Moshi VersaPouch Mini Review: appropriating an iPad accessory for Android devices

Some of you may have read my review of the moshi VersaCover for Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 where I couldn’t stop singing its praises, going as far to say that if moshi ever made an origami case for the Nexus 7 that I would be all over (you can read that full review here). Well, that wait is now over, in a manner of speaking; the case is called the moshi VersaPouch Mini and it’s a case technically for the iPad Mini. How dare I, you say? Well thankfully, for the VersaPouch Mini, moshi has opted for a more generic pouch accessory instead of a bespoke case for the iPad Mini, meaning that the case can be used for Android devices that have a screen-size of 7 to 8-inches. Let’s check it out!

The overview

As we said in the introduction, the VersaPouch Mini is intuitively named as a pouch for use with an iPad Mini, however, owing to the fact that it is just a pouch, we can quite conveniently also use it with our Android tablets. For this review, I used my personal Nexus 7 and found it to be completely useable, but you’ll be able to use the VersaPouch with pretty well any 7-inch tablets and 8-inch tablets that come in at under 5.3-inches wide, which is the width of an iPad Mini.

As with the VersaCover in our previous review, the material used for the VersaPouch is a soft microfiber that almost feels leathery to touch and manuipulate. Also like the VersaCover, you will notice the plates that lie within the VersaPouch’s surface which signify the existence of magnetic plates. If you didn’t manage to catch a look at the VersaCover’s review, then you’ll be interested to know that the VersaPouch has a party trick that makes it more than just a pouch.

As you can see, the magnetic plates allow the VersaPouch to fold into a stand and the magnets ensure that it remains in that position till you’re finished using it. Unlike the VersaCover, however, there is only one way to use the VersaPouch and that is as pictured; most of the panels in the VersaPouch are in fact not magnetic. Even so, being able to fold up your pouch into a stand is already an incredibly useful feat and can prop your tablet up in portrait or landscape mode comfortably.

Once your tablet is in the pouch, it is secured inside by the magnetic strips at the mouth of the pouch which close it off. The magnetic strips double as a means of holding the pouch in its stand position and also stopping the tablet from sliding down. The end result is a pouch that looks quite trendy, if not slightly futuristic, with its oddly geometrical panels and intriguing material.

The toughness

While the microfiber that the VersaPouch sounds cloth like, the reality could not be more different; the material is definitely closer to a rubbery, leathery texture and as a result is quite durable and would merely need a wipe down with a cloth if it ever got dirty. Just about the only weak point on the whole VersaPouch is the seamed edge along one side and the bottom edge; if there were anywhere that I could forsee wear happening, it would be at this seam, but that’s definitely a very long term consideration.

As for actual physical protection of your tablet, the VersaPouch doesn’t have much in the way of damage mitigation. It will do well enough in the office and home setting in keeping your devices clean and generally protected, but beyond that, it’s definitely more than a small risk of damage.

The practicality

After playing with the VersaPouch for the period of this review, I had almost forgotten it was just a pouch. And when you think about exactly how many tablet pouches you can think of that do more than just be a pouch, you definitely begin to see the value of the VersaPouch and its handy stand functionality.

As a pouch, the VersaPouch ticks all the boxes; it provides minimal protection to your tablet and serves as an effective place of storage. As a stand, again, it provides the minimal level of functionality which is one angle of viewing in both portrait and landscape mode. Put these together though, and you have a very unique pouch that makes other pouches look inadequate. Oh, and did I mention it looks trendy?

The verdict

Rating: 5/5

It’s hard to fault the moshi VersaPouch Mini; if anything, I’d have to say its only fault is having “compatible with iPad Mini” on the box, but that would just be crass. For a pouch that also functions as a stand, it definitely raises the bar for what’s expected from a pouch and the fact that it can be used cross-platform for a multitude of tablets is a win for everyone. And at a MSRP of $30, I wouldn’t say it’s likely to break the bank either; if you have a 7 or 8-inch tablet and want a pouch, I think you’ll have a hard job denying that the moshi VersaPouch Mini is one of your best options on the market.

For more information about the moshi VersaPouch Mini, you can visit its product page here, or for more information about moshi’s other products, you can visit their homepage here (though it looks like it’s currently undergoing renovations). As a bonus, it looks like moshi is also offering free shipping within the continental US, with no minimum spend.

New Patriot FUEL+ battery banks bring 2.5A out charging to Mobile [Review]

Patriot isn’t a name you would typically associate to the mobile space. Many of you tech junkies out there are probably aware of Patriot and their PC offerings. They have been in the PC space for quite some time. Now they are starting to take their technological intelligence and apply it to the mobile sphere with a myriad of new offerings that any Patriot fan is sure to appreciate. On my side of the coin I have acquired the new line of FUEL+ battery banks.

The Patriot FUEL+ battery banks come in seven different offerings. On the smaller side you have the 2200mAh and 3000mAh single USB out offering. Then you have the 5200mAh and 6000mAh dual-port USB out version. Then they jump up to the 7800mAh and 9000mAh packs. Finally, there is a small 1500mAh one which has an Apple Lightning tip directly on it for those iOS guys out there.

In this overview/review we will be looking at the 9000mAh, 6000mAh and the 5200mAh. More so lumping them together in one big review, but hey, we have all three sitting here for photo ops and we don’t see any need to make them separate.

With the exception of the Lighting 1500mAh and the smaller single USB port 2200 and 3000, the rest of the line looks identical. On the outside they have the FUEL+ branding right on the top, with the Patriot logo on the side. The outer casing is white plastic that gives like a turtle shell cover over the red main body of the battery bank.

On the same side as the Patriot logo you find a slightly recessed power button and 4 LED lights. Each light indicates 25% charge remaining in the battery bank, pretty typical in the industry really. Interestingly enough though, they chose to use blue lights for this. Not that I mind, I like blue, I just would have expected red to go with the main casing of the battery. The lights do not remain on while charging, put a quick tap of the power button will illuminate them so you can see approximately how much power is left.

On the same side as the power button, but on the back, is where you find the micro USB charging port. Easily labeled with “input”. On the opposite side you find the dual USB ports. There is a good reason for this design and I will explain it in just a minute, but first, look at what the port on the left says. Yup, these battery banks have 2.5A and 1A outs. I have seen a number of battery banks that hover in the 2.1A range and some even getting up to 2.4A. To the best of my knowledge though, Patriots FUEL+ batteries are the first to push 2.5A.

I ran each through a simple 30 minute charging test to see how quickly the 2.5A out port would charge my Sony Xperia Z. I have been exclusively using Battery Monitor Widget from 3C for all these tests so that you can see as much relevant information as possible. Take a quick look over the results from start, to 15 minutes to 30 minutes.

As you can see I charged up from 51% to 63% in 15 minutes, and 51% to 76% in 30 minutes. I gained 25% charge in 30 minutes. That translates into 1% charge for every 1.2 minutes. This was also conducted on a FULLY charged FUEL+ battery bank. Each one performed identical. I did this with my phone on, connected to cell and Wi-Fi plus Bluetooth active.  I used the supplied short USB charging cable that came with the battery banks too.  Individual results may vary depending on device, internal battery size and what is going on with the device at the time. Compared to some of the other battery banks on the market, the FUEL+ did charge up my device a little faster. For instance, the Ventev gave me 20% in 31 minutes under similar conditions. In a world where power for our devices is always needed, the FUEL+ like is certainly one you should get your hands on.

I told you that I would also explain the design reasonings behind why the charging port and USB out ports are on opposite sides of the battery banks. Patriot didn’t do this to be different. Many of the battery banks we have showed you over the years have the charging port and out ports right with each other. In the case of the FUEL+ banks, these are opposite each other because of another feature built into the product. They can Simultaneously charge your device and the battery bank when plugged in. Hence the opposite plugs. Simply plug your wall charger into the batter bank, then the battery bank into your phone. One seamless inline charging solution. (both images below are during the dual-charging from the wall through the battery to my phone.)

To top it all off, put the icing on the cake if you will, each battery bank is also made using the highest standard of battery on the market, specifically, the technology found in your laptop batteries.

FUEL+ mobile rechargeable batteries have built-In protection against over charge, over current, over temperature, under discharge, and short circuit to ensure efficient and safe charge cycles.

What about size? Over the years battery banks have gotten much smaller with more power inside. The 7800 and 9000 are in the same housing and measure in at 3.7 x 4.5 x 1 inches and weighs 6.4 oz ( according to Amazon) . The 5200 and 6000 are also in the same housing and measure in at 3.7 x 1.7 x 1 inches and weigh in at 4.8 oz (also according to Amazon). While I don’t have a physical scale here to double check, the 5200 and 6000 do feel the same, or at least close enough that it doesn’t make much difference.

With this much technology built in, the high-standard batteries used, the pass-though charging and the 2.5A output port, one would think that the FUEL+ battery banks would be a bit more on the pricy side of the spectrum for portable power. Considering all that you are getting, the price points of each battery is very competitive. Here, take a look at pricing details (at the time of posting via Amazon) of each below.

Patriot FUEL+ Pricing

• 9000mAh – $69.64
• 7800mAh – $52.98
• 6000mAh – $50.99
• 5200mAh – $44.40
• 3000mAh – $29.98
• 2200mAh – $29.99
• 1500mAh – $40.98 (That is the Lightning tipped Version)

Patriot has a heck of a line up going for them with the FUEL+ battery banks. If the standard 2.1A and 2.4A battery banks just don’t seem to give you enough juice quick enough, you might want to give one of these a try. Feel free to head to Amazon and choose your perfect battery size.

Patriot FUEL+ Battery Banks all models on Amazon.com

More info at Patriotmemory.com

Pushing the Envelope with the Thinium Charge and Recharge Ultra Thin Chargers

CES is all about innovation, new technology, new concepts, ideas and connecting. Finding those little guys that are taking a small idea and making a reality is one of the my personal favorite aspects of the whole show. I mean, seriously, a $150,000 flexible TV is cool, but not something most of us will see in our living rooms anytime soon. While cruising around one of the press events we ran into Peter Greenburg, the CEO of Thinium. His excitement for his product is one thing that pulled us in. These guys do their demonstrations hundreds of times over and over for days on end, so still being excited to share it is pretty special.

“At Thinium, our goal is to create a new class of versatile, ultra-thin, portable charging products that consumers can keep with them all the time to guarantee they’ll never again be caught without power for the devices they need; and to ensure that whenever you recharge, you’ll do it with style.”

That sums it up pretty well really. Packing around a USB cord and a wall plug are pretty annoying. Thinium is taking the idea of a small, credit card sized device, tossing a plug on it, incorporating a charging tip and makes its collapsable. I am sure that explanation doesn’t do you all a whole lot of good though. So here is a video of it. Before you watch though, know that they do have an Android micro USB version that makes an appearance towards the end.

Obviously it won’t be helpful if your devices charging port is located in an odd place, like HTC and Sony devices. All you Samsung owners out there though should be able to gain a good amount of use from having one tucked into your wallet. As you saw in the video, there is a USB cable that is hardwired in so you can connect it to your laptop as well.

The other product Thinium introduced is the Thinium ReCharge. A very similar device to the Charge, but with a very distinct difference. THe ReCharge offers a 2100 mAh battery bank packed inside. You can still plug it into the wall and charge your device directly, but if you are out and about and there isn’t a wall outlet available you can charge off the battery bank instead.

The ReCharge puts out a 2.1a charge for quick charging your devices on the go. It also offers the USB plug, but also has a micro USB cord on the other side.

Both products look really sleek in their design and certainly offer something a bit different from one another. The Thinium Charge is scheduled for release this quarter for $39.99 to $49.99, iPhone 5 lightning version being the more expensive one. The Thinium ReCharge will follow a little later, but we don’t have pricing estimates for that one yet.  For more information and to sign up for when either become available head over to Thinium.com.

Hands-On: iFrogz Tadpole, Smallest BT Speaker you just have to Have

It should come as no surprise that I am a bit of Bluetooth speaker nut. David likes to make fun of me because of it. Seriously, how many Bluetooth speakers does one need? A lot in my case. I am always on the lookout for a few primary things for our readers. The biggest and best sound possible at a price that fits its capabilities. There are however, those Bluetooth speakers that don’t pump out the deep heavy bass and cover an entire house that are still worth looking at. Size and sound do still do matter and every once in a while there is something that just fits the bill and didn’t get all crazy technical or out of the average consumers price range. The iFrogz Tadpole is that one little speaker that everyone should just have, just because it is cool. A small little backstory though. iFrogz is brand name from ZAGG. You all now ZAGG, the guys that bring you those amazing screen protectors for your devices. Well, iFrogz is their little spin off side that is loaded full of fun, colorful and interesting accessory products for a multitude of devices. It was rather smart of them to keep them separate rather than attempt to introduce something different under the popular ZAGG branding when we all associate ZAGG to protection.

So what is this Tadpole that I speak of? Like I said, it isn’t anything earth shattering, but if you like music and are on the go a lot, it is hard not to want to have one around. It is a simple and extremely small Bluetooth speaker that packs 1 watt of sound into something about the size of your average keyless entry remote for your car. The official dimensions are 2.69″ x 0.43″ x 1.38″ and weighing it at a measly 0.7 ounces.

You don’t need to worry about a battery either. iFrogz packed a small 200 mAh lithium-polymer battery inside with a micro USB charging port to power it up when needed. Play time with a battery that size is estimated at 3 hours. iFrogz was sure to make them even more fun by offering 5 color options.

I gave it a charge and took it for a walk today with my son so we could have some tunes to stroll with in the spring time sun. The Tadpole is simple to connect, just long hold the button on the side to turn it on and put it into pairing mode. You know it is doing its thing when a very loud tone is emitted from the device. Then you are off to the races. I had it connected to the strap on the EnerPlex Packr that I took which placed the Tadpole up by my shoulder. I had to keep the volume below half because I couldn’t hear my son talking to me while we walked.

Sound wise? Don’t expect a party in your pants. You won’t see it bouncing with the bass off your shoulder strap. It will put out some sound though. Comparing it to the speaker on my Xperia Z, I would say it pushes out about 2.5 to 3 times as much audio and I don’t have to have my phone out to listen. For a die hard audiophile, you will probably want to skip this and look to a higher price tag speaker. You would be loosing out on the ultra portablility of this little guy though.

Final thoughts: If you just need something to offer a little more sound that is easily affordable and very versatile, then you might want to consider an iFrogz Tadpole. Coming in at just $19.99, when it is fully available, makes it worth your wild. You can learn more about the Tadpole at iFrogz.com and even sign up to be alerted when it is available.