What You Can Do With Your Old Tech

There comes a time in the life of every device when it’s time to dump it in favor of a newer model. After several years and generations of devices, this can leave you with quite a few older devices that you don’t really know what to do with. Instead of throwing your devices away or tossing them in a junk drawer, here are a few ways that you can repurpose your old devices. 

Household hacks: 

There are several ways that you can utilize old electronics for use around your home. 

Family hacks: If you’re looking for a fuss-free baby monitor, you can set your old device up on a stand facing the crib or playpen, then connect with a different device using Skype or Facetime. Need something to keep your kids entertained? An old tablet also makes an excellent first tablet for kids. Put a fun and easy to grip case on it, set your parental controls, and hand it over without worrying that they’ll break it. 

Work from home hacks: If you’re working from home, an old tablet works great as a second monitor for your computer. An app called Air Display, connects your tablet to your computer using WiFi and turns your tablet into a second monitor but with an added bonus of being touchscreen. There’s also an app called Actions that turns your tablet into a command center for your computer. You can use it to launch applications, open new windows, open the search bar, and a variety of other commands. 

Get a repair and save them for nostalgia: 

Some older devices hold special meaning like your first cell phone or an iPod that holds all your cringey middle school playlists. If you’re reluctant to get rid of these devices, there is always the option of saving them.

With the help of a repair technician and a few new parts (like a battery replacement or a new screen), you can get your favorite devices from the past back in working order. Connect your old iPod to a speaker and have a throwback dance party. Check Ebay for your favorite childhood Game Boy or Playstation 1 games and relive the excitement of playing them. Power on your first cell phone and remember how it felt to use T9 to send texts.

If your device is way beyond the point of powering on again, you can get creative if you’d still like to save it. Tie a string or wire around your first phone or iPod, use a marker to write the year you got it on the screen, and hang it up on your Christmas tree to commemorate that year. You could also remove the old battery (to avoid any corrosion) and store it away to show to future generations someday. 

Do something good: 

If you’re definitely ready to part with some of your older devices, there are several ways that you can do so responsibly. 

Recycle them: Electronics should never be thrown away in the regular trash. The inner components of electronics contain chemicals that are bad for the environment when added to landfills. There are a wide variety of companies that will recycle your electronics responsibly or help you find somewhere to donate them. You should also check your local government website for local organizations that help with electronics recycling. 

Donate them: If your old electronics are still in good shape, a great option would be to donate them to a local organization or charity. Schools are always in need of tablets, computers, and even sometimes phones. Local women’s and homeless shelters are great places to check as well. These are all very worthy causes and you can feel good that your old electronics will find new purpose. Here is a resource for locating your local recycling organizations. 

 

The post What You Can Do With Your Old Tech appeared first on uBreakiFix Blog.

from uBreakiFix Blog https://www.ubreakifix.com/blog/old-tech

Remote Learning Resources for Students

Getting kids ready for the new school year may require preparing them for remote learning and while they’ll still be needing pencils, notebooks, and binders, they’ll also need reliable electronics. Make sure they have everything they need for a successful learning-from-home experience with these tips:

A note: You should always listen to the recommendations of the school and teachers before making any decisions regarding remote learning. 

Getting the right tech: 

The most important tools for remote learning are the electronics students will need to stay connected to their classrooms. If they don’t need any specific programs or software, then the only consideration should be choosing a reliable laptop or tablet. Each student has different needs based on their age, grade, and the kinds of activities they will be participating in, but the absolute basics for their tech are an internet connection and a front-facing camera.

If you have the means to purchase something new or refurbished, then we recommend Chromebooks. These small laptops run on a Chrome-based operating system, forgoing all the extras you’d find on a regular laptop. These are especially ideal if your student frequently uses Google suite for their work. These small laptops are also quite affordable and even more-so refurbished.

If you need to repurpose something you already have access to, an iPad or a tablet can work too. Not only will the touchscreen capabilities be helpful, but kids are pros at using tablets and will likely already be familiar with how to use it. To turn a tablet into a useful tool for remote learning, you can get a bluetooth keyboard and a stand. We recommend this inexpensive keyboard and this two-in-one stand or this more pricey one.

Protecting that tech: 

Kids can be less than careful with their favorite electronics. To make sure that your investment in their tech is protected, you should get a case. For laptops and other small computers, you can get a protective shell like this or this, or opt for just a screen protector like this. If you’re using a tablet, there are plenty of cases that also double as stands! This one is particularly kid-proof or this one is a little more sleek.

If disaster strikes, and you need your electronics repaired as soon as possible, you can always call your local uBreakiFix. We’d also be happy to help if you’ve got an old piece of tech that you think could be useful to your student or a student in need if it had just a little sprucing up.

Setting up a learning environment: 

The last, but equally as important, part of having a successful remote learning experience is to make sure your student has a good learning environment. A place that’s quiet and distanced enough from their favorite distractions is crucial. Even though they’re using electronics, you can make sure they stay on task with parental controls. Apps like Net Nanny or Screen Time can limit the websites and apps that your student can access during certain times of the day.

The post Remote Learning Resources for Students appeared first on uBreakiFix Blog.

from uBreakiFix Blog https://www.ubreakifix.com/blog/remote-learning-resources-students

Game Console Breakdown and Must-Have Accessories

We’re all spending a majority of our time indoors these days, and finding mental escapes wherever possible is definitely helpful for our mental health. That’s why we love video games. Visiting and playing in other worlds (where consequences rarely exist) isn’t just for teenagers, there is truly a video game system and game out there for everyone to enjoy.

If you’re looking for a segue into the world of video game consoles, but have no idea where to start, we want to help. We’ve compiled a list of the most popular video game consoles and why we think they’re great. All of these consoles are great for different reasons, but some may suit certain people better than others.

If you’ve already got one of these consoles, stick around, we’ve got some sweet accessory recommendations to up your game.

Nintendo Switch:
First up is the Nintendo Switch. Switches have been flying off the shelves in recent months because, well, they’re great!

The biggest draw of the Nintendo Switch is its portability. Place it in the dock, and you play through your television, just like a traditional gaming console. But if you remove it from the dock, you can play all your games, right where you left off but from anywhere. Bring it on road trips, airplanes, the DMV, or anywhere else and never miss a moment of gaming. The Switch is made by Nintendo, and the newest editions of some of our favorite childhood games can be played on it like Mario Party, Mario Kart, Super Smash Brothers, Animal Crossing, and Pokemon.

Playing games with multiple people is also effortless using the Switch. Each side Joycon on the switch can be removed and used as controllers, making multiplayer a built-in feature.

Already loving the Nintendo Switch? Here are some must-have Switch accessories:
Wireless earbuds or a Bluetooth adaptor for your headphones
Wireless controller
Screen protector
Car headset and mount
Carrying case
Comfort grips
Dock Pro

Playstation vs. Xbox:
The debate of Playstation vs. Xbox is one as old as the systems themselves and as long as both companies continue to produce gaming consoles, the debate will probably never end. In the following sections, we are not attempting to determine which console is better, because it is completely a matter of personal preference. Each system has its own pros and cons and which to buy boils down to your gaming preferences, which games you like to play, how you want to access your games, and any additional equipment you might want to try.

Playstation:
The Sony Playstation is best known for the wide variety of exclusive games available on the system like Bloodborne, the Uncharted series, and The Last of Us series. The Playstation has an easy navigation system so you can switch easily from playing games, to watching your favorite streaming service or listening to music with Spotify.

The Playstation also has its own VR gear, if you’ve ever wanted to try out games like Beatsaber.

Check out these accessories if you’re already playing on a Playstation:
Wireless headphones (these are compatible w/all consoles)
VR headset or VR bundle
Charging station
Wireless controller
Storage game drive

Xbox:
The biggest pulls of the Xbox system are the Game Pass subscription and the hardware capabilities. Game Pass is a $15 a month subscription that gives you access to a library of games that is updated frequently. When new, exclusive games come out on the Xbox, like new editions of Halo and Gears of War, they are updated to the library and ready to play almost immediately. Buying games on the Xbox also gives you access to stream them on your PC and vice versa.

If watching movies or playing games in 4K is your thing, you can take advantage of Xbox’s powerful software and watch Blue-rays and streaming services in 4K and HDR.

Check out these accessories if you have an Xbox:
XBOX One Play and Charge kit or charging station
Wireless controller
XBOX compatible remote
Travel bag

Game Console Repair from uBreakiFix
No matter which gaming console you prefer, we can all agree that dealing with a broken or malfunctioning console is seriously frustrating. Red rings of death, overheating, and key components coming loose are some of the most common console malfunctions and, luckily, uBreakiFix can take care of them all. If you’re struggling with a software or hardware problem with your gaming console give your local uBreakiFix a call.

 

 

 

 

 

Sources:
https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/best-gaming-consoles/
https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-nintendo-switch-accessories/
https://www.cnet.com/news/best-nintendo-switch-accessories-to-buy-for-2020/

13 Best Xbox One Accessories (Review) in 2020

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/2020/04/03/the-11-best-xbox-one-accessories/#a22afd772dab
https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-playstation-4-accessories/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/2020/03/31/7-of-the-best-ps4-accessories/#2b0a28704a55
https://www.goliath.com/gaming/10-reasons-to-choose-xbox-one-over-playstation-4/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2019/03/05/5-reasons-to-buy-an-xbox-one-instead-of-a-playstation-4-in-2019/#261395542f9b

 

The post Game Console Breakdown and Must-Have Accessories appeared first on uBreakiFix Blog.

from uBreakiFix Blog https://www.ubreakifix.com/blog/game-console-breakdown

Don’t Let Your Device’s Fall Victim to the Summertime Surge

In summertime, we’re told that the livin’ is supposed to be easy, but that just isn’t the case for your favorite devices. It turns out that summer is the most dangerous time of the year for your phone and other portable electronics. At uBreakiFix and Asurion, we call it the ‘Summertime Surge’ due to the vast increase of broken devices that are brought in due to summertime activities gone awry.

In the electronics repair industry, we see a 50-80% increase in liquid damage repairs during the summer compared to the rest of the year. We also see a 10% increase in the number of cracked screens brought in. This makes perfect sense since the best summer activities involve water like boating, beaching, and poolside lounging. Independence Day in the U.S. and Canada Day in Canada are particularly unfortunate days for electronics. There are more lost, stolen, and damaged phones after these holidays than any other major holiday.

So now you may be clutching your favorite device to your chest wondering how you can possibly keep it safe, but there are several steps you can take to ensure it’s safety.

1. Get a waterproof case – Most modern smartphones are waterproof to a certain extent, but if you have pre-existing damage, like screen cracks or scratches, the water-resistance on your device could be compromised. Waterproof cases are inexpensive, effective, and are usually clear so you can still use your device to take photos or listen to music. We recommend this one or this one.
2. Get a summer-proof case – Summer opens up so many possibilities for adventure, and getting a stronger case ensures that your device will be ready for anything. The best device cases have lips around the screen and have extra protection on the edges. We recommend this higher-end option and this more affordable option.
3. Keep your device on you – Leaving your device unattended or in an easily reachable place while you’re distracted makes it very easy to swipe. Luckily, wearable pouches like shoulder bags and fanny packs are very fashionable right now, so even if your swimsuit doesn’t have pockets, you can still keep your devices close. We recommend something like this or this waterproof one.
4. Make your device easily returnable – If you do happen to lose your device, there are a few ways that you can make it easy to be returned to you. Take the time to turn on Find My iPhone and other built-in security features. If you have a password locking your phone, you can set your contact information as a photo on your lock screen so that someone can easily get in touch if they find it.

Sometimes though, even our best-laid plans go awry. If you need a broken device or busted smartphone fixed before you can continue your summer fun, uBreakiFix would love to help you out. Our affordable and convenient repair services will have you back out enjoying the weather in no time. We even have a variety of repair options, and two contactless options, to fit your unique needs during this time.

 

The post Don’t Let Your Device’s Fall Victim to the Summertime Surge appeared first on uBreakiFix Blog.

from uBreakiFix Blog https://www.ubreakifix.com/blog/summer-surge