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Despite efforts from some manufacturers, there remains a wide variety of connections for linking to a power source.  This would not be a problem when access to a number of power sources is available but sometimes only one power socket is currently free.  For situations such as this, a product that could handle power-charging for a range of devices would be useful.

Inoitulos, a Spanish technology consultancy, has built up an excellent reputation of developing charging units that can handle a variety of devices with its IDAPT range of products.  Not only do these products provide the flexibility with the range of supported devices but also the ability to charge multiple devices at the same time.  In the past I have looked at the IDAPT i3 and the IDAPT i4 products, both of which I found to be very useful and well worth considering.  Now the company has launched the new IDAPT i2+.

As with the earlier products, the IDAPT i2+ makes use of easily exchangeable tips so that the user can charge a variety of devices.  According to the company there are over 4000 supported devices and I have no reason to doubt the person who had the job of counting them all.  Recently added to the list of supported devices is the Nintendo 3DS as it joins a list that includes the iPod, iPhone, iPad 1 and 2, Kindle and almost any mobile device you can think of.  Fortunately, both for the user and the company, many of the supported devices are share the same tip.  In fact the 4000+ devices are covered by just 25 tips.

See also: Chargers

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Opening up the IDAPT i2+ package reveals the main IDAPT unit, a power lead and six tips which are clearly labelled.  The supplied set of tips are designated for Nokia 2, iPod – iPhone, Samsung 4, Sony Ericsson 2, MicroUSB and Mini USB.  This set of tips is exactly the same as those supplied with the IDAPT i3 and IDAPT i4 products.

With a base measuring 96 x 118cm, the IDAPT i2+ expands through a height of 35mm to a top platform that has dimensions of 130 x 153mm.  Totally black in colour, the base is of the matt variety while the top has a lacquered sheen with a propensity for collecting finger smears.  The power connection socket is located at the rear of the unit.

As befits the “2” part of its title, this IDAPT model features two bays into which you can slot your choice of tip.  The design of the tip is such that it will only slot into the bay the correct way round.  Buttons (matt black) on either side of each bay provide a quick release mechanism for when you need to change a tip.  In front of each bay is an LED light which glows green to indicate no power is being supplied or red to show a device is being charged.  Also on the top is a rocker power on/off switch which is decked out in the same lacquered black as the top of the unit.

Situated on the right side of the IDAPT unit is a standard USB 2.0 port.  The presence of this port explains the “+” part of the product’s title.  You can use this port to connect any device that uses USB for charging purposes, enabling you to charge three devices simultaneously.

As mentioned earlier, there are 25 IDAPT tips available.  If the standard set of tips supplied does not contain one that you particularly need then you can purchase additional ones.  There are tips that can be used to charge AA batteries, Blackberrys, iPads, X-Box Controllers, PSPs, Sat Navs and many other devices.  Additional tips are available at £5.99 each.

As I mentioned when looking at an earlier IDAPT model, it would have been beneficial if some kind of pouch was included in the package to store tips when they were not in use.  Other than this, the IPDAT i2+ is well worth considering by those with a small number of mobile devices.  Power users might prefer the IDAPT i4 product.  The IPDAT i2+ can be purchased from Amazon.co.uk of the IDAPT web store for £29.99.

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