EV-maker Polestar has inked an agreement with South Korea tech firm SK Inc, with the two companies exploring co-development of performance electric vehicles and new battery systems. Polestar, a collaboration between Volvo and Geely, currently has one all-electric model on sale, though the Polestar 2 will be followed by an electric crossover, the Polestar 3.
OtterBox has a new accessory for the Xbox Wireless Controller that'll help players avoid interrupted gameplay when their batteries run low. Called the OtterBox Power Swap Controller Batteries, this new power pack features quick-release tech so that users can quickly pop the power pack out using one hand and then pop another into the controller in its place.
Although Samsung's smartwatches have always been popular in their own right, the Galaxy Watch 4 has become even more anticipated since Google I/O 2021 last month. It was there that the collaboration between the two companies was officially announced which would lead to the two's wearable platforms eventually becoming one. That the Galaxy Watch 4 will run Wear OS could already be enough reason to get excited but some bits of news might leave some a bit disappointed in what Samsung might be cutting out in return.
Mobile power specialist Goal Zero has revealed its latest beefy battery, with the Yeti 1000X Portable Power Station aiming to satisfy camping and emergency use alike. Its front panel packs 120V AC outlets capable of powering medium to large appliances, while there's also solar support for recharging.
Mophie has launched a new range of accessories that work with MagSafe on Apple's iPhone 12, attaching not only chargers and batteries but things like vent mounts. In addition, Mophie also has an adapter to use the new Snap system with other, non-MagSafe phones, whether they be older iPhones or Android devices, as well as Snap+ accessories that include Qi wireless charging.
Some Mac accessories are stylish and some are practical, but the Linedock 16" aims to satisfy on both counts as it adds power, ports, and storage to your MacBook Pro 16-inch. A Mac-matching slice of aluminum, it slots under your laptop but then tackles some of the biggest complaints users of Apple's portable flagship, including adding not one but two full-sized SD card readers.
Goal Zero has upgraded two of its most popular portable batteries, with the Venture 35 and 75 wrapping their li-ion hearts with a sturdier casing and more flexible ports. Successors to the old Venture 30 and 70, the new models start at under $70 and include convenience features like a built-in LED flashlight.
In an age where we rely perhaps too much on electrical appliances and electronic devices, having a power source available all the time has become even more critical. Going off the grid mostly only applies to just networks these days and while gasoline generators do still exist, they may not be the most practical and definitely not the safest. Portable Power Stations are what's in these days and there's almost one for every size and need. For those who prefer mobility over gargantuan batteries, Anker's new PowerHouse II 800 is offering another combination of portable power with an assortment of ports.
Portable power stations, the hulking versions of the power banks for smartphones you carry with you in your bag, now come in all shapes, sizes, and capacities. Almost all of them offer the same trifecta of portability, power, and safety though they mostly vary in how they balance the first two. Go too small and you won't be able to get much out of it. Put in too much, however, and it defeats the purpose of being portable, even if you have wheels. Offering a powerful battery that won't pull your arms off when you carry it is what the Bluetti EB70 Portable Power Station is trying to offer and we take it for a good spin to see if it is indeed the Goldilocks of its kind.
Ford has taken more than 44,500 reservations for its F-150 Lightning pickup, though while production isn't set to begin until 2022 the automaker is already taking steps to ensure battery supply keeps up with EV truck demand. The all-electric version of the F-150 opened up for reservations earlier this week, with would-be owners staking a place in line with a $100 refundable deposit.
A new carbon network, similar to graphene but with a far more complex microscopic structure, could lead to better electric vehicle batteries researchers have predicted. Graphene, arguably the best-known exotic form of carbon, has already been tapped as a potential game-changer in li-ion battery tech, but new manufacturing methods could eventually produce even more power-dense cells.
Ford may be making good use of electricity to get the new 2022 F-150 Lightning moving fast, but the electric pickup also has the potential to keep your whole home powered up during an outage. Working, effectively, like a Tesla Powerwall or other whole home battery, Ford Intelligent Backup Power links the truck's beefy battery pack with a smart, bidirectional charger.