Zagg-nut

I’ve become power-obsessed. No, I’m not considering the overthrow of a small nation (TechDadCentralia ?!?) but rather I spend way too much time worrying about how much battery power I have left on my various hand-held devices. Growing up in the 70’s, some of my fondest memories were spending time with my Great Aunt & Uncle who lived in the small mining town of California, PA — about 30 miles due south of Pittsburgh. My Uncle Frank was the proud owner of a Lincoln Continental Mark IV and I always found it fascinating that whenever the car’s gas gauge dropped below three-quarters, my uncle went on a quest to find the nearest service station in order to “top off the tank”. His unwavering devotion to a full tank always made me laugh.

Fast forward thirty years and last week, while traveling, I realized that I share this genetic need to “top off the tank” of my iPod and BlackBerry. If the battery gauge shows three-quarters, then I go on my own quest for a power outlet.

The Mom Central office recently received a sample product that I just couldn’t resist … a ZaggSparq battery. Think of this as a portable gas station for your mobile phone or PDA. It’s the same form factor as the AC adaptor for a Mac laptop, including the fold-out plug. Charge it up and take it with you. When your mobile phone, iPod or PDA is out of juice, connect it via the ZaggSparq’s two USB ports (one optimized, the other non-optimzed) and “fill ‘er up”. The ZaggSparq will give you four full power reloads for an iPhone on a single charge of its own.

If only the ZaggSparq gave out S&H Green Stamps every time I use it … oh well … Uncle Frank would still be proud of me.

Ron Remy