Tag Archives: iphone

All posts pertaining to iPhones, including repairs, news, teardowns, service, drop tests, etc.

DIY Fix

DIY Fix: The iPhone Repair Kit

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iphone-repair-kit-ifixyouriThe iPhone has a carefully engineered design that it appears so sleek and compact while packing the best features a smartphone can have beyond the mainstream standards. Unlike other electronic devices with screws and cracks, which can be used to access the internal components, the iPhone appears seamless, brought about by its unified design concept. Thus, the internal components of the Apple smartphone cannot be accessed easily without the use of an iPhone repair kit.

Why Get An iPhone Repair Kit?

The issues one may experience with an iPhone is indicative of the problems one may experience with any sophisticated electronic device. However, the added element of  this particular device being so closely streamlined to our own individual lives make it that much more sensitive. Here are the reoccuring problems that may warrant an iPhone repair kit:

Issues with the iPhone

Apple has always emphasized integrity when it comes to the design of their products. The iPhone, in particular, was designed in such a way that end-users would just have to enjoy the features of the product without having to deal with common issues that other smartphones possess. In certain instances, however, the iPhone can still be prone to some unlikely issues such as screen damage and battery replacement.

Damage of the LCD Screen

Screen damage of the Apple smartphone is highly unlikely because of the tough Gorilla glass protecting the liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. Nonetheless, impacts strong enough to push beyond the threshold of the Gorilla glass can still occur. When the glass is cracked, the phone may still function but the display can be difficult to read due to the crack lines along the damaged portion of the screen.

Shorter Battery Life

Another issue with the iPhone is battery replacement. No matter how strict quality control is in the manufacturing unit of Apple, product deviations from the norm are unavoidable. Among these deviations, battery life seems to be the most relevant. Not all batteries are created equal although strict manufacturing conditions intend to create these power packs identical. Hence, some iPhone units have longer lasting batteries while some others have less. For this kind of issue, battery replacement is ultimately the most obvious solution if not to buy another smartphone.

The iPhone Repair Kit

Note: It should be emphasized that due to the complicated nature of this device, the best measure for having an iPhone repaired that has experienced significant damage would be to take it an expert such as iFixYouri.

A set of screwdrivers is not enough to pry open the iPhone for repair; that is why third-party manufacturers came up with a repair kit especially put together for repairing the Apple smartphone. A kit designed for this purpose usually comprises opening levers, guitar opening tools, and pentalobe screwdrivers among others.

Opening levers are ideally made of strong plastic so as to avoid scratching the metallic components of the unit while still being able to apply enough force. The pentalobe screws designed for resistance from tampering can be unscrewed with specially designed pentalobe screwdrivers. Other accessories may include suction caps and phone mounting brackets for organized DIY repairs of the smartphone.

The Simple Truth

Not all issues, however, can be repaired with a DIY iPhone repair kit. For advanced technical issues beyond DIY repair, iPhone owners should bring their units to repair centers where skilled technicians with advanced tools can certainly solve most, if not all, issues.

Uncategorized

New iPhone Dock Connector

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iPhone Dock connectorAlong with the launch of the new iPhone 5 came the all new iPhone dock connector. The new connector is primarily known as “Lightning”. It is a digital 8- signal design with improved durability. According to Apple, the new iPhone dock connector is 80% smaller than the previous one and it is reversible. The best thing about this connector is that it can also be used with the old connector. If you have the old connector, all you have to do is buy an adapter and convert your old connector to support the all new iPhone 5 dock connector.

Benefits of The New iPhone Dock Connector

  • 80% smaller than the previous connector
  • All digital-8 signal design
  • Reversible
  • Improved durability
  • Adaptive interface

It was rumored that the new connector would be based on the USB 3 protocol which can deliver speeds of up to 5Mbps, however, that is not the case. Apple recently updated its notebooks to support the faster USB protocol and this led to widespread rumors that the new iPhone 5 would also be based on the same protocol.

Protocols supported “Lightning”

Apple executives said that they are relying on various wireless protocols to connect and sync iPhones. The technologies being used include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airshare, 3G, 4G LTE and iCloud.

The small size will particularly benefit those who connect the phone to their car’s charging system. This connector will be good news for people who are not good with new gadgets because it can work no matter how you plug it in. Therefore, you never have to struggle trying to figure out which side goes up and which side faces down.

Once you buy yourself the all new iPhone 5, you need to take good care of it. If you accidentally damage your iPhone, you need not worry because we can fix it at iFixYouri for you at an affordable rate. You can send your iPhone to us and once we fix it, we will send it back to you. Call us at 1-888-494-4349 for more details.

iPhone, Tips

Make iPhone Ringtones for Free in iTunes

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So you just bought an iPhone, and you want to buy a custom ringtone. Then you discover the songs are a buck each, and then another buck to make them into a ringtone on iTunes. If you want them for free, I’ll show you how to do it all within iTunes, no external program required.

Set Up for Free iPhone Ringtone

What to do first is to go into iTunes and pick a song. You can only pick a song that was not bought in the iTunes store. So either a song ripped from a CD, or that you find elsewhere on the internet.

Take the song, right-click on it and select “Get info”. Go down to the options menu and pick the start time and the stop time. Say the part of the song that you want to use for a ringtone is in the middle of it.  Indicate the start time for when the section of the song begins, and end it wherever you want. It doesn’t matter where it is in the song, as long as it lasts less than 40 seconds. Notice there are no dots in between minutes and seconds.

Now you’ve set when the song starts, and when it stops. If you were to play the song now that you’ve created a start and stop time, it will only last as long as the segment you indicated, even though the length of the song will still be the same. What you can do is right-click again, and choose “create AAC version”.  Create an AAC version and iTunes will create a copy of the song with the times that you have selected.

Fix Your Files

Next, go back to the song you’ve altered and undo the time changes you made in the options. That way, when you go back to listen to it later, it doesn’t just play the short clip you arranged.  Then take the short version for your ringtone to your desktop, and return to iTunes. Delete the short version from iTunes, so the copy isn’t taking up space in iTunes anymore.

Make the iPhone Ringtone

Next, go to the short track on your desktop, click on it, and change the name. Notice the format of the song is MPEG4 (‘M4A’ file extension). You’re just going to delete the A, to create an R, so the file’s extension would be .M4R instead of .M4A. If an alert comes up, confirm that you’re changing the extension.

Double-click on the song, and when it starts playing, it’s added in your ringtones automatically. Finally, on your iPhone, go to the ringtones section and sync it. Now your ringtone will be on it.

Adding personalized ringtones can make an old phone feel like new.  Before you purchase a new phone for fancy build-in ringtones, consider trying this simple method.  If your current phone isn’t performing properly, getting it fixed will also make it new.  Don’t take chances: leave iPhone repairs to the experts at iFixYouri.

Uncategorized

Has the iPhone 5 Changed Our Lives?

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Regarded by many smartphone enthusiasts as being the most anticipated handheld device in the past 2 years, the iPhone 5 has certainly not disappointed (neither in performance nor projected sales). But, apart from the new sleeker design, increased screen length, LTE, lighter frame… What does the public actually think of the newest addition to the Apple family? Well one thing is certain, it is true what they say about opinions and like elbows we all have them.

 

Although the iPhone 5’s glowing reviews are warranted, I feel this reviewer makes an excellent point of the consumer being required to pay $29.99 for an adapter to integrate this phone with older Apple devices. It would have been nice to see that included with the iPhone 5, considering that the added adapter would’ve cost Apple pennies on a phone that retails for $699.

 

Now besides the adapter issue (which let’s face it, isn’t really a huge factor), Apple’s introduction of Apple Maps and the move away from Google Maps threw many users for a loop (some perhaps literally if they were trying to follow Apple’s map). As this reviewer had explained – Apple has acknowledged its error, which in and of itself is always a good thing, and is going to fix the challenge. Apple Maps features a 3D overview of a city’s geography; however, it doesn’t actually give the user the capability of getting directions to their destinations. Which (although cool), for obvious reasons is a bit of a problem considering that this is the sole purpose of any map.

 

I think it’s safe to say that the overall consensus regarding the iPhone 5 is that all that have purchased theirs are pleased with its performance. Considering that for a device with such a broad and fanatic following, it is pretty amazing that its negative reviews are so sparse and seldom found. Short of any unforeseen issues such as the dropping, drowning or other physical damage that one may do to their iPhone 5, it is pretty safe to say that Apple has not lost any fans with its latest installment.

 

Apps

Google Maps Upgrades for Android

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For those frustrated with the new Maps app included with iOS 6, here’s news about the old Google Maps app you were used to using.  Google has an upcoming upgrade on the horizon for its mapping service for its mobile devices.

Public Transportation

The upgrade includes the listing of options for public transportation in approximately 500 cities across the globe. This takes in departure times and suggested routes for in excess of 1 million international stations, which is roughly a 50 percent increase over a year ago. Google will even supply indoor directions as a means of assisting some riders in navigating the system.

To get a competitive edge, only devices that use Google’s Android operating software will have access to this initial offer. Devices from the following models will be able to access this upgrade:

  • The Motorola Mobility Division of Google
  • Sony Corp.
  • HTC Corp.
  • Samsung Electronics Co.

Apple’s Role in the Changes

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These changes surface at the same time as Apple Inc. commits to replacing Google Maps’ position as the foremost navigation service on the iPad and the iPhone. Apple created its very own mapping service for its mobile devices, although it has arrived to a chorus of disappointment due to bugs and a lack of features.

The Effect on Google

This snub from Apple signifies a major blow to Google, which is set to lose revenue from mobile advertising as well as valuable insights about the whereabouts of individuals if iPhone and iPad users embrace this mapping service from Apple.

Response from Google Inc.

Google is of the belief that it can remain one step ahead of Apple as it relates to mobile mapping on Google maps by including features like the expanded directions for public transportation.

This may encourage iPhone users to make the switch to Android devices, or perhaps switch back.  If you have an Android device that is no longer working properly, now might be the time to get it fixed (by the iFixYouri team) to take advantage of Google’s new app features.

iPhone, Tips

How to Tether an iPhone: An Insightful Guide

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 How to Tether an iPhone

iphone-tether-ifixyouriMobile telephone networks have progressed significantly ever since the introduction of the 1G network which came to first use in 1981. Today, urban areas are already enjoying the great benefits of mobile 3G networks powered by CDMA technology (code division multiple access). Theoretical speeds of up to 42 megabits per second are possible with this enhanced technology. Practically, a decent speed of about 7.2 megabits per second is commonly realized.

With this speed, mobile internet users can already stream high-definition videos from YouTube almost seamlessly (only 1 megabit per second is necessary, according to Google). As telecommunication companies are currently on the progress of laying out the framework for 4G networks, mobile internet communications will even be faster and more reliable. To maximize the use of this amazing internet speed, mobile users can tether their internet-connected smartphones so that other internet-capable devices such as laptops, iPods, and tablets can share with the connection.

 

The Convenience of Tethering

Sharing of an internet connection, referred to as tethering, can be done over wireless local area network (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, or via a USB cable. When internet connection is shared over Wi-Fi, the tether device becomes the mobile hotspot. Depending on the Wi-Fi standard being used, internet-capable devices can connect from a distance as far as 10 meters.

An internet tether can also be done via Bluetooth; in which case, distance and speed may further be limited by the type of Bluetooth technology being used. Although a bit cumbersome due to the extra wire required, the tether can also be established via the USB cable that connects to the USB ports of the tether devices.

Of all the possible connections, sharing the internet over the Wi-Fi network is the most popular because of network speed and reach. Furthermore, multiple devices can connect to the mobile hotspot simultaneously. The number of devices that can effectively connect to the hotspot is only limited to the established speed of the mobile 3G or 4G networks. If connection speed can reach about 1 megabit per second, then three devices can connect simultaneously without noticeable decrease in internet speed. If you can manage to get strong networks, reaching the speeds of about 7.2 megabits per second, you could get a dozen devices to simultaneously connect.

 

Step-by-Step Method for Tethering the iPhone

The iPhone, known for the restrictive nature of its company, has been in a consistent battle over allowing tether or not.

While Apple allowed the tether in the iPhone 3G through the iOS 3.0, succeeding updates of the mobile operating system removed the feature due to fair use policy restrictions. However, jailbroken iPhones were able to retain the feature. Due to popular demand, Apple reinstated the mobile hotspot feature in the iOS 5 mobile operating system.

In an iPhone 5 running the latest iOS, turning the mobile hotspot feature on is very easy.

Find the Option

iphone-tether-ifixyouri-3On the Settings menu, the Personal Hotspot submenu is accessible if the shareable 3G network is available. The Personal Hotspot feature is dependent on the kind of SIM card provided by the service provider.

Prior to accessing the Personal Hotspot submenu, the General Network settings must be checked for 3G and cellular data configurations. Both of these network settings must be turned on; 3G helps in loading data faster while cellular data allows the iPhone to access internet data via the cellular network.

If you don’t see any of the options, check this page to see if you have the minimum technical specs required.

Configuration

When the General Network settings are properly configured, the iPhone should already have mobile internet connection and this internet data access can be shared by sliding the Personal Hotspot option to the on-state.

Below the Personal Hotspot configuration, internet connectivity can be shared via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB tether. For wireless connections including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, wireless security must be activated by setting up a password.

The older versions of the iPhone including the iPhone 4 and 4s and 3GS are compatible with iOS 5+; thus, these iPhone versions follow the same method as the iPhone 5 for internet tether. The original iPhone and its immediate successor, the iPhone 3G, may need certain hacks to enable the tether since these no longer supported in iOS 5+. Nonetheless, the slow cellular connectivity of the original iPhone and the iPhone 3G may not be worth the trouble of enabling the tether on these devices.

 

Connecting to the Access Point

Connecting to the iPhone tether is as easy as connecting to any Wi-Fi network.

1) On a Windows or Mac computer, connecting to the iPhone hotspot begins with searching nearby wireless networks.

2) When the iPhone mobile hotspot is active, the name of the iPhone is shown on the list. Upon clicking the correct option, the user is prompted to enter the Wi-Fi password previously set up.

3) The connecting device then obtains the IP address and automatically performs other wireless configurations for the tether.

That’s all there is too it!

The ability to tether can bring new life into how you use your devices.  If you have either an iPhone or a computer that you want to use for this process, but one (or both) is in need of repair, get it fixed at iFixYouri so you can enjoy the benefits of tethering.

Beware of Data Charges

REMEMBER: Data charges apply for the tether. Since the laptop and other larger devices can consume data really fast, data consumption related to the tether could easily go overboard. To avoid outrageous cellular bills, it is important to check with the telecom company for unlimited data plans pegged at a fixed rate per month.

 

Apps

Tweeted and Deleted: 10 Hilarious Celebrity Twitter Slip-Ups

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Twitter is a great tool because it gives famous people a direct connection to their fans. Although it can be great for their ‘public relations’, it can also make them look really bad if they misuse it. For some celebs, a slip up just makes them look silly, or feel dumb, but for others, the consequences can be serious and permanent.

Here are 10 celebrities that slipped up, tweeted, and deleted.

10. Bow Wow DUI

Rapper Bow Wow had to delete a self incriminating tweet after realizing that it might not be the smartest thing to publicly broadcast the fact that he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol and driving a Lamborghini. What’s most impressive is that he didn’t wake up the next morning in the hospital! Most recently, Bow Wow is still having twitter problems: someone posted a picture, pretending it was him and Bow Wow spooning, and the rapper put a bounty on the poster’s head. Bow Wow originally claimed that he would give $2500 to anyone in Detroit who would harm the man responsible for the tweet.  Bow Wow then quickly deleted the message…and his entire Twitter account. Maybe he’s finally given up on Twitter, after realizing it’s too dangerous for him!

9.  Julliette Lewis Cyber Heckling

 

celebrity-tweet-delete-ifixyouri-1Actress and Singer Juliette Lewis, known from her roles in Due Date (2010) and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993), gave a harsh review of singer Lana Del Rey as she watched Saturday Night Live from the spectator seats.

She later deleted the tweet, and replaced it with the following:

celebrity-tweet-delete-ifixyouri-2

 

8.  Denise Richards Phone Giveaway

Actress Denise Richards somehow managed to accidentally tweet her own phone number. I guess the simplicity of Twitter is still not simple enough for people who aren’t technically inclined. After finally figuring out how to delete the message, she had to figure out how to change her number, then posted this:

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7. Blige’s Misunderestimated Intelligents

 

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The tweet really says it all with this one. After being fed up with people trying to estimate her intelligence, she made it clear once and for all. Now no one will estimate wrongly again! Needless to say, she noticed her little typo and deleted the tweet.

6.  Kutcher’s Butchered Tweet

Joe Paterno (AKA “Jo Pa”) was a very successful football coach until November 2011 when he was fired after an former FBI investigator found evidence that he sexually assaulted young boys and tried to cover it up for years. Somehow, actor Ashton Kutcher heard about ‘Jo Pa’ being fired, but completely missed the rest of the story, and wrote this tweet:

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Oops! I’m sure it didn’t take long for him to figure out from his followers that there was more to the story. Rather than defend Jo Pa, like many of the students at Penn State, Kutcher did the wise thing and recanted with class (or, at least, with minimal continued embarrassment).

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5. Katy Perry’s Bleak Leak

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Russell Brand obviously can’t miss a chance for a prank, because he tweeted this picture of Katy Perry (can you believe it’s her?), with no makeup on in the early morning. Apparently, worried about her image, Katy Perry didn’t find it very funny and made Russell delete it right away!

 4. Cee Lo-Blow

 

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Cee Lo Green took a low blow at some of his critics who insulted his concert, suggesting that they were offended by his masculinity, and therefore gay. This isn’t a criticism I’ve ever heard about homosexuals, but Cee Lo Green realized his mistake and quickly deleted the tweet.

3. Oprah Gets OWN-ED

 

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Did you ever wonder how television producers know how popular television shows are? They can’t just track who’s watching what if it’s broadcast through the airwaves. Instead, a random sample of households are set up with special boxes that record what those people watch. Oprah decided it would be a good idea to fake her ratings by encouraging viewers with these special boxes to tune into her network: OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network). This would have made it seem like more people were watching the channel than there actually were. She deleted the tweet after getting in trouble from Nielson, the company behind the boxes.

2. Bieber Backfires

After Kevin Kristopik hacked into Justin Bieber’s friend’s phone to steal his number, Bieber decided to get revenge by posting the following tweet with Kevin’s number, pretending it was his own.

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After a sudden avalanche of 26 thousand text messages, Bieber quickly deleted the message. I think it’s fair to say that Kevin’s plan backfired.

 1. Weiner’s Wiener

This is the most devastating tweet that any politician could possibly send. Anthony Weiner, a New York congressman, sent out a photo of his weiner, concealed only by briefs. The message was intended for a 21 year old college student, but, even worse, was broadcast for all his followers. After denying responsibility initially, he admitted his mistake and was forced to resign. Be careful what you tweet! If you want to follow any of the celebs above, or any other famous folks, on Twitter, one of the best methods is through the mobile app.  It’s a convenient way to stay on top of the trends and controversies.  All you need is a decent internet connection.  If your smartphone seems to be having issues, there is one place you can trust to get it fixed: iFixYouri.

Apps

Pinterest is now iPad-compatible

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Pinterest is becoming popular with each passing day, and with mobile apps rolling out of its stable, it has become quite easy for users to pin their pictures, images and other things on the move. The social network has announced that it has unveiled an iOS app, which would be compatible with both the latest versions of the iPhone and the Apple tablet, the new iPad.

Pinterest Looks Beautiful on iPad

The Pinterest website can be viewed on the iPad clearly, as it has a full layout, making it easier for the user to view multiple pins simultaneously. The users can navigate to the different categories of the website, by a simple swipe on the screen. They can also use the integrated browser to view sites, which is the pin or the image’s source.

The Pinterest experience on the iPad is no different from viewing it on a regular computer, as the mobile app has several key features of Pinterest, thereby replicating the user’s experience on a bigger screen (but it’s more fun!). Users can like, share, repin, and even comment on the images through this mobile app. No better time to get your broken iPad fixed from iFixYouri so you can enjoy this fantastic social media app in all its glory!

iPhone Pinterest App Gets Update

The iPhone app has recently received an update, wherein a two-column layout has been introduced, thereby enhancing the overall user experience and also offering much better performance. The improved user interface makes it easier to see multiple pins, and makes is possible for the user to enjoy the Pinterest experience, similar to the experience on a desktop or an iPad.

P.S. The Pinterest mobile app can be installed for free from the online iOS store.