Although the Apple Watch doesn't go on sale until April 24, accessories for the device are already popping up. Unsurprisingly, most of them are charging devices aimed at tackling the short battery life problem that critics have suggested could be the curse of the Apple Watch.
The Nomad Pod is a portable charging device that fits in your pocket and should ensure that the screen on your new smartwatch never dies.
Most of the charging devices already available are in the form of stylish stands designed to sit on your bedside table. These devices from DODOcase as well as Nomad's own stand look great, but apart from aesthetics, they don't offer anything more than the charger that comes with the watch. The Pod, however could be genuinely useful in providing the ability to charge on the move.
The Pod claims to offer four extra days of charge for the Apple Watch. The device weighs just 80 grams (2.8 oz.) and is roughly the size of an ice hockey puck. It packs an 1800 mAh lithium polymer battery that is enough to fully charge the Apple Watch four times, which, in theory, should give you four days of use. To charge, you simply need to place the watch on top of the Pod. Alternatively, wrapped inside the Pod is a USB cable that can be used to charge other devices as well, using micro or regular USB connections.
However, Nomad doesn't say how long it will take to charge the device. The problem with the Pod is that you still need to take the watch off to charge it. The whole idea of a watch is that it's on your wrist and saves you from having to reach for your phone. So when it's charging, it is essentially useless. The product's selling point is convenience, and taking your watch off to charge it just isn't convenient.
Having said that, if you're out and about without access to a charger, the Pod could come in handy, and for $60, it's easy to envision many Apple fans snapping them up. The Pod is available in space gray, silver and matte black plastic and will be shipping from June 15. If you can't wait that long, the Stand, also priced at $60, will be out on April 30 and the DODOcase stand ($69.95) ships on April 24.
