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Smartphones

6 Features to Compare Across Cell Phone Carriers

A mobile phone is considered a necessity in today’s technological world. This abundance of technology also means that we have many options when it comes to choosing the right cell phone carrier. These are some of the most important features to compare when choosing a phone service.

Coverage

Image via Flickr by freestocks.org

Most mobile phone owners want something that is reliable, regardless of where they are located. It is important to evaluate the coverage of potential carriers in your location and in the locations that you travel to frequently. There are a lot of factors present that affect a phone’s coverage ability including 3G and 4G LTE connections. They are both wireless networks and 4G LTE is the newer and faster version. If you are bringing a device with you to a new carrier, it is important to ensure that it shares the same frequencies on the new carrier.

There are also CDMA and GSM bands to consider. These are two different cellular standards that are responsible for converting incoming and outgoing data. The biggest difference is that CDMA phones do not use SIM cards and these phones are specifically designed for a single carrier’s network. If you currently have a phone with CDMA connection, it is unlikely that you can bring it to a different carrier.

Data

Data is responsible for keeping you connected. The exact amount of data that you need will depend on your phone uses. While you can use your phone at home with Wi-Fi, you will need a data plan if you want to access email and social media accounts from anywhere. The cost of data plans varies across wireless carriers. It is one of the most important factors to consider when evaluating potential cell phone carriers.

Choosing the wrong data plan or going with a carrier that does not have an affordable plan for the amount of data you use can be very expensive. If you are regularly going over your data plan and incurring large expenses, T-Mobile helps you switch phone carriers to a data plan that better suits your usage needs.

De-prioritization Threshold

This feature will really only affect you if you currently use large amounts of data on an unlimited plan. Many carriers will de-prioritize your data after a set limit, significantly slowing down your connection. Different carriers have varying de-prioritization thresholds, with the average being 32GB. One of the highest thresholds in the market today is set at 50GB by T-Mobile.

Payment Method

Your preferred payment method might also be an important feature to consider. Although you can make online payments across all of the largest cell phone carriers today, the payment requirements often differ. Some plans require that users prepay for their data, while others encourage automatic payments. If you have a preferred payment method, it might be worth it to compare payment method options. You can also take advantage of the monthly discounts for auto pay and prepay plan options.

Phone Ownership

Cell phone carriers usually offer multiple choices for purchasing a smartphone. A few of the most common methods include financing the phone, buying the phone outright, and leasing the phone. If whether or not you own your phone or lease it is of importance to you, this is another feature you will want to compare across carriers. Smartphones usually have to be replaced every couple of years so leasing is one of the most popular phone ownership options.

Additional Features

A perfect cell phone carrier is one that meets your individual user needs. There are additional features to consider including the ability to bring your own smartphone to a new carrier, the ability to stream HD videos, and hotspot capability. While most carriers offer these additional features, the cost and plan inclusion will differ across them.

There are four major cell phone carriers to choose from today. There are also many separate plans within the carrier’s offerings from which to choose. Make sure you are evaluating your individual cell phone data and connection needs. Choosing the right carrier is important in guaranteeing a reliable connection that is also affordable.

Mar 13, 2018 0 comment

Infographics Smartphones

How to Free Yourself From Your Smartphone – Infographic

written by Irfan Ahmad

Facebook’s red notification icon, Gmail’s pull-to-refresh mechanism and the ping of a LinkedIn update are designed to make us check our phones. And they work. The average person taps, swipes and clicks their smartphone 2617 times every day. Here’s how to determine if you use your phone too much and how to cut down on it.

Infographic via cashnetusa

Jan 4, 2018 0 comment

Smartphones

The Nokia 2 is Cheap and Will Go the Distance

written by Don Eminizer

As far as smart phones go, people are used to dishing out the big bucks. Nokia may have a game changing product with the Nokia 2, which will retail for roughly $120, a much cheaper price tag than most other smart phones. But the big, big surprise is that Nokia alleges that this new smart phone will keep its charge for a whole two days, which gives it a huge advantage over its competition. The Android device will sport a 4,000mAh battery to help it achieve this feat and, according to HDM Global Chief Product Officer Juho Sarvikas, “every component of the Nokia 2 — from the display to battery, chipset to system design — has been engineered to draw as little power as possible from the huge battery.”

The rest of the specs on the Nokia 2 are, while not too exciting, respectable. It will run Android Nougat and come equipped with the Google Assistant. It features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 121 processor and has a 5 inch 1280 x 720 LCD display. It has both rear and front facing cameras, 8 megapixels and 5 megapixels respectively. The built-in storage it comes equipped with is not very impressive at only 8GB, but an microSD slot will allow users to build that up to 128GB. According to its website, the Nokia 2 “brings together crafted aluminum, Corning® Gorilla® Glass and sculpted polycarbonate for high durability with a sleek, modern design.” From what I can see, it comes in three colors – black, silver and copper. And it is a good looking phone, at least as far as I can tell from the pictures.

According to Engadget, the Nokia 2 will be available for purchase in a few months – or at least will launch in the UK in 2018. Aside from the built-in storage, this new smartphone sounds like a neat little gadget – and that 2 day long battery life definitely makes it stand out. Its ridiculously low price doesn’t hurt, either. I guess we’ll need to wait for the launch to see if it’s all too good to be true, but in theory, it sounds like Nokia have engineered a solid piece of gear.

Dec 11, 2017 0 comment

iPhone Mobile Apps Smartphones

Three Great Video Enhancing Apps for iOS Devices

written by Don Eminizer

With today’s technology, anyone with a smart phone can be a great photographer – and videographer. Many iOS devices offer built-in effects, but for the more adventurous of users, they are often not quite enough. Here are three great video enhancing app that offer great sounds and effects that are sure to please even the most demanding videographer.

Action Movie FX

This Apple Award winning app is nothing short of spectacular. It allows users to embed all types of effects in their videos, from alien invasions to fiery explosions. What is also a cool feature is that it features official Star Wars and Star Trek visual and sound effects, some of which are free. Users can purchase additional effect packages for between $0.99 and $1.99, and the app itself is free. Users must however have an iOS device 7.0 or higher. You can get the app here.

FX Guru: Movie FX Director

Another great app featuring high quality effects, both visual and auditory. It also offers a few free effects (not quite as may as Action Movie FX), and additional packs starting at $0.99. FX Guru doesn’t only offer Hollywood worthy falling satellites and spooky ghosts, it also provides a feature known as MotionMatch which adjusts the selected effect’s overlay with the motion of the camera, resulting in a smooth, realistic-looking effect. FX Guru has also conveniently stored its effects by theme, making them easy to find depending on the genre of footage users are shooting. You can read more about the app and download it here.

VideoFX Live

This app is less about sounds and effects and more about ambiance. It’s meant for users who aren’t necessarily looking for a blockbuster, and allows them to use a variety of filters while they are shooting. Users can choose anything from a sepia overlay to a colorful tint as well as various tiles and animations. VideoFX Live lets users share their videos directly from the app, whether they want to send them to contacts or share them on social media. The app is free and additional filter packs can be purchased starting at $0.99. Learn more and get VideoFX here.

Well, there you have it. these great video effects apps are free, extra content affordable and they can help you turn your ordinary videos into exciting and enticing clips that you’ll be proud to share with friends, family and the world at large. Go on and try one, they’re a lot of fun!

Sep 19, 2017 0 comment

Gadgets Smartphones

Apple Gets Jack From Android Users Thanks To Headphone Debacle

written by Web Desk

With months left until the iPhone 8 is expected to hit shelves, Apple is more than ready to let its commemorative 10th anniversary smartphone bury the previous iPhone 7 line. Scratch only the surface and this may seem unfair. Why would Apple try to ignore a generation that now accounts for 80% of all iPhone sales in the U.S.?

Despite its success in sales, it marks an underwhelming update to the Apple brand.

More specifically the 7 line struggles under the weight of Apple’s innovative spirit. Its willingness to discard well-loved features for newer ones is something critics have condemned in the past. Rather pessimistically, they don’t think innovation is motivating the Cupertino-based company to upgrade their handset but pride and price. Change made for change’s sake, usually to introduce a new piece of costly hardware, isn’t appreciated by the masses. Case in point: the disappearance of the headphone jack in both the 7 and 7 Plus.

Though a relatively minor hardware feature, its sudden lack in the newest generation caused outrage in the Apple fandom. Replaced by wireless AirPods or an unwieldy headphone adapter cord, the headphone jack joins an easily damaged Jet Black finish and an altered home button to the list of changes that served only to disappoint and frustrate people.

But these frustrations were felt outside of the typical Apple consumer. After nearly a year since the 7 series first launched, Yahoo Finance conducted a self-selected survey on this very design feature. Out of 7,741 people who clicked through Yahoo’s survey, 71% of them thought it was a bad decision to remove the headphone jack. More importantly, 73% of those who identified as Android users said they were now less likely to switch to an iPhone thanks to this feature.

This poses a challenge for Apple. People are taking longer to upgrade their smartphones. They’re using decals, skins, and wraps to help keep their iPhones and Androids in working order three or more years down the line.

Even those with the iPhone 7s can’t be relied on to make the switch to the 8, despite the frustration they may feel about certain hardware features. Once Apple removes a feature it’s gone for good, so the 8 will rely on wireless AirPods as well.

Any flagship iPhone also has the disadvantage of being the most expensive generation in the family. For those without the budget to upgrade every year, they’re using iPhone wraps from designers like dbrand to increase the life of their phones. The dbrand collection includes exclusive styles that can reinvent the look of the 7 and other legacy generations in 5 minutes or less. Meanwhile, new iPhone 7 wraps are designed to protect the gadget from scratches, scrapes, and even grime build-up so it’s in better shape down the line.

At a time when people are taking longer to upgrade their smartphones Apple must rely on platform switching to help boost the sales of future iPhones. iPhones account for roughly 15% of the market share of smartphone usage worldwide with Androids comprising the rest. If Apple hopes to tip the scales, they need to convince Android owners to make the switch. Unfortunately, Yahoo’s latest study suggest they may have lost potential Android users willing to make the jump thanks to the headphone jack’s disappearance.

The latest reports suggest the iPhone 8 will carry on in the 7 line’s footsteps. In addition to the headphone jack, the home button is rumored to disappear from the 8 line in its entirety as Apple embraces biometric unlocking techniques.

What this means for the company down the line is still up in the air. Though some people thrive on it, change is not something easily swallowed by others. Ultimately, they’ll have to get used to it. More things are going wireless every day. It’s only a matter of time until wireless AirPods (or the Android alternative) become the norm we’re all accustomed to using.

Aug 21, 2017 0 comment

Android Mobile Apps Smartphones

Google’s Phone App Now Display Your Location (and more) When You Dial 911

written by Don Eminizer

Every one in North America is taught to call 911 in case of an emergency at a young age. The service has saved countless lives and has prevented countless crimes since its inception in February of 1968. Unfortunately, in many cases, responders come too late or have no real idea of where they’re going because they don’t know the exact location the call is being placed from when it’s originating form a mobile device. That’s because the location 911 centers receive comes from the cell tower that is routing the call, which could be miles away from the location of the caller in need. As 70 to 80 percent of all 911 calls in the United States last year were made from a cell phone, pinpointing exactly where help is needed can be problematic and put the lives of many in even more danger.

Of course, many callers know exactly where they are and are able to tell the 911 operator their location. But in other cases, it’s not so simple as giving a physical address. For example, many victims of car accidents find themselves disoriented after the initial impact, then the deployment of the airbag, all of which is added to potential injuries. Someone may have been kidnapped and taken to a remote location, or might be lost in the woods and in need of a rescue. This is where Google’s new Phone app feature is truly genius, and has great potential to save more lives.

Whenever the owner of an Android phone running Android Marshmallow or higher dials 911, his or her longitude and latitude coordinates will automatically appear on the device’s screen, along with their current address and a map showing their exact location. This will allow them (assuming they are conscious) to tell the 911 operator exactly where they are, and keep updating their location if they are in motion. This in turn will allow the 911 operator to know where they are and either send first responders to their location or re-rout the call to the appropriate 911 center and share their location with another operator.

This is a great feature that will undoubtedly help save lives and prevent more crimes from being committed. I can only hope that this feature (or a similar one) will be available to non-Android users in the near future.

Jul 19, 2017 0 comment

Smartphones

It’s Summer Time! Here’s How to Use Your Phone or Tablet in the Sun

written by Don Eminizer

Ah, summer. The warmth, the beaches and…the blazing sun. Great for a day out with a picnic, but not so much when it comes to using your smart phone or tablet. The obvious thing to do is to find a spot of shade, but that isn’t always convenient, especially if you’re trying to take pictures of your family splashing around in the pool or read an e-book while working on your tan. So here are some tips that might help you make the most of your device in the sun.

Increase your device’s brightness

The brighter your screen is, the easier it will be for you to see its display in bright sunlight. Android and iOs devices have an easy access setting to do so. Swipe down (Android) or up (iOs) to display the brightness bar, and swipe it all the way to the right for maximum brightness. Keep in mind however that the brighter the setting, the more battery power it will drain. Too bright a screen for prolonged periods of time can also cause eye strain. For these reasons, I don’t recommend using maximum brightness all the time – you should decrease your device’s brightness to a more subdued level when you get out of the sun. Some devices also have an auto-brightness option, which will automatically adjust the brightness of the screen based on ambient light.

Reverse screen color

If you’re trying to read a book, you might find it easier to read white text on a black background when in the sun. Many devices offer that option under ‘Settings – Accessibility – Color Inversion’. From the ‘Accessibility’ menu, you might find other useful options like color correction and high contrast text, which you can play with until you’re happy with the display.

Get an anti-glare cover

You can get an anti-glare cover to fit most devices, and the good news is they are usually inexpensive. Some work better than others, and you might have to look around a bit to find the right size for your device, but they are rather worth the time and effort if you spend a lot of time outside in the sun while using your mobile phone or tablet.

I hope these tips will be useful for all of you who enjoy being outdoors in the sun and use their mobile devices at the same time. I know I do!

Jul 17, 2017 0 comment

Android iPad iPhone Mobile Apps Smartphones

Yes, Your Mobile Devices Can Kill You

written by Don Eminizer

People take their mobile devices everywhere. That’s the whole point of owning a mobile device, isn’t it? To be mobile? I can’t tell you how many times my kids have dropped their cell phones in the toilet. But that’s mainly inconvenient (and gross, sure). I mean it won’t kill them. The problem lies in a bigger water container, namely, the bath tub. If you can’t put down your iPad long enough to take a bath, you might as well look at it as a plugged in toaster or hair dryer. If it’s not plugged in, then you might only be in for a slight shock, as an unplugged smart phone only carries a charge amounting to 5-20 volts.

Last Sunday, Madison Coe, a 14 year old girl from Texas, died from electrocution while reaching for her plugged in cell phone – while taking a bath. It is thought that she either reached out with a wet hand to plug her phone in or check her messages. And she’s not the only one. Back in March, Richard Bull, a 32 year old UK resident, died from electrocution when his iPhone accidentally fell in the bath water he was soaking in.

So how do you avoid their fate? Leave your phone or any electronic device well out of reach of water. Even if you’re using a socket that is outside of the bathroom to charge your device, the current will find its way to the water – either the water in the tub or on your hands. Waterproof devices are somewhat safer, but just because you won’t damage your phone dropping it in the bathtub doesn’t mean it won’t hurt you. It is much simpler (and safer) to take a break from social media or whatever is grabbing your interest and enjoy a nice, shock-free relaxing bath. If you use your phone or tablet to play music while you soak, consider getting an app or a device that will play your spoken requests.

Remember, it only takes a second for an accident to happen. A second that could easily cost you your life. Keep your mobile devices (and any other electronic device) away from water – not just the bathtub, but the kitchen sink, the pool, and anywhere else it may cause harm. Better safe than dead.

Jul 16, 2017 0 comment

Android Gaming Mobile Apps Smartphones Social Media

Samsung’s New App Could Make Live Game Streaming a Breeze

written by Don Eminizer

I have recently posted about Facebook’s live stream feature and upcoming original and exclusive programming. Videos and live streams are all the rage as of late, with Twitter and Amazon also thinking about ways they can add more generous video features to their list of services. So it isn’t surprising to learn that Samsung wants in on some of that action as well.

Samsung’s new app, Game Live, is not out yet but what I’ve been able to find out about it sounds promising. Sure, we already have Twitch to work with, and while that platform rates pretty high among the gaming community, it could use some improvement, something that Samsung is rumored to be including in Game Live.

Simply put, the app will allow gamers using recent Samsung Galaxy devices running Android 6.0 and up to live stream game play to Facebook, YouTube or Twitch with either the game audio, player commentary (through the device’s microphone), or both. Multiple players playing simultaneously in the same game will also be able to chat with each other through the speaker. Users will be able to stream videos up to 4GB (for high quality resolution), which translates to roughly 200 minutes. Lower quality videos could allow bigger sized videos (and therefore longer ones as well).

I don’t think that Samsung is looking to compete with the already well established Twitch, since it allows users to stream to the older app. It is unknown at this time if the app will be made available for other devices, or even older Samsung devices. Equally unknown is whether this will turn out to be a free or affordable app. Certainly Twitch offers a lot more options where device choice is concerned, allowing its users to stream from an impressive nine different platforms, namely Desktop, iPhone, Android, Xbox One and 360, Playstation 4, Chromcast, Fire TV and NVIDIA SHIELD. It’s obviously much more accessible than Game Live will be, if the accounts I’ve heard are true.

But let’s see where Samsung goes from here. If Game Live is as smooth and easy to use as it sounds, newer Galaxy owners may be in for a treat. And my Facebook feed might just be filled with game playing action rather than the latest Facebook video fad.

Jul 15, 2017 0 comment

Guides Smartphones

Guide to Buying iPhone Insurance

written by Elias Stevens

Phone accidents can happen to anyone and the expenses that arise from a cracked, dented, bent or drowned iPhone could be far reaching. According to statistics from SquareTrade, insurers of personal tech, damaged iPhones have cost Americans $10.7 billion between 2007 and 2014. Most of that money was spent on replacements and repairs. Since Apple charges for uninsured repairs and their basic AppleCare does not cover incidental damage, an insurance plan for your iPhone could come in handy.

1. What to look out for while shopping for insurance plans

What features should the insurance package include? The consumer should look out for the duration of time covered by the insurance, whether you will pay a one-off fee or the fee is paid on a monthly basis, the deductibles, the cancellation policy of the plan and the incidents covered such as theft, loss and water damage. The plan should also be clear on the replacement policy and outline how many replacements are allowed, the model of the replacement and the guaranteed time when the replacement will take effect.

2. Getting the best price

A good policy should come with reasonable pricing. There are cheap packages that start from as low as £3 per month, but they will usually have lots of exclusions such as water damage and screen damage. So when picking your policy make sure you check to see if everything you feel you need covering if covered. While considering pricing, apart from the monthly fee one should consider the excess fees. An excess fee is a set amount you will need to pay upfront before any claim is settled on top of your monthly fee. Companies may sneakily lower the monthly fee by upwaiting the excess fee, meaning at first glance it appears cheaper, but if you need to file a claim it may actually come out the same or more expensive than policies with more expensive monthly fees and reduced excess fees. The last thing to think about is how to find good deals. Price comparison sites are a great way of comparing a huge range of insurance providers so that you are able to find the best price quickly.

3. Insurance policy providers

There are many different companies offering iPhone insurance policies. The most obvious option being companies that specialise in iPhone insurance such as specific gadget and mobile insurance providers. Then there are Apples own insurance plans known as Applecare and AppleCare+ which is more comprehensive than the basic AppleCare and includes protection against accidental damage etc. There are also other insurance providers like Asurion who work with telecoms like T-Mobile and Verizon under different policies. Protect Your Bubble, SquareTrade, Greek Squad and Ensquared are just a few of other insurance providers with policies for iPhones.

Phone owners can also look to banks for their Cellular Telephone Protection covers. The phone owner pays an agreed amount called a cellular plan monthly using their credit card/debit card. The banks don’t have a limited contract term, and you can file up to two claims per year. Lastly, find out if you can include your iPhone in your homeowner’s insurance, and the extra cost per month.

Jul 10, 2017 0 comment