All posts tagged: portable

Best portable Bluetooth speakers in 2025 (UK)

Best portable Bluetooth speakers in 2025 (UK)

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience. Playing music out loud from your smartphone is a crime against music. Good sound is one of the few things that smartphone tech brands have never quite mastered. For the best audio experience from your phone or smart device it comes down to one of two options: great headphones or a great Bluetooth speaker. If you’re more inclined towards the communal listening experience, or you don’t like having to rely on headphones, the range of portable Bluetooth speakers is getting better all the time. Wired speakers were once considered to go-to option for audiophile-quality sound, but that isn’t necessarily the case anymore. Though it’s true that the real appeal of Bluetooth speaker is the convenience of listening anywhere. Indeed, there are lots of high-quality portable Bluetooth speakers. These are great for taking out on a picnic, or when you’re travelling away and you want tunes in the hotel or at the poolside. Or even for just moving …

9 Ways I Ensure That My Phone Always Has Battery on Long Trips (Without a Portable Charger)

9 Ways I Ensure That My Phone Always Has Battery on Long Trips (Without a Portable Charger)

Having enough battery on your phone while traveling is vital for navigation, getting transport, and more. However, keeping your device charged isn’t easy—unless you copy these tips to keep your phone charged up without using a battery pack. 1 Using Airport and Plane Chargers Where Possible I always try to find a plug socket while waiting for my flight, and things have improved significantly over the past decade. You’ll usually find a plug socket at tables with high chairs. I’ve noticed that these are often close to departure gates, too. Danny Maiorca/MUO Many airports also have charging ports in the main lounge area, but availability will depend on where you’re flying from. Moreover, I’ve experienced some airports with charging sockets but no power. Nowadays, many planes also have places to charge my phone. I love Virgin Atlantic because I can use my EU plug without an adapter. Many planes also have USB charging ports. 2 Bringing a USB-A Cable USB-C cables are becoming more widespread; all new iPhones get them, and devices are mandated to …

In 1894, A French Writer Predicted the End of Books & the Rise of Portable Audiobooks and Podcasts

In 1894, A French Writer Predicted the End of Books & the Rise of Portable Audiobooks and Podcasts

The end of the nine­teenth cen­tu­ry is still wide­ly referred to as the fin de siè­cle, a French term that evokes great, loom­ing cul­tur­al, social, and tech­no­log­i­cal changes. Accord­ing to at least one French mind active at the time, among those changes would be a fin des livres as human­i­ty then knew them. “I do not believe (and the progress of elec­tric­i­ty and mod­ern mech­a­nism for­bids me to believe) that Guten­berg’s inven­tion can do oth­er­wise than soon­er or lat­er fall into desue­tude,” says the char­ac­ter at the cen­ter of the 1894 sto­ry “The End of Books.” “Print­ing, which since 1436 has reigned despot­i­cal­ly over the mind of man, is, in my opin­ion, threat­ened with death by the var­i­ous devices for reg­is­ter­ing sound which have late­ly been invent­ed, and which lit­tle by lit­tle will go on to per­fec­tion.” First pub­lished in an issue of Scrib­n­er’s Mag­a­zine (view­able at the Inter­net Archive or this web page), “The End of Books” relates a con­ver­sa­tion among a group of men belong­ing to var­i­ous dis­ci­plines, all of them fired up …

Snag a Ugreen Portable Power Station at an Unmissable Low Price

Snag a Ugreen Portable Power Station at an Unmissable Low Price

A backup power source should be essential in your home or car if you’re on the go. Whether you’re camping in the wilderness or dealing with a power outage at home, being able to charge your phone or laptop has the potential to be a big help during an outage. Like all great things, most power sources don’t come cheap.  Thankfully, right now you can score a Ugreen 300-watt power station at Amazon for only $140. It even makes a great holiday gift for the camper in your life. We don’t expect that special price to last for long, so keep that in mind when planning your purchase. Make sure you clip the on-page coupon to receive the full discount.  This Ugreen portable power station was made to provide your electronics and important devices with power for up to 10 days. It’s got two USB-A and three USB-C inputs and has a total capacity of up to 300 watts. This power station includes an LED light with three different settings: SOS, high light and low light. You …

DJI’s first portable power stations are packed with features – plus a little something extra (and prices are slashed in this Black Friday deal!)

DJI’s first portable power stations are packed with features – plus a little something extra (and prices are slashed in this Black Friday deal!)

DJI Power 1000 and Power 500 DJI What’s the deal? The Power 500 gets a 28% price cut this Black Friday at Amazon, down to $360, while the Power 1000 gets a 40% price cut and there’s a $40 coupon, bringing the price to $379. Drones and action cameras share a critical feature: they’re powered by rechargeable batteries. DJI, a leader in both drones and action cameras, is leveraging its extensive battery expertise to enter the competitive world of portable power stations. Introducing two models, the Power 1000 and Power 500, DJI is well-positioned to make a significant impact. Both units are designed for ultra-quiet operation, can be fully charged in just 70 minutes, and feature dual AC and USB-C outputs, catering to a variety of charging needs. While the power stations’ features are impressive, both models also have something that will appeal exclusively to drone pilots. Also: I tested DJI’s Avata 2 and it’s the fastest, most immersive drone I’ve ever flown These power stations are equipped with the Power SDC fast charging function, designed …

Finally, a portable SSD for iPhone content creators that I truly recommend

Finally, a portable SSD for iPhone content creators that I truly recommend

ZDNET’s key takeaways It’s built for iPhone filmmaking Fast enough to record ProRes 4K 120 FPS Hub design means that there are USB-C ports free for other accessories. more buying choices The iPhone is an amazing tool for creating stunning video content, but let’s be honest — storage fills up fast. No matter which capacity you pick, it often feels like it’s never enough. And with microSD card expansion not an option, your dreams of becoming the next Steven Spielberg or Christopher Nolan might hit the cutting room floor before you even start filming. But don’t worry. Starting with the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, you can now record video directly to an external SSD via the USB-C port. This nifty feature frees up your internal storage to capture multiple terabytes of footage.  Also: The best USB-C charger you can buy: Expert recommended Now, the big question is: which external SSD should you go for? You wouldn’t want to entrust “ET, Part 2” to just any drive, right? I always recommend going with reputable brands, like …

The Best Reading Lights (2024): Clip-On, Rechargeable, Portable

The Best Reading Lights (2024): Clip-On, Rechargeable, Portable

Reading before bed is a great way to relax. But getting the right balance of light can be tricky. We want to illuminate the text without disturbing sleeping partners, kids, or roommates. Warm light that is not too bright is also better to help you feel drowsy. Special reading lights may be the answer. They come in a surprisingly wide variety of shapes and sizes, but all will light up your page, not your whole room. We have tested a library of reading lights over the last few months, tucking into tomes as blissfully unaware partners slept, and these are the very best reading lights for bookworms. There are several kinds of clip-ons, wearable lights, and a bedside lamp among our picks, as well as a tempting alternative to book lights. Avid readers will also want to check out our Best Gifts for Book Lovers, Great Tech Books, and Best Science Fiction Books guides. Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month …

The Jackery Explorer 1000 is one of the best portable power stations

The Jackery Explorer 1000 is one of the best portable power stations

Jackery Why this deal is ZDNET-recommended Looking to get into portable power stations but put off by the price? Yeah, I hear this a lot, which is why I’m always on the lookout for fantastic deals. And I’ve found on of the best portable power stations you can buy at a price that makes it a steal. Also: Jackery Solar Generators: Are they any good? Jackery is one of the best brands on the market, and I’ve tested – and relied on for several weeks — many of the company’s units, ranging from tiny ones you can hold in your hand to huge ones on wheels. Here’s one that falls into that Goldilocks zone of both price and portability — the Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station.  View at Amazon Jackery Explorer 1000 tech specs Capacity: 1002Wh Battery Chemistry: Lithium-ion Battery Cycle Life: 500 cycles to 80%+ capacity AC Output (x3): 110V, 60Hz, 1000W (2000W Peak) USB-A Output (x2): 5V⎓2.4A, Quick Charge 3.0×1, 18W Max USB-C Output (x2): 18W Max, (5V, 9V, 12V up to 3A) 12V …

5 Best USB Hubs (2024): USB-C, USB-A, Portable

5 Best USB Hubs (2024): USB-C, USB-A, Portable

Your laptop never has enough ports—especially if it’s the Macbook Air this guide was written on. You can carry around an array of dongles to plug everything in, or you can nab one of these USB hubs. Hubs expand the number and kind of ports available from one device so you can cut down on the clutter. After testing dozens over the years, these are the best USB hubs I’ve found for different needs. Hunting for more home-office gizmos and gadgets? Check out our other guides, including the Ultimate Work-From-Home Gear, the Best Office Chairs, the Best USB Flash Drives, and the Best Portable External Storage Drives. Update May 2024: Added the Monoprice 5-in-1 USB-C Hub, Satechi USB-C Multiport 8K Hub, and Ugreen Revodok Pro 211 Docking Station. Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com, full Gear coverage, and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day. Do You Need a Hub or a Docking Station? USB hubs are small, portable …

All Laptop Sleeves Should Double as a Portable Workspace

All Laptop Sleeves Should Double as a Portable Workspace

Key Takeaways Versatile laptop sleeve for a portable workstation with premium vegan leather and recycled fabric materials. Does not cover the charging port, and has a perfect fit for 14 to 16-inch laptops. Provides a clean workspace in public areas, easy to clean, and durable with a sleek design and unique magnet closure. Orbitkey has grown in popularity over the last several years due to its incredible build quality and attention to detail. It has a growing line of beloved products, particularly hybrid working products. The Orbitkey Hybrid Laptop Sleeve is the company’s recent addition to laptop sleeves. What is unique and stands out about this one is its portable workstation focus. While most sleeves protect on transport, this sleeve is meant to add protection on transport and continue to be helpful at a workspace. It should come as no surprise that the Hybrid Laptop Sleeve is made of high-quality materials, has excellent construction, and is backed by Orbitkey’s two-year warranty. Orbitkey Hybrid Laptop Sleeve The Orbitkey Hybrid Laptop Sleeve is a versatile and stylish …