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Tablet Tips

10 Important Things iPad Owners Ought to Know

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iPads are amazing devices that come with the perfect dimensions, neither too big nor too small. They come in handy when you want to work on Procreate, watch a movie, stream your favorite web series, play games, or just another random task like checking your emails. 

They are portable, compact, and don’t occupy much space in your handbag. Similar to any other digital device, taking care of iPads is equally important to protect them from any kind of physical, internal, or online damage. 

The article explains some inevitable tips that you may use to get the most from your iPad while handling it carefully. 

Get a Protective Case

First things first, you should encase your iPad as soon as you unbox it in the outlet. You can get the hard case for your iPad from the store or can purchase it online. Accidents do happen, and a hard case will protect this compact device from accidental damages such as a cracked screen or broken hardware. 

Restrict the Lock Screen

You would never want anyone to view your notifications that are visible on the lock screen as they may reveal any sensitive details. Snippets of social media updates, email messages, banking details can be visible to an unauthorized person, so it’s better to secure the lock screen. You can hide the notification and prevent apps from opening from the lock screen. 

Share Data Between Devices

If you have multiple Apple devices, you can share data between them using in-built file transferring features such as AirPlay or AirDrop. These utilities allow you to transfer files between iphone and mac, iPad and Mac, iPad and iPhone, and so on. To share data using AirDrop and Airplay, make sure to connect to the same WIFI and log in using the same Apple ID on all Apple devices. 

Secure Browser for Safe Web Experience

You might be using Apple’s native Safari app for browsing the web and gaining the fastest experience. Safari is one of the fastest browsers that encapsulates many useful features. Private Browsing is one such feature that ensures that the web page that you have opened in one tab cannot pull information about the pages active on other tabs. When the Private Browsing mode is enabled, it protects your browsing history by keeping it untrackable. 

Update & Back Up Often

Whether you are using an iPad or any other tablet, you should update it regularly as not only does it help configure new features but fix the bugs that might be slowing down your computer putting data at stake. Also, ensure that you have an effective backup schedule in place to keep your data secure and accessible after a hacking attempt or virus intrusion.

Set Up Find My iPad Feature

Security of the device is not just restricted to preventing it from online threats, unauthorized access, or virus attacks. It’s much more than that. What if you lost your device, or it got stolen? If it ever happens, you can wipe every single bit of data from your phone remotely to prevent thieves from accessing your data. 

Use Strong Passwords for Accounts

When installing apps on your iPad or setting up iCloud, you must be prompted to assign passwords to each account. When you have multiple online accounts such as your email account, online banking account, or eCommerce accounts, never use the same password for all of them. When creating passwords, use a combination of alphanumeric passwords and pair them with special characters as well as uppercase and lowercase letters. 

Manage User Permissions

You should carefully view and manage application permissions and user access rights to ensure that no one can make unnecessary changes to your personal information. If proper access rights and permissions are not in place, your device and entire data can suffer loss. Make sure to view these application permissions to check if they are collecting your location and similar information. 

Open Multiple Apps on iPad

Apple’s intuitive interface and compact size are not designed to handle basic tasks, but they are meant to do things differently and efficiently. You may open multiple apps on the iPad, such as image editor and screenshot recorder, altogether without facing slowdowns. Tapping the home button twice will open all potential apps in the right to the left position. You can highlight the app to open it on your iPad. 

Visit Websites Carefully 

When you get a new device, you visit multiple websites out of excitement to download as many apps as possible to ease your everyday tasks. However, there is no harm in downloading applications on the iPad until you have sufficient hard drive space and RAM available. 

The Conclusion 

iPads are multi-purpose devices that allow users to access these compact screens and utilize them to the fullest. Learn these tips and implement them on your iPad to turn it into a robust device.

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Tablet Tips

What To Look For When Purchasing A Tablet For Your Project

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Technology has simplified working. Unlike several decades ago, today, you could work from anywhere you want.

One of the discoveries that have revolutionized how we run our work projects is the use of tablets. Praised for their portability and ease of use, tablets are a useful tool in helping you run your project smoothly.

However, purchasing the right tablet for your project can be overwhelming if it is your first time. Why? Because there are as many tablets in the market as are the stars in the sky.

We have come up with this brief buyer’s guide to help you understand the key aspects to look for when purchasing a tablet for your project. With this information in mind, your shopping will become a whole lot easier.

1. Functionality

At the top of what to look for when purchasing a tablet for your project is functionality. How do you intend to use your tablet? Outlined below are some of the ways you could be planning to use your tablet.

– Project management

One of the common uses of tablets is project management, which involves coordination between various team members to bring a task to completion. If this is your key goal, then consider purchasing a tablet that can accommodate project management software.

– Fieldwork

Does your project involve intensive fieldwork outside the traditional office set-up? If your answer is yes, then purchasing one of those rugged tablets prone to harsh conditions such as heat and rain should be wise. For example, as a contractor in road construction, the last thing you need is a consumer tablet with short battery life, which cannot survive an accidental fall.

– Customer care

Maybe you intend to use your tablet in customer management services like order placement and payment options. It would be wise to check out tablets with accessories and space that allows for document signing apps by your customers.

Knowing what function you want your tablet to play makes the purchasing process more comfortable.

Budget

The second factor to consider when purchasing a tablet for your project is how much you would like to spend. Your budget is determined by the factor we mentioned above; functionality.

Do you want to purchase a tablet as a supplementary device for responding to emails or as the primary device to use in your project? The cost will vary depending on what you want to use it for as well as other factors.

Be wary not to settle for so cheap a tablet if your goal is to use it as the primary device for running your project. As much as there are cheap tablets that will serve you well, most of them are likely to mess up your project by breaking down after a few months.

Operating System

Just like laptops and smartphones, tablets come with distinct operating systems. Before purchasing a tablet for your project, think about an OS with which you are most comfortable with. If you are a lover of the Apple family, you should go for the iOS due to its refined and secure nature. If you love Android, or Chrome, or Windows, then choose a tablet with a similar OS, so you enjoy the tablet experience.

Specifications

Tablets come with so many specs that might be confusing. However, you don’t need to know everything about the tablet you intend to buy for you to make that purchasing decision. All you need to know is a few specs that you consider essential in running your project. These could include:

– Accessories

Add-ons and accessories such as the keyboard and charging dock make your tablet user experience either great or terrible. For instance, if your project requires frequent use of an efficient keyboard, choose a tablet that comes with a detachable keyboard. This will make your working more comfortable.

– Storage space

The pointer to a tablet’s storage capability is in its RAM. The average tablet comes with a RAM of 4GB. If you intend to store a lot of easy access information in your computer, then you should settle for one with a bigger RAM.

– Processing power

The processor is the heart of your tablet. For your tablet to run smoothly, it needs a strong processor. Since you intend to use your tablet to run a crucial work-related project, pick a tablet with a powerful processor such as the quad-core Nvidia Tegra X1. This will save you from losing important information to unpredictable breakdowns.

Parting thoughts

The use of tablets in running projects comes with the benefit of portability and ease of use. However, picking the right tablet from the flooded market could be mind-boggling. We hope that this brief guide on what to look for when purchasing a tablet for your project will simplify the process for you. Happy tablet hunting!

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Tablet Tips Uncategorized

Finding the Best Tablets for College Students

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Gone are the days when a book and a pen were a must-take to your first class as a freshman. Today, you can march into the lecture hall with only a tablet in your right hand. No paper or pen for the class notes or end of year exam. An exam software on your tablet could be all you need.

However, unless your best friend or big brother is a high-tech guru, picking the best tablet for college can be overwhelming. The technology market is filled with tablets that vary in size, price, among other aspects.

As a student, we recommend choosing a tablet with the following factors in mind.

Versatility

You will most likely be using your tablet for taking notes, exams, entertainment, etc. With this in mind, choose a tablet that allows room for such versatility.

Budget

You are a college student, not a top-notch Apple executive. The last thing you need is a tablet that scraps off all your student upkeep loan. Our list has put this into consideration.

Operating system

To make your user experience memorable, buy a tablet with an OS that you can easily navigate.

Other specifications

Other specifications, such as accessories, processing power, battery life, size, and storage space, should also be considered. With the above factors in mind, we’ve put up the following list to help you decide on picking the best tablet for your college life

Top Tablets for College Students

With the above factors in mind, we’ve put up the following list to help you decide on picking the best tablet for your college life.

1. Microsoft Surface Pro 7

At the top of our list of the best tablets for students is Microsoft Surface Pro 7. One of the features that make it stand out among students is its excellent versatility that allows you to juggle between taking notes, managing all your class assignments and projects; to enjoying your favorite series on Netflix.

Other benefits include its high convertibility, a high RAM of up to 16GB, storage of 128/256 GB, a light and kick-stand design, and even affordability.

2. Microsoft Surface Go 2

This is a good pick if you are working from a low budget as it is friendly to your student pocket. Also, it comes with the feature of convertibility, just like its sister mentioned above. This makes it an excellent fit for your versatile student lifestyle.

Another characteristic that makes it stand out is the powerful Gold Processor 4425Y that makes the device withstand whatever operations are drawn at the device.

If you are a selfie enthusiast, or maybe a long-distance learner who loves to catch up with family on video calls, this tablet comes in handy. Why? Because it’s Full HD Display offers a quality resolution that makes your experience unforgettable.

3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7

This is a perfect choice for students at all levels regardless of their age or major.

Not only does it come with an attachable keyboard, but it also displays a myriad of admirable features. For instance, its multitasking mode allows you to handle different stuff without worrying about storage space, which goes up to 512GB.

Another advantage is the tablet’s OS. It runs on Android 10, which is the latest and most popular operating system. Not to forget the long battery life. This tablet is engineered to be fully charged in about two hours and last for another fifteen hours on the same charge. You don’t have to worry about running out of power when you have this masterpiece.

4. Apple iPad Pro 11′

This is like the coolest on our guide for the best tablets for college students. It runs on iPad OS, the most refined OS that has ever emerged in the tablet tech world. This powerful OS makes it a top performer in student multitasking and other complex actions such as editing 4K videos.

Also, this tablet comes with necessary accessories such as the 2nd Generation Apple Pencil. As a student, you can now seamlessly take your notes without a drop of sweat on your brows.

If you are one of those sophisticated and spend-free students, then this is your perfect pick—just part with about $700 to swagger with this gem around the campus corridors.

5. Lenovo Tab M10 Plus

Our last pick is also the cheapest on this list.  Unlike the common belief that cheap translates to low quality, this device defies the principle. It comes with an excellent build for multitasking, a big colorful screen, and a battery life to envy. If you are a student that doesn’t want to lose an arm for a tablet, then here is your pick.

Parting thoughts

Choosing the best tablet for college can be overwhelming as there are very many options. However, putting a few factors like those we mentioned above in mind while shopping should simplify the process. Our guide has also shown you some of the best tablets for college students that you could consider while shopping. Happy tablet hunting!

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Tablet Tips

How to Deal With Common Mac Performance Issues?

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Macbooks are some of the most reliable computers in the world. However, a time will come when you start to notice that your Macbook is not performing as great as it did when you first bought it.

Does this mean that you should look for a replacement computer? That is an option, but it would cost money. Instead, your first move should be fixing the issues and seeing how much these fixes would improve the situation. 

This blog post mentions the most common Macbook issues and how to deal with them. Use the article as a reference.

Issue #1 – Overheating

Overheating should not be a prominent issue if you are not overburdening the computer with applications that require many system resources. Video games are a good example, given how most Macbook owners struggle to run high-end video games.

Nevertheless, if Mac’s temperature is not optimal regardless, do not wait until the internal hardware is damaged. 

Start with checking when the temperature rises. Is it after the computer has been running for a while? Or maybe when you launch particular applications? Regular restarts might help, but they are a temporary solution.

It is possible that there is too much dust and dirt inside the Mac. All that filth is a hindrance, and you should remove it regularly. 

Finally, if you are still unhappy with the result despite your best efforts, get a cooling pad. The accessory is relatively cheap and will relieve the burden of the internal Macbook fans.

Issue #2 – Loud Fan Noise

Loud fan noise is similar to overheating. Overworking internal fans will lead to performance problems because the fans are unable to cool off the hardware. 

In addition to getting rid of dust inside the Mac and getting yourself a cooling pad, you could also get software that allows you to manage fan capacity manually. Try different variations and see whether it makes any difference.

If the issue continues to present itself, you still have an option to take the computer to a service store and have them look at it, or at least consult the staff about other potential solutions.

Issue #3 – Flickering Screen

You may encounter a flickering screen now and then. The problem is not that big, especially if it occurs around one or two times every week. A simple computer restart should do the trick.

On the other hand, if the Mac screen starts to flicker too often, it is possible that there is something wrong with the compatibility between the OS version and GPU. 

If you notice that the screen has started to flicker frequently after you have installed the most recent operating system update, go back to the previous OS version and see whether that fixes the problem. 

Issue #4 – Stuttering and Crashing

A poorly-optimized web browser is not necessarily a Macbook problem. Some people take things too far with custom extensions and add-ons. They also forget to clear browser cache regularly.

On the off chance that the problem is, in fact, related to the Macbook, you will need to make some changes. For starters, clear all the system junk from the drive. Confirm that the system is up to date and you are not missing any drivers. 

If the issue remains, install a different internet browser and see how it performs. Doing so could turn out as the best solution to the problem. 

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Tablet Tips

Best Android or iOS Tablet for your DJI Drone

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If you own a DJI drone, you’ll know that the DJI Go app is essential for managing your drone’s flight and streaming its live flight footage. A compatible device, such as a tablet, ensures that you get the most out of the drone; this is unlike using the controller, which limits you from accessing the drone’s best aspects.

However, with so many compatible smart devices you can use to fly your DJI drone, which is the best that you can find in the market? 

NVIDIA Shield K1

If you are looking for an Android device, the Nvidia Shield K1 will make an ideal choice. This popular tablet comes with high-quality specs and features an HDMI port as an extra feature that gives it an edge over its competition. 

This device measures 8.8 by 5.0 by 0.36 inches and weighs 0.78 pounds, leaving you with a slim and lightweight design that will mount effortlessly on your controller. An 8.9-inch display on the tablet lets you enjoy clear footage from the drone in 1920 by 1200p HD resolution. 

You’ll be able to fly the drone comfortably in direct sunlight thanks to a maximum screen brightness of 471nits. Although the manufacturer of the tablet had gaming in mind when designing it, the Tegra K1 processor, as well as the 2GB RAM, that the tablet is equipped with allows you to run the DJI Go app on it seamlessly without crashing.

The HDMI port on the NVIDIA Shield K1 is an exciting feature that enables you to connect to your drone’s controller via an HDMI cable. With the right settings, you can connect a pair of FPV goggles to get a more immersive and enjoyable FPV experience.

You also get a micro SD card slot on the tablet that provides an expandable storage space of up to 128GB. This ensures that you’ll have more than enough space to store all the photo and video files you want. 

The DJI Go support is remarkable if you ever need their assistance and the FPV goggles compatibility helps to take your flying experience to the next level. With all these amazing specifications, there’s no doubt that the NVIDIA Shield K1 is among the best tablets for flying a DJI drone.

iPad Air 

For those who prefer an IOS device, then the iPad Air will be a wonderful alternative. The highlight of this sophisticated tablet is Apple’s new A12 chip, which spoils you with immense capacity to run the DJI Go app seamlessly with no interruptions!

Weighing just 1 pound, the Air is a lightweight device that won’t tire you easily. It also measures 9.8 by 6.8 by 0.24 inches to offer you a slim, ergonomic design that will fit naturally on the controller mount.

The tablet comes with a large 10.5-inch retina ready display with True Tone that lets you view clear and wide visuals as the drone transmits live footage to the tablet. The screen size is an improvement from what previous iPad models offer despite the tablets having almost similar dimensions. 

Apart from the wide and sharp display, you’ll also appreciate the powerful battery integrated into the Air, which provides you with an unprecedented 10 hours of service on a single charge cycle. This means you’ll have the whole day to fly your long flight time drone without having to recharge the tablet.

The A12 Bionic processor that has been used on the drone is powerful and efficient; it ensures that you get a seamless performance while easily handling anything that the DJI Go app throws its way comfortably. You can either choose a 64GB or 256GB capacity tablet, ensuring that you have plenty of storage space for your video files. 

Overall, you get a slim and portable tablet in the iPad Air; it could be slimmer than your smartphone! The new operating system it runs on also helps to boost the utility you get from this amazing device. 

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking for an Android or iOS device, the above tablets present you with the ideal options whenever you want to connect to the DJI Go app for a smooth flying experience. 

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Tablet Tips

How to Prevent Apps from Being Deleted from Your iPad

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How to Prevent Apps from Being Deleted from Your iPad

This is a familiar site that I’m betting every iPad owner has seen if they have kids. You sit down to use your iPad after allowing one of your kids to use it only to find that your favorite app is nowhere to be found. While backups can prevent you from losing your important data and apps permanently, it can be quite a hassle. This hassle can be made even worse if you don’t backup your apps to iCloud or if you have an app that doesn’t sync your data in any way. One of the best ways to prevent this type of app or data loss is to prevent apps from being deleted from your iPad.

That’s right. You can easily prevent your apps from being deleted. It surprises me how many iPad owners have no idea that you can do this, and to turn it on is very easy. Today, I will walk you through what you need to do to prevent apps from being deleted from your iPad by enabling Restrictions. Are you ready to get started?

Before We Begin

Before we get started, the first thing you need to do is make sure your iPad is up to date. Run any and all software updates for your device. Once they are complete, make sure you have the apps you need and go ahead and remove any apps you no longer use. You may as well do this before you activate Restrictions on your device. While you can still do it later, it will require a code later on making removal a little more difficult. But that’s the whole idea, right? Once you have updated your device and you have the apps you want, it’s time to get started.

Prevent Apps from Being Deleted from Your iPad

Thankfully, Apple has made it quite easy to prevent apps from being deleted from your iPad or iPhone. All you have to do is enable Restrictions on your iPad. I should also mention that this process will work the same way on your iPhone, so feel free to restrict app deletion on both your devices.

Step 1: From your Home screen, tap on Settings – General.

Step 2: In the General menu, tap on Restrictions.

Step 3: Tap on Enable Restrictions.

Step 4: Enter a four digit code when prompted. After you enter it, you will be asked to enter it a second time to confirm the passcode. This code is only for Restrictions and shouldn’t be confused with your device passcode. In fact, I would choose something completely different from your device passcode just to be safe.

Step 5: Switch off any setting you see that you don’t want your kids (or anyone for that matter) to have access to. Specifically, you need to switch off the option for Deleted Apps. I would also you limit the ability to Install Apps and In-App Purchases. This should save you from any unexpected charges on your account.

Step 6: Test your settings. Once you configure the Restrictions on your iPad, it’s time to test them to make sure they work. First, try to delete an app on your Home screen. If it won’t let you do it, you will know it was successful. I would highly suggest that you test every setting you turned on in Restrictions just to be safe, but in my experience these settings work flawlessly. But it’s better to be safe than sorry. Am I right?

Other Restrictions

I’ve already mentioned the Deleting Apps restriction as well as App install and In-App Purchases. But did you know you can use this section to limit all types of access on your iPad or iPhone. For example, if you don’t want your young children snapping 8,000 shots of their foot that you then have to clear out, you can limit access to the cameras. But you can do a lot more, you can limit access to the Stores, AirDrop, FaceTime, and even Safari. These settings should help you lock down your iPad or iPhone properly so you can control what your kids are allowed to use on their devices.

Personally, I’m a big believer in exposing kids to different types of technology. But that doesn’t mean that need full access all the time. What you allow them to use and not use is totally up to you. Even if you do let them use some of these features, there is no reason why you shouldn’t turn on the Restrictions so you can properly monitor when they use these and teach them how to use them the right way. If more parents did this, maybe we wouldn’t have as many problems with teenagers and technology, but that’s the subject of a post for another day.

Parting Thoughts

While I’m the first to say that Android does a better job compared to Apple when it comes to kids and multiple device users, the Restrictions section in iOS does a pretty darn good job and locking down your device. If you have kids, I encourage you to use this feature to not only prevent apps from being deleted from your iPad or iPhone, but also to restrict access to multiple options such as In App Purchases. Trust me, your credit card will thank you. Even if you aren’t worry about that, I guarantee you will love returning to your device to find all the apps you use right where you left them.

Have you ever accidentally deleted an app or have one of your children ever done it for you? If so, have you ever tried using Restrictions to prevent this from happening again? If so, tell me what you think about this security feature from Apple. Do you find it a useful feature or is it more of a pain that it’s worth? Tell me your thoughts in the comments below.

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Tablet News

5 Interesting Uses of Touchscreen Technology in 2018

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Touching a device has become a normal experience in this modern world. Today, we operate nearly every device, including cars and fridges, by touching or swiping a screen. However, when we think of touch screens, what comes to our mind are the consumer products that we love so much such as tablets and smartphones. A number of these devices now exist in the market but one thing we know for sure is that we cannot live without them.

In terms of history, touchscreen technology has been there for long, longer than even some of us. If what historians say is anything to go by, then this technology has been there since 1948. With the advancement of technology, the touchscreen interface is becoming vital for interacting with IoT data. IoT stands for Internet of Things. Already, the touchscreen has become a very important part of our lives and we expect it to be even more involved in our lives in the not too distant future. Even as we expect this, there are already five interesting uses of touchscreen technology in 2018 that you need to know. These interesting uses are as follows.

PoS Terminals

2018 has witnessed a dominating number of touchscreen PoS terminals being used at restaurants and kiosks. These terminals have proven to be faster and more intuitive when compared to older cash registers. When shopping for touchscreen terminals, however, it is important to consider durability which is a major concern for most heavily-used capacitive touchscreens.

Kiosks

Touchscreen technology has also found its use in Kiosks, especially at self-service checkouts or information kiosks. Such kiosks that have so far employed capacitive touchscreen have enabled users to find data that they need with a fluid experience. Generally, the use of touchscreen technology has enabled kiosks to cut costs of operation as well enhance user-experience.

Gaming

The use of touchscreen technology in gaming is not something new with some high-end gaming laptops already sporting touchscreens. Gaming applications are among the earliest platforms to ever adopt the technology. Currently, gaming applications are being shifted towards capacitive touchscreens. This has allowed current applications to accept games that are more complex as well as lower the lag-time that exists between contact registering and touching the screen. In 2018, a better and more responsive capacitive touchscreen has been innovated to bring to users a better gaming experience.

Industrial Automation

Another application of touchscreen technology that has resurfaced in 2018, is its use in collecting data, monitoring machine tools and running quality control in industries. With the increased revolution in industries brought by a rise in automation, touchscreen technology has continued to be increasingly used on the factory floor. In the current industry 4.0, automated systems have become central to making decentralized decisions. This has created the need for touchscreen technology as the need of keeping up with data collection continues to rise. A number of companies like AD Metro are already in the business of selling a capacitive touchscreen that is ideal for use in industries. Other areas of industrial automation that have created high demand for touchscreen technology include machine learning and cyber-physical systems.

Digital Signage Software

Digital signage software refers to that software that allows you to manage content on your screens. There exist four different categories of digital signage software, including digital signage player software, content management, and distribution software, content creation software, and device management software. The technology, which is affordable and easy to use, is currently being used to connect brands with audiences.

The use of touchscreen technology in digital technology has been at the forefront in 2018, advancing day after day. Various touchscreen technologies are currently being developed by companies for digital signage use. 2018 has witnessed a shift from the use of hands-free 3D displays to light measuring surfaces. What is even more enticing has been the advancements which now allow users to feel the seamless interconnection like that experienced when using smartphones or tablets.

Self-Service Check Outs and ATM machines

Another breakthrough in the use of touch screen in 2018 has been its increased usage in supermarket terminals and automatic teller machines (ATM). Touchscreen technology is now used in many supermarkets across the world to help in time-saving for both supermarket cashiers and customers. With touchscreen technology, the customer is provided with a display through which they can weigh produce, look up codes as well as choose their own preferred method of payment. With regards to its use in automatic teller machines, touchscreen technology has enabled users to input their data without any hassle of pressing buttons. What is even more enticing about this technology is the ability of users to even pay bills using the screen. Moreover, the widespread use of this technology in ATM machines has enabled users to process transactions faster as well as eliminate the need for paperwork which often results in undesirable long queues.

With the advancement in technology, the touchscreen is poised to become even more common in the near future. Interfaces that are more intuitive and faster are already changing our everyday life. We expect more impacts to be brought by this amazing technology in the coming years. In a nutshell, the five interesting uses of touchscreen technology in 2018 we have discussed so far include PoS terminals, kiosks, gaming, industrial automation, and self-service checkouts.

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Tablet Tips

Can You Get a Virus on Your iPad?

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Can You Get a Virus on Your iPad?

There’s a belief out there that Apple devices, from their laptops and desktops to their iPhones and iPads, can’t get viruses. That belief comes from the fact that there have been so few viruses made for these platforms that many people don’t believe it’s even possible. However, if you are wondering if you can get a virus on your iPad, I’m here to tell you today that yes, you definitely can. But, there is far more to that statement that I must explain.

Today, we will dive into the world of malware and viruses on iPads and I guess by extension, iPhones. I will do my best to explain what kind of viruses and malware you could expect to see and how likely you are to get a virus on your iPad. My hope is that by the time you are finished reading this article, you will understand what the dangers truly are on the iPad and the iPhone, how they’ve been both exaggerated and ignored, and what you really need to do to stop them.

How Likely Are You to Get a Virus on Your iPad?

So as I said, can you get a virus on your iPad? Yes, you can. But, that doesn’t mean that’s is likely. Because of the security measures put in place by Apple, it’s very difficult for virus makers to get around it to wreak havoc on your iPad or iPhone. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s not impossible.

That being said, while it is difficult for you to get a virus on your iPad, it’s not unheard of. But in most cases, it’s all due to individual user usage and not a big security flaw or lack of antivirus apps on your device. If you do what you can to bypass Apple’s security, then you increase your chances of getting a virus, but even still these viruses and few and far between so the odds of you contracting malware or a virus on your iPad are pretty slim.

App Store Antivirus Apps

If you have spent anytime in the App Store, you may have seen a lot of antivirus apps available that you can download or buy. Unfortunately, they don’t really do one bit of virus scanning. In most cases, they will run a few checks on your files, but that’s really about all they do. In most cases, they prey upon your fear to try and con you out of money to upgrade them for some type of scanning service that they either can’t perform because of the way iOS is designed or some service that is so poor it’s really worthless to you in the long run and it won’t do a damn thing to improve the security of your iPad.

Thankfully, Apple has been cracking down on a lot of these apps over the last year or so, but that doesn’t mean you won’t still run into them while you are browsing for apps, especially if you start searching for security software. While some of these apps do exactly what they say pretty well, there are many more out there that are just, quite frankly, complete junk. My advice to you is to simply stay away from these apps and just stick with the built in security software on your iPad. It will be more than enough for you to protect yourself thanks to the design of iOS.

What About Those Malware Warnings?

Now I know you have all run into these warnings at one time or another. You are using a new app or browsing the web and you get a message that your iPad or iPhone has been infected with malware and needs to be scanned. As soon as you see that, you get scared and nervous and close what you are looking at not knowing what else you can do. The thing is, there is nothing you really can do.

In most cases, these are just warnings that are designed to scare you and then trick you into either buying something you don’t need or grant access to your iPad for someone to steal information from you without your knowledge. In many cases, you can just ignore them. Don’t stress about them or spend hours worrying about what my happened. Just don’t give them any information, close what you are doing and move on with life. If you are still worried about it, you could always clear your Internet history in Safari and delete the App that gave you the warning just to be safe. It definitely won’t hurt anything.

Jailbreaking

If you watched the video above, you will see a video from a year ago about a virus found out in the wild for iPhone that only affected iPhones that have been jailbreaked….jailbroken…..whatever. You get what I’m saying. So why did this happen? Well, if you know a little about how Apple has designed iOS and what jailbreaking does to your iPhone, then it will make a lot more sense to you.

We all have heard the walled garden analogy when talking about Apple products. Hell, I’ve even used that term myself. The reason is it’s a great way to understand what’s happening on your iPhone. Think of it like this…

iOS creates a wall around your entire phone, and each app is kind of like a box of growing plants. Each one of these separated from one another. This is how Apple keeps security tight. It not only isolates you from the outside world but it isolates each app from one another. But, when you jailbreak an iPhone, many of these walls are broken down. Think of someone opening a big hole in each wall and not fixing it or installing any type of gate.

Because the security systems have been bypassed, you have now opened your iPhone up to malware. Virus creators now have the perfect method to enter your device and cause all sorts of damage to your iPad, simply because you left the gate open. Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t jailbreak your iPad. In fact, as someone who likes to tinker with my devices, I enjoy doing things like this. But, I know and understand the risks. Unfortunately, many users out there don’t, and it’s that lack of knowledge that virus creators hope to exploit.

So What’s the Bottom Line?

Ok, for those of you that don’t want to take the time to read everything in the article, I will bottom line this for you. To sum it all up, you can get a virus on your iPad, but the chances of this happening are pretty slim. These chances go up quite a bit if you jailbreak your iPad and install apps not found in the App Store, but there are still very few of them out there. Most antivirus apps out there are worthless and will only take up resources on your device, so avoid them.

For best practices, don’t jailbreak your iPad or iPhone and only install apps found on Apple’s App Store and you will be pretty safe. I wouldn’t let it keep you up at night no matter what.

Conclusion

Remember, it all comes down to how you use your device. The same can be said about pretty much everything, but if you practice good security habits you shouldn’t need to worry about viruses on your iPad. But, in the off chance that you do, a simple reset of your iPad is the best way to get rid of anything nefarious and start fresh, just make sure you keep your device backed up.

Have you ever run into virus or malware issues on your iPad? If so, I want to hear from you. Tell me about your experience in the comments below and if you have any ideas on how this article can be improved to help everyone with their iPad security, by all means let me know.

Categories
Tablet Tips

Five Reasons to Buy a Tablet in 2018

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And Five Reasons Not To

The world of tablets has changed. With laptops getting lighter and phones getting bigger, you may be wondering if you even need a tablet. Personally, I believe that’s a perfectly reasonable question to ask. Sure, we here at TabletNinja love tablets and believe they are very useful and fun devices to own. But it’s naive to believe that everyone needs one. Today, let’s take a look at five reasons to buy a tablet in 2018 and five reasons not to so you can decide for yourself. I think that after looking at this list, you will easily be able to decide if a tablet is right for you.

Reasons to Buy a Tablet in 2018

Anyone who follows my articles know I like to start with the good. So, let’s first look at five reasons why you should buy a tablet today in 2018.

1. Tablets are Still Thinner and Lighter

If you want a device that is thin and light, then a tablet is the way to go. Yes, laptops are getting smaller and lighter, but they are still larger than their tablet counterparts. This means that tablets are still better for travel, even if they do come with a few limitations here and there. If you are looking for a device that is thin and light so you can take it anywhere without feeling like you are lugging around weights, then it’s tough to beat a tablet, even today.

2. Gaming is Better

Everyone loves mobile gaming, even people that don’t normally consider themselves gamers. Mobile games are great, and they can provide us with much needed distractions while we travel or even when we just need a little break. Game developers, for the most part, embraced tablets, making their games compatible with the larger displays. This makes all the games larger and much easier to control, for the most part. In the end, the larger screen and better controls means gaming on a tablet is much better when compared to your smartphone.

3. Perfect for Media Consumption

I don’t know about you, but I love Netflix, YouTube, and many of the other streaming services out there. But, have you ever tried watching these on your smartphone? While it’s passable when you don’t have other options, you have to admit it’s much better on a larger display. That’s where tablets come in. Their larger screens are designed to consume media, be it Netflix, YouTube, the web, whatever. The large displays make watching movies and television easier than ever and they are the perfect device to curl up with on your couch or even watch during your next flight.

4. Handy for Work and Meetings

We don’t focus as much on business users here, but I think it’s important to, at the very least, highlight. Most travelers are doing it for work. That means you are often travelling as light as possible but you still need many tools to get your work done. A tablet is one of the best tools for this. They are easy to use, light, so they will fit right down into your work bag. On top of that, they are great to use in meetings for presentations or just to take notes during your next big meeting.

5. Great for Reading

While e-readers are great, just buying an e-reader doesn’t solve all your problems. The great thing about tablets is you have one device that does it all. That means one less thing to carry around with you when you’re on the go. If you love books, there are more apps than you can count that will give you the books you want to read wherever you may be.

Reasons Not to Buy a Tablet

Now that we’ve has discussed the good, it’s time to look at the bad. Let’s look at five reasons why you shouldn’t buy a tablet.

1. Smartphones are Larger

For a time, smartphones were small and compact, and tablets gave you the ability to do things on a larger scale. However, something changed. A few years ago smartphones began to get larger. Today, the largest smartphones are almost as big as the smallest tablets. While they are still smaller, they are big enough to cause a rivalry with their larger display cousins. Because they are bigger, many people now have enough room to use them like their tablet, making the devices just an added expense.

2. Laptops have changed

Not only have smartphones changed, but laptops as well. In the last few years laptops have gotten thinner and lighter. On top of that, many are incorporating touchscreens into the design and with Windows 10, you even have a way of running mobile apps on top of your traditional desktop apps. This is yet another way that tablets are being rendered redundant. Because there are full laptops that do everything tablets do, many are wondering why they should bother with the added expense of a tablet.

3. Multitasking is Limited

If there is one area that is severely lacking in the world of tablets and smartphones, it has to be the multitasking. Sure, you can run more than one app at a time, if you want. But the problem is interacting with them. Apple and Android have tried to improve this in recent years with split screens, but the fact is if you need to run and control multiple apps at once, you simply can’t beat a good old fashioned laptop.

4. Tablet Apps Aren’t That Great

If there is one area that never seemed to get any better it has to be the apps for tablets. Even today, tablet apps are essentially smartphone apps that have been made a little larger for the bigger screens. Nothing more, nothing less, and that’s unfortunate. I don’t really know why developers didn’t embrace the large screens, other than it would require more resources to program for. In the end, all we have for tablets are larger versions of the mobile apps, and that doesn’t give us anything that’s more useful, especially when you start talking about productivity and work.

5. Tablets Don’t Anything Your Other Devices Do

At the end of the day, what can your tablet do that your laptop and smartphone can’t? That’s what I thought. As much as I love my tablet, I find I can do the same things with my 2-in-1 laptop and my large screen smartphone that I could with my tablet. So, are the added expense of a tablet really worth it when you think about it?

Parting Thoughts

Well there you have it. As you can see, there are many reasons why you should be considering a tablet for your gadget collection, but there are plenty reasons not to. The bottom line is if you want a tablet for something that’s highly portable or if you want to play games or even do any type of media entertainment consumption, a tablet is the way to go. However, if you are looking for a portable device for more basic usage such as communication, then you probably don’t need anything more than a large screen smartphone.

What do you think? Do you believe that tablets are still very useful today or have large smartphones and thinner laptops really made these devices redundant? Tell me your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.

Categories
Tablet Tips

How to Properly Care for Your Tablet Display

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How to Properly Care for Your Tablet Display

Your tablet display is probably the most important piece of hardware on your device. After all, it’s how you view your tablet and interact with it. Without it, your tablet is pretty much useless. Unfortunately, the tablet display is also the most fragile part of any tablet. I mean, how hard can glass get.

Sure with things such as Gorilla Glass, glass has become even stronger and more scratch resistant than ever before. But, despite these improvements, one drop and it’s over. But even if you don’t drop it, if you don’t properly care for your tablet display, you could be in for a world of problems down the road. Today, let’s examine what you need to do to properly care for your tablet display. Keep in mind I’m speaking specifically about your tablet display today, although some of what I discuss can be used to help you care for your tablet as a whole.

Step 1: Protecting the Display

 

The first thing you need to do is protect the display. That means buying a good quality case when you first purchase your new tablet. Try going for tablet cases that offer screen protection such as bumpers that prevent the display from landing flat on the ground or even some with complete covers to give the display an added layer to absorb potential damage.

After you buy a case, you may also want to consider a screen protector. This is a bigger deal on smartphones, but they do make larger protectors for tablets and iPads as well. Although I admit they aren’t as popular as screen protectors for smartphones. But, adding this protector could mean the difference from a tablet display that survives a fall and one that doesn’t. So ift may be worth the added cost. I know I believe it is.

Step 2: Cleaning the Display

 

Unless you have your display inside a case with a cover over the tablet display or you use a screen protector, you are going to have to clean your display from time to time. This will keep dust and dirt from work its way under your tablet display and into your tablet as well as make viewing and controlling your tablet much easier.

When cleaning your display, use a soft, lint free cloth for cleaning. Never use paper towels, as they could scratch the display. In most cases, you can probably just use a dry cloth to do all the work, but if your tablet display is really dirty, you may need to use a cleaning agent for it. I would recommend using one designed specifically for tablet displays and always turn off your tablet while you clean it. After you are done, allow it time to dry properly. This shouldn’t take too long as the chemicals evaporate pretty quickly, but give it at least an hour just to be safe.

Step 3: Basic Care

Honestly, this is a step that I believe I shouldn’t even have to discuss, but unfortunately I do. The fact is that many people don’t take care of their tablets, and then they wonder why things go wrong with them. I know, I probably sound a bit harsh here, but I’m right.

To properly care for your tablet and your tablet display, there are a few basic care items that we need to check off the list.

  • Update your tablet. Tablet updates are essential for your tablet. Hardware manufacturers release software updates to fix bugs with the mobile operating systems, but also release software improvements for the hardware. This can include software that powers your display. These updates have a variety of uses, ranging from display operation, screen brightness issues, touch responsiveness, and more. Always keep your tablet up to date if you want to ensure your table display functions in tip top shape.
  • Don’t use it as a table. Your tablet is not a table, so why would you ever consider setting something on it. But, believe it or not, people do, and they put almost anything you can think of on it. From books to papers, and even drinks. Yes I said drinks. Now we all know how well tablets and liquid like each other. Remember, the weight you put on your tablet could damage the display or other components, and liquid could quickly turn your device into a paperweight faster than you can say iPad.
  • Don’t leave it in extreme temperatures. Tablets are electronics, and electronics prefer to operate in normal, room temperature environments. Both extreme heat during the summer or even the cold of winter can damage the sensitive components inside, including the tablet display. So try to limit its exposure as best as you can.
  • Keep it charged. Remember, batteries prefer to operate between 20 and 80 percent. While you can fully charge it, don’t leave it plugged in for hours on end and don’t regularly allow it to completely discharge. Occasionally, you should discharge the battery completely, but remember your battery life is based on recharge cycles, so if you can keep it in range you will increase the file of your battery, and a healthy battery is also good for a healthy tablet display.

The bottom line is try to take care of your tablet. These devices are very expensive and repairs can add a lot of the cost. So why not take care of something that you have spent so much on?

What If I Break My Tablet Display?

No matter how careful you are and how much care you put into your tablet, accidents do happen. If you drop your tablet, you could crack or shatter your tablet display. If this happens, you need to know what your options are. In many cases, it will come down to the type of tablet you have. Premium devices such as the Galaxy Tab’s from Samsung or the iPad from Apple can often be repaired, but some cheaper devices may not have any options for repair. Still, here are your options if you do break your tablet display.

  1. Leave It As It Is – If you drop it and get a simple crack in the corner or a very small crack that you hardly notice, you may want to just leave it alone and live with it. Chances are a screen is going to run you at least $100 and maybe even a lot more than that, so is that worth fixing for a small crack?
  2. Replace the Display – If the cracks are bad or if the display is completely shattered, you don’t have much choice. You need to get it repaired. As I said, some devices may offer no options for repair, especially if you payed very little for the tablet to begin with. Still, in other cases, you could have dropped a big chunk of change on your device, so unless you want to do that again, you need to get it replaced.
  3. Buy a New Tablet – If your tablet isn’t under warranty or the crack/shatter isn’t covered and is going to cost more than the device is worth to fix, your best option is probably to replace the tablet with a new one. While it’s not ideal, it still may be the best choice based on your situation.

Final Thoughts

Your tablet display is very important to the overall usability of your tablet. So why not take proper care for it? After all, you will be using to view everything and you will be controlling it at the same time. Without it, your tablet won’t be very much fun to use.

Have you ever cracked or shattered your tablet display? If so, what did you do to remedy the problem? Did you replace it, live with it, or get a new tablet? Tell me about your experience in the comments below.