The Midlife Crisis of Technology – Nov 2019

Many customers who have spent at least half of their lives without mobile technologies feel lost in this new world. A great percentage of my customers apologize for what little they understand and seem to think they are the only ones without a handle on proficiency.

Here are some aspects of mobile phone operation that many of my customers are flummoxed by:

Passwords
So many passwords for so many apps and services, and some need to be regularly changed.
Updates
What does an update do? Should I update or should I not?
Terminology
What is the difference between data and Wi-fi? What is the cloud? What’s the difference between an email, a text and a direct message?
Bluetooth
What is Bluetooth and what do I do with it?
Upgrades
People tell me my phone should be upgraded. Is that true?

New iOS 13 Features – Oct 2019

Works on iPhone 6S and newer (including iPhone SE), iPod Touch 7th gen and iPad Air 2 and newer, iPad Mini 4 and newer, iPad 5 and 6 and the iPad Pro models.

5 iOS 13 Features:
You can select to have all unknown callers go to voicemail. Anyone not in your contacts or mail or message history will not get through.

Quicker and easier selections from the Control Center for Wi-fi and Bluetooth.

Swipey keyboard with autocorrect.

Dark mode across Apple apps, can be programmed to begin and end at sundown and sunrise.

Video editing capabilities within the Photos app.

Should I Upgrade My Smartphone – Sept 2019

Should I upgrade?

Some reasons why you might consider it:

BATTERY LIFE
But you could also just get the battery replaced.

CAMERA QUALITY
Some minor differences between phones which are 2-3 generations apart.

COST OF A NEW PHONE
Is it worth what you gain for how much money you pay?

SCREEN RESOLUTION
You might notice a great improvement in some of the newer models. But if you’re satisfied with what you have and want to save some money, is it that big of a deal?

COMPATIBILITY
Does your phone take the latest iOS? Are there apps you are no longer able to use?

PEER PRESSURE
Do you want to look cool having the latest iPhone? Or do you want to look frugal still limping around with an iPhone 4S?

Consider that, like a vehicle, many parts on an iPhone can be repaired and keep your device useful for longer into the future. The following are among parts that your average quality iPhone repair shop can pretty easily replace: broken screens, charger ports, cameras and dying batteries.

The Truth About Water Resistance

(most of the following information comes this page on Apple’s support website)

Many of the latest Apple and Samsung phones released in the last few years are rated either IP67 or IP68. The first digit in the rating is the rating of resistance to dust. The second applies to liquids.

iPhone XR, iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus have a rating of IP67 under IEC standard 60529 (maximum depth of 1 meter up to 30 minutes).

iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max have a rating of IP68 under IEC standard 60529 (maximum depth of 2 meters up to 30 minutes)

These ratings are not a guarantee. Apple says liquid damage is not covered under warranty.

Don’t do the following:
Swimming or bathing with your iPhone
Exposing your iPhone to pressurized water or high velocity water, such as when showering, water skiing, wake boarding, surfing, jet skiing, and so on
Using your iPhone in a sauna or steam room
Intentionally submerging your iPhone in water
Operating your iPhone outside the suggested temperature ranges or in extremely humid conditions
Dropping your iPhone or subjecting it to other impacts
Disassembling your iPhone, including removing screws

Minimize exposing your iPhone to soap, detergent, acids or acidic foods, and any liquids—for example, perfume, insect repellent, lotions, sunscreen, oil, adhesive remover, hair dye, and solvents. If your iPhone comes into contact with any of these substances, follow the instructions to clean your iPhone.

If it gets wet, do the following:
To dry your iPhone, tap it gently against your hand with the Lightning connector facing down to remove excess liquid. Leave your iPhone in a dry area with some airflow. Placing your iPhone in front of a fan blowing cool air directly into the Lightning connector might help the drying process.