Computer Support Blog

Power is rapidly becoming the hardest aspect of mobile computing devices to improve upon.  Manufacturers continually find new gadgets to add to smartphones and tablet computers, but with all of the new components that rapidly drain batteries, there has been no radical leap forward with manufacturing batteries.  As a result, users have not gotten significantly greater battery life from their mobile devices with the newer smartphones and tablet computers.  This is especially irksome for mobile device users who use their devices primarily for business purposes.  They do not need improved video cameras or more realistic speakers to play digital music; they require reliability and endurance.  While the manufacturers of electronic devices may not be radically improving batteries, peripherals manufacturers are focused on delivering stronger power supplies to consumers.  One of the leading products for augmenting the innate power supply of thousands of devices is the Fueltank DUO. Read more »

There are three smartphones, made by trendsetters Apple, Motorola, and Nokia, which significantly outlast other phones in terms of battery life. The iPhone 4S, Droid Razr Maxx, and Lumia 900 have batteries that last for around 9 hours of talk time. This is in comparison to other smartphones that only last an average of 5 hours of talking time. Of course, many factors contribute to the battery life of a phone, but what do those three models have in common that provides the extra talk time? Read more »

Environmental awareness has become an important factor in all areas of society.  There has been a great deal of research into developing environmentally beneficial or responsible technologies. Researchers at Wake Forest University in South Carolina are concerned with creating green technologies. That is one reason why they have been developing a new method of harnessing heat energy to convert into electricity. Power Felt is the first breakthrough that the researchers have developed to create cleaner, greener, and more sustainable energy. Read more »

In the rapidly-changing world of consumer electronics, there is one undeniable fact: without power, your gadget is worthless.  It’s true.  No matter how fast your smartphone, tablet computer, e-reader, laptop computer or PC is, when it’s out of juice, it’s just an expensive decoration or fashion accessory!  While virtually every major company is in a race to create better batteries, one company is preoccupied with making a better charger.  That company is the Swedish company myFC.  The breakout product for myFC is the Powertrekk fuel cell charger.

The Powertrekk fuel cell charger represents a significant leap forward in recharging technology and myFC deserves a lot of credit for pioneering the technology.  Just as creating gold from another element is the alchemist’s dream, the holy grail for power supply generation is the ability to use water to generate electricity.  MyFC now offers a hydrogen cell charger that powers USB devices simply by adding water to the cell.  You may use the Powertrekk fuel cell charger to recharge electronic devices or power them.  The Powertrekk fuel cell charger can keep a smartphone like the iPhone powered for days, regardless of the weather.  That makes the Powertrekk fuel charger an asset to those who want to use renewable energy sources, but cannot depend upon the sun.

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Power.  Power is what every company wants, on one level or another, and it is the defining factor of success in the technology sector.  The computer that is the most powerful, as defined by speed, computing ability and consistency, is considered the very best one on the market.  But more and more, the computing ability of smartphones, laptop computers and consumer electronics at all levels are at the mercy of battery power.

Battery power, or the failures of it, nearly sunk the release of the Apple iPhone 4S.  Apple worked quickly to solve the battery problems in the new release and even revealed a battery problem with first-generation iPod Nanos to prevent future customer service problems.  Batteries store energy to keep electronic devices going and right now, it is one of the hottest industries in which to be.  Three of the most significant battery projects are:

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For those who chose to keep the purity of the Kindle idea alive by not upgrading to the much-hyped Kindle Fire, there are some rewards awaiting you!  The e-reader concept was upgraded into a multimedia player, much like a tablet computer, with Amazon’s latest iteration.  But for those who like to read, for whom being trendy, current and/or not upgrading at the first sight of the next new product, companies like SolarFocus are there for you!  SolarFocus has a great product for Kindle users with its SolarKindle Lighted Cover!

The SolarKindle Lighted Cover is a portfolio-style cover for the Amazon Kindle that features a powerful solar panel on the front cover.  The cover helps to recharge both the Kindle and the case using solar power.  As trendy as renewable energy is, there have been very few companies to tap into the market and synergize it with the e-reader and tablet market.  With the SolarKindle Lighted Cover, SolarFocus brings together two very popular concepts to enhance the user experience of the Kindle e-reader!  Read more »

At the heart of most communication devices these days are batteries. Without realizing it, most products we use need some kind of battery to function. Smartphones, cameras, GPS devices, remote controls, laptops, music players, and computer tablets all need regular recharging. Naturally, the fact that the vast majority of our essential communication and entertainment devices can run on battery power rather than wired power source is an exciting thing. It’s also somewhat of an inconvenience, though.

With everything that needs to be regularly charged, it is easy to lose track of the varying battery lives among our electronics. How many times have you packed your camera for an event only to find the battery dead or close to dying when you need to use it? And if there’s one sound that everybody hates, it’s the annoying beep of your smartphone telling you to plug in the charger. Many people have car chargers for emergency uses or for charging on the go, but if you’re interested in a more reliable backup charging device, consider investing in a solar battery charger.

Solar power chargers are by no means a new invention. You might already be familiar with calculators that work on solar energy which use tiny solar chips to convert light energy into electrical energy. Solar battery chargers work using the same principle. Using sunlight, these chargers harvest solar power via a solar panel and charge a built-in battery. When you find yourself stranded or in need of an emergency charge, simply hook up your phone or camera to one of these solar chargers and off you go.

One particularly good model is the ultra-slim The XTG-SOL1500 Solar Portable Battery and Charger. The charger, which is just a little larger in size than an iPhone, has a solar panel that cover the majority of its upper side. The model includes a USB output that you can use to charge a variety of electronic devices like smartphones or cameras.

To charge the unit itself, simply place it in sunlight. Do so charges it up to 60%, according to its manufacturer. To get a fuller charge, connect it to a computer or power outlet. A USB cable is included for this kind of charging.

If you’re planning a camping or hiking trip, then this kind of device is a must-have. Forget about being lost in the woods or stuck in the desert; with this charger, all you need to keep your devices working is sunlight (assuming, of course, that your wireless network service provider covers the region you’re in).

Another cool feature of this solar charger is that it has its very own powerful LED light that’s great for reading on camping trips or in other situations where you find yourself needing some more light. Of course, the XTG-SOL1500 charger needn’t be limited to camping settings. Keep it in your bag as a sort of universal extra battery for all your other devices.

Whoever said solar power was too expensive was wrong. The charger sells for an affordable price online, and it’s definitely worth it.

About RESCUECOM:

RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.

For More Information, Contact:

David Milman, CEO

315-882-1100

david@rescuecom.com

Last week, Apple issued a statement describing a minor problem that can occur with some first-generation iPod nanos. One All Things D writer notes that whereas other companies might initiate a recall, the iPod manufacturer initiates a “Replacement Program.” As is often the case when it comes to Apple PR, the company is handling the issue smoothly, and to its credit, quite effectively.

According to Apple’s website, the company has determined that the battery in some 1st generation iPod nanos can, in rare cases, overheat and pose a safety risk. From the company’s statement, it doesn’t seem as though the recall—sorry, replacement program—is the direct result of regular battery problems, but rather a mere precautionary step. “While the possibility of an incident is rare, the likelihood increases as the battery ages,” says Apple’s statement.
Apple’s website advises users to stop using the iPod nano and send it in for a replacement, free of charge. Users whose iPods are potentially faulty will receive a replacement iPod within six weeks, though they are still responsible for their own music transfer. At-risk models are determined by serial number.

In many ways, Apple is going above and beyond to tackle this problem. Sure, it’s spending some money on replacements, shipping and a little bit of damage control, but the company sure knows how to do all these things well. Apple has always been fairly transparent about problems with its products, always offering replacements or upgrades to fix them. But it’s not just the reparative steps that Apple takes in response to tech support problems that make its PR so effective; many would argue that it’s the company’s attitude towards customers.

The company has succeeded in establishing a following so dedicated that it’s hard to imagine how badly Apple would have to screw up in order to lose some of its fans. Apple customers trust one source of authority when it comes to judging Apple products, and that source is their tried and tested interactions with Apple’s products, all of which continue to prove to be solid, powerful, incredibly user friendly, and elegant.

From Apple’s perspective, having such a loyal following is naturally a great thing. It means that users are more likely to tolerate company mistakes, which in turn means that mistakes are more likely to cost less. From the customers’ perspective, belonging to a familial kind of organization (familial on a very large grand scale) means that they can expect better treatment and better products. In the end, Apple’s tactful PR and customer care attract loyal users, and loyal users push the company to keep its high standards. Everyone wins.

About RESCUECOM:

RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.

For More Information, Contact:

David Milman, CEO

315-882-1100

david@rescuecom.com