June 14th was declared “Neuter Your Bunny Day” by Panasonic as a deliberate move to get in the face of Energizer. Panasonic has users of high drain devices like digital cameras as a marketing target for the new Oxyride Extreme Power batteries.

“Meanwhile, the folks at Energizer are miffed that Panasonic ads, claiming that Oxyride “beats the bunny” in comparison tests with leading alkaline batteries in digital cameras, left out Oxyride’s performance against Energizer’s e2 lithium batteries.”

Looks like it’s going to be an interesting competition in the battery industry. It’s about time! Digital camera owners stand to be the winners no matter what the outcome.

Looks like recharge time of batteries could be reduced to seconds according to reports from researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Not only would the battery recharge in seconds, it would also never need to be replaced.

Looks like the solution is in the use of a capacitor which is rather old technology, 300 years old to be exact. Joel Schindall and his team at M.I.T. decided to combine a capacitor and nanotechnology to make that old product in a new way.

According to Schindall, “”The new energy cell could be recharged many, many times perhaps hundreds of thousands of times, and … it could be recharged very quickly, just in a matter of seconds rather than a matter of hours.”

[Source - ScienCentralNews]

Duracell recognizing the high battery power needs of digital camera owners today launched a new line of high capacity 2650 mAh NiMH rechargeable cells.

“With digital camera use skyrocketing, high-performing, rechargeable power options are in high demand,” said Dan McCarthy, director of global marketing for Duracell Specialty Products. “Our latest introductions underscore our dedication to the rechargeable category and reinforce our commitment to providing dependable power for every type of digital camera user, whether an avid snap-shooter or an occasional user.”

Duracell(R) Launches New Rechargeable Cells; Introduces Powerful, Higher Capacity 2650 mAh NiMH Rechargeable Cells

BETHEL, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–May 24, 2006–Duracell today announced the latest additions to its rechargeable battery line designed to meet the growing demands of high-drain devices like digital cameras. The new nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, which include 2650 mAh AA and 1000 mAh AAA cells, are arriving on mass market, drug, grocery and electronic store shelves in May 2006.

The new batteries represent some of the highest capacity AA and AAA rechargeable cells available today. Ideal for consumers who frequently use high-drain devices like digital cameras, the 2650 mAh AA and 1000 mAh AAA cells offer both strong performance and value. The introduction builds upon Duracell’s extensive line of rechargeable battery solutions, including the Duracell 15-minute charger, which was introduced earlier this year.

“With digital camera use skyrocketing, high-performing, rechargeable power options are in high demand,” said Dan McCarthy, director of global marketing for Duracell Specialty Products. “Our latest introductions underscore our dedication to the rechargeable category and reinforce our commitment to providing dependable power for every type of digital camera user, whether an avid snap-shooter or an occasional user.”

Duracell’s rechargeable products offer strong value for frequent digital camera users, such as those who use their cameras at least once a week. According to research conducted by Duracell, this group represents just over one-quarter of digital camera users.

Duracell’s rechargeable products are part of a portfolio of power solutions designed to accommodate the habits of every digital camera user. In addition to rechargeable batteries and chargers, the portfolio includes Duracell PowerPix(TM), a new disposable battery designed for moderate users who take from 21 to 80 pictures per month, and Duracell Ultra Digital, a premium alkaline battery for occasional digital camera users who take fewer than 20 pictures per month.

Duracell also introduced an educational digital imaging guide to help digital camera owners find the best battery power solution based on their typical photography habits. A recent survey, conducted by Opinion Research Corporation on behalf of Duracell, found that one-third of digital camera owners need help determining which battery to choose for their digital cameras. Duracell’s new digital imaging guide will appear on product packaging and at select retail outlets.

A 4-pack of Duracell 2650 mAh AA NiMH batteries has a suggested retail price range of $9.99 to $12.99. The Duracell 15-minute charger, which comes with four 2400 mAh AA NiMH batteries, has a suggested retail price range of $27.99 to $39.99.

About P&G

Three billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers(R), Tide(R), Ariel(R), Always(R), Whisper(R), Pantene(R), Mach3(R), Bounty(R), Dawn(R), Pringles(R), Folgers(R), Charmin(R), Downy(R), Lenor(R), Iams(R), Crest(R), Oral-B(R), Actonel(R), Duracell(R), Olay(R), Head & Shoulders(R), Wella, Gillette(R) and Braun. The P&G community consists of almost 140,000 employees working in over 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

All too often when the perfect picture presents itself and you have your trusty digital camera in hand, you guessed it, dead batteries. PC Magazine’s Troy Drier hammered on seven different batteries to see which would emerge as the best all-around power source for your digital camera.

Bottom Line: With better refresh rates and good value, the Panasonic Oxyride was his favorite for digital photography.

Energizer e Lithium – 2,675 shots – Wow!
Panasonic Oxyride – 989 shots
Duracell Ultra – 522 shots
RadioShack Enercell – 374 shots
Duracell Coppertop – 327 shots
Energizer Max – 309 shots
IKEA – 209 shots

Note: The Energizer e Lithium deliver only 1.3 volts, which causes noticeably slower refresh rates. Could be a real hassle if you need to shoot quickly. On the other hand if you’re not, these things can last forever.

Ever go out shopping for batteries for digital camera? Of course you have. Ever wonder if the new generation of batteries that promise extra power actrually deliver? Of course you have.

Wonder no more.

PC Magazine’s Troy Dreir has done a real world test on seven batteries and shows us which ones will provide your digital camera with the kind of power that will bring a smile to your face. Troy took a Kodak EasyShare C360 and loaded it with different batteries and literally shot till there was nothing left.

His results are VERY interesting.

Energizer e Lithium – 2,675 shots – Wow!
Panasonic Oxyride – 989 shots
Duracell Ultra – 522 shots
RadioShack Enercell – 374 shots
Duracell Coppertop – 327 shots
Energizer Max – 309 shots
IKEA – 209 shots

Note: The Energizer e Lithium deliver only 1.3 volts, which causes noticeably slower refresh rates. Could be a real hassle if you need to shoot quickly. On the other hand if you’re not, these things can last forever.

According to Computerworld Magazine Medis Technologies Inc., a U.S./Israeli start-up, is planning to unveil at next month’s Consumer Electronics Show power packs that will be able to power or recharge portable electronics gadgets, like digital cameras.

The power pack is made up of two parts: a disposable fuel cell component and a connector cable. The fuel cell, which measures 80 mm by 50mm by 35mm, will provide the raw power, while the connector cable will interface between it and the gadget being charged. Cables for different gadgets, fitted with the correct charging connector and voltage regulator, will be available, said Michelle Rush, a spokeswoman for the company.

Read the full Computerworld story…

[Medis Technologies Shows Off New Fuel Cells For Digital Cameras At Consumer Electronics Show]

[Medis Website]

Reuters reports today that Canon has developed fuel cells that will hopeful begin to replace conventional batteries in digital cameras in as little as three years.

Canon’s system would be more environmentally friendly because fuel cells that extract hydrogen from methanol emit some carbon dioxide as a byproduct. Fuel cells that use only hydrogen do not.

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s Canon Inc. (7751.T) said on Tuesday it has developed tiny fuel cells that it hopes will start replacing conventional batteries to power some of its digital cameras and printers in three years.

Canon will join a small army of companies, including Toshiba Corp. (6502.T), NEC Corp. (6701.T) and Hitachi Ltd. (6501.T), that are working on the development and commercialization of fuel-cell batteries for the next-generation of consumer electronics.

Fuel-cell technology mixes hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity and is considered a promising replacement for today’s lithium-ion batteries, which are widely used to power a range of mobile products from notebook PCs to mobile phones.

Canon, the world’s top maker of copiers and cameras, is aggressively investing in the development of new products, keen to cultivate new growth drivers as the digital camera market slows and competition in the printer and copier markets heats up.

The move is also in line with its plan to cut procurement costs by bringing more production of key parts in-house. Canon is also developing organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays to replace the liquid crystal displays (LCD) it buys from other firms for use in its cameras and printers.

While most of the development of tiny fuel cells is currently focused on devices that derive hydrogen from methanol, Canon is working on a system that supplies hydrogen directly from a refillable cartridge.

Canon’s system would be more environmentally friendly because fuel cells that extract hydrogen from methanol emit some carbon dioxide as a byproduct. Fuel cells that use only hydrogen do not.

The Tokyo-based company has developed three prototypes. One is relatively large and would likely be used in a compact printer, another is the right size for a digital camera, and the smallest is about 3 cm by 4 cm (1.2 by 1.6 inches) for tinier mobile devices.

Fuel cells promise longer battery life than existing lithium-ion batteries but there are several hurdles on the road to commercialization. Prototypes are typically much larger and makers must establish an easy way to provide consumers with fuel.

Canon has not yet decided on how to sell the product, but would likely refill the hydrogen cartridges at Canon outlets.

Shares of Canon closed Tuesday morning up 1.99 percent at 6,160 yen, roughly in-line with Japan’s precision machinery index (.IPRCS.T), which rose 1.69 percent.

[via New York Times]

Splashpower Announces Wireless Power For Digital Cameras: Splashpower Ltd., Cambridge, United Kingdom, announces the Multi SplashPad and the Single SplashPad, products that offer wireless power for digital cameras and cell phones.

Press Release:

[Splashpower Web site]

Splashpower announces new products to power next generation of mobile devices

Splashpower Ltd, the world leaders in wireless power for portable devices, today announced 2 new products lines, the Multi SplashPad and the Single SplashPad. Demonstrating the scalability of Splashpower’s patented Paraflux technology, this product range opens up the promise of wireless power to an ever greater range of applications. Splashpower has the only technology platform to deliver interoperable and universal wireless charging to the market, and is focussed on solving the power dilemma for the latest power-hungry mobile devices.

The following products will be shown to the public in a world premiere at the CEATEC consumer electronics show in Tokyo, Japan from 4-8 October, 2005.

Multi SplashPad: This flagship product lets users power multiple devices simultaneously simply by placing them on the pad surface. Mobile phones, PDAs, MP3 players and digital cameras can all be powered without the need to plug in to a charger, and in no extra time.

Single SplashPad: This entry-level product will power one device at a time and is universal so will work with a range of different devices. It is slim, light and portable, and serves as a perfect entry point for OEMs who want to provide a complete solution right out of the box to consumers.

Receiver modules: Splashpower has developed receiver modules so that manufacturers can integrate wireless power capability directly into their mobile products.

Mobile Accessories: These add-on accessories enable existing mobile devices to be powered by a SplashPad. A range of accessories for popular devices such as NTT DoCoMo’s FOMA 3G phones and the Apple iPod will be demonstrated at the show.

Lily Cheng, Co-Founder and CEO said, “Our focus is on humanizing technology. The new generation of consumers are looking for a richer experience but with less complexity. The new generation of consumers care about design and lifestyle. Technology is like cosmetics – the less visible, the better. This product debut at CEATEC is our first step towards delivering this promise.”

“Consumers do not want to use power hungry features on mobiles because they shorten battery life. This is a major constraint. The industry is putting a lot of resource into improving battery chemistries and improving power consumption but charging is often neglected. Charging is an essential and inevitable part of the power equation. It is an essential part of the user experience and needs to be considered as a part of the solution.”

Also at CEATEC, Lily will be making a presentation together with the former President of Sony Europe and Splashpower board director Michiaki Tsurumi. Ms Cheng and Mr Tsurumi’s presentation, entitled “Wireless power – the future for mobile charging”, will take place from 11am-12 noon on Thursday 6th October at the Digital Network Stage Conference Room.

Already the company has signed a number of leading mobile phone and camera companies in early access agreements. Working with the manufacturers of these devices, Splashpower will remove the last wire in mobile devices – the power cord – enabling for the first time, truly wireless devices.

Images of the products and further information are available on the Splashpower website at www.splashpower.com

About Splashpower

Splashpower Ltd is a dynamic company focussed on delivering ultimate personal convenience to users of portable mobile devices. The company has developed a radically new and hassle-free way of powering mobile devices without wires, contacts or connectors. It enables devices to be conveniently powered from charging pads or hotspots without the need to physically plug them into their individual device-specific chargers. Users simply place an enabled device onto a SplashPad and power up.

Splashpower’s multiple patented Paraflux technology has received rave reviews in the international media including CNN prime time news, Nikkei Shimbun, Financial Times, Frost & Sullivan and BBC. The company was awarded a Red Herring Top 100 Global Innovators Award in 2004, a Red Herring Top 100 Europe Private Tech Company in 2005, was selected by Tornado Insider as one of the Top 100 Best Performing Companies of 2004, and is currently a finalist for the Saatchi & Saatchi Award for World Changing Ideas.