Werewolf's VFLEX dongle converts old barrel-jack gadgets to USB-C power, letting a single USB battery run a desktop monitor, a Super Famicom, and other retro devices. Anyone still juggling dead proprietary chargers for old hardware now has an $8 (USD) fix that works across dozens of devices.
What actually happened
The Verge's Sean Hollister tested the VFLEX dongle from Werewolf, in an article published 7 August 2026. The dongle costs $8 (USD), and barrel jack tips cost $4 (USD) each. It plugs into USB-C chargers or batteries and negotiates voltage directly, supporting standard USB Power Delivery levels of 5V, 9V, 15V, 20V, 28V, 36V, and up to 48V with a 240W charger. Hollister measured his Super Famicom, a 24W monitor, and a sub-1W HDMI adapter all running through VFLEX adapters from one Shargeek 300 battery, according to Werewolf transformed my old gadgets into USB-C powered ones. Werewolf's Kevin Spangler said VFLEX "may not resonate with the average consumer" due to setup quirks. Founder Luke Beno said the company plans a reverse-polarity version of the dongle itself.
How we got here
USB-C has slowly become the default charging standard for phones, laptops, and tablets, but decades of gadgets built before the protocol existed still rely on barrel jacks and dedicated AC adapters. Devices like Nintendo's 1990 Super Famicom or older external hard drives never anticipated USB Power Delivery. Werewolf's approach avoids voltage conversion entirely. The VFLEX simply requests the exact voltage a device needs from a compatible USB-C charger, the same negotiation process modern laptops use. Users program the dongle through a companion app or public API, storing charger and device profiles for repeat use. This turns any sufficiently powerful USB-C battery into a universal adapter for legacy hardware.
Why this matters for you
For owners of retro consoles, vintage cameras, or industrial gear stuck with barrel jacks, VFLEX offers a way to retire dead proprietary power bricks without modifying the device. Builders working on accessories for legacy hardware gain a reference for negotiated power delivery instead of fixed-voltage conversion. Werewolf is already developing dedicated adapter cables for retro consoles, CPAP machines, and M12 industrial connectors, widening the use cases beyond hobbyists. Not every USB-C charger works, though. Only chargers supporting programmable power supply voltages below the standard steps, or Extended Power Range chargers above 100W, unlock the dongle's full voltage range. Buyers still need to check their charger's specs before relying on it.
The bigger question
If a small dongle can translate decades-old power standards into modern USB-C protocols, how many other legacy interfaces, from analog video to industrial connectors, could be bridged the same way? Universal power negotiation raises a broader question about hardware longevity. Should future devices be designed around negotiated, software-defined power from the start, rather than fixed voltages baked into a wall adapter? The answer could shape how manufacturers design charging for gadgets meant to last decades, not just a product cycle.
What to watch
Werewolf founder Luke Beno says a reverse-polarity version of the VFLEX dongle is planned, removing the need for separate orange-tipped connectors. The company is also developing adapter cables for retro gaming consoles, CPAP machines, and M12 industrial connectors. Kevin Spangler, formerly of Werewolf, said the firm may eventually build its own power supplies to unlock additional voltages. No firm release dates were given for any of these upcoming products.
