Gizmodo: jump start

The Duracell Powerpack 450 Talks You Through a Jump Start

Sean Fallon — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:45:00 EST

Because I rarely drive these days, I still roll around in a car I bought 8 years ago. It runs fine, but sooner or later it is going to quit on me. I'll tell you what though, in my situation, the new addition to Duracell's Powerpack linuep looks like peace of mind in a lunch pail-sized box. In addition to jump starting your car, it can power up AC, DC and USB-powered electronics (340 W continuous / 450 W peak). It even has a voice feature that informs you on the estimated runtime for devices that you plug in as well as instructions on how to use its vehicle jump starter and air compressor (150 psi). All-in-all, the 450 looks one seriously useful device for your $150.

[Duracell via Ecoustics via Crunchgear via DVICE]

Coffee Cup Powers Your Morning...and Your Gadgets

Sean Fallon — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Without that cup of coffee in the morning most of us would be completely useless. Now our gadgets can get the same jump start thanks to this coffee cup charger from PowerLine. It features 2 AC outlets and one USB charging port with 200 watts of continuous power (400 watt peak). That's enough to power up some TVs and laptops. Because of its coffee cup shape, the charger fits snugly into most cup holders so it would be ideal for long trips. Just make sure that you don't reach for the PowerLine when you are looking for a sip of Starbucks. Sticking your tongue in this thing would be seriously unpleasant. Available for $27. [Amazon via GadgetGrid via Coolbuzz]

Porta Jump Will Jump Start Your Car From the Comfort of the Driver's Seat

Sean Fallon — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:30:11 EDT

You are sitting in the parking lot at work with a dead battery. You obviously need a jump, but you don't have jumper cables and your co-workers are dicks that don't want to help. Screw them—you have the Porta Jump. There is no need for jumper cables or helpful friends, all you need to do is plug it into your cigarette lighter and wait for the green light to turn on. Just like that, you are back in business. Plus, it will recharge while you are driving. Seems like a no-brainer for only $20. [JC Whitney via Book of Joe via Coolest Gadgets via DVICE]

Cellphone Jump Starter

Jason Chen — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 19:00:59 EDT

This dual-ended cellphone power connector from Korea seems a bit weird. You plug one end into a cellphone that's run out of power, and the other end into a cellphone full-up on juice. Once you hook it up, the downed phone will draw current from the other phone to immediately power it up.

Other than the possible problems with drawing current the wrong way through a cellphone, there's the practicality of it. If your phone is dead, wouldn't it be better to carry around a portable AA charger, or even a spare battery, instead hoping your girlfriend's cellphone is juiced up enough to jump yours? – Jason Chen

First aid medicine(?) for handset [AVING via ]