Part II: Choose a Smartphone Smartly

The first part tackled about the first three things you need to consider. And those are: 1. Mobile Operating System, 2. Brand; and 3.Budget. Once you have taken care of those first three, you are ready to roll up to the next guides.

Have you been in a cliffhanger with the first episode—er, I mean—part? If you are thirsty for more, here goes another quick guide for you to get the best on choosing the right smartphone for you:

#1: The Apps you’ll need

Evidently, as you buy your all-new pristine phone, it lacks the apps you need. As it has been said, apps are the lifeblood of smartphones. Fortunately Google’s Play store and Apple’s App store include plenty of add-ons. You have a need to be connected socially? Try out social media apps like Facebook, Twitter, and *insert social media sites here* as they are the platforms to go to. Surely, some apps come with a price, but there are also apps that don’t require you to spend a penny for your phone to be loaded. Be sure to have replacement batteries or a charger as apps are a great deal of battery drainer.

#2: Wide or wider screen?

If you’ll think of it, bigger screens are far better. But I guess there’s a need for you to think twice. It doesn’t always mean that when the screen is bigger, it’s better. More often than not, its resolution is compromised as the screen widens. If you’re digging in to budget phones but wider screen, you’ll definitely be suffering a little with its resolution. Better be a size-wise instead so you would be impressed with the crisp display of your screen.

#3: How fast can you go?

Alright, we are done with the apps installed and the screen size, but can your processor “process” it? If you are going to bombard your phone with apps and tasks, then you’ll likely need a quad-core processor. But if you are still considering your budget, you may resort to cheaper devices that offer dual-core processors. If you aim for the speed of light (exaggerating), go for Samsung models that offer super fast 8-core processors—good luck on finding one, though.

#4: Are you a photo-holic?

You might want to raise your hands if you do! As guilty as I am, I love taking pictures. Not to say that I aspire to be a photographer or something, but each of us has their own hobbies—and I find taking pictures interesting. Whether you are a professional photographer or just love snapping shots randomly, you should buy the best handy camera there is. Pick smartphones that offer an optimum quality camera. If dough isn’t that big deal, then I don’t see any reason not to go for it!

Well, those are the important things you need to consider on choosing the perfect handset. Have fun choosing!

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Part I: Choose a Smartphone Smartly

Part I: Choose a Smartphone Smartly

After the countless years that your phone has faithfully serviced you, it finally gave in. Some good things just never last, and that’s just one of the bitter truths we need to accept. You have hardly even seen that this is coming. Sadly and unfortunately, no replacement parts could salvage your phone as it has reached its end.

But then again, why don’t you just look at the brighter side? I’m sorry for your loss, and that may even include those important data that you can no longer recover, but you now have a chance to replace your phone! Considering all the innovated phone models available online and in-store, you will drop your jaw in no time! But here’s the catch: because of a lot of choices, you may get stuck in rut on choosing which smartphone will suffice your needs. If you’re having hard times on choosing the handheld device that will win your heart, you better try out these quick guides so you could decide which gizmo makes it worth for putting your money on:

#1: Choose the right Operating System

There are four mobile operating systems that are available out in the market currently. But of course, you must choose which one you should bet before you regret. Not to say that one of them isn’t worth a try, but they just have their own pitfalls. The two dominating mobile operating systems that I can pinpoint right off the bat are Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android. The former runs for iDevices only, while the latter runs on literally hundreds of different devices. Not wanting to be left out, the other two mobile operating systems are Microsoft’s Windows Phone and BlackBerry’s BB10. When you are making your mind up on choosing the right platform, it’s important that you consider your personal needs or preferences so you’d know how to settle with what these mobile platforms can offer.

#2: Select the best Brand

When you’re done choosing the platform, you are now subject to twist your brain on choosing the brand. There are several brands out there that might indeed leave you brain-twisted. If you like iOS, there’s only one brand; ergo, iPhone versions are your only options. Android gets a little tough since it is being run on lots of devices. HTC struggles to make ends meet and is said to produce this year’s outstanding handset in the HTC One. You want something different? Try out Lumia phones from Nokia and experience the Windows Phone breezily. You might want to make your options open with LG’s improving hardware.

#3: Consider your budget

Evidently, these nifty gadgets come with a price. And so, it’s your call if you would make a big deal out of it so you won’t spend the money you don’t have. Bear in mind that not all those which are trending are worth trying—especially when you aren’t really in need of them. As you consider practicality, let not your needs be compromised if that’s what you are really after. But if you really yearn for high-end handheld gadget, wide screen with high resolution display, and lightning fast processors, then you must prepare yourself in spending a pretty penny.

These are just the first three things you need to consider before heading on buying mobile phone accessories. Stay tuned for more!

DIY: Setting up Home Wireless Lan in 4 steps.

Indeed, “The strongest connections are at home,” if I may quote one of the internet service providers. So might as well get your smartphones, laptops, and other devices stay connected to share internet access, files, printers, game consoles, and among all the computers in your home. First off, you will need to have three things to set-up your wireless network:

1.       Operating System supporting Wireless Networking

Windows 7 platform already supports wireless networking.  But in the case of platforms like Windows Vista, users are recommended to install Windows Vista Service Pack 2 before setting up the Wireless Lan. Same is true with Windows XP which recommends Windows XP Service Pack 3 to make the wireless network possible. But in order to check whether you’re still in need of installing the service pack, you may use Windows Update. Here are the steps:

Click: Start > All Programs > Windows Update > Check for updates.

2.       Broad Band Internet Connection (DSL or Cable)

Of course, if you don’t have high-speed Internet connection provided by an ISP, how could you have an internet connection? There are two common broadband technologies which are Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and cable technology, requiring a DSL modem or a cable modem.

3.       A wireless router, a DSL modem, or a cable modem with built-in wireless networking support

Router is responsible for the conversion of signals coming across the internet into a wireless broadcast but now, newer DSL and cable modems do have integrated wireless network capability, too, known as modem routers. In that case, it is needless to purchase a separate wireless router.

Have these three important things and you are now ready to follow these five simple steps to set up your own wireless network:

1.       Internet Connected

Make sure that you are connected to the internet and your DSL or cable modem is working for you to conduct your wireless network.

2.       Connect your wireless router

For you to connect wireless router, you must first unplug your cable modem or DSL modem to  turn it off. Then, connect your wireless router to your modem as the latter stays connected to the internet. After connecting all the components, your computer will wirelessly connect to your router. Then the router will send communications through your modem to the Internet.

3.       Configure your wireless router

Connect our computer to one of the open network ports on your wireless router using the network cable that came with your wireless router. Open Internet Explorer and type in the URL address to configure your router and do this only on the computer that is intended for the set up of your wireless network. The computer automatically links you to the router’s configuration page. Now you might be prompted for a password and the address and password you use varies depending on the type of router so it’s important for you to refer to the instructions included with your router or you can also see the instructions on the manufacturer’s website. The browser shows you the configuration page, along with the modem IP address and other information but you need to configure three things:

·         Wireless network name, or the SSID. SSID should be modified for you to be able to identify your network. And it can also help in keep your wireless network secure by preventing it from overlapping with other wireless networks that might be using default SSID.

·         Wireless network protection: Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA or WPA2). Protect your Wi-Fi by setting up network security key as it turns on encryption. This prevents people to connect to your network and prevents attempts as well to access your network and files without your permission as all information sent across your network is encrypted.

·         Administrative password. This password controls your wireless network just like any other password. If possible, it should have special keys or just any word that can’t be found in the dictionary. Also, be sure to save a hard copy and a digital copy of this password if for instance you have to change your router’s settings. Click Save Settings, Apply, or OK and you’re all set with the settings.

4.       Connect your computers, printers, and other devices to the wireless network.

You can now connect your latest gadgets as long as they have a network adapter or a built-in wireless capability.

So stay tuned in and connected; make yourself feel at home with your homely set-up Wi-Fi.