Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: “I was on the road and my phone’s battery died”. Oh, you have heard that one before; then you have probably seen a lot of news and reviews on backup batteries as well. So why am I doing another one? The simple answer is that the JUMP, a Kickstarter project from Native Union, is actually a little different. The JUMP is actually two devices in one; it is a backup battery for your phone, but it is also a charging cable. In a world where size, weight, and functionality matter, the JUMP may be the new standard-bearer. With a size of 1.96″ x 1.96″ x .53″, weighing a mere 1.4 ounces, and having a 19″ overall cable length, the JUMP is ready to ride in your pocket, purse, or bag. The JUMP uses AutoCharge to allow the battery/charger cable to prioritize the charging needs when it is used; basically that means that your phone will charge first and then the battery pack will charge when plugged in. The 800mAh battery pack will not fully charge your phone, but will give you up to 3 hours and 50 minutes of additional talk time when needed. The charging cables for the JUMP are another nice well thought out design. Available in either a Lightning connector or a microUSB connector to fit most phone types, the permanently attached cord is designed to be wrapped around the JUMP and the ends stored into cutouts on the top and bottom of the JUMP. The USB connector on the non-phone plug side also allows you to sync your device to your computer. There are several funding options for this project, with a $40 pledge getting you either a Lightning or a microUSB version. The project is seeking funding until February 12, 2014, and if successful, will start shipping in the May 2014 time frame.
