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12-hour battery pack could address the Nintendo Switch's on-the-go woes

12-hour battery pack could address the Nintendo Switch's on-the-go woes
The SwitchCharge is an accessory for the Nintendo Switch that adds an extra battery pack for 12 hours more play, as well as a better kickstand
The SwitchCharge is an accessory for the Nintendo Switch that adds an extra battery pack for 12 hours more play, as well as a better kickstand
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The SwitchCharge wraps around the console to boost its battery life with a 12,000 mAh battery
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The SwitchCharge wraps around the console to boost its battery life with a 12,000 mAh battery
The SwitchCharge includes slots for two extra game cards
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The SwitchCharge includes slots for two extra game cards
Since it's designed specifically for the Switch, the SwitchCharge battery outputs at a high enough level to allow simultaneous playing and charging
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Since it's designed specifically for the Switch, the SwitchCharge battery outputs at a high enough level to allow simultaneous playing and charging 
The SwitchCharge adds a sturdier kickstand, which is adjustable to several different angles
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The SwitchCharge adds a sturdier kickstand, which is adjustable to several different angles
With its own power supply, the SwitchCharge potentially solves one of our annoyances: namely, that to charge the console on the go, you need to dismantle your at-home setup
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With its own power supply, the SwitchCharge potentially solves one of our annoyances: namely, that to charge the console on the go, you need to dismantle your at-home setup
Since the charging port on the bottom is no longer blocked, the SwitchCharge allows gamers to play the Switch in tabletop mode while charging it
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Since the charging port on the bottom is no longer blocked, the SwitchCharge allows gamers to play the Switch in tabletop mode while charging it
The SwitchCharge is an accessory for the Nintendo Switch that adds an extra battery pack for 12 hours more play, as well as a better kickstand
7/7
The SwitchCharge is an accessory for the Nintendo Switch that adds an extra battery pack for 12 hours more play, as well as a better kickstand
View gallery - 7 images

As we've said several times already, Nintendo's new gaming console, the Switch, is a blast, but there are a few niggles we'd like to see ironed out. The ability to play it anywhere comes at the cost of battery life, and trying to charge it on the go isn't as easy as we'd like it to be. The SwitchCharge is a new accessory designed to address these issues, and it's currently seeking funding on Indiegogo.

In our experience, the Switch's battery lasts about three or four hours – not too bad, especially if you're alternating between playing it at home and away, but those looking to kill a long flight could be out of luck. Try to top it up mid-game, and you'll run into even more frustrating issues: namely, the console is so power-hungry that some battery packs don't deliver enough juice, and even when they do, the port is on the bottom of the device so you can't play tabletop mode with it plugged in.

These are the main problems that London start-up InDemand Design is looking to address with the SwitchCharge. The device is designed to clip around the Switch and boosts its battery life with a beefy 12,000 mAh battery built into the bottom, which the company says should translate to an extra 12 hours of play. Since it was specifically made for the Switch, its output should be high enough to overcome that pesky problem of the battery draining faster than it's being topped up.

The SwitchCharge wraps around the console to boost its battery life with a 12,000 mAh battery
The SwitchCharge wraps around the console to boost its battery life with a 12,000 mAh battery

Packing that extra power into the base would also solve another annoyance we have: the fact that the console only comes with one power cord, meaning you have to dismantle your at-home setup whenever you want to charge it out and about. With the SwitchCharge bringing its own power supply, you could make sure it's fully prepped before you leave the house, and never have to detach the dock from the TV.

If it works as expected, the SwitchCharge should make tabletop mode more worthwhile. Not only would the built-in battery allow the Switch to be played on a table while being charged simultaneously, but a sturdier kickstand could prevent some unwanted falls. Rather than a flimsy piece of plastic on one side, the SwitchCharge is designed to spread the weight across two thicker legs, and it's adjustable to allow play at different angles.

To round it out, the company says that the SwitchCharge can be quickly connected or disconnected from the console, and there's two little slots in the top to store extra game cards.

InDemand Design is currently seeking funding for the SwitchCharge on Indiegogo, with a target of US$80,000. Early bird pledges start at $75 for the device and a power supply, while a pledge of $115 includes the device, power supply, screen protector and a carry case. If all goes as planned, shipping should begin in August this year.

You can check out the video below for more on the device.

Sources: InDemand Design, Indiegogo

SwitchCharge - The first battery case for the Nintendo Switch

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