Abstract: The lifespan of flash memory is predicted based on the actual usage profile. Typical use cases are defined. The number of flash memory block writes for each of the typical use cases is collected. Regions of flash memory are defined, wherein each region includes continuous blocks of flash memory and serve a dedicated function in the file system, each functional region are accessed at different frequency, thus region is the smallest and lowest unit where end of life failure of flash part manifests at file system level. During development testing, data is collected to determine a rate at which writes are occurring in each of the regions for each use case and the data is stored in a number-of-writes-per-region-per-use-case table. During use of the electronic device by an end user, occurrences of each of the typical use cases are periodically tracked. An average number of periodical page writes for each of the defined regions of flash memory is calculated.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices in a battery powered electronic device (202) for hot swapping batteries, the battery powered electronic device having a battery holder (210) with a first connector (203) and a second connector (205), and having a first battery (204) in contact with both the first connector (203) and the second connector (205). The method includes maintaining power to the device from a first battery (706). The method also includes partially moving the first battery out of the battery holder in a predetermined direction to break contact with the first connector (712) while maintaining contact with the second connector (714). The method further includes partially inserting a second battery into the battery holder in the predetermined direction so that the second battery is received by the battery holder and makes contact with the first connector (712). In another embodiment the method includes charging one or another battery through the first connector or the second connector.