14 DAY TRIAL // When it comes to electronic devices, portable battery packs are arguably one of the most specialized and unexciting categories, but it looks like even these things can be turned to other purposes than what they were made for.
And we're not talking about hybrid products here. We've seen wireless routers and access points with integrated power packs after all.
In fact, some USB-connected storage devices have built-in power packs as well. It's all part of the latest portable tech tactic, the one that tries to combine the assets of two or more items, for better sales.
But the Juno Power JUMPR battery pack is not one of these devices. No, it is a normal portable battery pack, nothing more.
Through a USB connection it can replenish the energy of a smartphone or tablet. Its charge is of 6000mAh of energy and the USB port delivers 2.1A.
There is a 12V port as well though, and output that can be used with the jumper cables included in the product package.
It is those elements that allowed Juno Power to enable the JUMPR battery pack to act as substitute jumper cables.
In other words, the JUMPR battery pack can be used to jumpstart your car if your car battery starts to fail, something that tends to happen after a while. This can be done on both 4- or 6-cylinder vehicles.
It's true that many people only have to jumpstart their cars in the morning, but if your vehicle fails you at an intersection, it's not that easy to do it. And even in the morning, it's not possible to do it alone.
After all, to jumpstart a car, you normally have to use jumper cables to connect your vehicle’s battery to another car. That, or you can buy a battery charger, which weighs 25 pounds / 11 kilograms or so.
Obviously, having an 8-ounce / 226-gram device that can start your vehicle instead of such a large thing (and one that can be recharged anywhere, at any power socket, because it won't look weird even in the office) is preferable.
Juno Power has given the JUMPR battery pack a price of $90 / €90, but shipments will only start on May 1. Between now and then, you can make pre-orders for $70 / €70. The device is exactly as large as a smartphone, so you can carry it in a back pocket if you want.