Missing My Zire
Only after 2 years of use, my Zire 72 gave up on me. The battery won’t charge and I am lucky to get in for 10 seconds before it automatically turns off. I tried to live with it for a couple of weeks by plotting out the least number of stylus taps needed to get an info – even before turning on the Zire. My speed reading skills and attempts at photographic memory were pathetic – and only made me sadder at the loss of my Zire.
I even brought along the charger with me when I went to the salon (usual time for extensive Zire use) but I was too embarrassed to ask the spa attendant for the nearest socket. I did not want to look stupid working on my supposedly wireless gadget with my charger trailing behind me. Mostly, I did not feel safe holding on to a gadget that is plugged on the same outlet with my foot spa machine. It was a long salon visit.
I have already contacted Palm technical support and they are only too happy to inform me that they can immediately replace the unit with a refurbished one or have the unit shipped to Singapore for a battery change. All these support are at a cost, which I am not yet ready to invest in. I was counting on my Zire to assist me in another year or two before I would seriously consider replacing it. (Maybe, my dear Zire got wind of my furtive google search for the newest Life Drive? But I was just checking it out! I do not even have money to buy it! Oh Zire, you are my one and only!)
The cheery Technical Support guy did not mean to be accusing (but I was defensive, anyway) when I asked him how come the battery zonked out too soon. He said in positively patronizing tone that it really depends on how extensively it is used. Extensive? Extensive? Of course, I use my Zire extensively. I would not buy a gadget and not use it!
I’ve always had problems with gadgetry batteries. For a couple of weeks, my mobile phone had trouble retaining power. (This caused my usually cool husband to get upset with me on some instances.) The company’s laptop is currently hoisted on top of my old (it’s at least 10 yrs old) organizer. This is supposedly to help diffuse the heat coming out of its batteries and toasting my left palm. I have already transferred my wedding band to my right hand because the heat is really bothersome. We have a second-hand digicam (at least 5 yrs old) that still runs on four AA batteries. I have recently disposed several rechargeable batteries because they are no longer ‘recharging’. Considering that a newly charged battery will allow around 35 shots only (with minimal use of the LCD screen at that), we have accumulated several dead batteries around the house.
Is it just me or digital gadgets really suck in battery life? Why is access to reliable battery a function of price? Shouldn’t technology ensure sufficient power? Or is it because power by itself IS technology and is thus a commodity? But why create a technology that is at a mercy of a fickle power source? And why the heck do I miss my Zire so much? Has my life too become subject to battery fluctuation?
June 5th, 2006 at 6:54 am
Welcome to the club of battery operated tech devices. I have in the course of time replaced the battery in my old Palm 270, my “new” Palm 600, and Carlyn’s 600 lies there with a new battery on the counter beside it, waiting for me to take the time to pop it open and replace the battery in it. But then, all of those devices were bought on eBay, used, and I should expect them to be needing new power sources. I’ve never looked at what it takes to replace the battery in a Zire like yours, but it’s do-able.
June 5th, 2006 at 7:57 am
Tee-heee!!!
Remember the jokes that Mao used to make about cell phone batteries the size of a car battery? and Mamang with her old cell phone that won’t hold a charge either and dictates where she sits wherever she goes? (hospitals,schools,etc…)
The idea of a well plugged-in salon costumer is just way too funny for me right now
Has anybody wizened up yet on those trailing wires?
Goodluck on your Zires trip to Singapore!
Kaying
June 23rd, 2006 at 7:23 am
yes, Dave, changing batteries SHOULD BE do-able. please do take a look at my unit when you get here. thanks!
kayeng .. yes, i remember Ma’s phone that keeps going off after every two sentences. i never heard her complain about it though — just a lot of funny stories. maybe i am blowing this out of proportion.