A ChargeBox is a set of lockers designed to charge batteries of phones and other mobile devices.
Created by British Boxbrands, ChargeBoxes have six lockers with each locker containing four different chargers. The user picks the appropriate locker for their device, opens the door and attaches the device to a charger inside. Payment is then made either with a GBP 1 coin or by sending an SMS to a specific code. Once payment has been received, the door can be locked and charging begins. The device is charged for 40 minutes, or less if a user is in a hurry and doesn't need a fully charged battery. The locker aspect, which means users can leave their device behind, makes ChargeBoxes more useful than the charging kiosks we covered a few years ago.
The system offers a charging solution that covers 90 percent of handsets on the market, and also replenishes batteries of Blackberries, PDAs, iPods and PSPs. The first machines will be placed in easyInternetcafes, Novotel hotels, Vodafone stores, and various airports. One hundred ChargeBoxes are being launched this month and BoxBrands has ambitions to have over 1000 in the UK by the end of 2006.
In a world that's addicted to communication, and where mobile devices have reached almost universal adult penetration, drained batteries are a definite chokepoint. While we've seen similar examples of public charging points, they're far from commonplace, and would be a welcome addition to hotels, gyms, airports, train stations, hospitals, coffee shops, cinemas, festivals, shopping malls, etc.
If you're a vending machine enthusiast, this should be right up your alley. And if you work for a mobile phone network, why not sponsor ChargeBoxes in high footfall locations? Good for your brand, and you'll benefit directly if consumers are able to spend more time on their phones. ;-)
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Gabriel, one of Springwise's first postings, back in 2003, actually highlighted chargers in Asia: http://www.springwise.com/telecom_mobile/if_you_run_out_of_juice/.
Clearly the service has become more sophisticated since then, as witnessed by ChargeBoxes.
Não seria legal para qualquer operadora de celular oferecer esse tipo de serviço para os seus clientes? Em shoppings, aeroportos, grandes centros comerciais de SP etc. E se fosse assim, cliente VIVO usa de graça e das outras operadoras pagam pelo serviço?
This one I saw in february in China in the waiting hall of a bus station.
A bit less sophisticated ;-)
http://www.ideacompany.nl/get.php?search=opladen
As a frustrated inventor myself, I thought that charging iPods would be an incredible convenience station. My concept - iCharge Stations. Imagine being able to charge your device and (through deals with record labels) receive Freebie snips of new songs, the ability to purchase songs playing locally on that charger (great for regional bands that are looking for more exposure), or the idea of getting a short video ad from the locker location itself (maybe a video tour of the area). Example: Get a Hard Rock Cafe snip from the Hong Kong store, only available there creating a collectable digital asset that could be deleted, but not copied creating a collectable digital asset.
Add a couple of small screens to my iCharge concept and with an IP address you could manage advertising screens for absolutely anything, anywhere even timed events or offer news clips. The iCharge Station could become what I consider a Digital Asset Kiosk offering audio books for sale, audio job listings, train schedule information, act as a digital billboard (by opening an upload portal) and much more.
The dream is endless.
Care to converse about this idea? Add your comments, maybe we can design the perfect Digital Asset Kiosk.
I've already seen a secure kiosk like this in France and in UK. You can choose your mobile with a touchscreen and 4 automatic lifts allows you to charge your battery. The name of the kiosk is "ubicharge". You can find more informations at http://www.full-battery.com
Forgevalley Corporation (Http://affiliatesexcel.com) is one of the first to market coin operated chargers in Europe With YUKI Charger which was a success in China. With phone and chargers being comparatively expensive for the average income, coin chargers seemed to be a good solution. However the idea never picked up as no one was interested even in the eastern Europe. With two or three cell phones per person and charging facility in the car, it will need a sea change in European attitude for this to becomea commercial success.
We sell large volumes of refurbished ipods and other consumer electronics. The idea of charging the ipods seems like a great idea pending the ability to scale. We would love to interact with any buyers for consumer electronics as we liquidate new and refurbed product for most mass retail companies here in the U.S.
I think we are just seeing the tip of the ice berg so far for mobile chargers. Hey Chip Stockman let's brain storm and see if we can come up with something.
Hey Mark Daniel how do i get in touch with you?
Forty minutes to charge a mobile phone is to long and locking my phone up is rubbish, why are they trying to change the wheel.
If I have a flat battery I want to use it while it is charging, all the Asian phone chargers offer this facility and they are the biggest market and the market leaders.
Mobile phone companies have got their act together now! If a phone is stolen it is blocked immediately and dealers can’t turn them back on, so why lock it away, so I can’t access my information.
I want a text now if the battery goes flat, I want to talk now if the battery goes flat, but some how I am supposed to send them a text to activate charge for my dead phone when by battery is flat ahhhhhhhhhhh.
I went to my search engine and the first company that came up was cellcharge! Doing business for over six years, no bad press on the Internet or nothing plus their price are advertised.
Their charger offers all these services, I wonder if the rolls Royce of chargers which cellcharge seems to be, is quietly selling quality, whilst the Johnny come lately which this seems to be is selling quantity.
Hi
Please forward the dilear contact in india or any marketing person
I have used the Quickie mobile phone charging unit, it displays video advertising while my phone is charging, also i can use my phone while it is charging. Nice one Mr Quickie.
I have used the Quickie mobile phone charging unit, it displays video advertising while my phone is charging, also i can use my phone while it is charging. Nice one Mr Quickie.
I have used the Quickie mobile phone charger, i can watch video advertising and use my mobile while it is charging.Nice one Mr Quickie.
Hi Giorgio Richards, I have tried to contact cellcharge for the last three years without success dont always believe what you read on the web.
There are a few suppliers around, i've seen the quickie charger recently in Ireland from www.recharge.ie they seem to be the most common version, easy to use, cool ads, and fast.
Hi Paul Yes! I had another look for them and they have disappeared, perhaps this market is not as lucrative as we would imagine.
These have been around for a couple of years in East Asia. I think the machines there might also have advertising integrated for the captive audience.
Gabriel Morris | June 13, 2006 8:55 PM