If you’re anything like me, there is a gap between power needed and power available when it comes to gadgets.
Standard power profile for a day. My phone is in constant use, oops
I was walking home last week (with my phone battery as empty as empty can be, sitting uselessly in my bag) and decided to pop into Jaycar to see what they’ve got. With the help of the most friendly and helpful person I’ve dealt with in a store in a long time, I found this baby.
Solar mobile phone charger.
It ticked all the boxes on my list of things I wanted. I’ve taken to making a list of my needs and then buying – saves a bucket load of money.
I’d love to be able to ditch charging using the mains and use solar power instead but this one lacks the capacity to do that, but to be fair it’s not really designed to replace the wall socket. The salesman told me it won’t be likely to charge to 100% in a day of sun, it’s a bit small for that.
6 hours in the sun (it recommends 12 hours for a full charge and this side of Summer that isn’t going to happen) got it up to 50% so the math works.
6 hours in the sun, 2/4 on the power meter.
It’s easy to plug into a power source, just put the micro-USB into the battery and put the other end into your computer/wall charger and it gets up to 100% in an hour or two
Battery full
On the back panel there is a big LED light that can be used as a night light or to light a room, it’s fairly powerful.
I charged my phone overnight using it to see how much juice I would get from it after a full charge. It gave about 2 hours of charging and took my phone from 12% to about 60%. Given the small size of the device I’m pretty impressed with that.
12% to around 60% in a couple of hours
I can see it being useful for giving me some extra power while I’m on a plane, if I’m out and about away from a power-point all day or if I ever decide to go camping and refuse to have my phone pried from my hands. There are larger options available, but for the size and price, this is my pick.
They’re $34.95 from Jaycar, either online or in-store, click over here to check them out here if you’re interested.
Next up – a watch that integrates with my phone and has a touch screen. I’m Commander Keen!
I’m tweeting for the Australia this week on the Location Curation account @WeAreAustralia (Feel free to check it out and follow if you’re on Twitter) and decided to take a lunchtime trip on the Sydney Monorail to snap a few photos on the way around.
I also made the worst impromptu video while I was on-board. I hope Tourism NSW never find it, or I’ll be asked to leave the state.
The Monorail’s days in Sydney are numbered so if you’re feeling lazy or after a trip ’round town for old times sake before it’s gone, check it out.
Have you ever wondered what people sound like? I have, and after a few fruity cocktails (I just discovered that we have a blender. It’s great. Chuck random kitchens items in with some ice + vodka, and drink)
You read their tweets day in day out, you get to know them through what they write but you hardly ever hear them speak. I was thinking about this the other day and put the call out for people to say hello!
Here was the brief.
Send me a video, say hello. Tell me about yourself. I want to hear your voice.
I loved the replies I got. Someone even had props! I did about 42 takes before I gave up trying to be cool and just went with the whatever ended up happening.
First up we have Matt. You can find him on Twitter at @BenMelour and is responsible for http://thebrunxonline.com/ - check it!
Welcome to @TomTheCub – He likes bacon. You really can’t go wrong with bacon!
From Tasmania we have @NortonDeSilva!
Dave is a TV Producer from Sydney. Hi @DMFlower!
Another Melbournite @Mi7K says hi! (I never realised the milk thing. The things you learn hey!)
Here is @TregDog. A bit of fancy editing here 
I love it, he does voices! You can find more here
I can’t work out how to flip this one, but @MadOldBear has a sideways hello for us!
Click the photo to meet the M.O.B!
And look! It’s @TamaMacca saying hi after getting her hair done:D
Click the pic to see Tara's fresh hairstyle
And for a laugh, here I am!
If you want to join the #HelloProject, let me know. Send a video, or link up on YouTube. Share this post if you like, remember to tag it #HelloProject and see how far this can go!
So I have no idea what most of you sound like, so when I read your tweets I do it in a voice I’ve made up for you. I want to change that!
I’ve made a quick video. My next post needs you! Watch below…
Now, I need you to make a short video reply, tell me who you are and tell me a bit about you and I’ll put them all together in my next update.
It’s a bit of fun, nothing serious. Keep your pants on.
EnGy
