“Size doesn’t matter,” or at least that’s what Devotec, the developer of the world’s smallest phone charger, seems to think.
Measuring just 3.3cm x 2.3cm x 1.3cm (half an inch thick, 1.3 inches long and 0.9 of an inch wide), Devotec Fuel Micro Charger is an emergency source of energy that can be at hand at all times. Its inconspicuous size makes it perfect as a keychain, and even though it does not really compare to high-capacity power banks, Fuel can save you when the phone’s battery gets depleted.
The 220mA battery found inside Fuel should keep the phone alive for 20 to 30 minutes of talk time. Using the screen would cause the battery to drain even faster, and this is why Fuel should only be used for making calls. As an alternative, Fuel is said to offer up to a couple of hours of stand-by time. The three indicator LEDs will let you know if the power is on, if it’s charging or fully charged. You should also know that this micro charger comes with an On/Off switch and the battery holds the charge for one month.
One thing that I like about its design is that it connects directly to the phone, thus making additional cables unnecessary. The aluminum casing is shaped like a jerry can, and using it is as simple as removing the cap and plugging the microUSB nozzle into your smartphone. Given the connector, it won’t be able to charge iPhones or iPads, but it shouldn’t have any problems powering most Android, Samsung, LG, Sony, Motorola, Nokia or Blackberry smartphones.
While it does not require any cables to charge the smartphones it connects to, charging the tiny gadget itself does ask for a microUSB cable. Most people already have the one that came with their phones or tablets, so that really shouldn’t be a problem.
Fuel can be purchased from Firebox for £24.99 (or roughly $41). At this price, you can get proper power banks, but those are heavier, take up more room, and are generally more cumbersome. It’s up to you if you prefer small dimensions over a higher capacity, and it only depends on your needs if Fuel is right for you. Still, instead of a boring keychain, I would rather have one of these attached to my keys.
Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about the Kindle solar charger that makes travelers forget about wires and the HP Chromebook 11 that charges over microUSB.
