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Saving Cell Phone & PDA Power: Hey, Is This Theory On the Money?

I'm sure, when buying a new computer, you've felt the way I have: Why can't a big computer company like Dell or HP write an instruction manual that really tells you how to use your new desktop or laptop to its fullest? 

Or, at least, why can't computer manufacturers offer really helpful tips?  Here's something that road warriors may find useful, but I can't vouch for its accuracy: To conserve battery power in a laptop, TURN OFF YOUR wireless connection if you're not using it.  Doing that apparently could add as much as an hour to your battery's life. 

It seems that when your computer is searching for a wi-fi signal, it's gobbling up extra battery power.  And the same goes for your Blackberry or cell phone.  If you're running low on juice and you're in an area with poor cell coverage, turn your device off until you absolutely need it unless you can easily recharge.

This came up last week when I spent some time on Italy's mostly rural Amalfi Coast.  Cell coverage was dicey at the villa my family and I rented, but I couldn't figure out why my Blackberry so quickly lost its power each day--after all, I was hardly using it.  Someone smarter than I am (that would be my son-in-law, Alex Eaton) told me it's because they Blackberry was constantly searching for a cell signal, and that eats up power. (And, no, that's not me with the clunky cell phone on the left, though I will confess I once owned a phone like that.  I think it cost me $700 in the '90s.)

Now, I'm no engineer or computer/cellphone/PDA expert.  Maybe you are.  If so, I'd love to hear your reaction to this.  Does keeping a cell phone, PDA or computer with wi-fi on in an area with poor signals drain a battery more than normal?  Clue me and other folks who live on the road with these electronic devices some of us don't understand in, won't you?   

Things We Like: New Overseas Phone Deal

One of the greatest inventions for phone-dependent globe trotters was the SIM chip, that fingernail-sized card you slide in the back of a tri-band phone that gives you a local phone number while visiting almost any country in the world.  Of course, you had to buy a separate chip for EACH country in order to reap the two biggest advantages of the chip: A local number (meaning calls within that country are dirt cheap) and, usually, free incoming calls from anywhere in the world. 

Now there's a new chip that allows travelers to Europe to cross borders without changing (and paying for) a chip in each country.  You're able to retain the same phone number--with a Lichtenstein country code--in 31 European countries (and Israel) and receive all incoming calls at no charge.  You can also use the chip in dozens of other countries around the world (from Albania to Hong Kong to the US and Uzbekistan), but you'll incur a per-minute charge (usually about 98 cents) when you accept incoming calls. 

The Santa Monica-based company that supplies my public television film crew with SIM chips when we travel overseas, Cellular Abroad, offers this new chip that includes 30 minutes of talk time, but you can top off your chip with more minutes as needed.  The price of this "Talk Abroad" chip is $79, but if you use the code "MAXA," the price is $69.  Remember, your phone must be able to accept SIM chips and be activated by your cell service provider for international service.

If you don't have a phone that accepts SIM chips, you may rent a tri-band phone from Cellular Abroad.  But if you're planning on staying in Europe longer than a couple of weeks or if you're planning return visits, it makes financial sense to purchase a tri-band phone WITH the new SIM for $179.  Again, you'll receive $10 off any order if you use the code "MAXA" when you buy on line at www.cellularabroad.com or by calling 800-287-5072.

Footnote: If you don't use your number for nine months, you'll lose it, and your SIM chip will have no value.  You can make a quick call even if you're in the US, however, and that activity will begin a new, nine-month cycle.  The nice folks at Cellular Abroad can provide details.