As batteries installed in portable multimedia appliances such as satellite digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) phones are increasingly found to be short in capacity, battery makers are rushing to roll out detachable supplementary batteries.

Industry sources said yesterday that battery manufacturers such as Esuit, STB, WPM and Elentec recently began supplying detachable batteries in capacities ranging from 2,200mAh to 8,000mAh, targeting niche market.

Esuit (http://www.esuit.co.kr) launched a new detachable supplementary battery in a capacity of 6,600mAh that can be used for mobile phones, PDAs, MP3 players and digital cameras. It takes 2 hours and 30 minutes for recharging, shorter time than existing batteries.

ETB (http://www.stbchip.co.kr) recently launched a new detachable battery in a capacity of 4,600mAh used for mobile handsets. It can be recharged while using a mobile phone, and it displays available power. The company intends to ship the new detachable battery to overseas markets such as Europe and North America.

WPM (http://www.wpm.co.kr) began supplying new detachable batteries in capacity of 4,000mAh and 8,000mah, which are designed to prevent possible damages on appliances due to over current.

Having developed a detachable supplementary battery in a capacity of 2,200mAh, Elentec (http://www.elentec.co.kr) is exporting its products to overseas markets via its subsidiary in Malaysia.