Niklas Zennström's comments in our interview last week about the many different chargers and other hardware you need as a business traveller got me thinking. Obviously it's not such a problem for Skypers as most Skype phones can be simply charged through your PC's USB port, but as more and more Skype phones begin to work independently of your PC, it's an interesting question.

So here's a roundup of some current and upcoming ways to avoid having to carry around dozens of chargers for all your electronic devices, to make sure you can keep talking when you're on the move.

A couple of years ago the BBC reported on a company who were creating a special pad which would let you just throw any compatible device on it and it would automatically charge.

It was called the Splashpad, used Electromagnetic Induction to transfer the charge, and seemed to be the perfect answer to this problem. Roll on a couple of years, and the product is still being developed; as yet there are few products supporting the Splashpad but apparently they are in talks with a number of manufacturers. The idea of being able to come in from work and just throw my phone, PDA, and anything else onto a pad to recharge is fantastic!

For those AA battery-powered Skype gadgets, Engadget report that AAK in Japan have just announced a rather interesting solution. Just chuck whatever device you have into the pot (with batteries in, obviously ), and 11 hours later take it out, fully charged thanks to the wonders of electromagnetism! Sounds great, although it just doesn't seem right to stuff one of those lovely fluffy Verballs into such a confined space...

Obviously it's early days for this technology, but definitely one to keep an eye out for...as is the idea of USB-powered AA batteries!

For those who can't wait, the iGo-branded range of multi-chargers allow you to simply swap over the adapter on the end of the cable depending on which device you want to charge.

The flagship everywhere130 at $139.99 provides a range of 'tips' which ensure that the charger can be used with thousands of different devices, and there are cords to allow you to use both normal wall sockets and the specially-designed power sockets found on planes and boats. The Everywhere15 with dualpower accessory (pictured) allows you to power 2 devices at once, and when coupled with the correct 'tips' provides a lightweight solution to the problem for just $59.99.

Of course if you really want to be free from the worries of finding a convenient wall to plug all those devices into, £59.99 buys you Solio's Portable Hybrid Solar Charger. Whilst this may require you to also buy adaptor tips at an additional cost, the hybrid charger gives you the option of either using Mother Nature to power your devices, or if necessary resorting to the wall socket. And, more importantly, it comes in 4 lovely colours.