Review: Sync and Charge on the go with Kii from Bluelounge

For a guy who is called upon to look at peoples computers, I always have a need to need to charge my phone, or transfer some files across. At the moment I have a longer USB cable that is shoved into my bag. But sometime you want to travel light, and not have to carry a bag just for the sake of a cable. So I was really happy to test out the Kii, a nifty little USB-smartphone connector in the shape of a key, made just for your key ring. Allowing you to latch it onto your keychain and disconnect whenever you want a charge. Bluelounge was kind enough to send one, and I’ve been testing it for the last week. And it has been a lifesaver.

I am quite a heavy phone user (insert fat joke here). So my phone can be down to 30% when i’m halfway through the day. Now friends will have a microusb cable handy, but my slightly older friends and family wont, so I may be at a loss when I’m round and cant charge my phone. This is also the case when I want to get a file off my phone on their computer or vise versa. Sometimes cables can be bulking and get in the way, or the head can come off.

After testing the Kii I found it to be truly exceptional. When attached to my keychain it did add some bulk, it’s obviously thicker than most keys, but unlike keys won’t scratch anything. But it is now a keychain staple and I use it everyday.

Since it’s USB powered, I have found the best use of the Kii is with a laptop, which is what the Kii is designed for. It’s flat and extends well off of a flat seated laptop. I found it good for file transfers, as it can save valuable seconds in plugging in and attaching the phone. There are some obvious challenges, namely non-flat based USB plugs. I can’t use this in my monitor USB port, or via a plug socket.

One niggle was getting it in and out. It was incredibly stiff and had to do the Mak’tar chant of strength in order to have the power to unlock it the first time.

For the price, they’re actually a pretty good deal.  The MicroUSB for £20, it’s an easy price to pay for the convenience. The fact is that the Kii is ridiculously convenient. Once you don’t have it, you realize how much you need it. The Kii is a simple way to keep your smartphone connected and charging on the go.