#lightning-port

#lightning-port

Ken Pillonel, a freelance hardware prototyping consultant, designed a case that adds a Lightning port to the iPhone 17 Pro, allowing users to charge with existing Lightning cables.

Phone cases should be fun and protective, with a range of options from ultra-thin to rugged, but most users prefer something in between.

As someone who spends a lot of time outdoors (and someone who got hit with Lyme disease), it's astonishing how often I forget to apply insect repellent. Just the other night, I spent the last half of a five-mile walk in a thick, annoying cloud of houseflies. Irritating, but at least they don't bite. Not like horseflies... Now those things know how to bite! I've watched them land on my sleeve and start gnawing through the fabric.

Right now, one of the best cheap and practical Presidents' Day deals I've found is Anker's Nano USB-C wall charger for just $10. It's a 50% savings in the white color, and the lowest price I've seen this adapter sell for. Price comparison site CamelCamelCamel also points out that this limited-time deal is the lowest the charger has been recorded as selling for.

The Snap-n-Charge is small as power banks go, and only 3,200 mAh/16 Wh. This is good enough for a quick top-up of a smartphone or headphones. And a top-up is what you get -- the capacity is enough for about a 50% top-up for a smartphone or portable speaker, or about three or four recharges of earbuds or headphones. The power bank is housed in a polymer shell that shrugs off impacts and damage from being rattled around pockets and bags with things like keys.

Charging phones and portable devices has become one of the most routine actions of modern life. From the moment we wake up to the time we go to sleep, our devices depend on reliable power. We charge at home, in offices, cafés, airports, hotels, libraries, and public transportation spaces. Despite how frequently charging occurs, the physical environments designed to support it often feel like an afterthought.

Kuxiu Qi2 25W Travel Charging Station for $79: This charger folds down to an impressively small package, and it feels pretty solid with a silicone-covered metal construction. It can hit 25 watts for supported Qi2 phones, comes in a few different finishes, and ships with a 45-watt power adapter and USB-C cable in the box. Unfortunately, I don't like the way it looks, and I found it awkward to get all three devices charging at once. It's actually too compact, so it feels crowded.

If you want a wireless charger for your iPhone and prefer to stick with Apple, Amazon has a sale that may pique your interest. The retailer is selling the one meter Apple Magsafe charger for $30, saving you $10 off the regular price, while also selling the two meter model for $40 ($10 off). Get a $10 discount on Apple's Magsafe charger in one or two meter sizes.

The ChubbyCable is built like a tank. It's 4.1 feet long and made of a soft, tangle-free, siliconized material that feels more like a high-end audio cable. According to the manufacturer, the cable is designed to withstand more than 10,000 bends, so it's robust enough to handle the toughest life. All the USB-C connectors are protected with aluminum shields and are yet streamlined enough to fit into USB-C ports protected by chunky smartphone cases.

There are a few things that I look for in a decent portable power bank. First, it has to do what it says on the box. If the battery capacity and power outputs aren't to spec, I don't want it. On top of that, wireless charging is a nice touch, as is a built-in cable. This is exactly what the Cuktech 10,000mAh power bank offers.

It's essentially a tiny rectangle with four different power plugs: Type A, Type I, Type G, and Type C plugs, covering over 200 countries -- along with dual USB-C and USB-A ports, and a pass-through AC socket that supports Type A and Type C (US and European) plugs. And when I say it's tiny, it really is, measuring a palm-sized 3.4 x 2.0 x 1.0 inches and weighing 3.8 ounces.

If you've ever been in a predicament where you've run out of battery at the worst time possible, you probably want to have a charger that's easier to use and access all the time, no matter where you are. But which one do you get, since there are so many out there and more being manufactured all the time? We've found a particularly good one that you won't want to miss, and it's on sale for an excellent price.

It's already on sale for $30, which is a discount of $10. These are preorders, however, with shipments officially going out on January 20. The 45W charger includes a screen that displays real-time data like power flow, temperature and charging status. It also features "fun animations to keep things cheerful." Anker says it can recognize what's being charged and automatically adjust certain metrics to ensure a longer battery lifespan.