Have you wondered how to live and work as a digital nomad in the places you want to be — not have to be? Do you want to be better prepared for the next power outage, lower your energy bills and become more self-sufficient, or stay connected and comfortable even when traveling through remote locations? We’ve got your back.
Here at The Verge, we can help you work from your living room, van, Airbnb, or anywhere that brings you joy. We can help you choose the right laptop, water filter, solar generator, portable A/C and fridge, and everything else that helps restore balance to the finite days we share.
RVs are notorious gas guzzlers, averaging just 10mpg at best. This Class A eRV prototype from Airstream-parent Thor has an impressive 500 mile range: 150 miles from its 140kWh battery pack which can be recharged on the fly with a built-in combustion engine that acts like a generator. The hybrid RV will be available to buy in 2025.
It’s taken just four years and more than 6,000 satellites placed into low Earth orbit — at a rate of about 24 per launch — with service now in over 100 countries.
As noted by TechCrunch:
The milestone would mean that SpaceX has gained a million new customers since the end of May alone. This outpaces the company’s already impressive rate of growth: Starlink started providing beta service of its product in October 2020; it hit 1 million subscribers in December 2022, 2 million subscribers in September 2023, and 3 million in May.
I’ve been a user since 2022 and am currently testing the Starlink Mini — ask me anything.
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EcoFlow’s Alternator Charger helps keep all your tools and toys charged when driving away from civilization.
The modular Solix X1 already announced for the US is now available in Europe in single- or three-phase configurations. LFP battery capacities start at 5kWh and expand to 180kWh with up to 36kW of power output. That’s enough to juice any device — even your EV — for hours, days, or indefinite operation when integrated with solar.
Think Powerwall, but not from Elon Musk.
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The Wave 2 heat pump is very capable for its size, but EcoFlow’s absurd marketing sets unrealistic expectations.
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A new approach to power stations that does more than fast-charge (select) DJI drones.
The company that specializes in mobile 12V conversions of SpaceX’s internet-from-space kits has just released its first mount for Starlink’s smallest dish yet. Despite its size, Mini even integrates the Wi-Fi router (usually a separate box) into the laptop-sized package.
$249 gets you a versatile mount with shock absorption for your RV, boat, or overlanding rig.
Not every chair is a gadget, but this one sure is. Its lightweight, one-piece, collapsible design packs down small but still feels rock solid when sitting on uneven ground. The Campster 2 costs $110 before adding accessories like an insulated beer holster and a cozy quilted cover.
Click through the gallery for details and more impressions.
The eVentje custom buildout is a worthy all-electric successor to the iconic VW Camper.
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A mini power plant that turns a standard power outlet into a solar power inlet.
The $599 Alternator Charger sits between the starter battery on your RV, van, or truck and the giant EcoFlow battery you use to power your work and play when off the grid. It charges at a rate of 1kWh for every 1.3 hours of driving and can also be used to maintain and jump start the starter battery if needed.
If you own a solar generator then chances are you’ve been caught out when the sun unexpectedly yields to rain. Bluetti’s new scalable AC240 features an IP65 rating, making it highly resistant to dust and water jets. It also supports up to 1200W of solar input to charge its 1536Wh LFP battery (expandable to 20,272Wh), and delivers 2400W of AC output with an option to double up units for 4800W.
In some countries including the Netherlands (where I live), the price has dropped to €50/mth (from €65/mth) for residential customers while my roam plan that lets me take my dishy anywhere in Europe has dropped to €59/mth (from €100/mth), down from €124/mth when I started service back in 2022. One-time hardware costs have now been lowered from €450 to €225, as well, down from the €720 I paid for gen 1.
I love bending nature to my will, but the Bon Voyage concept trailer is... something. LG’s experimental Labs group has fitted this beast with a bed and bathroom as usual, but also a wine bar, outdoor beer fridge, karaoke machine, an external TV revealed behind a fold-down table, a second pull-out table with integrated induction cooktop, that stupid Duobo coffee creature, and one of those clothing sanitizers LG has been bringing to CES for years but I’ll never understand.
Power stations commonly feature a small integrated light, but the Solix C800 Plus attaches a rechargeable camping light to a long retractable pole (that doubles as a selfie stick) to illuminate a larger area of 10 square meters for up to eight hours. It’s loaded with ports and features 768Wh of LFP storage, up to 1200W of AC output, and 300W of solar input. Available in March but pricing is still TBD.
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Fire and ice make everything nice.
This time last year Musk said that Starlink was losing about $20 million a month. Now he says it’s breakeven, which is good news for a service that keeps people connected in remote locations, in times of disaster and war, or while tooling around in a van or boat. Unimpeded growth could be bad for astronomers trying to see past those roughly 5,000 satellites currently operating in low-Earth orbit, with plans for up to 37,000 more.
We already kinda knew this, didn’t we fellow slobs, but good to hear Unilever confirm it:
Many people didn’t use deodorant as much when they were in lockdown and working from home and some recovery in that is coming through.
The maker of Axe, Dove, and Rexona says deodorant sales have surged 15 percent now that companies have mostly settled on a hybrid approach for remote-capable employees.
A home space that helps keep an eye on work, the cat, and the kids — all at the same time.
