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

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

iPhone 3G battery replacement services available

Section: iPhone + Communications, iPhone Accessories, iPhone Milliamp LTD, a company that offers all sorts of iPod battery services, is ready to help you replace the battery in your iPhone, 1st gen or 3G. For only $20, Milliamp will swap out your old battery with a 1400 mAh lithium-ion polymer battery, which they say “...is the same strength as...” as the stock battery. The battery offers 24 hours of music, 7 hours of video, 8 hours of talk, 6 hours of internet or 250 hours of standby. This $20 purchase comes with a ten year guarantee, and they won’t take hacked iPhones. Since the debut of the iPhone last year, the lack of a user replaceable battery has been one of the biggest complaints. The most likely reason for this is Apple’s obsession for a beautiful design. It is good to see a company has taken the time to figure out how to replace the battery in an efficient manner, as going through Apple’s services can be expensive at times. Have you ever used anything like this? Are the batteries just as good as the stock battery? Product [Battery Services] Full Story » | Written by Josh Holat for Appletell. | Comment on this Article »

Add 6 to 10 hours of battery life to MacBook Air with Apple Juicz

Section: Mac + Computers, Laptops, MacBook Air, PeripheralsAre you looking for a way to extend the battery life of your MacBook Air? QuickerTek might have the solution. QuickerTek is rolling out a new product called Apple Juicz, which will charge your MacBook Air through thin-film solar cells in as little as five hours. Since Apple Juicz extends the MacBook Air’s battery life, you won’t have to worry about running out of power while you are working on your projects. There is an LED status indicator that lets you know what is going on. Also included is a modified MacBook Air MagSafe charger (which uses military-spec parts) that provides a more powerful charge—and yes, it will still work with the stock MacBook Air. Apple Juicz offers three different solar panels for you to choose for your MacBook Air: 55 watt model - This is their priciest model and will cost you $1000. It recharges the MacBook Air in five hours. It unfolds to 60 X 42 inches. 27 watt model - This model is $600 and charges your MacBook Air in 8 hours. It unfolds to 41.5 x 30.5 inches. 18 watt model - This model cost $500. It recharges your MacBook Air in 14 hours. It unfolds to 30.5 X 30 inches. Included with each purchase is the Element backpack in which you can store your Apple Juicz and MacBook Air. You’ll also receive car and airline power adapters. QuickerTek also has a power adapter for regular AC wall outlets. I enjoy working outdoors, and most days you can find me outside sitting under a tree working on my 17” MacBook Pro. I have outdoor outlets at my home, so running out of juice isn’t an issue; however, this is something I would consider. QuickerTek claims that AppleJuicz can add an additional six to ten hours of battery life to the MacBook Air, which would definitely save on frequent trips to the house. If you are looking for a greener, although slightly pricey, option for your MacBook Air, check out Apple Juicz. Product [Apple Juicz] Full Story » | Written by Opal Tribble for Appletell. | Comment on this Article »

Apple's iPhone 3G battery good for about 3.5 hours of browsing

Existing iPhone owners moving to Apple's new iPhone 3G should expect an approximate 50 percent reduction in battery life when using the new handset in 3G mode to browse the web and perform other Internet-related functions, a series of tests show. ...

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…