batteries

Bluetti SwapSolar pairs power station with unique portable fridge for outdoor fun

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Bluetti SwapSolar power station and fridge
SwapSolar is perfect for camping trips and other outdoor activities.
Photo: Bluetti

The SwapSolar, Bluetti’s very first “ecosystem,” pairs a power station with a portable fridge. The combo is designed to power up all your outdoor activities and keep your food and drinks chilled. But the Bluetti SwapSolar is currently heating up Indiegogo.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Bluetti.

The crowd-funding campaign for SwapSolar — which combines the new MultiCooler (the world’s first portable refrigerator powered by lithium iron phosphate batteries) and the AC180T hot-swappable battery power station — launched Tuesday on Indiegogo and quickly eclipsed Bluetti’s $50,000 goal. There’s still plenty of time for you to get in on the deal, though, with multiple perks and discounts available for early backers.

Apple gets ready to make much better batteries

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iPhone and other Apple devices may have much better batteries within a couple of years.
iPhone and other Apple devices may have much better batteries within a couple of years.
Photo: PBKreviews

Apple is developing greatly improved batteries for its future devices, according to a new report. It appears the iPhone-maker wants to create a custom process in-house and own it — rather than outsourcing — just like it did with Apple silicon chips.

Power a sustainable future with Bluetti solar solutions

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Bluetti offers solar-powered products and practical advice on living sustainably.
Bluetti offers solar-powered products and practical advice on living sustainably.
Photo: Bluetti

Climate change makes protecting our environment and embracing sustainable living practices more important than ever before. Impacts include warmer temperatures through increased greenhouse gases, rising sea levels, warmer oceans, more volatile weather and increasing ocean acidity.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Bluetti.
These problems underscore an urgent need for action. And power solutions provider Bluetti offers innovative green products as well as advice on how anyone can contribute to a brighter future.

Prepare for the next hurricane with Bluetti power

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The best way to stay safe in a hurricane is to be prepared. Bluetti and its power stations can help.
The best way to stay safe in a hurricane is to be prepared. Bluetti and its power stations can help.
Photo: Bluetti

Hurricane Idalia struck Florida hard on August 30, downing trees, ripping roofs off buildings and flooding roads enough to submerge cars. In some parts of the state, residents face rebuilding their homes and lives.

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This post is brought to you by Bluetti.
How can you prepare for the next major storm and its aftermath? Energy-storage leader Bluetti‘s safety guidelines can help you safeguard life and property. Plus, the company is offering some help for Floridians in need.

Stacked batteries could let iPhone 15 go longer between charges

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iPhone 11 Pro Max teardown
A new type of battery could give the iPhone 15 the longest battery life yet.
Photo: TechInsights

Apple will put batteries that could last up to 10% longer in the upcoming iPhone 15 series, according to an unconfirmed report. These will be stacked batteries rather than wound ones.

iOS handsets already offer lengthy times between recharges, but surely no one will complain about extending that.

EU forces removable batteries on iPhone and iPad

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iPhone 14 is easier to repair than any of its predecessors in years.
iPhone 14 is easier to disassemble than its predecessors, but Apple might have to go further.
Photo: iFixit

The European Parliament passed sweeping legislation last week intended to make recycling batteries easier. The new rules will require Apple to redesign iPhone and iPad so their batteries can be replaced by users. (Android devices will face the same mandate.)

This will be the second major hardware change to Apple products to result from EU legislation. iPhones soon will come with a USB-C port in place of Lightning because of a European requirement.

Get a full day of power from 1-hour charge with new portable power station

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The light and compact Bluetti AC180 Portable Power Station will will makes the most of your camping trips.
Lightweight and compact, the Bluetti AC180 portable power station will make your camping trips much more enjoyable.
Photo: Bluetti

Bluetti’s new, highly portable AC180 power station comes with several features that make it perfect for camping as well as home battery backup.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Bluetti.

With enhancements including a 1,440-watt fast-charging rate, 1,800W of continuous AC power and a Power Lifting Mode that delivers up to 2,700W, the AC180 stands ready to deliver the power you need in a range of scenarios, from camping trips in the deepest wilderness to power outages at home. Bluetti kicks off the early bird sale on its new AC180 power generator Wednesday, with special pricing for a limited time.

Fuel your next adventure with Bluetti’s new AC60 portable, expandable power station

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Bluetti's AC60 power station and B80 extension battery make a powerful combo that can handle the great outdoors.
Bluetti's AC60 power station and B80 extension battery make a powerful combo that can handle the great outdoors.
Photo: Bluetti

Bluetti’s latest portable power station, the AC60, is the company’s most compact and durable yet. The lightweight power station, which launches today alongside the B80 expansion battery, comes with an IP65 rating, so it’s ready for your next outdoor adventure.

Plus, if you pair it with Bluetti’s new B80 — and maybe a solar panel or two — you don’t need to run out of juice.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Bluetti.
The solar generator and expansion battery combo promises faster charging, longer battery life and safer operation than other small power stations on the market. “The AC60 surpasses all expectations for traditional mini power stations,” Bluetti said, noting that both the AC60 and B80 come with an industry-leading six-year warranty.

Celebrate Earth Day with Bluetti and its green power solutions

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On April 22, Bluetti celebrates Earth Day with its event, Invest in Our Planet, Invest in Our Future.
On April 22, Bluetti celebrates Earth Day with its event, Invest in Our Planet, Invest in Our Future.
Photo: Bluetti

With our planet and its people facing increasingly dire problems due to climate change — exhaustion of resources, extreme weather, energy crises — the time is now to find ways to live sustainable lifestyles. Investing more in energy storage and reuse helps in the here and now, and also benefits generations to come.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Bluetti.
Bluetti has shown leadership in researching clean energy solutions for green living, helping families live sustainably. You can explore some of the company’s power-saving products below and even join in a special event called Invest in Our Planet, Invest in Our Future on Earth Day, April 22.

January blowout: Save big on power products and be a ‘Bluetti Hero’

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In Bluetti's big January promotion, you can find huge savings on power products and become a
In Bluetti's big January promotion, you can find huge savings on power products and become a "Bluetti Hero."
Photo: Bluetti

Solar-generator powerhouse Bluetti is throwing a New Year’s bash as the first month of 2023 unfolds. But instead of champagne and confetti, the ongoing promotional party — called “The Sun Shines Wherever You Go” — offers you great deals on new solar panels and other products.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Bluetti.
Running through January 25, the promotion celebrates Bluetti’s innovative new solar panels, offers great deals on other products, and serves as an open call for fans to become “Bluetti Heroes.” As such, you could showcase your experiences with the company’s power products for an upcoming documentary.

Bluetti crowdfunds $11 million for groundbreaking home-backup power station

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Bluetti's Indiegogo fundraising campaign was an unqualified success.
Bluetti's Indiegogo fundraising campaign was an unqualified success.
Photo: Bluetti

Power product provider Bluetti hit a big milestone recently when it raised a staggering $11.6 million on Indiegogo for its new AC500 and B300S Home Backup Power Station, a backup beast that can power a home for days.

The campaign raised the funds — $11,633,332 and counting, to be exact — between September 1, 2022, and October 30. That ensures production and sale of the advanced AC500 inverter and B300S expansion battery, set to go on sale November 25 on Bluetti’s website and Amazon (and available on Indiegogo in the meantime, see below).

Grab and go with new fast-charging EcoFlow portable power stations

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The three new portable power stations charge quickly and last a long time, EcoFlow said.
The three new portable power stations charge quickly and last a long time, EcoFlow said.
Photo: EcoFlow

EcoFlow rolled out three new River 2 series power stations Tuesday. The under-1kWh devices charge to 80% as fast as 48 minutes and offer a long life, making them cost-effective for on-the-go uses like camping as well as home power backup, the company said.

Bluetti jacks up the portable power with new flagship solar station

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The Bluetti AC500 delivers power however you need it, thanks to 16 versatile output ports.
The AC500 delivers power however you need it, thanks to 16 versatile output ports.
Image: Bluetti

This post is brought to you by Bluetti.

Do you dream of achieving power independence? Whether that means living off the grid or just keeping your home lit when the power goes out, Bluetti’s got a new, top-of-the-line solar power station for you.

Just last year the company put out its modular AC300 solar station and B300 battery module combo. Now it’s back with a worthy successor — the even more powerful AC500 and B300S combo.

Recharge anywhere with Bluetti’s new ultraportable solar power station

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Take your tune and everything else outside. Way outside.
Take your tunes and everything else outside. Way outside.
Photo: Bluetti

This solar power station post is brought to you by Bluetti.

Here’s some good news for campers and RV enthusiasts, as well as anyone who likes to have ready backup power. Bluetti jolted CES 2022 with news in January it would soon launch its ultraportable power station EB3A Solar Generator with 268Wh capacity and 600W inverter. Well, now that time has come.

The company said the lightweight EB3A power station and an available solar input that lets you stay powered up almost anywhere will go on sale June 14.

And even better, an early bird price could get you 23% off!

Batteries Widget for Mac keeps tabs on your devices’ battery levels

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Batteries widget for mac
A batteries widget. For you Mac.
Photo: Rony Fadel

See if you can guess what the new Batteries Widget for Mac app does. That’s right. It adds an iOS-style battery widget to the Mac’s Today panel, in the Notification Center. Anytime your iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac, its battery level will show up in the widget.

You will get low-battery notifications when your devices start to run out of juice. Plus, the app shows battery levels for trackpads, AirPods and so on.

This is the handiest travel battery you can buy [Review]

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As battery packs go, this one looks pretty good.
As battery packs go, this one looks pretty good.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

The ZMI PowerPack 20000 is the most useful backup battery you can buy. It packs a huge, 20,000mAh battery that can power a MacBook and two other devices at the same time. Plus, you can quick charge it via USB. And it can even work as a USB data hub.

This 14.29-ounce (405 gram) brick might be overkill for daily juicing of your iPhone, but for everything else it’s amazing.

US bans fliers from bringing batteries on passenger planes as cargo

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Hawaiian Airlines
You'll have to bring batteries in your carry-on now.
Photo: Hawaiian Airlines

The US Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration is making it a little bit harder for fliers to haul lithium-ion batteries to new destinations.

Under new rules revealed today, passengers are banned from storing lithium-ion cells or batteries on cargo during commercial flights. There’s also a new ban that prevents companies from shipping batteries with more than 30 percent charge on cargo-only flights.

Mophie’s new powerstations bring super-fast USB-C charging

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mophone powerstation USB-C battery
New mophie powerstation batteries, including this one, have a USB-C and a USB-A port.
Photo: mophie/Zagg

mophie just unveiled a pair of external batteries designed to supply up to 18W of power. They can give recent iPhone models up to a 50 percent charge in half an hour.

This is possible because the new powerstation PD and PD XL each have a USB-C port, enabling them to transfer more power than older USB-A ports.

Apple batteries could get a whole lot more powerful

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Apple batteries
Even Apple batteries wear out, but longer-lived ones are close to release.
Photo: Apple

A new type of battery promises 20 percent to 40 percent more storage capacity. Even better, one of the companies behind the research has ties to Apple, so the improved lithium-silicon batteries are likely to show up in iPhone and iPad.

How to disable iOS 11.3’s new battery Performance Management feature

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battery
Next time you complain about Apple battery conspiracy theories, imagine how life would be if your iPhone ran on AAs.
Photo: James Almond/Flickr CC

Ever since Apple introduced a measure to stop iPhones from unexpectedly shutting down in iOS 11, politicians and other morons have jumped on the story to gin up publicity for themselves. Now, thanks to their efforts, Apple has added a control that lets you switch off iOS 11’s Performance Management.

If you do switch it off, then your iPhone will stop slowing performance when the battery is too weak to supply enough power, and instead you can again face unexpected shutdowns. Here’s how.

How to get the best battery life from your MacBook

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MacBook battery
Looking after you MacBook battery is really easy.
Photo: FruitJuice

Did you know that leaving your MacBook plugged in all the time is a sure way to ruin its battery? That instead you should use your notebook computer on battery power for an hour or two each day? That’s the advice from battery health app FruitJuice, which will help you to keep your battery in tip-top condition.

How to squeeze the longest life from your iPhone battery

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battery
Just be thankful your iPhone doesn't run on these.
Photo: Toshiyuki IMAI/Flickr CC

Thanks to batterygate, the good news is that Apple will now switch out the battery in your old iPhone for $29 instead of $79, a price so cheap it would be crazy not to do it. But how do you take care of that new battery to stop it going bad? The truth is, the lithium ion batteries in phones and notebook computers have a finite life. But you can prolong that life with a few easy tricks.

Apple confirms it makes old iPhones run slower (for a good reason)

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iPhone 6S
Does your iPhone 6s feel slower?
Photo: Buster Hein/Cult of Mac

Does your iPhone seem to get slower and slower as it grows older? Well, according to Apple, that is exactly what’s supposed to happen.

Many iPhone users have long suspected that Apple throttles performance of aging iPhones. The popular theory is that Apple does so to entice users to upgrade. However, Apple says there are really good performance reasons behind the practice.

Slow iPhone? Here’s how to check the health of your battery

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iPhone battery
Brazil demands easy iPhone battery replacements.
Photo: iFixit

With all the fuss about depleted old batteries slowing down iPhones, it might be a good idea to at least check the health of your iPhone’s battery. To do this, you can use a free tool called coconutBattery. This handy app digs into your iOS and Mac devices to tell you how old they are, and how strong your battery is compared to when it was new.