NOMAD, a company based in San Francisco started crowd funding for ChargeKey, a super-small micro USB cable for Android and lightning cable for iPhone last year on Indiegogo, and exceeded more than three times its goal. It began shipping in December, and the also started selling it on their website recently. The company first launched ChargeCard, a credit card sized iPhone Lightning Cable or micro USB cable on Kickstarter, that exceeded their goal by 300%. We got to check out the micro USB version of the ChargeKey, suitable for Android or other mobile devices with a micro USB port.
The first thing you notice about the ChargeKey is its design and the portability. As you can see, it is very small with a thickness of just 2.5mm, and is said to the world’s smallest USB cable. It fits into a keychain, so that you can carry it in your pocket always (at least I do). Since it is small, there are chances you might lose it easily, so add it to your KeyChain.
That’s how the ChargeKey gets connected to your phone. It has strong micro USB metal tip that it doesn’t come out easily, so it can hang when it is connected to your computer.
The other side of the ChargeKey goes into a micro USB port. You can use it on any USB port to charge your phone and also use ir to transfer data when connected to a computer.
It does not matter if the micro USB port is on the reverse side of the phone. Since the ChargeKey is made of high-grade plastics from Bayer (Germany) and GLS (USA), it can bend or hang. Since this is small, it is not suitable for charging your phone by connecting it to your wall charger, but this comes in handy if you need a micro USB cable quickly to transfer data or charge phone from your laptop.
The ChargeKey for Android with micro USB or iPhone with a lightning port cost $29 each. If you convert it to Indian money, it is a bit costly, compared to standard micro USB cable you get in the market, but you can’t get a micro USB cable this small at this price anywhere. You also get free shipping if you order two or more ChargeKey cables. Nomad has started a new Refer 3, Get 1 Free offer that lets yo get a free ChargeKey or a ChargeCard if three people you refer purchases any of these with your link.
Pros
- Small and portable
- Flexible
- Works out of the box
Cons
- Wall charger is not recommended
- Bit costly