Category Archives: Apple

Apple related information will be tagged here. This will include Apple information about the iPhone, iPad, iPod, MacBook, Apple TV. Including news, product details, repair information, review.

Accessories

Three Wireless Earbud Alternatives to Apple AirPods, plus One to Avoid

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With the Apple AirPods dropping sometime this month (no firm release date yet), we can begin to anticipate a few things. The jokes that started at their first announcement will be reheated, yes. But Apple has rarely erred when it comes to audio devices, so we expect positive reviews and several jokesters to be won over by the truly wireless earbuds. Apple has been promising improved functionality thanks to what they call “proprietary technology” but has been shown to be a W1 chip, a form of low-power Bluetooth that allows for a strong, fast connection with long battery life. Just hold the buds near any compatible device (iOS 10, Watch OS 3, MacOS Sierra) and they automatically sync. Cool and all, but what other options are out there? We looked at other corded wireless earbuds and focused on sound and battery life, durability being secondary when the Apple alternative is at risk of falling out of your ear and down a storm drain.

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Beats Electronic’s new BeatsX headphones are arguably the best bet for iPhone 7 owners. Thanks to Apple’s $3 billion buyout of the company, the in-ear style buds feature the same mysterious W1 chip. Unlike the AirPods, however, the BeatsX feature a lightweight cord connecting each ear bud, preferred by many who worry about losing one or both. Sound quality is great; the company seems to have rid themselves of the overbearing bass levels of previous models and embraced the fact that people buy sports-style earbuds to listen to a wide range of music outside of hip-hop. 8 hours of battery life place these in the upper-mid range overall (the best are the bulky neckband-style family) and the integrated Lightning port allows for fast-charging: 2 hours of life in 5 minutes. At $150, BeatsX are $10 cheaper than the AirPods and, thanks to the cord, 50% harder to lose.

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For those who don’t need fancy proprietary technology, either due to not owning an iPhone 7 or simply never really having issues with regular Bluetooth connections, this year’s Bose SoundSport Wireless earbuds are a great option for the same price as BeatsX. Utilizing near-field connectivity (NFC), the SoundSport line connects just as quickly and easily to featured devices (most smartphones, including iPhones) as W1-enabled devices. Sound quality is excellent with clear bass even at higher volumes, and although the battery life of 6 hours isn’t great, it’s not terrible, either. A free app, Bose Connect, allows users to manage pairing lists, download future firmware updates, and fuss with settings (such as auto-off times). The cord features a small clip for attaching to the back of a t-shirt, great for runners. There was an issue at first release regarding sound quality suffering due to excessive moisture, but Bose handled it like champs, providing free replacements with the flaw fixed plus a wired set to use in the meantime. With the BeatsX and AirPods being released next month, these are easily the best wireless earbuds on the market right now.

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Well, best at that price range. For $100 more, you can pick up Bang & Olufsen’s Beoplay H5 earbuds. The Danish company, beloved by audiophiles and designophiles alike, carries on its luxury vision with a sleek, shiny-on-black appearance for this range. The connecting cord is a high-quality soft textile braid. The tech underneath is a little underwhelming compared to the others; just Bluetooth 4.2 and some basic codecs, but the 6.2mm drivers sound surprisingly clear. The Beoplay app is simple and effective: drag a dot between four zones to get the right balance for what you’re jamming out to (an equalizer is only a tap away for more precise tuning).beoplay-app

Seven sets of ear tips, four silicone and three of a memory-foam material, allow users to find the exact fit. But for $250, you’d hope the Beoplay H5’s fit you perfectly. Really, for that price, everything needs to be perfect. The battery life is dismal, advertised at 5 hours but realistically closer to 4, and although the charger is gorgeous (a small box with recesses to fit each bud; the magnetic dots also act as contact points) there is no other way to charge the earbuds, requiring you to carry it with you. Having a small port for micro-USB would make owning these a lot more convenient.

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There are, of course, other companies marketing truly-wireless earbuds, but no one has seemed to take the time to perfect the tech. Samsung released the $190 Gear IconX this week and, honestly, we were excited. The buds have touch-sensitive controls on the outside, an optical heart-rate monitor, a carrying case that doubles as a battery pack, 1,000-song MP3 storage, and more. In execution, it’s awful. The battery life is absolutely dismal, averaging about an hour, and the charging case doesn’t exactly help much when you’re in the middle of a workout. Sound quality is terrible, the lack of an AptX Bluetooth codec resulting in a very compressed sound. It’s a little bit better with stored music, as is battery life, but it is 2016; we don’t download MP3s anymore. This iteration of the Gear IconX might be just a bit too ambitious for Samsung, but hopefully they fix these issues. For now: stay away.

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Whoops! Apple Leaks Specs, Photos of iPad Mini 3 & Air 2

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Uh-oh. Just days before the next big Apple event, meant to unveil Apple’s newest incarnations of the iPad – the iPad Mini 3 and the iPad Air 2 – information about the tablets were apparently unwittingly released to the public. On an iBooks page in the iTunes store, in the section of the iOS 8 user guide, photos and specs of the new devices were posted. The images can be seen below.

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The leaked images of the new iPad Mini 3 and an iPad Air 2.

Thanks to the image, we now know that the iPad Mini 3 and the iPad Air 2 comes with Apple’s patented Touch ID sensor, and at least one of the devices, the iPad Air 2, will be able to take burst photos, a feature that lets the user take multiple photos per second.

For the rest of the scoop, we’ll have to wait until tomorrow. Aside from the Touch ID, we expect a gold color option, and a stronger A8X processor, improved camera optics, and new software.

[h/t 9to5mac.com]

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Where to Sell Your Old iPad Online

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There is nothing like a brand new iPad launch to get people interested in older iPad products.

Founder of the repair and buy-back website iFixYouri.com, Chris Johncke, said that the trade-in market is rocking. The website helps Internet users to locate the best possible price for the old electronic gadgets they want to sell. Right now, Johncke and other experts believe that many of the people who own iPads would like to trade them, but are unaware of how many options they actually have online and in the analog world.

Resellers such as NextWorth ask you to write a description of your iPad before they make an offer. The CEO of NextWorth, Jeff Trachsel, says that it is the best time of year for business.

So, You Want to Sell Your Old iPad Online

If you are a fan of Apple and are planning on purchasing one of the new products that are launched on Friday it is possible that you own an older tablet that you will no longer need. You definitely won’t need your old device if you are planning to purchase both of Apple’s latest iPads.

It should also be noted that the only older iPad devices that will receive top dollar, are those still in perfect working order. So, if you have an iPad in need of repair it may be best to seek the services of a professional, such as iFixYouri, before attempting to re-sell it.

Trade-In Options

You can choose to trade your old iPad into a third-party reseller but there are also other options available:

Apple’s Reuse and Recycle Program

You can return your device to your wireless carrier or Apple: Apple has an Reuse and Recycle Program. Apple pays in the form of a gift card rather than cash. If you are the type of person who wants to trade in your iPad for a new one you should forget about engraving so you can earn the maximum resale amount.

Verizon’s Trade-In Program

Verizon also offers a trade-in program. You can receive an online appraisal on your old iPad. Payment is a Verizon gift card. You can also trade in you old iPad at AT&T but you will need to provide the serial number of your iPad in order to receive a quote from the company.

The Final Word

Before trading in your old iPad remember to erase the memory and settings so people do not have access to your personal information. Don’t forget to back up your data so you can switch everything over to your new Apple iPad. Most importantly always find a reputable reseller such as iFixYouri who lives up to its promises.

News

The Public’s Problem With Apple: iPhone 5, iPad Mini and iPad

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Problems with Apple

Much like the Apple stock prices, the company has had a year of ups and downs. While Apple has made great strides in the creation of the iPhone 5 and iPad Mini, the spotlight shines on every stumble the company makes.

Apple’s Biggest Blunders

Now, it should be stated that a ground breaking company such as Apple that has introduced the world to so many devices we now wonder how we ever lived without, is allowed the occasional hurdle. The bottom line is that much of the criticism stems out of comparison to previous models and short of any unexpected accidents that may result in a device requiring professional repair, they are all quality products. That being said, here are some of the issues.

The Lost Maps of Apple

The disaster of Apple’s Maps app caused something that is rare from the company, a public apology by Tim Crook, CEO. Not only was this app bad, it was godawful, what with it giving users the wrong directions and the lack of public transportation information. Things just got worse when late night talk show hosts began to make the app the butt of their jokes.

This app is the biggest blunder for Apple this year for many reasons. Arguably the most vital app on iPhone as well as other devices, it is imperative that the app is right. Because Apple decided to make Google Maps unavailable it its app store, the company looks petty.

Apple has always been concerned about holding the experience of the user above all else. However, because Steve Jobs passed away a year before Maps came onto the scene does not fare well for those people who are newly in charge of the company.

The Not So New, New iPad

In the past, two things always held true with a new version of iPad: the marketing team at Apple built hype before the release date, and the product lived up to the hype.

With the creation of the original iPad came the creations of the touch-tablet. The second- generation brought forth a lighter and faster version. The third-generation improved on the graphics.

However, the marketing team dropped the ball with the announcement of the fourth-generation when it was introduced at the time the iPad Mini was being announced.

With the fourth-generation comes very little newness. While Apple touts that this iPad has retina display, the third-generation iPad was actually the first to have this feature. The only things new about this particular iPad is that it contains a faster chip and a Lightning connector.

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Mac Keyboard Shortcuts Made Easy

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Some people may not be on intimate terms with their Mac keyboard. The buttons do a lot more than simply type letters and numbers onto the screen, or move the cursor around.  With certain key combinations, there are many opportunities to perform steps that would otherwise have to be accessed from a menu.

Special Keys of a Mac Keyboard

Whether it is built-in like on a laptop or arrives with a desktop, Mac always uses a traditional QWERTY keyboard layout in the United States. The function keys or F keys make the Mac perform tricks. They can make the Mac screen brighter and the sound louder. Near the bottom of the keyboard, next to the space bar, are modifier keys.  When pressed, the modifier keys change the behavior of other keys that are pressed at the same time. When using one modifier key with another key, you can issue a keyboard shortcut.

Classic Layout

On the Macbook Pro of today, the FN key is on the bottom row. On older keyboards it may not be present. When pressing the FN key and pushing one of the top keys on the board, specific operations can be achieved by default. If you press the F12 key by itself, audio volume amplifies. Press FN together with F12 on a Mac with Mountain Lion and the display shifts to the Dashboard environment.

The Versitility of a Command Key

Appearing to the right and left of the space bar is the Command key. If used frequently, it can save the user lots of time.  For instance, when saving a document, instead of going to the File menu, you can just press Command+S.  Or, when quitting the document, you can press Command+Q.

The Control key is mainly used to call up contextual menus. Windows users recognize these as menus that appear when you right-click. On a Mac, nothing happens with the right-click, you must hold down the Control key and right-click to get the menu commands. To get rid of it, click outside of it and do not hold down the Control key.

Option Keys

An Option key is to the right of the Control key. Pressing the Option key causes optional or alternative actions to happen. These common key commands are used with most all applications.

Like all great products, the reality of repair and sometimes replacement is inevitable. If your Mac keyboard ever experiences problems with its functionality and is in need of computer repair services, pros at iFixYouri can help restore your Mac back to its former glory.

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Patent Alert: Apple iPhone Water Damage Detection Patent

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iPhone Water DamageWhen an iPhone owner accidentally drops their device into a toilet, they’re usually unaware of the extent of water damage caused to their iPhone. According to a recently published patent, Apple wants to provide users with a water-detection feature.

The main objective of the technology is for issues such as repair troubleshooting, warranty claim assessment, and product development, according to the published patent. Manufacturers generally want to ensure whether a particular user simply wishes to replace the application or has actually dropped the device in the water. Apple stated that water is one of the major reasons that may cause malfunctioning of the device. As a result, verification of water immersion is pertinent for device manufacturers. Presently, an iPhone that suffers water damage is not covered by Apple’s warranty — which is exactly why they want to be able to test for it.

The only hope you have for getting your water damaged iPhone working properly again is to get it fixed by professional repair technicians who specialize in iPhone water damage repair, like iFixYouri.

iPhone Water Damage Detection Patent Details

The application comes with a system that uses color-changing tape along with a dye which dissolves after absorbing a certain amount of water. This in turn helps in avoiding humidity from triggering a false positive.

According to the published patent, the company stated that the application will get enclosed and provide at least one sign that it has been immersed in the water. As a result, users will be able to identify water damage just by looking at their application. However, the process has certain drawbacks such as limited application, complicated inspection process and device tampering, Apple acknowledged. The detection system can be used for devices that can be easily opened — aka, not the iPhone device.

When Will We See This?

Since December 2006, the water damage detection patent was kept secret by Apple until it was revealed this year. There is no explanation about whether the system will come with the next generation iPhone or will be released with future innovative versions.

It has been a great year as far as Apple’s patent files are concerned. Just like the recently uncovered Olympus MEG4.0 prototype and the Google Glass project, the company received a patent for a head-mounted display device. Earlier last month, Apple bagged a patent for exchangeable camera lenses in less than a couple of weeks time, before another 27 patents were granted, including some for inductive charging, as well as rotating, scrolling and resizing on touch screens.

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The Careful Process of iPod Touch Screen Replacement

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It goes without saying that listening to music on the go is very important to people, and when their precious iPod Touch screen becomes damaged, iPod Touch screen replacement is essential.  Let’s explore what’s involved.

Which iPod Touch Screen Replacement Is Needed?

The iPod Touch actually has two screens, so depending on your device’s damage, you may only need to replace one of the screens.  The outer screen, called the faceplate, is a glass covering that protects the touch screen.  This liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, also called the digitizer, is the actual display screen.

Steps to Disassembling an iPod Touch

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  1. The iPod comes apart from the back to the front.  First, the chrome back of the iPod is removed with specific opening tools.  Trying to do this yourself may result in scratched chrome, but specific iPod opening tools, when used properly, can prevent this.
  2. Then the device’s battery is removed.
  3. The battery is glued to the iPod, so its removal is also a delicate process.
  4. The logic board, held in place by four small screws and attached to the battery by a cable, is the next piece to come out.
  5. Finally, the digitizer is removed.  The digitizer is secured to the faceplate with sixteen screws and plugged in to the logic board.

iPod Touch Screen Replacement

If the digitizer is broken, it is simply a matter of unplugging the old one and plugging in the new.

If the faceplate screen is broken, however, it is an entirely different matter.  After the Home button is removed, the faceplate is heated up to break the adhesive bond between the faceplate and the screen.  The damaged screen is then thrown out, the Home button replaced, and the new screen with the fresh adhesive placed over the faceplate.  The faceplate is heated again, so the glue bonds to the plate and screen, and once it is cooled, it is ready to be put back on the iPod.

iPod Touch Re-Assembly

It is important that all the internal parts of the iPod are clean before it is reassembled.  The faceplate screen is wiped with a soft cloth, and the digitizer and logic board are cleaned with compressed air just to be sure, so no unnecessary dust gets inside the iPod.  Then the parts are reassembled in the reverse order in which they came out — digitizer, logic board, battery, and chrome back.

You can try to do this yourself, but an iPod touch screen replacement is a very meticulous process.  You can trust experienced professionals like iFixYouri, who specialize in iPod Touch screen replacement, to properly repair your device and send it back to you quickly.

Accessories

Apple’s Profit to Increase with the New Dock Connectors

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The decision switch made by Apple in using a smaller dock connector may be frustrating for some customers since their old accessories may become useless. Nevertheless, this important decision may increase the profit of all the manufacturers of iPhone accessories. In fact, Apple is expected to generate an income of $40 million in the next fiscal quarter due to the customer’s payment for new cables that work with the smaller dock connector. This is according to Mr. Michael Morgan, who is the senior analyst of ABI Research.

According to Morgan, Apple is shipping 47 million iPhone 5 across the globe. This is an estimate based on the standards. However, Morgan thinks that only 5 to 10 percent of all the customers will purchase the new cable. Others will rely only on using free cable that comes with the box. This means that if every cable is worth $20, then the expected income is $40 million for 2 million cables.

New Docking Stations Net Profit for Apple, Too

Aside from this, Apple is also said to benefit from the new docking stations that can cater to the smaller connectors of the iPhone. According to Morgan, a total of 5 to 10 million docking stations will be sold next year. Each station will cost around $150 to $175 per piece, which can generate a total profit of $1 billion.

The increase in revenue for Apple is greatly affected by the sales provided by the hospitality industries. Morgan thinks that a lot of hotels will purchase the docking radios to provide more service to their customers. In addition to this, those who are using a car charger will also need to buy an adapter that costs around $30. Nevertheless, this increase in income is only considered a small drop in the bucket since it can generate a total of $100 billion worth of revenue every year. As for the consumers, this can already add up to a very significant expense.

And Then There’s the Cases…

Aside from adapters, cables, and docking stations, cases are also very marketable with the new iPhone 5. This is due to the fact that the iPhone 5 is a lot thinner and longer compared to the previous models. According to the ABI, three-quarters of those who buy the new iPhone also purchase a protective case. Each case is worth around $18. If Apple is able to sell 58 million iPhone 5s, then case makers are expected to generate roughly $783 million for the year.

With all this money invested in a single device, consumers can be devastated when their precious iPhone 5 is damaged.  For all the protection and careful handling, accidents do happen.  Don’t rely on amateurs to fix your device if it’s broken — professional iPhone 5 repair can mean the difference between a fixed phone and further damage.