Friday, April 21, 2017

Choose the Right Mobile Phone Provider to get the most out of your Apple

phone
Choosing a cell phone carrier is now tougher than ever, especially now that handsets have tremendously improved and data networks are faster. If you are yet to get a new mobile phone plan, you may be paying more than necessary. In fact, switching to a better provider may lead you to a big drop in your monthly bill in terms of faster data, customer service and reliable coverage. Eyeing a top-of-the-line Apple handset? Well, it is now possible to lease and pay it off in interest-free instalments to enjoy a lower monthly bill. Below are vital guidelines for finding the best phone provider for your lifestyle.

The Provider

If you are on a budget, smaller carriers are the best for modest data requirements, including email, Facebook and browsing. Heavy data users are mostly suited for larger carriers such as Verizon and T-Mobile. These large carriers have a unique advantage over their smaller competitors, especially since their coverage around the country is great with the high-speed 4G internet. You can use the zip code of your provider to find out about the coverage. Also, before signing up, ensure the provider is open to receiving your phone back should you experience coverage problems. Some carriers give clients up to 14 days to decide if they should continue using the phone or not. You may incur a restocking fee too, so get the details before making your purchase. For most phone users, the largest portion of their charges is mostly related to the amount of broadband received. Therefore, always have a rough figure of the amount of data you are likely to use per month.

Data Usage

The amount of data used monthly depends on the access to a WIFI hotspot and the the frequency of downloads and gaming. Light data users tend to spend most of their time checking emails and social media sites. Medium data users are a little dependent on the internet when giving a few touch-ups in their streaming and limited gaming. Heavy data users rely on the internet consistently to download movies, videos and games.

When should you replace your Phone? 

You can consider replacing a troublesome phone such as one with a cracked screen. When moving to another provider, you don’t necessarily need to replace your phone. In the past, providers would lock their phones to discourage users from going through the process of paying for other handsets. Some providers today such as Apple have unlocked phones, giving you the chance to switch from one operator to another. However, if you plan on replacing your old model with a new one, it would be a great idea to change your phone.

Weigh your Options

Mobile phones play a great role in running apps and browsing the internet, and also facilitating social networking. The difference comes in on how either operating system can handle the tasks. Also, the OS has a huge effect on the selection of apps. While most people tend to stick to one OS, it is worth knowing that switching can present additional features that are more appealing than what is at hand. Today, different phones come with features upgrades to help their users be more efficient and productive. Voice command is a good example, where users dial up numbers by calling out the digits or mentioning the contact name. Also, there are phones that allow users to schedule meetings, find local businesses and make notes.

How should you pay? 

Different providers have varying modes of payment. You can choose to pay for it over time or lease it. Paying over time is recommended when you have expensive taste. You can have the retail price divided into 24 monthly instalments or less. Before signing up, read the fine print to ensure the period is favourable for you. Leasing is ideal for people who love to switch providers every one or two years. It means that after a certain period, you can change your phone for a new model.

If you are considering a move to a different carrier, make sure you are getting the best deal and that your needs are fully covered. Figure out the best broadband for in terms of light, medium and heavy data services before switching.

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Facebook Launches Its Complementary Newsfeed Page on iOS Devices

Rocket icon
The dedicated team behind Facebook is always in the process of creating a great user experience through innovation. For some Facebook users the addition of a new ‘rocket icon’ may have raised eyebrows as to what it could possibly be. Although Facebook page has featured news feed icon, the rocket icon is another addition to that concept. What the rocket icon does is provide users second news feed page that directly link to stories, blogs, feeds, photographs, and such from various other sources that you may have missed.

The ‘rocket icon’

The intention here by the developers, was to enhance the already present newsfeed feature by adding this second rocket icon. The second icon basically, links many other sources of text and images relating to an item or subject you were looking at.

The position where this icon appears is dependent on the operating software of the device. Devices are primarily operated by iOS or Android, which decides the icon’s appearance on the top or bottom. However, Facebook has not yet confirmed this to be a permanent feature of this popular social media platform. It is currently experimenting on presenting a substitute News Feed page.

This secondary page will consist of videos, photos, articles, and posts from a variety of sources, even those that are not followed by the user.

Available through an update 

This new ‘rocket icon’ is available on both Android and iOS apps, and this secondary news feed displays content chosen by Facebook for the user. A spokesperson of the company recently stated that it is going to be a complementary feed of trending photos, videos and articles, but will be customized for each person.

This means that no two users will have the same content displaying on the ‘rocket icon’ page. Now, that’s definitely something Facebook has never attempted before. It is recent in the tweaks and changes Facebook has made and this has got people thinking over what else the company has planned.

Experimenting with new feature 

The company has a history of experimenting with new and improved features and if these tests become successful, the features are finalized. The ‘rocket icon’ is a completely new Facebook feature, and only after testing the popularity, will it be finalized.

This new feature is similar to Instagram’s explore page, which displays content that the user has not expressly liked, but might be interested in. however, the company believes that this new venture will be successful as many Facebook users recently have been in the asking for something new and exciting.

All the contents displayed on the ‘rocket ship’ newsfeed will be similar to the pages that the users have already liked. It will also showcase contents that are trending in the social media world, and things that are popular amongst your friends.

However, this is not something completely new, as Facebook has already tested this format using a small square icon, that was only available for Android Beta users. The rocket icon is not a limited version and is available on all devices operating on iOS and Android.

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

New iPhone 8 Details Reveal Impressive Advanced Technology

iPhone 8
Credit: Oscar Luna Martinez
Apple’s famous rival has already launched its flagship devices for this year’s sales but Apple is quiet about the development made into the creation of next iPhone 8. Samsung has been smart in launching the Galaxy S8 with a revamped refreshing design and thereby gets the advantage of getting into the market first. However Apple is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that iPhone 8 remains the elite device for the consumers to purchase during the last quarter of this year.

Removal of iconic physical home button

Samsung has simply paved way for the Apple to ditch the physical button with the launch of the Galaxy S8. Apple is certainly expected the follow the lead with the removal of the physical home button in the iPhone 8 as per the rumors. And once Apple does it then it will become a trend for other mobile OEMs to follow in the upcoming days but Apple is known for giving a huge boost on its each move. Removing the button will not be a simple affair rather Apple is working towards bringing such a technology which brings more features and functionalities right to the screen to compensate for the removal.

Fingerprint sensor will move away from the front

With Galaxy S8 Samsung has removed the fingerprint sensor from top to the bottom of the device by placing it right beside the camera. Though this move is bit awkward and it will take considerable before one gets accustomed to it. Apple has worked all the year to bring a credible solution for this as per the rumors where fingerprint scanning functionality will be embedded right beneath the touch screen.

Curve design to debut on iPhone

It might appear that Apple is simply ripping off all the important design elements of the Samsung Galaxy S8 in its upcoming iPhone 8. But it is other way around. Reports have already in the media for past six detailing most of the advancement and dramatic design which is expected to be implemented on the upcoming device. Samsung is just reaping the benefit of coming in the market first which such a kind of device.

Apple has worked in close association with a number of suppliers to come with an advanced curved display which works in sync with its homegrown technologies. iPhone 8 will certainly embrace the curved display trend which was pioneered by the Samsung but it will be completely optimized for the iOS platform to lend a completely new persona.

iPhone set to feature a new Touch ID sensor

Apple will be bringing a different style of TouchID sensor for the iPhone 8. Earlier it has been widely reported that Apple is planning to do away with the iconic physical home button with the use of ‘discrete ultrasonic transducers’. This will allow Apple to add some interesting gestures support and lot of magical feature right into the screen which can become the talk of the planet for the rest of the year.

Free Calling VoIP Apps For Mac


There are a lot of VoIP services and software packages available that allow Mac users to make free or cheap VoIP calls. This is important to know because many Mac users are frustrated by the fact that VoIP providers have softphones which are only Windows compatible. If you want to make free or cheap calls from your Mac then you should consider some of these apps and services.

Skype
skype

Skype is possible the most popular of all VoIP services available and it offers a softphone client to more than half a billion of its users. When using Skype you can all other Skype users for free. You can also make video calls, voice calls and have a conference with this service. If you are going to call a mobile phone or landline you will pay low rates.

Skype has been improving the VoIP client for Mac, but there is something that makes it weaker than the Windows version. This is the fact that it is not free, only cheap. If you have a home business then you should look at Skype for Business as a VoIP option.

QuteCom
QuteCom

QuteCom used to be called Wengophone and is a strong, free VoIP client. This service offers what Skype does with SIP compatibility. You will be able to make video and voice calls to people who also use QuteCom as well as cheap calls to mobiles and landlines worldwide.

This service also allows you to send an SMS to mobile devices. You can configure your client to work with any SIP-compatible VoIP service which allows you to use the application as a phone.

iChat

iChat is a VoIP client that comes for free with your Mac operating system so it will already be on your machine. The application is slick and clean with a video-conference function that allows up to 4 people onto a call at once. The primary issue with this application is that you are not able to make calls to mobiles or landlines and can only speak to people who have a Mac.

FaceTime
FaceTime

If you are looking for a simple app for video calling then FaceTime is one of them. This is exclusively for Mac's and does what you want it to very well. However, this is not a free solution and sells on the Apple App Market for a dollar. It is a very high-quality app with crisp HD video and voice communication.

Google Hangouts
Google Hangouts

Many people assume that this Google product will not work on a Mac. However, you can integrate the tool into your Mac. This is a very useful tool if you have a Gmail account or use other services from Google.

LoudHush
Loudhush

If you are looking for an app that is only for Mac then LoudHush is one of them. This is a VoIP softphone that works with an Asterisk PBX which makes it a less than ideal choice for many people. However, if you do have an account with Asterisk PBX then it will come in handy and offers some very interesting features.

X-Lite
xlite

Bespoke VoIP apps for customers is something that Counter path excels at, but they also have many good pre made products. X-Lite is one of the products they have which contains their basic elements of the paid app which is rich in features. This product offers SIP calling and is ideal for anyone looking for something to use in a corporate context.

Viber
viber

Viber is primarily for smartphones as it is one of the many VoIP calling apps that you can get. However, there is also a full application for Mac and PC computers.

How to Use Find My AirPods Feature in iOS 10.3

 Find My AirPods

One of the pioneers of creating high tech gadgets, Apple has never failed to surprise its customers. Yet again, Apple has come up with something new that is bound to awe its loyal customers. The company has recently released iOS 10.3 officially, and as usual it is packed with a host of surprises. AirPods users would find themselves lucky, for the gadget’s updated version is all set to amuse the users. The Find My iPhone feature is now available on AirPods, and it would make the process of finding misplaced AirPods incredibly easy.

Easier to locate misplaced earbuds 

The feature called Find My Airpods is new and thus a few glitches are quite common. This AiPod feature is not quite sophisticated as the iPhone one, as one has to connect their iPhone to their AirPods for making this new feature functional. This also means that if the two devices are present not quite close to each other, the feature will not operate. However, Apple is known for its constant customer dedication and thus every AirPod user can be assured that the company will try its best to find the misplaced device. This new feature is accessible just like the other ‘Find’ services for Apple Watch, iPod, iPad, and Mac.

Find My AirPod 

For using this new and enhanced Apple feature, simply log into the Find iPhone application, and find ‘AirPods’ in the list of available devices. From there, you will find where all the Apple products including the Airpods are located. For locating the AirPod only, tap the option given and you’ll find an option which will allow you to play a song on the device. You’ll also find a similar option which will allow you to mute the right or left AirPod for stopping the music. The feature of stopping the music is provided to help you locate only one of them if you’ve not misplaced both. Although, the sound emitted isn’t that loud, but it is enough to find a misplaced earbud in a moderately quiet environment.

Keep it connected with the iPhone 

For those of you, who have started using iPhone or AirPods for not that long need to know that the feature will only work if the AirPods are connected to the iPhone. In case, your device isn’t connected to the AirPods or you’ve misplaced them in some other location you will only get to see its last location. Even if you press the ‘play sound’ button you’ll receive a screen pop up saying ‘sound pending’. However, while most of us are in the habit or losing or misplacing earbuds, this function will be a boon for all Apple users.

It’s quite useful for tracing nearby AirPods. Even though Apple has made it far easier to locate misplaced gadgets (that are expensive), losing them at a faraway location might make it difficult for you to locate. Inspite of this slight technical hurdle, the feature is advantageous and even more applaud able is the gadgets wireless design. So, if you’ve invested in AirPods no need to fret if you’ve managed to misplace it. Apple’s impeccable features will help you locate the device and save you from the hassle of buying new ones.