duracell

As obviously useful as wireless charging is, it suffers from a Tower of Babel problem with incompatible standards and competing interests keeping it from truly going mainstream.

But the industry may yet be inching toward some level of sanity. AT&T is seeking from its handset vendors a commitment to one standard of wireless charging, CNET has learned.

The standard, known as PMA, or the Power Matters Alliance, is spearheaded by Powermat Technologies and Procter & Gamble, two unlikely leaders considering their highest-profile products are the bulky iPhone charging covers that only true power-hungry users submit themselves to using. … Read more

I'm a big, big fan of rechargeable batteries. But it seems I never have enough to go around, what with all the Xbox and Wii controllers, kids' toys, flashlights, and other battery-powered gadgetry around here.

Today only, Pennywise.biz has 12 Duracell pre-charged rechargeable AAA NiMH batteries for $17.99 (plus a penny for shipping). To put that in perspective, my local Walgreens sells a four-pack for $15.99.

Need bigger ones? Shnoop (Shnoop?) has 12 Duracell pre-charged rechargeable AA NiMH batteries for $21.99 shipped--also today only.

Because these are pre-charged, they're ready for service right … Read more

Even in the days of nickel cadmium and lithium ion batteries being used in most laptops, phones, and MP3 players, some of us still need traditional alkaline batteries.

Recently, I was forced by my superiors as if my life depended upon my cooperation I was politely asked if I could conduct some battery performance tests on a few regular, everyday, over-the-counter batteries. I, of course, responded: "Yes! Especially since you asked so nicely, I'd be happy to do it!"

I chose what I thought were two of the most popular batteries on the market, and one not … Read more

For this week's installment of the weekly Crave giveaway, we have an assortment of Duracell Smart Power accessories that are just about to hit stores. Included in the package is an Instant USB charger, a sweet Daylite LED flashlight, a Go Mobile charger with two AA and two AAA rechargeable batteries (plus a car adapter), and last but not least, the myGrid cable-free conductive charger (you lay your phone on a mat and the battery juices up). Out of the box, the myGrid only works with the Blackberry, Motorola, and Nokia models pictured, but additional charging adapters are available … Read more

I just last week spent $30 on new iPhone earbuds. Mine were in the pocket of my favorite peacoat, which was recently stolen by some awful human being. I was shocked by the price, but that's the Apple way.

Today at my local QFC (the "Q" is for quality), I saw the above item for $5.99: eight AA batteries with iPod earbuds included for free! Imagine my excitement! I'll have a backup in case in the jacket thief (or, indeed, thieves) decide to strike again! For less than one-fifth what the fancy name brand cost! I scored, right?

I mean, look at them. They look just like regular iPod earbuds. They're white, shaped with the same design, and feature the helpful "left ear, right ear" icons. I'm sure they're of the same quality I'd get from Apple.

I needed the batteries because I'm a photographer. I mostly take photos in the evenings, which means I use an external flash that burns through batteries. That's what prompted my purchase. But at this point my excitement wasn't about the bargain of the power sources but rather the bargain of the free--I mentioned they were free, right?--iPod earbuds! … Read more

Duracell today introduced a new line of flashlights with superbright LED bulbs. Dubbed "Daylite," the series is comprised of three models: two 80 lumens models (one AA and a more squat AAA model) that will retail for $25 each, and a twice-as-bright $35 model powered by lithium CR123 batteries. (Yes, each model includes Duracell batteries.) The rear end of all three models sports a battery cap reminiscent of Duracell batteries' trademark coppertop design.

Duracell provided CNET with an early sample of the AA model, which I've been using off and on for the past few weeks.… Read more

Sure there are flashy tvs, phones that vie for the iPhone's status, more flat screens than you can shake a stick at, but at today's CES sneak-peak, I noticed some of the more random things at CES 2008 that caught my attention:

Juice This!

Duracell, battery manufacturer galore, is making plugging in easier with these plug-in-able packs. Maybe it's me, but with brown-outs, black-outs and white-outs lately, it may be worthwhile to think about.

Sew This!

Maybe it's Project Runway's fault, but I even saw Brother sewing machines at CES. Maybe they're Wi-Fi enabled … Read more

We didn't bother mentioning the laser-fighting cars when they came out, feeling that they paled in comparison to the laser helicopters released just weeks earlier. And both fall well short of the "R/C Laser Tag Shocking Tanks," which send electric shocks to your opponent's remote upon a direct hit.

But these remote-controlled bumper cars are a different animal altogether, melding the retro trend and the RC craze while retaining a good dose of mischief along the way. Each car has sensors that detect and keep track of contact; the first to get bumped three times … Read more

It's good to see battery manufacturers improving their cells for use with today's more energy-needy gadgets. Following in Sanyo's Eneloop footsteps is the Duracell bunny. Yes, the original hare which predates Energizer's fluffy pink one.

And the former has even more reason to beat its own bass drum. It now offers (for a premium, mind you) pre-charged NiMH batteries. That's good news for gadget owners because it means you no longer have to tether those rechargeables overnight to the mains to season them first. Now you just pop them in straightaway to use.

Plus these … Read more