According to a recent report by Abhinav Pathak, a computer scientist at Purdue University in Indiana, one of the causes of battery drain on smartphones may be down to free applications that have adverts.
The team at the university has been testing out free applications that come with adverts and have discovered that around 10 to 30 percent of the energy used by the application was spent powering the application’s core functions.
The remaining amount of power spent was actually used to deliver adverts to the application, and a number of different applications were tested on Google’s Android platform.
Impact of Adverts on Battery Life
The researchers determined that in some applications up to 75 percent of the actual power used by the application was used for serving adverts and tracking and uploading user data. This significant consumption of energy by adverts can lead to a noticeable decrease in battery life, which can be frustrating for users who rely on their smartphones for daily tasks. For instance, popular free apps like social media platforms, games, and utility apps often come with a barrage of ads that not only interrupt the user experience but also drain the battery more quickly.
Moreover, the energy consumption is not just limited to displaying the ads. The process involves downloading the ads from the internet, rendering them on the screen, and sometimes even tracking user interactions with the ads. All these activities require substantial computational power and network usage, which in turn consume more battery.
Strategies to Mitigate Battery Drain
To mitigate the battery drain caused by adverts, users can consider several strategies. One effective approach is to opt for paid versions of apps that are ad-free. While this may involve a small upfront cost, it can significantly enhance the user experience and extend battery life. Additionally, users can make use of ad-blocking software, although this may not be effective for all apps and can sometimes violate the terms of service of certain applications.
Another strategy is to manage app permissions and background activities. By restricting apps from running in the background and limiting their access to data, users can reduce the amount of energy consumed by adverts. For example, turning off background data for apps that are not in use can prevent them from downloading ads and tracking data when they are not actively being used.
Furthermore, developers can play a crucial role in addressing this issue. By optimizing the way ads are delivered and reducing the amount of data required for tracking, developers can create more energy-efficient applications. For instance, using more efficient ad formats, compressing ad data, and minimizing the frequency of ad requests can help in reducing the overall energy consumption.
In conclusion, while free applications with adverts offer a cost-effective way for users to access various services, they come with the hidden cost of increased battery consumption. By understanding the impact of adverts on battery life and adopting strategies to mitigate this issue, users can enjoy a better and more sustainable smartphone experience.
Source New Scientist, Gizmodo
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