Thursday, July 16, 2015

Smartphone Battery Saving Tips

I keep a charging cord in the car, and have a couple of small portable backup chargers that I occasionally carry, but I've taken a few additional measures on my new battery challenged phone:
1) I have an app called Brightness Level, and find 50% is a comfortable setting.  Your phone will tell you that your display usage is the single biggest energy hog.
2) My new phone has a Power Saver mode.  Not sure what it does yet, but I've turned it on, and am not seeing any loss of function.
3) I've switched my app update settings to "WiFi Only",  which means I won't be dragging down my battery with app updates when I'm out and about.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Tweaking Android

After a career in IT, it is inevitable that I tinker with computers and smartphones.  I recently counted 17 electronic devices in one room, with computers and phones on four different operating systems.  Practically speaking, I do 95% of what I do on a Samsung Note 4.  So here are my favorite tweaks for Android: Fast Reboot Pro, App Cache Cleaner Pro, and the built in RAM cleaner at the bottom of the screen identified by a double window icon.  And of course it's a good idea to turn the device off once a day (like shower time) to make sure everything is cleared out.

Goodbye Windows

I have come to the conclusion that Windows is now obsolete.  Ten, fifteen years ago, we relied on programs, .exe files to accomplish things.  And Windows was where we used them.  Today, practically everything is internet based, and or cloud based.  Everybody is giving away free cloud storage to attract customers.  And all you really need is a browser - the whole point behind Google's new Chrome operating system.  And of course smartphones provide app or web access to the world, all without Windows.  I bought a 10" laptop with Windows 8.1 and touchscreen on it - seriously underpowered.  I erased Windows and installed fast and light Ubuntu - nothing lost.  In fact, the touchscreen still works. Moving on.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

I didn't think I'd like Windows 8

Took the plunge on a touch laptop yesterday at the Sony Outlet Store.  I thought I'd need Windows 8 for Dummies or a class at the Microsoft Store. But Mr. Google answered all my questions so far. I have been debating replacing an older laptop, and an odd article about a virus attack on Linux tipped the scale. Windows is the most attacked platform, but it's probably also one of the best protected. And I can't get a Citibank virtual credit card number on a Mac (which has halted the credit card fraud problem). They say an upgrade that will restore the Windows Start Button is coming out shortly, but once you get past that inconvenience, Windows 8 Touch is actually kinda fun.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Keeping Android Out of Trouble

I detailed previously the problems I had trying to use a tablet during a real estate deal. Since then I have spent nine intense weeks remodeling the referenced property. Both these experiences have demonstrated how an Android device will hang up under duress. The root problem, it seems to me, is cache. Remembering that your device is routinely trying to do fifty things at once, I have found that clearing the cache keeps it out of trouble. After trying a half dozen cache cleaners, I settled on App Cache Cleaner Pro. I put it on my main home screen, set it to clear cache with one touch, and to clear cache hourly if I don't. Not a single problem since.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

I invite you to follow me on twitter - @houtek or my blog on houtek.com.
Seems the latter has been picking up quite the following:
http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8899938430719294347#audiencestats