RIM seems to be on a bit of a patent kick lately (more than normal at least) and this time around has landed one for a phone-charging holster. The device is pretty much a standard phone holster that has a second battery for charging your phone. When your phone is in the holster, it would be charged from a second battery so you would always have some extra juice on the go -- of course that means charging two devices instead of one before you head out. We've seen some third party options that are very similar, but this could be something cool in the RIM arsenal.
Even though CES2012 didn't officially start until Tuesday morning, there were still plenty of events to attend in the days leading up to it. On Monday, we visited the Pepcom Digital Experience where well over 100 exhibitors showed off their wares in a preview of the CES to come.
Through all the exhibitors, the one that stood out most in my mind was TYLT. And really, it wasn't because they had a high-tech mega-booth or some high-energy sales pitch. It was because they had a mission: to design accessories that are updated for today's world, stylish, and highly functional. They've succeeded.
My absolute favorite of all their accessories on display was the TYLT car charger, simply called "Band." Rather than producing a simple spiral-shaped car charger cord, TYLT stretched that into a flat, silicone-encased ribbon. The ribbon folds easily and should make it things a lot easier for those who have charging ports inside the center console.
TYLT has made some amazing products that work and look great. While Band and the other products you see in the video aren't available for sale just yet, you can rest assured that TYLT are doing all they can to get these accessories in a store near you.
How many times throughout your day have you found yourself with a dead battery in your BlackBerry? A cool new campaign from Vitaminwater is underway in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston that aims to help out with this problem. Bus shelters in those cities have the interactive displays installed, complete with 5-volt battery powered USB ports that will allow commuters to plug in and charge up mobile phones, MP3 players, and gaming devices. If you live in one of these four cities, have you spotted one of these bus stops?
Now wirelessly charging your BlackBerry Bold 9780 or Bold 9700 is as simple as setting it down! Powermat Complete solutions are pre-packaged bundles pairing a Powermat one position wireless charging mat and a wireless charging receiver to provide a seamless upgrade to wireless charging. With the PowerMat Wireless Charging System for the BlackBerry Bold 9700/9780 you'll never charge with wires again!
Features:
1 Powermat 1X charging mat
1 Receiver Battery Door for BlackBerry Bold 9700
1 Power Supply (100-240VAC) with built-in cord management
Auto Shut Off
Full Charge Check
The Powermat 1X Wireless Charging Mat is the perfect solution for wirelessly charging in multiple locations in the home and office. Its small footprint fits almost any corner or even the smallest of nightstands. A magnetic attraction between every Receiver and each access point on every Mat assures that alignment is precise and the most efficient charging will occur. A unique sound tells you that a solid connection has been made and your device is charging. A second, similar sound is heard when the device is removed.
* ShopCrackBerry Update: The demand for the BlackBerry Torch Charging Pod has been so high it's been tough to keep them in stock, but a fresh supply just arrived so if you've been wanting a Torch Charging Pod today is the day! *
Hands down my all-time favorite BlackBerry accessory, the BlackBerry Torch 9800 Charging Pod is one that no Torch owner should be without. In addition to providing you with a simple way to charge your device, the charging pod also allows you to turn your device into an alarm clock and take advantage of BlackBerry's awesome bedside mode feature [see video on using bedside mode]. You can also hook the pod up to your PC or Mac and use it to sync your device as well. A truly invaluable accessory that should definitely be in your arsenal. The BlackBerry Charging Pod for the BlackBerry Torch is available at ShopCrackBerry.com. The BlackBerry Charging pod is avaiable for a lot of different device models, so if you don't have a Torch you should still grab a charging pod for your device [see all charging pods].
One of the first accessories I purchased with my 8830WE way back when was a BlackBerry charging pod. I've never been a big fan of having to plug in my devices, so I immediately fell in love with the little guy. Being able to just drop in the device and let it charge is as easy as it gets. I've tried other solutions over the years like the PowerMat, but found that to be annoying (and expensive) and went right back to my charging pod. I'm curious to know just how you primarily charge your device. Do you just use the standard BlackBerry charger and plug in? Do you use a BlackBerry charging pod? Do you use another 3rd party solution? Cast you vote in the poll and leave a comment letting us know why.
Through many years and many BlackBerry devices I have never ventured beyond the factory charger. It has always been a point of frustration that the cable included with the BlackBerry has a straight tip, yet the Micro USB connection is on the side of most devices. This makes it awkward when charging and a few times led to bent pins if the device falls from it's charging perch. There are a number of options available for charging your BlackBerry. Which charger charges the fastest? Does the type of charger make a difference regarding battery life throughout the day? Is the most expensive option the best?
[ Forums member Stiefler07 gave us a this great review of the PowerMat charging mats. This post comes from our Community Reviews forums. Post your review and if we promote it to the blogs you'll receive a coupon for free accessories or apps.]
The Powermat design and build are stellar. Within the first moments of opening the box, the first thing that was noticed was it was solid. Not only is the build solid, the design is very appealing, one could set it anywhere and be happy with how it looks with the surroundings. The mat does not feel cheap nor does it look cheap. Around the outside of the mat, there is silver plastic to give a dull chrome look, and no this is not thin plastic, the build feels very solid. The mat itself feels great as well, it has a smooth texture and very durable feel.
One of the many cool and useful things I have discovered here at CES is the PowerPak by Technocel. One of the first booths I hit when I walked in, Technocel has their own line of cases and bluetooth headsets, but by far my favorite was the PowerPak. These days, packing 2 devices and a bluetooth, I find myself getting a little tired of keeping extra cables with me everywhere. Add on any other devices I might decide to take with me, and it becomes a nightmare mess of cables inside my bag - Enter the PowerPak. Lightweight and compact, the unit currently on display has a USB port built in, and comes with a wide array of charging attachments to accomodate multiple devices. At 1000mAH, it packs more than enough power to charge your device a couple of times over and is a great tool to have on hand for those on the go. It doubles as a wall charger and charges it's reserve power supply at the same time. Depending on your device, network, etc. the reserve power supply should power your device for up to an additional 3 hrs of talk time. A simple press of a button lights up the LEDs, indicating how much reserve power you have left. The Technocel exhibitors have also informed me that early this year, they will be releasing 2 new versions, including a 1600mAH version and an upgraded version which has 2 ports so its capable of simultaneously charging 2 devices at once, with a 2000+ mAH power supply.
Retailing for an extremely reasonable $49.99, I would highly recommend checking this out. For more details and to purchase head over to Technocel.com. The Powerpak is also available in most Sprint stores, so you can take a trip down and take a look for yourself before you buy.
Last night was the Digital Experience show in Las Vegas, which kicked off the "pre" CES celebrations. Energizer was on hand to show off some of their upcoming products some of which fit in the Energi To Go line. With everything from solar powered chargers to in pocket solutions being shown off Energizer looks as though they preparing for consumers to never have to worry about a dead battery ever again.
One such solution shown off was the EnergiStick that offers micro and mini USB connection options which can keep your individual device charged for an extra 30 minutes on the go. Perfect for those times you need that extra boost to get you through till you get home.
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