Home Batteries and Chargers

You’ll never forget to charge your backup battery with the Avid WiBa wireless powerbank and charging station

The new WiBa 100% wireless power bank and charging station is coming soon from Avido.  You’ll get a wireless Qi charging station, of course, and you’ll also get a Qi-charging battery bank to carry with you.  You’ll simplify your charging setup, because the battery charges on top of the charging station; the phone goes on top to charge simultaneously.  The 5000mAh battery pack also comes with a power cord for charging itself and the phone while you are traveling.

The WiBa kit includes:

  • WiBa 5000mAh wireless power bank
  • WiBa charging dock
  • USB Type-C cable
  • QC 3.0 AC Adapter
  • Two slim metal plates (black and white) to attach to the back of your phone to keep it attached to the magnets in the battery pack

The WiBa wireless battery and charging station will be $99.95; sign up for email notification when the WiBa Qi charging system is ready for purchase at Avido.

This Apple Watch charging stand includes a backup battery

The GLAWEE charging stand for the Apple Watch holds the watch horizontally, so you’ll be able to make use of the Watch’s nightstand mode as it charges on your nightstand.  Then, you can take the stand with you as you travel, it will charge your Watch even without access to a power outlet.  The vertical tower holds a 5000mAh battery inside that can charge your Watch, and it has a USB outlet to charge your iPhone, too.

When connected to a power source, the backup battery charges your watch as it charges itself.  The four LEDs, seen above the Watch in the above image, shows the power reserve inside the battery.  GLAWEE says their “charger uses the latest safest protective tech for your Apple watch such as: over-voltage,over-current, over-power, over-heating, and short-circuit protection technology to ensure your watch and iPhone are safe during charging.”  Get this charger in black or white for $55.99 at Amazon.

Chargetech PLUG Pro portable power supply review

I have become quite the collector of portable power supplys. I have reviewed probably a dozen of them here on the Gadgeteer and I have them everywhere… my house, my office, and my car.  I give them as gifts, and I use just about all of them at some time during the day/week.  I used to have a portable power supply about 4 years ago that had enough juice to charge my laptop almost all the way full, but it died.  So ever since I have looked for one to replace it.  And I believe I have found the solution with the $399 Chargetech PLUG Pro.

What is it?

The Chargetech PLUG Pro (hereinafter referred to as the PLUG) is a portable power supply that can power just about any small gadget or appliance.  It is meant for electronics, so using it with power tools or things with motors probably will not work.  But have no fear, if you do plug something up that the PLUG can’t handle, then it will shut down before short-circuiting or overheating.

Hardware specs

Weight: 2 lbs 3 oz
Dimensions: 5.6 in (w) x 8.6 in (h) x 1.6 in (d)
Compatibility: International Power Adapter Available

Input:
– 1x Charging Port
Output:
– 2x International AC Outlets
– 2x Fast Charge USB Ports
– 1x USB Type-C Port

AC Adapter comes in both 110V and 220V options for worldwide usage.
When finished charging, the LCD screen will display ‘FF’ to indicate a full battery.
Input: 100-240V ~ , 50/60Hz, 1.0A
Output: 24.0V ⎓ 1.8A   L.P.S

Certifications:  CE, FCC Listed

Capacity: 54,000 mAh

What’s in the box?

The PLUG comes with a cloth carrying bag with a drawstring and a power adapter to charge it.

Design and features

The title of this review says the PLUG is ‘portable’, but it should be noted that it is quite heavy for a portable power supply.  I would say it is about the same weight as one of your kids history textbooks from school, should it won’t be a device that you carry around every day.  It will easily fit inside your backpack or large purse, but again, it is heavy coming in at over 2 lbs.  Here is a picture of my Nexus 7 table sitting on top of the PLUG.  It is a little over 1.5 inches in thickness, so it is pretty thick as well.

With a USB-C port on the side, 2 fast-charging USB ports and 2 regular power outlets, the PLUG can charge multiple devices at the same time.  I have a bunch of portable batteries around my house, office, and car.  And none of them have these many ways to charge.  I have the 54,000 mAh model and that means I can recharge my Galaxy S6 Plug about 15+ times.  My laptop requires a 19V/3.42V charger, so the PLUG can charge my laptop from completely dead to fully charged in 1.5 hours, and the PLUG can do that 2 times before it needs to be recharged.  Not bad.

And speaking of recharging, it is going to take you quite some time to charge the PLUG because, after all, the capacity is 54,000 mAh.  It will take at least 7-8 hours to fully charge, so I charge it overnight when I need to charge it and by morning it is ready to go.

So what situations is it best to use the PLUG?  Well, because of the size and weight you won’t be carrying it around in your pocket unless you are MC Hammer (a little throwback to you 80’s music fans). When I travel there are of course wall outlets in the hotel room, and for my cellphone, it is much more convenient to carry one of my small portable charges that really does fit in my pocket.  So I would say that the PLUG is perfect for when you are literally going to a place that has no power outlets.  Like camping, or the park, or working a booth at a convention where your boss won’t spring for a power connection at the booth!  You convention workers know what I am talking about.

It has an LED reading on the top that shows you how much juice is left.  And it has all the bells and whistles you would expect like protection from overheating and short-circuiting.  The model I have also has the international plugs.  Which is another great use for the PLUG.  International travelers will find this gadget invaluable for their US-designed gadgets but will also be able to plug in international devices as well.

Positives

  • Portable (sort of)
  • Huge capacity
  • 5 plugs for devices
  • True power outlet on-the-go

Negatives

  • It is heavy for a portable battery supply
  • It is very expensive
  • Fast-charging USB slows down when you also use the power outlets

Final thoughts

For $399, the PLUG isn’t for everyone.  But for someone who regularly finds themselves without access to a power outlet, it is worth every penny.  With the number of ports it has, and humongous capacity, and the portability it affords, the PLUG is a great gadget.  Plus, unlike most other portable power supplies, you can actually use it with large gadgets like TVs, laptops, gaming consoles, small household appliances, even CPAP machines.  I highly recommend this gadget.

Price: $399.00
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Chargetech.

Twelve South’s TimePorter is the perfect travel companion for your Apple Watch

If one owns an Apple Watch then one can never have enough accessories to go with that Watch. Whether its extra bands or charging do-dads, Apple Watch accessories are almost as essential as the watch itself. The Twelve South TimePorter is an accessories tote, portable charger and travel stand for the Apple Watch. TimePorter holds the charging cable, USB power adaptor, extra band(s), and more in a neatly designed, silicone-lined case. To charge your Apple Watch simply pop the charging disc into the integrated opening inside TimePorter and drape the Apple Watch across the top.

The case opens to create a multi-angle travel charging stand. Perfect for viewing incoming alerts and notifications while your Watch charges. You can even rotate the watch and use it in nightstand mode.

A built-in spool neatly manages extra cable while charging, leaving you just enough to plug into the nearest outlet. TimePorter is the perfect bedside companion whether you’re traveling or just using it on your nightstand at home. The Twelve South TimePorter is available in black or white for $33.99 on Amazon.

Energous receives industry-first FCC certification in the over-the-air, wireless-charging field

A couple years ago, we told you about wireless charging from Energous Corporation.  They created the WattUP wire-free charging technology that allows over-the-air, wireless device charging from a distance of a few millimeters to up to 15 feet away.  In a press release on December 27, 2017, Energous announced their WattUp RF-based Mid Field transmitters had received FCC certification, the first certification in this field.

Energous has developed three power transmitters.  The Far Field energy transmitter can be placed in a TV’s bezel or a soundbar, or it can be placed on the wall or ceiling of your room to extend charging coverage into the room.  Multiple Far Field transmitters can even create a charging network, to extend coverage even further into your space.  A Mid Field transmitter embedded in a monitor or speaker could offer coverage to the devices over the 2-3 feet of your desktop, where all the small devices on your desk could be charged without cables or charging pads.  Near Field transmitters would be the smallest and cheapest wireless charging option; embedded into a laptop or a piece of furniture, it could replace a USB cable to charge a mobile device.  Using software control, the Far and Mid Field transmitters could charge multiple devices simultaneously, and you could even use software controls to prioritize which device gets charged quickest and first.

Of course, devices must have a WattUp receiver to collect and convert the RF energy into electrical energy for charging.  WattUp receivers have multiple antennas that use “pocket-forming technology to accurately direct energy to the receiver. The technology dynamically adjusts the shape and content of the RF waves so they can be directed to a specific location in 3D space. There, the energy is gathered by the receiver’s special antennas where WattUp® ASICs convert the RF signal to DC current, delivering a charge to the battery.”

On December 26, 2017, Energous announced they have been granted “Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certification of its first-generation WattUp Mid Field transmitter, which sends focused, RF-based power to devices at a distance. As the first FCC certification for power-at-a-distance wireless charging under Part 18 of the FCC’s rules, this development represents a new era of wireless charging, and opens up a tremendous opportunity for the electronics industry.”  This certification was granted after months of rigorous testing for safety and efficiency of WattUp devices.

Energous announced in the same press release, that they will be demonstrating their very latest WattUp technology at CES 2018, in Las Vegas, NV, January 9-12. They urge you to learn more about Energous, by visiting Energous.com or by following them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.