{"id":7273,"date":"2014-04-29T09:00:09","date_gmt":"2014-04-29T16:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/handheldhollywood.com\/?p=7273"},"modified":"2015-10-27T22:36:01","modified_gmt":"2015-10-28T05:36:01","slug":"how-i-use-my-iphone-to-charge-all-my-other-batteries-wait-what","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/handheldhollywood.com\/how-i-use-my-iphone-to-charge-all-my-other-batteries-wait-what\/","title":{"rendered":"How I use my iPhone to charge all my other batteries. Wait. What?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Want to hear a funny story? Not too long ago, I drove 4 hours to a last-minute, geographically isolated, commercial shoot with an SUV full of professional camera and audio equipment, only to discover that most of my gear’s rechargeable batteries were nearly dead! Oh wait, I meant “a horrible story,” not “a funny story.” Thanks to a very resourceful gaffer<\/a>, I survived the day (and the shoot), but vowed never to be surprised by another dead battery.<\/p>\n I set out to find a solution that would allow ALL of my batteries to be fully charged on short notice, but would not require them to be charging at all times. Turns out, the solution was deceptively simple, and required my iPhone– NERD BONUS!<\/p>\n First, I made sure each of my batteries was in its own charger (I picked up a few low-cost chargers from eBay), then plugged them all into three power strips (Accell’s Powramid Surge Protectors<\/a> do a nice job of accommodating multiple oversized plugs). I plugged those power strips into a single extension cord that was, in turn, plugged into a WeMo — that’s where the magic happens.<\/p>\n What’s a WeMo? Belkin\u2019s WeMo Switch<\/a> is a Wi-Fi enabled, internet-connected power outlet that can be controlled from anywhere using its partner app on a smartphone or tablet. It’s like having a portable on\/off switch in your pocket. Now, when I’m away at a meeting, and find out that I’ll be shooting the next day, I reach for my iPhone, tap the virtual power button inside the WeMo app<\/a> — remotely turning on my WeMo Switch, and instantly begin charging my batteries at home!<\/p>\n