[Community member Portable Nerd brings us a creative and pretty-awesome-looking solution to the 3DS's poor battery life, and just in time for the portable's launch! Wondering why you're seeing this on the front page? Go here for the answer. -- Kauza]
Today, folks, (or Tue. for us Amazon pre-orders). That's when the 3DS comes to the masses. It's now a commonly known fact that the 3DS battery life is quite a bit shorter than that of the DS. Unfortunate but not entirely unexpected nor unable to be worked around. There are many tips out there currently about how to increase your play time and decrease your charge time. Keeping the 3DS on the charging cradle between use is one. Turning down the brightness setting and not using 3D all the time is another. But, what about a gadget that would help to charge your 3DS while you used it on the go without turning it into a portable system that's about the size of the Atari Lynx?
Enter the Universal Gadget Wrist Charger! Otherwise known as the "Bracer of Battery Life +2," this handy little thing contains a 1,500mAh 5.5V rechargeable lithium ion battery that charges via the USB port on your PC and weighs about 82 grams. It has a LED power level indicator and an on/off switch. Sound like your kind of gadget? More details follow.
It also comes with nine different adapters and can charge a whole list of your favorite goodies like:
iPhone
Nokia II (2mm)
Nokia I (3.5mm)
Mini USB (for Motorola/HTC/Dopod/MP3/MP4)
LG
Samsung i900
Sony Ericsson
Sony PSP
NDS Lite
Nintendo DSi
Yes, I do realize that the 3DS is not listed, but the 3DS uses the same charger that the DSi and DSi XL uses so the bracer should have no trouble in charging the 3DS. Now, as to what sort of time extension this will provide I do not know, but it's an option that I'm sure quite a few people will be at least mildly interested in. I plan on putting an order in for one and trying it out myself, just to see what sort of results I get. Of course, not having to worry about extending the battery life would be the best option but it doesn't look like that's going to be realistic anytime soon.
Contest:
6:00 PM on 03.27.2011 | 
I don't plan on lugging around multiple devices to game on, so my future 3DS will be charging at home just fine.
Must get...
But it's a brand new system. A normal DS couldn't run SSFIV this well.
Well damn, I got on the front page? Many thanks to the fine Dtoid powers that be. I am both humbled and flattered.
you sir, have obviously fooled these masses.
http://www.amazon.com/3DS-Rechargeable-Battery-Pack-Nintendo/dp/B004TPVHQ8/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1301271758&sr=8-9
(That is, if this battery works as they claims)
Unfortunately, it's fucking HUGE and unsightly in person.
@ MathewRD - It's not so much that it hasn't been around for awhile, it's that something like this hasn't really been needed for the DS and DSi.
@ Davoidbot - Unfortunately, as much as that would be fantastic. If you notice, that battery is listed at 1300mAH. That's the same rating as the stock 3DS battery. Meaning, their "20 hours" is probably referring to the 3DS being in sleep mode. The packaging says 1800mAH, now if that turns out to be true then it should add some time but the battery itself says 1300. Someone get it and find out.
I never tested it on the DSiXL as far as longevity. It is not too uncomfortable or ugly. Thing Geek rocks!
Portable Nerd,
i don't know if you are advertising for think geek, but if not, you should be. hell, its not lie it would be out of place here when we got front page stories that do nothing but either build hype and/or advertise dynasty warriors xx. so i do hope someone is getting paid for the advertising.
no offense, i just call it how i see it.
I just called Hyprekin's customer service: (626) 571-5100
They said that it is the same as the battery that comes with the system and that it is not higher capacity. Please feel free to call and confirm for yourselves.
The device you're charging DOES include a clock, so why have one on the wrist charger, too?