The camera flash on a smartphone doubles as a helpful flashlight for those who need to find something in the dark, although that "flashlight" is too strong and harsh on the eyes to be used for anything else other than a flash.
That is, of course, unless you own a silicon Travelamp light diffuser designed to soften the light from the camera flash into a comfortable lamp.
"Your phone's flashlight can only shine so bright," says Fred & Friends, the company selling the device on its website. "If you want to both capture and soften the light to read or create a mood, try Travelamp. Simply slip it over your smartphone's flashlight and relax under its warm glow. Travelamp is made of soft, durable silicone and fits most small- to midsized smartphones."
Because the Travelamp is small, lightweight and flexible – 2.09"(w) x 2.32"(h) x 3.66"(d) – it can easily be made to fit in the corner of any suitcase. It's extremely easy to fit onto any smartphone, simply sliding onto the device, and is even easier to pull off in the case of a phone call or at the end of the night. It only costs $8 and will be available to buyers in October, although those seriously interested in the product can preorder it now.
Of course, as great as the Travelamp might be, that does not take away from the fact that the light on a smartphone can be a major power hog if left on for too long. For those who charge their smartphone at night, however, this shouldn't be a problem, and the use of the flash shouldn't take up more power than the device is gaining during charging.
Buying add-ons for the smartphone has been somewhat of a trend since smartphones rose to prominence, especially when it comes to the camera. There are a number of camera lenses that connect to smartphones, such as the Olympus Air A01, which connects through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and allows the user to take far better photos than they would be able to take through the built-in camera. Some of these lenses even strap on to the smartphone in the same way that this lamp does.
Of course, there are other ways to diffuse the light on a smartphone, although they might not be as elegant as the Travelamp. For photography, smartphones often have far too bright of a flash. If that is the case, the user can simply put a piece of transparent tape over the camera flash to soften the light.
