Month: March 2020

How to Care for Your Smartphone and Tablet to Avoid Buying a New One Every Year

Nowadays, mobile devices have become so ubiquitous in everyone’s daily routines. It is estimated that more than five billion people around the world owns at least one mobile device.

However, smartphones and tablets are quite pricey. The newest iPhone, the iPhone 11, costs $699. Meanwhile, an Android handset can go from around $200 from a mid-range device to $899 for the more premium Samsung Galaxy S10. If you want to keep the smartphone or tablet you already have and save money, here are some tips that can prolong the lifespan of your mobile devices.

Protect Your Screen with Tempered Glass

One common problem that people encounter is a cracked or broken screen. Most of the time, it can be mended. You can find a smartphone or tablet repair service across Utah.

However, you can take preventive actions to avoid smashing your mobile device’s delicate screen when you accidentally drop it or if it slips from your pocket. Get yourself a tempered glass protector which will reduce the damage that your handset will sustain from daily use. It will also prevent any scratches on your device’s actual screen which will affect its touch sensitivity.

More Frequent Shallow Charging to Maintain Battery Performance

More people use their mobile devices to perform different functions throughout the day. From setting up an alarm in the morning to shopping for daily household needs, your mobile device has become an essential part of regular life.

However, the lithium-ion battery that powers your smartphone or tablet does not last forever. At some point, it will not be able to function as efficiently as it did when you first used your mobile device.

To prolong the lifespan of a lithium-ion battery, experts recommend shallow but frequent charging. This means that, instead of letting your battery drop to 20{a63d75b0ad78116a18b4aa18a840c1570624be95828a76ad070b4fa8337f8b21}, you plug it into the electric outlet between about 40{a63d75b0ad78116a18b4aa18a840c1570624be95828a76ad070b4fa8337f8b21} to 80{a63d75b0ad78116a18b4aa18a840c1570624be95828a76ad070b4fa8337f8b21}. Do not let your battery shut off because of power drainage frequently.

Remove Unnecessary App

You probably are excited to find and install apps on your mobile devices. There are thousands of apps available on Google Play and the Apple App Store for you to choose from. However, how many of those do you actually use?

Make it a habit to go through your apps and uninstall those that you do not regularly use. When the RAM or the storage is at full capacity, you may experience lag times. Before you decide to upgrade to a newer model which you think will run smoother, discard apps and other content that you no longer need.

Let Your Mobile Device Rest

You probably are used to having your smartphone or tablet running 24/7. However, just like any other electronic device, your handset needs a bit of rest, too.

Every once in a while, shut your mobile device down and stop yourself from turning it back on for a few minutes. This will keep the smartphone or tablet running smoothly and prolong its overall lifespan.

You do not really need to swap out your device for a newer model every year or after two years of use. As long as you take care of your device, you will be able to keep it running efficiently for a really long time and save hundreds of dollars in the process.

The Gadgets You Need to Bring if You Want to Backpack Across Asia

Backpacking around Asia is in the bucket list of many. However, traveling to a foreign country, especially if you do not have a lot of experience and with a limited budget, is actually challenging. If you still want to push through with your plans to backpack across a foreign country or an entire continent, here are some devices that will be useful and keep you safe.

Satellite Internet

Your regular iPhone or Samsung will not be reliable if you are traveling for a long time. If you end up in the middle of nowhere where there is no cell tower insight, you will have no means to contact your loved ones or call for help.

This is where a satellite internet hotspot comes in handy. When you are in a remote area, this device will be able to connect you to the internet even if the next cellular base station is located far away. It will be useful when you need to have access to a digital map, find helpful tips online, communicate with first responders, or share a photo with your followers on Instagram.

Satellite internet is portable; it will be easy to carry around in your bad and will not add to the bulk.

Solar-Powered Charger

A solar-powered charger is an important item to have for everyone, but most especially to those who plan to have a long-haul journey. A solar-powered charger will be your friend when your smartphone battery drains in the middle of the day and you do not have access to an electric plug. It relies on solar energy so you will always be able to charge your devices even if you are in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Get one that has a battery backup so that you can use it when the light goes out because of an incoming storm.

Durable Flashlight

It is always good to have a portable light source when you are going out somewhere unfamiliar. A flashlight with its own solar panels and rechargeable battery will be useful when you are walking toward your campsite in the middle of a forest or looking for your hostel in a poorly-lit part of town.

Reusable Water Bottle with Filter

When you are backpacking, you may not always have access to clean drinking water. You will need a water bottle that, not only carries enough water to keep you hydrated throughout the day but has a filter that will ensure that you are drinking clean and safe water. This is ideal if you know you will be trekking to an area where there are neither restaurants nor hotels nearby to refill your reusable water bottle.

Pocket-Sized Multi-Tool

When you are short of luggage space, pack something that has a ton of uses. A multi-tool is great for travelers because it offers a ton of different functions but is small and easy to carry. A multi-tool usually has a knife/scissor, tweezer, bottle opener, screwdriver, and more. It will be useful when you need to open canned foods during a camping trip or you need to repair a malfunctioning gadget.

Backpacking will not be a walk in the park. However, all the challenges you will encounter will be worth in the end for all the culture you will get to experience, natural wonders you will see, new friends you will meet, and the life lessons you will learn.