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Apple's iPhone 11 battery case includes a dedicated camera button
Apple has introduced new versions of its Smart Battery Cases for the latest iPhones, but this time there's a better reason to buy than just the extra longevity. Its newly-released cases for the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max all include a dedicated camera button that can launch the Camera app, take a photo or (if you hold it) record video. The concept of a camera button on an iPhone case certainly isn't new, but this is an official option -- and it's hard to find a case that also extends your battery.
PERI Duo: It's a Bluetooth/Wi-Fi speaker, a battery case, and more
If there are two product areas that seemingly don't need any new entries, those are probably portable Bluetooth speakers and iPhone battery cases. But what if you could get both of those product genres in one product? That's the idea behind the PERI Duo, an iPhone case (5/5s/6/possibly 6 Plus) that integrates a detachable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker system with a 2500mAh battery. The PERI Duo is currently an Indiegogo campaign that is 51 percent funded with a month left. For as little as $79, you'll be one of the first to get the device, which comes in three different color combos: White/Gold, Red/Black, or Black/Silver. As you can see from the accompanying video, the PERI Duo features both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, can handle Multi-Casting (the ability to create a peer-to-peer Wi-Fi network and stream music to more than one device), has a high-resolution digital-to-analog coverter, and will have an app to offer equalization settings. Add a case that should keep your iPhone safe from drops and recharge it with a 2500mAh battery, and you've got a truly multi-function case. Judging from the interest in this campaign, there's a good chance the PERI Duo will go into production. Let's see if TUAW readers can help push the campaign over its goal. You can also check out the PERI website for more information about the design and internals of the Duo.
Boom! Our huge roundup of iPhone 6 cases and accessories
It has to be rough to be an iPhone case manufacturer. Every couple of years, you catch wind of a new form factor coming out for Apple's products, and it's back to the CAD package, drawing up new and hopefully different cases to protect the latest out of Cupertino. During the past few weeks, we've heard a lot from manufacturers about their coming iPhone 6 products. Here's what's been announced for Apple's newest smartphone: Seidio Seidio is releasing two cases for the 4.7-inch iPhone 6: the Surface for iPhone 6 (US$34.95) and the Dilex Pro for iPhone 6 ($34.95). According to the notes provided to TUAW, the Surface protects your iPhone from scratches and drops while adding minimal bulk. It doesn't attract lint, nor does it slide around easily thanks to a soft-touch surface. There are precision cut-outs for access to the ports, controls, speakers and camera. The case uses a unique slide-in design to make putting on and removing the case easy. The Dilex Pro for iPhone 6 features Seidio's new Hexguard technology, which uses a honeycomb pattern on the interior TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) casing that provides extra cushioning in case the phone is dropped. As with the Surface, the Dilex Pro has a soft-touch coating on the exterior. Interlocking layers snap onto the iPhone 6 without separation, and a built-in metal kickstand provides hands-free experience in landscape orientation for viewing multimedia or displaying clocks and calendars. PureGear PureGear went whole-hog on the iPhone 6 accessories. Let's dive on in! First up is the Hip Case+. It is a 4-in-1 system with a rubberized grip, 180-degree rotating holster clip, interior 2-slot ID/credit card holder, and a low-profile kickstand. It'll be available in black or gray for $34.99. Let's put a little color into the world of the iPhone 6. The Slim Shell ($24.99) comes in a variety of vibrant two-tone shells, but will also come in clear if you need protection but want to show the world you have an iPhone 6. It's made of flexible rubber and polycarbonate, featuring metal volume and power buttons. Need more protection? The PureGear DualTek Extreme Shock Case has an ergonomic grip, layered construction, and shock-resistant corner impact protection for drops of up to six feet. Available in Matte Black, Arctic White, Caribbean Blue, Radiant Orchid, and Kayak Yellow. All this protection is available for just $34.99. Now if you really want to travel light, you'll want the PureGear Express Folio, which combines the protection of a case with a wallet. Three models are available: Perfectly Black (made of perforated faux leather), Simply Caramel (faux leather), and Naturally Navy (canvas). All of these are just $39.99. PureGear will also be releasing a trio of its PureTek Roll-On Screen Shields priced at $24.99 to $39.99. The three models are AF (anti-fingerprint), IP (impact protection), and Flexible Glass. Grovemade The first really unique cases for iPhone 6 are coming out from none other than Portland, Oregon's Grovemade. Three different models are available: the Leather iPhone Cases, the Walnut and Maple iPhone Cases, and the Walnut and Maple iPhone Bumpers. The Leather iPhone Cases (center, above) are handcrafted from premium vegetable-tanned leather fused with either Oregon Claro Walnut or Eastern Hardrock Maple. The case doubles as a stand and features laser cut actuated power and volume buttons. Each case is individually hand sanded and stained and will retail for $119. The Walnut and Maple iPhone Cases (right, above) will sell for $79, and are made from Oregon Claro Walnut and Eastern Hardrock Maple. There's a one-piece adhesive back plate that attached to the back of your iPhone and can be removed without leaving any residue. Finally, the Walnut and Maple iPhone Bumpers (left, above) will retail for just $49. This is a one-piece design that is the industry's first complete wooden frame that offers the durability of a case without the weight or cost. TYLT TYLT has two new products that will come out in Q4 for the iPhone 6. First is the $99.99 ENERGI Sliding Power Case, featuring a whopping 3,200 mAh rechargeable battery pack. There's an exterior charging case that can be removed, revealing a TPU-lined inner case for drop protection. It's going to retail for $99.99. The company has also announced the ALIN Glass Screen Protector for iPhone 6 ($34.99) to keep your iPhone 6 clean and scratch free. JunoPower And here's another rechargeable battery pack case that has been announced for the iPhone 6. JunoPower's NovaPak is available for pre-order for $49.99. The company is saying that the NovaPak will feature a capacity of 3,000 mAh and be one of the slimmest battery cases around at just 14 mm thick. It's surrounded by a TPU plastic molding for resistance to dust and fingerprints. Although we don't know at the time this post is being written whether or not the iPhone 6 will have wireless charging capabilities, NovaPak can be ordered with an optional wireless charging cradle. X-Doria X-Doria wasted no time in coming out with a series of iPhone 6 cases, some of which are really fashionable! Let's start with X-Doria's Defense 720°case ($29.99) which includes a grippy protective bumper, a sturdy back shield, and a full-screen front shield. It's available in black, blue and pink. The original Defense 360° case will also be available at $29.99 and comes in clear. Looking for a folio-type case for your iPhone 6? The Engage Folio ($29.99) starts with a clear polycarbonate back, then adds a leather-like front cover to protect the iPhone 6 screen and allow storage for credit cards or a license. The Scene Plus ($29.99) comes in four different unique designs all with 3D pattern accents created by a multi-layer printing process. Those designs are Pink Ombre, Black Bubbles, Black Stripes, and the very cool Gold Digital Dust (below). The X-Doria Dash Folio One ($29.99) is a wallet, case and stand in one sleek package. Your iPhone will be protected in a slim polycarbonate shell, while a leather-like cover protects the screen and acts as a prop. Want to see that beautiful iPhone 6 body, but want it protected? The Engage Plus ($29.99) uses a clear polycarbonate shell, yet has a metallic coating on the lower half of the case and on all edges. It's available in gold and silver. The Scene Grip ($24.99) also gives you a see-through body, while adding a touch oversized rubber outside and hard polycarbonate case for protection. It's available in pink, black and blue. If you spent too much on your iPhone 6 and need to save money protecting it, the Scene ($19.99) is a bargain. It has a translucent polycarbonate case and a co-molded frame to protect against shocks and jolts. Available in pink, light gray, and black. SwitchEasy There are even more iPhone 6 cases coming from SwitchEasy, which seems to be following the path of bright colors. Let's start with Numbers ($19.99), made of durable and shock-resistant hydropolymer. The case has extra protection at the corners, as well as pop-out integrated plugs to protect the phone's ports against due and debris. Colors include frost white, methyl blue, rose bouquet, stealth black, submarine yellow, and the lovely sunlit tangerine shown below. Tones ($19.99) is the next line from SwitchEasy, featuring bright, two-tone color designs made with TPU and a hard polycarbonate back plate. Here you have the choice of cosmos black, flush pink, orange and space white. Odyssey ($19.99) looks like a prop from the classic movie 2001: A Space Odyssey! Available in black and pink, it uses a touch polycarbonate H-frame for corner protection while using soft textured TPU in the middle for a good grip. Just want the lightest, thinnest possible case for your iPhone 6? The 0.35 ($14.99) is just .35mm thick and weighs just 4 grams. Available in blue, frost white, pink, stealth black and yellow. Do you like it NUDE? If you don't like cases but need protection, the $24.99 NUDE is only 0.6mm thick and it comes in either ultra clear or ultra black. Two more from SwitchEasy! The $34.99 WRAP looks like a pocket journal and is made from faux leather in black or brown with an anodized aluminum accent bar. Last but not least is the LifePocket ($39.99), a combo case and wallet. If's available in military green, navy blue, and space gray. BuQu Tech You thought we were at the end of this list? Hahahahaha! You wish! I wish! No, we have a few more, and the BuQu PowerArmour battery case is the first. It has a 2,500mAh battery, an easy slide-lock mechanism for inserting and removing the iPhone 6, and it should be available in November of 2014 for $79.99. New Trent Meet the New Trent, same as the old trent... (sorry, I'm getting punchy). Interestingly enough, while most manufacturers have hedged their bets and said that the cases are "for the iPhone 6", New Trent is saying that their cases will be available for both the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S. Say what? Yep, the Trentium case ($31.95) will be available on New Trent's website for both the "4.7 inch and 5.5 inch displays" in black, silver, gold or transparent finishes. The company is also building a case called the Alixo that will also come in "both sizes". Alixo is transparent and features a front cover. It's also $31.95. Both cases for the iPhone 6 will be available on September 25, while those for the iPhone 6S will be available on October 31. Pong Case But wait, there's more! Pong Research Corporation develops mobile device cases with "intelligent antenna technology." The cases are designed to redirect wireless energy away from users, substantially reducing exposure to harmful wireless energy. There are two cases (neither of which we have pictures of), the Sleek and the Rugged, both of which retail starting at $49.99.
OtterBox Resurgence: Power and protection in one iPhone case
In the world of protective iPhone cases, OtterBox has pretty much had the bulk of the market mindshare. When the company acquired LifeProof, that only solidified its position as a leader in cases that keep your devices safe from drops and water. But the company wasn't a player in the iPhone battery case market, seemingly conceding it to Mophie and other companies. That's all about to change, as the company has introduced the Resurgence Power Case (US$99.95) for iPhone 5 and 5s. Check out this review of the latest from OtterBox, then enter for a chance to win a Resurgence case. Specifications Battery Capacity: 2,000 mAh Cables: USB to micro-USB for charging, pass-through audio adapter Colors: Black, Glacier (white/silver), Teal Shimmer (teal/white), Satin Rose (rose/black) Dimensions (approx.): 5.63 x 2.56 x .63 inches (143 x 65 x 16 mm) Weight: 3.15 ounces (89.3 grams) Rating: MIL STD 810G-516.6 Drop Protection Design Highlights The first thing I noticed after installing the Resurgence onto my iPhone 5s was the relatively deep bezel around the screen. That's there for a reason -- your screen is less likely to crack when dropped face down as the bezel will keep it off of flat surfaces. All of the buttons on the iPhone are accessible through pass-throughs, with the exception of the mute/orientation lock switch which is wide open to the world. There's a big opening on the back of the case for the rear-facing camera and flash, and it's surrounded with black plastic to reduce the chance for lens flare. For your headphones, there's a pass-through port that you can use with an included extension audio adapter. There are two small ports on the case just below the home button to let sound in and out, and a micro-USB port on the bottom for recharging the battery in the case. The case is designed, like many OtterBox cases, to absorb shock in the case of a drop or impact. It's Mil STD rated for Drop Protection, which should save your phone in a variety of conditions. However, it's not water resistant or waterproof, so don't fall into a creek or pond! The only other button on the device is located on the lower right front. Press this button quickly and a four-quadrant LED lights up, with each quadrant representing a 25 percent charge. A single quadrant indicates a 25 percent charge, while all four quadrants lighting up would indicate that the battery is fully charged. Functionality Highlights I found the Resurgence case to be extremely easy to install and remove. The case is made of two parts, and there's a clasp on the top that just needs to be pulled out a bit to loosen the tight fit between the front and back of the case. Once the front is off, you slide the Lightning port of the iPhone gently onto the protruding adapter in the bottom of the case, then snap the front of the case back on. The Resurgence has a very solid feel to it. There's only one negative to the design -- if you're a tech blogger and need to swap out cases a lot, the Resurgence just isn't as easy to remove the iPhone from as something like the Mophie Juice Pack. There, you just slide the bottom of the case off and you're ready to roll. However, if you don't change cases every few days for writing reviews, you can just install once and forget about it. To charge the case and your phone, you simply need to plug it into an available USB port or AC adapter. The phone always gets charged up first, followed by the battery in the case. Once you're away from an outlet and in need of a charge, a long push on the front button begins the process of charging your iPhone from the 2,000 mAh battery pack. I found the charging to go quite fast -- faster than my Mophie Juice Pack -- and the pack didn't get hot like my Mophie will. The charger stops when your iPhone is full, thus keeping a reserve of power if you really need it later. The speaker openings appear to be very small, but they did a very good job of passing sound to the front of the phone; in fact, sound quality appeared better to my ears than it does from the channels in the Mophie case. Sound level and quality being subjective, you may not agree with my assessment. In comparison to the Mophie cases, the Resurgence case provides more power than the Juice Pack Helium and Air, and just a wee 100 mAh less than the Juice Pack Plus. Price-wise, the Resurgence is $20 less expensive than the Juice Pack Plus; in terms of weight, the Resurgence weighs a barely noticeable .01 ounce more than Juice Pack Plus; and in terms of size, the Resurgence is slightly longer (.05 inch), less wide (.07 inch), and thinner by .06 inch. Conclusion Watch out, Mophie -- there's a new and trusted competitor in the battery case market. The OtterBox Resurgence Power Case provides very good protection, fast charging, and large battery capacity in a slim and very sturdy case, all at a price that's quite reasonable. OtterBox took a while to enter the iPhone power case market, but when they did, they did it right. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Do you like what you've read about here? You're going to have a chance to win an OtterBox Resurgence Power Case! 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 September 9, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive an OtterBox Resurgence Power Case valued at $99.95 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Jackery Leaf for iPhone 5/5s: Slim, inexpensive and fast-charging battery case
In March of last year, I had the pleasure of testing the Jackery Giant, a 10,400 mAh external battery back that works well with both iPhone and iPad. Today the company has released its first rechargeable battery case for the iPhone 5 and 5s, the Jackery Leaf. The device is a bit different from some of the other battery cases we've reviewed, with a slim profile and two protective cases that snap onto the battery pack. Specifications Price: US$79.95 Dimensions: 5.4 x 2.4 x 0.7 inches (13.72 x 6.1 x 1.78 cm) Weight: 3.4 oz (96.39 grams) Capacity: 2,400 mAh Output: 5V at 1A Charging method: USB to micro-USB cable (included). iPhone is charged first, then the battery case. Case material: Soft-touch polycarbonate Included: extra protection case in orange, audio extension cable, USB to micro-USB cable Design Highlights The Jackery Leaf comes in two parts -- a slip-on case in black, white or orange, and the battery pack itself (in black or white). Orange appears to be the company color for Jackery; it also happens to be one of the team colors for the 2014 AFC champion Denver Broncos! Regardless of whether you choose the black or white Leaf, you end up with a second free case in orange. That will come in handy when the Broncos beat the Seahawks on February 2... The case slips onto your iPhone 5/5s, and then the case/phone assembly slides onto the battery pack and snaps in securely. The battery pack is Apple MFi (Made For iPhone)-approved, using the standard Lightning connector. On the back of the Leaf is a small power button to check battery level. Pushing the button lights up a thin strip LED that flashes red, blue or green depending on what kind of charge the battery has. Flashing red indicates less than 10 percent charged; solid red means the battery has 10 to 35 percent of its total charge; blue means the battery is in the 35 to 75 percent charged range; and green means it has 75 to 100 percent of its total capacity. Normally the iPhone will charge first, followed by the Leaf battery. If you prefer to have the Leaf battery charge first, pressing and holding the power button for two seconds will do that. Once the battery pack is charged and the iPhone is attached to it, pressing and holding the power button for that same two seconds starts charging the iPhone. Compared to the Mophie Juice Pack Plus, the Jackery Leaf has more capacity (2,400 vs. 2,100 mAh), weighs slightly more (3.4 vs. 3.14 ounces), is almost exactly as thick (0.7 vs. 0.69 inch) and is more compact (5.4 x 2.4 inches vs. 5.58 x 2.63 inches). It also costs $40 less than the Juice Pack Plus. Functionality Highlights I like the two-piece design of the Jackery Leaf. If I feel like charging the case separately from the iPhone, my iPhone is still protected in one of the two plastic cases. Like the Mophie battery cases, the Leaf also includes "channels" to allow sound to escape from the iPhone's two bottom speakers. Another plus is the charging/capacity LED. While the device is charging, the LED is constantly flashing and it's simple to know just how close it is to capacity by the color. In use, I found the color cues to be a much better indication of remaining charge than the one to four white LEDs on the back of the Mophie cases. I charged the battery without having the iPhone attached, and it went from fully discharged to a complete charge in about five hours -- that's a bit different from the company's press release, which says that "full charging takes only two and a half hours." The instruction leaflet that comes with the Leaf has the correct time, and notes that the iPhone will charge in about three hours. Although I did not test this, it appears that charging both the iPhone and Leaf would take about eight hours -- in other words, an overnight charge cycle. Once the battery pack was charged, I took the iPhone and protective case and snapped it onto the battery. The case is quite nice and rigid, and there is no movement once the case is attached to the battery pack. My only complaint is that the flat black soft-touch material used for the battery pack seems to pick up fingerprints quite easily. Fortunately, they wipe off quickly. It should be noted that, as with the Mophie cases, you do not really need to use the audio extension cable. I've found that the existing headphone cable for the iPhone 5s plugs right into the headphone jack and is easily removed as well. Conclusion I'm fairly impressed with the Jackery Leaf, which provides more battery capacity than the Mophie Juice Pack Plus in a case that's slightly smaller and does the job for $40 less. It's Jackery's first foray into the world of battery cases, and by all indications it's done it right. Rating: 3-1/2 out of 4 stars possible
PhoneSuit Elite 5 is a beautiful battery case that keeps your iPhone running for days
I've been a fan of PhoneSuit's products for a few years now, which is why I was excited to get my hands on its latest PhoneSuit Elite 5 battery case that powers the iPhone 5 and 5s. Before I get to the main function of the case -- keeping your iPhone charged -- let me talk about design, because that's where this case really shines. Most battery cases I've tried are capable, but ugly. The PhoneSuit Elite 5, on the other hand, looks great. It's only 15.5mm thick, which means it doesn't triple the bulk of the iPhone 5 and 5s like many other battery cases do. It weighs 79 grams. The case itself comes in two colors, metallic black and ice silver, and is made of a polycarbonate composite with a scratch-resistant coating. With my iPhone in the case, I felt like it could take a beating. I wasn't brave enough to drop my US$600 phone on the ground, but part of me was confident that if I did, it would be protected. PhoneSuit also seems to have given a lot of thought not to just the design of the case, but also to the design of the iPhone itself. The PhoneSuit Elite 5 doesn't block the headphone jack, the Lightning port (due to the pass-through port) or the camera and its flash. Matter of fact, it doesn't even make it hard for one to plug in the included USB cable that allows pass-through charging to the Lightning port, or a headphone cord -- something that can't be said for a lot of cases. As for the opening around the iSight camera, the PhoneSuit Elite 5 was designed so that it doubles as a lens hood, which helps eliminate flares from the sun and other lighting sources when you are snapping pics. But the real point of a battery case isn't its looks. It's to prolong the use of your iPhone between charges. At that, the PhoneSuit Elite 5 performed exceedingly well. For the first time ever, I used my iPhone 5s for 36 hours straight without plugging it in. It was a totally different experience for me because, as a heavy iPhone user, I find myself usually looking for a power source by the afternoon. The power benefits come courtesy of the integrated high-capacity, 2,100 mAh battery found in the rear of the case. PhoneSuit says it can provide a full 100 percent charge to the iPhone 5 and 5s in less than two hours and in my tests, I found that accurate. The company also advertises up to 20 hours talk time, up to 20 hours video time and up to 80 hours music time with the case. I didn't have the time to test each of those metrics individually, but as I said, doing a mix of all those things and more with this case on gave me a running time of 36 hours on my iPhone. If you're looking for an iPhone battery case for yourself or your loved ones this holiday season, I highly recommend you check this one out. The PhoneSuit Elite 5 costs US$99.99. Post edited to correct spelling of PhoneSuit.
Mophie brightens up the Juice Pack Helium with a rainbow of colors
Any Mophie Juice Pack Helium for iPhone 5 users out there wish that you had been able to get one in a color other than metallic silver or black? Those two boring colors were all you could buy since February, when the Juice Pack Helium was first released, but now you can add some class and color to your iPhone 5 as well as some extra battery life. Mophie today announced the Juice Pack Helium Spectrum Collection (US$79.95) with five jewel-tone cases. The colors, which all look fabulous, include blue, green, pink, purple and (PRODUCT) RED. The internals remain the same, with a 1,500 mAh lithium-polymer battery providing up to six more hours of talk time to your iPhone 5.
Mophie's Juice Pack Helium for iPhone 5 now available for pre-order
Looking for the perfect Valentine's Day gift for that iPhone 5-toting sweetheart of yours? The long-awaited Mophie battery case for iPhone 5 is now available for pre-order, and if you're really lucky you might have one by February 14. The Mophie Juice Pack Helium will cost $79.95, the same as the Juice Pack Air. Everyone on the TUAW staff could have used one of these last week at Macworld/iWorld 2013, since it adds a 1,500 mAh battery to the iPhone 5 yet is 13 percent thinner than previous Juice Packs. As with previous models, Mophie's design features forward-ported acoustics so you can easily hear music from your speakers, a standby switch and an LED power indicator. The Juice Pack Helium comes in two colors -- a nice, dark metallic and a light metallic silver. There's no word on whether the company will eventually offer the eye-catching red metallic case that is the star of the Juice Pack Air family. That extra 1,500 mAh of battery capacity will give your iPhone 5 another six hours of voice and data on a 3G or LTE network, an additional seven hours of internet on a WiFi network, up to seven more hours of video playback, and up to 30 more hours of music playback. As soon as the Juice Pack Helium (lighter than Air, get it?) arrives, we'll run it through a full review. In the meantime, here's a nice promotion video for you to replay incessantly.
iBattz beats Mophie to iPhone 5 charging case, ups the ante using interchangeable i9300 batteries
It's usually a no-brainer -- Mophie exits quickly out of the gate with a battery-equipped case soon after a new iDevice gets announced. This year, however, it appears iBattz is poised to hit it out of the park faster with two of its own iPhone 5 cases. Notably, each case comes packed with two swappable i9300 Li-ion battery packs (the same kind for Samsung's rival Galaxy S III, seriously). The cells are rated at 2,200mAh each, which is notably larger in capacity than the iPhone's roughly 1,400mAh batts. The streamlined Mojo Fuel (pictured) will set you back $90 come February, while argonauts can sang the ruggedized Mojo Armor for $100 in March. The cases charge via microUSB, and an external battery charger will also be included with each. The company has also detailed its waterproof AquaSeal Hi5, featuring a detachable 2,500mAh aluminium battery back -- no further details just yet. We'll be sure to report back if we catch 'em on the show floor here at CES. Find the full press release after the break.
iBattz Mojo battery cases keep your iPhone 4/4S/5 going strong
It's always nice to see a new player in the iPhone battery case market, especially when the entrant brings something really desirable -- an iPhone 5 battery case -- to the market. That's the situation with iBattz, which has a full line of battery cases to keep your iPhones running and running and ... you get the picture. In this review, I'll take a look at the company's line of cases and then give readers an opportunity to win one of these portable powerhouses. Mojo Hi5 Powerbank Case The case of most interest to our readership is probably the Mojo Hi5 Powerbank Case (US$79.90), which as far as we know is the first battery case for the iPhone 5. It does not carry the "Made For iPhone" certification from Apple, which means that the device would have to meet all of Apple's stringent design and compatibility requirements. As a result, the Mojo Hi5 Powerbank doesn't feature a seamless design with a Lightning connector in the bottom of the unit. Instead, you'll still need to buy one of Apple's Lightning to micro-USB adapters ($19) to connect the included USB to micro-USB cable from the battery pack to the iPhone 5 (note that one is included with the giveaway case). %Gallery-174570% The Mojo Hi5 comes with two polyurethane cases, one black and one white, and an aluminum-encased 2500 mAh battery pack. The cases have three small locking "keyholes" in them that match three little prongs on the back of the battery pack, so you can slide the iPhone 5 on and off quite easily. That's a good thing, since you won't be able to take photos with the iPhone's back camera with the battery pack attached. Unlike Mophie's Juice Pack line of battery cases, this isn't a slide-on case that looks like it's part of the iPhone. Instead, you'll have to carry cables and adapters with you at all times. On the other hand, if you're blasting through a full charge in less than a day on an iPhone 5, this may be your only answer for awhile. Pros Possibly the only iPhone 5 battery case at this time Easy to remove battery pack Cons Requires separate purchase of Apple Lightning to micro-USB adapter Must carry cable and adapter to connect the battery pack and iPhone Does not carry Apple "Made For iPhone" certification Who is is for? iPhone 5 users who can't wait for MFi-certified battery cases to appear on the market Mojo Classic Removable Battery Case for iPhone 4/4S Unlike the Mojo Hi5, the iBattz Mojo Classic Removable Battery Pack for iPhone 4/4S ($79.90) is an all-in-one design and it also bears the MFi blessing from Apple. While the battery pack sports a 1500 mAh rating, you could actually say that it has infinite capacity since you can swap out the standard BP-4L battery pack that's inside the case. If you're planning on a long journey somewhere and won't have a way to recharge, you can stock up on the BP-4L's at about $20 a pop, charge them up before your trip, and then swap 'em out as necessary. %Gallery-174571% The case itself consists of a silver bumper that holds the iPhone 4 or 4S, and the removable battery case that attaches to the bumper and your iPhone. There's a camera hole in the case, so you can easily shoot photos or video. You'll get about another six hours of talk time with the Mojo Classic. Pros "Infinite capacity" through exchangeable BP-4L battery packs Certified as Made For iPhone Fairly lightweight at just 80 grams Cons None to speak of; very well designed and constructed Who is it for? Anyone who needs the ability to swap out battery packs to keep their iPhone 4/4S going for an extended period of time away from power outlets Mojo Armor Removable Battery Case for iPhone 4/4S What's better than a removable battery case for the iPhone 4 and 4S? How about a removable battery case that's designed for excellent protection of your iPhone and comes with not one, but two removable battery packs? That's the iBattz Mojo Armor Removable Battery Case for iPhone 4/4S ($99.90) in a nutshell. %Gallery-174573% It features a pair of 1700 mAh battery packs that can be swapped out, and as with the Mojo Classic, you can buy more to pop into the case for extra iPhone duration. The big difference with the Mojo Armor is the case -- it features a silicon outer cover (available in black, violet, or grey) and a polycarbonate front cover with a built-in screen protector. The back of the case has a clear plastic window for shooting pictures, although we would not recommend taking flash shots since the flash will most likely reflect on that window. The nearest competitor for the Mojo Armor is Mophie's juice pack PRO Outdoor Edition, which features a MIL-STD 810G toughness rating but also comes with a $149.95 price tag and a single non-removable 2500 mAh battery. Pros Comes with a pair of 1700 mAh lithium-ion battery packs "Infinite capacity" through exchangeable battery packs Rugged two-layer construction Reasonable price Certified as Made For iPhone Cons Doesn't have MIL-STD certification for toughness Not listed as water resistant Who is it for? Anyone who needs the unbeatable combination of extra battery life and a rugged case Mojo Vogue Removable Battery Case for iPhone 4/4S As you'd expect with a name like "Vogue", the Mojo Vogue Removable Battery Case for iPhone 4/4S ($89.90) is the good-looking member of the Mojo cases. %Gallery-174572% Like the Mojo Armor, the Vogue comes with a pair of 1700 mAh lithium-ion battery packs that can be swapped out. So what makes the Vogue different? It comes with three exterior shells and a pair of interchangeable bumpers. That provides six different looks for the Mojo Vogue. For example, the Vogue we received for testing has black, red, and blue shells and purple and silver grooved bumpers. Another model comes with pink, purple and white shells with the same color of bumpers. The grooved bumpers provide a nice grip to the case Pros Comes with a pair of 1700 mAh lithium-ion battery packs "Infinite capacity" through exchangeable battery packs Customizable through interchangeable bumpers and shells Certified as Made For iPhone Cons None to speak of Who is it for? Anyone who'd like a variety of case colors and extra battery life Giveaway As with many of the items that we review here on TUAW, we'd like to make sure that our readers get the opportunity to win an iBattz Mojo battery case. 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 January 6, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. Four winners will be selected. One will receive an iBattz Mojo Hi5 Powerbank Case valued at $79.90, one will receive an iBattz Mojo Classic Removable Battery Case for iPhone 4/4S valued at $79.90, one will receive an iBattz Mojo Armor Removable Battery Case for iPhone 4/4S valued at $99.90, and one will receive an iBattz Mojo Vogue Removable Battery Case for iPhone 4/4S valued at $89.90 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Mophie Juice Pack for Samsung Galaxy S III now available for $100
Mophie told us a couple of months back that it would be bringing its GS3-friendly Juice Packs to market sometime around late October / early November, and, well, today's the day the handy add-on is finally up for grabs. As you can see above, the battery case will be available in white and black livery, with the company promising its 2,300mAh peripheral can "virtually double" battery life on the Galaxy S III without adding too much heft to the device. GS3 owners can snag one of Mophie's renowned Juice Packs now for $100 -- and to do just that, all you interested folks have to do is head over to the source link below.
Mophie's Juice Pack PRO aims to keep iPhone 4 / 4S protected and powered during wild adventures
Staying true to its peripheral nature, Mophie's outed yet another iPhone companion: the Juice Pack PRO. Although the new power-boosting case doesn't carry as much juice as that Powerstation (not surprising, really), it does offer similar ruggedized aesthetics -- which should come in handy the next time you decide to take your Cupertino handset on a hazardous trip. Mophie notes the Juice Pack PRO can more than double the iPhone 4 / 4S life with its 2,500mAh battery, but the company's also placing a hefty amount of focus on the add-on's water splash, sand, impact and shock protection features -- these, naturally, earned the PRO a MIL-STD 810G (Military Standard) rating on the testing grounds. If all that makes this Juice the one for you, then gather up $130 and head over to the Mophie site to snag one for yourself.
Powering an iPhone 4/4S with the sun: Etón's Mobius solar battery case
There are times where you absolutely need to charge up your iPhone 4 or 4S, but you're nowhere near a power outlet. In those situations, you might fall back upon an iPhone battery case like the trusty Mophie Juice Pack Air I carry with me, but what happens when that battery runs out? No problem, as long as you're carrying the Etón Mobius (US$80) rechargeable battery case with a solar panel and it's a sunny day. The Mobius has a hefty capacity -- 1800 mAh -- and can be charged the time-honored way by plugging it into a USB port. But for those times where you're hiking, biking, camping or just not near a power outlet, you can place the case into the sunlight to charge the battery pack. Since your iPhone (and any other mobile phone) can react badly to exposure to laying in the sun, Etón recommends taking the Mobius off of the iPhone before setting it in a sunny place for charging. Especially with the black Mobius case, you'll want to take care picking it up after it's been sitting in the sun for a while as it can get quite warm. %Gallery-151365% One hour of sunlight is enough to help you out of a jam, providing 25 minutes of talk time, 20 minutes of 3G internet use, 35 minutes of video playback, or 145 minutes of audio playback. If you leave the Mobius in the sun long enough to get a full charge (Etón does not give an estimate of full charge time as it is dependent on a number of factors), your iPhone gets another 5 hours of talk time, 8 hours of 3G internet, 8 hours of video playback, or 32 hours of audio playback. As you'd expect with any device that has an internal battery, the Mobius has some bulk to it. The case is 2.44" x 5.1" x 0.875" (61.9 x 129.5 x 22.2 mm) in size and adds 3.4 ounces (96.4 gm) to the weight of your iPhone. By comparison, that Mophie Juice Pack Air I was referring to earlier has the same price tag, only a 1500 mAh battery, doesn't offer solar charging, adds 2.5 ounces (71 gm) of weight, and is only about .2" (5 mm) thinner. The case comes in black and white; as you can see from the small gallery above it's a pretty standard-looking battery case. That blue high efficiency monocrystal solar panel is the one outside feature that really makes this case stand out. I did run into some issues trying to charge the Mobius by placing it in a window. Although the window was in full direct sunlight, the device failed to charge. I'm assuming that it was because of the anti-UV coatings on my windows, since it did charge nicely when I put it outside in the bright Colorado sunshine. Even if you don't use the Mobius as your regular day-to-day iPhone case and battery pack, it can be a useful addition to an emergency preparedness kit. Having the ability to charge your iPhone when the power's out or you're stuck in the car somewhere could be a lifesaver.
Boostcase hands-on
It's a myth that phone cases must choose between form or function. Boostcase, which is currently available for the iPhone 4 and 4S, combines both seamlessly. It's a modular system with a 1900mAh battery pack that doubles the life of your device. And, while it does add some bulk, it has two distinct advantages over similar options like Mophie's Juice Pack. For one, the battery is removable -- so you only need to make space in your skinny jeans if you know you're going to need it. Additionally, since it's modular, you're able to customize it to your liking. Batteries are available in black or white, while the simple plastic cases are available in a veritable cornucopia of hues. The Boostpack charges through standard micro USB, and can actually charge your iPhone directly -- eliminating the need for that pesky proprietary 30-pin connector. A battery and case package is available for $80, while standalone plastic cases cost #35. We're told the batteries will also be sold individually for between $50 and $60. Check out the hands on gallery below.
PSA: Mophie and Best Buy issue separate iDevice battery pack recalls due to overheating concerns
Sporting an external battery pack on your iPod Touch or iPhone? If it happens to be from Mophie or Best Buy's Rocketfish brand, we'd advise you to take note and avoid getting burned. Rocketfish's RF-KL12 battery case for the iPhone 3G / 3GS has been reported in a small number of burn and "minor" fire incidents, while Mophie's announced that a select number of Juice Pack Air models for the 4th generation iPod Touch (seen above) are at risk for overheating, and potentially even melting. Suffice it to say, if you're currently in possession of said battery extenders you should stop using it immediately. Best Buy asks that owners of the Rocketfish case get in touch to facilitate a return, which will be met with a $70 gift card in the US ($105 in Canada) as compensation. As for Mophie? If your Juice Pack Air is among the affected serial numbers, you'll be able to initiate a swap for a fresh unit via a return form on its website. Hit those source links below for all the details -- this is one case where you definitely won't want to feel the burn.
Mophie intros Juice Pack Plus Outdoor Edition for adventure loving iPhone owners (video)
It's been just over a week since Mophie quietly intro'd updated Juice Packs at IFA, and now -- as we've reacquainted with our offices -- the company's given us a sneak peek at its Juice Pack Plus Outdoor Edition. Aside from a special olive drab and orange colorway, the charging case itself is your standard $100 iPhone 4 Juice Pack Plus. So what's the big deal, you ask? This Pack's bundled with Mophie's Outdoor Navigation app (a collaboration with NeoTrecks) positioning itself as an alternative to pricier handheld GPS units. Purchased separately, said app's slated to sell for $30 along with optional desktop access priced at $20 annually, while you'll get the software and that first year included out of box with the OE. The app works using your iPhone's GPS to provide highly detailed maps and a robust suite of options to get you where you're going, even if you're offline for most of the US -- sorry, Alaska. We checked out an early build of the software showcasing its three modes for tracking, downloading new maps, and a library you can check back on. The maps feature hand-shaded topography for extra clarity and a unique "grid-mode" for downloading new sections, although it appears you'll be stuck there while you wait for it to finish. The software also pulls up points of interests and you'll be able to track your trips, allowing you to then view your statistics or even share the details over the web. Mophie's expecting to have these available sometime in October with full details forthcoming, but in the meantime, there's a brief demo on how it'll help you navigate your local trail past the break. %Gallery-132904%
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.
Mophie Juice Pack Plus iPhone charging case now Verizon-friendly
Until now, Verizon iPhone owners looking for the Mophie battery boost had three options: lugging around a Powerstation plug-in, settling for the Juice Pack Air's measly 1500mAh battery, or slipping into an ill-fitting Juice Pack Plus AT&T case -- an awkward fit, thanks to a slight difference in the handsets' button placement. That long national nightmare is finally over, however, now that the 2000mAh Juice Pack Plus is compatible with both carriers, giving users up to eight more hours of 3G talk time and a few extra millimeters of thickness for around $100. The rubberized charging case is available in black, cyan, magenta, yellow, and a limited edition purple, of which only 2,000 were made. Oooh, exclusivity.
Xtrememac reveals InCharge Mobile iPhone 4 battery case, in-car USB chargers
Looking for a few peripherals to go along with all of this new gear being unveiled at CES? Have a gander at this. Xtrememac has just rolled out yet another rechargeable battery pack / protective case for Apple's iPhone 4, with this particular monster having a 2300mAh battery, an integrated kickstand and an on / off switch. The InCharge Mobile will go for $79.99, putting it in direct competition from the folks at Mophie. Next up is the InCharge Auto USB, which is a somewhat plain in-car USB charger that saves itself with ten watts of output -- plenty to juice up your iPad as it acts as the Road Trip Jukebox. The InCharge Auto Plus doubles it up with a second USB port, while the InCharge Auto AUX tosses in a 3.5mm auxiliary jack for easy connecting to one's line-in port. Those three will sell for $24.99, $29.99 and $49.99 in order of mention, and the trio should be available to ship right about... now.
Aigo's iPhone 4 battery case internalizes your charge cable, InCase Snap Battery lightens the load
Our quest for the perfect iPhone 4 battery case continues apace with the Exolife Exogear presently holding the lead, slightly ahead of the Mophie Juice Pack Air and the Mili PowerSpring. Just like these fine selections, the Aigo aiPower i616 claims to "virtually double" battery life, but it's got another trick up its sleeve: a hidden USB ribbon cable for both charging and data built right into the case. Should you want for a longer sync cable than it provides on its own, there's also a second microUSB port built into the left side, as well as a switch for the external 1500mAh battery and a handy button to display its current level of charge. Not bad for a pleasantly comparable 125.8 x 62.6 x 17.25mm, nor the $80 asking price. If you're looking for something a little more svelte, however, the $60 InCase Snap Battery might be more to your liking -- it adds a 900mAh battery in a soft-touch frame that InCase claims is the slimmest around. We can't say it looks like it offers much protection, only covering the corners and rear of the phone, but fashion has long been a harsh mistress to those who obey her siren call.
