Apple iPod Essentials   Tracking the Pulse of iPod

iPod Battery Tips

Jennifer wrote a piece here a couple months ago about taking care of your iPod's battery to maximize the amount of time before you have to fork over big bucks to replace it. This month I have a few more links and tips related to iPod battery life and battery replacement.

For $79, iPodResq will overnight you a shipping box which the courier service will overnight back to them, they install a high capacity replacement from Newer Technology and send the Pod on another overnight trip back to you.

Apple has an official iPod battery frequently asked questions document which is a good first place to start.

Another page from Apple Computer which is worth bookmarking is the iPod - Charging your iPod which includes such topics as "Maximizing the lifespan and batter life or your iPod" and "using the hold switch to prolong battery life".

"DanH" has a page full of useful information cleverly titled, "The real story on what may (or may NOT) be wrong with your iPod battery. His topic list includes:

1. Is it really the batter (or the meter)?
2. Can I make the meter more accurate
3. What are "cycles"
4. The overnight rundown syndrome
5. When to pop the case (at your own risk)
6. Charging fact & fiction
7. For a better (battery) life

Next up is the iPod Battery FAQ which has some twenty questions and answers, but doesn't cover much new ground. Still though, it brings together most battery-related questions in one place.

Finally there's the Do-it-Yourself-Battery-Replacement option. As someone who's been inside numerous powerbooks on many occasions, you could really screw up your expensive iPod if you're not careful and at least reasonably savvy around electronic components. All of the following companies offer self-service battery replacement kits (generally for around US$29.00):

• iPodResq Battery Replacement Kit (Also offers overnight replacement services by their techs)
• Other World Computing iPod Battery Replacements (includes an instructional video and claims up to 70% longer life -- note: iPodResq uses these batteries too)
• ipodbattery.com (includes a screwdriver and instructions)