AC power outlet sources USB power, kills vampire leaks

120V AC power may be a valid choice for powering incandescent light bulbs, refrigerator compressors, and electric stoves, but most consumers in the 21^st century have an equally immediate use for DC power. NewerTech, recognizing that the ubiquitous USB port is the de facto low-power DC standard,  makes Power2U, a traditional AC wall power outlet that incorporates an AC-DC power converter to provide two regulated USB 3.0/2.0 power ports. A clever addition is the ports’ spring-loaded “Safety Shutters” that, when closed, turn power off to the internal power conversion circuitry to eliminate vampire power draw.

No more fumbling with the power outlet to plug in a wall wart for charging your consumer app. Plug in your device through its USB cable and it’s ready to charge. The outlets sell for $23 in quantities of 10.

And for more on the idea of USB-as-power-source, read the next post.