Category Archives: iPhone

iPhone

How to increase iOS 7 battery life

Image 2 Comments

iOS 7. Many iPhone users love it, and a few can’t stand it. The initial hype has now passed and the overwhelming, system clogging downloads of the new iOS are largely done. iOS 7 comes with many changes. A new interface, apps designed especially for it, and even handy features like a flashlight. However, many of us are discovering something else that iOS 7 came equipped with – a distinct ability to suck the life out of our iPhone batteries.

If you’ve noticed your battery power dropping at an alarming rate, there are a few tweaks you can make within your iPhone settings that will help you improve the life of your battery. Quick and simple to set up, they will make a marked improvement in your ability to text, tweet, upload photos and play Angry Birds to your heart’s content, without carrying your phone charger everywhere you go.

1. Turn off AirDrop

Unless you really need it, which many iPhone users don’t, shutting down AirDrop is a great way to conserve power. Stop your iPhone from constantly searching for others nearby and you’ll notice your battery life improve.

How to turn off AirDrop
How to turn off AirDrop

2. Turn off Wi-Fi searching

Do you really need to constantly be searching for wireless networks everywhere you go? This may be useful on vacation, when you want to check your Facebook and email without paying the exorbitant cost associated with data roaming. Otherwise, all it is is a drain on your power.

3. Disable apps from refreshing in the background

Like AirDrop and Wi-Fi searching, this is another sneaky feature that runs on your iPhone and uses up the battery. Tweaking your notification settings for your specific needs will help you stay on top of the latest information through your apps of choice without wasting battery life. There are few instances where having your apps constantly refreshing in the background will actually be essential.

4. Turn off unneeded notification settings

As mentioned in number 3, they can be set up the way you prefer. Once you’ve shut off your iPhone’s background app refresh, take a look at your notifications centre and shut off anything that you don’t really use. Like the default Stocks app.

5. Turn off Siri’s “raise to speak” feature

Fans of the virtual assistant should note that this doesn’t mean shutting Siri off completely. Rather, you’re just disabling the feature that activates Siri each time you raise your phone to your face. If you need Siri, she’s there for you. Not prompting her every time you raise your phone to your mouth can help your battery last quite a bit longer.

6. Swap to Airplane Mode

If you know you’re in a location with terrible reception or where you won’t otherwise be able to take calls, this is an ideal way to save battery power. You can even turn Wi-Fi on while you’re in Airplane Mode, which means you can preserve the life of your battery without missing important emails or tweets.

7. Turn down the brightness setting

By dimming your screen even slightly, you can use less power and enjoy extended battery life throughout the day. There are few situations that genuinely require brightness to be up full blast. If you’re not in one of them, dim the lights a little and your battery won’t run out so fast.

Running out of battery power throughout the day or being a slave to your charger is annoying, but by spending a few minutes configuring the settings in your iPhone, your battery life is sure to improve significantly. It is possible to enjoy all the amazing features of iOS 7 without draining your battery. It just takes a little initial effort.

iPhone

Overview of the new iPhone 5s from Apple

Image Leave a comment

After months of rumors circulating online, in early September Apple finally made the official announcement about the iPhone 5s and which features it will contain. Now the first wave of the buzz-worthy smartphones are being released in the United States, and Apple fanatics can’t wait to be amongst the first to own one or even get their name on a waiting list with their wireless provider.

So what is it that makes this phone so great? There are many updates, big and small. Here are a few of the top features of the iPhone 5s:

Amazing new A7 chip

By including it in the 5s, Apple has become the first smartphone manufacturer in the world to offer a mobile device with 64-bit architecture. As a result, the CPU and graphics performance of the iPhone 5s is up to two times faster than the previous iPhone – desktop-computer quality technology in a device that fits in the palm of your hand.

Apple M7 Coprocessor
Apple M7 Coprocessor

Incredible M7 chip

Able to measure data from an accelerometer, gyroscope and compass, it saves the 5s from constantly relying on the A7 chip for everything. Perhaps the best feature of the M7 chip is the fact that it can differentiate between walking, running and even vehicle motion. This makes it practical in small but convenient ways, such as not asking you about joining the Wi-Fi network of your local coffee shop when you happen to be driving by it. Furthermore, the M7 chip can detect when your iPhone is idle or you’re asleep and will reduce network pinging to save on battery life.

Touch ID fingerprint sensor

Centered on the iPhone 5s home button, which is made of sapphire crystal, it reads the ridges and patterns in your print and functions accordingly, providing an unprecedented level of security for locking and unlocking your device. Touch ID technology can also be used in place of a traditional password to make purchases through iTunes, iBooks and the Mac App Store. Fingerprint data stored within the iPhone 5s is encrypted and saved securely in the A7 chip, where it is locked away from everything but the touch sensor itself.

Improved iSight camera

With 8 megapixels plus additional 1.5-micron pixels, Apple has centered the iPhone 5s camera on people who want to take great photos, not become expert photographers. They know that much of their target audience simply wants to take awesome shots on the go that they can upload to their social networks. The camera in the 5s has True Tone flash for still photographs and videos, automatic image stabilization, burst mode and slow motion video features.

Stunning graphics

If you were amazed by retina display, the graphics in the new 5s will surely impress you. Set at the standard of quality Mac computers, they highlight textures and shadows in an incredibly true-to-life fashion and even visualize sun reflecting off water. Whether you like to play games, watch Netflix or look at photos on your iPhone, the 5s sets a new standard for providing impressive visuals.

The iPhone 5s is equipped with a wealth of other new features, such as LTE wireless capability, improved energy efficiency and even a sleeker, lighter body. You can also discover all the differences between the 5s and 5c in our detailed comparison post.

iPhone

Overview of the new iPhone 5c from Apple

Image Leave a comment

The iPhone 5c; something for those of us who like to live life in color. After months of online gossip about a new, cheaper iPhone, Apple made the official announcement about the iPhone 5c on September 10th. The new model of iPhone – for which the c definitely stands for “color” not “cheap” is like a reimagined iPhone 5. On September 20th the iPhone 5c was released in the United States, and many consumers are now excited about this fun, affordable smartphone.

There are many great aspects of the iPhone 5c besides just the affordable price tag. It boasts everything the first iPhone 5 did with a few welcome differences. Here are some of the best features the latest addition to the Apple family has to offer:

iPhone 5c Pink
iPhone 5c Pink

A high-quality, colorful exterior

Available in carefully selected shades of green, blue, yellow, pink or white, the 5c is definitely not a cheap, plastic mobile phone. It has a steel reinforced frame that acts as an antenna, which is attached to the phone’s shell and the laser-welded to ensure structural integrity. For those who really like color, specifically designed iPhone 5c cases are available that will allow owners to “mix it up” with 30 different color combinations. 5c cases are designed to be part of the experience. Made of quality silicone with a soft microfiber interior, they are molded to and run parallel with the rim of the phone. As a result, 5c owners can be creative with their color combinations and protect their smartphones without added bulk.

The powerful A6 chip

While it’s not the incredible A7 and M7 chip combination that comes with the iPhone 5s, the A6 is certainly nothing to scoff at. With twice the speed and graphics capabilities of its predecessor, it is more than enough power for the majority of iPhone users and allows use of apps with enjoyment, speed and ease.

Stunning retina display

The liquid crystal display on the 5c is like that of other recent Apple devices. It has a high enough pixel density that the human eye can’t detect pixilation at regular viewing distance. This means that photos are more vivid, games graphics are more vibrant, video quality is sharper and your entire iPhone 5c visual experience is rich and exciting.

Lightning-fast LTE wireless

Both the 5c and the 5s come equipped with this incredible connection capability. However, use of it depends on which mobile carrier you choose. While it’s becoming increasingly common, LTE still isn’t available in all areas. Should you be able to take advantage of it, however, you’ll experience connection and data transfer speeds that are distinctly faster than 3G and 4G.

Improved energy efficiency

While some people were skeptical of the ability to pack so much computing power into an iPhone without making battery life suffer, Apple has proved doubters wrong. The A6 chip is designed with energy efficiency in mind, consequently extending battery life. With 10 hours of LTE internet browsing time, talk time and even video playback time, the iPhone 5c is both powerful enough to do whatever you need and not have you scrambling to charge it back up halfway through your work day.

While many tech experts are focusing on the technological marvel that is the iPhone 5s, it’s important to not write the 5c off as an inferior device. Features like Touch ID and the M7 chip, while impressive, aren’t necessary for many consumers. For those who want a product that combines great technology with a fun design and manageable price tag, the iPhone 5c is a wise choice.

iPhone

Top 5 features iPhone 5s has over the colorful 5c

Image Leave a comment

With the debut of the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c, the tech world is buzzing about Apple once again. Seeing as the company was eager to prove they can still innovate, it’s no surprise there is a whole host of new features on each of the latest iPhones. Whichever you pick, the 5s and 5c both offer something extra over the iPhone 5. So are you seeking the latest and greatest in smartphone technology? Or are you after something that offers great features, is hip, affordable and as Apple puts it, “for the colorful?” If you’re not sure yet which iPhone suits you best, it may be helpful to consider what the 5s has that the 5c doesn’t.

A7 chip

With it, Apple has become the first smartphone manufacturer in the world to offer a mobile device with 64-bit architecture. Paired with the M7 motion coprocessor, it means the CPU and graphics performance of the iPhone 5s is up to two times faster than its predecessor. Think of it as desktop computer-class architecture packed into a sleek, super slim smartphone. Best of all, the new iOS 7 was designed specifically with the A7 chip in mind, maximizing performance and functionality.

Touch ID fingerprint sensor

Centered on the iPhone’s home button, which on the 5s is made of sapphire crystal, it reads the ridges and patterns in your print and functions accordingly, providing an unprecedented level of security for locking and unlocking your device. Touch ID technology can also be used in place of a traditional password to make purchases through iTunes, iBooks and the Mac App Store. Fingerprint data stored within the iPhone 5s is encrypted and saved securely in the A7 chip, where it is locked away from everything but the touch sensor itself.

Better iSight camera

Now with 8 megapixels and an additional 1.5-micron pixels, the iPhone 5s camera boasts True Tone flash for both still photographs and videos, automatic image stabilization, burst mode and slow motion video features. Those who thought previous iPhones had cameras of a high enough quality to replace their traditional point-and-shoot digital cameras are sure to be amazed at the improvements offered in the 5s.

Thinner and lighter design

With many rumors circulating that the new iPhone might be even larger than the 5, or that Apple might release a Samsung Galaxy-style “phablet” similar to the Note, a sleeker smartphone was a pleasant surprise. The iPhone 5s is 4.87 inches tall, compared to the 5c at 4.9 inches. It’s 2.31 inches wide, where the 5c is 2.33 inches. It’s also 0.3 inches deep, compared to the 5c at 0.35 inches. Even better, it weighs just 3.95 ounces, while the iPhone 5c is 4.65 ounces. All this incredible technology, and it’s still smaller and lighter.

Heftier price tag

As expected, the iPhone 5s doesn’t come cheap. A 16GB model is $199 with a wireless contract, or $649 unlocked. By comparison, a 16GB iPhone 5c is $99 on contract or $549 unlocked. The 32GB 5s is $299 on contract or $749 unlocked, while the 32Gb 5c is $199 with a wireless plan or $749 without one. Furthermore, the iPhone 5s is available in a 64GB model for those who have a lot of data to store on their smartphone. It weighs in at $399 on contract or $849 without. There is no 64GB iPhone 5c.

iPhone 5s / 5c Comparison
iPhone 5s / 5c Comparison

Which iPhone you choose will likely depend on both your budget and the features you can’t live without. If you must have Touch ID and the new A7 chip, but don’t require a lot of data storage, you can save a lot of money by choosing a 17GB or 32GB model. However, if you just want a smartphone that offers some of the latest technology, is fun and comes in a range of attractive colors, the 5c is a great option that won’t break the bank.

iPhone

New iPhone buzz creates discounts for older iPhone 5

Image Leave a comment

While it’s likely that we’ll once again see lines of people stretching around the block, waiting to be amongst the first into their local Apple store or big-box electronics retailer for the new iPhone 5s or 5c, for some people having the absolute latest and greatest isn’t as important.

Just because the new iPhone is about to be released doesn’t mean that the current iPhone 5 is junk. It’s still a technological marvel and will meet or exceed the needs of many people who purchase it. And if getting a quality smartphone at a smart price is more enticing to you, now is the time to get an iPhone 5. Although now discontinued, wireless carriers and retails shops are clearing them out in preparation for the new models, and there are some real bargains available.

If you’re looking for an unlocked iPhone with no strings attached, then EBay is a good place to turn. Depending on the model (16, 32 or 64 GB) an iPhone 5 will cost you approximately $300.00 to $500.00 there, which means you can pick a slightly used one up for half the price it was new.

Walmart iPhone 5 Ad
Walmart iPhone 5 Ad

However, if you don’t want to buy used or you’d rather be cautious and deal with a local retailer, WalMart, Best Buy and Target are offering great deals. WalMart has the cheapest iPhone 5 deal going, with a starting price of just $98.00. They aren’t refurbished products, either.

Best Buy is offering the same phones for $149.00 with reports of further, periodic discounts coming. They have also been running a buy-back promotion. Anyone who brings in a working iPhone 4 or 4s can upgrade it to an iPhone 5 at half the price. Target is also offering the iPhone 5 for $149.00 in their electronics departments.

An important bit of information to keep in mind, however, is that these prices are available to consumers who sign a two-year minimum contract with a participating wireless carrier such as Verizon, Sprint or AT&T at the time they purchase their iPhone 5.

Another nice bonus currently being offered is directly from Apple itself. College students who purchase an iPhone 5 directly from the computing giant will be awarded a handy $50.00 iTunes gift card. That will provide the ability to download many of the latest study aid and productivity apps which will help with school – or perhaps a few movies and songs.

A riskier option that is still popular with many people is looking for an iPhone 5 on websites such as Craigslist. Many people will take the upgrade when it’s offered by their wireless service provider, with the intention of making some money rather than using a new device themselves. They turn around and sell like-new iPhone 5 models online and frequently offer them at great prices. Of course, the protection of purchasing from a retailer isn’t there, so it’s buyer beware. Do your homework and know what the model is going for and whether it actually works before you hand over any money.

Furthermore, it is also possible that further discounts on the iPhone 5 will be offered by retailers now that the September 10th event has come and gone. Now is the time to save even more on an iPhone 5 when everyone else is buzzing about the newest 5s and 5c models. If you currently own an iPhone 5 consider selling it for top dollar now before its value decreases.