Category: Chargers/Batteries

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Chargers/Batteries

Plan V lets you use your key ring for backup phone charger

It seems that if the phone battery is going to go dead, it always happens at the worst possible time. So Plan V was created with a backup plan in mind. The USB charger can be carried abound on one’s key ring and a 9 volt battery provides the power to charge a dead Smartphone. It will provide up to four hours of talk time. The flexible neck piece makes it fold up so that it is about the size of the average car key, and only weighs seven grams.

Plan V is a great idea as long as one doesn’t mind the fact that they will always need to have a 9 volt battery on them – or never go anywhere where they can’t easily buy one. Backers may also want to check out the Charge Case and Kodiak campaigns. This campaign seeks to raise $30,000 AUD (~$25,000 USD)  by December 24, 2014. For $15 AUD (~$13 USD) backers get one product with the micro USB and an expected delivery of February 2015.

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Chargers/Batteries

Flat Attack charger lets waning phones assault its battery

It’s amazing how fast the charge on a phone can become depleted. And it’s not always easy to find a safe charging port when on the go. That’s why Flat Attack was created. This battery-operated charger only takes one AA battery, but provides 40-60 minutes of talk time, or four-six hours on standby. It charges smartphones, portable music players, and many other mobile gadgets. Since it’s roughly the size of a standard car key, it’s small enough to fit on car key ring or in a pocket or purse.

Having a personal charger at one’s fingertips seems like a great idea. But since batteries don’t last forever and this product may not get used on a regular basis, it might be nice if there were some sort of indicator to let users know when the battery is low so that it can be replaced before discovering that the battery in the personal charger is dead, too. Interested backers might also want to check out the Kodiak campaign. This campaign seeks to raise $30,000 AUD (~$25,300 USD) by December 23, 2014. For $23 AUD (~$19 USD), backers get one product with an expected delivery of February 2015.

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Chargers/Batteries

Locked USB cuts off the data, keeps the juice flowing

While traveling can be exciting, traveling without the convenience of mobile gadgets can range from annoying to scary. And when they aren’t fully charged, it can feel as if all is lost. While many places offer public charging ports, this can mean a risk of breached data. That’s why Locked USB was created. Users can get their mobiles juiced while this portable charger adapter with a built-in firewall blocks data thieves and viruses. Another nice feature is that gadget charging time is significantly reduced when LockedUSB is used.

A similar product, USB Condom, made it from crowd funding into the marketplace,and USB Umbrella, an even higher quality product, are well on their way due to successful campaigns. For those who would prefer avoiding public charging ports altogether, check out the Kodiak, Z-charge, and ChargeAll campaigns. This campaign seeks to raise $25,750. Early bird backers get one product for $20 with an expected delivery of April 2015.

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Chargers/Batteries

Smart Charge Power Bags offer Al Capone wannabes limited usage

Staying in communication with the gang can be tough when the power goes out – on a mobile device. Unless you have Smart Charge Power Bags, which can charge at a rate of 1.5 % per minute, and it fit a maximum  7” tablet. It’s unfortunate that it only offers 1.5 charges for the average iPhone when there are products out there that can offer more charges.

The overall make of Smart Charge Power Bags seems a little bulky for the average person to carry around on a day-to-day basis, unless one is looking at it as an alternative to a backpack or rucksack. However, since this appears flatter than the average backpack, it may work well for those with a more unique vocation in various areas of the arts, or perhaps businesses professionals who usually wear a suit. Backers may also want to check out the Riutbag, Kangeaux, Padroo, and Zondo campaigns. This campaign seeks to raise $15,000. For $100, backers get one product with an expected delivery of March 2015.

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Chargers/Batteries Organization

TekTuk keeps mobiles safe from sleepy feet

Finding a convenient place to charge mobile devices that keeps them off the floor and free from the risk of getting stepped on can be a challenge, especially when traveling. TekTuk offers a way to keep mobiles bedside while still getting charged and in a safe place. The top portion of the leather carrying case fits between the mattress and box spring to keep mobile devices off of the floor. It will hold most tablets (up to 11” wide and 1” thick) and mobile phones (up to 3 ¼” wide, 1” thick) in their cases.

If backers can avoid knocking into the TekTuk during the night, this may be a good solution for mobile protection. The elastic cord management loops seem like a nice touch for keeping wires tangle-free and easily accessible as well. Backers might also want to check out the Z-charge, and ReelJuice  campaigns. This campaign seeks to raise $3,000 by December 8, 2014. Early bird backers get one product for $35, with an expected delivery of December 2014.

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Cell Phone Accessories Chargers/Batteries

iPhone 6 charging case integrates stand, USB cable

As battery life still hasn’t caught up with the amount we use our phones, we need to be constantly prepared to charge our phones, even when we’re not at home. The Charge Case was designed to serve several important functions for iPhone 6 users. It’s a lightweight black case that will protect your phone. Charge is also a stand that lets you prop up your phone horizontally or vertically. Lastly, it comes with an attached lightning cable so you can charge or sync your phone anywhere. The cable fits discreetly inside the case.

We’ve seen a ton of portable chargers recently, including inCharge, a lightning cable keychain. Charge Case serves several functions, setting it apart from similar products. As with other portable cables, it’s too bad that it can’t also come with some kind of wall outlet. Still, if you have your laptop with you, this case makes charging, protecting and propping up easy. One will cost backers $35 for estimated delivery in March 2015. Charge Case is looking to raise a modest $5,000 on Kickstarter.

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Automotive Chargers/Batteries

Pocket Jump charges your smartphone, jump starts your car

Being suddenly stranded on the side of the road because of a dead car battery and a smartphone on its last legs can be a pretty terrible situation. With the unimpressive capacity of our smartphones, this is probably a situation that happens all too often and is dangerous because there just might not be anyone around to help. Viatek Consumer Products Group, Inc. is looking to kill two birds with one stone with their Pocket Jump, a product looking to restore motorists’ peace of mind while on the road.

Pocket Jump addresses our devices’ constant necessity for power as a portable 3000mAh or 4800mAh battery pack with the ability to recharge using a micro-USB connection or a vehicle’s own car battery through the cigarette lighter. In the unfortunate scenario that a car battery dies out, the Pocket Jump is equipped with the technology to jump start a car with that same cigarette lighter so a motorist can avoid the hassle of having to flag down another car, use dangerous jumper cables, and possibly face inclement weather while doing so.

Cars, vans, trucks with diesel or hybrid engines can all use the Pocket Jump, making the tiny device an extremely versatile tool to have handy especially because it will more or less always have some sort of charge within. The 3000mAh version goes for $40, while the Pocket Jump Plus goes for $80. The campaign is looking for $10,000 to get the product in backer’s vehicles by December 2014.

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Chargers/Batteries

Twist caps the MacBook wall adapter, offers USB charging

Keeping mobile devices charged while overseas can be a challenge when one doesn’t have the right adapter. Twist offers users the opportunity to keep everything juiced up in over 150 countries. The charger twists to offer the appropriate plug, and then the user has four USB charging ports available for use. Its unique design makes it a more stable option, especially in older, worn out outlets.

The product is specifically intended for MacBook only, and it appears as if there is only one spot on the adapter for non-mobile device power, a definite drawback. The folks at OneAdaptr would do well to consider adding other models of laptops into the mix to make their product more versatile. Twist is reminiscent of the PlugBug, but offers more options in its usage. This campaign seeks to raise $30,000 CAD (~$26,300 USD) by December 19, 2014. For $22 CAD, (~$19 USD) backers get one product with an expected delivery of February 2015.

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Cell Phone Accessories Chargers/Batteries

Tinbot Designs seeks to charge your iPhone with your movements

When it comes to a phone battery, the mere thought of running out of power is almost unthinkable for millions of people. Because of that, inventors have searched for any way to keep our beloved devices turned on at all costs. TinBot Designs is an Afghanistan-based company that has a unique new idea in this field: use ambient noise and movement to keep an iPhone battery charged little by little. Using a pizeoelectric effect that takes this noise and motion to stretch small rods, an electrical charge is created that can keep a battery charged.

All of this is accomplished in a small case that fits snugly around the iPhone without bulking the product up or creating something extra that needs to be carried around with the phone. This product is still in such an early stage that it lacks a name, and TinBot Designs are still looking for a transducer to make this project work at their standards. Their campaign is raising $5,000 to continue product testing to make this wonder charger a reality. At this time, no reward tiers offer the product itself. It’s a really interesting and unique idea, but there isn’t enough hard progress to consider for the average consumer.

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Chargers/Batteries

ReelJuice is a charger that knows how to unwind

There’s little worse than that sinking feeling that comes with realizing you forgot to charge your mobile device when out and about. If one is actually in the habit of carrying a charger, finding a convenient place and time to stop and wait for recharging can be a real hassle. With ReelJuice, no searching or waiting is required. Mobile devices can be recharged up to three times using ReelJuice5 or six times using Realjuice10. It functions independently using two Li-ion lithium batteries. The gadget includes two USB ports, one of which is a micro charger.

It’s unclear if the second one is a micro or standard size. The 48 inch attached, retractable cord reel means no tangling or getting lost during those especially busy on-the-go days. And when one finally gets home, it can be easily plugged into the wall and recharged so it’s ready next outing. While this isn’t going to power a laptop, it seems like it will work well for smartphones or tablets. This campaign seeks to raise $78,000 by December 15, 2014. Early bird backers get one product for $59, with an expected delivery of April 2015.