It’s so ubiquitous, yet so flawed. Beautifully designed with clean lines, yet failing to meet the demands of travelers in airports and hotels across the country. Appearing quite generous when tightly wound, yet falling short the moment it is set free. When I tell you that this thing causes me grief, I really mean it. I’m talking about the iPhone charging cable. All three feet of it.

Imagine the scenario:

You’re in the car, headed to the airport. To pass the time, you decide to play a little CSR Racing (everyone should go download this iPhone game RIGHT NOW, btw) while listening to some BPM (shout out to The Relevancy Index team). By the time you arrive at the airport, get NSFW pics taken of you going through security and sleepwalk to your gate, your battery is at 54%. Bummer. Got to find a outlet. You spy with your little eye an outlet about 10 paces away. You head that way… fervently. OOPS, you out-speedwalk the 40-something Account Manager trying to charge his Blackberry Bold. Suckerrr. You’re feeling like a champ when you realize that the closest chair to the outlet is another 8 feet away. You stand because you see the miscreant flying on the buddy pass eying your iPhone 5. “Not today,” you whisper underneath you breath. Battery: 78%

Flight’s awesome. You get upgraded because you’re a boss #shinin. Work’s great, especially since everyone is complimenting you on your fresh dougie (“haircut” for those of you who need the refresher). After your steak dinner at Del Frisco’s, you head to the hotel for some shut eye. Battery: 12% NBD since you’re going to bed, right? Not so fast, the outlets by the bed are either: 1) nonexistent, 2) non-operable, 3) behind the headboard/some other inaccessible place, or 4) occupied by some appliance you’d rather not unplug. Lucky you, you get to charge your phone on the desk, 5 feet from your arm’s reach. Get ready to actually “wake up” when your first alarm goes off in the morning. Yuck.

Unless… you have a 3ftm charging cable for your iPhone! That’s 10ft, people! I have one and I’d marry it if, like, that was an okay thing to do. You wouldn’t believe how useful it is for the traveler. I’ve used it in airports, hotels, cars (reaches to the back seat), parties, you name it. I know, I know, it’s not as expensive as Victorinox luggage or as fancy as a Macbook Air, but these things gets the job done! Anyone with an iPhone should go order one today. The decision is simple. You’ll thank me the next time you’re looking around for a nearby outlet. Battery: 100%

For iPhone 5 owners, you can own yours for less than a wrinkled Jackson.

For iPhone 4S (and older), you can own yours for about the same price as a rusty nickel.