When it comes to methods for boosting cell signal strength, there’s a lot of snake oil out there.
More than a decade ago, we were introduced to Antenna Booster Stickers, which purported to improved the connectivity of the old Nokia brick phones. Once the iPhone came around, many reported having seen improved signal strength by simply using scotch tape to secure the SIM card.
Whether these were legitimate solutions or just a case of poorly conducted experiments, it seems that if you’re outside the bounds of a cell tower, you’re going to be hard-pressed to find a way to amplify whatever little signal your phone is able to receive.
Or maybe not…
One of the honorees named in the Portable Power and Wireless Accessories category at the CES 2016 Innovation Awards was mJoose, a smartphone case which claims not only to be able to improve signal strength, but also double your phone’s battery life, charge it twice as fast as conventional charging methods and of course, protect it from potentially harmful impact. While is sounds a little too good to be true, the awards are judged by a panel of leading industrial designers, independent engineers and trade media members. We also saw a pretty convincing live demo so we’re inclined to give the product some credence.
The makers of mJoose found that about 70 percent of smartphone owners experience problems with signal strength at work, home, or while traveling. Their solution is a case that houses a multi-band signal amplifier, a technology that they have patented. They’ve also managed to throw in a 3000 mAh battery, which could mean a whole 14 hours more of cellphone usage. Now it’s not the prettiest phone case out there, but I’d gladly trade aesthetics in for fewer dropped calls.
The mJoose offers some additional perks. One of them is enhanced internet connectivity, thanks to the case’s ability to extend the phone’s range and seek out 4G or LTE towers in the vicinity. Additionally, the phone’s ability to secure a connection with the carrier network easily means that it becomes a lot more efficient in its consumption of energy.
If you’re still having a hard time believing that the mJoose is able to deliver, a report by a Cellular Telephone Industries Association-accredited lab did show a 100x improvement in signal strength with phones using the case.
mJoose is live on Indiegogo, and managed to make 546 percent of its original funding goal last week. The cases currently support the iPhone 6/6S, 6 Plus/6S Plus and the Samsung Galaxy s6 and Galaxy s6 Edge. Units are available for $99 on Indiegogo, which is $50 off the expected retail price of $149.99.
Prateek Jose is a writer and engineering undergrad from India with an unhealthy obsession for obscure historical trivia. Conversations about absurdist fiction and the technological singularity make his day. He’s already uploading parts of his brain to servers by writing for websites such as this one.
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I guess I have really not had any issues with cellular signal to the point that I would buy a bulky, smartphone case for my phone. I see the proof, but 100x?
Well, this I didn’t see coming. I know there have been other products that claim to do the same, but the company making that funding goal and then some really speaks to the technology that is used.