MagSafe Is Great, but Patented

The MagSafe adaptor is a really interesting innovation, and of course Apple patented it. If this is obvious and normal, Apple might not be willing to see other PC manufacturer's to copy it, it also prevents companies that develop peripherals to offer any power related products for the Mac.
The first companies to have faced the problem were Batterygeek and more recently Quickertek. They offer batteries, but without adaptor, which should be bought independently, or built as a DIY product, this is quite expensive as one has to destroy a MagSafe in order to recover the adaptor.
FastMac just released an interesting alternative, and offer an universal charger, working with all Apple MacBook, but one should say all MacBook's batteries. Indeed, instead of getting connected to the computer, they offer a connection to be plugged to the battery itself.

Of course this a way to overcome the MagSafe patent while offering a product for it, but it also makes their product incompatible with the MacBook air. With such trick, FastMac can offer a product at 70 USD without having to pay royalties to Apple.
On the long term, peripherals really taking advantages of the MagSafe might be a problem to develop if Apple does not accept licensing for its technology.