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Scuffgate: iPhone 5 Damage Right Out of the Box

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Reports of minor cosmetic damage on some shipped iPhone 5 models were acknowledged by Apple.  When the iPhone 5 was released, the company received several complaints about scratches and dents alongside the edges right out of the box.

Phil Schiller, the senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Apple Inc., responded to a customer’s email who had complained that he received his black and slate iPhone 5 with some scratches, scuffs and marks throughout the band around the device. The customer further sought clarification from Phil Schiller whether Apple had plans to resolve these issues with the smartphone.

Schiller answered that it is common with any aluminum product to chip or scratch with usage, exposing its natural silver color.  Still, when a new product is shipped, those natural scratches should usually only appear after the user handles it.

“Scuffgate” Coined to Describe Common iPhone 5 Issue

The majority of the iPhone 5 damage issues were observed with the black version, whereas the white and silver model received no such reports. It is believed that one reason behind the problem could be the popularity of the black version of the device.

Potential customers can see images of scratches and dents on the device online.  The issue was common enough to have a coined phrase for the phenomenon:  Scuffgate.

Advantages of the iPhone 5

The new smartphone comes with slimmer design at 7.6 mm thick and a taller 4-inch display. It also comes with a two-tone design along with a metal backing. It is made from aluminum and glass, and is believed to be 20 percent lighter compared to the Iphone 4S.  The design choices have created a more sleek phone, but one that is apparently more prone to physical damage.

iPhone 5 Damage Repair – Seek Professional Help

There are a variety of issues that an iPhone 5 can suffer from, but fortunately repairs can help save the device from a landfill.  If your iPhone 5 has experienced any damage, don’t panic: iFixYouri specializes in iPhone 5 repair.

 

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Cyber monday savings are here!

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Cyber monday is here and we’re here to pass on some great savings to you! Black Friday was a great success at our retail locations, and now it’s time for our mail-in customers to reap the great benefits of cyber monday! Today and today only, you’ll have be able to save 10% on ALL repairs using the coupon code CYBER2012.

Not only are we going to give you 10% off, we’re going to throw in FREE UPS SHIPPING! As one of the premier iPhone, iPad, and iPod repair companies in the industry, we want to pass the savings on to you!

While you’re sitting at work doing some holiday shopping on the busiest only shopping day of the year, take advantage of our great deals, as these offers won’t last! Have a question? Call us at 888-494-4349 or email us at [email protected].

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Phone Battery Life Will Soon Improve

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When the first smartphones were introduced, no one predicted a future that included constantly ducking into coffee shops to get a quick charge for a phone battery. But, here we are. Five years following the original iPhone introduction, mobile devices sport screens that are brighter and bigger, faster running processors and rapid 3G and 4G data connections.

However, phone battery life is close to the same as always, hardly enough for a full day of work. In spite of all the other advances, the phone battery life never seems to get any better.

Lithium-ion Phone Batteries

Customers may not realize that lithium-ion batteries, which power everything from laptops to smartphones, are actually three times better than they were in the mid-1990s. At the same time, the electronics they power are more than a thousand-fold improved. The big, bright display on the newer phones tends to draw a lot more power than the small, dim display on phones of the past. This puts more pressure on the battery. It forces the user to use the screen in moderation or go to an outlet for a charge.

Battery Size Matters

Size is another factor. Phones can have batteries that are light and thin and only last a day or ones that are bigger like before and last for three days. More energy can be packed into batteries, but they are not longer lasting because the phones are thinner. Lithium-ion has nearly reached the potential for capacity and at some point will not get better.

Mark Stoker, vice president of sales at K2 Energy Solutions, a Nevada battery-research company, is working on different types of batteries that may provide much more phone battery life and capacity. This new technology is expected to be available within a year or two.

Charging Phone Batteries

Lithium-iron phosphate batteries can be discharged and charged around twice the amount as the lithium-ion and still keep their capacity. They can also stand the high temperatures which cause batteries to degrade quickly in electronics. The problem is that lithium-iron cannot pack as much power in a small space like the lithium-ion, but rapid improvements are developing. These batteries are now being used in electric cars, but may soon be used as a phone battery.

Modern Phone Batteries

Other new technologies are aluminum-ion and Lithium-imide batteries. They promise from 10 to 50 percent more energy using the same quantity of space as the lithium-ion battery, longer battery life overall, quicker charging, and react better to heat. Some can be used in the same equipment as lithium-ion batteries, meaning they’ll cost the same.

If there is a demand, these improvements will show up in the consumer industry, because users need phones that do not have to be babied all through the day. They also want smaller, more improved and faster devices. The right balance will soon be found and smartphone users will no longer be stuck to that wall outlet.

While You’re Waiting for a Better Battery…

Unfortunately, many smartphones become trash because the user cannot be bothered (or doesn’t have the technical understanding) to swap the battery for a new one.  The process is usually not as simple as opening the battery door and slipping in a fresh battery.

Until battery life significantly improves, you’ll benefit from having a professional smartphone repair company replace your battery — it is much more inexpensive and convenient to keep your current phone.  With iFixYouri, you can simply ship your device to the experienced technicians, who will return your item back to you, new battery installed.

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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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iPhone 5 v. SGS3 v. HTC One X: Photo & Video Quality

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The process of choosing a new high-end smartphone to buy may seem exciting at first, but things can get confusing once you start focusing on the technical aspects of the product. Two important features for many smartphone users is the ability to take good photos and videos.  Let’s compare image and video quality of three very good smartphones: Samsung Galaxy S3, HTC One X and iPhone 5.

Battle of the Smartphones: Round 1 – Picture Quality

If the overall picture quality is considered as the benchmark, HTC One X is the best option because it tends to over-sharpen the image thereby minimizing degradation. Yet, iPhone 5 and Galaxy S3 cannot be called poor in this aspect.

If you want a phone that reproduces colors perfectly, then you ought to choose iPhone 5 because it does justice to snaps with natural and warm colors. The One X seems to overdo this aspect by bringing a yellowish hue into the images.

Exposure wise, the One X lags behind the other two because it tends towards under exposure. iPhone 5 scores the highest as far as dynamic range is concerned.

Smartphones will get used indoors very often. Hence, this is an important parameter. iPhone 5 scores high again and produces very good images irrespective of the quality of lighting. SGS3’s flash does a good job of taking good snaps even in poor lighting but does not match iPhone’s performance.

Round 2 – Video Quality

What about video? It is Apple all the way. Want HD videos with crisp details, perfectly natural colors and super smooth recording all the way? Choose iPhone 5. The iPhone camera seems to get great quality, well encoded video. The S3 fails in suppressing wind noise. One X just does not make the cut here. Details are vague and the capture rate is plain slow.

And the Winner is…

When you analyze the quality of images and video, there is no doubt that iPhone 5 comes out on top in a close race. It is easy to use and pretty fast too. Other two options are impressive and definitely score over similar products in the market. However, it cannot be denied that they fall behind when one compares with iPhone 5.

Regardless of the model you choose to buy, keep in mind one important fact: the device is delicate.  If anything happens to your new smartphone, you can save your tears: iFixYouri specializes in repairs for all 3 models!

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The Top 5 HTC Smartphones

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When the first automobiles arrived, Henry Ford is quoted as having said, “The model T comes in your choice of color: black, black, or black.” Apple, with its iPhone, has created a similar situation for Macintosh loyalists. However, HTC knows that people want variety. Anyone hoping for a great phone with a little more variety than numbers needs look no further than HTC.

The HTC Smartphone and Its Top 5 Models:

There is no particular order to this list since every user values certain features over others. Below though, readers will find the top five HTC smartphone models, followed by a leading feature or two of each phone on the list.

• HTC One X

• HTC Rezound

• HTC Evo 3D

• HTC Velocity 4G

• HTC Thunderbolt 4G

The HTC One X Smartphone

HTC One X

It is the newest model on the market and it was rated September 2012’s finest phone. There is no quad core processing, but what the One X has that no other phone does is an HD display beyond the eye’s ability to comprehend. All the density in these phones visual images makes it seem more real than the world around it.

 

 

 

The HTC Rezound Smartphone

HTC Rezound Smartphone

It has a leg up in the sound category. LaptopMag called this phone, the phone to listen to. For music lovers, the Rezound is resoundingly the right choice. As a secondary noteworthy feature, this model has some bulk and active users seem to prefer it for its durability.

 

 

 

 

 

HTC Evo

HTC Evo

Its 3D’s outstanding feature is easy to identify. The images from the screen jump out at the viewer, and the 3D is glasses free. If three-dimensional viewing was the only benefit though, maybe Evo would not make the top five lists, but its dual core processors and 4G capabilities give it a competitive edge over much of the market.

 

 

 

The HTC Velocity 4G

HTC Velocity 4G

It has a simple philosophy. Unencumbered by other features, the faster-than-a-blink Wi-Fi has nothing to interrupt it. Sure, every HTC Smartphone is fast, and offers reliable Internet connection, but until users have seen the constant reliability of the Velocity, there is no way to understand the benefits of a stripped-down model.

 

 

HTC Thunderbolt 4G

HTC Thunderbolt

Its high cost nearly kept it off the list of the top five phones, but its incredible Internet data package with the fastest times of any phone meant it should be included. Evaluators have said that the Thunderbolt battery cannot compete with the super-fast data speed, and thus the phone runs out of charge quick. Nevertheless, the Thunderbolt will satisfy even the most impatient web-browsing individual.

 

 

 

There are many more HTC models to choose from, and there are also a variety of ways that these delicate electronic devices can become damaged.  Instead of just buying a new model when your current phone is cracked, chipped or suffered any other physical damage, you can easily get it fixed by professional HTC repair technicians.

 

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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

ipod-touch-screen-replacement-ifixyouri

  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.

Tablets

Is the iPad 4 Worth the Upgrade?

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The release of the iPad 4 was a bit unexpected. Instead of being a minor revision of the older model, it added a new processor, dual WiFi and extended 4G LTE. Here is some useful information to see if an upgrade is worthwhile.

Is An iPad 4 Upgrade from a Previous Model Worthwhile?

If you’re an owner of the original iPad, it may be worth considering buying the new iPad 4. As with any technology, after a few years, it becomes outdated. This may be a reason to upgrade.

If you’re an iPad 2 owner, upgrading may not be necessary.  Even though the latest version is faster, has better camera technology, and comes with retina display, the iPad 2 processing power remains capable.

As for the not-so-old iPad 3, there is usually no reason to upgrade. The third version is very fast and contains that same basic features of the newest model. Even if the iPad 3 needs repairs, it’s certainly not so outdated that it needs replacement and is worth fixing.

iPad 4:  Too Soon, or Just in Time?

One big reason to upgrade from the third version to an iPad 4 is if the wrong model was originally purchased. For example, if a person needs more storage space than a 16 GB model provides, it may be wise to upgrade.

Also, if a person wants data connectivity and only bought the WiFi version, it will be wise to upgrade. A person may be able to sell a previous model for close to the amount of a new model.

What About Switching to the iPad 4 from a Different Brand Tablet?

If you own a tablet made by a company other than Apple, now is a great time to upgrade to an iPad. With the broad line of Apple products, a person may choose an iPad 4 or a mini iPad. The mini comes with the same basic features as the latest iPad 4 without the special retina display and large screen.

Before a person decides whether or not to buy Apple’s latest iPad 4, it is wise to consider the pros and cons of the currently owned tablet. If the current tablet is still going strong and accomplishing all necessary tasks, an upgrade may not be needed. However if the current tablet is not living up to expectations, the time to upgrade is now — get it while it’s hot!

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