One More Tap

If you experienced a quick battery drain on your iPhone or iPod touch, then this tip would definitely proof useful. This came about after reading TheAppleBlog’s quick take on calibrating as well as prolonging battery life on MacBooks.

For a start, try checking to see if there’s any new firmware updates for you device. For the iPhone and iPod touch, this is usually the software update – with the latest software update for both devices being at version 2.2.1. If you experience a shorter than desired battery life on your device, then an update may be helpful.

Next, proper care should be taken when using your device. One should not let the battery drain completely before charging. On modern devices using battery technologies like lithium-ion, completely discharging the battery may be very bad for it’s circuitry and usually contributes to a shorter lifespan. I would suggest that you charge your device as often as possible.

Since most batteries are rated to last for about 500 complete cycles, what I do most of the time is to charge the device as soon as it has depleted by ten percent (10%). This way, my battery would only deplete for one whole complete cycle after ten such charges.

Also, as a rule of thumb, you should perform some ritual (grins) called calibrating on your batteries to ensure that it always performs at its best. Calibrating, the process of charging and discharging the battery is quite simple. First, plug your device into a charger and let it charge fully – leave it charging for another hour or two after its fully charged. Then, remove from the charging source and use your device like normal. Do not plug it into a charging source, but use it until the device decides to power itself off due to low battery. When that happens, plug in your device into a charging source and let it charge fully. During this time, it is completely safe to use your device.

Performing the calibration ritual on your batteries once every few months (I usually perform calibration for my devices one every month) helps ensure that you get the best life out of it. Take a look at the screenshot below taken from my MacBook, which I’ve had for six months now – and had the calibration process done ritually. The battery’s maximum capacity is higher than original. Application name is coconutBattery. Get it for free here if you own a Mac.

No, there’s no such software for the iPhone or iPod touch that I know of currently. Apple currently does not allow apps to check the battery’s percentage reading – but there’s an app called Free Memory which managed to slip under the radar.

Tip on a tip: Read more about your iPhone or iPod touch’s batteries, straight from Apple, then mark your calendar so as to remind yourself to perform calibration. Even if you own a PC, Apple’s battery information page for notebooks may be useful as they both share a common battery technology. Check it out.

UPDATE: As of iPhone OS 3.0 and above, Apple has provided developers with the ability to read the device’s battery percentage, albeit at every 5% intervals. I have released an app called BattPowr into the iTunes App Store. Check it out if you own an iPhone or iPod touch. P/S: An update is coming soon, with more readings and features – pending approval by the App Store review team.

written by xcool \\ tags: Battery, iPhone, iPod touch, Tips