Technology has revolutionised journalism and the working life of journalists and editors. But, without power, you cannot work.
A couple of weeks ago, I was out of the office for four at a conference and on a press event visit to a factory in France. I had packed my digital SLR (It's a Nokia D3100 and I love it!) into my case, along with my iPad, bluetooth keyboard, iPhone and their respective chargers, except for the D3100.Cutting to the chase, I opened my camera up on the first day out and saw the battery was nearly empty. The power button had been knocked in my case. No charger, no camera, no high resolution photos. It was a stupid mistake which could have been avoided by removing the battery and bringing my charger.
And, that is why keeping your smartphone, digital SLR, tablet PC, laptop or mobile internet device charged is a constant challenge to most people, not just journalists.
The weight of charging
Despite the lightness of most of the kit I use, the weight of the chargers, and their bulkiness, can be a pain. The chargers take up space in my laptop bag, so I usually carry them in a suitcase. Fortunately, the iPhone and iPad use the same charger. But, I need different chargers for the other devices I have. The cables are not really a problem, the adapters are the bits that weight most and are the most awkward to carry.
That is why something like the PortaPow Quad USB Wall Charger is so handy. It cuts down on the number of adapters you need which cuts out excess weight. You can plug in four devices at once or two if they are more power hungry. Not a bad solution for cutting down on weight and bulk.
Solar power
What about other methods of charging your batteries while on the road?
Solar power is becoming increasingly easy to use and cheap to buy. For under £20, you can buy something like the PowerBee Elite Solar Phone Charger which will charge smartphones and tablet PCs. Use the sun's energy during the day and charge your devices at night. Extra battery power
One of the simplest methods of keeping charged up is to use a 'battery charger'. For smartphones, the Anker Astro Mini 3000mAh Ultra-Compact Portable Charger is a tiny, lipstick-sized charger which will provide a 'full charge' for your smartphone, which costs around £14. For a tablet PC, the EasyAcc Ultra is a well thought of device for charging up iPads.
There is no reason to be without power when out and about. For very little money, you can be switched on for longer and more productive as an editor, comforted by the knowledge that you will nearly always have power.
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