As smartphones and other smart devices have advanced, some might say that companies have chosen small size over battery life. While size reduction is good (none of us really want to lug around bag phones, as interesting as they were 25 years ago), many would gladly give up a tiny bit of pocket space for a few more hours of talk time texting and surfing the web.
If this sounds like you, the Tactical Cell wearable battery presents an interesting solution. It consists of a 3D-printed battery holder with a clip, and has a replaceable USB battery pack with a capacity of 2600mAh. The most obvious use for this power pack is to maintain a charge on your phone while in your pocket, but it was originally designed with the Google Glass in mind.
These external battery banks find a surprising number of uses once you have one in hand. But that’s part of the problem too. Being able to clip it onto a belt or a bag gets it out of your hand and sidesteps the problem of having both a phone and backup battery in your pocket while recharging.
Beyond causal use, it’s handy for charging or keeping a flashlight running in an emergency situation. If you do find yourself without power, you might also consult the Tindie Guide to Emergency Lighting for a few creative power solutions.
