Thanks to the Orange Power Pump, created by GotWind, you don’t have to worry when you realize your cell phone is low on battery and there's no convenient place to give it a boost. Designed to be used with all standard camping style foot powered air pumps, you will soon be able to give your phone the juice it needs from anywhere in the world. One minute of pumping will generate enough energy for a five minute call. Whether you’re on an extended camping trip or just don’t feel like paying your electric bill (though I wouldn’t recommend that) this eco-friendly gadget should keep you connected and even provide a little exercise.

I understand that when some people travel they have to be in touch with the office. Others have family members that just won’t let go. Personally, when I travel, I look forward to the fact that I can disconnect from the rest of the world and gain a little peace of mind. That being said, emergencies happen and it’s definitely reassuring to know that home is just a phone call away. No matter how remote you are, how close to the edge of the earth you think you’ve come, there’s a chance you’ll have decent cell service.

I was recently in Iceland and the iPhone had five service bars everywhere. If you’re not familiar with Iceland, there are only three hundred thousand people in a country about the size of Kentucky, most of whom live in the vicinity of Reykjavik, the capital, and for whatever reason, I got better coverage in the-middle-of-nowhere (literally) than outside my apartment on the Upper East Side of New York City. Still, battery life doesn’t grow on trees—which they don’t even really have in Iceland, I’m serious—and charging a phone can be a bit more of burden then it tends to be here in Manhattan. The Power Pump is set to be released sometime in June. I look forward to finding out if it’s actually as good a product as it looks.

You can check it out at http://www.gotwind.org/orange_power_pump.htm . GotWind also makes a Dance Charger that straps onto your arm. But I’m not much of a dancer, I’d rather just tap—or pump—my feet.

By Steven Rose