Retracting Can Be Good

INTRODUCTION

    The worst part of having
any number of portable equipment that you travel
with is that no matter how many built in wireless
technologies you have, you still need to bring a
bunch of different wires and adapters in order to
charge your batteries. The JavoEdge JavoSync alleviates
some of this wire-clutter with a compact retractable
USB charging cable.

WHAT’S HOT

    A number of manufacturers
offer retractable sync cords for a wide range of
mobile devices. JavoEdge differentiates itself with
this new "silver" colored one which nicely matches many of the
paint jobs on current Pocket PCs. As you can see below, it looks quite
nice with my imate JAM.

PRODUCT FEATURES

The JavoSync comes in nicely designed
clear plastic packaging.

You’re
supposed to pull both ends of the retractable cable.  As
the wire unwinds the spring mechanism has a catch
that will click and stop it at three different
lengths. Pulling the wires out again will release
the catch and retract the cable. Very nice design.

ActiveSync and charging through a
USB port works perfectly. You can also use it with
any USB type charger, including battery powered ones.

HELP SUPPORT

    How is the help program/literature?
Does it explain all topics? Is it easy to use? Does
it leave you with any questions? Does it explain how
to get support? Does it give hints or tips? Any desktop
PC help? How is that? How about user manuals?

OPTIONS

    Any option settings not
mentioned in the product features section that are
worth emphasizing? If not, skip this section.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

    The
JavoSync requires a USB port for charging and ActiveSync installed
on a Windows PC in order for the syncronization to work.

BUGS AND WISHES

   
There’s really not much that can go
wrong with a product like this. It works great and
looks great. The only thing is that the orange logo
clashes a bit with my Pocket PC’s paint job. It does
make the logo stand out though, which I’m sure is
the intention.

PURCHASING

   
The JavoSync Silver can be purchased directly from the JavoEdge
website for about $14.95. It’s available for many
types of Pocket PCs and other mobile devices so take a look and
see if there’s one for you.

PROS

• 
  

  Much more
  portable than the USB cable included with the
  imate JAM

• 
  

  Silver
  color looks great

• Spring
  loaded retractable cable stays put at certain
  lengths

CONS

• 
  

  You have
  to buy it separately from your device

• Plastic
  spring coil case may flop around too much

Value
Ease of Use
Features
Overall

What
do these ratings mean?

OVERALL IMPRESSION

    If you normally carry your
regular USB cable or even the cradle around for
syncing or charging while on the road, you will love
not having to once you try a JavoSync retractable cable. I keep it
in a jacket pocket at all times, even when I won’t need it. When travelling,
I connect it to a Boxwave battery charger that
recharges my imate JAM with 4 AA batteries. If only
more mobile devices were sold bundled with this kind of retractable
cable.

Originally published on Pocketnow on March 15, 2005. More Reviews articles from the Pocketnow archive.