Review: Griffin PowerBlock Dual Universal AC Charger

For the last few years, Griffin Technology’s car and home iPod chargers have been some of the most popular accessories on the market; thanks to more favorable pricing, its PowerBlock series of home chargers have sometimes surpassed even Apple’s own USB chargers in sales. This year, Griffin has overhauled its entire lineup of car and home chargers, including two-charger combination packs, resulting in an array of options that may be a little…

Battery calibration recommended by Apple, why no utility?

Like virtually all mobile computer manufacturers, Apple recommends that users calibrate their laptop batteries every few months, as Scott pointed out a couple of years ago. Unlike many manufacturers, however, Apple does not include a utility to automatically perform a calibration. Given Apple's uncanny ability to make things user-friendly, this seems like a bit of a glaring oversight. What are the benefits of calibration? Primarily the goal is to ensure that the microprocessor in your battery provides an accurate estimate of how much time you have left on the battery. Over time it can lose track of just how much juice your battery has in it, and calibration gives it a very accurate reading on the battery's health. Older battery technologies also benefited from a process called conditioning, which was typically performed the same way as a current battery's calibration process. In a nutshell, you fully charge the battery, fully discharge it, then fully charge it again. It's unclear whether modern lithium batteries gain anything in an actual capacity perspective from this process, or if it is simply a calibration of the microprocessor for the purpose of providing accurate time estimates.Continue reading Battery calibration recommended by Apple, why no utility?Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

TUAW Review: Richard | Solo Smart Backup Battery for iPhone / iPod

If there's anything I've learned about the iPhone 3G since July 11th, it's that the battery life is horrible. If I'm just texting and making the occasional call, I can survive for a day, but if I try to play games or use 3G I know it's going to go to the dreaded red battery icon quickly.That's why there are a growing number of manufacturers who have extended battery packs for the iPhone on the market. For example, I looked at the Kensington Mini Battery Pack and Charger (US$49.99), but the website doesn't show that it works with the iPhone 3G. My next choice was the Richard | Solo Smart Backup Battery. This US$49.95 lithium-ion battery pack has saved me from running out of juice prematurely more than once! Read on for more information about this must-have sidekick for the iPhone 3G.Continue reading TUAW Review: Richard | Solo Smart Backup Battery for iPhone / iPodRead | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Improve stability of some USB-based wireless adapters

I'm using a D-Link DWL-G122 in versions C1 (and own a version B1, a D-Link DWL-122, a Linksys@Home 54g USB, and a Belkin F5D6050 USB -- insert sarcasm here), and have worked with (too) many similar Ralink or Prism-based USB wi-fi adapters on OS X over the last four years or so. One issue I experienced (with all of these adapters) was when the adapter was either under heavy load, or (especially) when using Internet Sharing in OS X, the adapter would randomly disconnect from its wireless network and lose all communication with the driver/config software. To fix things, it would require an unplug/replug to resume operation. With many people reporting this on the net, and having tried every suggestion I could find, I have finally found the answer that has since worked solid for over three weeks (and over 150gb of transfer) now without a single disconnection with any of my adapters! Just for good measure, I tried (and failed) with these solutions: A wide selection of Ma...

Kensington Battery Pack and Charger for iPhone, iPod

Kensington on Monday unveiled a Battery Pack and Charger for iPhone and iPod, along with a Mini version. The portable battery packs plug into the Apple devices' dock connectors and power and recharge them, and are themselves rechargeable. The lithium-ion polymer battery packs feature a USB connector that allows them to be charged via either the AC ...

2-in-1 iPhone and iPod back up battery and charger available

Section: iPod + iTunes, iPod Family, iPod Accessories, iPhone + Communications, iPhone Accessories, iPhonei.Sound hates running out of battery on their iPods and iPhones, so they want to make sure you’re always charged and ready to go. For that reason, they have announced their new rechargeable 2-in-1 Charger & Back Up Battery. This device allows you to not only charge your iPod or iPhone, but also use it as a backup battery itself. The battery sports a 30 pin connector, so it will work with all newer iPods. Also, the battery itself can be recharged via your computer with its USB cable or via an outlet with its AC adapter. This product, which “...provides up to 30 hours of additional music, 6 hours of video or 3 hours of talk time,” will set you back $49.99. It comes in black with a charge status light, and is available to order now. If you have ever run out of power at an important time on the go, this may be the perfect product for you. Product [2-in-1 Charger & Back Up Battery] Full Story » | Written by Josh Holat for Appletell. | Comment on this Article »