Smart Phone Tips Archives - Page 46 of 65

Why you probably should skip your carrier’s insurance on your smart phone

Posted on February 7, 2017

Are you paying a monthly fee to your cell carrier to cover repairs to your phone should something happen to it? If you are, you’re probably paying way too much for what could amount to very little coverage.

Depending on the carrier and phone, you could be paying upwards of $15 per month for a plan that has a whopping $200 deductible!

In my opinion, carrier insurance (AKA an extended warranty) is rarely a good deal, even when it does actually “pay off”. Which brings me to my next point… [Read more…]

Warning: Apple will soon start ‘analyzing’ your iCloud data and personal files

Posted on February 2, 2017

Apple is planning to release iOS 10.3 before long, and with that update will come several significant changes to the operating system.

I believe most of those changes will be good ones, but there’s one that concerns me.

Beginning with iOS 10.3, Apple will start “analyzing” your iCloud data to “help them improve intelligent features and services such as Siri and other similar or related services.”

In a nutshell, that means Apple will soon start scanning your email, your notes, your contacts, your photos, your calendar, Keychain, Find My iPhone, your iTunes items and all the various files you have stored on iCloud. [Read more…]

How to display the full version of a website in Safari

Posted on December 19, 2016

Most websites now include a mobile version of the site that users will see when they visit the site with a mobile device.

These mobile sites are typically stripped-down versions of the full website, making them load faster and use less cellular data. They are also typically easier to use on the smaller screens on smart phones and tablets.

But occasionally that presents a problem… [Read more…]

Samsung is going to ‘brick’ all remaining Galaxy Note 7 phones on December 19

Posted on December 14, 2016

As I mentioned in this post, Samsung has stopped making their ill-fated Galaxy Note 7 smart phones and issued a recall for all of the units that have already been sold.

According to the company, about 93% of all the Galaxy Note 7 devices that were sold have already been returned under the recall, and now Samsung is planning to use a special form of “tough-love” to spur the return of the remaining phones.

To that end, Samsung will be releasing an update on December 19 that will prevent the Galaxy Note 7’s battery from being recharged and cut off all access to cellular and Internet connections. In short, the phones will be effectively “bricked” on that date. [Read more…]

‘Flash On Call’ alerts you with a bright flash when you receive a voice call

Posted on October 28, 2016

Do you often miss incoming calls because your Android phone is on mute and you don’t realize that someone is trying to call you?

Sure, the screen will come on and let you know there’s a call coming in, but unless you’re relatively close to the phone (and happen to be looking at it), it’s very easy to miss the visual alert – and hence you miss the call.

Well, there’s a simple way to ensure that you never miss the visual alert for another incoming call. All you have to do is install a handy free app called Flash On Call. [Read more…]