New Microsoft Tech Makes Battery Changes a Breeze

Came from Apple, which came from Xerox.

Everyone steals from everyone else. Only time you hear about it is during large patent suits when whoever is making the *least* bucks, but has the most lawyers, tries to make more bucks.

If everyone makes money, no-on cares.

Not in the same vein, but polarity protection devices to ensure nothing happens if you insert the batteries the wrong way around (no protruding nipple on the positive side) have been around for many years. This idea relies on the same thing.

The biggest fail I've seen is one of these on a battery charger. Where the nipples on my D size cells were "flatter" than ordinary builds. Which is typical for many NiCds/NiMHs. So I removed the positive metal tabs on the charger, and soldered thick wire stubs to the termainals so they protrude through the "protection" plastic shrouds. If I see this nowadays, I automatically do this, even when new. This way, some time in the future when I try to use a NiMH with flat nipples, I just plug it in and trust it works without being stuck.

I think "InstaLoad" is going to be another massive fail, because when the user starts to use batteries with smaller positive nipples, they're going to pick the tabs out with paper clips trying to make it work. Frustrated because there's no spring at the end to take up the new protruding centre, they're going to mangle it more. Then throw it away, and buy something after demanding they look at the battery compartment first.

Not to mention the minor problem of NiCds/NiMhs with flat tabs melting down right after inserting them into your newfangled whooptydo InstaLoad device.

Can I be the first to call it InstaCrap?

why Microsoft is even bothering with a

How the f*ck are you Rod, long time no speak.

Good point. On re-reading the article I see you're right.

isn't this a solution to a non-problem. How many people see the embossed image and still get it wrong?

The cost of the royalty could be as much as a lossless rectification, if one really cared about such a feature.

People who don't understand how to read the clearly imprinted battery insertion diagrams on electronic devices shouldn't be using electronic devices!

Like putting an automatic choke and electric start on a chainsaw. Watch how many people cut their limbs off.

My wife. Despite knowing well and trying hard, still gets it wrong at times. Not every device has symbology that is entirely legible, either. A few have given me a struggle just to find them.

From the OP's post: "The InstaLoad technology will be licensed on a royalty-free basis, Microsoft said."

Jon

Despite knowing well and trying hard, my wife still gets it wrong at times. As one gets older, eyesight changes.

Besides, not every device has symbology that is entirely legible, either. A few have given me a struggle just to find them. Some are quite easy to read. But not all by any means.

Not that I'm arguing for or against, here. I just don't find the above a particularly good argument against it.

I lost a limb (finger tip) using a device I'd been using safely for more than 12 years of routine and regular use and knew extremely well.

I'm not supporting automoatic chokes and electric starts on chainsaws, either. But your argument here is non sequitur.

Jon

I've hit the age (53) where my near-vision is going. Seeing that embossed image (especially when its only embossed and there's no black-on-white or white-on-black outline) is getting more and more difficult. So yes, there are a bunch of us to whom that embossed image is becoming less and less of a useful guide...

While I think this idea is pretty cool, it isn't clear to me that, in practical terms, it's actually better than the various holder designs that make it hard to put the batter in backwards or that won't make contact if you do.

Pretty good, apart from it being winter, my least favorite season.

Well, if I have to replace the four batteries in my digital camera in a dim environment, I really need my reading glasses to see where the + and - markings are. Being able to just "throw" the batteries in the hole would be a great thing.

Meindert

Ehhhmm... a total drop of 1.2 - 1.4V on *each* battery voltage of 1.5V seems quite a show stopper to me....

Meindert

If you are "replacing" batteries isn't it just simpler to remember how the ones you have just taken out were positioned?

tim

Not if they're inserted vertically. I'd have to feel which ones have the + on top without glasses....

Meindert

Could you work it out from the flats/bumps on the flap?

For my canon EOS, four batteries in pairs and the second one falls over when you take the first out. Then it is a case of reading the +/- signs.

One would think. But in my experience... no.

quite a show stopper to me....

Doesnt have to be anything like that much of a drop.

quite a show stopper to me....

You're aware of power diodes that have much less than .6V voltage drop eh Rod? Name the model #

quite a show stopper to me....

So you are going to wave that magic "wand "of yours woddles changing the laws of physics ? name the device you are thinking of by number to prove your claim thanks