Monday 17 July 2017

Haven’t Upgraded to a Smartphone Yet? Why it’s Time to Make the Switch

Although smartphones are popular, not everyone has made the switch, and many people still use traditional flip phones and other mobile devices. Those who still aren’t using smartphones, however, are missing out, and rapid smartphone development means they stand to miss out even more. Learning how to use a smartphone is becoming increasingly important in many fields, including business and education. By making the upgrade, you can ensure that you stay on top of these important developments. Here are a few of the things smartphones can do besides making calls and a few reasons why it’s time to make the jump.

Navigation

GPS systems are ubiquitous on smartphones, and these tools help you locate where you are with a few simple taps. If you’re a fan of hiking or spending time outdoors, smartphones can serve as valuable safety tools, ensuring you can find your way if you become lost. Drivers can also take advantage of GPS navigation tools to spend less time looking at maps or searching for road signs and more time focusing on the road and staying safe. Bicyclists can similarly use navigational aids to avoid getting lost or distracted while en route.

Mapping programs also help you determine the best way to arrive at your location, and interactive maps help you find out how long it will take to arrive at a destination. Load up a map while on the bus, train, or airplane to find out how close you are to your destination and to look for upcoming landmarks. If you’re traveling in areas where internet connectivity isn’t available, several programs also offer map downloads, letting you take full advantage of your GPS capabilities while in remote locations.

These navigation tools are especially useful for travelers. When you arrive at an unfamiliar destination, you can quickly locate nearby restaurants and other important locations. Find the best way to get to your hotel when you arrive at a transportation terminal, and consider using taxi-like services to book a ride to your destination in seconds. Getting lost in an unfamiliar city can be unnerving, but navigation capabilities ensure you feel safe.

Stay in Touch

Although flip phones and other older phones enable voice calling and text messaging, they provide a more limited interface. Emoji, both included on smartphones and via third-party apps, are ubiquitous in text messaging, and those without smartphones risk missing out. Furthermore, smartphones provide virtual keyboards that make entering messages quick and easy. Smartphones even provide voice-to-text functionality, letting you compose messages without using the on-screen keyboard. For times when your eyes are otherwise occupied, you can have your phone read your messages to you using text-to-voice functions. Hands-free calling and answering also provides convenience by letting you avoid manually navigating through your contacts directory.

Smartphones are also great tools for taking advantage of social media. Log on to Facebook to keep up to date with your friends and family members, and use the platform’s search functionality to meet up with people you’ve lost contact with in the past. To keep up with news and online trends, consider making a Twitter account to browse information when you have a free moment. Tumblr, Pinterest, and other popular platforms also provide robust apps, making them easy to load when you don’t have access to your desktop or laptop.

You can also use internet-based phone programs that save your minutes or let you communicate internationally without looking up country-based phone rates. These systems can provide high-fidelity communication across long distances, and some programs even offer video chatting capabilities. While voice communication is great for keeping in touch, being able to see the face of the person you’re talking with can make you feel even closer.

Better Productivity at Work

Communication is key to nearly all jobs, and smartphones offer an unprecedented way of staying on top of your communication. Voice-to-text voicemail lets you read messages without listening through your inbox, saving you time. Smartphones also provide sophisticated apps for multi-party voice communication, letting you interact with conference calls without having to use a third-party service. You can even disable certain calls during certain hours, letting you turn off incoming business calls when you’re finished for the day.

Email runs many industries, and your smartphone allows you to keep up with email at all times. Search for past messages to locate information, and set up work folders to keep your inbox better organized. Virtual keyboards let you send responses quickly, helping you stay on top of communication even if you’re away from home or the office. For writing longer emails, consider using a Bluetooth keyboard, which offers the convenience of desktops and laptops.

Increasingly, businesses are turning to cloud-based providers. These platforms ease intra-office communication, and they allow for better collaboration. Many of these platforms use browser-based interfaces, making them easy to access using any device with modern browser support. When you have a smartphone, you can use these platforms, letting you access information and get work done regardless of your location. Make sure you’re able to keep up with the modern office by arming yourself with a smartphone.

Stay Entertained

Almost everyone has some down time, and smartphones provide convenient access to virtually limitless entertainment options. If you’re a fan of reading, your smartphone can serve as an e-reader, letting you read through a large library without having to carry around books. Use browsers to access news and entertainment, or load sports apps to keep up with recent scores and to catch some video highlights.

Smartphones are also great for those who love television, movies, and the burgeoning field of online video. Transform your time on public transit into a time for relaxing by using popular video streaming services and headphones, or find channels that cater to your interests on YouTube. You can even sync your smartphone to your television, letting you watch videos on your home monitor or television using an adapter cable or by sending information across your network. Some services even let you save videos for offline playback, making long treks through remote areas a bit more entertaining.

Even if you don’t think of yourself as a gamer, you might find games on your smartphone to be a great way to unwind. If you’re a fan of solitaire, explore the many solitaire apps to play a game when you don’t have space available. Most board games, including chess and other traditional games, have many apps to choose from, letting you play against a virtual opponent. You can even play against human opponents, letting you enjoy a game against a friend or against others from around the world. Don’t be afraid to try out modern smartphone games as well; you might be surprised at what you like.

Photography and Video

Smartphones come with high-quality cameras built in, and these cameras ensure you can always take a photograph when you want. If you come across a particularly beautiful sunset, for example, having a smartphone ensures you’re able to capture it forever. Smartphones also let you capture text-based content with a few taps, ensuring you can make an impromptu copy of important documents if needed. If you’re out shopping and want to ask a contact about a particular product, snap a picture and send it.

Photography is an art, and having a smartphone lets you try out your artistic side. Thanks to their internal memory, smartphones let you take hundreds or thousands of pictures without having to purchase new film. Sync your favorite photos to your computer or to online services to preserve them, and consider trying out online photo-sharing sites to share your photographs with friends or with the world. Even if you own a high-quality camera, having a camera with you at all times is tremendously convenient.

You aren’t limited to static images with smartphones, as modern devices feature robust video capabilities as well. Document important events permanently by loading your video app, and enjoy the small size of smartphones, which makes them easy to point and shoot for extended periods of time. Use the front-facing camera on your smartphone to shoot a video blog, or purchase a simple tripod for steady shots. Specialized apps even provide even more versatility. Use time-lapse photography to capture lengthy weather events and other phenomena.

Smart Homes

Smartphones function as powerful devices on their own, but they can also work in conjunction with other devices to do even more. Home automation is becoming popular, and for good reason: Automation helps you save on electricity, and it gives you the peace of mind of knowing you’re always in contact with your home. Turn off the lights when you’re away from home using your smartphone by installing smart wiring, or control the heating and cooling to ensure you’re not using your system when it’s not needed.

Home security systems often provide smart interfaces as well, giving you instant alerts if your security system sends out a warning. Modern systems often let you access cameras in real time, letting you check on your children when you’re away. You can even lock or unlock your doors remotely; check your camera if someone rings your doorbell and unlock your door if you recognize who it is.

In addition to providing real-time interaction, smart home systems often let you configure them using a smartphone app. Set your heating and cooling schedule using your smartphone, or set your cooling system to kick in at a particular time to keep your home comfortable when you arrive from work. You can even schedule your coffee maker to turn on at a specific time, ensuring you have a fresh pot ready when you wake up.

Continued Learning

While many people focus on the entertainment and communication aspects of smartphones, they’re also great tools for learning. Download tutorial programs to learn new information or skills, or use flashcard-based programs to make memorizing information simple. Download instructional manuals to make your smartphone a valuable reference tool, and use domain-specific applications to search for and retrieve information instantly.

Online educational opportunities are also making it easier to use smartphones to learn than ever before. Video lectures, for example, can replicate the in-class experience and let you view information when it’s most convenient for you. Rewind if you’re having trouble understanding a particular part of the lecture, or set the playback speed to a higher setting to quickly review lectures while studying. Online schools often offer forums and other internet-based tools to help students study, and smartphones give you access to these portals.

Insight doesn’t always strike when you’re on a computer or have access to a pen and paper. When you have a smartphone, you can always jot down a note. Use the microphone to create a voice memo, or even create a quick video if visual information is important. Audio recording also helps you create notes when talking with someone, and many instructors let their students take audio recordings of their lectures, so students don’t have to take thorough notes while listening.

Exploring Virtual Reality

Virtual reality has captured a lot of attention lately, and for good reason: Technology is finally arriving and making the 80s vision of virtual reality possible. However, standalone virtual reality devices are expensive and require powerful computers to function. Because smartphones offer such high resolutions, they can provide an immersive experience by attaching a simple headset with appropriate lenses. These devices are fairly cheap and are easy to set up. The 3D effects these tools provide can give you a compelling sense of movement, and they provide methods of visualization not possible with standard monitors and smartphone screens.

Smartphones can also provide augmented reality. These programs use the phone’s camera to view images and augment them with other information. When touring a new area, augmented reality lets you know the names of buildings and other landmarks as you explore. Furthermore, augmented reality can create new types of games, and they can augment your workout to make it more engaging while tracking how far you’ve traveled.

While virtual reality is still new, it’s found its way into many fields. Filmmakers are exploring ways of making their movies more engrossing, and game developers are using it to provide a unique experience. Educational entities are particularly interested in what virtual reality has to offer, as the interactive nature of virtual reality can make information easier to learn and more exciting. When you have a virtual reality-capable smartphone, you can stay at the forefront of these developments and enjoy finding out how companies are using this new technology.

Enjoy Web Programs

Increasingly, companies are moving their software online. While using a graphical design program or office software used to entail installing a standalone program, users today can use any modern browser to access powerful tools. Although much of the focus on these programs has been on desktops and laptops, smartphones offer the same functionality, letting users run these programs while on the go. By upgrading your flip phone to a smartphone, you can take advantage of these programs.

In addition to offering powerful features, online programs also let you store information on the provider’s servers, so you can retrieve it on all of your devices. Even if you plan to do most of your work on a laptop or desktop, being able to retrieve and modify this information using your smartphone provides unprecedented convenience.

Your smartphone isn’t limited to its screen size and input methods. Using wireless technology, you can connect a keyboard and mouse. Furthermore, there are various methods of attaching your smartphone to a television screen or computer monitor. Because of this, you can take full advantage of web programs. If you travel frequently, web programs might allow you to leave your laptop at home and simply bring along a few portable tools to transform your hotel television set into a powerful workstation.

Smartphones represent a significant change from older mobile phone technologies, and some people are reluctant to move past devices that have served them so well in the past. However, the power and convenience of smartphones make them valuable devices for everyone, and it’s becoming increasingly important to know how to use a smartphone to keep up at work or school. Fortunately, smartphones are designed to be easy to use, and the transition from flip phones to smartphones isn’t as frightening as many imagine. With so many models available, there has never been a better time to make the switch. Visit one of your local Telstra Shops in Melbourne today.

 

TelcoWorld Corp. - Known as Beltz's Mobile Phones & Repairs Moorabbin



source https://www.telcoworld.com.au/news-blog/havent-upgraded-smartphone-yet-time-make-switch/

Sunday 9 July 2017

Making the Most of Your Smartphone: Uses You May Have Not Considered

Smartphones are versatile devices. Whether you use an iPhone or are a member of the Android camp, chances are your smartphone plays a role in your life on a daily basis. However, many people don’t realize just how powerful their smartphones are, and many don’t take time to explore all that their devices can do. While they’re great for making phone calls and sending text messages, smartphones provide valuable creative tools and can let you spend your free time more productively. Here are a few of the ways you can do more with your smartphone.

Organizational Tool

Some people are naturals when it comes to staying organized, and others have tried and true systems for ensuring they stay on task and don’t miss important deadlines. Most of us, however, could afford to be a bit better in terms of organization. Instead of trying out a paper-based system or using one that’s tied to a desktop or laptop, take a look at organizational tools available on smartphones. For some, simple checklist tools are sufficient. For others, more comprehensive tools are a better option. Regardless of what you choose, smartphone apps are convenient since most people have their phones with them at all times. Anytime you need to change your schedule, your phone will likely be at hand.

Memorization

Learning something new can be tremendously rewarding, and many people enjoy reading books to learn long after they’re left school. Smartphones are opening new avenues of learning. Whether you’re learning a foreign language, new technology, or nearly any other subject, memorization will probably play a key role. Online flash card programs provide a powerful way to study subjects and learn topics any time you have a few free minutes. Interactive tools can automatically reload cards you’re struggling with and spend less time on cards you’ve already memorized well. Many apps also let you use flashcards other users have uploaded, making it easy to study new subjects. Explore what subjects are available to make your idle time more productive.

Connect Your Home

Because smartphones have become ubiquitous, some devices now use smartphones as control interfaces. Home alarm systems, for example, often provide smartphone interfaces, letting you turn your system on or off or respond to alerts. Home automation is taking off, and smartphones let you control your home lighting and other electronics while you’re away. Control your heating or cooling using your smartphone; if you’re arriving home from work early, tell your smart air conditioning system to begin cooling your home before you arrive. You can even upgrade your home doorbell system and install a two-way communication system that lets you talk to guests when they ring your doorbell.

High-Quality Photography

While no smartphone camera can match professional-grade cameras, modern smartphones can take pictures at high resolutions and capture fine details. Although selfies and other images are fun to take, smartphones also let you explore the more artistic side of photography and give you a great tool for getting started. Both first- and third-party photography tools offer editing features, letting you try out HDR photography and modify your images without having to turn on a traditional computer. When you become an expert at smartphone photography, you can ensure that you’re always able to take pictures when the mood strikes.

Reading

Smartphone web browsers let people access news and entertainment anywhere a mobile internet connection is available. However, many people don’t take advantage of digital versions of books, which let you carry around an extensive library anywhere you go. By storing these books on your phone, you can access them even when you don’t have internet access, letting you read while riding a bus, taking a train, or even flying. Mobile reading apps can also save your progress, allowing you to resume reading right away, and bookmark tools let you access your favorite passages with a few taps. A number of large publishers provide online storefronts, which let you access and download books while on your smartphone or computer. These tools often let you sync your downloads as well, so you can read on your tablet while at home and your smartphone while away.

Traditional Games

Are you a fan of chess, checkers, or backgammon? Your smartphone can serve as a worthy opponent, helping you pass the time while improving your skills. Thanks to the processing power of modern smartphones, you can face off against a world-class digital opponent or dial down the difficulty for a more even challenge. Some programs, including popular backgammon programs, can measure your play and give you suggestions for when you play against human opponents. Other programs let you play live games against human opponents online, letting you enjoy the fun of matching up against a human wherever you are. Many programs even offer tutorial modes, letting you learn games in an interactive manner instead of having to decipher rules in text form.

Graphical Design

The earliest smartphones often had relatively low resolutions and somewhat imprecise touchscreens. Today’s devices, on the other hand, often feature resolutions higher than desktops and laptops and let you enjoy precise inputs. If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at drawing, smartphones give you everything you need to get started. Furthermore, smartphones can also serve as excellent tools for manipulating photographs, enabling you to crop images, apply filters, and even edit elements with a few taps. For more demanding work, you can also attach a Bluetooth mouse or writing pad, letting you perform desktop-caliber work no matter where you are.

Video

Nearly all smartphones have video capabilities, letting you shoot high-quality pictures anywhere. Capable of shooting at high frame rates, today’s smartphones provide smooth and detailed video with the press of a button. Although smartphones can’t match the quality of profession cameras, entire films have been shot with iPhones and other devices, and proper lighting can yield surprising quality in a compact package. Thanks to online distribution, it’s never been easier to share your video with the world. If you’re interested in video blogs and similar types of video, your smartphone provides ample editing capabilities to reach your target audience, and learning how to make the most of smartphone’s video capabilities lets you capture once-in-a-lifetime moments even without a standard video camera.

Communication

It’s easy to forget the primary purpose of smartphones: to make phone calls. However, in addition to standard phone calls, smartphones provide an array of communication tools. Text messages have become popular, and those who haven’t tried them out yet might enjoy the more casual style of communication they provide. Social media communication tools let you interact with friends on Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms, and voice communication tools can help you save on international calling rates. Modern smartphones also let you try out video chatting, letting you see friends and family members while communicating, which is especially great when you or loved ones are overseas.

Writing

Whether you write for work or for pleasure, your smartphones can serve as a valuable tool. Although virtual keyboards can work for short writing, you can also attach a Bluetooth keyboard for writing longer documents. Choose between full-sized wireless keyboards for all the convenience of desktop writing, or use a portable design to save space. Although smartphone screens are small, modern devices provide high resolutions, letting you read back what you’ve typed and edit your documents. In addition to saving files on your device, you can also use cloud-based tools that make your documents easy to access on your laptop or desktop once you’re back at home or work.

Smartphones are great for staying in touch, and being able to access your email and run web browsers helps you feel connected anywhere internet connectivity is available. However, smartphones are far more capable than many people realize, and taking a bit of time to explore apps and find out how to take advantages of everything your smartphone has to offer can help you explore new venues and make the most of your free time. Whether you want to explore new creative venues or if you just want to make day-to-day life a bit more convenient, your current smartphone is probably far more capable than your realize.

To learn more about what your smartphone can do for phone repairs Melbourne, visit us at Telcoworld today.

 

 

TelcoWorld Corp. - Known as Beltz's Mobile Phones & Repairs Moorabbin



source https://www.telcoworld.com.au/news-blog/making-smartphone-uses-may-not-considered/

Monday 3 July 2017

A Battle of Giants: Comparing The iPhone 7 Plus And Galaxy S8

Samsung and Apple remain in close competition year after year. They each release new phones according to a predictable schedule. With each new release, we often see new features, design trends, and tools built into the phones. Whether you’re a fan of the iPhone or the Samsung Galaxy, there’s no denying that this competition has fueled some of the greatest innovations in the history of mobile phones.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 and the iPhone 7 Plus are currently the two giants in the smartphone market. The S8 is slightly newer than the 7 Plus, but both are still at the cutting edge of mobile technology. It’s impossible to say that one is truly better than the other in all aspects. Each of these phones has different benefits and flaws that it brings to the table. Following is a closer look at each phone and what it has to offer.

Samsung Makes Up For The Note 7

Most Samsung fans are aware of the Note 7 debacle. Even more so if they were unfortunate enough to purchase one of these phones. What first appeared to be a stunning and capable phone, the Note 7 soon became a safety hazard. Samsung initiated a recall of the device after reports of the battery overheating and starting fires.

There was an attempt to remedy the problem with batteries from a new source, but the problem continued. Finally, Samsung was forced to recall and discontinue production of the Note 7 worldwide during October of 2016. It was an unfortunate incident, but it did lead to some positive changes at Samsung. Changes that benefited the production of the Galaxy S8.

For example, batteries now go through an extensive 8 step inspection phase. This has led to increased battery life as well as energy utilization. They are determined to prevent the incident from repeating itself.

Samsung did all they could to make the S8 stand out so that they would be forgiven for the previous Note 7. This resulted in a phone with incredible performance capabilities, wireless charging features, and high levels of water resistance. It may very well be enough to help fans forget about the past.

The Galaxy S8 Introduces The Infinity Display

In terms of appearance, the Galaxy S8 has set the bar incredibly high. As you might expect from this new generation of smartphones, it looks sophisticated, sleek, and incredibly modern. The most noticeable design feature is the screen itself.

Samsung wanted to find a way a way to increase the size of the screen without increasing the overall size of the phone. What they ended up with is known as the “infinity display.” The infinity screen attempts to utilize as much as the front of the phone as possible for screen space. There are no buttons and very little bezel. The edges of the screen even curve back slightly on the edge of the phone.

It was an innovative design choice and one that paid off. The phone is around 1 centimeter shorter than the iPhone 7 Plus, yet the screen is a full third of an inch larger. They managed to successfully capitalize on space to increase screen size without enlarging the phone. It’s highly likely we will see this design trend continue in the future.

Who Is The S8 Meant For?

Every phone has an ideal audience, even if it wasn’t intended to be that way. The features of the S8 will attract those who want the best looking phone in the market. If you are the type who likes to pull out the latest phone and show it to your friends, then you will love this new Galaxy device.

The fast speed and performance also make it ideal for people who do a lot with their phone. For example, if you’re running a variety of apps for work while keeping up with stocks and checking your Facebook, then you’ll love the speed this device offers.

The people at Samsung claim the device is perfect for those who love mobile gaming and watching videos. Unfortunately, this may not be the case. The curved screen looks great, but it can cause some slight interference with your gaming experience. It’s nothing to worry about if you’re a casual gamer, but if you’re the competitive type who likes climbing leaderboards, then the S8 may slow you down.

Overall, the S8 is a great phone. Most critics claim that it’s the best phone of 2017. But what about the iPhone 7 Plus? Technically it was released in 2016, but it’s still one of the best phones available in 2017. Let’s consider some of its features.

The 7 Plus Improves A Great Phone.

While the iPhone 7 Plus didn’t make any revolutionary design changes like the infinity display, it did manage to improve on an already great phone. If you have used and liked the iPhone 7, then you’re going to like the 7 Plus even more. It’s just that simple.

One of the first things you notice about this phone is its size. There’s a reason that it is often referred to as a “phablet.” It’s big, and it has a large screen. It’s not a phone you can comfortably operate with one hand. However, that’s not necessarily a flaw. The iPhone has a way of owning its size and making it look good.

There were a few small design changes in comparison to the iPhone 7 model. The bump for the camera is slightly larger, the antenna bands curve, and it comes in new colors not available for the older model. You’ll also need to get used to no longer having the 3.5mm headphone jack. This is a change you can expect with all iPhones in the future.

The Two Biggest Changes

There are two significant changes Apple has made with the 7 Plus. The first change is that they’ve completely removed the traditional “click down” home button. The button was replaced with a more modern capacitive button. This is a design trend we are seeing in more and more phones, so it only makes sense that Apple finally decided to take the plunge.

The new button works the same way as a touchscreen button would work. Apple utilizes internal rumble feedback to make it feel as though you’ve pressed a physical button.

Overall, this seems like a small change, but it makes a significant difference. Apple has had some problems with the button in the past. It was possible for debris to work its way in there and interfere with the mechanical button. That’s no longer a problem.

The other significant change is the improvement in its water resistance. The new 7 plus has a water resistance rating of IP67. IP67 means that the phone is completely protected from dust and that it can withstand submersion in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S8 has a water resistance of IP68.

Who Is The iPhone 7 Plus For?

The 7 Plus isn’t heavily targeted at a single group of people. It is great for gaming, for streaming video, and for working. If you are already a fan of the Apple line of smartphones and tablets, then you’ll undoubtedly love this new edition.

However, if you already have the iPhone 7, don’t feel obligated to spend all of your money upgrading to this new model. There are a few great changes, but not necessarily enough to warrant the cost of upgrading. On the other hand, if you’re using an iPhone 6 or older model, then this is the perfect time for an upgrade.

Choosing Your Phone

If you’re interested in owning one of the latest and greatest phones on the market, then you’ll find yourself choosing between the two options covered above. Both of these phones are fast, they look great, they have large screens, and come with a hefty price tag.

Those of you interested purely in aesthetics will likely prefer the Galaxy S8. Those who are more interested in HD gaming and video streaming will prefer the iPhone 7 Plus. These are the two areas where the devices really show their strengths. To see how either of these phones work in person, visit us for all of your Samsung Melbourne and iPhone needs.

 

TelcoWorld Corp. - Known as Beltz's Mobile Phones & Repairs Moorabbin



source https://www.telcoworld.com.au/news-blog/battle-giants-comparing-iphone-7-plus-galaxy-s8/