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Work anywhere

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.

BougeRV’s electric wagon is the uphill king and downhill menace

7

Verge Score

For bougie people that hate to sweat.

Thomas Ricker
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Thomas Ricker
“The world’s first purpose built mountain bike specific camper.”

The TOPO2 MTB trailer from Escapod features a Küat Piston ION rack that can handle two 80-pound e-bikes, an integrated Feedback sports toolkit and workspace, heating and water system, and 140 watts of solar to keep its 240Ah battery charged to help power your electronics. Delivered in 2-3 months if ordered today for a price starting at $53,990... because a boy can dream!

Freitag’s newest messenger bag is made from trash to last

8

Verge Score

Old seatbelts, truck tarps, and plastic bottles transformed into a very good carryall.

Thomas Ricker
BougeRV’s telescopic lantern is ridiculously versatile

8

Verge Score

One 3000 lumen lamp with four lights you can position independently.

Thomas Ricker
Reolink’s wireless camera easily transitions from vanlife to homelife

8

Verge Score

The Argus 4 Pro doesn’t require monthly fees and records 180-degree 4K video indoors and out, night and day.

Thomas Ricker
Bluetti’s Handsfree 1 is a solar generator for truly remote work

6

Verge Score

Everything you need to generate power when working in the field.

Thomas Ricker
Brompton G e-bike review: truth in advertising

8

Verge Score

Testing ‘the most versatile e-bike in the world.’

Thomas Ricker
Anker’s 58-liter solar fridge is a noisy power-monster

7

Verge Score

A giant battery-powered dual-zone refrigerator / freezer on wheels.

Thomas Ricker
My water filtration kit for good times and the very bad

Clean water for the end of the world and the roads that go there.

Thomas Ricker
What’s on your desk?What’s on your desk?
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Thomas Ricker
Elon’s right about one thing.

Here’s the unelected government official speaking about his part-time hobby, Tesla:

“I recommend anyone who can afford it, get Tesla’s solar roof and Powerwall. Your family’s life might depend on it.”

Electrical grids are old, overtaxed, and increasingly unstable in the face of climate change. That’s why the energy independence business is booming inside Tesla (up a record 113 percent year-over-year) and from alternatives like Anker, Bluetti, EcoFlow, and Jackery which just announced its new solar roofs that mimic curved red clay tiles.

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Thomas Ricker
DJI keeps expanding into new categories.

The $319 1.8kW Solar/Car Super Fast Charger will charge the company’s giant batteries at 600W off the alternator when the engine’s on, plus an additional 1200W max from rooftop solar that’ll continue to provide a charge when parked at the job site or campground (unlike DJI’s $299 1kW car charger). It can also reverse charge the starter battery in your van, truck, or RV.

If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission.

DJI’s 1.8kW hybrid car charger (left) next to the less flexible 1kW car charger (right). They can charge a portable battery about 5 to 15 times faster than a 12V cigarette lighter jack.
DJI’s 1.8kW hybrid car charger (left) next to the less flexible 1kW car charger (right). They can charge a portable battery about 5 to 15 times faster than a 12V cigarette lighter jack.
Image: DJI
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Thomas Ricker
Starbucks: buy something or leave.

The new Coffeehouse Code of Conduct in North America reverses a policy that let people hang out in its stores, drink its water, and use its toilets without ever buying anything. It comes at a time of flagging customer traffic and sales.

That means your co-working space is now going to cost you a few bucks, which, frankly, is a bargain when the policy goes into effect on January 27th.

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Thomas Ricker
This insanely high-tech RV trailer is almost ready.

Here’s our first look at the “production-intent” Pebble Flow all-electric trailer. It can be moved into position by remote control thanks to a dual-motor system that can eliminate range-sapping drag when pulled by EVs. It features a massive 45kWh house battery and 1.1kW of rooftop solar to keep everything running for days. It starts at $109,500 with first deliveries available in the spring.

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Thomas Ricker
LG’s got another vanlife concept.

The MX platform can be converted into “hyper-personalized” spaces like “a creator studio, business lounge, or separate zones for relaxation and hobbies.” Like last year’s Bon Voyage trailer, I’ll believe it when It actually ships, but LG says it “plans to offer the MX platform as a subscription service” without offering any details or name any automative partners. It’ll be on display at CES.

The future of vanlife?
<em>A cabin loaded with LG appliances — but where does the power come from?</em>
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The future of vanlife?
Image: LG
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Thomas Ricker
Big-ass batteries for your big-ass battery.

You can now expand DJI’s Power 1000 solar generator that I reviewed with up to five of these new $1,169 2kWh Power Expansion Battery 2000 units daisy-chained together over DJI’s proprietary SDC port, for a maximum capacity of 11kWh. Add solar and you can produce a steady 2400W of AC output indefinitely, or at least until you master a rosetta pattern in your latte art.

Mother Nature ain’t the boss of you, beach barista.
Mother Nature ain’t the boss of you, beach barista.
Image: DJI
Starlink Mini review: space internet goes ultraportable

9

Verge Score

Impossibly small, incredibly convenient.

Thomas Ricker
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Thomas Ricker
Starlink Mini actually works in a backpack.

I’m working on a full review in a variety of scenarios but I’m shocked it works at all in the outer sleeve of this Peak Design backpack connected to a USB-C power bank. Once it gets satellite lock it holds on to it reasonably well for an average of 54Mbps down and 11Mbps up, despite the dish’s vertical alignment and 110-degree field of view.

I don’t know why you’d do this, but you can!

<em>The 27,600mAh (99.36Wh) 140W USB-C PD 3.1 power bank I carried could have powered this connected walk for up to three hours.</em>
<em>Here’s what it looks like walking through a forest with the overhead tree coverage causing the outages. The Mini would reengage just as soon I entered a clearing.</em>
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The 27,600mAh (99.36Wh) 140W USB-C PD 3.1 power bank I carried could have powered this connected walk for up to three hours.
Photo by Thomas Ricker / The Verge
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Thomas Ricker
Combining an electric RV with a range extender just makes sense.

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.

Thor Industries debuts the world’s first hybrid Class A motorhome. Too bad it’s ugly.
Thor Industries debuts the world’s first hybrid Class A motorhome. Too bad it’s ugly.
Image: Thor
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Thomas Ricker
Starlink passes 4M users.

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.

This little box provides on-demand power when off the grid

8

Verge Score

EcoFlow’s Alternator Charger helps keep all your tools and toys charged when driving away from civilization.

Thomas Ricker
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Thomas Ricker
Anker’s sleek whole home backup solution heads to Europe.

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.

<em>Neat, I just saved €5.79 this month using my €20,000 whole home backup solution.</em>
<em>Yes, it’ll charge your EV with another box Anker will sell you.</em>
I love you AND your giant battery.
<em>Bring on the apes.</em>
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Neat, I just saved €5.79 this month using my €20,000 whole home backup solution.
Image: Anker
EcoFlow’s battery-powered A/C and heater combo is too overblown

6

Verge Score

The Wave 2 heat pump is very capable for its size, but EcoFlow’s absurd marketing sets unrealistic expectations.

Thomas Ricker
DJI Power 1000 review: with great power comes many dongles

7

Verge Score

A new approach to power stations that does more than fast-charge (select) DJI drones.

Thomas Ricker
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Thomas Ricker
A Star Mount for your Starlink Mini.

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.

<em>The mount protects the Starlink Mini dish and router.</em>
<em>It includes magnets and suction cups, with a new quick release add-on “available soon.” It also has through holes so it can be bolted into place.</em>
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The mount protects the Starlink Mini dish and router.
Image: Star Mount Systems