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

Tips, iPhone

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:

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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-ipad-ifixyouri

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.

Apps

iPhone Anonymity App: Burner Allows You To Go Incognito

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 burner-iphone-ifixyouri

Burner, one of iPhone’s newest apps, allows users to become completely digitally anonymous. This app lets you create disposable numbers for placing and receiving calls, making sure that all the numbers used on your phone are anonymous and temporary. These “burnable” numbers can be used to place incognito calls as well as to send anonymous text messages.

How It Works

Anonymity

Burner creates a temporary number that is anonymous. That is, you do not have to provide any personal identification to create it. The number can only be used for twenty minutes of air-time or to send sixty text messages. The numbers assigned by this app normally last for about week. After this time, they are auto-deleted.

Temporary

Users are given the option to ‘burn’ the number before your validity or talk-time expires, which can be beneficial if you are trying to move fast. Burning a number erases all the evidence that the number ever existed. Those who try to call the number are informed that it is now out of service.

How Do I Get The App?

Like many superior apps, Burner does not come free. To download it, you have to purchase it from the online App Store for $2. Burner comes with one initial alias number that you can use to get yourself started. The cost of the app excludes the cost of additional alias numbers, which can be purchased after you buy sufficient credits.

Why Is Anonymity Important?

Anonymity is getting harder and harder to get as the internet and social media become more prevalent. It is not necessarily restricted only to people who wish to engage in illicit activities, as many of us wish to conceal our identity for exemplary causes, or simply for privacy to ensure our private information is not sold. Protecting your sense of privacy in the 21st is something that most current iPhone users are concerned with.

Protecting your iPhone from physical issues is another matter.  If you’re not careful, or equipped with a good protective case, your smartphone may suffer damage.  There is no app for repairs: you’ll need professional help.  Contact iFixYouri to repair any type of damage that your phone incurs.

Tips

Speed Up Your iPhone

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Article Updated July 12, 2016. While a new iPhone runs smoothly, this user experience can change with time. As a result, your once speedy iPhone starts crawling at a slow pace or freezes entirely. This is not an issue that affects iPhones alone but a wide range of electronic devices. With this in mind, you might be wondering what can be done to speed up your iPhone. The following tips can help you squeeze better performance from a buggy iPhone.

Speed Up Your iPhone with a Restart

Restarting your iPhone can help solve issues related to responsiveness. This tip is an old standard from the desktop computer days – just reboot it. To reboot your iPhone, just hold down the wake/sleep button. This will bring up a red slider on the screen. Use your finger to move the slider across the screen. This will turn off your iPhone. You can now power up your iPhone to boot up afresh. Do not worry if this process seems to last a little bit longer.

Disable Background App Refresh

Settings>General>Background App Refresh (OFF) or choose by individual app.

Clear App Cache with Taps

From @zadr’s tweet – apparently tapping 10 times on any single button on the bottom of the following apps clears the app cache for iTunes, iBooks, App Store or Apple Watch apps.

Turn Off Animations

This setting will help iPhone 5 or older as well as iPad 4 or older.
Settings>General>Accessibility>Reduce Motion (ON)

Turn Off Transparency

For iOS9
Settings>General>Accessibility>Increase Contrast>Toggle on Reduce Transparency

Disable Siri Suggestions

Also for iOS9
Settings>General>Spotlight Suggestions>Siri Suggestions (OFF)

Update your iPhone Firmware

If you have not yet updated your iPhone firmware, this can cause apps to run a little bit slower. To get the latest firmware, visit the iTunes website. Synchronize your iPhone before updating your firmware. You can then proceed to check for updates. If an update is available, install it. Remember to restore backup after installing new firmware.

  • Plug your iPhone in to a power source.
  • Tap Settings > General > Software Update.
  • Tap “Download and Install” to download the update. Updates might download automatically while your device is connected to Wi-Fi and a power source.
  • Tap Install when the download completes if you want to complete it now.

Uninstall Buggy Apps

In some instances, a buggy app can make your iPhone behave in a sluggish manner. In this case, the best way to speed up your iPhone again is to delete the buggy apps. You can always reinstall the apps if they are important.

Free Up Some Drive Space

iPhone apps can create a lot of temporary data quickly. It’s best to have at least 500 MB-1GB of free space to ensure your apps aren’t crashing from lack of space. So you may want to consider uploading some of those photos and videos to your iCloud, Google Drive, Youtube, Flickr, whatever you use for cloud storage.

Check Your Sync Settings

Every time an app syncs or updates it’s info, it requires processing power and time. Check your Settings to adjust which apps are syncing and their update frequency.

Restore your iPhone to Factory Settings

You should only resort to this action if all the other tips have failed. It is important to note that restoring your iPhone to factory settings will delete all your apps, contacts, text messages, and videos. If you restore from a corrupt backup, you may have few options to make your iPhone run faster. However, a restore will definitely make your iPhone user experience as smooth as possible. Before attempting to restore your iPhone, make sure that you have backed up all data.

If you have a jail broken iPhone, install apps that are compatible with your iOS version. This will make your iPhone run a little bit faster at all times. However, if none of this works, perhaps you’ll need to repair your iPhone — contact iFixYouri to learn about what we can do to speed up your iPhone.

Uncategorized

Tips To Avoid Breaking Your iPhone

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broken-iphone-cracked-screenThe iPhone is an extremely durable phone that can stand up to lots of rough handling. iPhones, nevertheless, do have certain vulnerabilities and can be broken, and as a result, require repair. The following are a few of the common ways in which you can break your iPhone as well as ways to avoid them.

Keys in the Pocket Damage iPhone Screens

Tons of people make this error without also thinking about it. Since keys are so sharp, they can damage the iPhone glass and repairs are typically needed as viewing the iPhone display is vital. Make sure that you keep keys in your wallet or a different pocket. Likewise, if you have a handbag, ensure you keep the iPhone in a different area that is away from any sharp or heavy object in the bag. This will help you avoid many iPhone repairs.

Playing A Golf Game on the iPhone Can Be Trouble

A golf game on your iPhone can be lots of fun as you can swing your iPhone like a golf club and have a ‘real life’ golf experience.  However, often the iPhone slips from the hands and is tossed, resulting in some serious breakage. There are many other sports and physical games which cause the same problem. If you’re a fan of these kinds of games, you should be aware of the potential issues and maybe even buy an iPhone case that has an improved grip. In addition, do not let other people play the games on your iPhone, unless they’re willing to help pay for iPhone repairs.

Bumping Into Things – Clumsy Can Be Costly

This is quite a typical blunder with the majority of phones, however it is a large issue with iPhones because of the screen size and their value. Basically, many individuals keep iPhones facing outwards from their pockets. When they bump into things like a table corner, the screen gets damaged and requires repair. To avoid the problem, make sure you turn the iPhone display in your pocket inwards towards the leg.

Dropping the iPhone While Taking a Photo

This is another extremely typical problem, worsened by the fairly odd location of the photo button on the screen of earlier iPhone models (rather than being a real ‘button’ that can be pressed). Therefore, it means that when you’re in a congested location, such as a show or club, you turn your iPhone around to face you and hold it at full stretch in order to photograph yourself. If you get pushed or your outstretched arm gets knocked, the iPhone will land at your feet, and may get trampled.  Always take pictures only when you have enough space and calm surroundings. Or, if possible, get somebody else to hold the iPhone for you.

Accessories

AirPrint: Wirelessly Printing from Mobile Devices

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You probably know how to print at home using a wired printer, but what if you are out and about and want to print something off from one of your computerized devices? Thanks to modern day technology and a recent software upgrade from Apple, you can now print documents and photographs off from pretty much any device (from iPad to iPhone), as long as you go about it the right way.

The Basics

The first step is to check your printer and see that it is AirPrint compatible. Regardless of what Apple device you are dealing with, you will need to use this software. Either way, the setup process is fairly simple and once you are done that, you can simply connect your device and printer to the same Wi-Fi network and get started with printing.

The Alternative

You should see a connection established between the devices in just a matter of seconds, but if you do have problems you can always turn to the Fingerprint software. Although not as reliable as the previous option, it does get the job done.

AirPrint Apps

There are also a number of AirPrint-enabled apps you can take advantage of for printing purposes. From instapaper, Evernote and Safari to iWork and Google Maps, if you want to print any information from any of these apps, you can do so quickly and easily.

The key things to remember are:

  • AirPrint best printing software
  • Fingerprint is the other option
  • Stick with AirPrint-enabled apps — usually iWork or Google maps

The process is very simple and once you try it a few times for yourself and get more familiar with it, it becomes easy to remember. It can be a bit complex when you first get started, but you should not have any issues with it.  If your device isn’t running smoothly, it will be an additional burden to getting the printing to work.  Get in touch with iFixYouri to first ensure that your device is behaving at its potential.

Understanding this process could be very helpful in the future, if you happen to be away from your desktop computer and need to print things off. You never know when you’ll have a printing emergency!

Accessories

4 Docks That Rock!

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Let’s face it, Apple has changed the way the world moves, grooves and shares information. Apple’s reach into the lives of the average Joe seems boundless. So, what’s next? You already have your iPod, iPad, iPhone and Macbook. It would seem that you have all you can possibly need, right? Well, think again because if the automotive salesman has shown us anything, there are always room for add-ons.

Amongst the countless accessories that have been manufactured to accompany Apple products, from cases to ear buds, no one thing holds more presence than the “dock”. This electronic hub, meant to enhance, amplify and charge your gadgets, can be the ultimate in elevating your experience.

 

ISOUND-4531 Power View Pro Charging Dock

This dock can charge 2 iPhones or iPods, and 2 iPads at the same time, plus 2 additional powered USB ports located on back allow you to charge any USB device.

 

Philips Fidelio Docking Speaker

This dock’s compact design is fit for iPod, iPhone and iPad. With PC synchronization with your Apple devices. this audio treasure is great for any space.

 

JBL On Air Wireless

This dock hosts 3 JBL transducers to provide ample sound. With HALO (Horizontal Acoustic Level Optimization) technology plus AirPlay wireless streaming, your iTunes collection will never sound the same again.

 

Acoustic Research Rotating Docking System

This dock’s motorized moving arm for vertical and horizontal viewing has 5 adapters for your  iPad, iPhone 3, iPhone 4, iPod touch and iPod Nano. Plus, a sound that will surely please.

As the world of Apple expands, undoubtedly the accessories shall follow suit. However, the accessories only hold value when your device of choice is working at optimal levels. If you are need of iPhone, iPad, iPod or laptop repair services, leave it to iFixYouri to save your mobile item from recycling.

Other Related Posts:

15 Cool Docking Stations for iPad, iPod, and iPhone

Best iPod/iPhone Speakers

Best iPod and iPhone Speaker Docks