As you are aware by now the MacBook Air does not come with an ethernet port because of its slim design, so if you need to use a LAN cable for MacBook Air, this adapter is your best and only bet. Call me old fashion but I still prefer to transfer files over LAN as it is the speed is much faster and more stable.

This adapter is only capable of 10/100Mbps speed since theoretically USB2 speed max out at 480Mbps which is much less than the speed of a gigabit network so if this were to be made for 10/100/1000Mbps, it wouldn’t be accurate and that is the reason why Apple supports 10/100Mbps only. Perhaps when USB3 comes out, this will be refreshed to support 10/100/1000Mbps as USB3 is capable of supporting up to 5,000Mbps.

I love how Apple design the cover for this, it holds the RJ45 port and the USB port side by side.

Apple USB Ethernet Adapter – Packaging Front View

Apple USB Ethernet Adapter – Packaging Back View

Apple USB Ethernet Adapter

Apple USB Ethernet Adapter – Cover

Apple USB Ethernet Adapter – Connected To MacBook Air

During my vacation in Thailand, I spotted it again in Power Buy, a shop located in CentralPlaza Bangna shopping center. It cost 390 Baht (SGD$16) and of course, it goes without saying, I bought it. In fact, it is the only thing that I bought in Thailand during my 4 days vacation over there.

When I did the unboxing, I realized that it is the exact same retractable cable inside the Innergie Magic Cable – Multi-Tip USB Cable (SGD$16) expect that it comes with an additional Apple’s 30-pin adapter to charge the iPhone/iPad.

Innergie Magic Cable – 3-in-1 Retractable USB Cable – Box Front

Innergie Magic Cable – 3-in-1 Retractable USB Cable – Box Contents

Innergie Magic Cable – 3-in-1 Retractable USB Cable – Extra Apple 30-pin Adapter

Innergie Magic Cable – 3-in-1 Retractable USB Cable – Attached

Innergie Magic Cable – 3-in-1 Retractable USB Cable – With iPhone

There are 2 versions of the Duo USB Charging Kit, one is for home and the other is for car. The car’s version is selling for SGD$45 (after 10% member’s discount is SGD$40.5).

If you are looking for the home and car together in 1 package, it is called the Duo USB Travel Charging Kit and it is selling for SGD$70 (after 10% member’s discount is SGD$63).

The Duo USB Charging Kit (Home) package consist of 1x 15W Dual USB Adapter and 1x Magic Cable Duo – Charge & Sync 2-in-1 USB Cable. The Magic Cable Duo is already retailing for SGD$29 by itself.

The USB charger features 2x USB ports capable of outputting 3A in total which is enough to charge an iPad (2A recommended) and an iPhone (500mAh required) at the same time.

It should be able to charge 2 iPads at the same time, but the charging speed will be slightly slower since each iPad will only be drawing 1.5A instead of the recommended 2A.

This USB charger will also be useful for travelling as it can charge two mobile phones at the same time and hence requiring just 1 power outlet rather than 2.

Specifications

• AC Input: 100-240 Vac / 0.6A
• USB Output: 5V / 3A
• Output Power: 15W
• Dimension (LxWxH): 90 x 42.3 x 23mm (3.5 x 1.6 x 0.9 inches)
• Weight: 52g (1.8 ounces)
• Built-in Protections: OCP, OVP, OPP, SCP

Innergie USB Charger – Duo USB Charging Kit (Home) – Packaging Front

Innergie USB Charger – Duo USB Charging Kit (Home) – Packaging Contents

Magic Cable Duo

15W Dual USB Adapter

2 USB Charging Ports

I got the Innergie Magic Cable Trio instead since it has 3 tips (Mini USB, Micro USB & Apple 30-pin connector) whereas the Innergie Magic Cable Duo has only 2 tips (Micro USB & Apple 30-pin connector).

You must be wondering since they are priced the same, one has 3 tips and the other has 2 tips, why don’t we just get the 3 tips one instead. This is where the length of the cable comes in. The length of the Innergie Magic Cable Trio is freaking short (20cm) where as Innergie Magic Cable Duo is 4 times longer (79cm)!

The build of the Innergie Magic Cable Duo/Trio is even better than the build of the Innergie Magic Cable – Multi-Tip USB Cable and I would say the build is similar to the official Apple Dock Connector to USB Cable.

The Apple 30-pin connector fits perfectly to my iPhone 4S, something which Deal Extreme‘s version of any Apple 30-pin connector cable can never do!

I would say this cable is very well worth SGD$26.10 considering the official Apple Dock Connector to USB Cable already cost SGD$28.

Innergie Magic Cable Trio – Box Front

Innergie Magic Cable Trio

Innergie Magic Cable Trio – Micro USB On Nokia Lumia 800

Innergie Magic Cable Trio – Apple 30-pin Connector On Apple iPhone 4S

In case you are wondering, Innergie is popular for universal adapters for laptops.

This particular model of the Magic Cable comes with 2 tips, 1 for Micro USB and the other for Mini USB. Also the cable is retractable.

Despite being expensive, the build quality is pretty good. It is not as flimsy as those retractable cables that I bought from Deal Extreme.

And yes, there is a clone of Innergie Magic Cable on Deal Extreme which is called “Multifunction 3-in-1 Retractable Charging Adapter – Black“, it is a 3-in-1 cable instead of 2-in-1 as it contains the extra Apple 30-pin connector. Just for comparison, I did placed an order for that on 4th February 2012 since it is only USD$5 with free shipping to any country in the world. I will post about it when I received it 1 month later (Deal Extreme takes freaking long to ship).

Innergie Magic Cable – Multi-Tip USB Cable – Box Front

Innergie Magic Cable – Multi-Tip USB Cable

Innergie Magic Cable – Multi-Tip USB Cable – Mini USB Tip

Innergie Magic Cable – Multi-Tip USB Cable – Plugged-in

Thanks to the both Justins from Tech65 (Justing Ng & Justin Lee) for this gadget.

Box Front

Box Back

Untransformed State

Transformed State

The Sapido MB-1132 was recommended by Justin Lee and I was impressed by what it can do. In a nutshell, it can:

• Charge your USB devices
• Act as a router by plugging in a LAN cable with Internet connectivity to create a Wi-Fi hotspot
• Connect your iPhone/Android phone to it or even a 3G USB Dongle and it can create a Wi-Fi hotspot
• Re-broadcast Wi-Fi (eg: if you paid for Wi-Fi, login to the paid service using MB-1132 and re-broadcast your own Wi-Fi it so others can use it for free)
• Compact & lightweight, good for travelling

There is also a similar model called Sapido MB-1112 (N+ Mobile 3.75G Modem Router). It is identical to the Sapido MB-1132 except that the Sapido MB-1112 does not allow Internet sharing via iPhone/Android/3G Dongle. You have to put in a 3G SIM card in order to create a Wi-Fi hotspot.

I have not seen these devices at any computer stores yet (have not check Sim Lim Square), but checking their website, they do have an office in Singapore:

SAPIDO Singapore (Vasss Pte Ltd)
www.sapido.com.sg
9010, Tampines Street 93, #02-79, Singapore 528844
Tel: + 6789 8310 / 3131 9038
Fax: + 6788 3213

Box Front

Box Back

MB-1132 Front

MB-1132 Bottom

Been eying on a charging station in particular the Bluelounge’s Refresh for a few days, it is very hard to find in Singapore. I went to all the Apple stores in Orchard and VivoCity and only EpiCentre at Ion Orchard carries it, but there is only 1 and only set left which is pink (selling for SGD$138)! The sales personnel told me that the supplier ran out of Black and White stock.

End up I went to Best Denki at VivoCity and got the Konnect SynCharger instead for SGD$129. The only three advantages that the SynCharger have is that it is able to charge iPad, sync to your computer while charging and 4 USB ports that allows you to charge any USB devices. The Refresh on the other hand has much better looks with 3 fix charging heads and 2 USB ports and is not able to charge iPad nor sync with your computer while charging.

I hope I will see the light of induction charging going mainstream!

Box Front

Explanation

SynCharger

SynCharger Opened

Contents

Messy Wires Hidden

Mobile Phones Connected

Box Front

Box Back

Untransformed State

Transformed State

Desk Genie Non-Slip Charging Desk Stand

Package Contents

Contents

• 1x Non-Slip Charging Desk Stand
• 1x 8 different charging connectors
• 1x charging connector adapter
• 1x MiniUSB to USB cable
• 1x Instruction Manual

Left View

Left View

The 8-in-1 memory card reader built-in into the charging stand allows you to read the following memory cards:

• M2
• Memory Stick
• Memory Stick Duo
• SD
• Mini SD
• Micro SD
• MMC
• RS MMC

Right View

Right View

2-Port USB hub.

Front View

Front View

Blue light LED indicator will indicate whether there is power flowing into the charging stand.

Back View

Back View

You can charge your phone using two ports, MiniUSB port on the left draw power from your computer while the DC power jack on the right draw power from the electrical socket by using an external power supply adapter (not included).

Connectors

The connectors included will charge the following mobile phones:

• iPhone/iPod
• Nokia 2mm (works with 5800, N95, 6700 and more)
• MicroUSB (for Nokia N97/BlackBerry 8900/Samsung Omnia II and more)
• Mini USB (for BlackBerry 8300 /HTC Hero/MP3)
• LG (works with all LG phones)
• Samsung Tip1 (works with D900, U600, D800 and more)
• Samsung Tip2 (works with Omnia, Pixon, Tocco Lite and more)
• Sony Ericsson Fast Port (works with all Sony Ericsson phones)

Non-Slip

Non-Slip Material

I am very impressed with the non-slip feature of this charging stand. It is the best non-slip material I have seen! It really works as advertised and in case you are wondering, the material used for the non-slip is not sticky at all and it is made from some special shiny rubbery material.

You can get the Desk Genie Non-Slip Charging Desk Stand for £14.99 (including taxes but excluding shipping).

For more iPhone accessories, Check out Mobile Fun’s iPhone Accessories.

My Singtel Huawei E180 Modem arrived on Thursday, 9th April 2009.

Singtel Huawei E180 Modem Box – Front View

Singtel Huawei E180 Modem Box – Back View

Singtel Huawei E180 Modem Box Contents

Singtel Huawei E180 Modem – Front View

Singtel Huawei E180 Modem – Back View

Links

• Singtel
• Singtel’s BBOM
• Huawei E180 Modem