Expert: Daniel Hanttula

In the current of Smartphone & Pocket PC magazine (June/July issue, pages 30-33), I look at all kinds of alternative power solutions for Windows Mobile devices. As a result, I've decided to "road test" many of the devices in the upcoming article and post a quick review on my blog. For several weeks, I've been working with the Solio recharging systems, a set of solar-powered energy solutions.(For more information on this, and all of the alternate charging solutions I review, please check out the article, now available online.)

The Solio line of recharging systems is comprised of the Solio Classic (left), Magnesium Edition (center) and Hybrid 1000 (right).

Pros:

• Three different options to match your needs for durability, recharging flexibility and device compatibility.
• An "eco-friendly" solution because no waste is produced, like batteries that must be recycled or thrown away.
• The Solio Magnesium Edition uses iGo power tips, which makes it compatible with hundreds of devices and helps ensure excellent future gadget support. -And a coupon for a free custom-ordered tip is included!

Cons:

• None of these devices had enough battery capacity to fully recharge my AT&T Tilt. (A common problem with most of the charging systems in my article)
• Such an expensive and "flashy" device makes it nerve-wracking to leave alone in a public spot (or even on your car's dash) to recharge, especially considering the long solar recharging times (see chart, below).

Recharging times (manufacturer's claims):

Solio Classic - Direct Sunlight: 8-10 hours
Solio Classic - Indirect Sunlight: 12-48 hours
Solio Classic - Alternate method (USB Power): 8 hours

Solio Magnesium Edition - Direct Sunlight: 10-12 hours
Solio Magnesium Edition - Indirect Sunlight: 12-48 hours
Solio Magnesium Edition - Alternate method (AC Power): 6 hours

Solio Hybrid 1000 - Direct Sunlight: 10-12 hours
Solio Hybrid 1000 - Indirect Sunlight: 12-48 hours
Solio Hybrid 1000 - Alternate method (USB Power): 6 hours

Summary: The Solio recharging systems are an excellent way to travel without extra batteries, power converters or fear. Because the systems can charge in the sun, and each one of them have an "alternate method" for recharging the internal batteries (USB or AC adaptor) you don't have to worry about ever being without power. However, like all solar technologies, the units slow to recharge and are underpowered when compared to the top-performing recharging systems in this article.

In the current of Smartphone & Pocket PC magazine (June/July issue, pages 30-33), I looked at all kinds of alternative power solutions for Windows Mobile devices. As a result, I've decided to "road test" many of the devices in the upcoming article and post a quick review on my blog. This week, I've been working with the Medis 24/7 Power Pack, a recharging system that the product's manufacturers call a "green" solution to portable energy. (For more information on this, and all of the alternate charging solutions I review, please check out the June/July issue of our magazine.)

The Medis 24/7 Power Pack is a completely self-contained "green" system for recharging your Windows Mobile device.

Pros:

• Packs enough power to completely recharge just about any mobile device to 100% (most portable power solutions, like the USB PowerStick and Battery Pack Pro are not able to do this)
• Has a great shelf-life even after the battery has been activated.
• Can charge game systems, iPods, and portable entertainment systems as well as your phone.
• Is more "eco-friendly" than most solutions and includes packaging for quick recycling (addressed, but you must pay the postage) with the unit.

Cons:

• Medis is still working through issues on the new "2Watt cord" that but they should be resolved next month (May 2008).
• Does not have broad mobile phone connector support (a connector for my AT&T Tilt was in production, but not available at the time of this review).
• It is larger than a Windows Mobile device, but that is countered with the larger battery capacity.

Summary: The Medis 24/7 Power Pack is an excellent solution for people who demand a lot of portable power, but is still a "young" product that needs to have all the kinks worked out. If a cable for your phone exists, and you want to be completely independent of any other power sources for long periods of time, the 24/7 Power Pack is a great choice for you and the environment.

UPDATE: The company just announced (yesterday) that they have established retail outlet distribution for the United States, Canada and China and will begin shipping to limited stores within the next few months.

In the upcoming issue of Smartphone & Pocket PC magazine, I'll explore alternative power solutions for Windows Mobile devices. To that end, I am now "road testing" many of the devices in the upcoming article. This week, I've been working with the Battery Pack Pro, a $22.50 device from the Boxwave Corporation. (For more information on this, and all of the alternate charging solutions I review, please check out the next issue of our magazine.)

The Battery Pack Pro uses four AA batteries to recharge your Windows Mobile device.

Pros:

• It can be used absolutely anywhere in the world that you can purchase AA batteries, or carry a supply of them with you.
• The system is fast to deploy and easy to use.
• Once the batteries are depleted below a safe level to continue charging the phone, you can use the LED light on the Battery Adapter Pro, to drain the remaining power from the cells. (So you don't throw away batteries that still have energy left in them.)

Cons:

• Uses a lot of disposable batteries to charge the phone (required 8 AA batteries to recharge my AT&T Tilt to 100% capacity).
• Requires a separate USB charging cable which adds to the bulk of an already large accessory.
• Each set of 4 AA batteries will only partially charge your device and then you're left with a set of batteries that aren't fully depleted but cannot be used to provide more power to your phone.

Summary: The Battery Pack Pro provides completely mobile power, because you do not have to connect to an AC or DC power outlet, or rely on another system (like a USB port on a laptop) to recharge your device. However this freedom comes at a price; this unit is extremely battery hungry and will run through AA batteries quite quickly. The Battery Pack Pro is perfect for outdoor adventurists who won't be near standard power sources or travelers that hop countries and don't want to deal with voltage issues and power outlet adapters.

In the next issue of Smartphone & Pocket PC magazine, I'll be looking at all kinds of alternative power solutions for Windows Mobile devices. As a result, I've decided to "road test" many of the devices in the upcoming article and post a quick review on my blog. This week, I've been working with the USB Powerstick, a $69.95 device from Ecosol Solar Technologies Inc. (For more information on this, and all of the alternate charging solutions I review, please check out the next issue of our magazine.)

The USB Powerstick is inserted into the USB port to recharge the Lithium Polymer battery and then uses a custom cable to connect to and recharge your phone.

Pros:

• Really portable power
• Fast to deploy
• Easy to recharge in any USB port

Cons:

• Doesn't have enough "umph" to fully recharge a battery, so it makes a great "supplimental" charging system, but not a good primary one
• The plastic cap that protects the USB port is too easy to lose

Summary: The USB Powerstick is a great way to "top off" the battery on your Windows Mobile device or provide emergency power, but will leave many users frustrated if they try to leave the power cord at home and use this as their primary method of charging their system. This unit is perfect for grabbing "on your way out the door" if you have to dash out of the house with a phone that's almost out of power.

MobiMate Limited has just announced that they are now offering the basic version of their Worldmate software for free. If you're unfamiliar with Worldmate, it is one of the oldest and most reliable travel applications for Windows Mobile. The software, first known for it's world clocks, in-depth currency and measurement conversions and global weather, has evolved into a complete suite of tools for anyone who travels to remote parts of the world. For more information on the free/pay features available on Worldmate, and a link to download the software, click the Read More link below.

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