a review by Tom Piper
With all the apps and activities that are being conducted on our mobile devices, power consumption is an ever-increasing concern. Do you have to recharge every night, and even sometimes run out during the day? How about when you go on a trip? There are some great solutions now available.
The TekCharge™ MP1860A from Tekkeon, a dual port 1860 mAh power pack with two USB outputs, simultaneously charges and powers my iPad™, iPhone®, iPod® nano or iPod® touch, and a second small portable device. With mobile power at my fingertips, this high-capacity, lightweight battery lets me enjoy hours of extended play time on many of my small portable electronic products.
Upon opening the package, the first impression is very good . . . very handsome unit with highly functional features. The black shiny finish is good looking, and the grey rubber side-grips and feet are a nice touches. The initial recharge cycle seemed reasonable and straight-forward, but the charge time seemed slow for my iPhone and iPad2. I do like the two USB ports, and extra adaptors for mini- and micro-USB devices.
The OFF-ON-LIGHT switch is convenient with a nice blue indicator light, and the LED flashlight is quite bright and useful. The array of cables is very convenient for a broad range of devices, and its nice to have the cloth pouch . . . it would have been nice to have two pouches (one for the unit, and another for the cables), or a larger dual-pocket zip-top carrier.
An Apple Dock Connector to USB cable is included for connection of your iPad, iPhone, or iPod, with Mini USB and Micro USB adapter tips included for connection to current models of BlackBerry, HTC, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson mobile phones. You can use the included USB adapter tips to also charge your Kindle2, Nook, MP3 players, PDAs, portable media players and other 5V devices that use a Micro or Mini USB cable to charge. Additional adapter tips are available from Tekkeon for a nominal fee.
All in all, this is a nice setup (www.tekkeon.com) with a great deal of juice. I'm a little concerned that the $69.95 price might slow down purchasers, but it is competitive with other similar devices on the market.
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A variation on the backup battery concept is the PowerPak Travel Charger from Technical is a single USB port 1000 mAh charger and battery. This universal charging solution will recharge your handheld device at the same time as it recharges itself via the wall outlet (the AC plug flips out on the back). The easy to read, LED indicator lights reveal the remaining capacity of the PowerPak™ battery reserve with the press of a button.
Packaging includes the PowerPak™ unit, a system USB cable, micro and mini USB (black) interchangeable tips for use with a wide variety of devices to provide compatibility for 95% of all handheld USB devices. The PowerPak™ is also compatible with any other USB cable that might have been provided with your wireless device. Available for $39.99 (www.technocel.com), there are other units available like the innovative Battery Boost, as well as a variety of iPhone, iPad and other protective cases.
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A battery backup dedicated to the iPhone 4 is the Boost Case from HRL Technologies offers a 1700 mAh rechargeable battery within a protective case for both the AT&T and Verizon phones. The case has a very nice tactile feel with a sure grip, and the iPhone fits snuggly for full protection.
The case is a little longer and thicker than the iPhone in order to accommodate the long-life battery. It includes automatic or manual ON/OFF, along with a blue LED lights to show the power level in the battery. The case can be kept on all of the time for charging and syncing.
This very convenient battery/case can be purchased for $59.95 (http://boostcase.com). Other variations are also available like the Leather Flip Battery Case (1300 mAh sled on leather, $69.95), the Powerhouse Duo (6600 mAh multi-unit charger, $79.95), and the Power Kickstand (2000 mAh foldable dock, $59.95). Boost Case is also available for the 3G & 3GS, plus a leather folio battery case for the iPad (5400 mAh, $129.95).
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Perhaps the most versatile battery backup for the iPhone 4/3G/3GS is the TruePower iV Pro from TruePower, Inc. which has 3100 mAh capacity. This sled-type unit includes an LED charge indicator, On/Off switch, powerful LED flashlight (photos, movies, emergencies), and a mini-USB charging cable.
This has the most powerful Apple-approved iPhone battery pack that:
- Solves iPhone 4 antenna issue and improves reception;
- Has enough power to recharge your iPhone up to 3 times;
- Features a built-in USB port that will charge a second device such as an iPod and earpiece or connect an additional USB device like a printer, mouse or digital camera;
- Revives a fully-exhausted iPhone in less than one minute and fully recharges an iPhone in less than one hour; and
- Can fully recharge the TruePower iV Pro in just three hours.
This excellent backup battery unit is available for $99.95 (http://truepoweriv.com/content/TruePower_iV_Pro.htm). Another great product is the ThinSkin personalization film (http://truepoweriv.com) which colorizes (over 20 designs) the iPhone 4, and remedies the antenna issues. Normally $19.95, these have a limited-time half-price offer for Apple user group members (see Special Vendor Discount Offers below).
ThinSkin for iPhone 4: 50-66% Discount
The TruePowerThinSkin Personalization films are perhaps the lightest, least expensive iPhone 4 antenna fix on the market. This easy to apply solution will remind you of an Apple Bumper, but without the bulk. Its a great personalization accessory with lots of great looking color choices and a minimal subtle design.
Usually $19.99 (US) each on Amazon, this Apple user group offer reduces the price by half, or 66% off on the purchase of three or more.
Coupon code: (see your User Group Ambassador for code)
Review and purchase: www.truepoweriv.com
This worldwide offer is valid through April 30, 2011.
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