Saving the phone's battery power

Keeping your phone's screen brightness set as dimly as you can stand it helps preserve battery power, as can disabling live wallpapers and adjusting the screen to automatically switch off quickly. Turning off notifications, push mail and background data from apps, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (if you do not need them), and vibrating alarms can also save power.

Apps that manage and analyze power consumption may help as well, like Android's Power Control widget or third-party options. Your phone's manufacturer or wireless carrier may have other tips specific to your model. Apple has suggestions for iPhone owners and the Android Authority site offers a good general guide for those with Android handsets.

If you find your phone's battery still slipping into the red zone too soon, packing additional power extends the time between charges. External batteries like the Mophie Juice Pack for iPhone and some Android models or Belkin's Power Pack 2000 add extra life.

--nytimes.com*