Feb 03
As mobile devices get more powerful and wearables start getting traction, the bottleneck of delivering a great user experience lies not on the processor anymore but on batteries. While other … Continue reading
Jan 27
If there’s one thing I’ve learned when I travel, it’s that my iPhone 5 will run out of battery before I finish the day. When I’m at home, it’s fine, but out and about, I find that searching for networks, GPS, and other everyday usage burns through battery like it’s nobody’s business. These days, it’s almost a requirement that you travel with a spare battery or backup power source of some kind.
I’ve been using a Mophie Juice Pack Air for a while now, but I’ve had various problems with mine, so I’ve been looking for alternatives. So when I had a chance to check out the new Jackery Leaf battery case for the iPhone 5/5S, my curiosity was piqued for sure.
The first thing you’ll notice about the Jackery Leaf is that it’s a very different design from other battery packs on the market. Its true innovation is that when the battery is removed, your phone is still protected by a case.
In fact, the cases are interchangeable, and the Leaf comes with both a black and an orange iPhone case for you to swap around.
Once you’ve slipped your iPhone into the case of your choice, simply slide the case onto the keyhole hook on the Leaf’s battery back, ensuring the Lightning connector is docked and you can use the battery to juice up your phone. But if you want to travel light, you can just as easily slip the phone off the back, and it remains in its case. While the look isn’t quite as seamless as other battery cases, the convenience far outweighs that minor tradeoff.
With both battery and case snapped together, its total dimensions are 5.4″(L) x 2.4″(W) x 0.7″(H), providing the sometimes too lithe iPhone 5/5S with some much needed substance. The case itself only adds 0.625 ounce to your phone, while the battery and case combo adds 3.375 ounces. This is a tad more than the 2.75 ounce weight of the Mophie Juice Pack Air, but I didn’t notice it in everyday use. Plus, the Leaf has a larger capacity battery. Keep in mind that with the battery on, you may have to use the included headphone extension cable depending on how long and narrow your headset plug is.
Charging the Jackery Leaf is easy – just plug the included microUSB to USB cable between the case and a spare USB port or charger, and it’ll fill up in about four to five hours. Like the Mophie, I’d rather see a Lightning charging jack, but I’m assuming that using one for charging would drive the price up. The case also offers pass-through charging of your iPhone, so you can leave the case on all the time even if you are only using the internal battery of your iPhone most of the time. The iPhone charges first, then the case.
Turning the battery on or off is achieved by pressing the flat button on the back of the case for two seconds. Tapping that button will illuminate to indicate how much power the pack has using a multi-color LED. The 2400 mAh battery inside was enough to juice up my iPhone fully, and then give it another 35% or so after that. A full charge of the iPhone takes about three hours, but you can keep using your phone right away if it’s low on battery and you enable the Leaf, which I did on several occasions when my iPhone dropped down into the nerve-wracking 10% zone.
I really have nothing bad to say about the Jackery Leaf. It offers an innovative interchangeable case design, carrying flexibility, enough battery to charge your iPhone fully (and a little more) and is an all around good deal when compared with its biggest competitor.
In addition to the black and orange combo pack, Jackery is also offering a version with a white and an orange case. Hopefully, they’ll offer more interchangeable cases down the road, in case your case gets damaged, or if you just want a change of color. Regardless, the very fact that you can keep your phone in a case and then dock it with the battery is a big advantage over other battery cases.
The Jackery Leaf lists for $99.95(USD), but is currently on sale for just $79.95 over on Amazon. I’m not sure how long that price will hold, so you should take advantage of it sooner rather than later.
Jan 21
Battery innovations have promised to change mobile technology for the everyday user, and we’ve seen all sorts related breakthroughs, from the 30-second battery charge to the urine-powered Samsung cell phone. … Continue reading
Jan 18
Brunton Torpedo 2800 Hybrid Mobile Battery & Charger ensures you have power at your fingertips
Posted in: Today's Chili
There are times when you need to have power right at your fingertips – especially in this day and age where devices are extremely power hungry due to the numerous functions and features that they have. Well, you might be able to solve such worries with the $39.95 Brunton Torpedo 2800 Hybrid Mobile Battery & Charger, where this device functions as an all-in-one compact mobile battery and charger. To make sure that it plays nice with just about any gadget, it will come with the ability to juice up all devices that charge using a standard USB connection.
Inside, you will find a 2,800 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery. This hybrid mobile battery and charger all-in-one will be able to plug into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter socket, as it goes about recharging any device which juices up via standard USB. In fact, it is able to charge up any two devices simultaneously, since it comes with a couple of output sockets. We like the fact that it can be plugged into your vehicle’s power socket, giving you the option to juice up your gizmos before you arrive at your destination. Neat!
[ Brunton Torpedo 2800 Hybrid Mobile Battery & Charger ensures you have power at your fingertips copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Jan 17
When it comes to geeks and their computers as well as mobile devices and personal electronics, I guess there is just one way of putting it – you can never have enough power ports or battery life! Having said that, working with a notebook is cool, especially when you are not limited to the confines of an office. The thing is, notebooks do run on battery power, and battery power will run out eventually. What happens when you are in a situation that requires you to use your MacBook, but there is no power outlet in sight, and it is fast running out of juice? This is where the HyperJuice Battery comes in handy.
HyperJuice Battery Extends MacBook Run Time By Another 53 Hours original content from Ubergizmo. 
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Jan 16
You have always wanted to juice up your gadgets through the power of the force and now is your chance. This Star Wars Darth Vader Lightsaber Portable Battery Charger can make that dream a reality. This may be the sweetest battery charger ever.
Inside is a 2800 mAh lithium-ion battery which should be good for charging up your smartphone for at least a few hours. In addition, this elegant weapon from a more civilized age is also illuminated by four bright red LEDs.
I just love the detail on this charger. It is only about six inches-long, but don’t judge it by it’s size. The power of the Force is mighty.
It’s perfect for powering up your gadgets or having duels, whichever comes first. It sells for just $49.90(USD) from Brando.
Jan 14
In this day and age, it goes without saying that we have a slew of gizmos that we tend to carry with us wherever we go. There is a downside to all of it though – and that would be the battery life, or rather, the lack of its longevity. Most of us will need to juice up our respective smartphones, tablets, portable media players, GPS navigation devices, and for some, even electric cars, right before we go to bed, or run the risk of having them sputter at the moment when you need it the most at some point during the next day. Boy Scouts would know how to get ready for such situations, which is why the Braven BRV-Bank might be worth checking out, being a rugged portable battery by itself.
The Braven BRV-Bank is proud to be the world’s first IP68 water-resistant and MIL-STD 810G shockproof rated power bank that will offer yet another advantage – it comes with an integrated Bluetooth technology. The BRV-Bank will be able to hook up to a custom Braven BRV Bank App, where that will allow it to wirelessly monitor battery levels, start and stop charging devices as well as locate the BRV-Bank from a smartphone or tablet.
Specially constructed from ground up to cater to the great outdoors as well as emergency preparedness, it has the ability to last a whole lot longer compared to other portable power banks that we have already seen in the market. After all, how many of such devices are able to let users locate their backup battery, turn it on and off remotely, as well as monitor the battery level? Those who are interested will be able to pick up the BRV-Bank in 6,000 mAh and 8,000 mAh options, where they will sport a couple of outputs that support up to 2.4A and will be accompanied by a ruggedized USB charging cable and USB flashlight.
Press Release
[ Braven introduces BRV-Bank portable backup battery copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Jan 10
My daughter has this penchant for installing apps on my iPhone that let her take care of virtual pets and cook virtual treats. The games are irritating for a couple reasons. One, they seem to constantly notify me that I need to do something. The other is that it seems each time an update comes is have to delete apps, screen shots and pictures to make space for her new games.
If you have a problem with too many pictures on your iPhone 5S or iPhone 5, mophie has a new product worth a look. The product is called the space pack and it has an internal battery like most cases from mophie. The case promises to double the run time of your phone.
That is very nice on its own, but the case also adds up to 32GB of additional storage. The case also comes in a 16GB version. You use an app that is available free to drop any files, photos, and video you want from the iPhone onto the space pack to free up internal storage on your iPhone, while preserving your data. The case will ship in March for $149.95(USD) for the 16GB version and $179.95 for the 32GB version.
Jan 09
That’s right folks, it’s a pillow with a rechargeable battery inside. It may seem like a joke, or at best something you wouldn’t pay for – I’ll just stuff my battery inside my pillow! – but the more you read about the Power Pillow the more reasonable it sounds.
The Power Pillow was obviously made for those times when there’s no electrical outlet near your bed or couch. The bundled 12,000mAh rechargeable battery fits inside the pillow’s soft compartment, although you’re free to place other batteries inside the compartment. The battery has two 5V USB ports – one charges at 2.1A and the other at 1A.
Power Pillow is currently raising funds on Kickstarter. The original plan for was for it to come with two batteries, the idea being one battery will be ready to use while the other is being charged. But for the duration of the fundraiser a pledge of at least $74 (USD) gets you a Power Pillow with one 12,000mAh battery and one micro-USB cable. Pledge at least $125 if you want to get two batteries (and two micro-USB cables) with the pillow. You can also pick from several designs for the pillow cover.
[via Gear Diary]
Jan 08
If you’re like us, you’re mobile more than you’re stationary. Running around, your mobile device batteries get worn out. From time to time, so does your car battery. Both seem … Continue reading
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