SHODAN 
I feel one of the unsung great things about modern tech life is how much of it can be powered by USB. Right now my laptop, camera, a charging dock for another camera's battery, a portable radio and a game controller can all be charged up using standard cables. Its brilliant and cuts down a lot of charging equipment needed for travel. #tech #technology
SomeGadgetGuy@SHODAN It's been huge. It's HUGELY aggravating when you run into a proprietary charger now when it doesn't need to be.
@SomeGadgetGuy I know the Nintendo DS, 3DS and GBA do something similar. They supplied a small power brick specifically for charging using its proprietary port but in the case of the 3DS and the GBA you can get a USB cable that has the proprietary port on one end and USB A on the other and charges fine using it. Its annoying they kept that bit secret for so long because USB charging is so much better in terms of where you can charge and convenience.
@SHODAN Conversely, the Raspberry Pi 5 uses a USBC connector, but at crazy 5 amps so it's not compatible with most power supplies and batteries.
@SomeGadgetGuy Its always been weird with that I've noticed, I usually try and find a decent PSU in the house but failing that I just order the official one for a few quid and be done with it.
@SHODAN I was trying to help a friend's son turn his into a portable battery powered unit, and there is no official battery power supply.
Had to step up to a MUCH larger battery with an AC plug, which kinda defeated the purpose of trying to make it all portable.
Had to step up to a MUCH larger battery with an AC plug, which kinda defeated the purpose of trying to make it all portable.
Pondskater@SomeGadgetGuy @SHODAN
You don't have to use a 5 amp supply, most users will use no more than 1 or 2 amps of power.
You don't have to use a 5 amp supply, most users will use no more than 1 or 2 amps of power.