Smartphones have come a long way from the usual functions of calling and messaging; you can play 3d games, watch movies, take high resolution pictures, etc. All of these tasks consume a lot of battery power, but smartphones are equipped with powerful processors that can handle the power demands. Although batteries have been enhanced, they still need a quick recharge to ensure that they last the day.

People have been working on innovative solutions to resolve battery issues and as a result, there are quite a few battery chargers available in the market or rather will be in the near future, that are just plain awesome, while some are even outlandish.

·      Body Heat Charger

What if you came across a device that could charge your phone while it was in your pocket, without plugging it in any power outlet? Of course, that would be awesome. Dr Gang Chen, the head of the mechanical engineering department at MIT has built a prototype material that absorbs heat from low grade sources to produce electricity. The device consists of cheap nanomaterials that draw in energy from the environment and generate an electric current.

Experiments show that the device can be used to charge your mobile phone’s battery while it it’s in your pocket; it will utilize your body heat to do so. Of course, the device is still under research and it will be quite some time when we see it in the market, but the idea is intriguing at best. It has an efficiency of 12 percent at a temperature of around 20 to 60 degrees Centigrade.

·      The Super Fast Charger

Would you want to buy a charger that would charge your phone in just 30 seconds? Yes, you heard it right. There is a startup in Israel called Storedot that has developed a prototype of a battery that is capable of being recharged in 30 seconds. The super fast charging battery employs nanotechnology to achieve such record breaking times. This battery consists of special amino acids, instead of Lithium which allow it to be charged in under a minute. It can be used on laptops and tablets as well.

·      Plan V

No it is not the title of an alien invasion movie nor is it the plot to the next Star Wars franchise; rather, it is a device that makes use of a 9 Volt battery to charge a smartphone. If you ever faced a situation in which you are having a night out with your friends and your phone becomes low on battery, then this charging device is the perfect match for you.

Made of plastic, the charger has two parts; one end of the device is a USB cable, while the other end is a battery connector. A 9 Volt battery goes there and you can plug in the USB into the charging port on your phone. It is a good remedy in situations when you need a quick boost in battery life. It provides up to 4 hours of talk time.

*The information in this blog is designed to provide helpful information on the subjects discussed. Please seek a professional for expert advice as we can not be held responsible for any damages or negative consequences upon following this information.

Car hire excess insurance is an essential form of motoring cover that will pay for the excess on a rental vehicle if the car is damaged during the hire period. With excesses running into hundreds or thousands of pounds -- and hire companies charging full excesses for the smallest damage -- it is sensible to consider getting one of these policies before you leave.

The cost of car hire excess insurance is usually very manageable, but check the terms carefully before signing up.

Where and When Are You Covered?

When you buy a travel insurance policy, and you opt for multi-trip, you then need to decide which territories you’ll be visiting during the time your policy is active.

Multi-trip car hire excess insurance policies generally work the same way.

So if you’re only going to be holidaying within Europe this year, it makes sense to buy a policy that covers you in Europe only. If you’re going to venture outside Europe, be sure to get a policy that provides annual worldwide cover.

In terms of timing and length of policy, the main thing to check is that the cover won’t expire before you fly back. So you’ll need to check:

●     The start and end dates; you can start the policy on the first day of your first trip to get maximum time from it, so double-check that this date is selected as it may not be the date you buy the policy

●     Check whether the insurer will cover you for the entire trip; there might be a limit on the number of days you can be away, and long-term visits might exceed that.

Buying Online vs Buying On Arrival

Car hire excess insurance is available via two key routes. You can either purchase it when you hire your vehicle, or you can buy it separately -- usually online.

We always recommend that you buy it online, because:

●     Buying online gives you more time to review the terms of the excess insurance and determine that it covers you in the right circumstances

●     Prices are generally more competitive via third parties, and buying online gives you chance to compare and contrast

●     Online policies tend to have more options; for example, you can choose either an annual policy or a single trip one; buying from your insurer may mean you only have one option.

Queueing in the hot sun with kids, or luggage, is no fun at the best times. At the end of a long flight, nobody really wants to be stuck at the car rental desk for any longer than absolutely necessary, and you probably won’t want an extra set of terms and conditions to read.

Getting your cover sorted beforehand does away with that extra hassle. You can simply attend the rental office, pick up the keys and go -- being sure, of course, to decline the excess insurance provided by the hire company. It is sensible to take a print-out showing details of your own car hire excess insurance so that you can demonstrate you already have cover in place.

*The information in this blog is designed to provide helpful information on the subjects discussed. Please seek a professional for expert advice as we can not be held responsible for any damages or negative consequences upon following this information.