Modern phones are harder to operate than ancient phones. As a result, a large number of people (especially senior members of our society) usually have a hard time trying to use their iPhone more effectively. Listed below are tips on how to use your iPhone more effectively.
Tips on How to use Your iPhone More Effectively
Once you’ve bought an iPhone, you will want to learn how to use all the cool features and amenities that come with this device.
Set up the iPhone Properly
Setting the iPhone up properly is a must. After you’ve bought an iPhone, you will need to install iTunes on your desktop computer and/or laptop and create a personal iTunes account. It is also a very good idea to sync your new iPhone to your email account. This will enable you to not just send and receive messages but also manage your calendar and add or delete contacts from the iPhone. Popular email accounts such as Gmail, Yahoo and MSN are all compatible with iPhones.
Web Browsing
Most people who buy an iPhone use it to browse the web. For this reason, it is very important to choose a compatible web browser and install it properly. All iPhone models come with Safari, a free built in web browser, but some people prefer to use other browsers.
Music
Learning how to manage various music options is also very important. A beginner will want to learn how to get songs from CD onto his or her iPhone, make playlists and use the iPhone with an FM car transmitter.
Choosing the Right Apps
Choosing the right apps will significantly increase your iPhone’s effectiveness. The idea is not to choose a large number of apps but to simply pick the ones that you need and are likely to use. There are many great apps to choose from, ranging from gaming apps to cooking apps.
Jailbreaking
Jailbreaking an iPhone is no easy task, although there are some programs that make this job a lot simpler than it would be otherwise. Jailbreaking an iPhone enables a person to get apps that are not available from Apple’s App store. It is completely legal to jailbreak your iPhone but Apple will not help you resolve any problems that may arise as a result of your actions.
If you damage your iPhone while trying to use your iPhone more effectively, you can rely on ifixyouri.com to get it up and running in no time.
No matter whether it is the iPhone 5, the iPad, or any Apple mobile device, the battery life remains an issue.
Solutions for the iPhone 5 Battery Dilemma
To let the battery last longer on your Apple devices, you may try out the following tips:
Overuse
First of all, if you see the battery draining away too quickly before your eyes, that is a cause for concern. Make sure you are not overusing it. Whenever there is a new device out with a load of new features, it becomes difficult to put it down.
Faulty OS or Faulty Device?
If you are certain that overuse is not the cause behind the decreasing battery life, you will have to try other troubleshooting tricks.
- Restart your device
This will often fix the problem of some rogue application or process eating away your charge.
- Power cycle
You should always completely drain your Apple device battery about once a month and charge it again to the full. You should try this more often if you are having issues with battery.
If you have restored your iOS device from backup, this can often lead to battery life issues. The best solution is to set it up as a new device. This will be a pain since you lose all your data and else, but it may be worth the trouble.
Plug In When You Can
If you are using your iPhone 5 or some other device with iOS 6 a lot, you should plug it in whenever you get an opportunity – at work, at home, in the car.
Turn Off Things You Aren’t Using
This is basically a balance act. You relinquish certain apps and features to gain on the battery life.
Some of the common features that you can turn off to improve battery life:
- Siri’s Raise to Speak
- Location Services
- Push Notifications
- Notification Center widgets
You can also consider turning off power-greedy apps like VoIP, Pandora, TomTom etc.
If you’ve tried the tricks above, and you still experience a battery that seems to drain quickly, you may need professional repairs. Luckily for those that have experienced significant battery issues that may require battery replacement, experts such as iFixYouri are available to help.
The first impressions of the HTC Droid DNA are actually very promising. The look of the screen alone can already be classified excellent. However, how does this phone fair from the other smartphones?
We compared the HTC Droid DNA with some of the current heavyweights of the smartphone industry.
HTC Droid DNA vs. the Competition
The first thing to compare with rival smartphones is the screen brightness. The HTC Droid DNA was placed beside four other phones including the iPhone, the Nexus 4, the HTC One X and the Galaxy S III. The results revealed that the iPhone produces the brightest screen among all the smartphones followed closely by the One X. Although the performance of the HTC Droid DNA is quite disappointing, the brightness is still enough to make the screen visible in daylight.
Color Quality and Screen Testing
When it comes to color, the Super LCD 2 of the One X still remains on top along with the iPhone 5. Although the Super LCD 3 of the Droid DNA produces a rather blue hue, it is still a lot better compared to the greenish shade of the Nexus 4. Aside from the pixel density, the Droid DNA provides clear images for users to appreciate, especially in a macro shot.
However, in summary, the Super LCD 3 of the Droid DNA is still inferior to the Super LCD 2 of the HTC One X. Although the former has a slight edge when it comes to the sharpness of the display, this still cannot make up to its poor color calibration and darker screen.
Ranking Smartphones
Although the HTC Droid DNA does not generally have a bad screen, it is still a step backwards compared to the other phones. Here is the ranking of the smartphones according to their display:
- HTC One X
- Apple iPhone 5
- HTC Droid DNA
- Google Nexus 4
- Samsung Galaxy S III
Note: Although all the aforementioned smartphones have their clear strengths and weaknesses, all are prone to unforeseen accidents such as water damage, cracked screens etc. If your smartphone is in need of repair, the experts at iFixYouri can certainly help.
Honorable Mentions
Aside from these five, there are two other smartphones that remain to be tested. These are the Nokia Lumia 920 and the Samsung Galaxy Note II. When it comes to brightness and color, the Lumia is classified as excellent. However, it is still a step behind the Droid DNA in terms of the resolution. The Lumia 920 is a lot sharper because of the thicker typeface; however, the size of the pixels is actually comparable. As for the Galaxy Note II, it is, as of the moment, at the bottom of the ranking.
It’s hard to say what tops the list of the coolest features on the Verizon iPhone 5. The fact that it’s the most advanced phone on the market and can be fixed in a timely fashion, or maybe the fact that it’s designed to last, and not break in the first place.
Verizon iPhone 5 Unique Features
- 4-Inch Retina Display
- Fastest Wireless
- A6 Chip
- 8MP iSight Camera
- iOS 6
- Thinnest, Smallest Design Yet
Verizon iPhone 5 Retina Display
So you’re curious about the 4-Inch Retina Display. Think about it this way: the human eye can process a limited amount of visual data, and the iPhone’s screen has more visual than the eye can see. For decades, technology designers have been producing screens (televisions, computer monitors and cell phones) under the assumption that adding color beyond the human’s perception capability was time wasted. The Retina Display showed the world that this was a wrongly applied understanding.
The human eye can only see a certain amount of color and richness in an image, but the eye has several advantages over a still screen. When the eye shifts focus, it creates rapid 3D sensations, filling in and drawing color based on lighting and movement. Viewed in movement, a screen that lacks rich color saturation becomes duller. Moreover, the brain is responsible for interpreting the images eyes see. The less detail presented to the brain, the more work the brain does to fill in an image.
The Retina Display has packed more pixels into its viewing area than the eye can detect, and the result is a uniform, nearly three-dimensional four-inch screen. Maybe your eye can’t see more than a certain number of pixels per centimeter, but when you look at the Retina Display, you won’t be able to deny its clearer image compared to other cell phones.
Other Features
You won’t be surprised by Verizon’s incredibly fast wireless. They’ve built the best network in the industry, which means that no matter where you go, you’ll have endless streaming possibilities and great use, and not only that, but you won’t have to worry about your battery dying when you’re out and about.
Battery Life
The A6 Chip has the best power efficiency on the market, delivering as much as two times the CPU performance while conserving more battery life than any other phone.
The 8MP iSight camera is so good, many people stop carrying a digital camera, and take shots exclusively with their iPhone. It’s true. You get all of this with iOS 6, the best operating system on the market, in the smallest, thinnest design by Apple to date.
Heed this warning: the design means the device is delicate. If you accidentally damage your Verizon iPhone 5, there is hope: iFixYouri specializes in iPhone 5 repair. Fixing your phone is as simple as sending it to the experienced technicians, who will send it back, good as new.
One of the best features of the iPhone 5 is its Wi-Fi. However, some users have argued that the Wi-Fi is awful. For instance, one complaint is that the Wi-Fi doesn’t maintain a signal for long enough. To address this issue, here is a short guide on how to solve the iPhone 5 Wi-Fi problem.
The Wi-Fi capabilities of the iPhone 5 are very different compared to the Wi-Fi capabilities of the iPhone 4S. The latter is able to get a full Wi-Fi bar signal without difficulty, while the former is already having problems in maintaining even a single bar for a few seconds. This is one of the most common problems presented in the Apple forums. Nevertheless, users find it effective in switching their router from WPA2 to WEP.
WPA Vs. WEP
The WPA and WPA2 are considered as advanced encryption technologies compared to the WEP. However, they experience more problems in syncing with networks produced by older devices. If the phone experiences Wi-Fi problems, this will automatically switch back to WEP. This is where the iPhone 5 is experiencing the problem. Apple designed the new iPhone with WPA since it is more secured compared to the WEP. Nevertheless, people can use the latter temporarily until Apple finds a way to solve the problem. For the meantime, people will have to compromise their phone’s security in order to enjoy staying connected with the Internet.
Switching Routers
Switching the router of the phone is actually very simple. All you need to do is to access the Router gateway, which can be seen through Google. For example, Western Digital routers are accessed by simply encoding the term “wp router” into the URL Bar. On the other hand, most of the Linksys routers are 192.168.1.1.
The Final Step
Once done, you can now go to the Wireless and Security options to select the WEP encryption instead of the WPA. You will then be required to enter your password for you to finish your router switch. Hopefully, all of your router issues will be solved immediately. This is one of the things that can be done to fix the iPhone 5 Wi-Fi problem.
If Wi-Fi problems are the least of your worries and you have experienced more significant issues such as water damage, a cracked screen or other instances that may require iPhone5 repair, you should consider going to a professional. iFixYouri is an expert in all smartphone, laptop, tablet and desktop repairs.
Sometimes iPhone units have a specific problem with the volume control. Some are not responsive if you give the controls a push to lower or raise the volume. Some units turn the volume high or low even without any manipulation of the volume control. Here are a few ways to fix iPhone volume control problems.
Ways of Fixing iPhone Volume Control
Some iPhone problems are not serious and can be fixed at home. For instance, if you have a problem with volume controls, you can try fixing it yourself by following the tips listed below.
Vacuum Clean the Volume Control Buttons
This is suitable if you feel like the buttons are stuck or feel mushy. Deposits of crud could be interfering with the sensitivity of the buttons. You can use a narrow pin, get it down the side of the buttons, and see if you can get crud out. You can also clean the area around the buttons with a regular vacuum nozzle.
Press The Buttons on Every Side
In some cases, the buttons could be just stuck. You can easily get them unstuck by pressing on the buttons repeatedly. iPhones are designed for durability and the buttons have gone through pressure tests to ensure that they can withstand thousands of finger pushes. A couple of quick pushes could be all you need to dislodge a stuck button and get it working again.
Perform a DFU Restore
A DFU is what the guys at the Genius Bar will likely advise you to do. A restore is often done to rule out software glitches. If this does not resolve the issue, you most likely have a hardware problem.
Check if Volume Changes With and Without Headphones
In some cases, faulty connections between the phone and the headphones can cause changes in volume. There is no clear reason why this occurs. You can bring your phone to the iPhone store and have it checked for loose connections.
For buttons that feel mushy or soft, this could easily be a hardware problem that you can fix by manually moving the buttons around. You may require more help when the problem involves software glitches. If your phone is under warranty, you can easily have it replaced by Apple. Many customers dealing with faulty UP or DOWN buttons have had their buttons replaced by Apple in most retail stores. You can bring your phone in, have it checked out, and see whether it is software or a hardware issue or not.
If your phone is past warranty, you can have professional repair technicians from iFixYouri do the repairs for you. The next time you need to fix iPhone volume control issues, just call us and we will come to your rescue.
Since the dawn of the smartphone, our world has become smaller and considerably more accessible. Through the aid of local search apps, getting a bearing on one’s location and what of interest may surround them is as easy as a simple click. It almost makes you wonder, how did we survived prior to such a convenience?
While browsing through a list of apps, I came across a local search tool called LocalScope. Though a lot of people already use Google Maps (which is now available for iOS) for their local search, and the Apple Map (powered by Yelp), after reviewing LocalScope (review available below) however, I decided to also search for some other apps that may help you in finding what you want, near your location.
Apps For Your Local Search
Unfortunately, the Android version of these apps are currently unavailable.
AirYell
A free app that provides you with a listing and green car icons you can use to get turn-by-turn directions.
AirYell is like a personal Yellow Pages, where you can add a search term or speak it out, to get a list of results for your area. You may also get some listings too by touching some of the icons at the bottom of the app interface. AirYell provide some information about its listings and maps to view their locations, and it also provides turn-by-turn navigation features with voice.
Where To?
An app with an appealing interface and lots of categories (cost – $2.99).
From the Where To? interface, you may choose a common search item which will then be displayed in a list, on a map or through augmented reality (this will cost you an additional 99 cents). Where To? has a massive list of alphabetized services you can quickly get to. The augmented reality feature in the app allows you to see all the places that are in some specific directions within your area, though the extra you may have to pay to use the feature may be a turn-off.
LocalScope
An app that uses social data from popular social networks, along with GPS, to provide you with some information and details about what is near your location. You may search through a lot of social networks and other reference sites with it (cost $1.99).
With LocalScope, you will get some listings, photos, tweets, history, and a lot more through the Search or Discover buttons in its app interface. It is a great choice for finding what you want and discovering other new places too.
To enjoy these apps properly, you’ll need a GPS that is working. Unfortunately, it is one of the features that seems to fail for many iPhone users. If you are experiencing this problem, or any other technical issue, you can send your phone to professional repair specialists at iFixYouri.
The HTC Droid DNA is one of the best smartphones in the market that is packed with a lot of impressive features. This device has a 5-inch Super LCD 3 screen and a 1920×1080 display. Its pixel density is 440 PPI, which is considered the highest pixel density on any type of mobile screen.
According to HTC, the Droid DNA has an enhanced viewing angle, which is up to 80 degrees. Its display is also a lot brighter and all types of blurring problems are already eliminated.
A Look at the Droid DNA
The Droid DNA is still considered a phone and not a tablet. It is slimmer than the Galaxy Note II and has similar footprint with the HTC One X. When it comes to performance, the Droid DNA has a 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro Processor. It also has an 8MP camera, which opens up to f/2.0 and a 16GB built-in storage. This is also one of the few phones that support a wireless type of charging.
The DNA’s Only True Flaw
The only concern about this phone is the 2,020 mAh battery. This battery can definitely support most other types of phone; however, with the Droid’s massive screen, powerful processor, and LTE radio, this battery probably won’t be enough. The battery juice is a lot less compared to the 3,100 mAh of the Note II.
As for the camera software, the HTC Sense 4+ provides a lot of improvements. It has an enhanced gallery of photo maps, smile recognition, better HDR, and a wonderful cool countdown feature. The phone’s Beats Audio also provides dual amplifiers. One is made for the external speaker and the other is for the headphones.
Standing Up To the Competition
The HTC’s Sense UI is also a lot simpler and more intuitive compared to the Touch Wiz of Samsung. It has the same guts with the Nexus 4, but comes with a better LTE and screen. This makes the HTC Droid DNA one of the best smartphones in the market.
It does look like the Note II however; the Droid DNA is easier to navigate. In fact, it is more comparable with the Galaxy S III since it has the same width, but a little taller. The screen of HTC is considered as the best among all the other products. It produces bright colors and pictures that are incredibly sharp. Its texts are also larger and easier to read compared to the iPhone 5.
If ever your HTC Droid DNA requires repair due to any unforeseen issues such as water damage or a cracked screen, rest assured that professionals such as iFixYouri are available for any and all smartphone repair needs.
Most iPhone users freak out at their first encounter with the iPhone black screen. This often occurs unexpectedly and has been known to strike even in newly bought phones. A black screen is not exactly an experience most users want to see on their phone display, which is the reason why it is important to know the best troubleshooting solutions when this problem occurs.
How to Deal With an iPhone Black Screen
If your iPhone screen blacks out, you need not worry. There are several ways of getting rid of the black screen. Listed below are some of the most common ways of dealing with an iPhone black screen.
Hold the Sleep/Wake Button
Also known as a hard reset, this is the first solution that you can do on your own since it is fairly easy. Simply hold both the HOME and SLEEP/WAKE buttons until you see the Apple Logo pop up on the screen. Once you do, you can release both buttons. This usually solves the issue of a black screen.
Do a Full Restore in iTunes
If the first solution does not work, the next best option you can do on your own would be to do a full restore. This is done through iTunes if you have a backup of the data on your phone which you need to do a restore. The restore returns your phone’s data to its original settings according to the settings on the backup. This is often done to transfer data from a defective device to a new and working device, but this is also done to restore all data from a blacked-out iPhone. You will need to synchronize your iPhone to put all the media content into your phone.
What To Do When The iPhone Black Screen Won’t Go Away
When none of these options work for you, one option is to head out to the nearest Apple store and have your phone looked at by the people at the Genius Bar. If you try to do any repairs yourself, you could end up voiding your warranty if the phone is new. If your phone is suffering from simple software problems, they can easily make quick fixes for you. If your phone is under warranty, the people at the bar can open it up and see what is wrong. You may get a replacement for your phone if a visit to the Genius Bar reveals that you may have a defective unit on your hands.
Other Options Available
If the warranty period for your iPhone is over, you can have it repaired by professional technicians. At iFixYouri, we have some of the best technicians in North America, who have lots of experience fixing the black screen on iPhones, as well as any other issue under the sun.
Few things in life are more frustrating than purchasing a new touchscreen phone only to have it damaged and rendered difficult to use. That moment, frozen in time, when your phone slips from your grip and tumbles towards hard cement or wood, while you can only stand and watch, is a sad moment in every phone owner’s life. Luckily, there are a few ways that allow you to fix a scratched iPhone screen without having to purchase a brand new phone.
Use Your Warranty to Fix Your Scratched iPhone Screen
Since Apple’s warranty program is one of the best in the entire tech business, you should always check to see if you can get your phone taken care of under the protection program. This is the easiest way to fix it, but not always possible for those with an expired warranty. Since Apple prides themselves on customer service, however, you may get lucky and take it to a licensed Apple store with a more flexible approach to warranty. This is no guarantee, but many store owners want their customers to have a positive experience with Apple products.
Buff Out The Scratch
Depending on the degree of the crack or scratch on the iPhone screen, you may be able buff it out in the same manner that you would for a scratch on a car. To buff out the scratch, you will need:
- a small drill (the smaller the better)
- compound to attach to drill head
- sandpaper
Using Wax to Fix Scratched iPhone Screen
Many wax products market their ability to take out any damage that can be done, whether it is by gravity or pets or clumsiness. A coat of Turtle Wax, for instance, will eliminate the scratch but can leave behind a film of wax that makes it difficult to use the screen. If you use wax, you have to clean meticulously around the scratch so that the wax residue does not complicate use. You can use a plastic polish to speed up the cleaning if you decide to use wax.
Toothpaste
One of the oddest home remedies for cracked screen has proven to be toothpaste. Anyone who has had a cracked watch face in the past may know about applying toothpaste. This is because toothpaste (not tooth gel — be sure you have the right type) has abrasive within the mixture designed to wear away at bacteria on your teeth. This abrasion, when carefully rubbed onto the surface of an iPhone, will smooth out a scratch. Be sure you only use a small dot (not enough to coat the entire surface) and that you clean the entire surface carefully with a damp rag after you have applied it on.
Professional Help
If your warranty has expired and none of the methods mentioned above have worked, you should consider seeking professional help. That is where we at ifixyouri.com come in handy. Our specialists have been fixing cracked iPhone screens for years, and you can rest assured that your iPhone will be in good hands.