This sounds almost like a flawed design. Correct me if I am wrong, but when you connect this recorder to the computer you have no access to the recorder as a recorder in the meantime - correct? In other words, are all the recording functions disabled when connected to a computer? There are actually MP3 devices out there that will still function as MP3 devices despite being hooked up to the USB while charging. What I am getting at is if the A10 doesn't function as a recorder when something is connected to it's USB, then I think Sony should find a way to have the user have the capability to use the recording functions and USB at the same time. This would mean that if necessary, someone could plug this into a power bank, get more power while recording as a backup power source, and also get more continuous recording time - especially on the high capacity SD cards. In fact, I own a Sony camcorder - probably the most newest and cheapest HD model, and you can actually connect a power bank into the USB so the battery life doesn't suddenly take a shit since the physical battery only holds something like a little over 70 minutes max on best picture settings. The battery itself is not suitable for long hour shows because Sony has not come up (and at this stage may never will) with a double capacity battery to give a more extended amount of battery time. Who the hell is running this company these days with all these shortcoming on their products that could really help the consumers???