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This bag probably has more plugs than you have devices


Portable power is one of the greatest #firstworldproblems, especially for travelers. There are never enough power outlets for the various devices we carry, and that's on a normal day. If you throw in an unexpected airport delay, forget about it. Fighting for an available outlet turns into the Hunger Games and the odds are never in your favor.

There are plenty of portable power solutions out there, many of which just require carrying an ugly brick of additional juice around. There are already a few bags that integrate charging packs with their storage space, but they always seem less like solutions and more like compromises.

A new IndieGogo campaign is trying to solve that problem, combining charging capabilities with a handsomely designed bag. It's called AMPL, and the team is touting it as the "world's smartest backpack."

The bag has ample storage space, a TSA-compliant laptop pouch and enough USB ports to allow you to charge up to six devices at the same time. The bag comes with one standard tablet or smartphone boost battery, but the company offers additional charging packs.

The packs are also removable for on-the-go charging without a backpack (you hardcore road warriors will appreciate the larger laptop-sized 15,000 mAh pack).

And of course it also has its own smartphone app. At first, that seems excessive, but there's something appealing in being able to check the battery percentages of your charging devices without having to take the bag off your back, unzip the pockets and check the device's screen. The app will also ping your phone if you walk away from the bag.

The AMPL will retail for $325, but early-adopting IndieGogo backers can snag one for $100 less. There are always risks when supporting a crowdfunding campaign, but this pack has already received a lot of positive press, along with two Innovation Awards from the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show. The biggest challenge might be finding a temporary solution until the September released. Until then, see you at the airport outlets, Katniss.