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If there’s one consistent complaint with Android phones, tablets, and other smart devices it’s that they can do TOO much. Which leads to the problem at hand: quickly dead batteries. There are plenty of companies offering extended batteries, backup batteries, and even unique offerings like the PowerBag, but I have yet to see something like this:
“This” is Nectar Mobile Power, a unique battery backup that isn’t replenished by plugging into the wall, but instead with Isobutane Fuel Cell Cartridges. They’re full of liquid which make it somewhat of a surreal experience when you’re wondering how much juice your backup has left: simply shake the cartridge… the percent of battery juice left in the cartridge is directly proportional to the amount of liquid left.
Nectar is a product of Lilliputian Systems who have partnered with Brookstone for the launch. They’re not available at this moment, but you can currently pre-order the battery backup system for $299- each cartridge will run you an additional $10 bucks.
In terms of functionality and ease of use it couldn’t be simpler. The unit has a USB port- simply use that port to connect to the device you’d like to charge and bada boom, bada bing, it begins charging. A button just to the side of the cartridge will eject it and inserting a new one is just as easy.
I can see an outrageous number of people finding the nectar beyond useful, so long as it performs as well as they claim. Going on a hike or camping? Good to go. Want an emergency stash of battery juice in your car just in case? Boom, now you ‘ve got enough battery for you and 5 friends to last for days.
The whole “flammable” warning on the cartridge made me a bit nervous, but the Nectar is cleared for taking on airplanes, so you’ve got to figure it’s pretty darn safe. I’m trying to think of reasons NOT to like the Nectar, but I’m having a bit of trouble. The lone point of contention is the “green energy” debate and with cartridges you throw away that use fuel, I’m assuming a fair share of earth lovers won’t buy an emergency stash to carry in their Prius.
Want to get in on the action? Supposedly, CES attendees can visit Brookstone.com/nectar for a limited time to pre-order the device, but we were met with an error when loading. Either way, we’re excited to see this get to market and read the reviews that will inevitably pour in.
Interesting… I wonder what the by-products are when generating electricity from isobutane. Probably CO2, so not very earth-friendly…
-empty plastic canisters for one.
yeah there’s that too…
Seriously, somebody voted this down? What, a climate change denier? I didn’t think any phandroids would be so dense…
Link works now but $300 is way to steep.
Indeed. Way too expensive for me. But it fills a very unique niche. Solar chargers can’t even come close to that kind of power density. A $100 worth of those cartridges could fuel your phone for months of the heaviest use, and nearly a year of standby time. My phone can last almost two days with low use, and the guy says 10 charges per, so that means 2/3 of a month on one $10 cartridge. Indispensable for hikers, campers, researchers, or anyone who might need to go an extended time away from an outlet.
This product is going to go down in flames… Literally… This idea is so unbelievably stupid for the masses I’m shocked someone hasn’t already killed themselves trying to pre order.
You can’t refill the canisters?
That’s just wasteful jackassery in a world of refillable lighters.
It is like someone watched the NIssan Leaf commercials and thought running electronics on fuel was a good idea.
Kinda like we all do? We (as in the electrical company) burn coal for electricity…
Yea… lets charge our devices with a small internal combustion engine? woo hoo? I’m just kidding by the way. Its probably something other than an ICE.
*Goes and buys a stupidly over sized solar panel instead*
Cool idea, but not for $300. No way.
“I’m trying to think of reasons NOT to like the Nectar, but I’m having a bit of trouble.” I can think of one, the price tag.
It may be cleared for planes, but I guarantee you that all those security checkpoint agents will not know this and still force you to throw it away because it contains liquid.
And telling them that it is liquid meant for electronics device will only result in your cavity search.
Cool product, Next time i fly 1st class across the atlantic i’ll need one of these….once i win the lottery.
1) It only take about 6 hours to cross the Atlantic. You shouldn’t need more than an extra battery.
2) All first class trans-Atlantic flights I’ve seen have regular 120v plugs-ins available for plugging in regular chargers.
Personally, I’ve never been *that* far away from a power source to need anything close to this.
Way too expensive for me. But it fills a very unique niche.
Solar chargers can’t even come close to that kind of power density, and battery-based chargers are heavy and only hold a few charges before you NEED an AC outlet again. But a
$100 worth of those cartridges could fuel your phone for months of the
heaviest use, and nearly a year of standby time. My phone can last
almost two days with low use, and the guy says 10 charges per, so that
means 2/3 of a month on one $10 cartridge. I’d imagine it to be Indispensable for hikers,
campers, researchers, sailors or anyone who might need to go an unlimited time
away from an outlet.
$300 Ha Ha that is a joke right ? Does it come with a 2 year contract ?
Definitely not for your average consumer. price is insane. it’s funny to see comments off people unhappy with the lack of “green”
How is this better then getting a decent portable battery and saving $150?
I’d rather have this for my phone if I was camping.
http://www.biolitestove.com/campstove/camp-overview/features/
Much cheaper, and works just fine. Not so good for portability, but with the thing the fuel cell plugs into, this thing doesn’t look like what you’d want to carry in your pocket either.
Thats what I have. Takes awhile to charge your device, but it indeed works.
You dont have to buy fuel cells and your not screwed if the company ever goes belly up.
for god sake 299. good portable charger is around 60 dollars. i have a portable charger and barely use. so i dont see the point of this
So you mean I could have a 300$ paper weight or another back up phone I will take a backup phone.
This shall be going directly in my zombiepocalypse kit.
could see this thing being useful if your going to a rural remote like region. however, for daily use and 10 bucks a cartridge why not just get a mobi battery pack or something equivelant
http://www.neahpower.com/home/100-fuelcell-recharging
They aren’t the only ones…
The funny part is the isobutan costs like nothing, and you cant even refill it hahah