powerskin
Latest
Review: PowerSkin PoP'n iPhone 5 battery pack
Earlier in the week I published some news about a new iPhone 5 battery pack from PowerSkin. Now the Pop'n iPhone 5 battery pack (US$79.99) has arrived for testing, so join me while I take a look at this decidedly different way of keeping your phone powered up. Design What makes the PowerSkin PoP'n different from other external battery packs? The suction cups. There are 24 small suction cups that are used to stick the PoP'n onto the back of your iPhone 5 or case. The rest of the PoP'n consists of a shiny case (black or white) enclosing the 2000 mAh battery, and a gray U-shaped connector at the bottom of the unit that terminates in a Lightning connector. A button on the back of the unit lights up a set of 4 blue LEDs to indicate the amount of power remaining and turns the pack on for charging. %Gallery-179048% The connector can be swapped out for one that will charge any iOS device with a 30-pin Dock Connector or Android devices with micro-USB A or B connectors. That's a nice feature for those who may have more than one smartphone in the family that needs charging. Functionality My first test was to see if those suction cups would stick onto the leather surface of my Twelve South SurfacePad for iPhone 5, and unfortunately they didn't. However, that luxurious thin case is easy to take off and reinstall, so within seconds I had the PoP'n securely glommed onto the back of my phone. I pushed the button on the back, and the phone responded by letting me know it was receiving a charge. To recharge the unit after you've used it, there's a traditional USB to micro-USB cable. You'll need to plug that cable into a USB port on your Mac or PC, or into another AC to USB adapter. Those 24 little suction cups do a great job of holding onto your iPhone, but the PoP'n can be easily removed when you're done charging the phone. So, how does this compare to the recently-released mophie juice pack helium (also $79.95)? I don't know, since I haven't had a chance to test one. But the PoP'n delivers 500 mAh more capacity than the juice pack helium and doesn't have to be installed on your iPhone all the time. I also received word from an early owner of the juice pack that it requires a pass-through audio jack cable (included) to connect to a headset; with the PoP'n, the speakers and audio jack are easily accessible. Conclusion For iPhone 5 owners who find themselves running out of power towards the end of the day, the PowerSkin PoP'n offers a great way to recharge your phone. Once you're done charging, you can slide the PoP'n off of the phone and be back to your sleek and sexy iPhone 5. Pros Provides 500 mAh more capacity than mophie's juice pack helium Can also charge other devices with optional connectors Unique suction cup design grabs onto bare iPhones and hard cases Made For iPhone certified by Apple Cons Won't stick onto fabric or leather materials Glossy finish picks up fingerprints Who is it for? iPhone 5 owners looking for an external battery pack that doesn't require the phone to be placed into a case Giveaway We're sure that somebody out there would just love to have this PowerSkin PoP'n battery pack. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before February 19, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a PowerSkin PoP'n battery pack for iPhone 5 worth US$79.95. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
PowerSkin Pop'n a fresh look at an external iPhone battery pack
PowerSkin, that company with the logo that looks like some sort of alien facehugger, today announced the Pop'n (US$79.99), a 2,000 mAh external battery pack that is touted as one of the first MFi (Made For iPhone)-certified iPhone 5 external charging solutions. The Pop'n doesn't require a protective case of any sort to take away from the natural beauty of the iPhone 5. Instead, it sticks to the back of your phone using a grid of 24 small suction cups. If you do happen to use a case, those same suction cups can stick the Pop'n onto the outside of the case. Pop'n's rather thin -- 10 mm at the thickest point -- and weighs only 86 grams. The idea of the Pop'n is that you don't have to carry around that weight all the time just to have some extra battery power at hand. Instead, once your iPhone 5 has been recharged you can just pop the Pop'n off. The Lightning connector for the iPhone 5 is on the end of a flexible cable that extends from the bottom of the Pop'n to the Lightning port. The pack is currently available in black and white, with red and pink versions coming within a few weeks. We'll have a full review and giveaway of the Pop'n in the near future.
PowerSkin launches NFC-friendly battery case for Galaxy S III
It's tough to get excited about phone cases -- really tough. But, we'll admit that PowerSkin's new Galaxy S III case did pique our interest a bit. It's not a revolutionary design that makes us rethink smartphone protection, but it does pack a number of nice features that definitely make it more interesting than your average silicone skin. Most notable is NFC integration, which means you wont have to take your GS III out of its case to make payments or tap and share data. Of course, like other PowerSkins, it also packs a backup battery (this one a 1,500 mAh pack) that lets you cruise through a day of heavy usage with little worry. That silicone shield should also help keep your precious handset safe in the event of an accidental drop or fall (just don't hit it with a hammer or anything). They're available now for $80 and, if you're curious, the official press release awaits you after the break.
Review: PowerSkin battery pack and protective case for iPhone
PowerSkin is an all-in-one external battery pack and silicon protective case for your iPhone 4 or 4S. It promises to double the performance of your iPhone's battery while protecting it from knocks and drops with a 100% recyclable silicone case. Personally, I've never been the kind of guy to use a protective case or extra battery packs for my phone. Usually, I'm never more than a day away from charging my iPhone, and although the idea of protecting my iPhone with a case really does appeal, I've always felt a protective case adds too much bulk and weight to make it practical for me. So when I got the opportunity to spend some time with the PowerSkin, I was curious as to how much of an impact it would make on my habits with regards to using my phone. Typically, I get through a day with between 10% - 20% charge left on my iPhone. I then put it on to charge through the night, so I'm all good to go with a fully charged battery in the morning. I wouldn't say I'm a heavy user, but I use my iPhone for data and calls throughout most of the day. If I'm away and I don't get a chance to charge up, I know my iPhone will see me through the day, and night, to about the first thing the next morning before it dies. So about 23 hours of my typical usage before my iPhone dies. With the PowerSkin, I'm pleased to say I got just shy of twice the battery life of my iPhone: a total of 45 hours. If I'd turned my iPhone off through the night, I probably could have knocked that figure up a few hours. But, for nearly two whole days, I didn't have to charge my iPhone. I have to say, it was a little disconcerting not putting my phone into its dock for its nightly juice-up. But I was also reminded of previous mobile phones I've owned, maybe 7 or 8 years ago, where I wouldn't think to charge the phone for two or three days as standard. Things certainly have changed! The PowerSkin has some nifty features as well as a great battery. It has a built-in LED light indicator to tell you how much charge left, and an on/off switch if you want to turn the external battery off altogether. Charging is made simple enough with a USB cable plugged into your Mac, PC or USB mains adapter -- the PowerSkin also makes sure the iPhone battery charges first, before its own. Another nice touch is synginc to iTunes while charging -- a bonus if you're not using WiFi syncing. The protective case fits snugly around the iPhone, with all buttons, sensors and the camera unobstructed. And it's easy to put the phone in the case or take it out. With the case on, there is a serious bit of bulk attached to the phone. In my rough estimates, it adds about the bulk of another iPhone to your current iPhone, plus a bit of extra length at the bottom of the phone. It's not unusable in any way, but it did make me feel like I was using a mobile phone from the late 1990s, and I was much more aware of my iPhone in my trouser pocket. The silicon case itself provided adequate protection. If I was to drop my iPhone with the case on, I'd still be concerned, but the back and corners are well covered -- it's just the screen which is still exposed. Although I'm not a fan of protective cases and battery packs because of their extra bulk and weight (as mentioned above), the PowerSkin does a great job at providing protection and extra juice for when you need it. I can certainly see the benefits of having one in easy reach for those moments when you unexpectedly need an extra charge or some protection in a precarious mobile phone situation. With out the phone inside, the PowerSkin can easily disappear into a bag pocket or desk draw for such occasions. If you're like me and you prefer your iPhone sans case and additional battery, the US$69.99 price tag will perhaps feel a little on the pricey side for such occasional uses. But if you know that regularly you're going to come up short on charge, and could do with the protection, the PowerSkin is certainly worth checking out.
SpareOne cellphone claims 15-year battery life, we go hands-on
Xpal Power (owners partners of Energizer and PowerSkin) has leveraged its battery-tech know-how into the SpareOne, a cellphone that can maintain its charge for up to 15 years on just a single AA battery. It's designed to be used for sponsorship, hotel use and (most importantly) emergencies, to throw into your trunk and forget about until you need to contact roadside assistance. Now at CES we've had a chance to get our mitts on the device to see what it's like in the flesh plastic. If you're just a little bit curious, why not join us for a short trip?
Powerskin's SolarCharge still believes in the sun
Remember when Nokia poo-poohed the idea of solar charging as a viable way to keep a smartphone juiced? It seems that no-one told XPal Power, since its PowerSkin brand has just launched a new photovoltaic kit as part of its 2012 lineup here at CES: SolarCharge is a silicone-wrapped brick with a solar panel on one end that'll charge most devices via a microUSB port. The 1000mAh battery tucked inside is rated to pony up around 350 minutes of talk time for your average smartphone. It'll set you back $70 when it arrives in February. KeyCharge attaches to your keychain and can offer a quick boost 90 minutes of additional time on its 750mAh battery, again via its microUSB port. It'll cost a more modest $25 and will be available to order at the same time Come with us, and you'll be, in a world of pure press releases, after the break.
SpareOne: a cellphone that can run for 15 years
If your car's broken down, nursing your smartphone's short battery life can be a real nightmare when waiting for rescue. Of course, that might not be much of a problem if Xpal Power (the company behind Energizer and PowerSkin) has anything to do with it. It's developed the SpareOne, a super-cheap phone that runs from a single AA Battery and will reputedly maintain its charge for up to fifteen years. The dual-band GSM phone is designed for emergencies, transmitting its location alongside its call ID, or as a loaner phone for big corporate events. You'll get an Energizer AA battery and a microSIM in the bundle which will set you back $49.99 when it arrives at some point this quarter. At that price, we can imagine throwing a few in the trunk for breakdowns, when we're doing our Bear Grylls routine, or during the Robopocalypse.
PowerSkin battery case pumps juice to HTC Inspire 4G, Desire HD
When it comes to battery-boosting power sleeves, we'd say the iPhone's covered, but what of the little green monster? Well, at least two Androids can now get juiced by way of a new charging case from PowerSkin. HTC's Inspire 4G and Desire HD are getting a little extra power with the release of this black silicone skin, which promises 1500mAh and up to eight hours of added battery life. The PowerSkin will set you back $60, and is now available at Amazon and the source link below.
MiLi's Powerskin claims coveted 'thinnest iPhone battery case' title
And here you were, stylin' in your Juice Pack Air, thinking you were the king of the charging iPhone case hill with the sleekest hardware money can buy... but guess what? Life isn't fair, and MiLi intends to prove it by undercutting Mophie's solution by right around a twentieth of an inch of thickness. It's still packing 1200mAh of power -- the same that the Juice Pack Air offers -- which MiLi claims should be enough to just about double your run time. It's available now in a choice of eight scintillating color combos for £47.99 (about $74).
DARPA on the lookout for robotic 'power skin'
DARPA has put out an RFI for something called Power Skin. The technology is conceived as a structural material that would provide "its own day and night power... to be used as an independent power source and, simultaneously, serve as the structural material" for robots (see our conceptual rendering above) and unmanned aerial vehicles. Ultimately, the military-industrial complex would like to see you develop something that would allow the aforementioned UAVs "indefinite flight endurance," although they'd be totally into it if you could demonstrate continuous flight for a mere four days. We're fairly certain that some of our more clever readers have already developed this technology, so why don't you hit the read link and see if you can't make a few bucks off it? Tell 'em Engadget sent you.[Via The Register]
