Though we’ve seen Mipow’s Power Tube batteries in the past, the company’s new Power Tube 3000 ($50) is a much smarter pack than its predecessors. The small 3000 mAh standalone battery comes with both an embedded USB connector and a short attached Lightning cable, so no extra cables are needed. Most notably, Power Tube 3000 works with Mipow’s JuiceSync app, which provides real-time information about the battery. Power Tube 3000 is available in a variety of colors, and the battery comes with a carrying pouch.
While Power Tube 3000 doesn’t have a high capacity or super-fast charging (both input and output are 1A max), the JuiceSync app might be reason enough for some users to have interest. The app shows current battery life on the Power Tube 3000, and allows for a number of alerts, including alerts for temperature and an “away” alert to notify users if the battery has been left behind. The most useful alert may be Power Tube’s battery alert — users can set the app to inform them when Power Tube 3000 is at 10, 20, or 30 percent remaining battery life. These added smart features, along with Power Tube 3000’s lipstick-sized compact form, are the most enticing elements of Mipow’s latest battery.
