Many companies sell batteries that you can use to charge an iPhone. Some batteries are built into cases, but I'm not a fan of those because I don't like to add extra bulk and size to my iPhone. I prefer small batteries that you can easily toss into a pocket or briefcase to be used when you need it, and for years now I have been happy using the RichardSolo 1800 and 1200 size batteries. Kensington has just released a 1200 mAh battery for the iPhone called the PowerLift that, like many other iPhone batteries, is small and light, but the PowerLift adds two more features: it can act as a dock to sync to a computer, and it can act as a stand to prop up your iPhone. Kensington sent me a free review unit and I've been very impressed with this product.
When the product is completely folded up, it is small (2.5" x 2.3" x .7") and light (1.76 oz.), making it easy to toss into your pocket when you are on the go.
The iPhone connector snaps into three different positions. In the first position, shown in the above pictures, it is completely folded into the unit and out of the way. The second position extends the connector 180º so that you can plug in an iPhone and set them both down on a table for charging. Lights on the PowerLift indicate how much battery power is remaining, making it easy to tell whether the battery is charged.
In the third position, the connector folds back at an angle, and you extend up the silver part of the unit.
In this position, you can sit your iPhone into the connector (which is long enough to accommodate some iPhone cases) and lean the iPhone back on the silver portion of the unit, creating a stand.
I see two major advantages of placing your iPhone in the stand this way. First, it places your iPhone at a very natural angle so that you can view information on your iPhone. Indeed, I have been using an Apple dock ever since I first purchased an iPhone because I love always having my iPhone in a specific location on my desk (making it easy to find) and at an angle that allows for easy reading of the iPhone at my desk.
A second advantage of using the iPhone in the stand this way is that it is a great position for a FaceTime (or Skype) videochat. I can see the appeal of this combination when traveling. You attend an out of town meeting, and then you return to your hotel room with your iPhone almost out of power. Place the iPhone in this base to charge it, and at the same time conduct a videochat with your spouse or kids at home.
As you can see from the above pictures, the unit also includes a built-in USB cord, albeit a very short one. The cord is too short to use with a desktop computer (unless you use a USB extender like this one) but is perfect for placing the unit right next to a laptop computer. Thus, you can dock your iPhone with your computer to sync it, charge your iPhone to 100%, and recharge the battery in the PowerLift all with one unit. Very nifty.
I only have a few complaints about this product. First, it is a tad expensive. Prices for external batteries for the iPhone are all over the place, but if you shop around, you can often find a 1200 mAh battery for $25 or less. For example, the RichardSolo 1200 model I use can now be had for about $20. An Apple dock for the iPhone 4 sells for $30. The PowerLife combines the functions of both of those products, but does so for the same price that you could pay for both products. At $40, I'd consider the PowerLift well worth it; $50 is still reasonable, but somewhat high for what it does.
Second, the product has a plastic, somewhat "cheap" feel to it (which is ironic considering my first complaint). I thought from photographs that the silver portion of this device that props up an iPhone would be some sort of sturdy metal, but it is just plastic. Having said that, I'm sure that the use of plastic contributes to the light weight of the product, which I really like. Nobody wants to carry around a heavy battery in their pocket all day.
Note also that if you use this as a travel battery and you don't take a laptop with you — I have now reached the point where I only take my iPhone and iPad with me when I travel, leaving the computer at the office — you will need to take along some sort of plug to connect the USB cord to a wall outlet. And as noted above, the USB cord is very short, which might make it inconvenient when plugging into a typical wall outlet positioned several inches from the ground.
Notwithstanding those shortcomings, I really like this product. Putting a dock and a stand into an iPhone battery makes the battery much more useful. If you are looking to get an external battery for your iPhone, the extra features of the Kensington PowerLift set it apart from competitors in the crowded field of iPhone batteries.
Click here to order the Kensington PowerLift directly from Kensington ($49.99).
