16-Port Professional USB Charging Station Revealed

Charging consumer electronics is simple enough, but things may get tricky when more than one or two need to be fueled at once, so Datamation Systems created the Power Pad 16.

Power Pad 16 may be a somewhat misleading name, since the word “pad” has been and still is used for things like tablets, mouse mats and most everything else that looks like a rectangular sheet of this or that material.

That did not stop Datamation from going ahead and naming its latest creation Power Pad 16.

Basically, this is a professional USB charging station which, as its name suggests, can deliver energy to up to 16 devices at the same time.

It was designed in such a way that Apple devices (iPad, iPhone, iPod, etc.) and anything else that can use an Apple USB-connected AC adapter could benefit from it.

Thus, when a whole bunch of portable consumer electronics devices need to get some power back in their systems, the Power Pad 16 will be ready and willing to oblige.

“The PowerPad 16 can be placed in a cabinet, cart or carrying case. It can also be mounted on a table, wall or under a counter,” said Joe Mazza, Datamation Systems' vice president. “It is perfect for tech centers, trade shows, traveling labs and training centers.”

The Universal Serial Port interface has become so commonly used that one might say it was about time something like that came out.

Though 16 ports may seem a bit over the top, it is not as though Datamation Systems, or Cambrionix (they provided the USB technology) expect every consumer to buy the station.

Businesses and the retail environment will reap the most benefits, removing the need for thick and wrinkled AC power strips. In fact, some retailers supposedly already use it.

Unfortunately, this isn't really a “universal” adapter, since not all USB-connected gadgets are supported.

Fortunately, Datamation is already working on versions that will overcome this limitation and will serve hospitals, offices, schools, libraries, etc. No price yet, though.

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