It is rare that we recommend a device or accessory and then, at a later date, retract that recommendation. When that does occur you can be sure that it is for a good reason; that’s the case with the Bracketron Xolar3000. We reviewed it last week and are now withdrawing our recommendation. The reason? Read on and we will explain.
Think back to the last time your iPhone 5’s battery let you down, and how depressing it was to see that red band across the bottom half of your battery icon. Everyone who owns an iPhone has at least one ‘insufficient battery’ situation, and those are exactly the times when the Incipio offGRID Pro shines.
If you are in the market for an external battery that offers decent capacity, doesn’t require an extra cable for charging, includes flash storage for your “must always have” files, and can be personalized — look no further than the PowerStick PowerTrip. This $99 external battery even charges via the sun. It truly is the Swiss Army Knife of External Batteries.
I noticed the Towlhub, a 3-in-one paper towel holder while browsing SkyMall on the flight back from the happiest place on earth. It features a 4-port USB power , paper towel dispenser, and a hidden wine stopper (which also holds the paper towels); this MacGyver-ish device will set you back $49 – add Bluetooth speakers for a total of $79.
Perhaps one day, mobile phones will be invented that have batteries that recharge themselves as the person carrying them walks around. Until then, we’ll have to continue relying upon charging cords, AC/DC adapters, and extended batteries. If you’re still shopping for a mini power plant, Mobile Edge‘s UrgentPower DX 5200 is small enough to carry around for unforeseen charging emergencies.
If you’re in the market for a new external battery, the Bracketron Xolar3000 may be just the thing. The battery packs a 3000mAh battery into a nicely designed, plastic, metal and glass body. Why glass? That’s what really makes this battery stand out. Read on to see what a solar-powered external battery looks like, and why you’ll want one.
You take your laptop on the go and even though battery life has improved the need for carrying a charger is still a constant if you plan to be out for more than a few hours. Thankfully a new Kickstarter project that will have you covered. The Dart Laptop Adaptor is being advertised as, “the world’s smallest laptop charger.”
I’ve written many reviews on extended battery packs for mobile devices, but this is the first time I’ve had an external battery that was capable of charging my MacBook Air or MacBook Pro along with all my other mobile devices at the same time. Why would anyone need or want something as big and powerful as the HyperJuice? Well …
It’s become a running joke that I always have to one-up my friend Helena when comparing our extended batteries at tech events. While I am certainly not consciously competing over which of us can carry the biggest battery, there is truth to the fact that I prefer larger extended batteries; the new iBatzz Battstation Optimus 20400 certainly fits this bill.
The Poldera X4000 is a portable power bank and wall charger that packs an impressive 4000 mAh battery capacity. It’s key features include foldable AC prongs for wall charging, dual 2.1a and 1.0a USB output, and a 1.0a Micro USB-in port for charging when a wall outlet is not available. The Poldera X4000 can be purchased for $59.99.
We’ve previously looked at iPhone 5S battery cases. We’ve also reviewed cordless charging solutions for the iPhone 5S. I do not, however, recall reviewing something like the UNU AERO Wireless Charging Battery Case and Mat for the iPhone 5S. It’s both a battery case and a cordless charging solution for under $100, and it has impressed me … a lot.
Color Cables is an Indiegogo campaign running through midnight April 6, 2014. Their goal is to raise $20,000 with which they hope to offer cables for charging and synchronizing your MicroUSB and iOS (30 pin and lightning) devices. But these are no ordinary cables; according to the company each cable glows, is colored, and won’t tangle.
Any time I know that I’ll be away from an opportunity to charge my phone from a computer, AC, or DC outlet, I carry an extended battery pack with me along with least one charging cable. Lately I’ve been carrying the Moshi IonBank 5K; it has 5000 mAH, a built in Lightning cable and a built in USB charger.
The other night I attended an event in NYC. I knew security would be tight — metal detectors, wanding etc- so I opted to bring only my wallet and my iPhone. Big mistake, since my iPhone was down to just 35% when I arrived. I truly wish I had brought the TYLT ENERGI 5K+ battery pack along for the evening.
One of the things I love about the new Nokia Windows Phones is that they can utilize inductive charging. Being able to lay my phone on a Qi enabled charging pad throughout the day without plugging in any cables is too convenient; having a charging pad that looks as stylish as the $69.99 TYLT VU is pretty cool, too.
The PowerPot V is a small thermoelectric generator that uses the heat used to boil water and converts it into juice for your USB powered devices. The PowerPot is billed to output 5 watts of power and can work over any heat source, including an open fire. The PowerPot V sells for $149.00.
It is a “first world problem” but a problem nonetheless. As mobile gear multiplies, the need to charge them in a convenient manner becomes increasingly important. Bluelounge’s Sanctuary4 promises to keep up to four devices charge while conveniently keeping things organized and accessible. At $99.95 it might appear a bit pricey, but the convenience and functionality are sure to impress.
The Mota Battery Case for iPhone 5/5s combines the convenience of additional battery life with a sleek, slim design that’s easy to keep in your pocket. I’ve always been wary of extended battery cases because I keep my phone in my pocket and don’t want the added bulk, but the Mota eliminates that concern. The Mota Battery Case is $99.99. The Mota Battery Case is extremely similar in design and features to the Naztech Battery Case I reviewed recently. They both are made of two parts, the battery pack itself and a plastic frame that sleeves over the side of…
A really cool review item just came across my desk: the Power Pot V, which turns your campfire or any other heat source into juice for your USB-powered device. All you do is fill the pot with water, heat it up, plug in your device, and the Power Pot charges your device. The Power Pot sells for $149.00.
Other than looking like a tool, the main thing I really worry about when wearing Glass is how to best manage battery life, because it doesn’t take long before the battery withers — especially when filming video. PWRglass is a prototype product that aims to triple the Glass battery’s life. It looks like a lanyard and empowers Glass. Worth it? PWRglass via Joe from Book of Joe
When packing for a day out, three things are always taken: my phone, iPad, and an extended battery. I’m not always near a power source, so planning how I’ll top-off my gadgets is my (slightly obsessive) concern. Until recently, I was carrying the MiLi Power King, but now my go-to battery is the 20,000 mAh Moka i6. Here’s why …