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Engadget giveaway: Win an outdoors package with goTenna and more!
As we shake off the shackles of winter and ease into the more clement weather of spring and summer, it's time for travel plans to take shape. Enjoying the outdoors doesn't mean you have to ditch all the mod cons, though. This week, we have a trio of outdoors items for two winners that will let you keep the tech while you head off-the-grid. The goTenna Mesh communicator lets you stay in touch with others without a cell signal by sending texts and GPS details over radio waves. The radius of communication is a few miles when you're in the sticks, but can expand when there are more devices around. BioLite's Charge 20 is a rugged portable battery to help keep your phone and other devices topped up. And if you're out capturing footage with a camera, the GNARBOX storage unit and mobile editing software can turn some of those quiet hours in the outdoors into casual productivity without needing a laptop (iOS / Android). It even supports editing of 4K video and RAW photos. All you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to five chances at winning one of these outdoors tech packages including the goTenna Mesh, BioLite Charge 20 and GNARBOX editing set up. Good luck! Winners: Congratulations to Arin W. of West Lafayette, IN and Francis K. of Depew, NY!
EE's Power Bar chargers aren't coming back
A little more than a year ago EE decided to give its customers free portable battery packs in the UK. The idea was solid enough -- everyone gets a "Power Bar" for free, and can swap them for a new, fully charged replacement in any EE store. Except, they were soon deemed a fire risk after one exploded while charging, leaving a medical student with a nasty burn. All of the Power Bars were eventually recalled and we were left wondering whether the scheme was gone for good. Turns out, it is.
EE giving all customers portable chargers they can refuel in stores
Carriers are forever looking at new ways to incentivise customers -- whether it be with a subscription to this, or discounts on that, and so on -- but we can't recall any perk that's quite as practical as the one EE's introducing shortly. (Unless you're running an ancient Nokia, that is.) In the "coming weeks," EE's launching a scheme whereby any customer can walk into a store and pick up a free portable smartphone charger. The EE-branded "Power Bar" hosts a 2,600mAh battery, which'll be roughly enough for one full charge of your phone. What's more, if you find yourself carrying around a dead one, you can walk into any EE shop and switch it out for a fully charged replacement at no cost (you can refuel it yourself at home, of course). Best of all, there's a satisfying amount of small print attached to this offer.
Insert Coin: POP portable battery comes with 25,000 mAh of power, charges multiple devices (video)
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. If you're a geeky pack rat who likes to travel with a mini Radio Shack store in your bag a la Steve Wozniak, then you're likely always looking for ways to keep your precious devices powered up. One option that may be worth a peek is the POP rechargeable battery -- a portable power pack that eschews the brick-like design of many of its brethren and comes with 25,000 mAh worth of juice to help bring your gadgets back to life. According to POP creator and Edison Jr. co-founder James Siminoff, the portable battery has enough capacity to charge either 10 standard smartphones or 1 1/2 third-generation iPad tablets.
Satechi introduces Portable Energy Station to add some power to your travels
Peripherals maker Satechi has introduced the Portable Energy Station, a 10,000 mAh battery that'll solve some of your power woes on the go. The 1 Amp USB port will recharge nearly all of your smartphones and PMPs, while a second 2 Amp port will maintain pace with your iPad or other hefty tablet. Despite that capacious battery, it's a slender 7.4 ounces and should tuck neatly into your bag -- once you've picked it up for $50, that is.
Sony PlayStation Vita charging accessories detailed in Japan
Sony's website now lists Japanese release dates and prices for two PS Vita power accessories that you're likely to need. The PCH-ZPC1 J portable charger is a 135g (4.8-ounce) unit that takes seven hours to charge to its full 5,000mAh capacity and is then good for around one and half charges of your console -- we reckon that'd equate to over 12 hours of mixed-use sessions or at least seven hours of solid gaming. It'll be out on April 5th for ¥4,500 ($60). Meanwhile, the PCH-ZCA1 J car charger will hit retailers a couple of weeks earlier on March 22nd priced at ¥1,500 ($20) -- and there's really not much more to say about it except that a dead Vita on a road trip would be both a travesty and an oxymoron. Oh, just in case it hasn't already been etched into your memory, February 22nd is launch day in the US and Europe.
Scosche solBAT II collects solar power, distributes it to USB devices
Solar-charged batteries aren't exactly wow factors these days, unless they're dirt cheap like this Scosche solBAT II. With 1,500mAh of juice, this dongle can carry slightly more power than your average smartphone, and can also take any device with a USB cable. However, before you fork out $29.99 to Scosche, you should know that the solBAT takes between four to five days (!) to charge up fully under sunlight -- not ideal for most power-hungry smartphones nowadays. There's always the $93.23 Energizer SP2000 (2,000mAh) for your consideration -- it's bulkier, but with three solar panels it only needs six hours of solar-charge time. Guess we'll just take the faster one, thanks.
Technocel PowerPak pulls double duty as portable battery and home charger
Wouldn't it be nice if your home phone charger could double as a charging device itself when taken on the road? Yes, yes it would. Technocel undoubtedly agrees, as its PowerPak does just that. When plugged into a standard wall outlet, it can simultaneously charge whatever USB device is plugged into it (amongst others, considering the bundle of tips that are included) and juice up its internal cell; once unplugged, the integrated battery can provide enough power to a dead mobile to let you yap for around three hours, or just enough to make it through whatever sobfest your ill-willed SO has planned for you next week. It's expected to go on sale in around a fortnight at various retail locations and Sprint stores.%Gallery-75660%
