We all know that the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS battery sucks, but what can you do about it? Griffin is hoping that its portable solution means you won't have to travel around with the charger wherever you go. But does it work? We got charging to find out.

The concept is simple. You charge the battery accessory, which you can then use when the iPhone is running low on power. Rather than an iPhone case like the Mophie Juice Pack Air, you get a small matchbox-sized battery that plugs into the dock connector. The matchbox battery is charged itself via an AC adapter or cigarette lighter adapter so you can charge it via the wall or in the car.

Both the AC adapter and car adapter are as compact as they can be and both come with a USB socket allowing you to charge a second device - handy in the case of the AC adapter because it means you can charge your iPhone's battery at the same time. A small magnet in both the chargers and the battery pack keeps everything in place when charging.

The battery pack itself as five green LED lights so you can see the status of the charge. You can only see the charge status when the battery is plugged into a charger or an iPhone/iPod. It isn't a big thing, but it would have been handy to be able to see if it needs charging without having to connect it to your iPhone.

In use and the battery offers a full charge as promised, but unlike the Mophie Juice Pack Air, we wouldn't be comfortable using this on the go and especially when it's in a pocket.

While it easily fits into the dock connector, attaching a matchbox-sized device to the base of your iPhone makes for a long phone. It isn't practical having something so long and fragile in your pocket. We were constantly worried that it would snap off and leave the dock connector in the iPhone rendering everything useless.

The end result is a battery that you feel you can only use at your desk or in the car, or basically anywhere you know you are going to be sitting for the next hour. It that's the case, you might as well just plug the iPhone in to a wall socket and be done with it.

?

Verdict:

The idea of offering a charging solution of the go is handy, however this isn't the way to do it. Griffin's matchbox-sized battery is impractical in the field, making it redundant before it gets out of the box.

Those looking to boost their iPhone's performance on the go would be better off either opting for the Mophie Juice Pack Air or packing their charging cable with them.?

?

?

?

?

Tags: Phones Phone accessories iPhone Griffin Batteries Griffin PowerDuo Reserve

Griffin PowerDuo Reserve iPhone battery originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Gadgets are great aren't they? The problem is, is that the current batch of latest and greatest last about 12 hours before you need to find a power socket. If that sounds familiar then you need to look at alternative power solutions. In steps the Energizer range of power of the go options and in this case the Xpal XP2000.

The new range, called Energizer Energi To Go, range in size and capability with the smallest offering starting at 600mAh for phones to an 18,000mAh charger that can power up to three devices at once, including a notebook.

Each battery will come with a series of power "tips" in the box that lets you connect and charge most devices, with the company going as far as to say that they've got virtually every device built in the last 10 years covered. If you do manage to outsmart them, Energizer says that it will build you one at no extra cost.

So keen is the company to appeal to gadget fans, they are even promising two free tips a year for the life of the Energi To Go product to ensure that as consumers purchase new devices they will have the right tips to charge them.

Back to the XP2000 and you get the main charging unit and six tips including iPod/iPhone 30-pin dock connector, Mini-USB, Micro-USB, as well as tips for Samsung, Nokia and LG phones. The unit itself is also capable of taking a USB as well as a Mini-USB cable directly, so you can get around the lack of a cable/tip for your device.

In use and the battery gadget gets to work charging your gadgets for you. All you have to do it plug them into the main element and away you go. To give you an idea of charge there is a basic blue LED bar system that lights up accordingly. It doesn't tell you how much charge you've got or how much longer it will take to charge your device, just that the unit has charge.

The unit isn't without catches however. Without a power socket in the box you will have to charge the battery via USB and charging on the go is rather cumbersome, as you've got a battery dangling from your phone.

?

Verdict:

It's basic in its offering, but then it is just a battery. Where the Energizer Energi To Go range succeeds is that it's not just restricted to one gadget.?However where it all falls down is that you can't really use or travel with your charging gadget effectively. While you can theoretically do it, it's a pain to use your phone and this battery at the same time.

What about at your desk? Well chances are you've got power at your desk so a backup battery isn't really a requirement.?This really is for those who know they are going to be without power access at some point of the day (like the train) or heading out into the wilderness.

Tags: Gadgets Batteries Energizer Energizer Xpal XP2000

Energizer Energi to Go Xpal XP2000 originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:00:00 +0100