Panasonic claims double battery life with new Oxyride cells
Panasonic Oxyride batteries
The product: Panasonic demonstrated new AA-size batteries that it says will last 50 percent longer than standard alkaline cells. The Oxyride Extreme Power batteries, which deliver 0.1 volt more power, target users of high-drain digital gear such as digital cameras and portable audio players.

In independent lab testing, new AA-size Oxyride cells lasted twice as long as alkaline cells, according to Panasonic. That means the batteries will yield three times as many snapshots with a digital camera, with a shorter flash recovery time, according to Panasonic. The company also says Oxyride should deliver up to 50 percent more juice on power-hungry tech devices such as portable audio players.

Panasonic, which developed the Oxyride technology, also plans to market AAA versions of the cells. The batteries will hit the market this spring.

The Oxyride technology:

• The Oxyride battery uses newly adopted cathode materials (Oxy nickel hydroxide and manganese dioxide and graphite).
• Increased materials and a controlled mixing ratio deliver higher voltage and current.
• A new vacuum pouring technology enables the quantity of electrolyte in the battery to be increased, resulting in higher durability.

The price: $3.99 for a four-pack of AA or AAA batteries.

The prospects: You can get alkaline batteries at a better price, but when the juice really counts--on vacations, for instance--the Oxyride batteries might prove valuable for users of digital cameras powered by AA or AAA batteries.

By Rik Fairlie, editor, Computer Shopper