The first impressions of the HTC Droid DNA are actually very promising. The look of the screen alone can already be classified excellent. However, how does this phone fare from the other smartphones?

We compared the HTC Droid DNA with some of the current heavyweights of the smartphone industry.

HTC Droid DNA vs. the Competition

The first thing to compare with rival smartphones is the screen brightness. The HTC Droid DNA was placed beside four other phones including the iPhone, the Nexus 4, the HTC One X and the Galaxy S III. The results revealed that the iPhone produces the brightest screen among all the smartphones followed closely by the One X. Although the performance of the HTC Droid DNA is quite disappointing, the brightness is still enough to make the screen visible in daylight.

Color Quality and Screen Testing

When it comes to color, the Super LCD 2 of the One X still remains on top along with the iPhone 5. Although the Super LCD 3 of the Droid DNA produces a rather blue hue, it is still a lot better compared to the greenish shade of the Nexus 4. Aside from the pixel density, the Droid DNA provides clear images for users to appreciate, especially in a macro shot.

However, in summary, the Super LCD 3 of the Droid DNA is still inferior to the Super LCD 2 of the HTC One X. Although the former has a slight edge when it comes to the sharpness of the display, this still cannot make up to its poor color calibration and darker screen.

Ranking Smartphones

Although the HTC Droid DNA does not generally have a bad screen, it is still a step backwards compared to the other phones. Here is the ranking of the smartphones according to their display:

HTC One X
Apple iPhone 5
HTC Droid DNA
Google Nexus 4
Samsung Galaxy S III

Note: Although all the aforementioned smartphones have their clear strengths and weaknesses, all are prone to unforeseen accidents such as water damage, cracked screens etc. If your smartphone is in need of repair, the experts at iFixYouri can certainly help.

Honorable Mentions

Aside from these five, there are two other smartphones that remain to be tested. These are the Nokia Lumia 920 and the Samsung Galaxy Note II. When it comes to brightness and color, the Lumia is classified as excellent. However, it is still a step behind the Droid DNA in terms of the resolution. The Lumia 920 is a lot sharper because of the thicker typeface; however, the size of the pixels is actually comparable. As for the Galaxy Note II, it is, as of the moment, at the bottom of the ranking.

News

Cool Verizon iPhone 5 Features

December 25, 2012 Staff Leave a comment

It’s hard to say what tops the list of the coolest features on the Verizon iPhone 5. The fact that it’s the most advanced phone on the market and can be fixed in a timely fashion, or maybe the fact that it’s designed to last, and not break in the first place.

Verizon iPhone 5 Unique Features

4-Inch Retina Display
Fastest Wireless
A6 Chip
8MP iSight Camera
iOS 6
Thinnest, Smallest Design Yet

Verizon iPhone 5 Retina Display

So you’re curious about the 4-Inch Retina Display. Think about it this way: the human eye can process a limited amount of visual data, and the iPhone’s screen has more visual than the eye can see. For decades, technology designers have been producing screens (televisions, computer monitors and cell phones) under the assumption that adding color beyond the human’s perception capability was time wasted. The Retina Display showed the world that this was a wrongly applied understanding.

The human eye can only see a certain amount of color and richness in an image, but the eye has several advantages over a still screen. When the eye shifts focus, it creates rapid 3D sensations, filling in and drawing color based on lighting and movement. Viewed in movement, a screen that lacks rich color saturation becomes duller. Moreover, the brain is responsible for interpreting the images eyes see. The less detail presented to the brain, the more work the brain does to fill in an image.

The Retina Display has packed more pixels into its viewing area than the eye can detect, and the result is a uniform, nearly three-dimensional four-inch screen. Maybe your eye can’t see more than a certain number of pixels per centimeter, but when you look at the Retina Display, you won’t be able to deny its clearer image compared to other cell phones.

Other Features

You won’t be surprised by Verizon’s incredibly fast wireless. They’ve built the best network in the industry, which means that no matter where you go, you’ll have endless streaming possibilities and great use, and not only that, but you won’t have to worry about your battery dying when you’re out and about.

Battery Life

The A6 Chip has the best power efficiency on the market, delivering as much as two times the CPU performance while conserving more battery life than any other phone.

The 8MP iSight camera is so good, many people stop carrying a digital camera, and take shots exclusively with their iPhone. It’s true. You get all of this with iOS 6, the best operating system on the market, in the smallest, thinnest design by Apple to date.

Heed this warning: the design means the device is delicate. If you accidentally damage your Verizon iPhone 5, there is hope: iFixYouri specializes in iPhone 5 repair. Fixing your phone is as simple as sending it to the experienced technicians, who will send it back, good as new.

Uncategorized

Switching WPA to WEP for Better iPhone Wi-Fi Connection

December 24, 2012 Staff Leave a comment

One of the best features of the iPhone is its Wi-Fi, but sometimes the connection can be…just awful. For instance, one complaint is that the Wi-Fi doesn’t maintain a signal for long enough. To address this issue, here is a short guide on how to troubleshoot the problem. If you still have issues, let the technicians at iFixYouri take a look at your device. The problem might have been busted hardware this whole time.

The Wi-Fi capabilities of older iPhones are very different compared to those of newer model. The former is able to get a full Wi-Fi bar signal without difficulty, while the latter is already having problems in maintaining even a single bar for a few seconds. This is one of the most common problems presented in the Apple forums. Nevertheless, users find it effective in switching their router from WPA2 to WEP.

WPA vs. WEP

WPA and WPA2 are considered advanced encryption technologies compared to the WEP. However, they experience more problems in syncing with networks produced by older devices. If the phone experiences Wi-Fi problems, it will automatically switch back to WEP. This is where the the problem lies. Apple designed newer iPhones to use WPA by default, since it is more secure compared to the WEP. Nevertheless, you have the option to compromise their phone’s security in order to enjoy staying connected with the Internet. It’s easy to switch temporarily until Apple finds a way to solve the problem.

Switching Routers

Switching the router of the phone is actually very simple. All you need to do is to access the router gateway, which can be seen through the browser. For example, Western Digital routers are accessed by simply typing the “wp router” into the URL bar. On the other hand, most Linksys routers are “192.168.1.1” or a similar string of numbers.

The Final Step

Once done, you can now go to the Wireless and Security options to select the WEP encryption instead of the WPA. You will then be required to enter your password to finish your router switch. Hopefully, all of your router issues will be solved immediately.

If Wi-Fi problems are the least of your worries and you have experienced more significant issues such as water damage, a cracked screen or other instances that may require repair, you should consider going to a professional. iFixYouri is an expert in all smartphone, laptop, tablet and desktop repairs and can get your device working like-new in no time.

iPhone

Effective Ways of Fixing iPhone Volume Control

December 23, 2012 Staff Leave a comment

Sometimes, the volume control of your iPhone can give you problems. The controls might not be responsive if you try to lower or raise the volume. Some units have a “volume ghost,” turning the volume higher or lower without any buttons being pressed. It’s a frustrating issue, but can it be fixed? Of course it can! Below are some tips to help you clear the problem on your own. If you’ve already tried them, let iFixYouri’s expert technicians take a crack at fixing it. Most volume control issues can be solved in as little as 30 minutes at any of our walk-in locations, or with 24-hour turnaround from anywhere in the country!

Ways of Fixing iPhone Volume Control

Some iPhone problems are not serious and can be fixed at home. For instance, if you have a problem with volume controls, you can try fixing it yourself by following the tips listed below.

Clean the Volume Control Buttons

This is suitable if you feel like the buttons are stuck or feel mushy. Deposits of dirt, dust, oil, grease, food crumbs (“crud”) could be interfering with the sensitivity of the buttons. You can use a narrow pin, carefully get it down the side of the buttons, and see if you can clean the crud out. You can also clean the area around the buttons with a regular vacuum nozzle and a clean, dry toothbrush.

Press the Buttons on Every Side

In some cases, the buttons could be just stuck. You can easily get them unstuck by pressing on the buttons repeatedly. iPhones are designed for durability and the buttons have gone through pressure tests to ensure that they can withstand thousands of finger pushes. A couple of quick pushes could be all you need to dislodge a stuck button and get it working again.

Perform a DFU Restore

A DFU is what the guys at the Genius Bar will likely advise you to do. A restore is often done to rule out software glitches. If this does not resolve the issue, you most likely have a hardware problem.

Check if Volume Changes With and Without Headphones

In some cases, faulty connections between the phone and the headphones can cause changes in volume. There is no clear reason why this occurs. You can bring your phone to the iPhone store and have it checked for loose connections.

For buttons that feel mushy or soft, this could easily be a hardware problem that you can fix by manually moving the buttons around. You may require more help when the problem involves software glitches. If your phone is under warranty, you can easily have it replaced by Apple. Many customers dealing with faulty UP or DOWN buttons have had their buttons replaced by Apple in most retail stores. You can bring your phone in, have it checked out, and see whether it is software or hardware issue.

If your phone is past warranty, you can have the professional repair technicians from iFixYouri do the repairs for you. The next time you need to fix iPhone volume control issues, just call us and we will come to your rescue.

Apps

LocalScope And Other iOS Apps For Your Local Search

December 22, 2012 Staff Leave a comment

Since the dawn of the smartphone, our world has become smaller and considerably more accessible. Through the aid of local search apps, getting a bearing on one’s location and what of interest may surround them is as easy as a simple click. It almost makes you wonder, how did we survive prior to such a convenience?

While browsing through a list of iOS apps, I came across a local search tool called LocalScope. Though a lot of people already use Google Maps (which is now available for iOS) for their local search, and the Apple Map (powered by Yelp), after reviewing LocalScope (review available below) however, I decided to also search for some other apps that may help you in finding what you want, near your location.

Apps For Your Local Search

Unfortunately, the Android version of these apps is currently unavailable.

AirYell

A free app that provides you with a listing and green car icons you can use to get turn-by-turn directions.

AirYell is like a personal Yellow Pages, where you can add a search term or speak it out, to get a list of results for your area. You may also get some listings too by touching some of the icons at the bottom of the app interface. AirYell provides some information about its listings and maps to view their locations, and it also provides turn-by-turn navigation features with voice.

Where To?

An app with an appealing interface and lots of categories (cost – $2.99).

From the Where To? interface, you may choose a common search item which will then be displayed in a list, on a map or through augmented reality (this will cost you an additional 99 cents). Where To? has a massive list of alphabetized services you can quickly get to. The augmented reality feature in the app allows you to see all the places that are in some specific directions within your area, though the extra you may have to pay to use the feature may be a turn-off.

LocalScope

An app that uses social data from popular social networks, along with GPS, to provide you with some information and details about what is near your location. You may search through a lot of social networks and other reference sites with it (cost $1.99).

With LocalScope, you will get some listings, photos, tweets, history, and a lot more through the Search or Discover buttons in its app interface. It is a great choice for finding what you want and discovering other new places too.

To enjoy these apps properly, you’ll need a GPS that is working. Unfortunately, it is one of the features that seems to fail for many iPhone users. If you are experiencing this problem or any other technical issue, you can send your phone to professional repair specialists at iFixYouri.

Uncategorized

Why the HTC Droid DNA Is A Cut Above the Rest

December 21, 2012 Staff Leave a comment

The HTC Droid DNA is one of the best smartphones in the market that is packed with a lot of impressive features. This device has a 5-inch Super LCD 3 screen and a 1920×1080 display. Its pixel density is 440 PPI, which is considered the highest pixel density on any type of mobile screen.

According to HTC, the Droid DNA has an enhanced viewing angle, which is up to 80 degrees. Its display is also a lot brighter and all types of blurring problems are already eliminated.

A Look at the Droid DNA

The Droid DNA is still considered a phone and not a tablet. It is slimmer than the Galaxy Note II and has similar footprint with the HTC One X. When it comes to performance, the Droid DNA has a 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro Processor. It also has an 8MP camera, which opens up to f/2.0 and a 16GB built-in storage. This is also one of the few phones that support a wireless type of charging.

The DNA’s Only True Flaw

The only concern about this phone is the 2,020 mAh battery. This battery can definitely support most other types of phone; however, with the Droid’s massive screen, powerful processor, and LTE radio, this battery probably won’t be enough. The battery juice is a lot less compared to the 3,100 mAh of the Note II.

As for the camera software, the HTC Sense 4+ provides a lot of improvements. It has an enhanced gallery of photo maps, smile recognition, better HDR, and a wonderful cool countdown feature. The phone’s Beats Audio also provides dual amplifiers. One is made for the external speaker and the other is for the headphones.

Standing Up To the Competition

The HTC’s Sense UI is also a lot simpler and more intuitive compared to the Touch Wiz of Samsung. It has the same guts with the Nexus 4, but comes with a better LTE and screen. This makes the HTC Droid DNA one of the best smartphones in the market.

It does look like the Note II however; the Droid DNA is easier to navigate. In fact, it is more comparable with the Galaxy S III since it has the same width, but a little taller. The screen of HTC is considered as the best among all the other products. It produces bright colors and pictures that are incredibly sharp. Its texts are also larger and easier to read compared to the iPhone 5.

If ever your HTC Droid DNA requires repair due to any unforeseen issues such as water damage or a cracked screen, rest assured that professionals such as iFixYouri are available for any and all smartphone repair needs.

DIY Fix, iPhone

Dealing With an iPhone Black Screen

December 20, 2012 Staff Leave a comment

Most iPhone users freak out at their first encounter with the iPhone black screen. This often occurs unexpectedly and has been known to strike even brand-new phones. After all that money spent, most users don’t want to see their phone display pitch black. It’s important to know what to do when this problem occurs. If any of tips fail to bring your device back to life, send your phone in for a free diagnostic and our expert technicians will diagnose the issue and iFixYouri will offer to repair it (or buy it from you for cash!).

How to Deal With an iPhone Black Screen

If your iPhone screen blacks out, there’s no reason to worry. Several methods can get rid of the black screen. Below you will find some of the most common ways of dealing with this issue.

Hold the Home & Wake Buttons

Press and hold the Lock/Wake button on the right side of your iPhone.
Simultaneously, press and hold down the Volume Down button on the left side. Keep the Lock/Wake button pressed.
Continue holding the buttons until the screen goes black and the Apple Logo is displayed.

Also known as a hard reset, this is the first solution that you try since it is fairly easy. The screen should come back on. If it doesn’t try a full restore.

Do a Full Restore in iTunes

If the first solution does not work, a full restore is your next best bet. The restore returns your phone’s data to its original settings according to the settings on the backup. This is often done to transfer data from a defective device to a new and working device but also works to restore all data from a blacked-out iPhone.

Open iTunes on the Mac or PC used to back up your device.
Connect your device to your computer with a USB or Lightning cable. If prompted for your device passcode or to Trust This Computer, follow the onscreen steps.
Select your iPhone when it appears in iTunes.
Choose Restore Backup in iTunes.
Review the date and size of each backup. Choose the most relevant option.
Click Restore and wait for the restore to complete. Enter the password for your encrypted backup if asked.
Keep your device connected after it restarts. Wait for it to sync with your computer. You can disconnect after the sync finishes.

What to Do When the iPhone Black Screen Won’t Go Away

If none of these options work for you, you should contact the nearest Apple store and have your phone looked at by the technicians at the Genius Bar. If you try to do any repairs yourself, you’ll end up voiding your warranty. If your phone suffers from simple software problems, they can easily make quick fixes for you. If your phone is still covered by the warranty, the people at the bar can open it up and see what is wrong. If a visit to the Genius Bar reveals that you have a defective unit on your hands, you may get a replacement iPhone.

Other Options Available

If the warranty period for your iPhone ended, you can have it repaired by professional technicians. At iFixYouri, we have some of the best technicians in North America, with lots of experience fixing the black screen on iPhones as well as any other issue under the sun.

DIY Fix

How To Fix Scratched iPhone Screen

December 19, 2012 Staff Leave a comment

Few things in life are more frustrating than purchasing a new touchscreen phone only to have it damaged and rendered difficult to use. That moment, frozen in time, when your phone slips from your grip and tumbles towards hard cement or wood, while you can only stand and watch, is a sad moment in every phone owner’s life. Luckily, there are a few ways that allow you to fix a scratched iPhone screen without having to purchase a brand new phone.

Use Your Warranty to Fix Your Scratched iPhone Screen

Since Apple’s warranty program is one of the best in the entire tech business, you should always check to see if you can get your phone taken care of under the protection program. This is the easiest way to fix it, but not always possible for those with an expired warranty. Since Apple prides themselves on customer service, however, you may get lucky and take it to a licensed Apple store with a more flexible approach to warranty. This is no guarantee, but many store owners want their customers to have a positive experience with Apple products.

Buff Out The Scratch

Depending on the degree of the crack or scratch on the iPhone screen, you may be able buff it out in the same manner that you would for a scratch on a car. To buff out the scratch, you will need:

a small drill (the smaller the better)
compound to attach to drill head
sandpaper

Using Wax to Fix Scratched iPhone Screen

Many wax products market their ability to take out any damage that can be done, whether it is by gravity or pets or clumsiness. A coat of Turtle Wax, for instance, will eliminate the scratch but can leave behind a film of wax that makes it difficult to use the screen. If you use wax, you have to clean meticulously around the scratch so that the wax residue does not complicate use. You can use a plastic polish to speed up the cleaning if you decide to use wax.

Toothpaste

One of the oddest home remedies for cracked screen has proven to be toothpaste. Anyone who has had a cracked watch face in the past may know about applying toothpaste. This is because toothpaste (not tooth gel — be sure you have the right type) has abrasive within the mixture designed to wear away at bacteria on your teeth. This abrasion, when carefully rubbed onto the surface of an iPhone, will smooth out a scratch. Be sure you only use a small dot (not enough to coat the entire surface) and that you clean the entire surface carefully with a damp rag after you have applied it on.

Professional Help

If your warranty has expired and none of the methods mentioned above have worked, you should consider seeking professional help. That is where we at ifixyouri.com come in handy. Our specialists have been fixing cracked iPhone screens for years, and you can rest assured that your iPhone will be in good hands.