Using a laptop for school? It’s time to check and see if you need to get something fixed before school work flows in. Read below to know what you should look out for, and what you should do when you spot an issue.

In today’s world, having a computer you can take anywhere and pop open with a single button is extremely convenient. Top that with useful features such as video calling, watching movies, playing music, and other heavy tasks such as developing applications and editing media — you already know you have a powerful electronic device the size of your backpack. It can be smaller or way bigger — and you know you can’t live without one especially if you’re a student or a professional. That’s your handy laptop for you, but what are you gonna do once it stops serving you the way it used to?

What are the most common laptop issues?

Electronics have been with us for so long that we forget that they don’t last forever. Their performance levels decrease over time, their parts deteriorate with use, and they encounter problems — some fixable, and some impossible to solve. Luckily, we have a big array of choices when it comes to portable computers — or laptops. There are consumer-favorite Apple MacBooks and there are high-performance and gaming laptops from Acer, Asus, Alienware, Dell, and many other manufacturers that are no strangers to the modern and digital world.

But no matter how expensive, powerful, and sturdy a laptop is, it’ll always get hiccups. It can even be rendered useless one day. To the average user, the sound of their reliable go-to laptop dying in the middle of schoolwork due in less than 24 hours sounds like a chilling nightmare. That’s why it’s always a good measure to observe your laptop’s health — see if it’ll live through another semester — to make sure it won’t die on you during your most grueling days as a student.

To help you see things through with your laptop, we’ve compiled a list of the most common issues laptops get. Some are due to the nature of how you use your laptop, some due to age, and some due to other factors such as the environment. Take a look:

Overheating

While basking in the comforting heat of summer is always a good thing, such is never the case for electronics. Most especially for laptops because they’re not equipped with high-performance cooling systems like desktop computers are. Owning a laptop means you can’t do much to help it cool down and maintain ideal temperatures.

Laptops are compact. Components are squeezed in to fit and work the same way desktop computers do, and that comes with sacrificing space for adequate airflow to cool down these components, which makes overheating a big problem. Overheating is always possible when:

• You use your laptop in hot and dusty places
• You use your laptop for prolonged periods
• You use your laptop for heavy tasks such as photo and video editing and gaming

Other factors contribute to bad component airflow, but those three are the most common culprits. That’s why there are small solutions such as laptop stands with fans installed to help remove the hot air from the components. But if your laptop experiences high temperatures for prolonged periods, its components will degrade much faster and you’ll need to visit laptop repair shops more often for professional laptop repair services.

Short battery life

Remember when you got your laptop out of the box and it can last you more than a day’s worth of work? That’s because your laptop’s battery is at its peak health, and over years of use, bad charging habits, and overall maintenance, deterioration is unavoidable. 

Even if you don’t use your laptop for a month, its battery life still shortens. They’re engineered to not last forever, hence the existence of replacement laptop batteries from manufacturers and laptop battery replacement services from computer repair shops.

When you notice that you can’t stay away from the wall socket while you’re doing school work, it’s best to get a new battery installed by a professional. Doing this prevents your laptop from shutting down in the middle of intense work and losing all the work you put in. A fresh battery also allows you time away from the wall socket — something very important when you’re in university and constantly switching spots.

Broken Keyboard

Imagine writing a term paper with some keys of your laptop’s keyboard not working. Just thinking about it stresses you out, right? While there are band-aid solutions such as your operating system’s native on-screen keyboard, it’s not a productive option. It slows you down and makes typing a hassle, especially when you’re at your peak and ideas are pouring out of your brain.

Sadly, laptop keyboards are prone to damage. It can be from spilled water, coffee, crumbs of your favorite snack while working, and dust. Even if you’re very careful about snacking and drinking close to your laptop, you can’t avoid it from getting worn out or dislodged from years of usage — even worse when you’re a heavy user and have sweaty hands. Your laptop’s keyboard legends will turn invisible in no time!

Luckily, manufacturers are very aware of this laptop keyboard phenomenon. Some of them produce replacements and include them in warranty policies for their laptops! If your laptop isn’t covered anymore, your best bet would be to drop by your go-to laptop repair shop and get their expert help.

Bad loading times

Almost every laptop that came out during the previous years came with hard disk drives (HDDs), which are thick, mechanical storage drives for computers. Although they come cheap compared to solid-state drives (SSDs), they’re not as reliable because:

• They have a short lifespan
• They’re much slower than slightly expensive SSDs

The number one cause of bad laptop loading times is an old HDD. If not, it’s your inadequate memory capacity doing its thing. Laptops today still come with HDDs, but there are always computer repair shops ready to help you upgrade to an SSD and a bigger memory capacity.

Slow laptops are annoying. But there are technicians out there who can solve your problem with a few hours of tinkering.

Malware

The bane of operating systems and storage devices is malware. They’re malicious software that works in different ways — all you and your computer wouldn’t like. Every laptop is prone to malware, which makes it important for you to be highly aware of the stuff you download from the internet or the devices you plug into your computer.

Each malware is made to do something malicious. Let’s say you downloaded a free Microsoft Office package from a website. Chances are high that the file came with malware, or is malware. It can be something created by someone’s brain to steal personal information, spy on you, and many others.

Your best protection against malware attacks is to refrain from downloading files from websites that aren’t reputable. Your anti-virus can’t always protect you, which further cements that prevention is better than cure. If it’s too late to prevent it, there’s always the option to install your operating system fresh — taking you back all the way to when you first booted up your laptop.

When is the time for a laptop repair?

Now that you know the most common laptop issues, or already encountered one or two, you’re now asking if it’s time to seek professional help. While this is always the case for people who aren’t or don’t have the time to tinker with laptops, some of us want to try and solve things on our own.

The time for a laptop repair depends on how bad the problem is. Is it causing your productivity to decrease? Are you failing to submit your work on time because of it? Or did your laptop stop booting up? If your answers to those questions are all yes, then it’s time to drop by a repair shop and ask them for assistance.

If you went “no” on one or two of those questions, then maybe you can push a visit to the repair shop a little later. If your laptop is slow but still gets the job done with you having to work much longer and earlier than usual, it’s fine to push a diagnostic check back.

But it’s important to keep in mind that problems, even the ones with your laptop, are always better off solved the moment you take notice they exist. If you wait longer and it starts getting more problems, you might end up losing your laptop totally and end up spending on a new one unprepared.

You can always call up laptop repair shops and bring your laptop in for a check-up, and they’ll gladly help you determine what’s wrong and if you can wait out on a laptop repair. If they tell you an issue needs to be resolved as soon as possible to prevent further damage, it’s best that you go with their advice. Since they’re the ones who work around laptops a lot and have experience with fixing them, they know when a problem is serious enough to warrant service or replacement as soon as possible or not.

3 laptop care tips to follow

If you’re lucky enough to have a fully functioning laptop that gets the job done when it should, we’re happy for you. But we won’t miss the chance to tell you how to take care of it and make sure it stays strong until it can’t anymore.

We’ve created a quick list of laptop care tips you should follow to ensure that your laptop stays with you during your studies’ sunny and rainy days. Read below:

1. Avoid drinking and eating while using it

If you like to drink and snack while working on your laptop, we highly advise that you lessen these occasions. While it’s good to sip on your morning latte while working on a research paper, there’s always the possibility of it spilling on your laptop! Cold or hot, it’ll do the same thing — damage your laptop and cost you money on repairs. Or worse, a replacement unit.

2. Stop downloading from untrusted websites

You know what it is — free movies, games, software, and many others. While some things you might need from school or work are expensive when you get them paid for the full features, they’re always worth the investment. Getting a paid version means you’re getting the real deal, which makes it impossible for it to be malware.

Aside from destroying your laptop and potentially getting your privacy invaded, there are piracy laws that will punish you for downloading and using pirated versions of movies, games, and other paid stuff you can find online for free.

3. Let it cool down

Because most of us use our laptops with our palms resting on their surface, it’s impossible to ignore that it gets hot that you can’t touch it for longer than a second. Whenever this happens, we highly advise that you shut it down properly and let it cool down! Just like you, your laptop needs a break. If it doesn’t get those breaks, it might end up leaving you for good, or costing you money.

Takeaways

When using a laptop, it’s important to keep in mind that while these electronics are made to mimic most of what a desktop computer does, it’s still not the same. It can’t work for prolonged periods and rely on good custom cooling systems for dear life, and it gets its power from batteries that don’t last forever. 

Laptops are extremely convenient, especially for students who are constantly on the go and work in different spaces. Since school is just around the corner, why not check your laptop for issues or have a professional do it for you before you start using it every day? Some computer repair shops offer free diagnostic tests, which help you find out what’s wrong with your laptop and what can be done to fix the problem.

If your laptop is on the fritz, don’t wait until school starts to get it looked at. Now is the time for a free diagnostic run by one of our tech experts. We’ll fix anything wrong with it and ensure you are able to make it through this semester without a technical malfunction. Give us a call, come visit us, or fill out our online quote tool and we will reach out to you.

Whether we’re talking about the MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro, one thing’s for sure — anyone who’s used any of them long enough has experienced a problem or two, such as a cracked LCD, a bad battery, or some other hardware issue. 

MacBooks are expensive and generally perform better than other computers. It’s this reason that MacBooks are generally used more than PCs. In a recent study, a tech firm gathered information on the preference of 2,200 college students that year. They made these correspondents choose between Macs and PCs. The study revealed that 40% of the students prefer the MacBook, as they use them as daily drivers. 31% use PCs but actually prefer Macs, and 29% use PCs and prefer them as well.

Macs are indeed popular, but just like PCs, they are prone to wear and tear. This brings us down to the most common MacBook problems these users face. If you are a MacBook user, you’re probably all too familiar with the following list.

The most common MacBook problems

RAM – RAM becomes a problem for MacBook users today because of the increasing RAM power demand to run software. This is especially true for users who use their Macs for hardware-intensive software such as ones for video and photo editing. 

Remember that RAM stores the information it needs to access and run things quickly. So if you don’t have enough, you’re probably in for extra hours on top of the work.

Charging Ports – As a MacBook user, it’s easy to accidentally misplug. Sometimes, it’s easy to unintentionally snag it out of the plug because you forgot that you’re still charging. These small mishaps always lead to faulty charging ports. 

Dead Battery – The eventual result of a faulty charging port and an aging Mac is a dead battery. A dead MacBook battery means you’d have to constantly search for a place to plug in, which is not ideal for the busy on-the-go student or business professional. 

Backlight – Backlight helps illuminate the screen, allowing you to see items in the Mac’s display better. A broken backlight means you won’t be able to distinguish things like text and icons from the background.

There are hundreds of MacBook issues experienced by everyone, but the big question is, are MacBooks worth getting repairs for?

Should I get my MacBook repaired or buy a replacement?

Now that you know the most common issues you’ll face, or have faced with MacBooks, you’re wondering how much you should expect to pay for getting a MacBook repaired. You’re probably even asking yourself if getting a repair is even worth it. We’re going to help you decide.

When considering a MacBook repair for any problem, one of the first few things to consider is the price. The price depends on the damage and the model of the MacBook. We do offer free repair quotes, so if you’re in trouble, please bring your MacBook in directly to us and we’ll give you a free quote.

Repair prices are always based on the service, labor prices, the area where you’re getting repairs from, and the model of your MacBook. But with AppleCare+, your repair may cost a little less — it’s like a discount you have to pay for.

We Have Both Options!

Fortunately, we have you covered no matter what you do. We do offer used and refurbished MacBooks, but before you browse our selection, bring in your old MacBook and we’ll give you a free repair quote. If it makes more sense to repair it, we can do that. 

Before coming into our store, click here for an instant quote on MacBook repairs!

High megapixel cameras, big touchscreens, thumping loudspeakers, and the likes aren’t just enough to satisfy the needs of today’s phone users. Some want more battery juice without the need for a wall socket, some need extra protection for their phones, while some love the convenience of wireless earphones and headphones. 

There are so many phone accessories available in the market that it’s getting harder to pick the ones that we want and the ones that are of high quality. Feel the same? You can use our list of hand-picked phone accessories you should get:

1. Phone Cases

More often than not, when we get a new phone, the store selling it to us offers us a selection of phone cases. Some are fancy and over the top, while some are humble and do what they’re supposed to without being loud. If you’re prone to accidentally losing your grip on your phone, you know the necessity of having a sturdy phone case.

When in the market for a phone case or two, make sure to pick according to how you handle your phone. Is it always in your hand? Get a thick one that’ll protect its housing from falls. Always in your bag? Get a phone case that also covers the screen. The number of choices can be overwhelming, so make sure to gather a quick list of what you want your phone case to do for you.

2. Apple AirTags

In addition to the benefits of a phone case to protect your smartphone’s body, you have Apple’s new AirTags that help you keep track of your other personal property. Just like an iPhone, the tracking is done in the Find My app, but in the case of AirTags, they’re attached to things that aren’t iPhones. Those things can be your wallet, your car keys, and other items that are prone to be misplaced. Simply add an AirTag to your personal item, and let Apple keep track of its location for you.

AirTags lets you know about the last location of your AirTagged items through the Find My app. Misplaced the keys to your house? With the AirTag as a keychain, you won’t have to scramble through every place you’ve been in the last 24 hours to find your keys.

3. Wireless Earphones and Headphones

In the era of wireless tech, tangle-free earphones and headphones are seen as basics. Having them handy means you get more freedom when it comes to movement, especially when you listen to music, podcasts, or talk to people while on the move.

Fortunately, most smartphone manufacturers produce wireless earphones and headphones dedicated to maximize Bluetooth technology and make our lives more convenient. Depending on your phone, you can choose between Apple’s AirPods, Samsung’s Galaxy Buds, and other brands. You can use each with any phone, which is a good thing considering the price tag of some of the best wireless earphones and headphones in the market today.

4. External Storage

Most of today’s phones come with at least 32 gigabytes of storage. But to most people, that amount of storage isn’t enough. With high-quality media in their phones, it’s hard to contain one’s files in 32 gigabytes. That’s why external storage devices and cards are necessary.

Most Android phones allow users to purchase additional storage through memory cards, but this isn’t the case for iPhones. iPhone fans will need to purchase the storage they want right off the bat because they won’t have the chance to expand unless they buy another unit. However, you generally can purchase more iCloud storage, so consider this option.

5. Fast Charging Cables

Some cables that come with our phones upon purchase usually don’t last long and don’t cover enough distance. Thankfully, we’ve got a lot of choices when it comes to third-party charging cables that span up to at least 3 meters. That should be enough to let you comfortably use your phone away from the wall.

Finding cables with varying lengths isn’t a difficult search, but make sure you search different brands and test the cable on your unit before making the purchase. Some cheap ones heat up easily, or break, and some don’t even work as they should. As with most purchases, shop around on the reviews page to see how others rate the product.

While we hope this is helpful for your next device shopping trip, we understand it’s not an exhaustive list. If you’ve got a tech question or need help searching for the next best gear for your device, stop by our shop today and get some expert advice! We’re happy to talk through some good options for you and point you in the right direction. And as always, don’t hesitate to call iDoctor Kiosk if that device is in need of a repair!

The iPhone SE 2020 is here, and you’re ready. Or maybe you’ve been salivating over the Samsung Galaxy Note10 Plus. Your old phone is slowly giving up the ghost, or you’re just excited to upgrade. Whatever the reason, you now have to decide what to do with the old phone. You could try selling it yourself, or you could sell it to iDoctor Kiosk for a much better price (and without a lot of the hassle). Before you sell your iPhone, Android, or other smartphone, though, make sure you follow these steps:Backup Your Device.

You don’t want your valuable (and possibly cashable) information in the wrong hands. Before you delete everything off your old iPhone or Android, be sure to transfer the data to your new device. Backing up your smartphone will ensure that the information you transferred to your new device is saved to the cloud. If you want to do this directly from your phone, select your name within your Settings, then tap “iCloud.” This will take you to the option of “iCloud Backup > Backup Now.” For an Android, this process may require a few more steps. First, check that Google Photos, Gmail, and Google Contacts have cloud backups toggled on in your settings. Another option for backing up important data is utilizing a service like Google Drive, or even G Cloud Backup. After you’ve successfully saved your information on the cloud, be sure to remove all accounts saved on your Android phone. While you may want to delete your main Google account last, you can still select “Accounts” within your settings and remove all the other accounts from your device.

Unpair devices

Keeping your old Bluetooth devices paired to your smartphone can put you at risk. Those devices could also mean trouble if they continue connecting to your old device rather than your new one. Before selling your smartphone, be sure to disconnect and “forget” all other devices. To do this, bring your Bluetooth devices near your phone, then go to “Bluetooth” in your Settings. Next to each device listed, tap for information and select “Forget This Device.” While, like with the iPhone, your paired Android devices won’t connect to your out-of-range phone, it’s still a good idea to disconnect those Bluetooth headphones from your Android. In “Connected Devices” within Settings, tap the Settings gear icon next to each device and select “Forget.”

Sign out of the Cloud

You’re a few steps closer to handing in that old smartphone. Next, return to your settings and select “iCloud > Sign Out.” This will prompt you to “Delete from My [Device],” and will ask you to enter your Apple ID password. In order to sign out of iTunes, go back to the main page of your settings, and select “iTunes and App Store > Apple ID > Sign out.” For an Android smartphone, be sure to perform a factory reset, and even consider removing your SIM card. For the first step, head over to “Settings > System > Advanced > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset).” While this option may turn up in different locations depending on each model, you can do this on most Android phones (like the Pixel, for example). For removing the SIM card, locate the SIM tray at the end of your phone and use a paperclip to pop the tray open. Remove the card and destroy it if you plan to buy a new one, or keep it for use in your new smartphone.

Disable “Find My Phone”

For Android users, the “Android Device Manager” feature offers a neat method of maintaining control over your phone, even from a long distance, and locking it (or erasing all data!). While it’s important to disable this program if you’re selling your Android, make sure you’ve already backed up all information first. When you’ve completed steps 1-4, check out your account here and locate the “Security” section. You can manage all your devices from the “Your Devices” heading. Find the phone you’d like to sell and select “Remove.” iPhones allow users to disable this feature AND erase all content and settings in one fell swoop. Once in Settings, click “General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings,” then follow the next prompts until completion. This will allow your iPhone’s future owner to activate the smartphone, as well as keep them from accessing your private information. Yes, these steps can be time-consuming, but yes, they’re important! Logging out of and deleting account information is a sure-fire way to keep future users from causing issues or accessing content you’d rather keep private.

Now, you’re looking to sell that smartphone – and at a decent price, if you want your money’s worth. We know some tech experts and smartphone gurus at iDoctor Kiosk ready to inspect your device and offer top dollar (in cash!). Following the steps above will make sure this process saves you time, but we’re more than happy to help you in-store. Head over to our location today and trade your old Android, iPhone, or other smartphone for cash!

From unlocking your iPhone with a face mask on to having more control in terms of app tracking, here’s everything you should know about the iOS 14.5 .

The 3rd of May 2021 saw Apple iPhone users scrambling to update their iOS versions to the tech giant’s newest firmware release. Regarded as the manufacturer’s most controversial iPhone operating system update yet, 14.5 packs new updates in user privacy, Face ID unlocking, the beloved emojis, Music app, and other security enhancements.
Why is it “controversial”?

Even before iOS 14.5 arrived on our iPhones, tabloids and news outlets left and right were already rushing to release pieces on how the new iOS firmware update will affect Facebook and other applications that rely on ads for revenue.
The part of the feature-packed update that made it controversial was the app tracking transparency (ATT) feature that gives iOS device users the option to allow or disallow applications from tracking their activities in exchange for more relevant advertisements.

Before the new Apple update, users weren’t explicitly informed about app tracking and how applications such as Facebook use their data. Most were unaware that applications can track their movements in other, non-relevant ways on their iPhone or smartphone.

The controversial part of this was Facebook and others using these divergent methods as a way to jack up their revenue. They don’t earn on subscriptions, and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg had already expressed (when he appeared before Congress in 2018) that Facebook relies on ads to make money.

For other applications that make money the same way, iOS 14.5 can cost these companies a vast amount of money. The update even led to a publicized fallout between Apple CEO Tim Cook and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
Users disabling apps from tracking means these applications won’t be able to get their usage data from the date on other applications, such as shopping apps. Advertisers, frustrated, know they wouldn’t pay the same price for less, or no data. Before the new iOS 14 update, users would generally notice that products they’d been eyeing on other applications show up on Facebook Ads – this is a specific product of app tracking.More on the big features

Unlocking iPhone With Face Mask On

Another iOS 14.5 feature that made headlines was that users can now unlock their iPhones even with a face mask. This feature came to the rescue, albeit a bit late, of iPhone users struggling to put their masks down to unlock their iPhone using Face ID.

Some headlines, however, can be a tad misleading. What Apple might not tell you from the start is that this feature requires one to have an Apple Watch. The Apple Watch will let you bypass Face ID and unlock your phone. This requires both the iPhone and Watch to be close to each other, or else you’d have to put your mask down for a Face ID unlock or type your PIN.

Apple Maps crowdsourcing

iOS 14.5’s new Apple Maps adapts a key feature from Waze. The latter is the most popular one of its kind to allow real drivers to crowdsource accidents, speed traps, and other hazards on the road. The new iOS update saw Apple’s native map app allowing users to do the same.

You can now report accidents, hazards, and speed traps you encounter yourself with your voice and Siri, allowing you to report these things without having to take your eyes off the road.
Other feature updates

A lot came with the new iPhone update. Aside from the ATT updates and face mask unlocks, none of the updates were landscape-changing. But iPhone users did receive 200 new emojis, Apple Podcasts Subscriptions, new Siri voices, battery health calibration, PS5 and Xbox controller support, dual-sim 5G support, and many others.
What do these features mean for consumers like me?
The ATT update would change your experience on the internet by a lot, and you probably won’t even notice it. You’ll see fewer ads that seem all too familiar, and if you’re one of those users who are heavily aware and conscious about their data, you’re probably happy about this ATT update.

Another thing, the face mask unlock feature would only benefit you if you own an Apple Watch and have it paired with your iPhone, which isn’t the case for every iPhone user enjoying the new update.
As for maintaining your iPhone’s performance, you can rely on this iOS update to patch a few things up for you software-wise, but if you have problems with your hardware, you’re better off reaching out to repair stores that specialize in iPhone repair. If this is where you’re at, call or visit us at iDoctor Kiosk today!

The new season is a great reason to make and keep resolutions. Whether it’s eating right or cleaning out the garage, here are some tips for making and keeping resolutions.Make a list

Lists are great ways to stay on track. Write down some big things you want to accomplish and some smaller things, too.
Check the list regularly

Don’t forget to check in and see how you’re doing. Just because you don’t achieve the big goals right away doesn’t mean you’re not making progress.
Reward yourself

When you succeed in achieving a goal, be it a big one or a small one, make sure to pat yourself on the back.
Think positively

Positive thinking is a major factor in success. So instead of mulling over things that didn’t go quite right, remind yourself of things that did.

Do you enjoy dabbling in photography? Are you thinking about upgrading to a photographer-friendly iPhone? Then this blog is just for you! The iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro Max have advanced camera features that excite both amateur and professional photographers alike. Keep reading to learn more about iPhone 12 Camera Tips and more.

iPhone 12 Camera Tips and Features

Three Cameras

Yes—you read that correctly! The iPhone 12 has a camera for telephoto, wide, and ultrawide photos. The dual-lens cameras are arranged similarly to previous models (on the back of the iPhone). The primary camera has the largest aperture in iPhone history—ƒ/1.6—which significantly improves low-light shots.

Tip: The three cameras really come in handy when you are trying to perfectly frame your photograph. First, put your phone in portrait or landscape mode and zoom past 0.7x. As you zoom, the screen will continue to show you the area that is outside of the frame. Can’t fit everything in? Then that’s your sign to switch to a different camera mode!

Night Mode

Night Mode is a feature that is on several other iPhone models; however, on the iPhone 12, you can use it on all lenses (even the selfie lens!). Even better—Night Mode is automatic, meaning it turns on anytime it detects low light. Whenever Night Mode automatically activates, a moon icon will pop up to let you know.

Tip: To get the perfect low light photo, select the number next to the moon icon. This number shows how many seconds to keep your phone still before it snaps the photo. It also allows you to choose the exposure level yourself, giving you more creative freedom and control over your photos.

QuickTake

QuickTake is essentially a quick way to take a photo, video, or series of photos. On the iPhone 12, if you press on the white shutter button, it will take a photo. But if you hold the button for an extended period of time, it will switch to Video Mode and begin recording. If you press the white shutter button and swipe to the left, it will begin to take burst mode photos.

Tip: Trying to shoot a lengthy video? Hold down the white shutter button and swipe to the right. This will lock your phone into video mode, allowing you to remove your finger from the button and giving you more freedom.

Dolby Vision

Don’t worry videographers—we haven’t forgotten about you! Perhaps the coolest feature of the iPhone 12 is its ability to shoot and edit HDR videos with Dolby Vision. As you may know, HDR videos are more colorful, detailed, and visually advanced. Dolby Vision is simply a HDR video format. The iPhone 12 implements Dolby Vision HDR recording capabilities, which significantly improves video content. You can also edit your Dolby Vision videos on your iPhone 12, which makes the iPhone 12 the first phone to shoot and edit Dolby Vision videos.

Tip: To quickly turn on Dolby Vision video, go to Settings > Camera > Record Video > HRD Video.

Feeling ready to take on the world as an iPhone 12 photographer? We hope this blog taught you some iPhone 12 camera tips and tricks you didn’t know before! For any questions, concerns, or assistance with the iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 12 Max, feel free to give iDoctor Kiosk  a call.

The smartphone market is dynamic, the older the phone, the lesser its value becomes. Newer models are released more frequently and if you’re planning to upgrade it’s always a good idea to consider selling your old or unused mobile devices to get some extra money and finance your next purchase. 

Whether you’re planning to upgrade to the latest iPhone 12 Pro or need extra cash for a new Samsung Galaxy S model, before you trade, sell, or give away your old smartphone, you might want to secure your personal information and data first and wipe it off your old handset through factory reset. Although it may sound technical, the good news is that factory resetting your phone is a simple task that doesn’t require expert tech services. Factory resetting your phone won’t harm your device or remove your device’s operating system, but does the job of effectively removing all data stored in your mobile device. 

For starters, think of it as permanently deleting all your personal information in your old device including confidential messages, private contacts, files, documents, installed apps, stored videos, and of course those embarrassing selfies that you don’t want anyone to see. Why is this important? Handing in a phone that hasn’t been factory reset is sorta like handing someone a complete file of your browsing history – big mistake. The great part about a factory reset is that you don’t need to do it manually. Let’s take a look at the quick and easy factory reset steps you can follow.

FOR APPLE DEVICES

Before factory resetting your old iPhone, make sure you transfer all your personal information to your new mobile device. You can do this through QuickStart if your phone is on iOS 11 or later to efficiently transfer all your information from your old smartphone. You can also do this through iCloud or iTunes if your device operates on iOS 10 or earlier versions. Aside from transferring your personal information to another mobile device, you can also opt to manually backup your device using your iCloud or through your computer. When that’s done, follow these simple steps to factory reset your iPhone:

1. Go to the Settings app from the Home screen of your iPhone or iPad.

2. Tap on General.

3. Find and tap Reset.

4. Select Erase All Content and Settings.

5. Tap on Erase Now.

6. Enter your Passcode.

7. If you’ve set up your device in Find my iPhone, go to Activate Lock to turn off or remove this setting which might require your Apple ID and password.

8. Make sure to also remove your old device from the list of trusted devices.

For a more comprehensive guide to factory resetting and choosing backup methods for your iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices, check out this Apple support page.

FOR SAMSUNG DEVICES

Similar to Apple devices, wiping data and resetting your old Samsung mobile phone is pretty straightforward and you can do it in just a few minutes. But first, always make sure your personal data is backed-up before wiping clean your old mobile device. To factory data reset your old Samsung smartphone, follow these quick steps:

1. Go to Settings

2. Select and tap Factory data reset.

3. Review the information before tapping Reset.

4. Enter password credentials if your phone has a security lock.

5. Then tap Delete all to delete all information and downloaded apps on your old mobile phone. 

Samsung support also offers great tips on performing a factory reset on your Galaxy phone and other insights for other samsung-related mobile device problems. 

Your phone is an extension of your daily life and probably knows a lot of your secrets. Factory resetting your phone gives you ease in selling out your mobile device. So before saying goodbye to your old smartphone, make sure that none of your personal data goes with it and that all your confidential information is completely wiped clean from it. 

Need more than just factory reset? Our team of experienced tech repair experts at iDoctor Kiosk is ready to help. Contact us today!

Need to boost your productivity this year, but you’re not sure what tools to start with? We understand! There are seemingly endless productivity apps available, with almost all of them offering you the latest and greatest tools. If you’re already struggling with getting all of your work done, you definitely don’t have time to sift through each and every productivity app and find one that suits you.

Luckily, in this blog, we will cover what we consider to be some of the best workplace productivity apps out there! We’ll discuss the benefits of each app so you can quickly and efficiently decide which app(s) will assist you the most.

1. Slack

Function: Slack is a communication and messaging tool that allows both in-office teams and global, remote teams to communicate, collaborate, share files, and more all in one place. Slack is a wonderful alternative to emails because it allows real-time responses and conversations. If you’re looking for a productivity app that will bring your team together and produce successful outcomes more efficiently, then Slack is the way to go!

Benefits: Perhaps the largest benefit Slack offers is streamlined, simplified lines of communication. It offers three basic communication features: open channels (visible to everyone), private channels (visible to select team members), and direct messages (visible to one coworker). Another benefit is Slack’s ability to easily integrate with other apps (Google Drive, MailChimp, the list goes on). When you keep everything in sync with Slack, it becomes a one-stop platform for all of your productivity, communication, and sharing needs. You can also drop and share all kinds of files within your Slack conversations (images, PDFs, Word Docs, Google Docs, etc.).

Mobile vs. PC: Slack has released updated versions of both its desktop and mobile apps this year, and the apps complement each other quite well. The mobile app is simple, organized, and easy to navigate. It can also be downloaded on both iPhones and Androids. Like the desktop app, it offers a “Mentions & reactions” screen, where users can quickly find Slack messages that mention them and/or reactions to their messages.

2. Airtable

Function: Airtable is a platform that allows you and your team to create and share databases. You don’t have to be a database expert to use it, either! Other than creating databases, the platform also lets you store, organize, and collaborate/communicate on tasks within the database. 

Benefits: Airtable is a lot like a spreadsheet, except simpler and more user-friendly. With Airtable, you can organize a large amount of information as well as the relationships between that information, which means you can better categorize your information as well. Additionally, Airtable has an Import feature, which allows you to upload existing data from other apps. The true beauty of Airtable lies in its flexibility—it will adapt to whatever organizational tasks you need it to.

Mobile vs. PC: Airtable’s mobile app has a few functionality limits. For example, you cannot create new fields in mobile; you can only view existing fields. You also can’t create or view Forms or Apps in mobile. That being said, navigating Airtable is equally as simple in mobile as it is in desktop.

3. Microsoft Teams

Function: Microsoft Teams is another collaboration platform that offers chat channels, document storage and sharing, online meetings and video calling, and more. These features make it quite similar to Slack, except Microsoft Teams is free with Microsoft365 and Office365.

Benefits: Because of its integration with Office365, Microsoft Teams makes it incredibly easy to collaborate on Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents. You can create the document in Microsoft Teams rather than having to open up a separate app. Another excellent feature is the user’s ability to follow channels that they are interested in/a participant in and hide whatever channels they do not what to see. This makes Microsoft Teams more customizable than other collaboration platforms.

Mobile vs. PC: With Microsoft Teams, you can stay connected anytime and anywhere by using the mobile smartphone app. With the app, you not only have access to all of your conversations and documents, but you can also respond to channels and join meetings as you would via desktop, PC, or laptop web browser.

There are many other productivity apps out there, of course. But we believe our top three choices will improve your overall workflow, help you get more done, and keep you self-motivated to accomplish more!

Give the Gift of Repair This Holiday Season

Gearing up for the holidays, but not sure what to give? We’ve got just the thing for you! 

With the holidays just around the corner, finding that perfect gift can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. So what’s the best gift to give this year? Well, it’s time to consider what your loved ones really need and not just some run-of-the-mill gift pack. With people spending more and more time on their phones and gadgets, giving the gift of repair is a practical and thoughtful way to help your loved ones, family, and friends enjoy the most of their electronic device this holiday season.

With that in mind, iDoctor Kiosk offers a variety of tech options to help you with quality repair services that your loved ones will be sure to appreciate. To narrow down your options, this blog post will give you our top picks of the most essential services you can gift to your loved ones that will take their mobile experience to the next level. 

Phone Cases

With more time spent online for work, business, school, and even leisure, smartphones without a doubt are an essential part of our day-to-day. And to add to that, they are also getting more and more expensive. So how do you keep your smartphone (whether it be an iPhone or Android phone) from dents, scratches, and cracks? iDoctor Kiosk has a wide array of options you can choose for your phone’s protection, with features such as shock-proof, water resistant, and compact and functional cases. 

Screen Repair

While it’s a universal truth that repairing a device is more cost-efficient compared to replacing it with a new one, most of us just don’t have the time to do it. Despite the risks of using phones with broken screens – issues like touch screen malfunction, loss of protection, eye strain, and lower device productivity – some phone owners still don’t realize how necessary a phone screen repair really is. With trained and experienced repair technicians, iDoctor Kiosk gives a selection of affordable mobile phone screen repair services that can extend a device’s life and make someone’s day this holiday.

Battery Replacement

Aside from screen problems, drained batteries are also a common problem for mobile users. Over time, your electronic device may be prone to battery health issues due to prolonged use and unhealthy gadget habits. But this doesn’t mean buying a new phone is the best solution. Need more power? Our master repair technicians at iDoctor Kiosk can give you the best battery troubleshooting and replacement solution with guaranteed quality parts. Phone care services are always a great way to breathe new life into worn-out devices without the burden of spending too much.

Phone Protection Plans/Bundles

Just like protecting the physical assets of your phone, phone protection plans are also an important thing to consider when you have a mobile device. If a person is prone to damaging and losing his or her phone, a protection plan is definitely worth it. When you bring your phone everywhere with you, it tends to be exposed to all types of potential problems which could range from accidental damage, hardware, loss, and theft. iDoctor Kiosk covers these in our protection bundles, which also include other device protection plan benefits like screen repair and a phone charger. 

So make the most of your holiday by giving the gift of repair to save time, money, and trouble for your loved ones. Contact iDoctor Kiosk to benefit from our professional phone repair services at an affordable price with fast turnaround time. We don’t just fix your phone; we’ll leave you and your wallet smiling too.