Windows Phone Thoughts: More Power! Pocket PC Tech's JASJAR Hi-Capacity Li-ION Polymer Battery

Power is something that all of us notice in our Pocket PCs. In years past, it was the lifeblood of our existence - no power = no data, no fun. While the situation is somewhat improved in Windows Mobile 5 (it's now just no power = no fun), being out of power during an important trip, presentation, meeting, or conference can be disastrous. Not only does it stop you from entering data, retrieving data, and such, it also makes those stuck in the stone ages of using paper planners appear much more organized. We can't have that!

So in the ever-continuing quest for continuous power, manufacturers have begun producing replacement batteries with more capacity than the original battery ever had. Some of these are low-quality and perhaps dangerous, while others are made very well and produce the desired results. When Pocket PC Techs asked me to look at their extended JASJAR battery, I knew that it would be of the latter description, and gladly accepted the offer.

The battery, sold for $69.00 USD, arrives along with a new battery cover to accommodate its size. It clips nicely into the unit where the original battery went (the clip was a little stiff at first, but pressed in without issue with a forceful push), and charges up in approximately double (in my tests) the amount of time the original battery took to charge. The battery provides additional bulk to the unit, and with a unit already the size of a tank, you may want to consider how you will use the device if using the extended battery. Great for watching videos or sitting on a long plane flight. Not so great for pocketing and taking with you as your primary phone.

One issue that generally plagues non-OEM batteries is the charge circuit misreporting the amount of battery life to the device. Pocket PC Techs has worked very hard to ensure that their battery accurately reports how much power it has to the device, and the device displays it correctly. Nice work! The battery performed in my tests to the same level that Pocket PC Techs reports - approximately double the original battery life. I'll be making extensive use of the battery in my upcoming trip to Houston - allowing me to watch ripped DVDs on my JASJAR and avoid horrendous in-flight entertainment! The added bulk will likely not be an issue while sitting on a plane ride, however the JASJAR won’t be my daily driver while down there unless I decide to switch to the OEM battery.

The JASJAR is a powerhouse of possibilities, and now with a Pocket PC Techs extended battery, you can rest assured that your JASJAR will quit long after you will!