It was powered by the battery block. And it ran successfully for a while. And all this was doing was blinking an led and connecting to the internet to do it. But I'd actually like to have Intel add their 2 cents to this and clarify this point ( since part of the cost of an Edison should be their support):
There is literally nothing that can be done to an Edison that doesn't assume the user destroyed it. You literally can't even verify that it works without voiding the warranty. That is, unless you use their development board alone.
There are MANY alternatives. And for embedded computing 50 bucks is a lot for a product solution. If you want a lower power BT micro controller, nrf51822. RPI is being micronized. And next quarter Ingenic's Newton2 (1ghz,wifi/bt,9dof motion,graphics,cam interface) will be avail. All are cheaper app solutions and are just the tip of what will happen. So if you can't depend on Intel for support, where is the value?