Droid Powered –
GEN has turned the little green Android mascot into a USB charger. Outside of its charming presentation it is still just a portable charging device that will speak to Android owners if they are willing to pay the extra cuteness tax.
Comes with all you need
This novelty item comes with everything you will need: the green droid charger, a 4ft micro USB to USB cable, and a foot stand to use for “display mode.” Andru even has two points of articulation as the arms can be rotated up and down independently. The USB cable has also been designed with care as it supports the same color scheme as the little green guy and also features a slightly textured indentation to make USB insertion as easy as possible. The USB cable is also made of a different textured design that is sure to stand out against the rat nest of cables that any tech geek will have.
Insert into his head
The gimmick behind this little guy is obviously its outer appearance. The green droid is laced in a soft but highly gripable material that should make purse or suitcase searching easier. When plugged into the wall, Andru’s eyes glow a subtle white color but turn blue when charging a device. The eyes will also change colors again when the device has reached a full charge. With the obvious focus on charging Android powered devices, users should also know that this green droid will charge anything that uses a micro USB charging input; I had no problems getting my Windows Phone to work with this device. And since the USB cable is completely separate from the charging droid, it can also be used to transfer data when hooked up to a corresponding computer.
He gets possessed when you plug him in
Negatively, the packaging is a little tough to open although it is creatively designed. A quick blade exacto knife is needed to slice open the top binding while scissors might be needed if your fingers are not strong enough to separate its plastic housing. The USB cable also comes bound by a basic rubber band; a twist tie would have been a little more durable. Andru even features his little antennae but they feel a little flimsy, but this is just a minor cosmetic concern.
Packing is cute but hard to open
All in all, this device is perfectly suited for portable travel thanks to its compact and small design while sporting a high amount of personality. But this personality comes at a cost of around $25. There are millions of other USB chargers on the market but die hard Android users will undoubtedly adore this little android.
Portable size
Dimensions
Size (LWH): 7 inches, 2.25 inches, 2.25 inches
Weight: 2.08 ounces