Tag: Smartphones

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Casserly Consulting Blog

How Much Have Smartphone Cameras Made a Difference?

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When it comes to selecting a smartphone, most consumers look to the camera as a major deciding point – after all, many popular applications geared toward the everyday user heavily lean on the use of a camera. This utility and, in some ways, reliance have only encouraged rapid advancement to phone-based camera technology since its origins in the Samsung SCH-V200.

The very first smartphone cameras were simply a handheld camera that connected to the phone via a cable. This all changed upon the release of the SCH-V200. While the user still needed a computer to remove the images from their phone via cable connection, and the image quality wasn’t great, the ability alone was enough to start a revolution in what is expected of our technology.

In the years since the SCH-V200, phone-based camera technology has grown in leaps and bounds, arguably being responsible for shaping how we view mobile computing today.

The First Smartphones
While the Samsung SCH-V200 was the first phone that featured a built-in camera, this feature was quickly capitalized on and adopted by many, allowing images to be taken and shared. This technology had some time to develop before the release of the original smartphones in the mid-2000s. Both the iPhone and T-Mobile’s HTC G1 featured rear-facing cameras, and while this feature wasn’t particularly focused on by reviewers, the significance of this pocket-sized technology was very quickly apparent.

The Smartphone’s Development
Later on, mobile phones began to sport front-facing cameras. This assisted in the development of “selfies,” giving a newly immersive experience to sharing points in one’s life. This made the expansion of Internet connectivity and advent of social media an even bigger piece of the smartphone experience, making such cameras a must-have feature.

As a result, more and more features were added that made the camera and its use better. The now-standard LED flash, allowed users to take pictures in low light (a much more difficult task beforehand). Software improvements enabled other camera features to come into their own, autofocus, video capture, and optical image stabilization being feasible thanks to the increased processing power that the chipsets possessed.

The Boost of Social Media and Other Applications
Of course, the first few generations of phones that had a camera were limited in functionality somewhat, the front-facing camera only adding so much. However, once the ability to capture high-definition video came into play, this all changed. The combination of this new feature with the birth of social media (at the time, mostly YouTube) made the camera a much more influential feature for the average consumer.

This concept seems strangely foreign, now that there are easily hundreds of apps that integrate both front and rear-facing cameras for their most basic usage. Returning to YouTube for a moment, a full 300 hours of video are uploaded to the site every minute, most of it probably originating from a smartphone. Since their introduction, smartphones and their cameras have captured images and footage that has been inspiring, outrageous, and socially relevant. An iPhone’s camera was exclusively used to shoot the award-winning, feature-length film titled Tangerine.

How the Camera Saves the Mobile Market
As it happens, the camera has become the primary reason to buy a new mobile device, with application development and processing power both plateauing, and the apparent fact that only Samsung and Apple can consistently manufacture smartphones that see any kind of profit. Yet the cameras on these devices only continue to improve, more high-end smartphones now featuring dual-lens cameras. These cameras provide no small amount of benefit to the user, providing them with more options behind their photography, in addition to:

  • Wide aperture – With more light reaching the camera, more accurate photos can be produced.
  • High Dynamic Range – HDR covers the gamut of image capture quality settings, piecing together a variety of shots to produce the best one possible.
  • Burst Mode – If the subject of a photo is in motion, Burst Mode allows a determinable number of images to be captured so that the best one can be chosen.
  • Portrait Mode – In order to provide an enhanced depth of field, a photo can be taken to automatically sharpen an object in the foreground while blurring the background.

Thanks to the continuing improvements in their cameras and software, the smartphone user is effectively walking around with a complete photography studio in their pocket. How well are you able to use your smartphone’s camera? Leave any hints you have in the comments!

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Casserly Consulting Blog

As Augmented Reality Grows, More Applications Appear

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“Augmented reality” is likely one of those terms that you’ve heard before, but that’s more or less your experience with it. However, A.R. has likely been a bigger influence than you may have imagined – especially with the prevalence of smartphones being what it is. Let’s examine augmented reality and how it might be used later on.

Modern A.R.
As we have inferred already, the smartphone has been instrumental in bringing augmented reality to the masses. In A.R. applications, the camera is used to capture the likeness of the user’s surroundings, while a virtual overlay is added for the user to interact with. This overlay incorporates stimulus from the Internet, the captured surroundings, and the user’s activity all at once.

This technology has been leveraged by developers to try to develop apps, some for fun, and some that are more practical. There have been plenty of examples of each thus far. Augment, the furniture application, allows users to “test-drive” a model in the environment it will be used in, which is much easier than buying said furniture only to return it when it clashes with the base molding. As for entertainment, one only has to look at the success of the Pokémon Go app. There are even browsers, like Argon4, which incorporate A.R.

What May Be Coming Next
Admittedly, not much has been developed completely just yet, but that hasn’t made A.R. any less promising. For example, imagine how much easier tutorials could become for particular tasks if A.R. was leveraged. Any task that can be broken into steps could be developed into an A.R. walkthrough.

Take auto maintenance. Most people spend significant amounts of money keeping their engine tuned up and their vehicle road-worthy by bringing it to an auto shop. While some issues are certainly better resolved by the likes of a professional, some fixes are very doable for a novice – assuming they had a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to show them how to do it right. An augmented reality application could be that guide, teaching these novices how to change their oil or replace a spark plug. We may see these kinds of apps change the way that schools teach their students, allowing lessons to be learned conceptually and practically.

Of course, more is also being developed now:

  • eCommerce: Using digital overlays, real-time and lifelike shopping experiences can be developed, boosting consumer satisfaction.
  • Gaming: Pokémon Go was just the beginning. A.R. has proved that video games and gamification can not only get people out of the house, they can get them interacting with other people, forming stronger communities.
  • Marketing: By incorporating A.R. into the consumer’s experience, marketers can add additional impressions and make their efforts more impactful.

While A.R. may not be everywhere just yet, we wouldn’t be too shocked if it started to pop up in more places sooner than later – and if it doesn’t, we’ll focus on making sure you get the best use out of whatever does. If you’re interested in hearing more about any of the services or technologies that we at COMPANYNAME are familiar with, give us a call at PHONENUMBER.

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Casserly Consulting Blog

These Smartphones Make an Excellent Gift (Even To Yourself!)

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The holiday season is the ideal time to pick up your next best smartphone–especially since you might get something great as a gift from your loved ones! We’ll help you decide which type of smartphone is best for your specific needs by taking a close look at some of the great new devices on today’s market.

Since there are so many devices out there, we’ll be taking a deep dive into some of the most popular ones, while providing the specs and features of others so that you can make an educated decision for your big purchase.

The New iPhones: 8, 8 Plus, and X
With three iPhones on the market, it can be challenging to know what the big differences are between them. Compared to previous iterations of the iPhone, the 8 and 8 Plus models now have been constructed with a glass and aluminum casing. You might think that the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are similar to the iPhone 6 in terms of how it feels in the hand.

The main differences between the iPhone 8/8 Plus and the iPhone X is the display. The iPhone X also features improvements to the camera and overall build quality. Due to the iPhone X being significantly more expensive, iPhone lovers may want to choose the iPhone 8 or 8 Plus to achieve a comparable experience.

iphone 8

Model: iPhone 8
Construction: Front/back glass & aluminum frame
Screen Size: 4.7-inch
Display: LED-backlit IPS LCD, 16M Colors, 1,334 x 759 (~326 ppi)
SIM: Nano-SIM
Chipset: Apple A11 Bionic
CPU-GPU: Hexa-core (2x Monsoon + 4x Mistral) – Apple GPU
Operating System: iOS 11

Memory

Internal: 64GB or 246 GB models; 2GB of RAM
Expandable: None

Cameras

Primary: 12 MP, f/1.8, 28mm, phase detection autofocus, OIS, quad-LED flash
Front-Facing: 7 MP, f/2.2, face detection

Audio: Built-in stereo speakers, No 3.5mm headphone jack
Sensors: Fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Features: Fast charging, Qi Wireless charging, Siri commands and dictation, iCloud integration
Battery size-life: 1,821 mAh battery – 66 hours
Available Colors: Silver, Space Grey, Gold
Price: $699.99-to-$899.99

iphone 8 plus

Model: iPhone 8 Plus
Construction: Front/back glass & aluminum frame
Screen Size: 5.5-inch
Display: LED-backlit IPS LCD, 16M Colors, 1920×1080 (~401 ppi)
SIM: Nano-SIM
Chipset: A11 Bionic
CPU-GPU: Hexa-core (2x Monsoon + 4x Mistral) – Apple GPU
Operating System: iOS 11

Memory

Internal: 64GB or 246 GB models; 3GB of RAM
Expandable: None

Cameras

Primary: Dual 12 MP, f/1.8, 28mm and f/2.8, 56mm) phase detection autofocus, 2x optical zoom, quad-LED flash
Front-Facing: 7 MP, f/2.2, face detection

Audio: Built-in stereo speakers, No 3.5mm headphone jack
Sensors: Fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Features: Fast charging, Qi Wireless charging, Siri commands and dictation, iCloud integration
Battery size-life: 2,691 mAh battery – 81 hours
Available Colors: Silver, Space Grey, Gold
Price: $799.99-to-$999.99

iphone x

Model: Apple iPhone X
Construction: Front/back glass & stainless steel frame
Screen Size: 5.8-inch
Display: Super AMOLED, 16M Colors, 2,436×1,125 ( ~458 ppi)
SIM: Nano-SIM
Chipset: Apple A11 Bionic
CPU-GPU: Hexa-core 2.39 Ghz (2x Monsoon + 4x Mistral) – Apple GPU
Operating System: iOS 11.1

Memory

Internal: 64 and 256 GB models; 3GB RAM
Expandable: None

Cameras

Primary: Dual 12 MP, f/1.8, 28mm and f/2.4, 52mm) phase detection autofocus, 2x optical zoom, quad-LED flash
Front-Facing: 7 MP, f/2.2, face detection

Audio: Built-in stereo speakers, No 3.5mm headphone jack
Sensors: FaceID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Features: Fast charging, Qi Wireless charging, Siri commands and dictation, iCloud integration
Battery size-life: 2,716 mAh battery – 74 hours
Available Colors: Silver, Space Grey
Price: $999.99-to-$1,149.99

Samsung Galaxy s8 and Note 8
There are more differences between the Samsung Galaxy and Note lines than you might think. The Note line has noticeably larger screens with higher quality, but you’ll find that the larger screen makes it a bit bulkier and more unwieldy compared to the smaller and more compact Galaxy line. Still, the extra screen space will make any entertainment lover jump for joy. Users can also appreciate that, just like the iPhones mentioned above, the phone is made out of a mix of aluminum and glass casing, allowing for water resistance.

Just like with the iPhones, however, you’ll see some notable differences that might make all of the difference to power users. In particular, the camera on the Note 8 offers optical image stabilization–a great way to take better videos or images. Furthermore, the Note 8 is considerably more powerful than the Galaxy s8, sporting 50% more RAM.

galaxy s8

Model: Samsung Galaxy s8
Construction: Front/back glass (Gorilla Glass 5) & aluminum frame.
Screen Size: 5.8-inch
Display: Super AMOLED, 16M Colors, 2,960 x 1,440 (~570 ppi)
SIM: Nano-SIM
Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835
CPU-GPU: Octa-core (4 x 2.35 GHz & 4 x 1.9 GHz Kyro) – Adreno 540
Operating System: Android 7.0, Touchwiz

Memory

Internal: 64 GB, 4 GB RAM
Expandable: microSD (up to 256)

Cameras

Primary: 12 MP, f/1.7, 26mm, OIS, LED flash
Front-Facing: 8 MP, f/1.7

Audio: Dual stereo speakers, 3.5 mm headphone jack
Sensors: Iris scanner, fingerprint reader, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2
Features: Samsung DeX, Fast battery charging, Qi/PMA wireless charging
Battery size-life: 3,000 mAh – 84 hours
Available Colors: Midnight Black, Orchid Gray, Arctic Silver, Coral Blue, Maple Gold
Price: $725.99-to-$825.99

galaxy s8 20171116 145741 1

Model: Samsung Galaxy s8 Plus
Construction: Front/back glass (Gorilla Glass 5) & aluminum frame.
Screen Size: 6.2-inch
Display: Super AMOLED, 16M Colors, 2,960 x 1,440 (~529 ppi)
SIM: Nano-SIM
Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835
CPU-GPU: Octa-core (4 x 2.35 GHz & 4 x 1.9 GHz Kryo) – Adreno 540
Operating System: Android 7.0

Memory

Internal: 64 GB, 4 GB RAM or 128 GB, 6 GB RAM
Expandable: microSD (up to 256)

Cameras

Primary: 12 MP, f/1.7, 26mm, OIS, LED flash
Front-Facing: 8 MP, f/1.7

Audio: Dual stereo speakers, 3.5 mm headphone jack
Sensors: Iris scanner, fingerprint reader, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2
Features: Samsung DeX, Fast battery charging, Qi/PMA wireless charging
Battery size-life: 3,000 mAh – 84 hours
Available Colors: Midnight Black, Orchid Gray, Arctic Silver, Coral Blue, Maple Gold
Price: $799.99-to-$899.99

galaxy note 8

Model: Samsung Galaxy Note 8
Construction: Front/back glass (Gorilla Glass 5) & aluminum frame
Screen Size: 6.3-inch
Display: Super AMOLED, 16m colors, 2,960 x 1,440 (~521 ppi)
SIM: Nano-SIM
Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835
CPU-GPU: Octa-core (4 x 2.34 GHz Kryo & 4 x 1.9 GHz Kryo)
Operating System: Android 7.1.1

Memory

Internal: 64, 128, 256 GB options, 6GB RAM
Expandable: microSD (up to 256GB)

Cameras

Primary: Dual 12 MP (26mm, f/1.7, PDAF & 52mm, f/2.4, AF) OIS, autofocus, 2x options zoom, LED flash.
Front-Facing: 8 MP, f/1.7, face detection

Audio: Dual stereo speakers, 3.5 mm
Sensors: Iris scanner, fingerprint scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2
Features: Samsung Desktop Experience, Fast battery charging, Qi/PMA wireless charging, s-Pen integration
Battery size-life: 3,500 mAh battery – 88 hours
Available Colors: Midnight Black, Maple Gold, Orchid Grey, Deep Sea Blue
Price: $ 949.99-to-$1149.99

Google Pixel and Pixel XL 2
Google’s new flagship smartphone device, the Pixel, debuted in 2016, but the latest addition to the smartphone brand can make for a great gift this holiday season. Thanks to its impressive specs and the internal Snapdragon processors, the Pixel line of smartphones are quite powerful–moreso the Pixel 2 than the original Pixel.

Though there are only minor differences between the Pixel and Pixel 2, they are the ones that might matter for some users. The Pixel 2 doesn’t have a headphone jack, which means that you’ll need to purchase the external adapter if you plan on using the device for music (the front-loaded speakers are better for that anyway). Better yet is Google’s promise to support the Pixel 2’s operating system for a full three years, which makes it enticing for normal Pixel users to jump at the opportunity.

pixel 2

Model: Google Pixel 2
Construction: Aluminum unibody with hybrid coating, Gorilla Glass 5
Screen Size: 5.0-inches
Display: AMOLED, 16m, 1,920 x 1.080 (~441 ppi)
SIM: Nano-SIM
Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835
CPU-GPU: Octa-core (4 x 2.35 GHz Kryo, 4 x 1.9 GHZ Kryo) – Adreno 540
Operating System: Android 8.0

Memory

Internal: 64 and 128 GB options, 4GB RAM
Expandable: None

Cameras

Primary: 12.2 MP, f/1.8, laser autofocus, dual-LED flash
Front-Facing: 8 MP, f/2.4

Audio: Dual stereo speakers, no 3.5mm headphone jack
Sensors: Fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Features: Fast charging
Battery size-life: 2,700 mAh – 75 hours
Available Colors: Kinda Blue, Just Back, Clearly White
Price: $649.99-to-$749.99

pixel 2 xl

Model: Google Pixel 2 Plus
Construction: Aluminum unibody with hybrid coating, Gorilla Glass 5
Screen Size: 6.0-inch
Display: P-OLED, 16m colors, 2,880 x 1,440 (~538 ppi)
SIM: Nano-SIM
Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835
CPU-GPU: Octa-core *4 x 2.35 GHz Kryo & 4 x 1.9 GHz Kryo) – Adreno 540
Operating System: Android 8.0

Memory

Internal: 64GB and 128 GB options, 4GB RAM
Expandable: None

Cameras

Primary: 12.2 MP, f/1.8, OIS, phase detection & laser autofocus, dual-LED flash
Front-Facing: 8 MP, f/2.4

Audio: Dual stereo speakers, no 3.5 mm headphone jack
Sensors: Fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Features: Fast charging
Battery size-life: 3,520 mAh battery – 88 hours
Available Colors: Just Black, Black & White
Price: $849.99-to- $949.99

If these smartphones don’t quite pique your fancy, try taking a look at some of the specific details about these other notable smartphone brands:

motorola z 2

Model: Motorola Z2 Force
Construction: front plastic w/ Moto Shattershield, back plastic
Screen Size: 5.5-inch
Display: P-OLED, 16M colors, 2,560 x 1,440 (~534 ppi)
SIM: Nano-SIM
Chipset: Qualcomm MSM 8998 Snapdragon 835
CPU-GPU: Octa-core (4 x 2.35 MHz Kyro & 4 x 1.9 GHz Kryo) – Adreno 540
Operating System: Android 7.1.1

Memory

Internal: 128 GB, 6 GB RAM
Expandable: microSD (up to 256 GB)

Cameras

Primary: Dual 12 MP, f/2.0, laser autofocus, dual-LED flash
Front-Facing: 5 MP, f/2.2, dual LED flash

Audio: One front-facing speaker, no 3.5mm headphone jack
Sensors: Fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Features: Fast charging, Motorola Mods (insta-share projector, 360 camera, gamepad, JBL SoundBoost 2, turbopower pack, style shell w/ wireless charging, power pack, Hasselblad True Zoom, vehicle dock)
Battery size-life: 2,730 mAh battery – 69 hours
Available Colors: Super Black, Fine Gold, Lunar Grey
Price: $720.00

lg v30

Model: LG V30
Construction: front/back glass, aluminum frame
Screen Size: 6.0-inch
Display: P-OLED, 16M colors, 2,880 x 1,440 (~537 ppi)
SIM: Nano-SIM
Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835
CPU-GPU: Octa-core (4 x 2.45 GHz Kyro & 4 1.9 GHz Kyro) – Adreno 540
Operating System: Android 7.1.2

Memory

Internal: 64 or 128 GB options, 4 GB RAM
Expandable: microsSD (Up to 256 GB)

Cameras

Primary: Dual 16 MP (f/1.6, OIS, 3-axis, laser & phase detection autofocus) _ 13 MP (g/1.9) LED flash
Front-Facing: 5 MP, f/2.2

Audio: Dual speaker stereo, 3.5mm headphone jack
Sensors: Fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, color spectrum
Features: Fast charging, wireless charging
Battery size-life: 3,300 mAh – 87 hours
Available Colors: Aurora Black, Cloud Silver, Moroccan Blue, Lavender Violet
Price: $819.99-to-$929.99

blackberry keyone

Model: BlackBerry KEYone
Construction: Aluminum, Gorilla Glass 4, with soft-touch plastic, physical keyboard
Screen Size: 4.5-inch
Display: IPS LCD, 16m colors, 1,620 x 1,080 (~433 ppi)
SIM: Nano-SIM
Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625
CPU-GPU: Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53
Operating System: Android 7.1

Memory

Internal: 32 GB with 3 GB RAM or 64 GB with 4 GB RAM
Expandable: microSD (up to 256 GB)

Cameras

Primary: 12 MP, f/2.0, phase detection autofocus, dual-LED flash
Front-Facing:8 MP, f/2.2

Audio: Dual speaker stereo
Sensors: Fingerprint, Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Features: Full programmable keyboard, fast charging
Battery size-life: 3,505 mAh – 107 hours
Available Colors: Black & Silver, Black
Price: $499.99-to-$559.99

nokia 8

Model: Nokia 8
Construction: Glass Aluminum
Screen Size: 5.3-inch
Display: IPS LCD, 16m colors, 2,560 x 1,440 (~554 ppi)
SIM: Nano-SIM
Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835
CPU-GPU: Octa-core (4 x 2.5 GHz Kyro & 4 x 1.8 GHz Kyro) – Adreno 540
Operating System: Android 7.1.1

Memory

Internal: 64 GB, 4 GB RAM or 128 GB, 6 GB RAM
Expandable: microSD (up to 256 GB)

Cameras

Primary: Dual 13 MP, f/2/0, laser and phase detection autofocus, Carl Zeiss optics, OIS, LED flash
Front-Facing: 13 MP, f/2.0, phase detection autofocus

Audio: Two-speaker stereo, 3.5mm headphone jack
Sensors: Fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Features: Fast charging
Battery size-life: 3,090 mAh – 78 hours
Available Colors:Tempered Blue, Polished Blue, Steel, Polished Copper
Price: $479.99-to-$559.99

What do you think? Do you have a pretty solid understanding of what type of smartphone you want for your organization? Let us know what you chose in the comments, and be sure to subscribe for more great technology articles.

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Casserly Consulting Blog

Tip of the Week: Using Your Smartphone More Effectively in Five Ways

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It’s getting to the point where most people have a smartphone, even if they shouldn’t necessarily have one. If you go all-in on a device like this to boost your productivity and efficiency, then you know how difficult it can be at times. We’re here to provide you with some tips to help you better take advantage of your smart device.

Use Your Mobile Wireless Hotspot
Often times you’ll find yourself limited by not having a wireless connection for devices like your laptop or tablet. In instances like this, you can turn your smartphone into a mobile wireless hotspot to “piggyback” off of your cellular data plan, providing Internet access to other devices that may need it.

A Bring Your Own Device strategy can help your organization supply employees with a stipend to cover any costs of using the device as a mobile hotspot. On the other hand, you can simply provide them with company devices that have enough data to fulfill their needs.

Sort Your Home Screen
You don’t have to suffer from a cluttered home screen on your device. In fact, depending on your personal preferences, you can either sort your apps into folders, or distribute them across various screens so that you know where to locate each of them. You don’t want to lose track of your applications when you need them most.

Customize Your Email and Browser Options
If you’re using an iPhone or Android device, chances are that your device will default to a specific web browser or email management application. You don’t necessarily have to use these, though. As long as you can find an app for your preferred email application, or whichever application your organization uses to communicate, you can install it and achieve a comparable level of functionality regardless of your choice.

Of course, you’ll want to work with your IT department to ensure that you’re not downloading any malware-laden versions of applications–particularly email and web browsers, which you will be using often.

Use Your Shortcuts
Your device has a plethora of shortcuts available, so do your best to work with them whenever you can. The more you get used to these shortcuts, you’ll find yourself being more productive. Consider how much time you waste trying to figure out just what you’re doing with your device, and you’ll see the importance of understanding how these shortcuts work.

Of course, depending on the model of your phone, you’ll have different shortcuts at your disposal. This is because the software installed on them is likely to be different, so just play around a little bit to find the best shortcuts available for your device.

Research Insurance Options
What would you do if your mobile device fell out of your pocket or bag and smashed into a thousand pieces on the pavement? What about if you lost it while you were out and about? Whatever ill fortune may present itself, you’ll want to look into insurance to make sure that you’re covered in the event of a disastrous scenario.

What are your best smartphone tips? Do you have any that you think should have been on our list? Let us know in the comments.

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How To

Tip of the Week: Follow These Steps to Prevent Telemarketers From Calling You

b2ap3_thumbnail_block_phone_numbers_on_mobile_400.jpg Here’s a common scenario: you’re relaxing at home with friends or family and all of a sudden, your cell phone starts ringing. You don’t recognize the number; in fact, your phone lists it as an out-of-state caller, so you don’t pick up. The call eventually ends and you’re back to relaxing. But then, your phone starts ringing again and it’s that same pesky solicitor trying to sell you on the virtues of auto loan refinancing or a free Caribbean vacation. Caller ID and voicemail have helped to curb the suffering over unwanted phone calls in the past, but what if you could just block a caller entirely?

Regardless of the phone you have, for this week’s tip, we can show you how to block telemarketers, scammers, and stalkers from ever contacting you again. Telemarketing is completely legal, so it won’t be going away anytime soon. Blocking callers is the quickest and easiest way to deal with this issue. If they call you once, you won’t ever have to deal with them again, after you’ve followed these steps:

Android Users
For Nougat and Marshmallow:

  • Go to the Phone app.
  • Navigate to All Calls.
  • Select Call from Undesired Contact.
  • Tap Block/Report Spam.
  • Then you will be asked if you would like to report the call as spam. Check the box, if you do wish to report it.

For Lollipop (Samsung Galaxy S4, S5, S6, Note 4 users):

  • Go to the Phone app and tap the Call Log.
  • Select the phone number you would like to block, then tap More.
  • Next, tap Add to Auto reject list and you’re all set!

iPhone Users
To block a number on your iPhone, first select the Phone app. Next:

  • Select Recents (at the bottom of the screen).
  • Find the number of the caller you wish to block and tap the i icon on the right-hand-side of the screen.
  • Here you will see the caller’s information, as well as different options for creating a new contact, etc. Scroll to the very bottom of this page and you’ll see the words, ‘Block This Caller.’
  • Once you’ve selected that, a message will pop up, asking you to confirm this decision. Tap Block Contact to make it official.

If you’re receiving unwanted text messages from a stranger, iOS 10 requires that you add this person or bot to your Contacts list first. To create a new contact from your Messages app, click on the phone number at the top of the screen and select Create New Contact. Then simply follow the steps listed above. If you haven’t upgraded to iOS 10 yet, look for the i icon in the upper-right corner of your text conversation and select it. Then tap Block This Caller > Block Contact.

There, now you’re ready to block like some of the best centers in NBA history. But also remember that, with great power comes great responsibility; while telemarketers won’t know if they’re on your block list, “friends” and family members you find annoying might eventually catch on. For more technology tips and tricks, reach out to COMPANYNAME at PHONENUMBER.

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Best Practices

Tip of the Week: What You Should Do After You’ve Cracked Your Phone’s Screen

b2ap3_thumbnail_cracked_screen_400.jpg A cracked screen can happen to anyone at any time. All it takes is bumping into someone or your grip slipping off of your device, and boom–cracked screen. In cases, such as this, what’s the best way to move forward?

The first step is accepting that you may have made a mistake and dropped the phone, but this doesn’t help you fix it. Here are six ways that you can approach your cracked-screen scenario.

Just Leave it Be
If you really don’t want to get a new device or look into ways to fix your phone screen, well… just leave it as it is. This is certainly an option if the screen still works fine, but it might be a bit annoying to deal with. One thing you can do is patch up the screen with a screen protector so that it doesn’t fall apart, and hope for the best. However, if the crack is on the outside and you’re scratching your fingers on it, the next choice might be worth looking into.

Try to Find a Replacement
Since everyone and their brother owns a smartphone these days, and they are often replaced before the devices themselves are unusable, you’ll have an easier time finding a spare than ever before. It’s often the case that if you find a suitable device, all you have to do is move the SIM card from the old device to the new one. Just keep in mind that your replacement device needs to be on the same carrier (a Verizon phone, for example, can’t be used on a Sprint network). If you are the owner of a business that likes to provide phones to your workers, ensuring that you have insurance covering the phone can be the best way to mitigate the cost of one of your people inevitably cracking the screen on their company-issued smartphone.

Gamble on a DIY Repair
If a second-hand smartphone doesn’t sound like something you’d enjoy, perhaps you could attempt to repair the device yourself. While there are plenty of YouTube tutorials for do-it-yourselfers, you’ll be taking a risk that you might otherwise be better off without. Therefore, only attempt to fix it yourself if you’re aware of the consequences and committed to accepting the results, even if it doesn’t work out your way. You can probably find a replacement screen on the Internet from sources like eBay, but it might be more complex of a job than you’ve bargained for.

Have Someone Fix the Screen
If you’d rather not take any chances with your device’s maintenance, you can try to find someone who is willing to do the job for you. In most cases, this means finding a local company that you can hire for the repair job. Sometimes the service provider itself will handle this, but more likely they would have to send it out for repairs. You want to avoid going through the manufacturer (unless you’d rather foot a pricey repair bill), so it’s best to reach out to your internal IT department or a trusted IT provider.

Trade or Sell Your Phone
If you know that you’re just going to buy a new phone anyway, you might be able to get a little bit of value out of your old device before it’s gone forever. Try trading in your phone or selling it to someone who’s willing to pay a little bit of extra cash for it. Just make sure that you eliminate any data located on the device before handing it over. If you don’t know how to do this, just give us a call and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Look for a Better Price
If you’re just going to purchase a new device, you can find unlocked smartphones online–often at a better price than their designated commercial value. Even better is that these devices aren’t held back by contracts, so wireless carriers aren’t a problem either. However, it’s important that you find a device that actually works. Look for sellers who have a good reputation for providing quality used products. Remember, every time you purchase a used device, you’re dealing with at least some sort of risk.

With smartphones being extremely important for communications and remote productivity, every business should be cognizant of solid smartphone practices. If you are looking to manage the role smartphones have on your network security, or, if you’d like to expand the role smartphones have in your business, you should talk to one of COMPANYNAME’s IT professionals. We can present solutions like mobile device management, allowing your business to take advantage of a comprehensive bring your own device policy. We also have lines on innovative ways to affordably improve organizational smartphone deployments. Call us today at PHONENUMBER.

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Best Practices

Tip of the Week: Activate These Solutions Now Before You Misplace Your Mobile Device Later

b2ap3_thumbnail_find_your_lost_phone_400.jpg Can’t find your mobile device? If you’ve taken precautions and enabled solutions designed to track the whereabouts of your device, then you’ve got no reason to panic. Of course, hindsight is 20/20, so you’ll want to make sure you activate a phone-finding solution now (while you’ve got your device in your sights).

For an iPhone or Apple Device
If you’re an Apple enthusiast, you can use the Find My iPhone feature to locate any device connected to your Apple account. Log into your iCloud account or download the Find My iPhone app (before you lose your device, of course), which will help you keep track of your devices should you lose them. You can even track where your device is and where it has been. You can even lock the device and send it a message telling whoever finds it how to contact you! 

For an Android Device
Android makes finding your lost device as easy as performing a Google search. If you’re signed into your Google account, and you have your device linked to it, all you have to do is type into the search bar, “Find my Phone.” As long as there’s a device connected to your Google account, you’ll be shown a small map in the search results which shows you where the device is located. You can then proceed to ring the device and find it, if it is turned on and nearby.

For Other Devices
If you lose a more obscure device, you might have a little more trouble locating it. Thanks to a great app called Prey, you can find just about any laptop or smartphone that may be missing. You can install Prey for free on up to three devices. If the thief hasn’t completely wiped your device, you’ll have a decent shot at discovering who has found it. Provided that your device has a Wi-Fi chip, a webcam, and the app installed, Prey can take a picture of whoever has found the device as well as where it is located.

Any devices that have Prey installed on them will automatically issue a report to you every so often, starting at 20 minutes. This can tell you exactly what’s happening with your device. This includes webcam snapshots, desktop captures, program installations, changed files, and so much more. Of course, if you think that maybe someone has just found your device and hasn’t stolen it, you have the option of letting them know how to contact you through various methods. Worst case scenario, you can lock it or remotely wipe it to secure any data located on it.

For more great tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your technology, subscribe to COMPANYNAME’s blog.

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Best Practices

Tip of the Week: How to Charge Your Mobile Device Battery Faster

b2ap3_thumbnail_charge_your_smartphone_battery_400.jpg Most of the time, you don’t care about how long it takes to charge your device’s battery–that is, until you find yourself in a bind and need a full charge ASAP! It’s in a moment like this when you frantically ask the question, “Is there any way to make this battery charge any faster!?” Fortunately, there is.

Power Off Your Device
The first charging tip happens to be the most obvious: turn off the device while it charges. This way, your battery is fully devoted to the task of charging, instead of your juice being diverted to open apps.

Although, as we’re all well aware, there are many times when you need a charge, but you’re not in a position to power off your device. After all, you may need to take a phone call or use the device to get work done. In an all-too-common scenario such as this, there are actions you can take to speed up a charge. Consider the following.

Disable the Device’s Internet Connection
Your phone uses a bunch of juice just to stay connected to the World Wide Web. If the task you’re working on doesn’t require an Internet connection, then you can disconnect from the web by activating airplane mode. While in airplane mode, you can still use many of your device’s core apps, like the calendar, calculator, alarm clock, etc.

Turn Off Bluetooth
Bluetooth is another major power drain for mobile devices. If you’re not in need of a Bluetooth signal, then your device will charge faster if Bluetooth is turned off.

Use a Wall Outlet
Yes, you can charge your device while it’s plugged into another device’s USB port, but the reality of the situation is that a direct connection to a wall outlet provides way more juice than another device’s USB port. In fact, in some scenarios, you may experience that a device charging via another device’s USB only prevents your device from losing power more quickly.

The mechanics behind this actually makes a lot of sense. Essentially, different chargers have different power outputs. PC Advisor explains, “While a PC’s USB port is specified at 2.5W for USB 1.0 and 2.0 and 4.5W for USB 3.0 (so always use a USB 3.0 port in preference to USB 1.0 or 2.0 when available), a phone charger might be rated at 5W and a tablet charger 10W, for example.”

Upgrade Your Charger
We should note that just because you’ve got your device plugged into the wall, doesn’t mean that it’s receiving the maximum charge. Sometimes, a charger may be rated at 5W when your device can accept a higher charge like 10W. If this is the case, then upgrading your charger appropriately will allow you to take full advantage of your phone’s charging potential. To better understand your device’s charging capability, consult the owner’s manual.

Quick Charge 2.0 By Qualcomm
Thinking beyond the tweaks you can make to your device, you can employ an outside solution like Quick Charge 2.0 by Qualcomm and have a 3300mAh battery reach 60 percent capacity in only 30 minutes. Compare this to a normal 5W charger which would charge the same battery to 12 percent in the same amount of time. Of course, the catch is that the device needs to be running certain Snapdragon processors. So again, be sure to look into your device’s capabilities before following through with this solution. See the Quick Charge 2.0 in action by clicking here >>

By trying these best practices, you should be able to get the charge you need in order to supercharge your productivity! Do you have any additional tips that you try to get the most out of your device’s battery? If so, share them in the comments below!