AC Adaptor charges your PlayStation peripherals for $25
by Christopher Grant 
{ Nov 26th 2008 at 10:57AM }
click to enlarge
Maybe you noticed the PS3 uses mini-USB to recharge everything: Sixaxis and/or DualShock 3 controller; official Bluetooth headset; and even the soon-to-be-released Wireless Keypad. If you want to extend your gaze outside into the larger PlayStation family, the PSP-2000 and -3000 also support charging over USB. Convenient, no? What's not as convenient? A distinct lack of mini-USB outlets in our homes.
Cue: the official PlayStation "AC Adaptor" available at retailer this December for $25. You plug it into one of your many "AC" outlets and it converts all of that alternating current into sweet, delicious, USB-shaped direct current. Considering that the PS3 itself will charge your gear, we can only assume the target demographic is those of you that don't turn it on.
... But if you don't turn it on, why do you care if its peripherals are charged? Alright, we admit it. We don't know who this is for.
Gallery: PlayStation AC Adaptor
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Haggard @ Nov 26th 2008 11:03AM
I'm sure most people who want to charge up a PS3 controller also have a PS3 with USB sockets.
Vidikron @ Nov 26th 2008 11:05AM
"Considering that the PS3 itself will charge your gear, we can only assume the target demographic is those of you that don't turn it on...
Alright, we admit it. We don't know who this is for."
Simple... the PS3's USB ports aren't powered when the system is off and not everyone has their PS3's on long enough to gain a full charge on their devices.... or the devices don't need charging until the end of a long play session. So a lot of us use other sources to charge out peripherals.
deaftly @ Nov 26th 2008 11:12AM
So charge it through the thing you're typing on right now
Vidikron @ Nov 26th 2008 11:16AM
My work computer? I don't think so :P
BananaBoat @ Nov 26th 2008 11:21AM
I charge my controllers and headset through my computer. This product seems like a waste of time when Sony could just enable some sort of charging mode for the PS3 where only the USB ports are on.
Ghen @ Nov 26th 2008 11:29AM
My home computer has 8 usb ports, all of which are full and I don't feel like swapping cables around or buying a hub. This way I could charge peripherals at my "charging station" (a table with cords taped to it from random devices)
Hypothetically anyway, I don't own a PS3 and I have a Nyco charger for my xbawks controllers.
Killjebus @ Nov 26th 2008 11:57AM
"This product seems like a waste of time when Sony could just enable some sort of charging mode for the PS3 where only the USB ports are on."
Here here. WTF has Sony NOT done this YEARS ago? Get off your ass Sony and implement this in a firmware update YESTERDAY!!!
Yes I could and do leave my PS3 on more than it is off, but I would rather NOT have to do that considering the amount of watts my PS3 chews up...launch 60gb.
Vidikron @ Nov 26th 2008 12:12PM
And we already know they could power up the USB ports of they wanted. When they first added the Wake On LAN support the USB ports were powered up when the system was off if you enabled WOL. But then they removed that in a later update.
The_Punisher @ Nov 26th 2008 7:52PM
What job do you have that you get to go on joystiq :(
GiggMan @ Nov 26th 2008 11:16AM
I for one have four controllers and use the Guitar Hero wireless dongle with only two usb slots so I dont think this is a bad idea.
donalbane @ Nov 26th 2008 11:15AM
This peripheral is meant to compensate for the fact that Sony doesn't have a low power option for downloads and peripheral recharges. It sucks to have to leave your console on full blast just to power up a dead controller. I hear people say "Just use your PC, then", but most PCs use even more power than the PS3.
This peripheral would be useless if Sony would come up with a low power software solution. As it is, it's a band-aid.
Vidikron @ Nov 26th 2008 11:19AM
Yeah, I wish it had something like that the way the 360 does. The one possible work around now is the auto-off time they added to the PS3 in the 2.52 firmware. I suppose you could simply set the PS3 to auto-off after like 2 hours and leave your devices to charge.
mij-123 @ Nov 27th 2008 10:45AM
It's for people like who already don't have enough USB ports on their PS3s and had to buy two USB hubs... jeez.
zygote55 @ Nov 26th 2008 11:20AM
A mini-usb charger is $3.79 on Amazon.........
Don't a lot of people already have a mini-usb charger for their cell phone?
Ghen @ Nov 26th 2008 11:30AM
Not if they use Nokia or the iPhone. IIRC both are non-standard connections.
Craig @ Nov 26th 2008 11:40AM
Sorry to burst your bubble but I don't think a generic USB charger would work. I used the USB charger from my phone on my sixaxis and it did not work.
butaneko @ Nov 26th 2008 11:41AM
I was thinking the same thing. I'm sure there are cheaper USB chargers out there.
I think alot of people have a technology disconnect with things like this. I still manage to blow peoples' minds around my office when I inform them they can use regular computer speakers with their iPod.
butaneko @ Nov 26th 2008 11:43AM
@Craig
Hmm really? It's a regular USB port?
I'll try it with my iPhone charger when I get home.
Vidikron @ Nov 26th 2008 11:47AM
I don't know what is up with Craig's charger, but I think most generic USB chargers and ports will work just fine. People have successfully used all kinds of chargers and devices. People have used everything from cell phone chargers, to computers, to cables boxes to charge their controllers.
KingOfGods @ Nov 26th 2008 5:36PM
http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/SearchDetail.asp?productID=13217
Burritoclock @ Nov 26th 2008 11:20AM
I have hated the why sony handled the charging and what not from day one. First of all both the sixaxis and the dual shock 3 feel stupid being lighter than air. Then there is no replacable battery, with my 360 I have one of those quick charge things, if a battery dies I just grab another and keep on trucking.
Also when I watch a movie, or take a phone call my 360 controller will cut it's self off, saving battery life. The PS3 however will stay one for an entire movie unless I think to turn it off.
I don't think I even need to mention the charge cord is 6 inches long, and like someone above said the PS3 most be on running full bore just to charge it. If my battery dies in the middle of game the only way to keep playing is to sit in the floor...
Burritoclock @ Nov 26th 2008 11:22AM
Wow to much coffee, look at all those mistakes...
Christian @ Nov 26th 2008 11:47AM
Why not just get a longer USB cable for your controllers? That way you can play wired while your controllers are recharging. That is what I do although the bundled USB cable is long enough for me as my sofa is quite close to the TV
Neuromancer @ Nov 26th 2008 11:50AM
I wish my Dual Shock was lighter than air, I'd never have to put it down.. I could just let it flutter around the living room at the lightest of breezes.
Krech @ Nov 26th 2008 11:24AM
When my ps3 is on I want to play wireless. I sit 15 ft away from my PS3 and it is in a cabinet with a door. This would work for me since I keep my controllers under the couch.
Personally I use my motorolla phone chargers from over the years that are plugged into a powerstrip. So I guess it is technically not for me. But it could be.
Vidikron @ Nov 26th 2008 11:25AM
"Also when I watch a movie, or take a phone call my 360 controller will cut it's self off, saving battery life. The PS3 however will stay one for an entire movie unless I think to turn it off."
That's actually not true anymore. There's now a auto power off option for both the console and the controller in the options. They were addded in the 2.52 update.
BTW, the battery in the controllers IS replaceable. There are even instructions on how to do so in the PS3 manual. It's just not meant for a quick change like you're describing. The instructions are actually meant for replacing the battery if dies and won't hold a charge anymore.
Burritoclock @ Nov 26th 2008 11:45AM
You are correct that is not the kind of battery change I'm describing and doesn't help.
Good to see they put that in the update, haven't checked it all out since then.
William @ Nov 26th 2008 11:25AM
Or you could charge your headset with your 360 for free :)
Duke @ Nov 26th 2008 11:28AM
This is the same idea as the charge station for the 360. Also, you can charge items with the PS3 for free too using the USB cable.
Basically, I am saying you're missing the point.
Duke @ Nov 26th 2008 11:35AM
Oh wait, I remember now. The 360 wireless headset came with an adapter to plug in! You were right. I totally forgot since I never use mine.
Nothing to see here....move along.
BlaqueBeird @ Nov 26th 2008 11:28AM
I love that some people are defending this idea, as if it actually makes sense and will sell. Common Sense vs. Fanboys. FIGHT!
Vidikron @ Nov 26th 2008 11:33AM
Of course it will sell. People need ways to charge their peripherals and not everyone has their PCs conveniently close to their console. My preferred solution would be for Sony to add an option to have powered USB ports when the system is off, but considering they are now selling this, that doesn't appear liklely in the near future.
Bass Masterson @ Nov 26th 2008 1:31PM
I love how people are attacking it as if it's obviously pointless. Nobody would want to charge their controllers without leaving their PS3 on for over an hour! Seriously, how retarded are they to respond to this obvious need?
Could it have been solved better? Sure. Will it? Nope. So this (and the many third-party knock-offs) is a good solution.
BlaqueBeird @ Dec 5th 2008 2:45PM
The best they've made does not necessarily mean it's good. It just means it's the least crap idea they bothered to spend money on.
Mark @ Nov 26th 2008 11:32AM
I must say, I kind of like this. The charging cord it too short to actually play while you charge, and I don't want to leave my power-sucking PS3 on just to charge it. Sure, I use my computer now, but I use a laptop 95% of the time, and if I don't actively use it while it's charging the controller, the laptop itself powers down.
So, yeah, for those of us who actually try to not waste energy in our homes, this is actually kinda nice.
Duke @ Nov 26th 2008 11:37AM
I ordered a longer cord from an online store for a few dollars so I could charge while playing. They are pretty cheap.
Tango Charlie @ Nov 26th 2008 11:49AM
I had the same problem, but like Duke says, go get a 15-foot cable from Monoprice. Three bucks maybe? It feels crappy and antiquated to be playing with a cabled controller, sure, but oh well.
Mark @ Nov 26th 2008 1:34PM
It's something I could consider... but 15ft wouldn't be long enough. I would guess I'm playing 20 feet or so from the unit.
Duke @ Nov 26th 2008 2:12PM
Then find a longer cord...
Dylan @ Nov 26th 2008 11:35AM
It's an interesting idea, but if I could just charge by USB when my PS3 isn't on that would be much better.
Lee @ Nov 26th 2008 12:34PM
Here's an idea. Instead of buying a ridiculously overpriced USB charger from Sony... Why not buy a cheap USB charger right now off eBay or Craigslist? FFS I bought one for my iPod for $1 back in 2005.
as much as I love Sony now they're being mental.
almost as mental as MS charging how much for a B/G range wifi dongle or Nintendo with their pointless ethernet adapter.
hfm @ Nov 26th 2008 12:49PM
I'd get this (or something similar).. I don't really like wires draped across my living room, plus the cord that comes with the controllers isn't long enough. I'd rather leave them on the charger by the couch instead of the TV.
Tyme @ Nov 26th 2008 1:22PM
I don't see why this thing can only charge two things. If I'm going to buy a separate USB charger, why not have at least 4 USB ports? Two doesn't seem like enough to buy a whole separate device.
hhhenryhhh @ Nov 26th 2008 3:08PM
Does anyone know if it is universal?
tjd @ Nov 26th 2008 3:49PM
I used to use the USB port on my cable box, which is on all the time. Now that I have multiple things to charge, I bought a cheap ($10) 4-port USB hub with its own power adapter and use that.
One word of warning about that method is the hub wouldn't supply power unless the "upstream" side was hooked up to something, so I connected to my cable box. But, obviously it makes for a bit of chicken and egg problem as far as using it standalone.
Deaddy @ Nov 26th 2008 3:58PM
I can use my iPod's AC adapter to charge my dualshock, right? They have different voltages written on them, that's why I've been too afraid to try, even tho otherwise it makes logical sense that it would be fine.
mij-123 @ Nov 27th 2008 10:46AM
Yeah!
Sarge1973 @ Dec 30th 2008 11:21PM
I use both my cell phone mini usb charger and i charge via my laptop. Both work very well to charge the Six Axis back to full capacity. Any usb wall charger will work, heck just for grins i even plugged it onto my car usb cigarette lighter adapter and charged the six axis in my car. Don't waste your money on this...any old thing will do!!!