Apple Releases Compact "Green" Battery Charger

**Michael Essany** · 07-27-2010, 09:04 AM

Going right along with the arrival of a new Magic Trackpad and a the refresh of both the iMac and Mac Pro lines, Apple today also rolled out a new environmentally friendly battery charger - a somewhat unexpected product release by the tech giant. Still, as more and more consumers demand greener technologies, Cupertino continues to express a heightened willingness to embrace environmentally-friendly aspects of technology, although it still appears that we're light-years away from the solar powered iPhones that many environmental activists think Apple should be hard at work on as we speak.

According to Apple, now there’s "a better, more environmentally friendly way to power your wireless keyboard, Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad, or just about anything that requires AA batteries." The product in question - The Apple Battery Charger kit - is basically a compact charger and six "high-performance" AA NiMH batteries that are reusable - really reusable. Apple claims the batteries are "exceptional at holding a charge" and will last upwards of a decade. The purpose? To break the cycle of buying and disposing "toxic, single-use alkaline batteries."

In addition to the advanced shelf-life of your batteries and the amount of waste they reduce, The Apple Battery Charger has the lowest “vampire draw” of any similar charger on the market - which, according to Apple, is "the energy that most chargers continue to draw even after their batteries are done charging." The kit retails from Apple for $29.00 and ships in 2-4 business days.

Apple Store

**Eagleye** · 07-27-2010, 09:24 AM

Kinda cool I guess... Good to see Apple "trying" to be a green company.

**JacquesChirac** · 07-27-2010, 09:29 AM

I'll believe it when I see it. People have been claiming to have special rechargable batteries since they first came out in 1992 hehe

**whereswaldo** · 07-27-2010, 10:04 AM

WTF? Do any apple products run on AAs?

**santacruzlocal** · 07-27-2010, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by whereswaldo

WTF? Do any apple products run on AAs?

Read the Magic Mouse (Or whatever its called) article

**skblut** · 07-27-2010, 10:13 AM

The magic mouse runs on AA'S and the keyboard but you don't have to use these batteries as you know.

**Xtremeiphone** · 07-27-2010, 10:19 AM

what a waste of a product ! just another flashy white product with an apple on it

**skolpo** · 07-27-2010, 10:28 AM

$30 bucks for a charger...

**StealthBravo** · 07-27-2010, 10:32 AM

The price doesn't seem that bad for 6 reusable batteries. I know none of their products use AAA but I wish they would have different sizes.

**skolpo** · 07-27-2010, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by StealthBravo

The price doesn't seem that bad for 6 reusable batteries. I know none of their products use AAA but I wish they would have different sizes.

$30 is relatively less for an APPLE product, yes. There are great chargers out there that are under $15, comes with batteries, 6+ slots, and can charge more than just AA batteries. And of course Apple won't support other features that serve no use to any of their other products =p

**StealthBravo** · 07-27-2010, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by skolpo

$30 is relatively less for an APPLE product, yes. There are great chargers out there that are under $15, comes with batteries, 6+ slots, and can charge more than just AA batteries. And of course Apple won't support other features that serve no use to any of their other products =p

But are they high-gloss white with an apple logo?

**rhekt** · 07-27-2010, 10:55 AM

Go to target get a energizer reusable battery charger. Holds more and costs less

**feidhlim1986** · 07-27-2010, 11:10 AM

Wow when I thought Apple couldnt release a product worse than the "magic" trackpad.....they unveil a battery charger. Oh but this charger must be better. Its white!

**Xtremeiphone** · 07-27-2010, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by feidhlim1986

Wow when I thought Apple couldnt release a product worse than the "magic" trackpad.....they unveil a battery charger. Oh but this charger must be better. Its white!

agree 100% !

**Sulfer** · 07-27-2010, 11:33 AM

$30 for 6 batteries isn't bad at all...

while some chargers at walmart or target may be cheaper and have more slots most come with 2 batteries. Sometimes 4. For 6 batteries and a charger AND it's made by apple, I don't see any problems with the price. Especially if it draws less energy then the target/walmart brands (energizer/duracell etc).

**feidhlim1986** · 07-27-2010, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by Sulfer

$30 for 6 batteries isn't bad at all...

while some chargers at walmart or target may be cheaper and have more slots most come with 2 batteries. Sometimes 4. For 6 batteries and a charger AND it's made by apple, I don't see any problems with the price. Especially if it draws less energy then the target/walmart brands (energizer/duracell etc).

Are you implying that the target/walmart brands are energizer and duracell? Most battery chargers nowadays actually stop drawing power as to not decrease the life of the battery by having a constant charge going into it even when full. So how is drawing a little power better than drawing no power at all Apple?

**808mp5** · 07-27-2010, 11:40 AM

Too bad my BT keyboard takes three battries

**Sulfer** · 07-27-2010, 11:52 AM

Any electronic device plugged into a wall without a good surger protector with a "kill switch" will draw power even when off.

**jordbrett** · 07-27-2010, 12:09 PM

I want my magic trackpad!

**numanair** · 07-27-2010, 12:12 PM

I doubt that it's even a smart charger. Anybody who hasn't used a smart charger is seriously missing out.

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