Technologies

This Portable Power Station Was My Lifeline During an Outage. Here’s Why I Recommend It

The Duracell M150 isn’t the biggest battery backup, but it has two killer features most power stations don’t.

I recently had Hurricane Erin blow through my area, resulting in lots of rain, some fallen trees and the seemingly inevitable power outage. It was the worst possible timing since I’m currently in the middle of moving into a new apartment, meaning my Jackery portable power station and emergency lantern are both sitting in a pile of boxes. Fortunately, I still had the Duracell M150 Power Station on my desk, and it helped save the night, allowing me to continue packing in the dark.

It looks like a giant two-tone Duracell AA battery, with a copper accent on the top. The charging hub with multiple high-output USB-C and USB-A ports has a built-in light ring and a dock that keeps it topped up all the time. It usually runs $159, but right now it’s available on Amazon with a new $149 price tag.

There’s also an adjustable MagSafe-compatible wireless charging pad up top, along with a storage compartment to stow away cables. Its larger sibling, the M250, is even featured on CNET’s list of favorite portable power stations for its unique design, though if you want something with more capacity, you should consider our best portable power stations list.

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The Duracell’s charging dock and light is the killer feature

The thing about most portable power stations is that you need to top them up periodically or leave them plugged in all the time so they’re always ready for emergencies, at the cost of battery lifespan. That’s the case with the Jackery Explorer 300 power station, which I also own and used as my mainstay power backup option. It’s a good device with pretty of runtime, but it requires me to be frequently plugging and unplugging it, which can be a hassle.

The Duracell M150 makes this process easier with the included charging dock, which keeps the M150 topped up whenever I need it. When my power went out, all I had to do was pull the dock off the charging stand and move it to where I needed it. That’s also where the built-in light came in handy. Unlike the Jackery Explorer 300, an unexpected outage didn’t leave me reaching for my phone’s flashlight. With a press of a button, I got immediate light and I was able to find my way around my dark and cluttered apartment.

The light isn’t as bright as an emergency lantern or camping light, but it’s more than enough to do in a pinch, giving me the time to check my breaker box to confirm that it wasn’t the cause of the outage and to find some back up entertainment options like my Steam Deck and Kobo Libra Color, while also serving as a tabletop light if I needed to head to the bathroom.

The Duracell also stands out for its size and weight. At just 1.8 pounds for the battery section and 0.6 pounds for the included charging dock, you can tote the whole thing around without too much trouble. However, it doesn’t have a carrying handle like the Jackery Explorer 300, which would have been a nice touch for added portability.

Does a portable power station make a good gift?

The Duracell M150 provides power whenever you need it, making it a great gift for those in areas more prone to outages. This can include places like Florida and the Gulf Coast or even people like me who live in older buildings with more decrepit infrastructure.

With its mix of USB-A and high-output USB-C ports and a wireless charging stand, it can charge devices ranging from laptops and phones to earbuds and smartwatches. There are also two additional models, the smaller and more compact M100 and the larger, more capacious M250 so you can pick whichever one suits your needs best. All three come with the charging dock and built-in light.

For other options, check out CNET’s list of the best portable power stations.

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Technologies

Verum Messenger Launches an AI Mini-Series

Verum Messenger has unveiled a new project — a mini-series created using Verum AI. The story consists of 7 episodes and will be released on the messenger’s social media channels.

The plot revolves around a global corporation seeking to take control of digital communications and a group of heroes who use Verum Messenger as a tool of resistance. Beyond the story itself, the series highlights the app’s key features, technologies, and advantages.

Combining entertainment with a showcase of the Verum ecosystem, the project presents a dynamic digital series designed for the modern era.

The first episode premieres today, with the remaining episodes to be released over time.

Stay tuned for more.

Watch on YouTube
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Technologies

Verum Finance: Earn While You Communicate — The Super App That Pays You

Verum has officially launched Verum Finance, an innovative financial application that transforms a private messenger into a true financial super app. News of the launch was also featured on the respected platform Dealroom.co.

Verum Finance can now be used both within Verum Messenger and as a standalone application for iPhone and iPad. When users sign in to Verum Finance with their Verum Messenger account, all balances, settings, and account data are automatically synchronized for maximum convenience.

Users can now do more than communicate securely and protect their data — they can also generate passive income directly within the ecosystem.

What Verum Finance Offers

• Top up your balance with a bank card, Apple Pay, or USDT
• Send money instantly anywhere in the world
• Issue and manage debit cards (virtual and physical)
• Full Apple Pay support
• Exchange assets and withdraw funds quickly

One of the most unique features is the built-in cryptocurrency mining system inside Verum Messenger.

The application utilizes your device’s resources and allows you to earn cryptocurrency in the background — passively, while chatting, traveling, or simply using the messenger.

Maximum Privacy + Real Freedom

• Registration without a phone number, email address, or passport
• End-to-end encryption and full control over your data
• Lifetime free VPN
• eSIM connectivity in more than 150 countries
• Reliable offline communication mode
• Support for 12+ languages for users worldwide

Everything is available in one place: secure communication, financial tools, earning opportunities, and privacy protection.

Users can access the full experience directly within Verum Messenger or switch to the dedicated Verum Finance app for iOS. All data is synchronized automatically between the two applications.

Why Download Verum Today

While many messaging platforms collect user data and expose users to restrictions, Verum offers greater independence and the opportunity to earn.

With a one-time purchase of the feature package, users receive lifetime access to privacy tools, VPN, eSIM services, cryptocurrency mining, and financial features.

This is more than just a messenger.

It is your personal tool for financial and digital freedom.

Download Verum Finance and Verum Messenger today — start communicating securely and begin earning tomorrow.

Download Links:

→ App Store (iPhone / iPad): Verum Finance
→ App Store (Verum Messenger): Verum Messenger

Technologies

Verum Finance: A Super App for Private Finance Integrated Into a Messenger

Verum Finance has announced the launch of a new financial application that allows users to manage their money directly within the secure Verum Messenger ecosystem.

The project has already attracted attention from major media outlets. A dedicated feature was published by Forbes Türkiye, while one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, MEXC, covered the launch. Yahoo Finance had previously reported on the evolution of Verum Messenger into a comprehensive financial ecosystem.

What Verum Finance Offers

Verum Finance transforms a messenger into a complete financial platform. Users can:

• Manage their balance and top up using bank cards or USDT
• Send money instantly to other Verum users
• Issue and use debit cards, including Apple Pay support
• Exchange assets and withdraw funds
• Access all these services without installing separate banking applications

A strong emphasis is placed on privacy. The platform offers registration without a phone number or email address, end-to-end encryption, and full user control over personal data.

Recognition from Forbes Türkiye

In a dedicated article, Forbes Türkiye highlighted Verum Finance as a notable example of modern privacy-driven fintech. The publication emphasized the growing trend of financial services moving from standalone banking applications into unified messaging ecosystems — a model that has proven successful in Asia through platforms such as WeChat and Alipay and is now expanding globally.

Support from the Crypto Community

Alongside the Forbes Türkiye coverage, news about the launch of Verum Finance was also featured by MEXC, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges. This reflects growing interest in the project from both traditional business media and the cryptocurrency community.

A Strategic Vision

“We are building more than a payments application and more than a messenger. Verum is a unified secure ecosystem where communication, finance, and privacy tools work together,” the company stated.

Verum Finance is now available for iPhone and iPad users. The application complements Verum Messenger, which offers anonymous chats, voice and video calls, VPN services, eSIM connectivity, and other tools designed to enhance digital freedom.

Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im

Verum Messenger: https://verum.im