Duracell intros Mobile Charger for iPods, more

Duracell on Wednesday released the Mobile Charger for travelers who regularly need to power USB-based handhelds regardless of where they might be. Said to be a step up from most chargers of its kind, the new device is the only one to offer three different power delivery methods. Loading NiMH rechargeable batteries will power iPods, cellphones, and other low-power devices in almost any location; as a unique alternative, owners can either plug the Mobile Charger into a wall plug as a substitute for the device's normal power source or into a car's 12-volt (cigarette) port to recharge from the car's battery. If used with Duracell's bundled pre-charged NiMH batteries, the charger is not only ready to work immediately but can be left alone for up to a year while retaining a charge, the battery maker claims.

The company declined to provide exact battery lifetimes, which typically vary by the device. A typical digital camera should last for about 5,000 extra photos using two Duracell batteries, however. Shipments of the Mobile Charger start later this fall for $25.