Tripp Lite's 6 inch USB 2.0 port liberator allows connection of a cell/smart phone to your notebook computer for charging and syncing, while creating a second port for other peripheral connections, such as a printer, external mouse, etc. Plug the U024-06N-HUB into your notebooks USB port, and your phone USB cable into the gray charging port. The pigtail cable then provides an external port for another USB peripheral device. ( note: will not charge iPad or other tablets and devices that require 2.5AMP or higher )