Ever been sitting down at a PC and thinking, "If only I could recharge this battery with the USB port"? I certainly haven't, but this gadget still seems pretty cool: A USB AA battery charger, soon to be followed up by additional units that can do AAA and 9V. From there, even USB-rechargeable cell batteries are planned. For a mere $24, you get an enclosure that will recharge appropriate batteries, and automatically shut off when it reaches maximum capacity. As far as speed goes in charging, it's about the same as any normal charger you'd plug into a wall - 5 hours from no charge.
Moixa Energy Holdings, the company the device, demonstrated the charger and the batteries for it at DEMOfall 2006. Interesting stuff.