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submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by SubArcticTundra@lemmy.ml to c/technology@beehaw.org

I know these are currently out of fashion but I'm still thankful they exist.

Let's remind ourselves of devices that use(d) these standardized batteries:

  • Toys
  • Digital cameras
  • Torches
  • Gadgets like fans
  • Wireless keyboards
  • TV remotes

Thanks to having a standardized system of batteries,

  • You can use the same battery across several devices. This is a no brainer but it's very practical.
  • Batteries can charge quicker thanks to being put in a dedicated charger and not being limited by USB cables. (But yes I concede that USB has been updated for faster charging over the years)
  • Devices don't have down time when their battery is charging. To charge, the battery is removed from the device and can immediately be replaced with a fresh one.
  • You'll never have to trash a device due to an expired battery. Just buy a replacement. And building on this...
  • Any improvements in future battery technology can be retro-fitted into your existing devices. And there is a high incentive for future improvement, because...
  • An accessible (due to easy replacement) and large (due to many devices) battery market is very attractive to competition.

If you look at the pros I listed, they all happen to be things that would be very useful for electric cars. So I think it would aid the adoption of electric cars if their batteries were standardized too.

(page 3) 32 comments
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[-] avidamoeba@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 year ago

Li-Ion solved this problem.

[-] TopHat@compuverse.uk 1 points 1 year ago

If it was so easy to replace them, with each Li-Ion battery being different for every type of device.

[-] TopHat@compuverse.uk 1 points 1 year ago

Since I got those from Ikea, I just want devices to go back to those types of batteries instead of internal battery packs. Still got to appreciate the Xbox controllers sticking to that principle (for now).

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[-] jeanofthedead@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

I wouldn't say they're out of fashion - a lot of smart home devices are moving away from disposable cell batteries and over to rechargeable batteries.

[-] SubArcticTundra@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

That's good to hear, I had a feeling it was all moving in the direction of glued in battery + usb

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[-] Pinklink@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago

Uh, torches use fire yah limey

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this post was submitted on 07 Aug 2023
494 points (100.0% liked)

Technology

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