Tech-savvy entrepreneur unveils USB smart plugs

CEBU, Philippines - Acknowledging the mobility of people nowadays and the urgent need to recharge their portable devices wherever they are, a local company conceptualized a technology and revolutionized a solution to address such necessity.

Fine Upgrades Plus recently introduced its newest innovation, the Smart Plugs USB Wall Socket, which is a combination of an ordinary electrical outlet with a USB port designed as an easier charging station for all gadgets.

Ryan Yu, general manager and chief executive officer of Fine Upgrades Plus, said that as a tech-savvy himself, he has observed that texting, calling, surfing, games, and social networking consume the gadgets’ battery life and may hamper a person’s daily activities due to low battery.

He then recognized the modern need for devices to be charged on an everyday basis in an easier way since most of them are charged via USB.

He said that these USB wall socket chargers can power up to 99.9 percent of all USB-charged devices such as iPads, smartphones, tablets, iPods, MP3 players, USB speakers, bluetooth headsets, mobile phones, USB fans, electronic books, and electronic cigarettes.

He cited that these smart plugs could be used in homes, offices, restaurants, coffee shops, hotel, airports and establishments with no special installation requirements needed as they are installed anywhere just like how traditional outlets are installed.

Yu pointed out that any existing USB cable could work in these sockets regardless of the brand or unit.

“Imagine going anywhere and everywhere and just being able to plug your wire in any outlet to charge. No charger necessary, just the wire. It’s just simple. You plug it and charge it. The future is here and it needs to be charged,” he stated.

Yu also assured that the smart plugs have been proven, tested and approved by the electrical safety departments in Japan and Taiwan.

Its safety features include a built-in transformer, lightning strike protection, overload safety, and over-heat protection.

It works with both 110 and 220 volts. While charging, it consumes five to ten watts of power. It consumes 0.7 watts, on the other hand, while on standby.

Establishments who have already installed the smart plugs are ChaTime Cebu, Wat Ever Family KTV, Cafe Sarree, Manggahan, Citi Park Hotel, Castle Peak Hotel, Islands Stay Hotels, Mango Park Hotel and Antulang Beach Resort in Negros Occidental.

The smart plugs USB wall socket comes in four models such as the dual port version or the USB charger combined with the regular sockets.

With prices ranging from P1,050 to P1, 250, the Fine Upgrades Plus USB wall chargers are available at Banilad Cebu Trade Center, Cebu Bionic Builders, Insotech Computers and Techithomenow.com.

Yu further revealed that they are currently developing other solutions with the smart plug integration such as the love seat in parks, night table in hotels and mobile charging stations to be put in public places like bus stations, malls and buildings.

These products, he added, are equipped with built-in USB socket charger, small canals for cellphone holders while charging and volume amplifier.

Fine Upgrades Plus is the innovation arm of Fine Upgrades Computer and Gadgets Distribution, a company which specializes in directly importing and distributing globally-sourced IT products in the Philippines.  — (FREEMAN)