How To Protect Your Mobile Technology In The Hottest Of Destinations

Mobile devices allow us to take telecommunications everywhere we go — even the hottest, most remote places on earth. Whether traveling on business or pleasure, having the Internet in the palm of your hand has become not just a luxury, but a necessity for many.

But using mobile devices abroad is not without its problems. Putting aside using a mobile to dial a call, there are differences in power adapters, wireless protocols, services, all that can make headaches for any business traveler. In destinations like Egypt, South Africa or Pakistan, however, there's an even more insidious enemy to watch out for: the heat.

Caution with Technology: Hot Weather Alert

Electronics get hot in the course of their operation. But excessive heat can be deadly to your mobile devices. Overheating can cause lockups or reboots, erratic behavior, or sometimes destroy the device entirely. Here are some ways you can keep your electronic devices safe in the hot weather.

Check your temperature

The first step in winning the battle against overheating is to know how hot your device is to begin with. The Internet is full of free temperature monitoring applications for both laptops and smartphones.

Download and install one to your device so you can keep track of how hot your device is. Some newer smartphones have built-in temperature sensors that will warn you when things go awry, but building in some redundancy is never a bad idea.

[Image Source: www.1mobile.com]

Keep your devices out of the sun

If an environment is too hot for you personally, it's likely to be too hot for your phone as well. Don't leave your device on the dashboard of your car (or in a hot car in general) or expose it to direct sunlight for hours at a time. Keep your phone in your pocket or purse, and if you're traveling, stow your laptop somewhere safe and cool, like the trunk of your rental car.

Wait until dark. While you might not always be able to pick when to use your mobile device, try to choose your battles where you can. Don't fire up your laptop to play games outside at noon. Laptops and mobile devices naturally generate heat of their own, so where time allows, try to use them when it's cooler.

Check your intakes

Dust or sand in a device's exhaust or intake ducts can cause rapid heat build-up in no of time. Clean them out regularly with a dedicated brush or some compressed air. Most of all, make sure mobile devices like laptops have adequate ventilation while using them.

Limit your applications. It's a simple fact of computing — the harder a processor has to work, whether it be a smartphone, laptop or tablet, the hotter it's going to get. Games and high-intensity applications will heat up a device more than quickly checking email or browsing the web. To save your device from overheating, turn off any unnecessary applications and only use what you need.

Switch power settings

Many laptops, and even some phones, come with "battery saver" settings that use less processor power, and thus generate less heat. Your device might suffer a bit in the speed department, but will have a longer life and stay cooler.

Shut it down

One of the best ways to keep your device cool is to keep it turned off. Believe it or not, a device on standby still generates some heat — particularly if it's plugged in and charging. If you're not using your laptop or phone, just power it down. You'll prevent overheating and preserve your battery life.

A blocked exhaust duct can mean the difference between a vital work laptop and a hunk of useless plastic. Practice some basic safeguards and keep your expensive devices working for you.

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Many thanks to the South African team at www.dialtosave.co.uk who helped contribute to this article. Keep us informed on your travels and if you have ever had a problem with technology in the sun?