Go mobile with Pokémon Go
We have two words for you… Pokémon Go. Unless you’ve been living underneath a rock, you would have seen people of all ages wondering around the streets or in some extreme feats, driving their car, all while trying to catch these virtual creatures. So, what’s the big deal? We had a poke around and here is everything you need to know about Pokémon Go.

Truly a new kind of game
Forget your Angry Birds and Candy Crush, Pokémon Go is like nothing you’ve ever seen before on mobile devices. Pokémon Go is a free-to-play, location-based, augmented reality, mobile game. That may sound like a mouthful, however, with only a week since its release on the USA, Australia, and New Zealand iOS and Android market, this game has managed to create a stir worldwide.

How do you play
Using your mobile phone and its GPS and camera capabilities, the game involves players creating an avatar, and then physically walking around with their phones in hand as they capture, battle, and train virtual creatures located in places of interest. Unlike most games, while your online avatar, and walks around their virtual world, you also walk around the physical world, using your mobile device to display images of the Pokémon creatures as if they were in the real world and capturing them with your phone. While you play the game online with your mobile phone, players end up interacting with other players both virtually and actually.

What this means for the state of play
If you want to learn more about all the aspects of the game you can find plenty of in depth articles online. As mentioned above, while the game is being praised for bringing people of all ages and backgrounds together for exercise and interaction, the game has not been without its share of controversy. Gamers have gone to all kinds of extremes to play including entering private properties, going to restricted or highly inappropriate areas, and even trying to catch Pokémons while people are getting married or giving birth.

Popular or a pain?
There is no doubting its popularity. This was seen when high demand caused servers in Aus, NZ, and USA to have major problems and crash. Then there is the small print. What a lot of people didn’t pay close attention to is the terms and conditions, which allow the company behind the game to collect personal information. Whether you believe the conspiracy theories that this is another way that Big Brother is using the private information of users, or that countries are using civilians to map particular territory, we don’t know actually have any proof if this is true. What we do know for sure is that this game phenomenon is draining the hell out of players mobile phone data and batteries. Gamers have reported that one of the biggest problems with the game is the usage of the mobile phone battery. In order to play the game, you must have the app open, and this means your battery drains much faster. While the game does have its own ‘battery saver’ mode, this doesn’t really seem to work according to many users.

You can take matters into your own hands by using a portable powerbank such as Powerbanks Australia. That way, if you happen to run your phone battery dry, you can use your powerbank to keep on catching those Pokémon. While you try and pickup Pikachu, pick yourself up a powerbank today from www.powerbanksaustralia.com.au, and enjoy the world of Pokémon Go everyday.

These are the two primary types of battery, and you will see these used in phones and tablets. There are pros and cons of each, but when it comes down to your powerbank, lithium polymer is the clear winner. Lithium ion batteries are the older and more out of date version.

These batteries are known to self-discharge. This means that even when not in use, the energy stored gradually decreases. While it is not a huge amount, any loss of charge is a bad thing when it comes to a powerbank. This is not an item like a phone which you are going to use every day and charge most nights. For a mobile phone, it hardly matters if the self-discharge rate is a few percent per month, because it will be topped up and recharged on a daily basis. However, when it comes to a powerbank, the whole point is that you can leave it for ages and know that it will still be fully charged and ready to charge your phone when you need it. A lithium polymer battery does not suffer this self-discharge, which can be as great as 2% per month in lithium ion batteries. As a battery self-discharges, the voltage gradually deteriorates. This means that after a certain number of cycles, a lithium ion battery will have a decreased capacity, so this balances out the initially high energy density of this style of battery.

Lithium ion batteries have a bad reputation when it comes to safety. If overcharged or overheated, lithium ion batteries can be hot to the touch, can lose function, and in extreme cases can spark or combust. To avoid this, most lithium batteries tend to short circuit when overheated, essentially ending the life of your powerbank and possible damaging the device plugged into it. Good quality lithium ions are equipped with added safety features to combat their generally lower safety ratings, but it is best not to even risk having to rely on these features. Instead, trust a battery that is in general far safer.

The lithium polymer is the battery that addresses many of the lithium ion issues. It is the next step in the advancement of the humble electronic battery. Why use yesterday’s products when the latest and greatest new designs are here, new and improved? Technology is advancing at such a rapid rate, that when it comes to buying a new gadget, it makes sense to buy the most recent product so as to stay on top of things for longer. Older models are just going to become redundant or be deemed incredibly inefficient compared to the competition in a year or two.
Don’t be fooled by the lower prices of lithium ion batteries; you get what you pay for. Everyone knows that they are the older, worse and outdated product, and so they try to sell them off quickly. We are the resident experts when it comes to powerbanks, so have a chat to Powerbanks Australia.

When you first receive your new power bank, you might be a little confused as to how to first charge it. While a phone or other device is fairly straight forward with a single cord and port that plugs into the wall, a power bank is a little different. It can come with a number of cords depending on the type and model you have purchased, so that it can attach to and charge a range of brands and devices. Furthermore, it has two ports, one for input or charging the charger from the wall, and one for output or charging the device from the charger.

Once you understand this, then it is fairly straight forward. It is a matter of grabbing the double USB cord and plugging the ‘in’ port of the charger to a phone adapter in the wall. Allow this to charge. You should notice a flashing light or some other signal to tell you that it is indeed charging. When the bank is fully charged, this flashing light will probably stay on or change colour. Once the bank is charged, you can carry it around with you for as long as you like. There is no on or off switch, the energy just remains stored inside until you decide to use it for a device. Depending on the size of power bank that you bought, it may give anywhere from half a charge to ten full charges.

When it comes time to charge your phone when you’re out and about, it is very simple. Just take the cord that has a USB plug on one end and your phone plug on the other. Essentially it is your standard phone charging cable, but instead of plugging into an adaptor and the wall, it plugs into the ‘out’ port of the power bank. This time you can just watch the battery percentage on your phone rise until it is at the desired level.

And that’s it, you’re done. It’s a very simple, two-step process. However, keep in mind that the first time you charge your power bank you should be sure to charge it all the way to the top. Leaving it on charge overnight is a good idea so you’re not tempted to remove it and test it prematurely. Also let it run down fully the first time, to ensure you get the best possible battery life out of your power bank.

As with any electronic device, power banks should always be charged and used responsibly. Avoid plugging a power bank into an already crowded socket, as this can overheat the socket and cause sparking and burning. Similarly, keep the device out of direct sunlight for hours on end, and keep it away from moisture unless it is specifically waterproof.

Choosing a good quality bank at the beginning is the best way that you can ensure your item will enjoy a long lifespan. Treat it well and you will be able to use this bank for all your phones and devices over the years. Please view the Power banks Australia stock to find your perfect match.

There is nothing better than road tripping with a bunch of your mates to a music and arts festival in a secluded spot. After a couple of days and your phone battery is flat, the remote location might not be so appealing. A powerbank can be a valuable item to bring to a music festival.

It is no surprise that the little cell phone reception that there might be at the music festival site is virtually inaccessible. It is no secret that Telstra seem to have the broadest coverage, yet even Telstra users can have difficulty in these isolated regions. The reason is that so many people are try in got connect at once. Popular music festivals in Australia can attract tens of thousands of punters, almost all of them armed with a mobile phone. That limited connection is going to be overcome immediately, and there is almost no chance of a steady connection. The result is relying on 4G when available which drains your battery in a matter of hours, or just waiting for your Wi-Fi which can also be a waste of battery.

Festival organisers are not ignorant to our reliance on mobile phones and the resulting woes that being in the wilderness for four days can bring. They have put in place some measures to ensure that people can possibly recharge their phones, but they are far from convenient. The first option is lockers which have a charger inside them. You can hire out a locker by the hour or by the day, and set a combination so it is safe. Your belongings are also guarded by someone at the locker booth. Unfortunately, just like with everything else at a festival, the rates are through the roof. In some instances you could see lockers going for as much as $10 per hour, and it usually takes several hours to get a decent charge. You could pay $30 for something that is essentially free back home. Of course, you would also buy a powerbank for this amount or less back home, and with a little forethought you and your friends can have a fully charged phone at every festival you attend.

The other option sometimes available is the free charging van, but for security reasons you have to remain with your phone as it charges. This is a giant waste of your time after you have spent hundreds of dollars on a ticket, and would miss some great performances all for a charged phone. Besides, because everyone is so desperate these spots are often taken anyway.

Take one more thing off your to do list and buy a powerbank before you go. You’ll be so grateful for it when the time comes and you need a phone to take photos of your favourite act, update social media or find friends at the festival. Powerbanks Australia is the business to trust for excellent quality powerbanks that will last for years.

Travelling the world on a small budget is a rite of passage for twenty somethings. It is a time when we learn to appreciate what we have, explore our values, and overcome obstacles. One of those obstacles can be having a frustratingly short phone battery life. In a foreign country, there are exponential ways in which we rely on our phone. A mobile phone makes adjusting to and learning about a new culture so much easier.

First and foremost is using it to connect to free Wi-Fi in cafes, venues and hostels. Many backpackers don’t want the added bulk or weight of a laptop or even tablet, and so their phone is their lifeline. You can then use this internet for just about anything you want. When you are a traveller, having a strong internet connection is absolutely essential, rather than just convenient when you are in your hometown. It is perhaps most handy when it comes to using Google Maps. Reading a physical fold out map can be very difficult, especially if all the street signs are in a foreign language. Besides, this is just another thing to lose from your bag. Having everything on your phone makes for easy, light and efficient travel.

This brings me to the second main use for phone internet, which is translating. In a foreign country where you speak little or none of the language, getting around and just surviving can be a challenge to say the least. While you can get by with pointing and charades, it is part of being a backpacker that you put the effort in to absorb some of the culture of your surroundings, and try to respect the place you’re in rather than just being another loud, obnoxious tourist. There are countless apps that can help you translate and even speak another language. Of course, maps and translations are not the only benefits. There are endless times throughout the day when backpackers will look things up on the internet, from review on a good hostel to connecting with like-minded travellers and new friends on online forum communities and through social media.

If your phone starts to die, then panic sets in. If you’re between accommodations or between cities, you don’t know where your next power point is going to be. If you don’t have a power adaptor, then this complicates the problem even further. You might have to resort to an internet café, but with so many people now relying on a portable device, these establishments are few and far between. You could ask around for fellow travellers, but Wi-Fi or worse data roaming, is a precious and sometimes expensive commodity which is not shared lightly.

The power bank is a dream come true for the nomad. When you do have access to a power socket for a day or so, simply charge your powerbank along with your devices. Then carry your powerbank in your backpack with your phone and charge on the go at the first sign of low battery power. Browse the range of compact and lightweight powerbanks at Powerbanks Australia and find your next travel accessory today.

Not all powerbanks are of the same caliber. Most people realize that as with anything, it is a good idea to purchase a quality item from a reputable retailer rather than the cheapest one on the market imported from overseas. Once you invest in a trusted powerbank, there are some clever tips to ensure that you make the most out of all that it has to offer.

First of all, you should treat your new powerbank just like a new phone. Fully charge it overnight so that is at capacity, and then allow it to run right down the first time you use it, rather than topping it up with extra charges. Going from maximum to minimum like this kind of helps the battery to recognize its own capacity. Just like with a new phone, if you fully charge it, then use it until 50%, and then charge it again, subsequent charges will not give you the same longevity as if you had allowed it to fully run down. After this first time, you can charge and top up your battery as much as you like.

Better quality and more modern versions come packaged with a trio or set of cables. These are designed to cater for a range of devices, from phones to tablets and laptops, as well as a range of different brands. Sony, Apple and Samsung for example all have different charging ports so that they can sell their customers their own cables. Anyone who has upgraded from an iPhone 4 to a 5 will know that even within brands there can be differences in cables required. This might make finding a charger at a friend’s place a hassle, but it is no problem for a powerbank. It is worth doing your research into the cables that come with your powerbank, which should at least include the latest iPhone and Samsung ports, as well as a USB cable.

These multiple cables mean that your powerbank can be that much more helpful. Perhaps a friend with a different phone is desperately looking for a charger and you can help out. Perhaps you carry your powerbank to charge both your phone and tablet while on the go. Even if you upgrade your phone after a few years, you won’t have to upgrade your powerbank. This way, this one gadget can be fantastically useful for many, many years.

When buying your powerbank, you may assume that capacity is the only thing to worry about. You will also want to double check that the voltage output of the bank matches or exceeds your phone battery. If you are unsure of your phone’s battery voltage, you can always chat to your retailer who will be able to give you a hand. So what are you waiting for? Start reaping the rewards when you select your very own powerbank from Powerbank Australia, where the friendly team will assist with all of your specific needs.

You’ve got your phone, you’ve got your wallet, and your powerbank is the only other thing you need to remember when you leave the house to head out. This wonderful accessory will soon have you wondering how you ever managed without it. There is a wide range of powerbank options available to suit everyone.

Powerbanks are designed to be portable. They are lightweight and pocket-sized, so it doesn’t feel like you’re lugging around a laptop. In fact, they’re similar size and weight to your phone. This means that there is no excuse; wherever your phone goes, your powerbank can go too. They can fit in a purse or a clutch for ladies and a back pocket for the boys.

Phones are an essential part of a night out, whether it’s arranging to meet a friend at a bar, getting someone’s number or calling a cab home at the end of the night. Of course, phones can only handle a certain amount of Facebook scrolling and messaging before they give up for the night. It is becoming common for club goers to get so desperate for their phone that they ask the bar staff to quickly place it on charge.

Firstly, you will be lucky to find someone who is willing to give you this courtesy. Bars are busy places. If you do manage to find a friendly bartender, then there is a high risk that your phone will have beer or cocktails sloshed all over it, and that could mean the end of it for good. Besides, you come out to have a good night out letting your hair down with friends, not to loiter at the bar awkwardly while your phone charges. And if you do leave it for a few minutes, there is always that risk of it getting stolen, lost or dropped.

Compare this scenario to the alternative, which is that you had the forethought to bring your charged powerbank along with you. Simply plug it into your phone in your bag or pocket and voilà; you’re on your way to a charged phone. It’s not just yourself that you will be benefitting. No doubt at some point a friend will glance down at their phone, only to sigh and say they have 10% battery left. A powerbank is such a valuable thing when you need it, yet so affordable to buy.

Once you’ve called a cab, and perhaps headed back to a friend’s place to crash, it is suddenly a mighty rush to grab the one and only phone charger overnight. If you have your trusty powerbank on you, then you don’t have to worry about whether your battery will last until your alarm you set for the morning. You also know that if any friends who decided to stay out needed to contact you in an emergency, you are available.

View the impressive range of powerbank styles that Powerbank Australia has to offer before your next weekend out.

In today’s fast-paced, technologically reliant world, we take it for granted that we can communicate with friends and family at any time of day or night. Even when we are on the go, our phones allow us to message and call each other in an instant. Powerbanks offer that added peace of mind that you can always be reached or contact someone yourself when you need to.

That important phone call
We have become accustomed to such immediate responses that it can be frustrating when someone doesn’t reply or pick up their phone after a couple of hours. When your phone dies, you immediately start to wonder if anyone is desperately trying to contact you. What if someone close to you was in an accident or an employer was trying to contact you with a new opportunity? Being without a phone for a few hours can make a big difference.

Safety
Maximising personal safety is a very common reason for carrying a powerbank. Our phones are of course not only about receiving calls but about making them ourselves. Imagine getting a flat tire, or your car not starting, and needing help but having no way of contacting someone. What if you witnessed a crime, or suddenly felt unsafe in your surroundings? It would be horrible not to have a fully charged phone in these situations.

Convenience
While it is always worth preparing for these worst case scenarios, the reality is that most of the time having your phone die is just annoying and inconvenient. When you want to show someone a funny Snapchat you received earlier, or are dying to look up IMDB and find out who that actor on TV is, a powerbank can be a lifesaver. Just like a regular phone charger, you can start using your phone again as soon as it is plugged in to your powerbank, rather than waiting an hour for it to charge. They’re small enough to fit in a handbag or even your back pocket, so you can charge your phone as you’re walking.

The more storage you have on your powerbank, the more convenient it is for you. A powerbank that you have to recharge after each use is still a benefit, but can be a hassle in itself. One that has many charges worth of battery is fantastic, because you ca keep it in your bag for when your phone battery dips, and then only plug it in every now and then. Every 2000 mAh will provide an iPhone with a single full charge. Check out our range of capacities, ranging up to the SuperBank at over 20,000 mAh, which can give you more than ten full charges.

Of course, a lot of the time people want to just top up their battery rather than do a full charge from 0 to 100%. This gives you the reassurance that you will have a decent amount of batter for the next several hours. Perhaps you’re heading out to a bar with friends, and notice that you’re on 40%. It might last but it might not. Don’t be that person trying to scab a charger, just plug it in to your powerbank and the problem is solved.

Check out the diverse range of powerbanks that Powerbanks Australia has to offer. For further details on charging capacities for different phones, check out our FAQ page.