Newer Technology® : News Room : Press Article : Hands On: Power2U AC/USB Outlet, By Ben Oaks, from Cerebral-Overload

Cerebral-Overload | December 9, 2012

Hands On: Power2U AC/USB Outlet

NewerTech Media Coverage
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Ever go to plug in your cell charger only to find out that both plugs are already in use? Thanks to the people at newertechnology they have solved your problems. They have a UL listed receptacle with 2 built in USB plugs for charging your phone, tablet, iPod/iPhone, or any other device that charges via USB. Sound like something you need? Sure, everyone does. Hit the jump to see what I thought about the Power2U.

The Power2U by newertechnology is the first of it's kind UL listed power outlet with built in USB plugs that not only make charging a breese, but also save you power in the long run. The Power2U is easily exchangeable with the outlets in your house without any wiring to add or holes to drill. The Power2U is designed to fit into a standard wall outlet box of 16 cubic inches or larger. Do you happen to be a novice home electrician? The people at newertechnology have included step by step instructions that are easy to follow. Installation time was about 10 min from time the breaker was shut off until the breaker was back on post instillation.

The Power2U is designed so that even with large plugs the USB ports are accessable without problem. Both USB ports have sliding covers so that when not in use nothing can fall in them. The slides move very easily when inserting your USB cable and slide closed on their own when the cable is removed.

With the cable removed and the slide cover closed, the power is shut off to the plug saving you from loosing money due to drain from the power converter in the standard phone charger. No more phantom power drain while not charging your devices.

THOUGHTS

The Power2U is a great device that saves you from the lost charger syndrome. Never again do you have to worry about where you placed your charger. You can put just 1 of these devices in every room of your house and never have to worry about where to plug your phone in again. If you are building new, or even renovating your house this is a excellent addition. While not the cheapest option, it is a all in one solution that anyone with a cell phone will appreciate. The only real downside I saw to the Power2U was that due to the plug cover and design it will not work properly with dual outlet boxes.

POSITIVE

  1. All in one design
  2. Fits in a standard outlet. No need to upgrade your box
  3. Detailed instructions for even the novice electrician
  4. Saves you from buying multiple phone chargers
  5. Now available in 4 colors

NEGATIVE

  1. Price is higher than a standard outlet
  2. Only works with single box receptacles

Over all this is a device that while pricier that a standard outlet, it is something that I get a lot of use out of. It not only frees up outlets, but has the ability to charge 2 phones while still leaving both plugs open.

December 4, 2012, Woodstock, IL — Newer Technology, Inc. (NewerTech®) http://www.newertech.com, a leading developer of Macintosh®, PC, iPod®, iPhone®, and iPad® performance upgrades and accessories, announced today that while its Power2U™ AC/USB Wall Outlet continues to rake in business awards and media praise, it is available from retailers on Holiday Special pricing starting at $11.50…a savings of over $14 off the $29.95 retail price.

Awards and Praise Continue for Hot Selling Product Since becoming the media star at the 2012 Consumer Electronic Show as the first UL Listed in-wall charging solution for charging/powering up to four Apple iDevices, Android devices, and/or other USB chargeable devices simultaneously, the Power2U continues to earn both industry and general business accolades. It recently was a winner in the "Excellence in Custom Installation Technologies and Products" category of the 2012 CustomRetailer EXC!TE Awards. It was awarded the coveted 2012 People's Choice Stevie® Award in the Favorite Consumer Electronics Product category at the 2012 American Business Awards. And the Power2U also was recently recognized as the Silver winner at the Best in Biz Awards 2012 in the Consumer Product of the Year category.

Independent Reviewers Praise, Recommend The Power2U has also captured broad praise from independent product review sources. Icrontic gave it a silver 'Outstanding Product' award while saying, "Every household should have at least one." Stuff Parents Need praised its charging simplicity and said, "It's pretty much awesome … now that I have one, I wish I had 2 or 3 more." Game Usagi rated the Power2U a 9.6 and gave it the 'Editor's Choice Award' saying, "…it's hard not to recommend it for easily and unobtrusively charging your USB devices." There's the practical side of Power2U use as well. Well Connected Mom said, "I love it … you can plug in your phone and your tablet along with your toaster oven and coffee maker or electric shaver and electric toothbrush."

A Best-Selling Gadget Accessory on Black Friday/Cyber Monday Ideal for homes with users of multiple USB chargeable devices, the Power2U makes a perfect holiday gift as proven by early shoppers who helped make it a best-selling gadget accessory on this year's busy Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping days. The Power2U is available in white and three decorator colors to complement any room in your home while transforming an ordinary wall into a modern, centralized charging location.

"The demand for the Power2U at the start of this holiday season has been outstanding," said Grant Dahlke, Brand Manager, Newer Technology, Inc. "The Power2U is clearly a popular product for consumers seeking an energy-efficient, in-wall solution for powering and charging USB devices. And with Holiday Special pricing starting at just $11.50, it's the affordable gift that's perfect for everyone on your list."

Pricing and Availability

Available in four decorator colors, the Power2U is immediately available from retailers and Newer Technology's exclusive distributor, Other World Computing (OWC®), from as low as $11.50. For more information on the Power2U, as well as Newer Technology's complete line of accessories and upgrades for Macs, PCs, and iOS devices, visit: http://www.newertech.com.

Installation Tips, Videos Available

While the Power2U is a basic 'DIY' install on any 15Amp circuit with a 16-cubic-inch electrical box, it is recommended that you verify your outlet box is 16 cubic-inches or larger before purchase to ensure the Power2U will fit properly. Information on measuring your existing outlet box, a list of compatible boxes available at hardware stores, and many other helpful tips are available on the Power2U FAQ page. To view a video showing how the Power2U can be installed in 20 minutes or less, visit http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/nwt_power2u/.

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