One of the high points during the past CES was the FuelTank Uno. If you own a phone without a replaceable battery or travel you really should buy one. I got the review unit a week before CES, so I decided to test during what can be the most stressful time for me and my pocket devices, like my cell phone and iPod touch. The FuelTank Uno passed with flying colors.
What is it?
The Fueltank Uno is basically a rechargeable lithium ion battery which has more than 4 times the capacity of a standard mobile phone. You can safely charge smaller portable electronic devices multiple times without the use of an outlet. So most PDAs, MP3 players, GPS units, and phones work with it. You cannot use to change something large like a laptop. Callpod claims it can charge up to 3,000 different mobile devices.
To use it, just plug the device adapter into your device and then plug the other end into the UNO. You will see a blue LED come on the UNO and the changing indicator will activate on your device just like it does when you use it dedicated changer.
LED capacity indicator
It has smart voltage regulation and current control for safe and optimal charging, so it won’t damage your devices. A back-lit LED capacity indicator displays the battery life left in the tank.
A small wall power adapter is used to charged the Fueltank Uno on the opposite end of the device where you plug in the proprietary device adapter to change your device. CallPod came up with a great user design by making sure the plugs on the FuelTank Uno are different size, so you cannot plug device adapter into the plug which is for the power adapter and vis-a-vis. In another huge plus, Callpod has done something I wish more CE manufactures would do- They put their name on the power adapter! While the Fuel Tank has won a spot in my daily work bag, it is so nice to be able to see a power adapter and know what it is for just by looking at it.
In Field of Battle
Laura and I tested the product during CES with G1 and MyTouch cell phones, iPod touch and nano. The review came with Mini-USB adapter, which we used with the MyTouch and G1, and Phone/iPod Direct Connect adapter. There is also a coupon in the box for another adapter which you can order for free from Callpod. CES is so large the cell networks in Las Vegas get overloaded, that means weak signals, so your battery does not last as long as it does normally. In the past that might mean I would be out of contact by the end of each day since finding a power plug to recharge your phone is just not practical and would take you away from working the floor.
The Uno is small and light at 3.5 oz, so you can just put in your pocket or small hand bag and it solved that issue for me. Unlike an iPhone, the MyTouch does have user changeable battery. But in these days of flying, why carry a ton of different replaceable batteries for your different devices when you can just pack the UNO. Plus it means you only have to recharge the UNO at the end of day to have a “fresh battery” for all your devices at the ready.
The only real fault I had with the UNO is the length of the device adapters. If they were a little longer, it would make it easier to fold over to hold both your device and UNO in your hand while recharging on the go.
What’s Included
PROS: Easy to Use, recharges your devices very fast, supports many devices
CONS: Longer cords for the device adapters would be nice
Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars 
