Recharge 3.0

FastMac's U-Socket have started to appear in stores since January but due to their self-claimed testing procedures, this product has been low in supply and variably delayed. The complete unit is actually a bit bigger than our average power outlet so installation of this requires a 16-cubic-inch electrical box for accommodation. The two USB 3.0 ports have 12W of total charging power, rated at 2.4A, which means that it will charge a single device, such as your iPad in no time. But this timely speed slows as you try to recharge from both ports at the same time. Still, regular devices such as your smartphones should charge fine, even if both ports are being used simultaneously. FastMac has advertised this new socket to be able to save you up to $25/year in energy costs but how can we verify at such an early stage. The downside is that it is obvious that you will try to replace an old socket with this one but in doing so, unless you had tremendous foresight, you will find that usually our current outlets aren't exactly in the most ideal or convenient locations for recharging devices. Now, they do offer various face-plates for the socket so you can make it blend in even if you have a certain decora for your wall. But priced at $22.95, this is probably the most expensive outlet socket you'll find and installing it just might not be as painless as you had thought when you clicked that pre-order button. In any case, if your house is currently under renovation, perhaps this could serve as a vanguard-ish yet pricey proposition.

Simple is best!