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Get a LithiumCard mobile charger for $34.99 shipped

Who says pocket batteries can't be sexy? This card-size charger normally sells for $55. Plus: two bonus deals!

Rick Broida Senior Editor
Rick Broida is the author of numerous books and thousands of reviews, features and blog posts. He writes CNET's popular Cheapskate blog and co-hosts Protocol 1: A Travelers Podcast (about the TV show Travelers). He lives in Michigan, where he previously owned two escape rooms (chronicled in the ebook "I Was a Middle-Aged Zombie").
Rick Broida
3 min read

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LinearFlux

During my recent trip to Chicago, when I spent a lot more time out in the world (and away from power outlets) than usual, I realized I'm ill-prepared for those times when my phone battery gets low -- or runs out altogether.

Indeed, for those of us who rely heavily on our phones (read: everyone), it's critical to keep some emergency power on hand. But who wants to pocket a bulky mobile charger?

No need: For a limited time, StackSocial has the LithiumCard HyperCharger power bank for $34.99 shipped. That's after applying coupon code lithium-five at checkout. This was already a solid deal at $39.99, as the product normally sells for $55.

The HyperCharger comes in two flavors: Lightning and Micro-USB. Whichever one you choose, you'll get a card-size battery pack with connectors that stow inside the unit when not in use. That solves one of my biggest gripes about mobile chargers: cables.

At 5.5 millimeters thick, I can't say the gizmo really fits inside a wallet -- but in a pocket? You'll barely know it's there. And I like the included NanoStik pad, which lets the card ride piggyback on your phone but can easily be removed.

What's more, if there's such a thing as a sexy charger, this is it. The LithiumCard is modeled in black and silver, and what you can't see in photos is the cool Cylon-style LED strip in the center that glows when it's charging.

Oh, right, the really important part: It has a 1,200mAh battery, two or three times what I've seen in similar card-size chargers. That may not fully recharge your phone, but it will give you ample extra power to make some calls, send some texts, and polish off more Leo's Fortune levels.

I tested one of these during its Indiegogo phase earlier this year, and came away mighty impressed. Grab one of these for yourself or, keeping in mind the holidays aren't far off, someone you love. The coupon code is good through Friday.

Bonus deal: Windows Explorer has improved over the years, but in many ways it's still the same old awkward, confusing, limited file manager. Fortunately, there are alternatives, and one of the most popular is free today from Giveaway of the Day: XYplorer Pro. Normally $29.95, this tabbed file manager offers a customizable interface (including a dual-pane view), lots of preview options, and automation for various tasks. Plus, it's portable, so you can run it from a flash drive. To get it, click through, then be sure to click only the "Download XYplorer 14.40 now" link (located in roughly the center of the page). Unzip the file, open the readme, then follow the installation/activation instructions.

Bonus deal No. 2: Tablet Tuesday! In case you missed it yesterday, E Fun just announced the Nextbook 7-inch quad-core Android tablet. Price at Walmart: $79. Though I can't vouch for screen quality or battery life, the specs look awfully good on paper: 16GB of expandable storage, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, and even Android 4.4 (KitKat). This kind of redefines what you should expect from an entry-level tablet, if you ask me.