1. Disable GPS. I only turn it on now when I need it (google maps and flickr): Options | Advanced Options | GPS. Set GPS Services to Location Off and Location Aiding to Disabled. Now I appreciate there’s some debate about whether this makes any real difference or not because GPS is (apparently) only used by applications on demand. However, because I frequently forget to properly close applications – google maps used to be on almost constantly - having it off by default suits me.

2. Same with Bluetooth (I really only use it in the car with my handsfree): Manage Connections | Bluetooth off

3. Screen Brightness – you won’t really notice much of a difference in terms of usability, so this at least can’t hurt: Options | Screen/Keyboard. Set Backlight Brightness to 10 and Backlight Timeout to 20s

4. Providing you can remember to disable this if you need to use the alarm early in the morning, use the Auto Off feature: Options | Auto On/Off set both Weekdays and Weekend to Enabled between the times that suit

5. Another controversial one – use 2G instead of 3G – theory being that this reduces the amount of network switching, and hence saves power: Manage Connections | Mobile Network Options. Set Network Mode to 2G. While you’re there make sure you have Data Services set to Off When Roaming – which really ought to be the default. My phone company currently charge a fixed £5 per day in Europe and £15 elsewhere…

google provides plenty of others, some of which are just daft - not using message notifications, ringtones or ‘power hungry’ applications (like email, im and facebook). yeah, but that’s why i, and i suspect most others, bought the thing in the first place…

plaisir du chocolate, makers of the world’s best artisan chocolates – more lovely even than prestat, have closed, so the above is a pic (of my favourites) of the last box i’ll ever have shared. beautiful, tasty, if hugely expensive, they also did incredible pastries, teas, candied fruits and hot chili chocolate which i’ll also miss. must have happened very recently as their shop on Thistle Street hadn’t been open that long and earlier this month they were certainly still doing chocolate tastings, as i got an invite to one. Bertrand Espouy was clearly a passionate, brilliant and gifted chocolatier – and as they were charging a good £1 for each chocolate, its not like they were underselling themselves. also, i have nothing left to even salute their passing. very disappointing.