I’ll preface this post by saying IP/Copyright law in the U.S. is severely broken. We could go on and on for hours about the issue, so I won’t delve deeply into it now. But just know that it can only go up — it couldn’t possibly suck much more. With that said, it’s sad to announce that a truly innovative product from a popular, innovative company is effectively dead.
I’m talking about the Macbook specific HyperMac extended batteries. If you recall, Apple got all lawsuit-happy on HyperMac several weeks back over the company’s use of Apple’s MagSafe adapters in their external batteries. On one degree, I can see their argument — unlicensed use of proprietary technology. However, the profit that Hypermac is making would only affect Apple’s bottom line if they actually offered external batteries of their own. One could ask: Is the reason Apple pursued the lawsuit a precursor to a potential extended battery option in the future? It’s always possible. But in this case it just seems more like Apple being Apple.
It is quite sad that Apple is going this route. From November 2nd on out (the cut off date for HyperMac batteries bundled w/ MagSafe adapters), HyperMac batteries will be pretty useless without the included said cable. That is, unless HyperMac redesigns the batteries so that a wall outlet can be plugged into them. Hey, we can always hope.
Anyone else a bit peeved by Apple’s bullying, and neutering of one of the Macbook Pro’s greatest 3rd party accessories? HyperMac’s official statement after the break…
Update
Engadget is reporting that Daniel Chin, President of Sanho Corporation (HyperMac) is in talks with Apple to license the MagSafe adapter technology, and that ceasing current sales of said tech was a stipulation to continue talks. Hey, whatever it takes…
- November 23, 2009 2:24 pm
As sad as it is, most of the good smartphone accessories aren’t often found in stores. It is those online stores which carry those most sought after accessories with the brick and mortar stores usually getting second rate, cheap junk that no one every buys. But every now and then, a good one will come home to a store near you offering you the chance to “try before you buy”…or at least seeing it in person — a big help as computer screens just don’t offer the same experience. The next time you stroll into your local AT&T store, go over to the iPhone section and look at the accessory wall and you may see a new addition: the Mophie Juice Pack Air. If you are anything above a moderate user, you need one of these for your iPhone as the standard battery simply doesn’t cut it. The Juice Pack Air’s 1200mAh battery should give you a good 80-90% longer runtime all while keeping the overall size nice and thin thanks to a carefully designed battery and case. Besides the new location, the Juice Pack Air now comes in several more colors so now everyone that doesn’t like black, white, or purple can finally find something to suit their needs. The Juice Pack Air isn’t anything new, but having a closer location to actually go and touch one yourself is certainly newsworthy I think. Interested?
Gear Diary
- September 21, 2009 8:38 pm
As with most gadget junkies, your smartphone is your window into the world. Without you often feel lost, without a voice even. You can always carry a spare batter or charger in your pocket but let’s be real, no one is wants to do that. If you can sacrifice a couple millimeters of your precious pocket space, the Seidio 2600 mAh extended battery for the BlackBerry Tour will give you the extra juice needed while adding a minimal amount to the Tour’s backside. So, if the already bigger than most 1400 mAh battery just isn’t cutting it, the Seidio 2600 mAh battery has the power you need to get you through the day and then some. If not, you probably need to stop looking at batteries and instead shift your focus to mobile generators. $59.99 at the link below.
CrackBerry
