One of the popular criticisms of the iPod and iPhone is the fact that the battery can't be replaced or taken out easily, meaning you can't carry spare batteries with you for long trips or emergencies. Sure, Apple did it for a reason, but it still doesn't mean a need for more battery life isn't there.
DLO's JumpStart goes a long way to solve this problem.
Essentially, the JumpStart is simply a lithium-ion battery with a dock connector on top that pretends to be a charger when plugged in. So when you have the JumpStart connected to your device, it charges the devices' battery. A pretty simple modus operandi eh?
The JumpStart gives you 3 hours of vide or 15 hours of music when teamed up with an iPod, no idea on how long it lasts with an iPhone. I'm guessing it's about the same as what the iPhone would get, as they seem to be similar capacity batteries. It only takes about 30 minutes for the battery to reach 50% charge, so if you need some extra juice quick, you can plug it in for 30 minutes and get half of the battery full. Just remember that if you're going to keep one in your bag for emergencies, to check it's charge every few weeks. Rechargeable batteries all have energy drain and can be flat if left for a long time without use.
It's a total cakewalk to use - plug in to iPod/iPhone. Done. To charge it, you can plug it in via USB (any Mini-B to USB-A plug will work) and it will charge too. In the box DLO give you a handy retractable USB cable, as well as a mains power to USB plug, which can work with any USB charing device (iPod, Sony PS3 controller, PSP, mobile phones etc.), not just the JumpStart.
The fit and finish of the JumpStart is nice, with a smooth aluminum case, but actually plugging it into the iPhone, it seemed a bit loose and not very stable (i.e: I wouldn't' hold it by the JumpStart). That said, the design allows for it to be compatible with every iPod and iPhone, as long as it has a dock connector - something Apple isn't going to ditch any time soon.
The JumpStart is a handy addition for any road-warrior or frequent traveling person, just to keep in a bag for that day your battery runs out and you really want to listen to some music on the train home (because having to listen to those schoolgirls talk for 30 minutes will cause you to depart the train, then lie under it to kill yourself), watching a couple more movies on that long flight, or making an important phone call with your iPhone. At a street price of $70, you'd only buy it if you need it, but there's definitely a bunch of people who can use something like this and the DLO JumpStart is a fine product.
