Guide to Windows Mobile Power Saving: Tips to Help Save and Extend Battery Life
Getting Started
From simply managing your Bluetooth to implementing your programs in a more responsible manner there’s a few simple steps you can take to remove “problem areas” on your device that ultimately lead to power supply issues. Below I’ve included a few quick tips that will allow you to extend battery life.
Tip #1 - Bluetooth Is A Power Hog
Bluetooth to give you an idea of its power zapping abilities uses about 3 times more power to operate when in use than an irDA port that was traditionally used for data transfer. Aside from when in use Bluetooth is constantly in an on state, ready to send and receive calls and information at every moment, this means Bluetooth is constantly operating and thus constantly using energy.
Tip #1 is simple enough - Turn off your Bluetooth setting if you’re not using it. To turn it off simply follow the direction below in Windows Mobile 5.0 and higher:
- Tap Start.
- Select Programs.
- Open the Communications Manager (Comm Manager).
- Tap the Bluetooth icon (top icon in the right column).
Those simple steps will give you more control over your Windows Mobile Devices battery strength over a longer period of time. Its a simple steps, and for those of us who don’t use bluetooth its a great way to eliminate a drain for a convenience we don’t even use.
Tip #2 - Task Manager Use Is Essential
If you simply go to your Start button at the top left hand corner of your screen you can find the “Task Manager” option. This is a great way to see what applications you have open and choose whether you want to close those applications or leave them open.
Aside from the standard Task Manager option you can also download an application such as Task Manager v3.1 a freeware application that not only shows you which programs are open on your device, but also the amount of CPU usage in percentages along with the amount of memory each application is using. If a program isn’t being used you can choose to “kill” it at that point, thus freeing up the extra CPU usage and memory, ultimately leading to longer battery life cycles.
Tip #3 - Test Programs Before You Buy Them
This is a great tip if you’re looking to buy Windows Mobile Applications and they offer a free trial period. Install the trial period version of the program and begin running it, then go back to Tip #2 and see if Task Manager v3.1 is showing huge power outputs from the new program. If the application is taking up way to much memory I would suggest testing several other applications that offer the same type of use, if one of them works as well with less power output, then you should go with that application.
Does this step take more work? Of course it does, but the lack of a dead battery half way through the day may be worth the research for some people, I know it is for me.
Also, in my expert opinion, programs that work in the same manner as other programs but take up less CPU usage are usually more competently programmed, and therefore more likely to work in a fluid manner.
Battery Still Losing Power Quickly?
The Windows Mobile power saving tips listed above are easy to follow, and if you follow them on a regular basis you should quickly see an improvement in your Smartphone or Pocket PC’s battery life.
If you still need more power, here’s one last suggestion more than a tip, buy a docking station charger that allows you to rest your device in the dock while charging a secondary battery at the second time, that way you assure a full days use without any interruptions other than switching out your batteries once a day.
