Pocket flask carries lots of juice

PowerFlask portable battery charger
$89.95 at Digitaltreasures.com

Here's a pocketful of power for you. Designed to resemble an old-school hip flask for carrying liquor, it's really a beefy rechargeable battery pack capable of charging your cell phone or tablet computer for hours of extra use.

The PowerFlask comes with an AC adapter for charging its own battery. It's a big one, and so fully charging it takes about half a day. The PowerFlask includes a circuit to prevent overcharging, so you can just leave it plugged in so it's ready to go when needed.

It's got two USB jacks. One of them delivers one amp of electric power, suitable for charging a phone; the other, with 2.5 amps, can recharge an iPad or other tablet computer. The device is compatible with the micro USB jacks found on most Androids and other smartphones. It also comes with two 30-pin adapters for connecting to Apple products, but there's no adapter for the new Apple Lightning connector. The designers threw in a welcome extra--a pair of brilliant light-emitting diodes at the top of the flask that serve as a handy emergency flashlight.

While it's hardly a substitute for a good swig of rye, the PowerFlask is a handy accessory for people who can't afford to be without power for their portable devices. As hip flasks go, this is one of the hippest.