have another, smarter, auto identifying version that I have on the way. Oh they're selling on Amazon (fulfilled by Amazon too). They seem to specialise in USB charging. All my supposedly smart chargers - 2 Ankers, the Wocol above, Innergie mMini AC15 and this PortaPow - I don't know how to check if they're really changing their charger identity, because I suspect they're seeing my PortPilot Pro and changing based on it, so they always appear as DCP.

Also, these commercial charge adapters are very easy to find on Amazon. Here's a few examples:

Because of Amazon's suggestions, once you find one, it's easy to find them all.

Apple's "a little more to show you" event

At this event on 23 Oct 2012, Apple announced:

• iPad mini - 7.9" screen (it's funny because the iPad's screen is 9.7"), 1024x768 resolution, 163 ppi
• iPad 4th gen - from what I can tell so far, the only differences are better processor and cameras
• 13" Retina MacBook Pro - 2560x1600 resolution (that's higher than their 27" Thunderbolt Display)
• New iMac - no optical drive, thinner

iPhone + HDMI

I finally got to use my "Apple Digital AV Adapter" with my new TV. It works great, I can watch YouTube on my TV with just my iPhone, but not many other apps work.

iPhone 4

• Only apps which are specifically written with HDMI out work. In particular: Video and YouTube
• Photos, Safari and Angry Birds don't work.
• Music app plays through the HDMI cable, so you don't need another audio cable.

iPad (and I think iPhone 4S)

• Apps written specifically with HDMI will do whatever they're programmed to do. E.g. YouTube will display controls on the iPad and video on the TV.
• Apps written without HDMI e.g. Notes, Safari, will mirror their display on the TV

Using the iPad with external keyboards

I want to highlight this excellent site, http://www.alltipsandtricks.com/ipad-keyboard-shortcuts/, which states which keyboard shortcuts you can use with your iPad. Surprisingly, the volume and brightness buttons work! The shortcuts were useful, but what made me point this out was their comparison of the differences between the keyboard dock and the Bluetooth keyboard.

Additional shortcuts I've found:

• The eject button shows/hides the on-screen keyboard
• Cmd+left or right are like the Home and End buttons in Windows, they jump to the beginning or end of a line. It's surprising this works, because even in OS X, it doesn't always work.
• Alt+left or right jump word by word, like Ctrl+left or right in Windows.

While I'm talking about iPads and keyboards, I don't understand why people buy cases with built-in keyboards and even more, keyboard docks. If they need a keyboard that much, why don't they buy a netbook? To those who say because an iPad has features like games and is easier to carry around, well you lose all of that by buying these types of keyboards. Now you either have to carry an unnecessarily huge case, or remove it every time you want to hold your iPad. A much more logical solution would be to buy an external keyboard, like Apple's wireless keyboard, and an iPad stand or case. This way you can easily convert between the 2, and it may even be cheaper than some keyboard cases out there. The only reason I can think of for this combination is people who refuse to buy a non-Apple computer product, because Apple doesn't make netbooks.

iTunes has got the wrong idea

iTunes has got the wrong idea when it comes to syncing photos. You want to "sync" things that are changed frequently, like documents and music (playlists). Syncing photos creates the following problems:

• slow sync time (iPad 2 stuck on "Finishing sync")
• risk of accidents corrupting all copies, which could have been used as backups
• cannot move, rename, resize, archive photos (ok, I want to keep a copy of my holiday photos on my iPad to bore helpless saps, but I don't want to keep a copy in my Pictures folder)

And the additional problems if you don't use iPhoto:

• cannot add/delete individual photos
• cannot use subfolders

To some extent, the same problems apply with pdf files and movies in iTunes. Enter third-party photos apps. These have got it right:

• add and remove photos, not sync. Works like a USB drive. Add once and leave them. Forever.
• add individual photos - have an album of things you want to buy
• delete photos you don't want to show people
• password protect individual folders
• folders and subfolders, independent of those on your computer
• transfer photos by WiFi http server

I tested the app Photo Manager Pro, by Linkus, and am very satisfied with it.

In addition to the features above, it also has:

• search
• universal app!

I first got it to read comics, and found the search is very useful - you can just dump everything into 1 folder, and search for the chapter numbers to find the correct files. You can scroll between files in the search results, you don't have to return to the search page or even worse redo the search after each file.

Belkin 4 port USB hub / more iPhone charging experiences

I wanted something to charge several USB devices at once, and adaptors only go up to 2, so I tried a USB hub instead. I got a Belkin hub, which has 4 ports and is powered (meaning it comes with its own power adaptor).

The good news is, yes, it supplies power if you just plug in the adaptor and don't connect it to a computer. I can charge my Kindle and LED message board.

(Not a picture of the board charging, just to show you what it is) The bad news is, it doesn't charge the iPhone/iPad (without a computer)! This is a summary of the situation:
iPhone: charges only if computer and power adaptor connected
iPad: does not charge at all
The hub doesn't have any indicator lights, which is disappointing for such an expensive hub. The Logitech powered USB hub had individual lights for each port.

After searching online, I found the situation is as I expected: the hub needs some "intelligence" for the iPhone to charge, just like the iPod Touch.
http://nttup.wordpress.com/2008/06/07/usb-device-charging-un-mystified/
In short, the device asks the hub, "hey, can you supply 500mA?", and the hub has to reply for the charging to go. The good thing is, it isn't an Apple thing, they're just following the USB rules here. A solution would be to modify the hub: http://carlhutzler.com/blog/2009/07/28/usb-hub-as-an-ipodiphone-charger/ but this would disable data transfer, and I'm not going to do that to my new hub. Another solution would be to modify the cable, and in fact I saw a charging cable on ThinkGeek that probably does that. It's quite expensive though, and I'd rather buy a wall adaptor.

With so many people wanting to charge their devices, it's odd no company has made and advertised a USB hub that can charge without a computer. I also wonder about the many USB charging devices, like the power sockets with built in USB ports, if they can supply 500mA?

Summary of USB chargers:
Dumb - charges: Kindle. Probably because it only needs 100mA.

• Belkin USB hub (without computer)
• No brand USB adaptor

Intermediate - charges: iPod Touch, iPhone, NOT iPad

• Belkin USB hub, with power and computer
•  Belkin adaptor
• Kensington charging dock with mini battery pack

 (Not sure if the last 2 can charge the iPad, so putting them here)

Ultimate - charges iPad and everything else (so far)

• MacBook Pro USB port
• iPod power adaptor (the one that comes with iPhone and Apple's universal travel kit)
• iPad charger
• Taiyo travel charger

The last one is a curiousity.

The front says "Taiyo TH-252 USB". I bought it because it was a travel adaptor and had 2 USB charging ports, so I only needed to bring this while traveling. It happily charges my iPhone and iPad, which now I know to be no mean feat! At first I thought this was a simple charger, and the devices weren't picky. The main problem with this adaptor is it seems loose in the socket - if you push it in, it springs back a little. The same with plugs in its own socket. However, I think its charging capabilities more than make up for this.

invisibleSHIELD for iPad 2

I've wanted to try the invisibleSHIELD ever since I saw their promotional picture. A self-healing skin that can resist penetration by a pen is the kind of protection I want for my gadgets. The company also seemed as obsessed with protection as I am. After considering it for my laptop and phone, I finally decided to try it on my iPad 2.

First, the version I bought was "Full Body". With that name you'd expect it to cover everything, right? Unfortunately, it doesn't cover the crucial corners.

This is a major fail for a protection device. The corners and edges are most in need of protection (see the iPhone 4 bumper). This may be because the iPad 2's shape is very hard to cover - the Gelaskins for it do not cover the corners as well (as an aside, Gelaskins are easy to apply, look good, customisable and immune to dust and air bubbles, since they aren't transparent).
Another problem is that, as you can see, it covers the SIM card slot. I'll have to peel the shield back a bit to change the SIM card. The good thing is it covers where the Smart Cover attaches, which prevents scratches from the Smart Cover hinge. It works with the Smart Cover, with 1 problem: the extra friction prevents the Smart Cover from aligning automatically. It'll jump and stick, but it may stick slightly askew and remain that way.

The other problem is that it's ridiculously hard to apply. Even the videos teaching you how to apply it demonstrate using 2 people. I also think it's a bad idea using so much water around your device, especially one with water detecting stickers.

• Poor coverage
• Hard to apply
• Works with Smart Cover

Badass iPad/notebook stand

I was looking for a stand for my iPad, since I wanted to use it with a keyboard or watch movies on it, use it on the plane etc. The Apple Store has a few stands, but most can't be adjusted, so you're stuck at one angle. The Smart Cover has the same problem. Some are also very expensive ($70). When I bought my iPad, I actually also bought a dock, but they forgot to add it in. This turned out to be a good thing:

• the dock only works in portrait orientation
• they only had iPad (not iPad 2) docks
• the dock probably won't work with any cases/covers

I found this stand at Badass. They probably just stuck their name on it, which means you can get it on eBay for less.

 Keyboard for size comparison.

Totally adjustable angle, although the back sticks out a lot if you use it this flat.

Extendable legs let you use it with a notebook! I love this feature. It makes it feel like it can replace my notebook cooler, which I just sold. In fact, I'm using it with my notebook now. I may end up using it more for this than my iPad. The build quality is pretty good. As you can see, the hinge and extended legs are made of metal.

iPad 2 launch

I queued for the iPad 2 launch on 25 March 2011, but have been too busy packing and playing with it to post. The iPad 2 was scheduled to launch at 5 pm, and the Apple Store closed at 3 pm to prepare.

This is the queue when I arrived. I'd say the pillar in the distance marked half-way of the queue.

 Enterprising companies sold coffee/gave out free samples. I got a sample of perfume and yogurt.

This is the card they gave out to guarantee stock. I wanted a white one but they didn't have any left.

iPad 2

On 2 March 2011, Apple annouced the iPad 2. Briefly, the new features are:

• dual core A5 processor - up to twice as fast, 9 times the graphics performance
• 33% thinner
• lighter

What I found most interesting was the statistics:

• 200 million iTunes accounts
• $2 billion paid to developers
• 100 million iPhone 4s sold
• 15 million iPads sold in 9 months - more than every tablet PC ever sold
• 65, 000 iPad apps, vs 100 for Honeycomb