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Battery life suffering with iOS 8?

12/31/2014

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After waiting hours on line or waiting patiently at home for your order to be delivered, you finally have the new iPhone 6 or 6 Plus in the palm (or palms) of your hand. But you may have noticed that the latest iOS 8 software is draining the battery life out of your Apple device.

The software update— which can also be downloaded on older Apple devices— includes new features that make the operating system work harder, which in turn sucks up more battery. Unlike older models, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus that run on iOS 8 are less likely to suffer from this problem because of stronger batteries. But no matter what iPhone you have, it's still a good idea to know how to keep battery use efficient. Here are some ways to preserve your iPhones battery life so that you do not face the fatal situation of a dying phone.

1. Identify what is draining the battery

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The updates to iOS 8 allow Apple users to see a breakdown of what apps are using the most power. To find which apps have been draining your devices battery over the last 24 and up to a week, go to Settings > General > Usage > Battery Usage. Close the applications or delete any that are not needed.

2. Turn off location-tracking apps

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When you are in need of GPS directions, location-tracking apps are a necessity. However, tracking each move you make is one of the phone's biggest battery drainers. The updated iOS 8 allows users to select a "While Using" option for some apps like Facebook, which will let you see locations for nearby friends when the app is open.

3. Manage notification widgets

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Apple users can access the Notification Center easily by pulling down the menu from the top of the screen and customizing your 'Today' view. These widgets include weather updates and sports scores, which can use up some valuable battery life. You can now select which widgets you want to turn off by tapping the "Edit" menu.

4. Turn off Handoff

Handoff allows Apple users to seamlessly move from device to device, such as when you are writing an email and switch off between your iPhone and iPad. If you are not planning on multitasking between devices, turn off this battery draining feature by going to Settings > General > Handoff & Suggested Apps.

5. Stop fetching

The fetching function pushes email notifications to your home screen, a process that drains your battery. Instead, manually check your email and turn off this feature by going to Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Fetch New Data.
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Everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S6

12/27/2014

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The Samsung Galaxy S6 release date is fast approaching, and with 2014 quickly drawing to a close rumours and leaks have started to surround the next big talking point on the tech calendar.

With the eagerly awaited iPhone 6 rival expected to touch down in early 2015, latest Samsung Galaxy S6 rumours have suggested the handset could pair an all new, premium design with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, high-speed storage and Google’s Android 5.0 Lollipop OS direct from the box.

Given that the first S6 pictures have leaked and the phone has prematurely appeared under the codename ‘Project Zero’, it is expected that the Galaxy S6 will be a comprehensive refresh over the Galaxy S5 – a handset which has failed to ignite substantial consumer interest.
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Earlier this year the LG G3 introduced the 2560 x 1440p QHD display to the mainstream smartphone space. Such a component has since been bestowed on the Galaxy Note 4 and recent S6 leaks have suggested the upcoming phone will follow suit.

That is not all the phone’s screen could have to offer. It has been suggested a Galaxy Note Edge mimicking double-edged display could also be heading towards the Galaxy S6.

While some reports are farfetched and others more likely, what is almost certain is that the Samsung Galaxy S6 will be unveiled in Q1 2015 as a direct rival to the Nexus 6, remaining consistent with previous launches.

What’s more, with both the Samsung Galaxy Alpha and Galaxy Note 4 having bestowed with metal-framed designs recently, it is now widely expected that next year's Galaxy S6 release will echo its siblings and adopt its own premium materials.
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Samsung Galaxy S6 Release Date

As you would expect, Samsung has yet to offer any official details on the distant Samsung Galaxy S6 release date. That doesn’t mean we don’t have a good idea as to when the phone will launch, however.  

Like Apple, Samsung has become a creature of habit, with the company’s annual product cycles bringing a level of expectation to certain points in the year. For example, September and the Berlin-based IFA conference means a new Note.

Since the Samsung Galaxy S2, the Korean manufacturer’s flagship phone line has been reserved for unveiling during – or within weeks of – the Barcelona-based Mobile Word Congress conference in February. As such there is no reason to believe this will be different for the S6.

With MWC 2015 to be held between March 2 and 5, we would anticipate that the Samsung Galaxy S6 release date could be confirmed during the manufacturer’s dedicated press conference on either Sunday 1 or Monday 2 March.

This tradition could be thrown off by falling profits, however. With Samsung predicting a 60 per cent drop in annual earnings, analysts have suggested the S6 release could be pushed forward in order to stem the rot.

“Samsung’s profits in the mobile division will continue to deteriorate during this period of changing their line of smartphones,” Lee Min-hee, an analyst at IM Investment and Securities, told The New York Times.

Speaking with Bloomberg, Claire Kim, an analyst with Daishin Securities Co in Samsung's native Korea added: “We all know Samsung’s third-quarter earnings will be pretty ugly. The earlier release of its new phones could be reflected in its third-quarter earnings, it could give them a slight boost.”

Reflecting this need for a fast phone introduction, recent leaks have claimed Samsung could pin a surprise S6 launch on us as early as CES 2015 in January.

According to claimed Korean insiders, the S6 will take a formal bow in Vegas. However, given the less than official avenue of these claims, and the slightly questionable nature, we would suggest taking them with a hearty pinch of salt for now.



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Do you want to insure your iPhone or not?

12/24/2014

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Let's take Verizon for example. When you went to go buy your shiny new iPhone at a Verizon carrier store, you most likely were asked if you wanted the carrier’s protection plan, which is simply just insurance for the phone that covers pretty much anything that happens to it. It costs just $10 per month, which doesn’t seem like a lot, but that can add up quickly, adding $240 to what you’ll pay over a two-year period during your contract.


What you may or may not know is Apple offers AppleCare with their products, which is essentially just a one-year limited warranty that’s FREE, but it doesn’t cover accidental damage or loss/theft. However, this is where AppleCare+ jumps in. This is more like insurance, where you pay a $100 flat fee, and it extends the warranty for two years, as well as gives you protection over anything that breaks on your iPhone. However, AppleCare+ still doesn’t cover loss/theft.


Verizon’s insurance plan is more expensive overall, but includes more coverage than AppleCare+, which begs the question: Is Verizon’s insurance option worth the greater cost?

Breaking Down Verizon’s Insurance

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Verizon charges $10 per month for iPhone insurance coverage (which is covered under Asurion). This means that, during your two-year contract, you’ll be paying an extra $240 for the privilege of knowing that you can get your phone fixed or replaced for a fraction of the cost of a brand new iPhone. Compared to the thousands of dollars that you’ll spend on the service alone over the course of two years, $240 isn’t much at all.

However, on top of the monthly fee, you have to pay a deductible whenever your iPhone gets damaged or becomes lost or stolen, and it’s a bit on the pricey side. You’ll be paying a $169 deductible if you have a 16GB iPhone 5s, and $199 for a 32GB and 64GB iPhone 5s. This will get you a replacement iPhone 5s, but Verizon says that your replacement “may be remanufactured equipment,” which is the fancy term for a refurbished model. This shouldn’t be too much of an issue, though, as Apple refurbished products are usually top notch.


It’s also important to note that “if the same model is not available, a comparable model will be provided.” This means that if you break your iPhone 5s, but Apple doesn’t have any identical models in stock, they’ll give you a “comparable model,” which may or may not be fine with you, depending on what they give you as a replacement.

Verizon’s insurance limits replacements to two within a 12-month period (compared to AppleCare’s two within a two-year period), with an equipment maximum of $1500 per claim. This limit should be fine, even if you have a 64GB iPhone, which retails for $850 — well under the $1,500 limit.


Downsides of Verizon’s Insurance

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Unlike AppleCare+, Verizon insurance protection covers lost or stolen iPhones, and that right there could seal the deal for you, but one of the big downsides is that if you break your iPhone or lose it, you can’t just go into a Verizon carrier store, file a claim, and get a replacement phone that same day. Instead, Verizon requires that they ship a new iPhone to you. It will usually ship overnight, but sometimes, some users just can’t wait that long, especially if they won’t have a phone during that time period.


Another downside is the cost of the deductible. I already mentioned it, but Verizon’s deductible is at least $169, while Apple’s deductible is only $79 for the iPhone 5s (an increase from $49). When we filed a claim with Apple in the past, we were in and out of the Apple Store with a new iPhone in about 10 minutes, making the entire process a lot quicker and easier than Verizon’s.

Is Verizon Insurance Worth It?

It really just depends what you’re after. The fact that AppleCare+ doesn’t cover lost or stolen iPhones can be a huge reason that you would choose Verizon’s insurance plan over Apple’s, since Verizon covers lost or stolen units. However, you’ll be paying more money in the long run for that privilege. Then again, AppleCare+ comes with exceedingly better customer service when handling insurance claims from what we’ve experienced in the past, so if you’re wanting a quick turnaround time, AppleCare+ might be what you’re after.



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A Grade replacement Parts VS. A- Grade parts

12/19/2014

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A- Grade Replacement LCD's

  • Deemed usable but may have issues later on or immediately
  • Often have one or more dead pixels
  • Usually $3-15 cheaper than A grade parts
  • Possible spotty image and weak colors
  • Often won't work at all or just show a white screen and makes repairs take longer when a second replacement screen has to be installed
  • Glass that breaks much easier than 

A Grade Replacement LCD's

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  • Thoroughly tested to be fully functional and free of any defects that would cause problems later on.
  • Bright colors and clear image that will match or exceed  the quality of the OEM screen that came in the phone.
  • Strength Comparable to the original glass that came on your phone.
  • Typically cost $3-15 more but the end result is much better.

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Local Repair Stores

Many places have good prices on repairs and order A grade replacement parts. There is also many places that offer slightly lower prices that order A- Grade replacement parts. We strive to offer great prices and we only order A grade replacement parts.
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Ebay and Amazon LCD's

With ebay and amazon you never know what you're going to get. Sellers buy LCD's in bulk and often choose A- parts to maximize their profit.  When choosing a replacement screen to install yourself, choosing the cheapest screen is not always the best option. It's a competitive market out there. Your best bet at a good part on Ebay or Amazon is going to be buying from a seller with close to 100% positive feedback. If you look at the seller whose part is a little more expensive they will most likely have a much higher feedback score than the seller whose part is a couple dollars cheaper.

Why Fix My Phone SD?

  • We only order Grade A Parts
  • Your phone will never be missing a screw after a repair with us
  • Awesome customer service
  • Great prices
  • Most repairs will only take 15-30 minutes
  • We do it all, you name it, iPhones, Mac. Pc , Game consoles, Samsung and other phone brands.
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    Author

    Nathan Scheuerlein
    Smart Phone Technician

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