A compartment interchangeably holds either a battery or a fuel cartridge for
powering
a portable electronic device. The compartment includes electrical contacts to access
energy stored in a battery. The compartment further includes a fuel port to access
fuel stored in a fuel cartridge. Either of the battery or the fuel cartridge may
be installed in the compartment. A portable electronic device, which is powered
interchangeably by either a battery or a fuel cell, includes the compartment. A
method of powering the portable electronic device includes installing either a
battery or a fuel cartridge into a compartment that interchangeably holds the battery
and the fuel cartridge, and powering the device using energy stored in the respectively
installed battery or energy stored in fuel contained in the respectively installed
fuel cartridge.