Anyone done a mod to expose the 5V and gnd as large pads on the outside, since it seems the usb connector is so prone to wear & tear?
Or is it possible to get at the charger through another way than usb?

I bought a nintendo 3ds recently, and I'd almost forgotten how practical those 80s and 90s "charge stations" were.
It'd be nice to build a ZIF charge station for n900 with spring loaded connectors.