smart phones Archives - Page 3 of 7

Q&A: Can a phone catch a virus from an infected email?

Posted on December 15, 2021

Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter

Question from Theresa: Rick, I was wondering if it’s possible for an infected email to load a virus onto a smartphone?

Last night I was using my iPhone to check my email and I accidentally opened an email that appeared to be from China while I was trying to delete it. When the email opened up it said it was downloading a file.

I haven’t noticed any problems with the phone so far. I’m cautiously optimistic because I’ve always been told that only Windows computers are subject to virus infections.

Do you think I have anything to worry about? [Read more…]

Turn your old unused smartphone into a free ‘landline’ with Viber

Posted on July 2, 2019

viber If you’re like most people these days, you probably have a perfectly good smart phone sitting in a drawer collecting dust after falling victim to the endless cell phone upgrade cycle.

That unused phone has some pretty sophisticated electronics inside it, so why not put it to good use?

You can turn your “old” smart phone into a landline replacement by installing a wonderful free app called Viber.

And regardless of which brand and model of phone you have, there is probably a version of Viber to run on it! [Read more…]

Remotely control when and how your children can use their mobile phones

Posted on March 28, 2019

Do you wish you could control when your children can use their mobile phones and which apps they can use at what times, even when you aren’t with them?

Well, thanks to a great app called DinnertTime Plus, you can. Simpy install the app on both your child’s phone and your own phone, then link the two phones via a text message. [Read more…]

Why you probably should skip your carrier’s insurance on your smart phone

Posted on February 7, 2017

Are you paying a monthly fee to your cell carrier to cover repairs to your phone should something happen to it? If you are, you’re probably paying way too much for what could amount to very little coverage.

Depending on the carrier and phone, you could be paying upwards of $15 per month for a plan that has a whopping $200 deductible!

In my opinion, carrier insurance (AKA an extended warranty) is rarely a good deal, even when it does actually “pay off”. Which brings me to my next point… [Read more…]

Samsung is going to ‘brick’ all remaining Galaxy Note 7 phones on December 19

Posted on December 14, 2016

As I mentioned in this post, Samsung has stopped making their ill-fated Galaxy Note 7 smart phones and issued a recall for all of the units that have already been sold.

According to the company, about 93% of all the Galaxy Note 7 devices that were sold have already been returned under the recall, and now Samsung is planning to use a special form of “tough-love” to spur the return of the remaining phones.

To that end, Samsung will be releasing an update on December 19 that will prevent the Galaxy Note 7’s battery from being recharged and cut off all access to cellular and Internet connections. In short, the phones will be effectively “bricked” on that date. [Read more…]