A network proxy, actually.
Researchers at Aalto University in Finland have devised a way to cut 3G smartphone power use by up to a staggering 74 percent. How? Rather than forcing phones to maintain a constant Internet connection, which can quickly deplete battery power, the tech uses a “bursty” approach via a specially configured network proxy. Between each of burst, the phone’s modem goes idle.
This is great news for extending battery life. Better yet, it can help bring the Internet to developing areas where ready access to ISPs, let alone reliable grid power is hard to come by.
Aalto professor, Jukka Manner, says, “At the moment, only a small percent can access the Internet from a wired connection, but 90 percent of the African population lives in areas with mobile phone network coverage. Mobile phone usage is increasing rapidly, however the use of mobile Internet services is hindered by users not having access to the power grid to recharge their phones.”
Even here, I wouldn’t mind having to charge my phone less.
Image credit: Aalto University