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Computer: Network: Ethernet
Powerline phone charger   (+1)  [vote for, against]
Smartphone charger with built-in Powerline

If you own a smartphone and have access to 4G/LTE, you might have noticed that 4G is faster than your home WiFi network. Furthermore, in some situations the WiFi signal at home is bad, or you're not allowed to install a wireless access point.

What to do? If only your phone had an ethernet connection... But it only has a charging port. Hey! You can also get wired internet access out of your home outlets, using Powerline adapters. Why not combine one of those adapters with a phone charge?

So the idea consists of three parts: A - A wall charger that can convert the modulated mains voltage to 5V DC charge voltage combined with an AC internet signal. (see link A) B - Some clever electronics inside the phone to split the combined signal into seperate ones. C - Powerline adapter smart guts that fit inside a phone. All of this seem to be nothing more than some integrated circuits, and I wouldn't be surprised if you can integrate it with the existing wifi chip inside your phone. (see link B)
-- sdk16420, Dec 15 2014

reference link A https://electronics...-power-supply-lines
[sdk16420, Dec 15 2014]

reference link B https://i.imgur.com/YcXPmsr.png
[sdk16420, Dec 15 2014]

I may be missing a point here, but if you want to use your phone as a base station for your computer, you just enable tethering, no?
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 15 2014


What [MB] said. Set up an old laptop; connect to mains network via ethernet, and usb to mobile device. Old fashioned ICS on XP will do it, it's a no-brainer.

Having it all as an integrated unit would be nice. But it's hardly a halfbaked idea, because it's simple, practical and useful ...
-- 8th of 7, Dec 15 2014


Have to agree, tethering via USB or bluetooth is widely known to exist. As is data over power. Combining the two is an interesting thought, but it doesn't deal with the primary issue, which is that the volume of home data use exceeds the data allowance of a phone for all but the lightest user. (At least in the US. Milord Buchanan can speak for the UK).

(For reference, even at the lowest quantity, a 2GB phone plan will only cover a little under 3 hours of netflix video).
-- MechE, Dec 15 2014


//Milord Buchanan can speak for the UK// <tucks hand into jacket breast, stares into distance>

In the UK, for mobiles (as for home broadband/fibre), you can buy unlimited data plans fairly cheaply.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 15 2014


Ah. It might make sense then. Over here, mobile data tends to be a lot more expensive than home, and I don't believe any of the major providers offer an unlimited option any more. (I know some people are still running around with grandfathered plans).
-- MechE, Dec 15 2014


// <tucks hand into jacket breast, stares into distance> //

Oh no, not again. Milk of Magnesia, in warm water, and sit still in an upright chair for an hour or so.

How many platters of dormice roasted in honey on a bed of quail's eggs a la Nicoise have you scoffed this time ? And three or four bottles of Mouton-Cadet to wash it down no doubt.

And now you'll complain that you're too full for the first fish course. Typical.
-- 8th of 7, Dec 15 2014


[8th] don't be ridiculous. Mouton-Cadet with quails' eggs? In fact, Mouton-Cadet at all?
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 15 2014


Nostalgie de la boue ...
-- 8th of 7, Dec 15 2014


I've been keeping a bottle of Blue Nun especially for you, [8th].
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 15 2014


Thanks, that will round out the Xmas gifts nicely ... we can pass it straight on to Sturton along with the litre of methyated spirit we've already bought for him. That should keep him happy for at least twenty minutes.

We've got the usual for the Intercalary ... what on earth does he do with them all? It can't be very sanitary in there, after all this time.

We finally managed to obtain what you asked for last year, and it's in perfect condition. We just hope you haven't invited any U.N. weapons inspectors this year. Just make sure you dispose of the packaging discreetly this time.
-- 8th of 7, Dec 15 2014


// pass it straight on to Sturton along with the litre of methyated spirit// I'm sure he'll appreciate it.

// the usual for the Intercalary// I believe it's part of his quest to eat his way through current taxonomy.

//what you asked for last year// Excellent! We've been having a lot of bother with moles in the croquet lawn lately, and of course introducing coconut crabs to the north-east tropical arboretum was a mistake. Your generous gift will no doubt help in both cases.

Incidentally, are you going for turkey again this year? Only, if not, the penguins have had an unusually prolific year. They reduce quite a lot on cooking, but they'll still feed a collective of four with leftovers. Say the word, and I'll put one your way.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 15 2014


Yes, please ...
-- 8th of 7, Dec 16 2014


It's in the post.

Allow 1hr, plus 25min per pound, at about 190°C.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 16 2014


<aghast>I've been keeping a bottle of Blue Nun especially for you</a>
-- not_morrison_rm, Dec 16 2014


Shocking, isn't it ? We bet you thought that all stocks had either been destroyed, or put verifiably beyond use.
-- 8th of 7, Dec 16 2014


It's all been relabeled under the Thunderbird logo.
-- normzone, Dec 16 2014


//Shocking, isn't it ? We bet you thought that all stocks had either been destroyed, or put verifiably beyond use//

There's a solid argument that it was beyond use to start with.
-- bs0u0155, Dec 16 2014



random, halfbakery