portable charger Archives

Tech tip: How to get more life out of your phone battery when it's about to die

Our phones control just about everything we do. We use them to communicate with our friends, pay our bills and track appointments, among numerous other things. This is convenient as long as your battery stays charged.

Many things can suck the battery life out of your phone, like certain apps. Tap or click here to find out which apps drain your phone’s battery and storage the most.

If you are constantly chasing your battery life and want to save it for emergencies, there are some things you can do. Here’s how to get more life out of your phone battery when it’s about to die.

The first step is Low Power mode

Both Apple and Android have a handy feature designed to keep you from running out of juice, and it’s relatively easy to turn on.

Low Power Mode is designed to evaluate what apps you are using and what features your phone is using that are draining a high amount of battery and temporarily disable them until you’ve charged your battery.

You can turn it on manually for both Apple and Android, and it will automatically turn off when your phone has been properly charged:

Enabling Low Power mode on iPhone

Open Settings
Select Battery
Slide the toggle next to Low Power Mode to the right to enable it

Here’s how Apple describes Low Power Mode’s function: “Low Power Mode temporarily reduces background activity like downloads and mail fetch until you can fully charge your iPhone.”

In iOS 9 and above, you’ll receive notifications when your battery level hits 20% and 10% and gives you the option to enable Low Power Mode with a single tap.

Enabling Power-saving mode on Android

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Still have a landline? How to get rid of it (even if you're concerned about emergencies!)

Teens today will probably never understand the world of rotary phones. It would be hard to explain that you had to know a phone number by heart and then dial it by spinning a circle back and forth. Thankfully, those phones are nowhere to be seen now. But the humble landline is still in use.

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Holiday home runs

🦸 Psst, you’ll feel like a superhero if you get some gift shopping done this weekend, just sayin’.

An Anker portable charger (under $20) so their phone never dies.
Carote’s nonstick cookware set is so darn pretty (54% off, $54.99).
Replace their decade-old e-reader with the new Kindle Paperwhite.
Heated eye massagers for the person who never takes a break.
I want this! A smart bird feeder (39% off) that records winged visitors and can identify 6,000 species.
I use this smart coffee mug (27% off) for my evening cup of tea.
Laneige lip balm for any gal, young or less young, on your list.
For guys, a Carhartt beanie. I don’t know one who wouldn’t wear it … OK, maybe Barry.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

The best accessories for your new Android tech

Now that the holiday season is just about past us, you’ve likely already gotten acquainted with your new Android tablet or phone. That means you probably have a good idea of what it can do, and now you’re thinking of ways you can improve it.

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The best accessories for your new Apple tech

There’s nothing quite like getting a new tech toy. The shiny exterior of a new iPad or the lightning-fast navigation on that new Mac makes receiving a new toy or two for Christmas so enticing.

You may have even asked for an upgrade to your Apple gadgets for Christmas this year or snagged a few on Black Friday. The iPhone 12 Pro or one of the new iPads made great gifts. There’s plenty of new Apple tech to choose from now that new watches, iPads and other Apple gadgets are on shelves.

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More early Prime Big Deal Days scores

You don’t want to miss these deals!

AirTags are 14% off. I have one on, well, everything. Really! I think I have 10, between me and Barry (and the dog).
Super-sweet deal on a Pixel 8a — only $399. It’s one of the best midrange Android phones around right now.
This portable charger is strong enough to power your computer on the go. Click the coupon box for an extra 20% off.
Clothes are on sale, too, if you need some new threads. Score up to 60% off.
The right gear makes cleaning up after your furry friends so much easier. Bissell’s SpotClean Pet Pro portable carpet cleaner is 29% off.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

From my home to yours, Merry Christmas!

We were all reminded these past months just how instrumental technology is in all our lives. It has powered so much connection and togetherness in a time when we’re apart from those we love. Think about all the families and friends staying in touch via Zoom and the businesses, like mine, operating from home.

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15 affordable tech gifts you’ll want to buy for yourself, too

This year’s shopping season kicked off months ago — yes, months — and you can expect killer sales will last through the new year. I’m compiling all my favorite gifts, from practical to gags, here on my site.

Finding the right tech gift is tricky. You want to make sure, first and foremost, it works the way it should. Then it would be best if you considered whether your recipient would use it.

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Shopping guide: Android phones, tablets and the top accessories

In mid-October, Amazon’s rescheduled Prime Day unofficially kicked off Black Friday more than a month early. This week, the holiday shopping floodgates officially opened with even more sales.

Those deals will extend well past Black Friday and Cyber Monday this year. There are even some clever strategies that will help you find the best discounts available.

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11 smart tech gifts under $100 for everyone on your list

Finding great gifts doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg if you know where to look. Amazon is kicking off Black Friday early with major discounts on categories ranging from toys to apparel.

This time, though, we’re showing you some of the best tech gifts you can buy for under $100. Whether you’re looking for streaming gadgets or smart home devices, you can find something for everyone on your list without breaking the bank.

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27 tech and geeky gifts under $20

Who else has a hard time sticking to a budget during the holidays? It seems like the costs rack up before you know it — no matter how hard you try.

The problem is that most new tech gadgets come with a high price tag. If you have a few on your list, the cost can add up quickly.

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5 ways to extend the battery life of your Android

Ever been traveling, only to discover you’re down to only 5% battery left on your phone? And, of course, you need your phone’s map app to get where you’re going.

You can also use one of many apps for travel assistance. But if your battery is low, no app can help you. Luckily, if you have an Android, there are ways to extend your phone’s power.

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The best accessories for your new Apple gadget

If you opened up an Apple gift this holiday season, you’re probably thrilled about all the things you can do with your new toy. Apple products enjoy an expansive ecosystem of hardware and software that blend seamlessly to the delight of users.

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You need to avoid public USB charging stations - here's why

Airports are one of the many busy areas sure to be full of people year-round, but it’s especially bad during holidays. People from all over the country crowd airports for business, pleasure and even for obligatory family visits. So of course, airports are prime targets for theft.

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