Subscribe
Sign in
p/ten-one-designTen One Design creates one or two clever products each year.
Start new thread
Peter Skinner

Blockhead - Turn your Apple charger sideways so it fits in more places

by•

Blockhead snaps on to your existing Apple charger, allowing it to sit flat against the wall. Now it can fit in more places than ever. [UPDATED] Redesigned in 2017 for a perfect fit on the latest Apple USB Type-C charger models.

Add a comment

Replies

Best
Ryan Hoover
Ha! This should be the default, imo.
Tyler
@rrhoover This is awesome, except a few years too late. When plugged straight in, I feel like there's a 50/50 chance having a narrow plug works just as well. The real issue is that the Mac laptop adapters are getting really small, the new Macbook one, for example, is just a fraction bigger than the plug that comes with an iPad. I really like this, "duh" moment Blockhead creates though. So obvious in hindsight.
Spencer
@tylerh @rrhoover the MacBook Pro bricks will probably stay pretty big though, no?
Tyler
@sholtaway @rrhoover Ya, but I don't think that's the trend. I think they will get smaller and less obtrusive.
JESS3
@designlaurels Blue is better
Jeff Andersen
Am I a minority in that i bring the full length cable with me and use the standard (North American) three prong?
C B
@jeffandersen In SF, once you leave the office there's a 50/50 chance a wall outlet will only be two-pronged, especially if you're working at a friend's. Love this concept.
Peter Skinner
Maker
Hi everyone! It’s lovely to hear your thoughts on Blockhead. It’s an idea I hope will prove useful, even though a tiny thing. Yes, it could have been done as much as 15 years ago when the square power adapter first shipped with the Titanium Powerbook G4. When the idea first arose, there was a mixture of disbelief that it hadn’t been done, and kicking myself for overlooking it for so long. It feels terrific to finally have a chance to share this. I am really looking forward to hearing your take on it. Did we miss anything? Is it helpful? Any feedback gratefully accepted.
Pat Murray
@psidentity this is such a great idea! Any plans for foreign (e.g., Aus/UK) plugs in the future?
Peter Skinner
Maker
@_patmurray I would love to make that happen.
Paul Hart
@psidentity awesome... AU option too! (minor design tweak)... let me know where n when to send funds ;)
Karan Mavai
@psidentity beautiful product. Haven't read through all the comments, but did you try a design where the prongs fold away for travel like the original? I'd love to see that in a future version.
Peter Skinner
Maker
@karanm Thanks! Blockhead prongs are in a fixed position for strength & safety. Allowing them fold as well would be pretty great.
David Carpe
20 dollars? does apple own this company, or tesla?
Nik Sharma
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LI-I-IFE? - Rihanna when she sees this product.
Joshua Dance
I always use the full length cord add on. I can never find an outlet close enough for the cord without it.
brandon hoe
@psidentity - Great idea, mate. Looking forward to the next product- an Apple AC adapter where the wires don't fray in normal use. I've replaced mine 3 times and my wife's 4 times.
Peter Skinner
Maker
@bizstoryteller That sounds wonderful. MacBooks are so durable otherwise.
Esley Svanas
Great idea! I wish there was a version with the prongs in the original place but just rotated 90 degrees, so it hangs off the side of the power strip instead of covering up 3 other outlets. That would make my like 100x easier!
Filippo Mursia
This is like the invention of the Bendy Straw. Simple and effective. Awesome.
William S Huxley
Looks great! Are you planning to bring this to the UK/EU?
Peter Skinner
Maker
@williamshuxley I want to! We're looking into it.
Alex Mohseni
How'd they/you make the animated gif? It looks like it's floating...
Simon B
@amohseni 👍 I like to think they were there for days doing it stop-motion style, but it was probably CG. Either way, it would be great to see a "making of"...
Corey O
Very clever, but if I'm spending $20 on my laptop charger, I'd consider just upgrading to something smaller and more useful like the Zolt laptop charger. https://www.gozolt.com/laptop-ch...
Kartik Sathappan
Seems cool but for $20 the plugs should swing back into the block for storage and travel just like the original Apple block.
Jeremie Habib
Brilliant! Now how do we figure out how to make these half the size?
Ouriel Ohayon
really smart but pricing is worst than apple
Owen Williams
Sick! I wish this was included in the box as an alternate. I always take the shorter version when traveling.
Cody Joseph Krainock
I am in absolute awe. Searching for better words, but can't find any.
Stephen Kopanski
Is this certified to work with Apple's charger? Is there any risk to using this?
Peter Skinner
Maker
@bropanski Blockhead has a UL safety certification for the US and Canada.
Jeremy Viault
Do you guys plan to make a European version? I'd love it!
Peter Skinner
Maker
@jviault Thanks - I think a Euro version would be cool, too.
David Clark
Apple could have engineered their existing plugs to have both this and the original functionality. Neat idea though, I love how there's an entire market dedicated around circumventing design decisions apples has made.