Werewolf’s $8 VFLEX Dongle Converts Old Gadgets to USB-C Power
Updated
Updated · The Verge · Aug 7
Werewolf’s $8 VFLEX Dongle Converts Old Gadgets to USB-C Power
2 articles · Updated · The Verge · Aug 7
Summary
$8 VFLEX dongles let older devices with barrel jacks run from USB-C chargers or batteries after users program the required voltage in Werewolf’s app and add a $4 tip.
24W monitors, 2W retro consoles and even a 0.33W original Game Boy can be powered this way, turning fixed gear into portable setups that can run for hours from modern battery packs.
The system negotiates USB-C power rather than converting voltage, so compatibility depends on what a charger can supply; standard PD steps include 5V, 9V, 15V, 20V and up to 48V with higher-end adapters.
That flexibility comes with setup risks: users must know a device’s required voltage and, for center-negative gear like some Game Boys and Super Famicoms, use reverse-polarity connectors to avoid damage.
Werewolf says it is developing dedicated cables for retro consoles, CPAP machines and industrial uses, and plans a reverse-polarity VFLEX version that would simplify setup and add app warnings.