Energizer's Energi To Go charges gadgets with AAs

We'll sheepishly admit to being among the reported 20 percent of cellphone users whose phones conk out at least once a week (in fact, it just happened today), so you can bet we'll be first in line to pick up one of Energizer's new AA-based cellphone chargers when they hit stores on September 1st. Eschewing proper spelling for catchy branding, the Energi To Go line will come in numerous configurations to support a claimed 100 handsets covering most major manufacturers, with each package containing a special tip for individual models. Energizer promises that its e2 batteries will enable most dead phones to make a call in just 30 seconds (you can use regular alkalines, but of course Energizer recommends its own pricey products), with smartphones requiring several minutes to suck up enough juice for calling. Along with the $20 cellphone version, Energizer will also be releasing a $30, four-battery model to charge DAPs and portable gaming devices, with iGo-developed tips available for iPods, PSPs, Nintendo DSes, and other small gadgets you see mentioned with regularity on these pages.

[Via Mobiledia, thanks Ryan]

[bophojones @ Jun 15th 2006 8:01PM]

I dunno, I will probably still stick the cellboost...at buy one get one for five bucks, it's still cheaper than a pair of (decent) AAs.

[Josh @ Jun 15th 2006 8:08PM]

Or you could make your own....

http://www.hackaday.com/entry/1234000060073719/

mintyboost!

[stev @ Jun 15th 2006 9:24PM]

i was gonna say mintyboost too
but u got there first
*sigh*

[Kyle @ Jun 15th 2006 9:28PM]

These things have been around in Japan for years. Walk into ANY convinence store and you'll see about 20 of these things. They vary in battery capacity (2-4 AA) and connector type (some even come with universal adapters). Granted, the cellular market here far beyond the US but still this is OLD technology.

[Oddmanout @ Jun 16th 2006 1:25AM]

Kyle beat me to it, but most people probably could have guessed it anyway. In a country where you can buy a cell phone in a vending machine it's to be expected.

But I've been using such battery packs for a number of portables for years. I've got a $6 one from Semson that lets my Zaurus charge off 4 AAs.

But while we're on the subject, anyone know of such a device that can extend the pathetic 2.5 hour runtime of my Pepper Pad to something more useful on an 11 hour flight ?

[J @ Jun 16th 2006 10:14AM]

As an added bonus, it also doubles as a Wii controller!

[Mike @ Jun 16th 2006 11:15AM]

Is nice that this will be widely available, for many different types of devices. But in the end, as others note, we call this a "battery pack" ...

[az1324 @ Jun 16th 2006 2:55PM]

Energizer has had a great Ipod external rechargable battery available for a while now. It provides 8-9 hours of video playback for me on my Ipod.

[James @ Jun 17th 2006 4:47PM]

just make a mintyboost, you idiots!!!

[Phones Review @ Jun 20th 2006 3:41AM]

Are these available in the UK

[Bob Katayam @ Oct 2nd 2006 2:59PM]

Quote by Kyle:
"These things have been around in Japan for years. Walk into ANY convinence store and you'll see about 20 of these things. They vary in battery capacity (2-4 AA) and connector type (some even come with universal adapters). Granted, the cellular market here far beyond the US but still this is OLD technology".

Hi Kyle:
You can simply say that all technology in Japan is ahead by about 10 years from North America and much of Europe. ;-)