- Using the USB Cable and Power Adapter to Recharge Your Battery
- Use a Power Mat to Recharge Your iPhone
- On the Road? Use an Optional Car Charger
- An External Battery Pack Will Keep Your iPhone or iPad Running
- And When Traveling Abroad
- Six Tips for Extending the Life of Your iOS Device's Battery In Between Charges
An External Battery Pack Will Keep Your iPhone or iPad Running
A number of companies offer optional, rechargeable, external battery packs that can be plugged into the Dock Connector port of your iOS device and provide many additional hours of on-the-go power without needing an electrical outlet.
An external battery pack is ideal for long flights, during power outages, or when you'll be away from a traditional AC electrical outlet for an extended period.
External battery packs vary greatly in physical size, how long they last, and their cost. While the smallest external batteries are the easiest to transport, they don't extend the battery life of your iOS device nearly as long as the slightly larger battery packs.
The RichardSolo 9000 mAh Mobile Charger ($69.95, http://www.RichardSolo.com) is a rechargeable battery pack that will double, triple, or even quadruple the battery life of your iOS device, depending on how it's being used.
This particular external battery pack measures 3.76" by 1.57" x 1.57," and weighs just 10.2 ounces. It works with the iPhone or iPad, or any other device that can be charged using a USB cable. In between uses, the rechargeable battery pack can be charged from an electrical outlet, USB port (via a computer), or a car adapter. The RichardSolo 9000 is compact enough to carry in a pocket, briefcase, or purse.
Brookstone (http://www.brookstone.com/bluetooth-keyboard-portfolio-ipad-2) is one of several other companies that offer a selection of external battery packs that work with the iPhone and/or iPad. The 92-Hour Rechargeable Backup Battery ($79.99) gives your iPhone up to an additional 10 hours of talk time or will allow you to watch video on the phone for up to 18 additional hours. This external 3,600mAh Lithium polymar battery pack is about half the size of the iPhone.
Even smaller than the 92-Hour Rechargeable Backup Battery from Brookstone is the standard Rechargeable Backup Battery pack ($49.95). It provides up to 3.5 hours of additional talk time or allows you to watch up to seven hours of additional video. This battery pack model plugs directly into the bottom of the iPhone via its Dock Connector port without using any cables.
If you shop at a Brookstone store within an airport, they typically offer iPhone or iPad rechargeable battery packs that are precharged and ready to use.
A few companies have designed optional iPhone cases that also double as external battery packs. The MiLi 3000mAh Power Pack External Battery for iPhone ($79.95, http://www.Brookstone.com) offers a sleek design that your iPhone fits into. It offers up to 25 hours of additional talk time.
Meanwhile, the Mophie Juice Pack Air ($79.95[nd]$99.99, http://www.mophie.com) serves as a thin but protective case for your iPhone, while also extending the phone's battery life for up to eight additional hours of talk time. When purchasing an external battery pack that doubles as an iPhone case, be sure to choose one specifically designed for your iPhone model.
For the iPad and iPad 2, HyperShop (http://www.hypershop.com/HyperJuice-iPad-Battery-Stand-s/178.htm) offers a multiposition tabletop stand that has a built in battery pack. The HyperJuice Stand ($129.95) is lightweight (12.7 ounces) and portable (6" by 4.2" x 1.1"), holds the tablet at an 18-degree or 45-degree angle (perfect for typing or watching a movie), and extends the battery life of the iPad for up to 16 hours. It's ideal for use on long airplane flights, for example.