The official blog for Duracell Direct, product launches, hot deals and fun stuff

JVC PICSIO Purple Passion

This must be one of the smallest Full 1080p HD camcorders.  The pocket sized JVC PICSIO is able to record full HD videos and 8 mega pixel still images.

JVC PICSIO Blue Steel

Available in Black Ice, Blue Steel or Purple Passion.  The PICSIO has a Digital Image Stabilizer and a 4X Digital zoom.  It can take both SD and SDHC flash memory cards.  However, it is recommended to use Class 4or higher SDHC memory card to record videos.

You can connect the PICSIO to a HDTV or monitor using the Mini HDMI out port and either charge it or connect to a computer using the USB port.  According to JVC the PICSIO has an operation time of 96 minutes on a single charge.

Videos are stored as .mov files and is compatible with iTunes and YouTube.  It has a very easy YouTube upload process called One Touch Upload.  The video files don’t need to be converted prior to upload to YouTube or to view it on your iPhone or iPod.

The JVC PICSIO is very simple to use and doesn’t even have any confusing menus.

Convenient USB charging on the PICSIO means that you can use variety of ways to charge it when on the move or away from a computer.  The Instant Power Charger, which is a handy external battery pack or the USB In-Car Power Charger to charge using a car’s 12V socket.  Get hours more fun, than just 96 minutes.

JVC PICSIO Black Ice

An awesome video of millions of Duracell Bunnies forming a Twister and then morphing into different things including a Sumo wrestler.

The power of all those Duracell Bunnies in a Duracell Ultra battery!

Watch more videos like this on our Duracell Direct YouTube channel.

LG Chocolate BL20

LG today announced it’s second new Chocolate phone, the BL20.  Closely following in the heels of the BL40 launched earlier this month.

Ultra stylish, slim design with a sliding keypad is due to be launched later on in the year and should be available through O2.  The slim casing measuring just 12.3mm in depth, packs a 5-mega pixel camera with auto focus and flash!

The mobile phone also boasts lots of other features like hidden navigation keys, widget hot keys, side touch control and clear memo capture.  This is a new feature which allows you to capture text, handwritten notes and diagrams with maximum clarity using the camera.  Could be very handy to scan that shopping list or send your mate a note that you scribbled down.

The Chocolate phone can accept external memory in the form of MicroSD flash memory cards up to 16GB.  That’s a lot of MP3s, Photos and Videos.

The phone should be available just in time for Christmas!

Don’t forget to register your competition entries to our blog launch competition.

If you have just stumbled across our blog for the first time, read more about the competition and see what you can win.

Good Luck!

Hot deals from Duracell Direct

Check out latest hot deals on batteries, chargers, flash memory cards and USB flash memory drives.

Duracell Ultra Bunny in Action

Duracell bunny running around town, leaping between buildings and never running out of power.

This bunny powered by Duracell Ultra batteries.

Watch more videos like this on our Duracell Direct YouTube channel.

Duracell Energy Drink

You’ve got to love the look of this new energy drink aimed at making you last longer, much longer!

Designed like a Duracell coppertop battery, this distinctive looking can of energy drink aims to turn you into the Duracell bunny. Sadly it’s not a real Duracell product, but the idea is great.

Duracell have a range of battery chargers, which can recharge NiMH rechargeable batteries like the Active Charge, pre-charged, cells.  These were featured in previous posts.

However, did you know that Duracell have three different types of rechargeable batteries?

The Standard, Supreme and the Active Charge rechargeable batteries.

The Standard rechargeable batteries are ideal for low drain devices like television/dvd remote controls, portable radios, laser pointers and other everyday devices.  These rechargeable batteries can handle up to 1000 charges.  It offers value performance for the devices used most.

The Supreme rechargeable batteries are ideal for high drain devices like digital cameras, remote controlled cars, 2-way radios, CD/MP3 players etc.  These batteries can be recharged 100′s of times.

The Active Charge rechargeable batteries are supplied ready charged and stay charged longer.  These rechargeable batteries can be charged 100′s of times and are best for high drain devices.

Get the most out of your devices by using Duracell rechargeable batteries.

Duracell Bunny Torch

Don’t forget about our blog launch competition.  Help spread the word for your chance to win.

We are giving away loads of Duracell products and Remote Control Helicopters.  These helicopters really do fly!

Duracell Products:

The iconic Duracell Bunny Torch which also doubles up as a table light

Duracell Durabeam Torch,  reliable and strong with Xenon bulb.  Comes with a mountable/adjustable bracket

Duracell 1GB SD Flash Memory cards

Pack of 4 AA size Duracell Rechargeable Batteries

Duracell USB Car Chargers, ideal for charging iPods, MP3 players, Mobile Phones and many other devices

Visit www.duracelldirect.co.uk/competition for more information.

Battery powered toy trucks battling it out.

Only one toy truck survives.

Another classic Duracell advert from the 80′s.

To celebrate the launch of the DuracellDirect Blog and help spread the word, we’re giving away Duracell Bunny Torches, Duracell SD Memory Cards, Duracell USB/iPod Car Chargers, Packs of Duracell Rechargeable AA Batteries, Remote Control Helicopters and Duracell DuraBeam Torches.

For your chance to win, all you have to do is post a link to our site on your own blog or web site, or join us on your favourite social site!

Visit www.duracelldirect.co.uk/competition for more information.

Duracell Battery Powered Car Splashes Water

Duracell Battery Powered Car Dents Metal Pole

Can you imagine these two little battery powered cars causing so much damage?

Only if you use Duracell batteries.

Duracell alkaline batteries delivering “Pure Power”

Digital Cameras

Ever been in a situation where you wanted to take that once in a lifetime shot.  You have your camera ready, press the button and nothing happens.  Taking a closer look at the camera, you spot the flashing warning, dead battery.  Frustration and anger, nearly results in hurling the camera into oblivion.

Digital cameras are packed with a myriad of features, everything from Image Stabilisation to Facial Recognition.  Inevitably these features and the way the camera is used drains the battery.  Battery technology has greatly improved over the years and many modern digital cameras are powered by Lithium Ion batteries.  Taking photos consume battery life and here are some tips that may help to extend your digital camera battery’s life:

The LCD screen is one of the biggest culprit to drain the camera battery.  If your camera has a viewfinder, use it even if it is awkward to compose your masterpiece.

Avoid reviewing your images for prolonged periods of time.  Using the LCD screen for long periods of time consumes a lot of battery life.

Reduce the brightness of the LCD screen.  A lower brightness would consume much less battery power.  You will be surprised that pictures will be still viewable even at a lower setting.

Set the image preview time on your camera to the lowest time possible.  As the picture is shown on the LCD screen for a very short time it will consume less battery life.

If your camera has a continuous focus, avoid using this feature un-necessarily or for prolonged periods.  Continuous focus is best suited when there is a lot of movement like in sporting events.  This feature constantly uses the motors and electronics, consuming a lot of battery power.

Duracell DRC511 Digital Camera Battery

Do you have a habit of pressing the shutter button half-way, a lot? If the answer is yes, then this also consumes battery life.  Each time the button is pressed half-way the camera resets and refocuses, in a way it is similar to continuous focus.  It prepares the camera, ready for the picture to be taken.

Use flash sparingly.  The “David Bailey” in you might be saying, “no, a fill in flash would be required to accentuate those features”.  Less use of the flash would give you more battery life.  If you are using an external flash gun/unit, then you may skip this point.

Set your camera’s power save feature to the lowest time possible.  This puts the camera in a sleep mode when not in use.  This feature does not switch off the camera completely and it helps to conserve battery life.

Look after your digital camera battery.  Keep it charged.  Keep the battery’s terminals/contacts away from other metallic objects, to avoid discharge and more importantly short circuiting the battery.  Use the correct type of battery as recommended by the camera manufacturer.  Avoid using batteries that appear damaged or has any signs of leakage.  Keep the batteries clean especially the terminals/contacts.

Always keep a spare battery, especially when travelling.

If your camera is powered by AA or AAA size batteries, check whether they accept NiMH rechargeable batteries or the commonly used Alkaline batteries.  NiMH rechargeble batteries like the Duracell NiMH rechargeable or the Duracell Active Charge batteries are very economical.  They can be recharged unlike the Alkaline batteries.

This is not a comprehensive list of tips to extend your battery life, but it should certainly contribute towards a longer battery life.  Happy snapping!

Duracell DRC4L Digital Camera Battery

The Duracell Bunnies took part with great success in the FIFA World Cup 2006 held in Germany.  Powered by coppertop batteries the Duracell Bunnies team outlasted and outplayed all the other teams, lifting the prestigious trophy.

No, it was not Italy.  They are not powered by coppertop Duracell batteries.

Nintendo DS Lite

Nintendo announced in March 2009 that the DS, DSi and the DS Lite systems achieved a combined total sales of 100 million.  According to Kotaku.com, the Nintendo DS systems are still leading sales in August in the US with over half a million units.

Nintendo DS

For a small device, these hand-held consoles, are packed with features.  The Nintendo DS has built in WiFi, dual screens and touch screen technology .  The Nintendo DSi has a built in camera and a microphone, allowing you take photos and record sounds.  The Nintendo DS Lite is a smaller, sleeker version of the DS and is also available in a multitude of stylish colours.

Seeing someone fighting their way through “Age of Empires” or “GTA: Chinatown Wars” on their Nintendo DS, DSi or DS Lite is common enough on a train, plane or just when they’re out and bored. But all games from “Brain Age”, “Professor Layton and Pandora’s Box” to the forthcoming “G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra” suffer the same annoying pain… Everyone hates having to saving the game and stop playing at a crucial moment because the battery is deadder than a Bond villain.

Do you want uninterrupted game play, and don’t want to carry around the power adapter? The Duracell PowerSource Mini or the Duracell Mobile Charger would be ideal accessories and can charge any of the Nintendo DS systems through the mini-USB port. Both of these Duracell products can charge a wide range of devices that can be powered through the USB like, iPods, MP3 players, Mobile Phones and PDAs.

And get even more game time on the Nintendo DS with the Duracell PowerSource Mini external battery pack.

Yes, that’s right coppertop Duracell batteries have been spotted powering Buses, Vans and even Tuk-tuks.  These batteries are much larger than those used in a torch or a remote control.

Duracell Battery Powered Bus

Duracell Battery Powered Van

Duracell Battery Powered Tuk-Tuk

Will it be battery powered cars or planes, next?  We will just have to wait and see.

Source:  Design Things-TURBOW

Iconic Duracell Bunny

As featured in the August 2009 issue of Get Connected magazine, Duracell sets a record by achieving the highest brand share in the alkaline battery market.  Duracell accounted for 55.9% of all alkaline batteries sold in and around May 2009 according to IRI/MEMRB (Market Research).

In this climate where spending and budgets are reigned in, consumers are looking for brands that can offer both performance and value rather than just the price.  Duracell is the world’s number one battery brand.  The coppertop alkaline batteries are instantly recognisable and with the  iconic Duracell Bunny, well, Duracell just keeps going…

We all know that Duracell batteries are in-dispensable, used in devices everyday around the home and in the office.  It seems, the coppertops are now powering even escalators.

Cleverly placed stickers of Duracell Alkaline batteries powering escalators and even part of a city.

Duracell Battery Powering Escalator

Duracell Batteries

So, what else will be powered by Duracell Alkaline batteries?

Watch this space for answers…

Source:  Web Designer Help

Duracell battery commercial from 1988 that was aired in the UK and Ireland.

Duracell coppertop battery lasts longer than the competition.  The only camera to capture the final image of the hatching egg.

Watch more videos like this on our Duracell Direct YouTube channel

Duracell Battery Chargers & Rechargeable Batteries

Use one of the Duracell Battery Chargers to recharge your NiMH rechargeable batteries.  Duracell have a wide range of battery chargers like Multi Charger, Value Charger, 1 Hour Charger, Mobile Charger and even a 15 Minute Charger.

The Multi Charger covers the whole range of batteries from AAA to 9V size and can charge multiple sizes at once.  It can also charge multiple cells at the same time.  8 AA cells, 8 AAA cells, 4 C Size cells, 4 D Size cells and 1 9V cell.  LED indicators show batteries charging and completed charge.  Batteries are not included with this particular product.

The 1 Hour Charger and the Value Charger, charges both AA and AAA size batteries.  These chargers are also supplied with rechargeable AA size NiMH cells.  Approximate charging time for the Value Charger is about 6 hours.  However, this varies with brand and capacity of battery.  The LED indicators on these chargers show when the battery is charging, battery has completed charge and when there is an abnormal battery or abnormal temperature.

The Mobile Charger can be used to charge AA size rechargeable batteries and has the capability to charge devices through the USB port.  Fully charged cells have to be inserted to use this feature.  iPods, MP3 Players, Mobile Phones, PDAs and many other mobile devices can be charged through USB.  You will need to consult your device manufacturer for USB compatibility details.  This charger comes supplied with 4 Duracell AA Active Charge NiMH cells.

All of these chargers are designed to work with rechargeable NiMH cells.

The Duracell Active Charge batteries, available in AA and AAA sizes, are pre-charged.  They come ready charged and can be used immediately.

Duracell Active Charge Rechargeable Batteries

Rechargeable batteries self-discharge even when not in use.  The Duracell Active Charge batteries have a low self-discharge so it stays charged longer than standard rechargeable batteries.

Duracell Active Charge cells are actually NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) cells.  These Active Charge NiMH cells are greatly improved from the standard NiMH cells.  If you have not tried NiMH cells or dissatisfied with the NiMH experience then certainly try the Active Charge NiMH cells.

These rechargeable Active Charge NiMH cells can be charged using any of the Duracell NiMH battery chargers.  No other special chargers required.

An interesting behind the scenes video of the creation of a giant Duracell Bunny.

At 40ft tall it is one of the tallest Duracell Bunnies ever.

Watch more videos like this on our Duracell Direct YouTube channel.

That’s right, no more cumbersome cables and wires to charge your various mobile devices.  The myGrid wireless charger from Duracell’s SmartPower initiative does just that, it eliminates the need for cables.  Simple to use, plug in the myGrid charging pad, attach a PowerClip to your device or place your device in a PowerSleeve and then place it on the charging pad.

The myGrid wireless charger is compatible with Apple iPod Touch, iPhone, BlackBerry, Motorola, Nokia mobile phones, MP3 players and other mobile devices.

Duracell myGrid charger is due to be released in the US in October.

Duracell myGrid Wireless Charger

Until the myGrid wireless charger is released in the UK, Duracell have plenty of other mobile charging solutions like the Pocket Charger, Instant Power Charger and the PowerSource Mini.

Watch this space for UK launch of myGrid wireless charger.