Looks like Nokia finally understands many people want a USB charger. I know there are ways to achieve this currently, but this looks like a sleeker solution...

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/0...-usb-charging/

On that page there is a link to the Nokia Europe site, but looks like you can't order it yet...

Dunno how is that going to work in practice? The reason being that the "Nokia device" has no knowledge if it is plugged into "real" charger or into USB port. The real charger is rated for close to 1A of current when the USB one is limited to 500mA (USB standard... correct me if I'm wrong). What may happen that when you plug the Nokia device into this USB charger it may overload the USB port power rating and either break it or cause it to go into overload protection...

Anybody have any insight how this is handled? Texrat?

I have been charging my PSP this way, and similarly, the charger has greater amperage rating than the USB has -- it seems to work fine, only takes longer to charge the device.

Thor

If it doesn't have a retractable cord then I'm not getting it. Try using that to charge your N800 from a wall socket USB adapter in a hotel room.... oh well I'm sure some Chinese manufacturer will quickly figure this out and improve on it

At long last :-)

I'm still curious how this will work? Is it so that the N800 (or N770) do take less than 500mA from the charger when charging the battery? Then there should be no issues at all...

But if it does take more how does it regulate the input current to a correct level not to exceed the USB port capability? I'm not familiar with the overload protection method (if that even exist?) built into the typical USB port (and I assume the implementation differs from different manufacturers and units...). What I can think out of my head they may use a simple PTC resistor in series on the +5V line to provide short circuit protection. Or in more advanced design they may have electronic fuse that trips when certain current is eceeded? Or if there is no protection at all the USB takes power from the +5V motherboard voltage rail directly.

With the PTC the N800 can increase the charge current until it sees the +5V dropping slightly, at what point it just stays in that "sweet spot". But with any kind of electronic fuse or foldback current limit scheme I just can not see how this would work properly?

As thorbo said, the tablet will take what the USB port gives it (ie 500mA max as per the standard specs), which means it will charge much more slowly than with the mains adapter. It is up to the USB host to limit the current made available to the device, not up to the device to limit itself.

fpp is correct. The cable looks far too simple to employ any feedback from tablet to USB and it's unnecessary anyway. It's going to draw what USB provides which is well under upper safety margin. IMO the cable will make a nice accessory for your laptop PC moreso than the tablet in most cases. I saw someone mention a wall outlet USB adapter but I can't see myself using any such thing. I'd rather plug a laptop or desktop in and use it as my hub. In that scenario, this cable is perfect for me as I don't have to worry as much about filling available wall outlets, and my USB hub takes up far less space in my laptop bag than a power strip would.

OK.. the current draw is not going to be a problem in practise. Most (all?) USB power port controllers have current limit significantly higher than 0.5A, typically around 2A. You may take a look at National data sheet of such controller:
http://cache.national.com/ds/LM/LM3544.pdf

In other words the USB cable charger will work just fine.

Really ? To me they're the greatest invention since sliced bread :-)
Seriously it's a great way to travel light and compact. These things are cheap, extremely compact and light (more so than even the Nokia travel chargers for my phone and 770), and have NO wires -- just a plug.
I hardly ever carry a laptop, but do tend to have several mobile devices with me -- the phone, the 770, the mp3 jukebox... with that tiny plug and a couple of appropriate USB cables I can keep them all juiced up. That's three adapters you don't have to remember packing, carry around, and try not to lose en route...

As I had to buy a CA-44 adapter because of Nokia's different adapter plugs, I could even get the cable with the large one and use it to charge both the phone and the 770 with the adapter.

Of course that will depend how terrorist a price Nokia will fix for such a simple item :-)