
Japanese electronics giant Panasonic recently unveiled an invention so awesome and totally logical we can’t help but wonder why it took so long for someone to introduce it.
Behold, the USB wall outlet; a riff on the standard two-prong outlet that features an extra socket for USB devices.
In an age where probably more than half of the devices we use on a daily basis are USB-powered, it’s a wonder that it took until now for someone to come forward with a product like this.
Most tech companies seemed content to address USB-device recharging with expensive adapters until now, but Panasonic’s revolutionary outlet will no doubt cut into those companies’ bottom line by letting users skip the adapter and plug tablets, smartphones, E-Readers and the like directly into the wall, as the gods no doubt originally intended.
Panasonic says the outlet will run you around 4,350 yen (US$43) per installation and can be placed on your own existing outlets with a screwdriver and some basic electrical understanding…