[_jss]

What is the strategy for when Apple disallows sales based on the Magsafe adapter?

This happened to HyperMac (now HyperJuice) batteries back in 2011. I still have mine, ordered before Apple lawyers went after them. It's wonderful.

Edit: Adding link to Wired article: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/01/hypermac-is-back-with...

[toyg]

I think that it's not about the BatteryBox product per se, but about some technology inside which is supposed to reduce long-term capacity loss. The box itself is basically a demo to sell or license the actual tech to OEMs.

[XorNot]

This is straight up not possible. Lithium-ion batteries degrade irreversibly as they're used - the only way to reduce capacity loss is to reduce the depth-of-discharge: add more cells, and discharge them less per cycle.

Unless they're fiddling with the actual chemistry of the cells, it's unlikely they've changed anything.

[MiguelHudnandez]

I have some HyperJuice units that I made cables for. It works OK, but is definitely clunky. I think it could be done in a better way, but it can only be a hack with Apple defending the walls of their garden so militantly.

For this reason I really hope GBatteries have a license to use the connector, and that they build in some cable management similar to what's on the magsafe unit, so the cable can be coiled neatly.

My other feedback is that having a built-in AC adapter would be so very useful. Look at the HyperJuice plug [1]. It's got the AC prongs that just slide out -- no separate wall wart, and no micro-usb cable. People that have only Apple devices won't have many micro USB cables around. It would also prevent someone from plugging the USB cable into their laptop while it's being powered by the external battery. :\

1: http://www.hypershop.com/HyperJuice/Plug/

(note that this model HyperJuice will not charge a laptop)

[pg]

I don't remember the details, but IIRC they are Apple proof.

[enraged_camel]

Hopefully, but color me skeptical. I don't see how anyone can be X-proof, where X is a company that has over $100 billion in their bank account.

[mcmillion]

I have a feeling that if it can connect to a MagSafe port and work, Apple has control over it.

[runako]

Likely they will continue building the product described on their website:

"A battery management system (BMS) that increases battery capacity and cycle count"

I'm sure they can apply this to devices other than the 12% of laptops sold that are made by Apple.

[pbreit]

From the pictures, it looks like the strategy is to use a MagSafe-to-MagSafe2 adapter.

[tluyben2]

Yep; I have the hypermac as well; it is very great. I buy new ones all the time. The magsafe thing is a bit (not much) of a hassle though. Curious as well how that will be handled.

[crystaln]

Did you read or think about the comment you are responding to?

It's a battery technology company. This is their first product.

[flyosity]

I don't understand the need for snark. It's a valid point. The main selling-point of their first product is that it can power MacBooks but if Apple cracks down on them for using the MagSafe adapter then this product will no longer be useful for its intended purposes.

[DigitalJack]

And the selling point of their first product is a non starter, unless apple changed their MagSafe policies.