mobilephone | Grease n Gasoline

Whether faced with a dead battery or an unexpected emergency, you’ve likely found yourself without access to a phone. It leaves you feeling helpless and even vulnerable. The makers of SpareOne phone seek to prevent similar situations in the future — or, at least, for the next 15 years.

The SpareOne phone ~ Lasts 15 Years on 1 AA Battery

Debuted at CES 2012, The SpareOne phone runs on a single AA battery, which can last up to 15 years or through 10 hours of talk time. The phone features straightforward, no-frills technology that allows you to make and receive calls from its simple, lightweight device.

SpareOne and XPAL Power (the portable power company behind SpareOne’s simple battery system) suggest using the phone for emergencies, such as natural disasters or roadside predicaments. But beyond that, SpareOne is great for planned activities that operate on tenuous communication means, such as backpacking or traveling overseas. You can even give one to the kids when they wander off at the mall.

How It Works

The SpareOne phone ~ Lasts 15 Years on 1 AA Battery

The phone’s designer, Alan Cymberknoh, uses his phone every day around 5 p.m., when his iPhone‘s battery goes dead. “I keep receiving and making calls on my SpareOne,” he says. “I have pre-set my important numbers on it — home, office, family — so when people call me, I pick up on my SpareOne.”

You’ll notice, however, that SpareOne doesn’t have a screen — that’s one of the reasons it can subsist on so little battery power. Users must instead memorize or program up to 10 numbers into the phone, and note them on the attached sticker. Some people actually welcome the return to more analog technology, says Jeniece Aragon, SpareOne’s marketing manager. Elderly people “appreciate the simplicity — [it] reminds them of how a phone ‘should be,’ and was,” she says.

On the other hand, SpareOne still requires a SIM card for most outgoing calls. You may choose to either use the SIM card from your main phone or request a copy SIM card from your carrier for a small monthly fee. If you’re traveling, you can buy a pre-paid SIM card — but keep in mind that it would have an entirely separate phone number. SpareOne even accounts for smartphones with Micro SIM cards, like the iPhone: Attached to the SpareOne phone is a pin that helps eject the Micro SIM door. Finally, if you find yourself in a situation with no SIM card whatsoever, you may still press the red button to reach emergency services.

Endless Places, Endless Possibilities

Via Mashable