This post was originally published by Jimmy Chickey on ActiveRain. Follow him on Twitter: @jimmychickey.

Tech tip No. 5: the Anker phone/tablet charger

Anker

Anker “lipstick” charger

Technology can be a great help in your real estate career. However, just because it is the new “flashy” thing doesn’t mean that it will actually make you more productive. I can say from experience that many tools end up just getting in the way and actually can slow you down. With that in mind, here is the fifth tech tip that has proven to be a great help with my real estate business.

How many times have you looked at your phone and worried that your battery is about to die? My solution to this phone battery phobia is the Anker Astro Mini Charger, or as I like to call it, “the lipstick charger.”

I know there are power users out there who scoff at this “tiny” charger that holds enough charging power for only 1.5 charges. For them, I say it is small enough to fit in my pocket and cheap enough that I can still save up for that Tesla Model S that I want. For $20, you can’t beat it — unless, like me, you’re in Vegas and get lucky betting on red.

Also, I wasn’t a fan of the battery cases that covered my iPhone’s plug adapter and turned it into a USB plug. If I bought one of those, I would not be able to use my Supra eKEY dongle (to unlock lockboxes) without taking the phone out of the case. That’s too much work for a charge.

Another cool feature is that the Anker Mini comes with adapters so that you can charge iPhones, Android phones or just about any tablet. If I am with friends who need a charge, I just ask, “Wanna borrow my lipstick?” and watch their faces.  :)

In case you missed my earlier tips:

Tech tip No. 1: Slydial
Tech tip No. 2: unlocking lockboxes with your phone
Tech tip No. 3: Refresh
Tech tip No. 4: Dropbox

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