A staple of many science fiction novels and movies, the universal translator is now a reality. Unlike Douglas Adams and Murray Leinster imagined, they are not implantable devices or ingestible microbes, but useful apps that can be accessed through your smartphone.
Universal translators convert speech or text into another language and they generally work in one of two ways. Some use the power of the internet for an instantaneous translation, and others use a downloaded dictionary.
Determining which is best largely depends on your connectivity while abroad. If you happen to have cell and internet service while traveling, your options are endless. If you opted to travel without an international cell plan, a pre-downloaded, searchable dictionary is the best option for you.
One of the best free options is iTranslate. iTranslate requires an internet connection to access the 90+ languages, however, it does offer a more limited downloadable version. Both are free to download, though it does contain ads. iTranslate Voice is a similar version of this app with a feature called AirTranslate, which allows the user to sync two devices. Once synced, one person can speak into their device in their native language and their words are translated and played aloud on other person’s device. In this way, person-to-person communication is possible despite language barriers. iTranslate Voice is available in 40 spoken languages at this time.
Google has an offering in this category as well. Much like iTranslate, Google Translate offers both an internet and offline option. Over 100 languages are available for text translation, while 32 offer instant speech translation. One feature that makes the Google option extra useful is “camera mode”. This option allows you to take a picture of written text, including signs, directions, and other messages, and translate that information. Currently, this is available for 37 languages.
Other options to consider are Easy Language Translator with 100+ languages, speech-to-text and text-to-speech features and Microsoft’s Skype Translator. Skype Translator works online only through the Skype program. It offers translations for 8 spoken languages and over 50 written languages, with more to come over time.
Even with all these amazing developments, current translator apps do have some downsides. Namely, these apps do not yet replace the fluency or nuances of a learned language, nor the inflections of speech. This can lead to confusion as most of these programs translate each individual word not the phrase as a whole. So while someone may say: “Estás aqui, estás a comer” and your app may translate it as “you are here, you are eating”, it’s idiomatic meaning in Portuguese is “I’m going to hurt you”. So it’s always a good idea to have more than one translating option or to know the general language structure of a country before visiting it.
Despite possible restrictions, this technology takes us one step closer to a more connected world.
Ever since the introduction of the touchscreen smartphones, one of the most common problem that smart phone users have to deal with is a cracked screen. The Apple iPhone is no stranger to a cracked screen and seems to be more prone to damage.
Smartphone screens can only withstand accidental and minor bumps here and there. A major fall can crack and destroy the screen which sometimes render the smartphone useless. All vital functions on a smartphone are primarily done on the screen.
Through the years, touchscreen smartphone manufacturers have tried to make the screens thin yet durable. But despite the efforts, screens are still not 100% resistant to cracking.
Apple’s iPhone, notwithstanding the technology applied to the smartphone, is still not impervious to cracked screens. In fact, cracked iPhone screens are so common that third party repairs have sprung up almost everywhere.
It does not help that cracked iPhone screen replacements are generally not cheap when done by Apple. Third party repair providers offer screen replacement at a cheaper price for the same quality.
Surprisingly though, Apple has became less strict in its screen repairs. Just September of last year, the company lowered the price of its screen replacement. Before, iPhone models under the AppleCare+ could have its screen fixed for a cost ranging from $79-$99. Now, the screen replacement costs only $29.
If the iphone is out of warranty, the third party repair is more appealing since Apple screen replacements will range from $129 to a whooping $279. By making screen replacements for certain iPhone models in a flat rate of $29, Apple has also increased the attractiveness of the AppleCare+ program.
Aside from lowering the price of screen replacements, Apple has also lifted its policy against third party screen repairs. The policy used to state that an iPhone’s warranty is void whenever the device had a third party display. Apple would then will not perform any repair or warranty the device.
However, early in 2017, Apple had a change of heart. The tech company has rolled out a memo which tells Apple retail employees that an iPhone’s warranty is no longer void even if the device’s screen is repaired by a third party cell phone repair shop.
Under the new policy, an iPhone can still be repaired by Apple even if the device’s screen has been previously fixed by a third party repair provider. However, this policy does not apply to all kinds of repair.
If the repair done by the third party caused damage to the device, then the user has to pay the out-of-warranty price. Additionally, if the repair is related to the display, then the cost of the next repair at an Apple store or any authorized shop is at the out-of-warranty price.
Under the memo, before proceeding with the repair of anything not related to the display, the Apple retail store employees or Apple authorized service providers should inspect the iPhone unit for signs of fraud or tampering. As mentioned above, if the repair to be done is due to a damage caused by the display fix done by a third party, any repair by Apple will be considered out-of-warranty. This includes replacing any parts that the third party service provider has installed.
AppleCare+ will simply not cover any repair or part replacement related to the repair done by a third party service provider. The worst case scenario is that Apple will refuse to repair it.
The memo released by Apple unfortunately applies only to repairs in the United States, Canada, and certain regions. To ensure that your region is included, check out Apple's repair terms and conditions before getting your iPhone repaired by a third party service provider.
Until now, Apple has not released any official statement regarding the reason behind the sudden change in its screen repair policy. Nevertheless, consumers can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that they can get their iPhone’s screen repaired anywhere else without worrying about voiding the warranty.
Additionally, it seems that Apple is also inviting more consumers to replace their screens at authorized service providers by making it cheaper to do so. Consumers can get Apple authorized repairs and parts with the new $29 tier price on all the recent models from iPhone 6 to the iPhone X.
In the end, consumers are presented with a lot of options for their screen replacement needs. This ensures that users of iPhone's can use and enjoy their units longer since getting screen repairs will be easier.
You should be cautious of getting repairs from just any third party service providers. Because of the caveat that Apple has put in its screen replacement policy. An iPhone user must first ascertain that the third party service provider does quality screen repairs.
If the third party service provider damages the device further, then the user will be the one ultimately bearing the burden of the repair. Therefore, before heading out, follow these steps:
Here at We Fix Phones and More we pride ourselves on the repair work that we do. We have great reviews from our many customers who trust us to repair their iPhone's.
Read our reviews on Yelp, Google and Facebook then give us a call when you are ready to repair your iPhone. Most iPhone repairs take only 30 minutes and you do not need to make an appointment.
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Over time mobile devices and other electronics that work off a software will begin to develop issues and show signs of aging. With the iPhone you will begin to notice issues after about two years of owning the phone. Unfortunately, these are things that cannot be avoided and the only solution is to upgrade to the newest version. However, there are tricks and tips that will help keep your iPhone lasting longer with fewer issues. Check out these easy iPhone repair tips to keep your device running smoothly.
We know this may sound like a no brainer, but this is a crucial aspect to ensuring that your phone is optimized. Many of the apps require the latest update to run all the features. By not having the current update, your phone can slow down and some of the apps may not function properly. The only thing needed to update your phone to the latest software is WiFi connection and the right amount of space.
We know it can be difficult to let go of old pictures and texts, but doing so can greatly help out your iPhone. Your texts, images and music take up the most storage on your phone. Getting rid of old items can free up your phone for updates and can even improve the overall speed of your device.
Today, most people utilize their phones for everything. From work to personal, your phone can be used all throughout the day. The only time we do not use our phone is when we are sleeping and even then a majority of people will leave it on while it charges and use it as an alarm clock. The issue with keeping your phone on is the hardware can break down much quicker. Your phone can overheat and this can damage the hardware inside leading to problems in the future.For major issues and quick and skilled iPhone repair, stop by We Fix Phones n More today!
No matter how long your iPhone’s battery lasts, getting more mileage out of it is always better. After all, most of us use our iPhones for nearly everything these days: reading emails, taking photos, streaming videos, browsing, paying by Apple Pay and even actual phone calls. A dead battery can bring life to a halt, so conserving that power can help you keep your life on track.
In iOS 9, Apple introduced a way to get an extra three hours of battery life. The catch: The Low Power Mode doesn’t actually kick in until you’re down to 20% battery life. Once the charge reaches a critically low level, a warning appears, along with the option to enable Low Power Mode. Once Low Power Mode is enabled, the power indicator goes from the ominous red to a less-worrisome orange. The reason that Low Power Mode works so effectively is that it shuts down unnecessary background apps. You can automatically enable this mode by going: Settings > Battery > Turn on Low Power Mode.
In both iOs 8 and iOS 9, you can get a better handle on battery life by simply finding out which apps consume the most juice. To do this, go to: Settings > General > Battery to view a list of apps that you’ve been using in the last day or last week. The apps listed at the very top are the ones that are causing the most battery drain. Expect Safari to be near the top of the list, but many other apps like Facebook are power hogs, too.
Naturally, reducing use of these apps will help reduce drain, but there is another way to manage the damage done by these apps. Go: Settings > General > Background App Refresh. You can then turn off background refreshing for the biggest battery-draining apps. After all, not every one of those apps needs up to the minute updates on your whereabouts anyway!
Some lock screen notifications are absolutely essential, but many are not. The more notifications you get, the faster your battery is draining. Navigate to your notifications menu from the settings page. Once there, you can go down your list of apps to disable notifications from the ones that you really don’t need to see immediately. This can greatly improve battery life.
The display on iPhones today is so bright that it rivals a MacBook Air’s brightness. However, the battery on the iPhone is much smaller and less equipped to handle that kind of power drain. Navigate to your brightness menu by: Settings > Display > Brightness. Slide the brightness bar down as low as you find tolerable. The lower you go, the longer your battery will last.
Many iPhone users have Bluetooth enabled without needing it (or even realizing it’s on.) Bluetooth is a major battery hog, and for most people it’s just not necessary. If you don’t currently use Bluetooth headphones or other accessories, turn your Bluetooth off by navigating to the Bluetooth options from the Settings menu.
Of course, there may be times when prolonging your iPhone’s battery life is the least of your problems. When your iPhone screen shatters, if your battery dies for good, or when any tech-related emergency pops up, call us. We are a team of tech experts who can repair any broken device, from the iPhone and iPad to the Galaxy, Nokia, Blackberry, HTC, LG and more.
This becomes a very important question in the seconds after you dropped your phone in water. The answer is, sometimes. Cell phones, just as many other electronic devices do not take well to water. But what you do in the minutes after your phone is exposed to water can make the difference in its survival.
Here is some advice that may save your phone.
Remove it from the water as soon as possible; this can make a huge difference in whether your phone will ever work again. Warning: If your phone is connected to a charger and plugged in DO NOT reach in and take it out of the water.
Dry the exterior of your phone off and then take it apart and remove the battery. Take out your SIM card and any memory cards as well as disconnect it from any peripherals such as headphones. Dry all components with a dry, soft cloth. Remove as much moisture as possible. Try not to tilt or move the phone much as this can move moisture around in inaccessible areas causing further damage.
If a vacuum is available, use it on the phone for about 20 minutes in an attempt to suck out more moisture. DO NOT use a blow dryer on your phone, even on the cooler settings. Not only can the heat cause further damage by melting components, but the forced air can push water further into the phone and the condensation caused by the heat can also compound your troubles.
Place your phone and the other components including the battery in a sealed container that has been filled with uncooked rice. Make sure that the phone is covered by the rice. DO NOT DISTURB for three days. That may seem like a long time but when you consider how much you spent on your phone it lessens the pain.
After the waiting period, remove the phone from the rice and lay on a clean, dry paper towel for several hours. Check it every couple of hours to see if it is still dry.
Once you are SURE that there is no sign of moisture replace the battery and put it back together. Now after doing a quick dance for the phone gods try powering it up. If it works you are probably good to go. If it still isn’t working check to see if the battery is bad by removing the battery and plugging the charger in. If it works using that method you may just need a new battery.
Before you toss your phone out it is well worth the effort it takes to bring it into our shop and let them take a look at it. Their experienced technicians can determine if the phone can be repaired. As experts in the field they are the premier stop for cell phone repair in Warminster. Remember, act fast and act smart, and you may avoid replacing an expensive cell phone.
Are you one of the Apple users impacted by the recent battery fiasco? A software fix is on the way if that’s the solution you’ve been seeking. Last year Apple apologized to users for slowing down performance on older iPhones when software updates were released. They also drastically reduced the price of a replacement battery from $79 to $29. The iOS update will give more information about your iPhone battery’s overall health and how it’s impacting your user experience.
The biggest feature users can look forward to is the ability to disable the automatic throttling that Apple implemented without the user’s knowledge that might have led to seeking iPhone repair. Apple defended the action by reasoning that throttling would help overall performance by preventing or reducing the number of app and phone crashes due to a weak battery.
The discovery created lawsuits that sprung up all over the country and anger with Apple users who felt that they had been tricked. They thought it violated their contract and the actual intent was because they wanted users of older phones to upgrade earlier than intended. Apple vehemently denied the claim.
Individuals impacted by the actions have been waiting for a fix if they didn’t opt to take advantage of the deep discount for a new battery. The ability to look at battery statistics was introduced with the latest release, iOS 11.3, which is available for users who want to subject their device to a beta version that isn’t as stable as the previous version. If this sounds appealing to you, continue.
Back your device up to the iCloud in case something goes wrong during the process. You don’t want to lose any important information. Go to beta.apple.com and opt to enroll in the Apple beta program. Install the update and go to “settings.” From there, tap on “battery” and then “battery health (beta)” to look at how your current battery performance stands. The feature is expressed as a percentage of its capacity compared to what it’s rated for. A link inside the setting sends you to a website to learn about lithium batteries and how they gradually decline in performance over time.
The “performance management” feature will be turned on if your phone has been throttled, but there’s no way to disable it unless it’s been activated already. If it has, you can tap “disable” to prevent it from occurring again. Apple mentioned that, over time, all batteries would need to be replaced in phones because they do deteriorate. The regular update of iOS 11.3 is expected to launch in the spring.
One of the most annoying things that can happen when using your computer is when it crashes or if you get an error message when trying to complete a task. Diagnosing computer problems can be frustrating, especially if you’re not computer savvy, but here are five of the most common problems computer users experience.
You might not be able to install a program if you don’t have enough free space on your system. Your computer might not meet the minimum system requirements either. Delete files or folders you don’t need any more such as duplicates, data for programs you’ve already removed, or temporary files.
Dynamic-Link Library or DDL files are responsible for certain functions in your operating system. If one gets deleted or corrupt, your PC might not know how to react. You might not be able to perform functions such as saving or opening files. Try restoring your computer from a backup point to restore important system files.
A BSOD or a stop error turns your entire screen blue and gives an error. It can appear unexpectedly and for numerous reasons including corrupted files, software problems, or driver errors. Write down the error and code, then turn your computer off and back on again to get back to what you were doing. If you experience this frequently and can’t pinpoint the cause, it will be beneficial to seek out someone who performs computer repair.
If your computer starts running slower than usual at the pace of a turtle, it likely indicates that you have a problem with a specific program or your computer’s operating system. Try cleaning up the files on your computer and delete programs or files you’re not actively using.
Application problems make it difficult to be productive. If a program starts acting strange, such as showing odd titles, or items have disappeared, you might fix the issue by restarting the program or computer entirely. Consult the user manual or do a quick Internet search through Google to determine if other users are experiencing the same issues.
You might benefit from using system repair software if simple corrections can’t fix the problems you’re dealing with. It can accomplish these everyday repair tasks and more, limiting how much work you have to do before getting back in business.
Apple is trying to improve parental controls on their devices to curb how long and how youngsters and teenagers use their devices. Until Apple implements these controls, there are ways that you can restrict access and have some level of control over your child’s device. Access “settings,” navigate to “restrictions,” and tap “enable restrictions.” You’ll need to enter a four digit pass code to prevent unauthorized changes.
Scroll down to “Allowed content” to prevent your child from buying TV-MA or R-rated shows or movies. It’s also possible to choose custom content ratings for books, apps, and even podcasts.
This section allows you to see what apps have access to location services. You can also modify if your child can make changes to permissions of certain apps. Don’t forget to look at apps with access to photos and restrict anything you haven’t heard of or if it seems suspicious, which can indicate apps that might require cell phone repair.
Tap “allow” for apps you want your child to have access to. You might not want them to use the Internet browser, which requires disabling Safari. You can also set limitations such as blocking access to the camera, restricting installing apps, or making purchases inside accessible applications.
Scroll down and you’ll see the ability to disable the option to make changes to apps. Don’t forget to enable “Do not disturb while driving” if your child is of driving age to prevent them from texting or using their device behind the wheel.
Under the family sharing setting, check “location sharing.” This allows you to locate where your child is, if they have their phone, or help find it if they happen to lose it.
Multiplayer gaming can be fun, but it’s also likely to lead to poor sportsmanship or foul language. This lets your child play games, but not in an online environment. Implement further restrictions by disabling the option to add friends.
Add your child to Family Sharing to control, view, or disable app store purchases. You can also share app purchases with the rest of your family. You will need to create an account for any child under 13, and you’ll receive a notification to approve or deny your child’s request to make a purchase in the app store.
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