Get Double The Charging

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.macworld.com/article/145860/dualink.html?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a38:g4:r6:c0.000000:b30035946:z0' target='_blank'>http://www.macworld.com/article/145...00:b30035946:z0</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Cable vendor CableJive has introduced the DuaLink, a USB dock-connector cable for iPods and iPhones that lets you charge and sync two devices simultaneously."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1264449023.usr105634.jpg" /></p><p>The cable has a two port USB hub inside the cable so that is how it's able to charge and sync two different devices at the same time, very clever and it runs $25.95 USD according to the <a href="http://www.cablejive.com/products/duaLink.html" target="_blank">CableJive website</a>.&nbsp;</p>

[Sven Johannsen]

I'd be interested in seeing what real charge times are like with this thing. Sure it has a little hub, but it is obviously not a powered hub. A USB port is supposed to be able to source 500ma. Hang two identical devices off it and they each can only expect 250ma. I wouldn't worry about excessive current draw as the ports are pretty well regulated and protected, but it could double the charge times.

I have no personal knowledge of what the charge current of iPods or iPhones is, so as far as I know they could be drawing less than 250ma normally, so it maybe a moot point. The current drawn is dependent on what is being charged, not the capacity of the charger, unless you exceed it.

[Jason Dunn]

Hmm. Seems to me like this would result in extra long charging times...just like Sven says, if you split a 500mA current, you get two lower-power currents. Maybe it's designed more for the AC to USB wall adaptors?

[Sven Johannsen]

They show it hooked to a USB port, and comment on the 'hub' aspect, so it is certainly intended to hook to a port, rather than just a charger. In fact, many of the USB hubs I have used, powered or not, don't deliver power to any of the ports, if the hub isn't conected to some USB Host device. Just seems to shut the ports off. Like I said though, maybe the intended devices don't normally require 500ma in the first place.