iPhone/ iPod backup battery- best accessory
The folks at Gear Live have reviewed what looks like the best accessory for the iPhone or iPod. The Richard Solo Backup Battery looks to be a nice small way to extend the battery life of the iPhone or any iPod using the standard dock connector. The cool thing about this backup battery is how it can be plugged into the iPhone and then the charger to top off both devices. This insures when you leave for the day the iPhone and backup battery are both with full gauges. I have ordered one for my iPhone and I’ll report back when I get it. $50.
Hopefully will double my iPhone battery life from 2 to 4 hours.
jk, I personally think the one from Kensington is a better choice. It’s $57 at Amazon rated at 1800 mAh compared to this one $50, at only 1200 mAh.
Link: http://bit.ly/1hFJzK
Product Info: http://us.kensington.com/html/15458.html
It’s the return of Sharper Image! Hopefully Richard doesn’t start importing some of the same products again
I have seen a backup battery from DLO also, at a local Best Buy. If I remember right, it was about $10 less, but it was also much smaller.
This Solo model looks nice, look forward to hearing your review, James…
I’m getting a similar charger from Mobile Brando (http://mobile.brando.com.hk/prod_detail.php?prod_id=03499&dept_id=093&cat_id=1112) for half the price, will let you know how it works. Comes in white or black to match the iPhone 3G color.
Hello James!
I just received my RichardSolo battery packs this morning – but I left the house without my iPhone! (when i realized it halfway to work, i had the same look on my face as Kevin Bacon in ‘Shes Having a Baby’ – when he realized his wife wasn’t in the car – as he was taking her to the hospital after her water broke…. Anyhooooo, I’m an idiot but I’m not having children so I’m doing my part for the future – Al Gore can take care of the rest.)
I took a few pics of the battery to send a friend who is considering purchasing too:
http://web.me.com/pnorman/RichardSoloiPhoneBattery.html
The battery case is aluminum, the USB cable is a neat retractable doohickey and the AC plug is twice the size as the one included with Apple’s USB power adapter – but its got an activity light!
I ordered the battery before I actually got the iPhone due to concerns 3G usage would kill the battery – but it turns out Rogers doesn’t have 3G in my province, only Edge (as well as very small coverage). Remember – I TOLD you I’m an idiot – smart enough to punch in his credit card number but way too dumb to read a webpage.
Thank-you ‘Reggie’, ‘orbitalcomp’ and ‘HongKongPhooey’ for bringing the other batteries to my attention – I’ll be checking them out. You guys rock!
I ordered the Kensington mini battery pack the other day. It looks a little more compact that the RichardSolo device, and it’s a little cheaper.
In the meantime, I keep my iPhone charging cable and little A/C adapter with me in my purse at all times. In a pinch, I can usually find a power outlet somewhere.
Found the power station while shopping in downtown Hong Kong today, bargain it down to US22, check out the pics I took on my post for more details, link here, http://hongkongphooey.wordpress.com/2008/07/31/the-must-have-accessory-for-iphone-3g-iphone-power-station/
I purchased the RichardSolo battery because it fits in my purse and looks sexy
Small yet powerful. Sleek and durable. I love it cuz I don’t have to look for the Apple charger at home that I either lost or my sister stole 
I plug it in the iPhone and it does the job. No messy wires. I am not very good with gadgets. This RichardSolo battery is so easy— I love it!
James, What did you think of this product? I’m considering getting one of these things, let me know. Rakesh