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Mophie adds USB-C ports to refreshed Powerstation batteries
Mophie, the makers of a popular line of external batteries, announced today an update to its Powerstation family of portable chargers. The refreshed versions of the Powerstation line come in four different capacities, a variety of colors and now includes a shared USB-C input and output port.
Limefuel Blast L240X Pro Battery Pack: Power to spare
Are you feeling the need for power? We've reviewed external battery packs from Limefuel before, but now they've gone crazy big with the new Blast L240X Pro (US$149.99) Specifications Dimensions: 6.1 x 3.1 x 0.9 inches (155 x 79 x 24 mm) Weight: 17.8 ounces (505 grams) Capacity: 24000 mAh / 91.2 WH Charging time: 16-24 hours Total output: 5V/4.2A (Max) Connector: USB to micro-USB/Lightning connector Design Limefuel makes one of the better-looking external battery packs on the market, with rounded sides that are easy to grip and either a rubberized black or white gloss exterior. There's a single button near the "front" of the Blast L240X Pro that is used for all of the functions - turning on the battery pack, checking the level of charge, and activating the built-in LED flashlight. On "top" of the device near that button is a string of green LEDs to tell you the battery level, and on the front face is a single micro-USB input for charging and four USB output ports. That means if you have four devices that need charging at once and you're nowhere close to a plug, you're in luck as long as the maximum total current draw isn't more than 4.2 Amps for all four ports or more than 2.4 Amps for any one port. How much life will the Blast L240X bring your favorite electronic devices? Well, it depends on the model, but Limefuel estimates up to 158 additional hours of internet surfing, 206 hours of talking on your phone, or up to 552 more hours of listening to music - that last number is a whopping 23 days! Functionality The unique flat cable included with the Blast L240X can be used for both charging the battery pack and for charging one of your devices. Plug it into your favorite USB charging brick (not included) on one end and into the micro-USB port on the other, and you're set. You might want to consider one of Limefuel's Dual Port Wall Chargers ($16.99) to load up the battery pack, as they're capable of putting out 24 Watts of power at 4.8 Amps. The huge capacity of the Blast L240X means that if you've drained the battery, it's going to take almost a day to recharge fully. If you have extreme power needs every day, you might want to get two of these devices and trade them out every other day. One of the best features of the Limefuel battery packs is the design. They feel very solid, and you don't have the feeling that the Blast L240X is going to fall apart or break. This thing is built like a tank. Unlike most other external battery packs, the Blast L240X provides pass-through charging so that you can charge devices while you're charging the battery pack. Conclusion The Limefuel Blast L240X offers unmatched capacity and four USB ports, although at the cost of some extra weight. At $150, it's also one of the most expensive external battery packs we've tested. But if you need lots of power while traveling, the Blast L240X is your best companion. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible
Tylt's Energi line of battery packs keeps your iOS devices running strong
It's not every day that a new entrant into the accessories market supplies us with their entire external battery pack product line, but that was the case with Tylt, a two year-old company that is making a splash with some nicely-designed devices. We received one of each of their Tylt Energi line of portable battery packs, most of which include a built-in charging arm. But the most fascinating part of this line is the level of certifications that each battery pack has captured, making them a rarity in a world where it seems like everyone is making cheap battery packs. For TUAW readers that will be at Macworld/iWorld 2014 on Friday, March 28, be sure to drop by the TUAW Meet Up at 4 PM PDT in room 131 at Moscone Center North Hall, as we'll be giving away some of these fine battery packs. Specifications Energi 2K Price: US$39.99; Capacity: 2000 mAh at 1A; Ports: one USB; Size: .43" x 2.28" x 3.74" (11mm x 58mm x 95mm) Energi 3K Price: US$59.99; Capacity: 3000 mAh at 2A; Ports: one USB, micro-USB charging arm; Size: .56" x 2.56" x 4.05" (14.3mm x 65mm x 103mm) Energi 3K+ Price: US$69.99; Capacity: 3000 mAh at 2A; Ports: one USB, Lightning charging arm; Size: .56" x 2.56" x 4.05" (14.3mm x 65mm x 103mm) Energi 5K Price: US$79.99; Capacity: 5200 mAh at 3A; Ports: one USB, micro-USB charging arm; Size: .56" x 2.76" x 5.59" (14.3mm x 70mm x 142mm) Energi 5K+ Price: US$89.99; Capacity: 5200 mAh at 3A; Ports: one USB, Lightning charging arm, micro-USB charging arm; Size: 56" x 2.76" x 5.59" (14.3mm x 70mm x 142mm) Energi 10K Price: US$69.99; Capacity: 10400 mAh at 4.1A; Ports: three USB; Size: .94" x 3.15" x 4.72" (24mm x 80mm x 120mm) Common Specifications: Colors: Black and Blue, Black and Red, Black and Gray (10K does not have red option) Certifications: CTIA-IEEE1725, UL 1642, UN 38.3, RoHS Compliant, FCC, CE Design Highlights Probably the two Tylt Energi models that will be of the most interest to iOS fans are the 3K+ and 5K+. Why? These two have an attached Lightning charging arm; think of it as a built-in cable that is always with the battery pack. Of these two, the 3K+ is perfect for charging an iPhone or iPod touch, featuring enough power to recharge your iPhone more than once. The 3K+ also has an empty USB port, and the device can charge two iPhones at the same time. The 5K+ not only has that Lightning charging arm, but also features a micro-USB charging arm and an empty USB port. It can handle an iPad, or up to three iPhones simultaneously. Physically, the battery packs are quite attractive, featuring a common design with a black case and a color (blue, gray or red) stripe across the middle. All of the packs except the 10K have a single LED status indicator -- the 10K has five LEDs to indicate the relative battery level of the pack. Functionality Highlights I tried both the 3K+ and 5K+. The 3K+ charged up in about 3-1/2 hours from a fully discharged state, while the 5K+ took about 6-1/4 hours to charge up. All of the Energi packs include a USB to micro-USB cable for charging purposes, although you'll need to supply your own AC to USB adapter. The Lightning charging arm on both the 3K+ and 5K+ tuck away in the sides of the battery pack when not in use, a nice feature since you don't have to worry about having a cable tangling in your favorite carrying bag. Personally, I think it's interesting that Tylt has gone through the process to have the packs certified. According to Tylt, "IEEE 1725 regulates battery design, production, assembly, leakage protection, overcharge, mechanical performance and quality control." Tylt's Energi line is also "certified to meet UL's vast protocol for Lithium batteries known as UL 1642." The UN38.3 regulation ensures the safety of battery products on aircraft and in other transport, with the Energi products meeting and exceeding "all eight UN requirements including: Altitude, Thermal Test, Vibration, Shock, External Short Circuit, Impact, Overcharge, and Forced Discharge." So what does all of this certification nonsense do for you? Tylt says that they're using the same manufacturing and safety standards used by companies like Samsung and Apple. There's no memory effect on these batteries, which will give you 500 full cycles of life. The mAh capacity is exactly as stated, and the batteries are guaranteed to work in extreme temperatures. Finally, the company provides a one-year warranty on the products since they're so sure they're going to operate as advertised. That's a far cry from the much less expensive, but shady battery packs we've seen from some manufacturers. It's great to see a company that is willing to go for quality over price. Conclusion All external battery packs are not alike, and Tylt's Energi line of battery packs is one of the first we've seen that puts performance and safety in front of low price. That's not to say that the Energi packs are costly -- some manufacturers actually charge more for packs with less pedigree. We consider the Energi packs to be among the top performing ones we've tested, and the 3K+ and 5K+ are perfect companions for your iPhone since they include a built-in Lightning charging arm. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible
PhoneSuit Power Core Micro: a tiny package that charges your iPhone
Given all that the iPad and iPhone can do, it's amazing their batteries last as long as they do. With that being said, and while I never worry about taking my iPad on a day trip without its charger, my iPhone 5 is a constant worry. I use Maps (Google Maps) heavily and am constantly reading and composing emails on the go. I'm also researching things on the web, composing articles in Pages, etc... Needless to say, it's usually not even 4 PM each day when my iPhone battery level is dangerously low. Since my office is mobile, I'm not always close to a power outlet to plug into. There are options like external battery packs, but most are generally so big and bulky I've eschewed them for a long time. Well, no more! I've since found the PhoneSuit Power Core Micro and now it goes everywhere my iPhone does. The PhoneSuit Power Core Micro is the smallest iPhone battery pack I have found to date. It measures just 85mm x 60mm x 15mm and weighs only 99 grams. Best of all it slips into my jacket pocket easily and it is so light that it's hard to remember I'm carrying it. The device itself has both a micro-USB and a regular USB port. The micro-USB port is used to charge the battery pack via the included micro-USB cable. The full USB port is used to charge your iPad or iPhone (or any other device that charges via USB) via your 30-pin Dock or Lightning cable. The Micro's body is designed from a pleasing metallic rubber component and is stamped with a machined aluminum band around its center. On the front of the Power Core Micro you'll find four soothing squared blue LED lights. This is the unit's power storage meter. Each light square represents a 25 percent charge, so it's easy to see how much juice is left in the unit itself. On the top of the device you'll find the power button. Press it to turn on the device and see its current charge. The Power Core Micro has an automatic off function, so it's not draining precious power when it's not charging your device. In my tests, the Power Core Micro charged my iPhone 5 from a 9 percent charge to a 99 percent charge in less than an hour. It also saved my hide while I was conducting an interview with a Google employee last week. Using iOS's Voice Memo app left my phone 1 percent away from shutting off with 30 minutes of the interview left to go. Thankfully I had my Power Core Micro on hand. Inside the Power Core Micro is a high-density 3,500 mAh battery, which holds enough power for two full iPhone 5 charges (in my tests). The device also allows for pass-through charging, so you can charge your iOS device at the same time as charging the Power Core Micro (handy if you only have one USB port available). Hopefully there will come a day when the iPhone's battery lasts 24 or more hours in heavy usage. Until then the PhoneSuit Power Core Micro will continue to go everywhere my iPhone does. The PhoneSuit Power Core Micro is US$79.95.
Timbuk2 Power Commute carries your gadgets, keeps 'em charged for $199 (hands-on)
If you're like us, every one of your mobile devices could use a performance boost in one crucial area: battery life. Timbuk2 saw the exigency to keep phones, tablets, PMPs and cameras in the juice, and aims to meet that need with the Power Commute messenger bag announced earlier this year. And now you, dear reader can pick one up starting today for $199 from REI or through Timbuk2's website. Before you rush off to part with a pair of Benjamins for the bag and its waterproof Joey T1 portable power source, however, read on for our hands-on impressions.
V-Moda VAMP for the iPhone: an analog converter and headphone amp with a $650 pricetag
If money really isn't an issue when it comes to your search for the finest sound possible from your iPhone, V-Moda has a new accessory for you to consider. The company has announced the VAMP: an iPhone 4 / 4S case that converts digital to analog for hi-fi listening. How does it work? Well, the kit uses a 150mW x 2 amplifier to bypass the smartphone's internals to offer the auditory elbow grease needed to adequately power that set of fancy headphones. For controls, you can expect a volume knob, hi / lo gain switch and toggle switch with LED indicator for either Pure or VQ listening mode. There's also an optical audio output for using your phone as a vehicle "for the purest and unparalleled audio listening experience," but you'll have to splurge for an extra cable to do so. In addition to the aforementioned conversion, the aircraft-grade metal add-on provides eight hours of playback from it's own battery -- which can be used as a backup for your Apple handset, should the need arise. Sound good so far? Well, the VAMP is now shipping and will set you back a whopping $650 with $50 of the asking price benefitting the InTheLoop Foundation. You know, if you happen to really love listening to Sigur Rós on the go and are obsessed with high fidelity playback. %Gallery-158052%
Bracketron GreenZero chargers keep vampires from sucking your power
Only you can prevent vampire power: when gadgets are left plugged into a wall outlet, most chargers still unnecessarily suck up a fair amount of juice, a wasteful and inefficient process. To save on your electric bill and leave some extra energy for everybody else, Bracketron's introduced a new lineup of eco-friendly chargers that keep those nasty vampires away by detecting when a device is at full charge and shutting off the incoming power. The Mushroom GreenZero charger won't start doing its thing until you push the large green button (seen above) with your hand or foot; the Stone GreenZero ultimately does the same thing but in a more travel-friendly package. Lastly, the Stone Battery is an external 1,000mAh power source that also shuts off once the device is fully charged. All of the options are compatible with iPhones and devices with micro-USB ports. This isn't anything we haven't seen before, but we always welcome healthy competition in this field. All of the products will be ready for distribution to retailers by March 2012. Instead of siding with Team Edward or Jacob, how about coming together and joining Team Green? Check out the presser for the details.
Umiushi Smapho 2800 portable charger hands-on: one plug for iPhone, another one for micro-USB
As an Engadget reader, you'll gain extra street cred if you're using an iPhone and, well, a non-iPhone at the same time; or maybe you've got all your media content on an iPod instead of having everything on your non-Apple smartphone. Either way, this means that you'd need to carry at least two types of cables for emergency charging on the go. To save the hassle, PANS Ltd. from Japan has come up with a neat solution: Umiushi Smapho 2800, which is apparently the industry's first external battery with a built-in iPod dock connector and a micro-USB plug, both of which can be used simultaneously to sip on the 2,800mAh reservoir with 5V 1A output. Sure, you could alternatively just get hold of Apple's micro-USB adapter and keep one micro-USB cable with you, but if you're also looking for an external battery anyway then the option's there, too. Expect to see the Smapho 2800 in various markets in two months' time. Update: OK, so this is indeed not the first dual-plug type battery -- reader scoobydooby pointed out that Powermat's "Power! Dual 1850" does the same thing, albeit with a smaller capacity. %Gallery-135908%
Hands-on with Nyko's Zoom Kinect and extended battery packs for the 3DS
We gave you a glimpse of Nyko's 2011 accessories lineup earlier this week, and today we got some quality time with the company's gear at E3 2011. We tried out Zoom Kinect, a set of lenses for Microsoft's favorite sensor bar that lets those residing in diminutive domiciles be the controller without rearranging their furniture. The add-on worked flawlessly when we gave it a go on Kinect Adventures -- Kinect had no trouble tracking our movements even though we were a few feet closer to the sensor than recommended. Zoom Kinect is slated for an August 16th release and will cost $29.99, a paltry sum compared to the price of buying a bigger living room. But wait, there's more! See our impressions of Nyko's other new products after the break. %Gallery-125855%
Third Rail iPhone case has detachable battery, probably won't electrocute you
For humans, coming into contact with the third rail will likely void your personal lifetime warranty, but one accessory manufacturer hopes to apply a similar concept to your iPhone -- in much smaller doses, of course. For $90, the Third Rail System includes an iPhone 4 Slim Case, which always surrounds your device, and a 1250 mAh Smart Battery that you can slide into place whenever you need a boost. The removable batteries can charge other devices over micro USB, and can be stacked up to four deep for charging multiple gadgets at once (at $60 a pop). It's also designed to be compatible with future cases, negating the need to purchase another complete solution each time you upgrade your phone. We'd love to see a similar device that includes inductive charging as well, but for now, this is one of the most intuitive external battery solutions we've seen.
Hyperkin 3DS Powerplus covers your handheld in battery-extending goodness
Nintendo 3DS users will soon have another way to extend their system's notoriously limited battery life, thanks to Hyperkin's new 3DS Powerplus. Slated for release this summer, the 2.2-ounce accessory slips on to the back of the console without obstructing the 3DS' cartridge port, SD card and game controls, while adding an extra 1800mAh to the device's standard 1300mAh battery. The Powerplus also features an enhanced grip, as well as an LED indicator that can give you an idea of how much gas you've got left in the tank. Hyperkin says its $19.99 appurtenance will more than double your 3DS' battery life, but, as we learned from Nyko, seeing is believing. Head past the break for an extra image of the Powerplus, along with a full PR.
External batteries benchmarked, the portable juice is loose
A lot of portable PC power cells last for only four or five hours, after which you'll find yourself chained to a wall socket. Good thing there are external batteries to keep us in current when a plug's nowhere to be found, and Tom's Hardware has done some benchmarking on a slew of such devices so you'll know which one's suited for you. A Dell Vostro 3300 and an Inspiron Mini 10 running Windows 7 were used to put packs from Amstron, Brunton, Digipower, Electrovaya, Energizer, Lenmar, PowerTraveller and Tekkeon through some real-world paces -- we're talking word processing and web surfing, not fragging and film editing. So if you're in the market for a mobile power unit, hit the source link and get the down and dirty on which external battery's best.
Apple patent application reveals plans for external battery pack, spells further trouble for HyperMac
Way back in September of last year, Apple filed a patent-infringement suit against HyperMac, the folks behind these external batteries. At the time, it looked like Apple was protecting its patented MagSafe power connector, but a newly released USPTO application for a "Power Adapter with Internal Battery" might reveal a more accurate view of the company's litigious motivations. From the look of things, the outfit intends to make its mark on juicing solutions with what is basically a wall charger packing an internal battery. According to the patent filing, the contraption would include a processor for parceling energy to the host device as well as the adapter, and could also incorporate a supplemental energy source like a solar cell. Among other things, it would also communicate with the device being charged to allow users to monitor the juice stored in the extra battery. If the thing does end up making it to market, it looks like HyperMac could have a whole lot more trouble on its hands than a little patent-infringement suit.
Scosche's goBAT II portable battery pack handles two USB devices at once, including your iPad
We'll just keep it real simple for you: the object you're looking at above is the Revive II charger, but slimmer, and with a rechargeable battery pack thrown in rather than a wall / cigarette adapter. Got it? Good. The goBAT II contains a 5000mAh rechargeable lithium ion battery, and it offers a pair of USB ports for charging. One's a 10-watt (2.1 Amp) port capable of handling high-maintenance devices like Apple's iPad, while the other is a more conventional 5-watt (1 Amp) socket. Scosche is also throwing in a USB adapter for the Galaxy Tab, theoretically letting those with divided households charge both an iOS and Android tablet at the same time. Brain melting, we know. It also works with the company's Revive charging app, which indicates how long a device will take to charge on any of Scosche's chargers and can also be configured to send an email notification once a device has been fully charged. She's all yours down at the source link for $89.99.
Magic Box MagSafe mod kit brings the external battery back to your Mac (some assembly required)
It ain't exactly soldering guns at dawn, but it looks like HyperMac is going through a few somersaults to ensure that its products stay on the market without offending the legal team at Apple. First there was the HyperJuice auto / airline adapter, and now the Magic Box takes things to an even more invasive level. First step: cut the power cord of your Mac's MagSafe power adapter in half. Second step: feed the cable that you cut in half into the MagicBox... and you now have your very own HyperMac battery pack for those extra-long liveblogging sessions. Seems dead simple, right? And for the time being, the company is throwing in a free car charger to sweeten the deal. Available for $50 in March.
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.
HyperMac to become HyperJuice in response to hyperactive Apple legal team
Apple legal has been abnormally busy over the last year as it engaged a who's who of cellphone makers and government agencies. They've also come down hard on Sanho Corporation's HyperMac subsidiary for using MagSafe and iPod connectors without approval. In response, HyperMac announced that it would stop selling MagSafe cables thereby rendering its HyperMac lineup useless for charging the non-removable batteries in Apple's MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro (although they can still charge USB connected devices like the iPad and iPhone). Now Daniel Chin, President of Sanho Corporation, is informing us that they'll be changing the HyperMac name to "HyperJuice" as part of its ongoing "comprehensive licensing negotiations" with Apple said to cover a "wide array of technologies and issues." He also reminded us that you only have a few hours left to snag a HyperMac with the all important MagSafe cable as sales will be suspended as of midnight tonight -- 00:00 US Pacific Time. Hey, with few alternatives, you might as well go down swinging selling.
HyperMac will stop selling MacBook charging cables on November 2 -- Apple wins, you lose
Uh oh, HyperMac just announced that it will cease the sale of MacBook charging cables and car chargers -- on November 2nd at 00:00 US Pacific Time, they'll be gone for good. While the HyperMac batteries will be sold, you won't be able to charge your MagSafe-equipped MacBook without the cable, so what's the point? This, obviously, is the direct result of the patent-infringement lawsuit Apple filed over Sanho's unlicensed use of Apple's MagSafe power connector. And while it may be a victory for Apple legal, it's an unsettling blow to consumers like Engadget editors who need the extra juice to augment the life of Apple's non-removable MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro batteries. Read the full statement after the break. Update: We've spoken with Daniel Chin, President of Sanho Corporation, who tells us that his company is, "in middle of license negotiations with Apple and ceasing the sale of the MagSafe cables was a perquisite for negotiations to go on." So there is still hope for a legal solution to this mess. Otherwise, it'll be soldering guns and X-Acto knives at dawn.
Exolife Exogear iPhone 4 battery case review
You asked for it now here it is, part two of our iPhone 4 battery case review featuring fan-fave Exolife from Exogear. Like the Mophie Juice Pack Air and Mili PowerSpring 4 battery packs we already reviewed, the Exolife case promises to "virtually double" the life of your iPhone 4 -- something neither the Mophie nor Mili could quite pull off. Exogear's claim is even more bold given its additional boast about being the "world's thinnest and lightest battery case" for the iPhone 4. Can it possibly compete and knock the Mophie Juice Pack Air out of its title position? Click through to find out.%Gallery-104545%
Mophie Juice Pack Air vs. Mili PowerSpring 4 review
If you're an iPhone owner then you've certainly heard of the Mophie Juice Pack. It's emerged as the external battery pack of choice for any iPhone owner needing more untethered power than Apple can provide from its non-removable batteries. But what about all those feisty upstarts? Can they compete in terms of design, functionality, and price? Let's find out. We put two iPhone 4 external battery pack cases -- the Mophie Juice Pack Air and Mili PowerSpring 4 -- head to head to see how they perform. Both promise to double the iPhone 4's 1420mAh li-poly battery life without adding too much bulk. And surely the 1600mAh capacity Mili outlasts the 1500mAh Mophie, right? You'd be surprised.%Gallery-102982%