Well, I have a wireless Keyboard and mouse here at work. The keyboard runs off of 4 AAA batteries and the mouse has a recharging stand, but can run off of AAA also if needed. The charging stand runs off of 110 AC. I have had them for over 6 months and haven had to replace keyboard batteries yet. The mouse gets placed on the charging stand when I leave the office. I use this set up 8+ hours a day. Its not Bluetooth so that may mean lower power consumption. I also have a Logitech wireless trackball that I have ahd for over a year. No battery change yet either. It doesn get the 8+ hours of use/ day, but it does get used. Its not as big a pain in the rear as people seem to make it out to be.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a second. We're so excited and sure about "Splash Power" being the way to go, but wouldn't leaving a splash power pad on your desk just defeat the purpose of wireless keyboards?
I mean, the splash pads themselves plug into an AC outlet; it's not like you're "escaping wires" with this thing. They make some pretty mean battery technology now, though. A big enough lithium cell could power the keyboard for almost 6-7 months if not longer. And for whoever suggested a solar cell, that wouldn't be a bad idea either if properly "disguised" by Apple. Everytime the light's on or sun shines in, the keyboard recharges its lithium battery. Simple.
How about a built in fusion power plant in every keyboard, mouse, and laptop. Slogan: UnWire, Permanently.
fred_lj:
The Splash pad could charge the keyboard/mouse when it is resting of the pad but the keyboard/mouse could also have a battery for operation away from the pad.
Solar Power would be be a good option also and cheaper then the unproven Splash pad.
i have owned mine for over a year now, and usually have to change the mouse batteries once every 5 weeks. it takes 2 AA batteries, i buy the duracel ultra, so 6$/4 = 3$ every 5 weeks.
52/5=10.4
10.4*3=$31.20/year. not too bad, really.
i think the kb goes about 3-4 months,but i honestly cant remember last time i changed them. it uses 2AA also
Interesting. Is that mouse optical or mechanical? I would think that a mechanical mouse takes less energy than an optical. It would be a shame to return to mechanical mice just so we can have wireless.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a second. We're so excited and sure about "Splash Power" being the way to go, but wouldn't leaving a splash power pad on your desk just defeat the purpose of wireless keyboards?
I mean, the splash pads themselves plug into an AC outlet; it's not like you're "escaping wires" with this thing. They make some pretty mean battery technology now, though. A big enough lithium cell could power the keyboard for almost 6-7 months if not longer. And for whoever suggested a solar cell, that wouldn't be a bad idea either if properly "disguised" by Apple. Everytime the light's on or sun shines in, the keyboard recharges its lithium battery. Simple.
But what if Apple were to make it so that you can power it over Firewire, and also so that the pad is one big Bluetooth modual, so like the iPod you have power, and data over one cable.
Edit: Also Apple could mke them different sizes so it would cover your desk, and be able to cut it to size if needed. Also you could have lamps, PDAs, cell phones, laptops, Cameras, and camcorders all charge, and sync by placing them on your desk!
KICKASS!!
this technolgy is so versital, and I feel Apple should (will) be the first people to adopt it and implement it into there products, such as; the iPod, laptops, keyboards and mice, and then have other people join in on the band wagon, like Griffin, imagiane how awsome it would be to have a totaly WIRELESS Powermate, and have palm join in so when you place your PDA on this pad it syncs and charges it at the same time. Also in addition to it having bluetooth, it could have that spec 802.11e, I rember reading this and it was spose to be a spec Apple was working on, and baiscly it was wireless firewire, and implement this in, so you can use iPods, iSights, and DV camcorders that you place, and they charge and sync!
But what if Apple were to make it so that you can power it over Firewire, and also so that the pad is one big Bluetooth modual, so like the iPod you have power, and data over one cable.
Yeah! That the best idea I've read yet.
Make it small and discrete... mount it beneath your keyboard/mouse surface, completely out of view.
But the power & data in one cable? 'Bluetooh over Firewire,' right? Wow, that sounds so elegant and soooo Apple. Not coincidentally, this would jive with rumors that the new displays will include a Firewire hub.
<?> Hey, anyone know if there are unused pins in the ADC connectors?
OH!! I just had another ideak, if Apple were to make OLED displays, the fact that they use a fraction of the power of an LCD, they too could be placed on this Power pad thingy!!!
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a second. We're so excited and sure about "Splash Power" being the way to go, but wouldn't leaving a splash power pad on your desk just defeat the purpose of wireless keyboards?
I mean, the splash pads themselves plug into an AC outlet; it's not like you're "escaping wires" with this thing. They make some pretty mean battery technology now, though. A big enough lithium cell could power the keyboard for almost 6-7 months if not longer. And for whoever suggested a solar cell, that wouldn't be a bad idea either if properly "disguised" by Apple. Everytime the light's on or sun shines in, the keyboard recharges its lithium battery. Simple.
Solar works fine for calculators, etc. in an office setting, so that might work. Maybe 2-3 sq in would be sufficient...
Also, there are remote charging solution that use induction. We've got a guy working on robotic fish that are charged remotely through the water. So long as the keyboard was placed a short distance from the charger - 18" or so, it could be charged. Might cause a problem for shielding for the computer, though. Induction generates a pretty strong E/M field.
Interesting. Is that mouse optical or mechanical? I would think that a mechanical mouse takes less energy than an optical. It would be a shame to return to mechanical mice just so we can have wireless.
Solar works fine for calculators, etc. in an office setting, so that might work. Maybe 2-3 sq in would be sufficient...
Also, there are remote charging solution that use induction. We've got a guy working on robotic fish that are charged remotely through the water. So long as the keyboard was placed a short distance from the charger - 18" or so, it could be charged. Might cause a problem for shielding for the computer, though. Induction generates a pretty strong E/M field.
Or maybe multiple pads, to cover a wider area?
FYI, the splashpower is the same thing - inductive charging. Their words.
I think a way to solve losing the USB ports on the keyboard if it goes bluetooth as well as the issue of charging it, maybe make a small 2/3 port USB hub that the keyboard hooks into to charge. Though the connection of the actual keyboard to the comp remains wireless. I think an apple designed hub of this sort would work niceley.
So what if you would connect mouse/keyboard once a week or once a month to charge recharchable batteries. That would be no problem at all.
t!
You could do that, but this power pad tech, can open whole new doors for Apple, and the best part that it could finialy lead the true Wireless revolution, because not only could you put on your desk, manufacutures could start building them in to desks, and maybe they could build them into resteruant tablels, so you could charge your cell phone, and theyy could make plates that have heating elements in them so you will always have hot food. Apple needs to look into this technology.
Comments
I mean, the splash pads themselves plug into an AC outlet; it's not like you're "escaping wires" with this thing. They make some pretty mean battery technology now, though. A big enough lithium cell could power the keyboard for almost 6-7 months if not longer. And for whoever suggested a solar cell, that wouldn't be a bad idea either if properly "disguised" by Apple. Everytime the light's on or sun shines in, the keyboard recharges its lithium battery. Simple.
fred_lj:
The Splash pad could charge the keyboard/mouse when it is resting of the pad but the keyboard/mouse could also have a battery for operation away from the pad.
Solar Power would be be a good option also and cheaper then the unproven Splash pad.
Originally posted by ThunderPoit
about the logitech kb/mouse.
i have owned mine for over a year now, and usually have to change the mouse batteries once every 5 weeks. it takes 2 AA batteries, i buy the duracel ultra, so 6$/4 = 3$ every 5 weeks.
52/5=10.4
10.4*3=$31.20/year. not too bad, really.
i think the kb goes about 3-4 months,but i honestly cant remember last time i changed them. it uses 2AA also
Interesting. Is that mouse optical or mechanical? I would think that a mechanical mouse takes less energy than an optical. It would be a shame to return to mechanical mice just so we can have wireless.
Originally posted by fred_lj
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a second. We're so excited and sure about "Splash Power" being the way to go, but wouldn't leaving a splash power pad on your desk just defeat the purpose of wireless keyboards?
I mean, the splash pads themselves plug into an AC outlet; it's not like you're "escaping wires" with this thing. They make some pretty mean battery technology now, though. A big enough lithium cell could power the keyboard for almost 6-7 months if not longer. And for whoever suggested a solar cell, that wouldn't be a bad idea either if properly "disguised" by Apple. Everytime the light's on or sun shines in, the keyboard recharges its lithium battery. Simple.
But what if Apple were to make it so that you can power it over Firewire, and also so that the pad is one big Bluetooth modual, so like the iPod you have power, and data over one cable.
Edit: Also Apple could mke them different sizes so it would cover your desk, and be able to cut it to size if needed. Also you could have lamps, PDAs, cell phones, laptops, Cameras, and camcorders all charge, and sync by placing them on your desk!
KICKASS!!
this technolgy is so versital, and I feel Apple should (will) be the first people to adopt it and implement it into there products, such as; the iPod, laptops, keyboards and mice, and then have other people join in on the band wagon, like Griffin, imagiane how awsome it would be to have a totaly WIRELESS Powermate, and have palm join in so when you place your PDA on this pad it syncs and charges it at the same time. Also in addition to it having bluetooth, it could have that spec 802.11e, I rember reading this and it was spose to be a spec Apple was working on, and baiscly it was wireless firewire, and implement this in, so you can use iPods, iSights, and DV camcorders that you place, and they charge and sync!
Originally posted by Lazzyass86
But what if Apple were to make it so that you can power it over Firewire, and also so that the pad is one big Bluetooth modual, so like the iPod you have power, and data over one cable.
Yeah! That the best idea I've read yet.
Make it small and discrete... mount it beneath your keyboard/mouse surface, completely out of view.
But the power & data in one cable? 'Bluetooh over Firewire,' right? Wow, that sounds so elegant and soooo Apple. Not coincidentally, this would jive with rumors that the new displays will include a Firewire hub.
<?> Hey, anyone know if there are unused pins in the ADC connectors?
<g>
Originally posted by fred_lj
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a second. We're so excited and sure about "Splash Power" being the way to go, but wouldn't leaving a splash power pad on your desk just defeat the purpose of wireless keyboards?
I mean, the splash pads themselves plug into an AC outlet; it's not like you're "escaping wires" with this thing. They make some pretty mean battery technology now, though. A big enough lithium cell could power the keyboard for almost 6-7 months if not longer. And for whoever suggested a solar cell, that wouldn't be a bad idea either if properly "disguised" by Apple. Everytime the light's on or sun shines in, the keyboard recharges its lithium battery. Simple.
Solar works fine for calculators, etc. in an office setting, so that might work. Maybe 2-3 sq in would be sufficient...
Also, there are remote charging solution that use induction. We've got a guy working on robotic fish that are charged remotely through the water. So long as the keyboard was placed a short distance from the charger - 18" or so, it could be charged. Might cause a problem for shielding for the computer, though. Induction generates a pretty strong E/M field.
Originally posted by synp
Interesting. Is that mouse optical or mechanical? I would think that a mechanical mouse takes less energy than an optical. It would be a shame to return to mechanical mice just so we can have wireless.
the mouse is optical
Originally posted by johnsonwax
Solar works fine for calculators, etc. in an office setting, so that might work. Maybe 2-3 sq in would be sufficient...
Also, there are remote charging solution that use induction. We've got a guy working on robotic fish that are charged remotely through the water. So long as the keyboard was placed a short distance from the charger - 18" or so, it could be charged. Might cause a problem for shielding for the computer, though. Induction generates a pretty strong E/M field.
Or maybe multiple pads, to cover a wider area?
FYI, the splashpower is the same thing - inductive charging. Their words.
t!
Originally posted by treaCor
So what if you would connect mouse/keyboard once a week or once a month to charge recharchable batteries. That would be no problem at all.
t!
You could do that, but this power pad tech, can open whole new doors for Apple, and the best part that it could finialy lead the true Wireless revolution, because not only could you put on your desk, manufacutures could start building them in to desks, and maybe they could build them into resteruant tablels, so you could charge your cell phone, and theyy could make plates that have heating elements in them so you will always have hot food. Apple needs to look into this technology.