The Universal Serial Bus is perhaps the most popular interface on any computer due to the fact that, besides being extremely easy to use, provides dual functions for the devices attached to them: data downloads/uploads and the possibility of charging the respective devices' internal batteries.



This is the reason why most portable devices available on the market nowadays come with USB charging adapters, which, however pose yet another problem: what happens when there's no active USB port available at hand? And one possible answer comes from the Kensington company, which launched back in the first half of 2007 its Auto Power Adapter with USB Power Port, a device that allows users to charge their portable devices directly from a car's cigarette lighter adapter.



Admittedly, this is not the first device of this type ever developed, but it does provide quite a few interesting features, one of the most important being its enhanced level of versatility. Thus, the adapter works with a wide range of USB Power Tips, and can thus replace a large number of chargers available on the market. As for the method of operation, it's as intuitive and simple as possible, since all the users have to do is insert the adapter in the car's cigarette lighter and connect the required power cable.



The device from Kensington can be used for powering quite a large number of devices, including here cell phones, PDA's, the iPod, MP3 players, portable gaming devices and many more. Moreover, the adapter is very portable and occupies little space in the user's car, since it measures just around 8.89 cm x 3.81 cm x 1.9 cm (3.5 inches x 1.5 inches x 0.75 inches).



The Auto Power Adapter with USB Power Port retails for around 10 US dollars, which, let's face it, is quite an OK price to pay for such an item.