Chargebox

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A ChargeBox is a machine for charging devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, iPods, PSPs, and other small, mobile electronics. They can be situated in locations between the home and the office, with securable lockers, so devices can be safely charged at the owner’s convenience. Other vending machines that are also capable of performing this function are operated by Photo-Me International.

Chargebox installed at Norton Canes Services, M6 Toll.

It would seem to be hoped that as today’s mobile devices have many more features such as games, music, video, email as well as being phones having ChargeBoxes in convenient locations will enable people to use these features without being nervous of running out of battery power and no longer being contactable. A YouGov survey conducted in June 2006 found that 61% of under 30-year olds have run out of battery power on their mobiles while out and about within the last month. Also 48% of under 30-year-olds said that they had been in situations when they had wanted to use the features on their phones, but had refrained from doing so for fear of running out of battery.

The first machines have been sited at locations such as easyInternetcafes, Arora Hotels, Holiday Inns, Novotel, Road Chef, Tower 42, Vodafone stores, the Carphone Warehouse and various airports. About one hundred ChargeBoxes are installed in the UK.

Boxbrands, the company that produces Chargeboxes, also launched the product in countries outside the UK starting in September 2006.