As mobile as our mobile devices are these days, limited battery life means we still have to tether ourselves to a wall socket from time to time. Lugging around an extra battery pack is an option, but more and more we're seeing charging options built into backpacks and cases themselves. HP has got on board with its Powerup Backpack that packs in a few nifty ideas.
The heart of HP's Powerup Backpack is a 22,400 mAh battery, which is claimed to pack enough juice to charge a smartphone up to 10 times, a tablet up to three times, or provide one full charge to a HP laptop. That's more powerful than other options we've seen, like the Poros Tetra or AMPL's Smartbag.
Need your phone first? Users can prioritize the order in which their devices charge, which is a handy little feature. Charging several devices at once in a confined space also raises issues of overheating, but HP tackles that with a built-in heat sensor that keeps an eye on the temperature in the pack and makes adjustments as needed. For added protection, each pocket is ventilated.
Two micro USB cables for Android devices and a laptop barrel connector cable are included, which can be fed through a slot from the battery's dedicated pocket into the storage pockets. Having these built into the backpack should save the hassle of rethreading your existing cables every time you throw those devices in the bag. iPhones and iPads can be charged as well, but the required cables aren't included.
Also not included, strangely, is the cable to charge the backpack's battery itself. Users need to supply the power adapter from a HP laptop, an assumption that implies the company wants to keep this one in the family. The backpack charges through an out-of-the-way pocket on the side.
On the outside, a canvas exterior adds some water resistance, but if the weather gets too wild, the Powerup pack comes with a plastic rain slicker to keep contents dry.
Measuring 6.3 x 13 x 19.7 in (160 x 33 x 50 cm) and weighing 4.2 lb (1.9 kg), HP says the backpack meets the requirements for in-flight carry-on luggage, and its 84-Wh battery falls below the 100 Wh restriction set out by the US Federal Aviation Administration, as well as authorities in the UK and Australia – although some other countries and airlines have tighter restrictions.
Amazon is currently taking preorders for the HP Powerup Backpack, which is due to ship on October 1 and will run you US$199.99. Check it out in the video below.
Source: Amazon
