Tag: Technology

Phone not charging? Try this simple, cheap trick first

There are many reasons your iPhone or Android phone might not charge anymore — from rusted charging ports to broken cables. But a common issue is simply that your charging port, be it Lightning on the iPhone 13 or USB-C on phones like the Google Pixel 6 Pro is clogged with dirt and the cable can’t quite fit in properly. 

Thankfully, this is one of the simplest, cheapest solutions to a charging problem. Here’s how to fix it. 

Why is my charging port blocked? 

There are no covers on your phone’s charging port, meaning they’re exposed to every bit of dust, dirt and debris they encounter. Every time you slide your phone into your pocket your phone will be susceptible to pocket fluff and if, like me, you’ve got pockets filled with detritus from accidentally washing your jeans with old receipts in the pockets then that’s asking for trouble. And that’s to say nothing of the biscuit crumbs I have in there. Do not ask me why I have biscuit crumbs in my pockets. 

Day by day, this won’t be a problem, but those tiny bits of dust and fluff will build up over the months or years you have your phone, compacting together each time you plug in your charging cable until it forms a solid barrier that stops your charger from going all the way in and allowing it to connect and charge. 

If you’ve had your phone for more than six months and you’re gradually finding the charger becoming less and less stable (particularly if you have to wiggle it around to get it to begin charging) then it’s highly likely that dirt in your port is the culprit. 

How to clean out your phone’s charging port 

It’s a simple task to unclog your phone’s port. You’ll need a cocktail stick, toothpick or other thin item that you can poke in to the port to scrape out the grime. Wood or plastic is better as it’s less likely to scrape against anything inside and potentially cause harm. I’ve done this using a metal SIM removal tool and while it worked well, it’s not the safest option for your phone. 

Insert your tool of choice into the charging port until it won’t go further and gently start scraping away. With an iPhone’s Lightning port you can scrape back and forth, but with USB-C you’ll need to scrape around the charging connector, which sits in the middle of the port. 

Eventually you’ll start to work the compacted debris loose and you’ll be able to encourage the dislodged material out of the port. It’s a satisfying process and you might be surprised at how much stuff actually comes out. Gently work on the sides of the port too, but be mindful not to scrape hard against any of the metal charging connectors. 

Eventually you’ll have pretty much all of it out. It’s difficult to check for sure if you’ve gotten rid of it all as it’s tricky to see inside the port, even if you have a good light to hand. But once you’ve got a good amount of nonsense out, you can try your charging cable again. 

Hopefully it’ll plug in more securely now and begin charging. If not, carry on trying to extract more dirt and then test the charger again. If that still doesn’t solve the issue it’s time to consider other solutions like a new cable or charger. 

Article by Andrew Hoyle for cnet©

The 3G shutdown– These devices may stop working 

While you don’t always need the latest and greatest tech gadgets, there are times when the need to upgrade is essential. This is the case for many people, with cellular networks phasing out the 3G standard. Older smartphones will lose most of their essential functions, including the ability to make and receive calls and texts.

The 3G shutdown will also affect many car models that rely on a network connection for features like GPS, voice assistants and emergency call services. 

It doesn’t stop there, either. The shutdown will impact virtually any connected device running solely on a 3G network. Read on for details and tips on how to avoid being left behind.

3G is going extinct in 2022

With billions of smartphones out there, many people will first feel the impact of the 3G shutdown. Cellular networks began deploying 4G LTE networks in 2010 and phone manufacturers followed with compatible models.

More than a decade later, the three biggest providers have announced they’re phasing out 3G networks in 2022:

  • AT&T said it will shut down 3G networks in February.
  • Verizon said it will pull the plug on 3G on December 31.
  • T-Mobile said it will shut down Sprint 3G networks on March 31. T-Mobile’s own 3G networks will be gone by July 1.

There’s only so much wireless spectrum and infrastructure out there, so the old must be cleared to make way for the new. As 3G phases out, newer 4G and 5G networks will see improvements in performance.

If you use an iPhone 5 or older, you’re out of luck. The same goes for Samsung phones preceding the Droid Charge. If your Amazon Kindle uses AT&T’s Whispernet service, it’ll also be bricked.

Luckily, many cellphone companies are offering special upgrade incentives and pricing if you need a new phone. Check with your provider for any available 3G retirement plans. They can also tell you if your phone will be affected.

Did your car make the list?

Newer cars are adapting 4G and 5G connectivity for safety and convenience features. That’s not to say you’ll have to ditch your 3G-only capable vehicle. In some cases, you may be able to get an update, though you may be charged for it or even face a subscription fee.

Popular car models from major manufacturers will be affected, including the 2014-2017 Acura MDX, 2013-2018 Audi A4/Allroad, 2018-2020 Honda Accord (Touring trim), all Lexus models produced from 2010-2017, Tesla Model S vehicles produced before June 2015, and the 2013-2017 Toyota Camry, among others. 

Beyond phones and cars

Virtually any connected device running solely on a 3G network will be affected by the shutdown. Even with Wi-Fi support, use will be limited. The FCC lists tablets, home security, smartwatches and medical devices among the impacted groups of devices. If your 3G device uses cellular connectivity as a backup when its wired network connection goes down, it will also cease to function properly.

Some of the newest medical devices still run on 3G and even 2G networks, since they are cheaper to produce. Contact the manufacturer of your device via their official website or phone number. If you have to upgrade, make sure that 4G support is included.

The FCC’s Lifeline program can assist low-income consumers with phone and internet services with a discount. Go to fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers for more information.

The FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Program provides a discount of up to $50 per month for broadband service. A one-time discount of $100 for a computer or tablet is also available. 

The change is coming whether you like it or not and it’s coming soon. Start getting ready now.

🚨 What it means for you

The 3G shutdown will be far-reaching and impact a lot more than just your cellphone. If you have older internet-connected devices at home, expect at least some of them to lose important features that rely on a cell connection.

✅ Use a connected medical device? Contact your doctor or the manufacturer to check if there is any upgrade you need to make now.

✅ As with any big development in the tech world, you can bet scammers will jump on it. Be wary of emails, texts and letters from companies saying you need to take action. A reputable company will never ask for your personal details unprompted. If you receive a notification, contact the company through another means to confirm it is legitimate.

By Albert Khoury

Source: The 3G shutdown impacts more than just your phone (komando.com)

‘iPhone storage almost full’ after installing iOS 15? Here’s what NOT to do

If you’ve just installed iOS 15 and you’re now seeing a message that says that your ‘iPhone storage almost full,’ then you’re not alone.

In fact, it seems like it’s quite a widespread problem, and the exact cause is unclear.

It’s certainly not a lack of storage space. Some affected users report having tens of gigabytes free.

So, if you’re affected by this ‘iPhone storage almost full’ bug, what should you do?

Do nothing.

Wait it out for a fix from Apple.

What you shouldn’t do is start deleting stuff because:

  1. That doesn’t appear to fix the problem
  2. That’s a path to data loss and more headaches

I’ve spoken to an Apple support agent contact who tells me that Apple is aware of this bug, there’s nothing that support techs can do about it, and that it’s something that Apple will need to fix as part of the iOS 15.x update.

Article by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes for zdnet©

Source: ‘iPhone storage almost full’ after installing iOS 15? Here’s what NOT to do (msn.com)

Is your iPhone feeling slow? The fix might be quick and simple (and free)

The other day someone mentioned that their iPhone had become so slow and so sluggish as to almost be unusable.

“The battery life is also terrible,” she added glumly.

She offered me the iPhone 8 Plus so I could “do your thing and take it apart” and was going to scrape together the cash to buy a replacement as soon as possible.

She left with an iPhone that was, in her words, “working like new.”

There are numerous reasons why an iPhone can be slow, and a worn battery causing processor throttling is a common issue, so it’s a good place to start.

So, I took a look at the iPhone 8 Plus. It wasn’t that old, bought new in the last three years, and it was in good condition. According to iOS, the battery was in good condition, and checking it out with the excellent Coconut Battery app showed that the battery was a little more than halfway through its 500 recharge cycles.

I ruled out the battery being the problem.

Then I noticed the problem.

The iPhone had very little free space. Well under a gigabyte.

And the iPhone was trying to shuffle apps and data around to make enough free space for updates.

See, iOS is clever. If you are running low on space, it will automatically free up storage space so you can install an app, and update iOS, and even try to make space when you download new music, take photos or record more videos. iOS only moves stuff that you don’t need or stuff that can be downloaded again, but the process is system intensive, and takes more battery power.

And that’s what was going on here. With under 600MB of free storage space — Apple considers 1GB of free space to be a low storage — the iPhone was having to do a lot of juggling and shuffling of data and free space.

The fix was easy. Delete some (actually many) games and some unwanted videos/photos, and I then connected the iPhone to a high-speed network so it could do all the updating it was trying to do, and then after a quick reboot the iPhone was back to working great again.

Another gadget saved from the recycling heap.

(Use this tip if updates can’t happen because of space requirements.)

Article by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes for ZDNet

Source: © ZDNet

How to keep your phone clean during COVID-19

 

Before COVID-19, some phone makers treated alcohol like a touchscreen’s kryptonite. Notably, Apple warned that cleaners could erode an iPhone screen’s fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coatings. In March, however, it updated its recommendations to allow 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipes or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes — but no bleach — on every Apple product.

Here’s how to disinfect your phone:

  • Turn off, unplug your phone.
  • Use a lint-free cloth or cotton ball. Avoid rougher material, like a paper towel, that can scratch. Even cleaning wipes can be abrasive.
  • Apply 70 percent rubbing alcohol to the cloth or cotton ball, not to the screen. Never spray any liquid on your phone.
  • Never use bleach.
  • Only use soap and water, on a damp cloth, with waterproof smartphones. (Our relaxed friend, above, swears by it.)

To kill germs and virus particles without liquid, try a UV phone sanitizer that uses ultraviolet-C light to kill germs. These sanitizers look like a miniature tanning bed for your phone.

The most likely pathway of microscopic COVID-19 viral particles onto your phone starts with your hands: The average smartphone user touches the phone 2,617 times a day, and up to 5,400 times a day for extreme users, according to a 2016 study by Dscout. Otherwise, a cough, sneeze or a close talker without a mask are major risks.

Make cleaning your phone part of your daily ritual. And consider minimizing your phone’s exposure to risk: If you’re in a store, restaurant or public space you might be touching common surfaces, leave your phone in your pocket. Don’t touch it until you’ve washed your hands. And don’t rest your phone on common surfaces, where it can pick up bacteria and viral particles.

Source: hartfordhealthcare.org

Mesh Wi-Fi Systems for Lightning Fast Internet

 

Struggling with Wi-Fi dead spots in your home or office? Did you know that architectural features within your property can interfere with the router? Even a filing cabinet could be the culprit! You could move your router or use a network extender, or you might need to rethink your network entirely.

Enter the Mesh

The best mesh Wi-Fi systems are able to fill your entire home and even your backyard with a strong Wi-Fi signal. By upgrading to one, you won’t have to worry about Wi-Fi dead zones

The Wi-Fi service you get in your home or office is dependent on a few things. First up, the level of service that your home can access. If fiber optic internet isn’t available in your property, you’re never going to be able to get the fastest speeds possible. It’s also worth bearing in mind that bandwidth will be shared amongst the devices using the network. If you’ve got two avid gamers and a YouTuber all trying to use your internet at the same time, that’s going to slow things down.

The benefit

Then there’s the distribution. If your Wi-Fi signal is interrupted, you can move a router or add in an extender. However. extenders create a separate network, so you can sometimes get a drop in signal as you move from one part of the property and one network to another. Mesh systems are different in that they form a seamless network, so you get no drop out at all.

Mesh networks use multiple satellites or nodes to broadcast the Wi-Fi network. Only one of the nodes needs to be attached to a wired internet connection.  Specifically, it broadcasts this connection to other nodes that broadcast it to other nodes, and so on. In theory, there is no limit to the extent of the wireless network you can build. And, if you want to extend it, you simply buy more nodes.

Each node, which has its own ethernet port, gives 2,200 square feet of reach. Scale up according to your needs and ensure fast stable internet access throughout your home for up to 200 devices.

When you’re looking for a mesh network, it’s worth checking a few things. In some packages, there is only one access point that can be the main one and plugged in, while for others, you can pick any of your devices to be the wired one. It’s also worth checking whether all devices come with an ethernet port giving you the option to have a wired connection anywhere in your home. Finally, many can be set up to work with your voice assistant, so if that’s important to you, check that before you buy.  Further, check that all access points have a microphone and speaker, not just the one that can be wired in.

Related:  How to Fix Your Unstable Wi-Fi Connection – TUTORING YOU