The cell phone has come a long way from being a large and awkward device that only makes calls to a small and sleek gadget that can check your stocks, the nearest movie times, display the weather, take photos, capture video, email and help navigate you worldwide. Understanding today’s newest crop of cell phones is a tumultuous task for anyone. Knowing the differences between “smartphones”, “feature phones”, and “dumb phones” and everything in between sounds like a job in itself. Although there is a lot of information, knowing the differences of today’s smartphones and choosing the right one for you can simplify your life and daily tasks immensely by allowing you to do more on-the-go.

The three different levels of cell phones are straightforward. A “dumb phone” (or budget phone) typically performs the one basic purpose that a cell phone was meant for, phone calls. They may also include a few other features such as text messaging, basic web browsing and simple games. One step up on the cell phone totem leads us to a “feature phone” which, in addition to the capabilities of a budget phone, also integrates more applications. Feature phone’s can run a limited number of proprietary applications built into or specifically for that type of operating system opposed to a smartphone that would allow greater freedom in this area. Smartphones are able to do more because they run on a complete operating system such as Apple’s iOS, Google’s Android, Palm’s WebOS, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile. Think of a smartphone as a handheld computer with phone functionality.

Two of the three leading operating systems, iOS and Android, are mostly equal in terms of available applications and performance. iOS can only be found on Apple’s iPhone on AT&T whereas Android is an open source operating system that is available on various phone manufacturers (e.g. HTC, Motorola, LG, Samsung to name a few) and networks (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint, etc). BlackBerry, the marginal leader of today’s smartphones, has often been associated with a more business-like focus due to their superior handling of messaging and email in secure environments and integration with company software. Add that to also running today’s most popular applications and you’ve got quite a device.

Apple was the first platform to introduce a dedicated App Store for their operating system. The App Store now houses more than 200,000 apps. One thing to note is that applications for the iPhone must be downloaded through the App Store and cannot be downloaded from other sources. If you’re an Apple user with MobileMe your contacts, data and phone location will seamlessly intermix with an iPhone. iOS 4, Apple’s newest release on the iPhone 4, allows users to capture, edit and upload video directly from their phone without the need for a computer.

Due to its Google backing, the Android platform effortlessly integrates Google applications into it’s operating system. If you utilize a lot of Google products on your computer such as Gmail and Google Voice, an Android device will integrate well into your workflow. Another key feature of Android is Google Navigation. Every Android device now comes with a built-in navigation that utilizes Google Maps technology and will eliminate the need for a separate GPS device. Also, as an open-source platform, Android allows you to install applications from various sources like the Internet, not just their Android Market.

If you’re in the market for a new phone, it helps to ask your peers what they use and their opinions in addition to trying out the different devices in store. Differences between the three smartphone leaders comes down to user interface, hardware and carrier. Android phones are available in various sizes and their own hardware characteristics. For instance, Sprint has the HTC Evo 4G that has a front facing camera in addition to its back camera for video calls and recordings and is on a high-speed 4G network (4G is not available nationwide, see Sprint’s official website for more details). AT&T is currently the sole carrier of the Apple iPhone 4. Verizon has the Droid X with an 8MP camera, HD video recording and an HDMI out port. Once you’ve narrowed down your choice of operating system, it’s a matter of looking at the additional features that each individual phone has and what you’d prefer. Don’t fret if you’re not happy with your decisions either. Major carriers such as Verizon and AT&T allow you to return the phone within 30 days of purchase if you’re not happy with your choice.

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I love my Blackberry for emails and other work-related tasks, but when you compare the Safari browser on the iPhone to the Blackberry Browser, the Blackberry plain sucks. Luckily there are alternatives. I have done some comparison tests to find out which browsers are the best.

I am using my Blackberry 8900 using T-Mobile’s EDGE network. Since it is running on EDGE instead of 3G, it is even more important that the browser be as efficient as possible. I tested loading two image heavy sites, Lifehacker and Engadget. I also tested the time it takes for the applications to load.

Here’s what I found:

#1 Pick: Opera Mini 5 Beta 2

Pros: Interface, usability, graphics, smooth scroll, tabbed browsing, password saving feature, formatting of images and text is true to original site,can zoom in/out, speed dial, overall feature set.

Cons: Can sometimes feel a bit sluggish and less responsive compared to the Blackberry Browser. Possibly more resource intensive.

Conclusion: Best overall browser for everyday use. It isn’t as fast as Blackberry Browser to start up or the Bolt on Wi-Fi (when Bolt’s proxy servers are working properly), but the features and overall usability make this the best browser for the Blackberry.

#2 Runner Up: Bolt Browser 1.62

Pros: Very fast on Wi-Fi, use keys to navigate around the page quickly, good page rendering, remembers passwords.

Cons: Proxy server was not consistent. Can be Extremely fast at times, slow at others. Sometimes gets stuck at 20 percent trying to connect to their proxy servers. Font is a bit small. Not as good at rendering fonts compared to the other 2 browsers. Less robust feature set than Opera.
Conclusion: A good browser when you are browsing using a Wi-Fi connection and plan on using surfing for longer than 2 minutes.

#3 Last Place: Blackberry Browser

Pros: Built into OS, program is well integrated into system. Loads the fastest.

Cons: Painfully slow to load pages, no tabbed browsing, minimal feature set.

Conclusion: Unfortunately the default browser. Opera and Bolt are taking steps to allow for the option to open links with their browsers instead.

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What is the cost of fixing a computer? Well, it depends. The factors involve the type of repair needed, the cost of parts required and of course, the rate the technician charges.

Most technicians will diagnose the problem first then give an estimate.

For this post, let’s pretend your computer won’t boot because of a failing hard drive. The services required are as follows: recovery and transfer of important data, installation of a new hard drive, installation of an operating system, and migration of the previously transferred data.

Regardless of which company you get to service your computer, the services required are the same. A good computer repair company will also recommend a backup to prevent future frustration.

The part, the replacement hard drive, should not be much higher than what your local electronics store would charge. Most companies will charge 10 to 20 percent over cost. The convenience of having the part right away is worth the extra cost.

Then there’s the service charge, the cost of labor and expertise. Some technicians charge an hourly rate and some charge per service. An hourly rate is good if you have a good idea of how long a repair will take. The rate a technician charges varies widely, but you can be sure that an experienced technician knows his worth and will charge more to get things done right. A lower price doesn’t necessarily mean that the technician is inexperienced, but it could be a hint that their business model is based on volume. That might also mean that they will cut corners.

Companies that charge per service are good when you are looking for a solution but aren’t sure how long the service will take. A 2 hour service and a 5 hour service at $100 per hour is a big difference. When you pay per service, you know how much you will spend up front. They will give you an estimate after the diagnosis. The final invoice should be very close to the initial estimate. Any changes in cost should be agreed upon before moving forward.

Always look for a company who guarantees their work. The last thing you want is to pay for a service that doesn’t fix your problem. Usually companies that charge per hour do not refund you for hours worked. It’s more likely that you will get a problem-solved guarantee from a company that charges per service.

Another thing to keep in mind is that cheaper is not always better, nor do you always get what you pay for. The key is to do your research first. Read client testimonials. Are they believable? If the company has no reviews, you can assume that they either have very few clientele or they don’t want you to know what clients have to say about them. A little time invested in researching a company can save you a lot in terms of money and headache.

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Your new laptop may be at risk, and you have to protect it against the many dangers out there that may cut its lifespan short: soda or coffee spills, moisture building up inside the casing, and impact from being dropped, among others. The portability that makes your computer so convenient is also what puts it at risk from all these.

Now, just because your comp is portable, that doesn’t mean it’s made to withstand a lot of abuse from being moved around and used in different conditions. It still has parts that experience not only wear and tear from continuous use, but from threats that you can avoid to keep them in running condition.

First off, avoid using your laptop near liquids, especially very hot or very cold ones. High temperature liquids may be steaming, and some of that steam may find its way into your comp’s casing. It’s the same deal with very cold beverages: it may cause condensation. Be especially wary of sodas: these drinks are pretty toxic to your portable if you manage to get any on it. Sodas are especially destructive: they’re acidic, which may corrode connections, and even when they dry, they leave a sticky residue, which attracts dust.

While we’re talking about condensation, the weather is another factor that can affect the lifespan of your laptop. In regions with high humidity, like Florida or Los Angeles, moisture is especially hard to keep out of your laptop. Take precautionary measures by ising a moisture-proof case and wiping down your comp if you see “sweat” on its surface. If you take it from a very cold area (like your office) to a very hot and high-humidity one, it may fog up with condensation. Wait for your comp to dry before using it to avoid a shorted circuit.

The hard drive of your laptop can also be damaged from wear and tear- when it’s turned on, it spins up. Moving it around while it’s on can cause your hard drive to crash- if you can’t turn off your comp before putting it away and moving it around, at least put it in sleep mode, or even better, in hibernate. In these modes, the hard drive is powered down, and is safe from damage from excessive motion.

Finally, don’t use your laptop in bed and then leave it there. The bed and the pillows and sheets can prevent heat from being vented out of the sides and bottom. This increased temperature can cause permanent damage to the silicon chips in your computer.

A laptop might not be as durable as you think. While they were designed to be used in most places, they still have some components that are sensitive to things like liquid and moisture, and humidity in places like Los Angeles or Florida. Also, improper handling of the computer without shutting it down and overheating it can cause serious reductions in its lifespan.

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How We Fix Your Computer Problems

It was a Busy Day!

Mondays are usually our busiest day and today was no exception.  I had 4 PC’s to fix by the end of the day.  I started with the Sony VAIO, it had the “blue screen of death” problem.  Lucky for me, I had seen this error code before and knew it was the wireless NIC card.  I replaced the card with an external usb device and no more “blue screen of death”.

The second computer I got to was a dell desktop.  It would not power on.  We had a spare power supply lying around so I hooked it up to the PC.  It worked perfectly so I had to remove the old one and mounted the new one.

Third PC was an Acer laptop. It was having problem with it’s built-in wireless card. I hooked a wire to the ethernet port to see if it was a firewall on the laptop. The wire tested fine and I also did a virus scan. The virus scan was negative so I disabled the internal wireless card and connect a PC card. After several minutes of streaming audio test, the new card was the cure.

Fourth PC was also a laptop but this time it was from Gateway. The power would not turn on whether it was plugged or on battery. Checking the power cord, we quickly found the problem. A segment of the wire was stripped thus no power was going through it.

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Hard Drive Maintenance in Glendale

I arrived at a referred customer’s house in Glendale to look at an older computer that could not start up Windows XP properly.  After running a hard drive diagnostic program and fixing the problem, or so I thought, we were able to trace the problem to a video card error.  The family was ecstatic that they can surf the internet and email their friends and family again.  They were so happy at our service that they trusted us to fix their Power Mac Pro, a $4000 computer.  I explained that a Mac system is a lot more complicated that a PC and would require us to work on it back at the shop.

After several hours of taking everything apart and testing the components, we concluded that it was a faulty power supply.  Since the power supply was proprietary, we had to special or the unit.  It took the unit over a week to arrive.  We installed it, tested, and brought it back to the client’s house.  Once again, they were happy with the service and gave us another task.

This new task was to install and network router in their home so they can share the internet connection between the PC, XBox, and Mac.  Luckily I had an extra router in my car and was able to set it up for them without having to make another trip.

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