Smartphones-Tablets

Slow Down Your Draining iPhone Battery

Adelaide Techguy Apple-iOS-OSX, Smartphones-Tablets ,

There is nothing worse when your battery on your iPhone is running down and you of course do the obvious things:

  • Turn off push emails
  • Turn down screen brightness
  • Close out of your apps
  • But there is a new one , put your iPhone into greyscale mode

Greyscale mode is a setting that eliminates all colour on your iPhone’s screen by making the display black-and-white.

By not displaying any colour, your phone is saving battery and the setting also lowers the brightness on your phone, which we all know helps preserve its battery.iPhone 7 Plus Jet Black

Links In SMS – You Need To Stop Clicking Them

Adelaide Techguy Smartphones-Tablets , ,

Scams or variations of old scams offering you the world through an SMS link or that passwords need to be reset should be avoided at all costs.

Do not click that link.

In fact do not click SMS links in general that may take you to third party sites such as banking SMS links that say there is an issue with your account.

Banks will not use this and if you believe there is an issue with your account – phone the bank and if you believe there maybe an issue with your Apple ID , logon to check your Apple ID at Apple to check.

These scams are designed to get your personal details , passwords etc

Hell Has Frozen Over – I Have Moved To The Samsung S8 Plus

Adelaide Techguy Google-Android, Samsung, Smartphones-Tablets , ,

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I have now been using my new smartphone the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus for a week now and it is time to pass an opinion.

I have used an iPhone 7 Plus since its release but over the last few years I would get the Samsung Galaxy smartphones – test them – then pass it on and go back to my iPhone.

This time around though I have kept using the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus and have no intention of giving it up.

Here is why:

  • It is a gorgeous device – surely the best designed visually appealing smartphone they have made
  • The screen is superb – really superb , with the wrap around screen – and it goes to the edge of the device
  • Battery life is excellent – I can use the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus all day – not charge it – then get up the next day and still have 25% – 30% left
  • It is quick and snappy and have not noticed any lag at all which does seem to plague so many Android devices
  • The camera is great , both front and back – the front camera has autofocus which works well
  • There is less of a Samsung presence on the device and the Samsung apps that are on the S8 Plus do however work well
  • It runs the latest Android operating system – 7 – and Samsung will keep sending out the security updates

So is there anything I don’t like – yes – the fingerprint reader is in the wrong position as it is next to the camera on the back which I am sure Samsung will fix on the S9 , I just use the number lock or the facial recognition.

I highly recommend the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus.

Photos taken with the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus

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Android Security – Choose Wisely – You Could Lose Your Phone Numbers

Adelaide Techguy Computer Repair Adelaide, Smartphones-Tablets , , ,

Android users always love to install some form of security on their smartphone , whether it is one of the big brand names ( Eg: Norton , Trend , AVG ( a big no to this one ) in the hope that it will prevent them from being infected ( It wont if you do the wrong thing ).

Last week I saw someone that had installed an app called BullGuard which decided to remove all details of contacts including their phone numbers , just leaving them with a name.

Once I removed the app , restarted the device , all the contacts returned.

If you want to stay safe and protected on Android here are some tips:

  • Keep the device updated
  • Keep the apps updated from the Google Play Store 
  • Don’t take candy from strangers – apps only from Google Play and don’t fall for the free movies , free tv shows , free music apps or sites 

If you really want some form of security try Lookout 

 

Battery Saving Tips For Your Smartphone

Adelaide Techguy Smartphones-Tablets ,

Battery life is critical to most smartphone users so here are some tips to keep your smartphone running just that bit longer:        

  • Turn down the brightness – brightness drains batterys 
  • Turn off wifi if you do not need it or you are going through weak wifi areas as your phone will constantly search for wifi – free wifi networks in capital cities and if you are in large groups of people – such as sporting grounds 
  • Turn off Bluetooth if you do not need it
  • Turn off push email – you can do this manually
  • Turn off background refresh for apps

You can also buy a powerbank for when you run out  

As we head into summer remember do not leave your phone in the car or in the car window on days of extreme heat as that can damage your smartphone.

What Do We Know About Passwords & Some Password Tips

Adelaide Techguy Computer Security, Smartphones-Tablets ,

“Intel conducted a survey in April, of which 521 respondents were Australian, to find out about people’s password habits and made some concerning findings:”

— http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2016/05/world-password-day-is-coming-are-your-passwords-secure/


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    mso-fareast-language:JA;}Australians have an average of 26 different personal and business-related accounts that require a password

  • 33 per cent of Australians forget a password at least once a week
  • 68 per cent of Australians don’t know what 2 factor authentication is – this is where you give your mobile phone number to the company ( Apple , Microsoft , Google , Facebook etc ) and a code is sent to your mobile that you will need to enter in to authorise that this is indeed you – Details of 2 Factor Authentication
  • 20 per cent of Australians have regretted sharing a password with a family member or friend in the past – this is common amongst teens and should be addressed by parents 
  • 53 per cent of Australians would prefer to use thumbprint recognition and 20 per cent would prefer to use an eye scanner to login into their accounts instead of the traditional password

Password Tips To Keep You Secure

  • Try and use unique passwords for every account
  • Change your passwords regularly
  • Stop using one word passwords – your name and a number is a poor choice
  • Lock your mobile with a PIN or password – many people do not
  • Enable 2-factor authentication – as above
  • Let a password manager memorise your passwords

Block A Phone Number On Android Smartphone Or iPhone

Adelaide Techguy Smartphones-Tablets , , ,

If you get unwanted phone calls from people that you may want to block it really is very easy.

On an Android phone look for the more or the dots in the top right hand corner of the screen and you will be presented with the option to block.

On an iPhone 

Go to your list of recent callers .(open the Phone app, then hit the Recents tab at the bottom). Click the ‘i’ symbol next to the number you want to block, scroll down and tap Block this Caller, then confirm your decision.