Charge Your Phone the Lo-Fi Way

From pocket solar panels and kinetic energy-converting armbands to wireless inductive charging docks, the portable phone charger market looks more and more like science fiction every day. But for those of who prefer a refreshingly lo-fi alternative—or just have a backlog of AA batteries around the house—a gadget called the Nipper will do in a pinch.

The Nipper holds two AA batteries in place with magnets and plugs into your smartphone’s micro-USB port to deliver an extra jolt of power—about ten percent with a 30-minute charge and 20 percent with a one-hour charge. Built for quick bursts and emergencies rather than full fuel-ups, it’s perfect for those times when you’re trapped in a subway station and don’t want to risk arrest by plugging into an outlet.