Tips to Enhance Battery Life With iOS 8

Today, we constantly find ourselves using our phones to chat with friends, enjoy digital photography or even watch movies on the go. New iPhones also contain plenty more features to enhance your user experience. As a result, battery life can often suffer, but there are steps every iPhone user can take to preserve it’s longevity.

Assess your usage

As the saying goes, ‘prevention is better than the cure’. By working out exactly which apps or features are draining your battery, you can prevent them from doing so in advance.

On iOS 8, visit Settings > General > Usage > Battery Usage to see which percentage of your battery each app is using. Unused apps can be deleted, others can simply be closed while not in use.

Background App Refresh

Background App Refresh will be enabled automatically on any iPhone running iOS 7 or later. This feature allows apps to run in the background while multitasking, constantly refreshing your content when connected to Wi-Fi or a data network. The continuous usage can run down your battery quickly, so disable it by visiting Settings > General > Background App Refresh and switching it off.

Notification Centre

In iOS 8, widgets can be accessed via the Notification Centre by pulling it down from the top of your screen.

Although it may be convenient to have regular updates on weather, sports or travel, the frequent refreshing of data can be a strain on your battery.

By selecting ‘Edit’ from your ‘Today’ screen, you can choose the widgets that are most important to you and remove the rest.

Location Services

If you’re using GPS for travel or want to update a friend with your location, these services can be great, but if you’re not using them personally there is little need for your iPhone to monitor your location constantly.

Location Services can be switched off through Settings > Privacy > Location Services.

Users of the ‘Find My iPhone’ feature will be glad to know the apps can be disabled individually, so you’ll still be able to find it in an emergency.

Brightness

While a vibrant display looks stunning on your iPhone, it could also be draining your battery. In most lighting scenarios, lower brightness settings can be perfectly adequate, so you may wish to switch off Auto-Brightness and select a level yourself.

Simply visit Settings > Wallpapers & Brightness to disable it and choose your ideal setting.

Cutting back on battery draining features will help you get the most from your iPhone and stay productive for longer.

What are your tips for saving your battery? Let us know in the comments. Also, EmoFix will change your perspective towards taking photographs.

Things You Didn’t Know About The iPhone 6

Already proven to be a best seller since it’s Fall 2014 release, the iPhone 6 is full of helpful apps and features to enhance your user experience, however there are several things you may not know about the device.

The iPhone 6 was the first time Apple changed the design of the iPhone in four years. They had been using the same basic design language since 2010.

Although it is an Apple product, the iPhone 6’s processor – the A8 chip, is actually designed by Samsung, as is the renowned Retina display. The Korean company have been contributing to Apple products for years and will be producing the new A9 chip for future models.

Even the smaller iPhone 6 is bigger than the iPhone 5s, showing how the trends within mobile technology are changing. Bigger is better!

We’ve all seen our fair share of cracked iPhones, so long-time users will be glad to know the latest version was created with ion-strengthened glass, built to resist shattering.

The device now supports 2.1A charging, and will charge faster with an iPad charger than an iPhone one.

The iPhone 6 sold so well upon release it caused glitches on Apple’s international websites. It instantly became the best selling cell phone in Japan, however the Japanese Apple website showed the product as ‘unavailable’ despite having plenty in stock.

Your iPhone will store anything you say to Siri. This information is sent to Apple to be analyzed and is stored for two years.

Speaking of Siri, it’s possible to retrain your phone to pronounce certain words. If Siri is incorrect, simply say ‘That’s not how you pronounce…’ and Siri will allow you to save a correction.

It’s possible to boost your productivity even further using the iPhone 6’s software. You no longer have to close an app or even unlock your phone to reply to a text. Simply slide your message notification horizontally and press ‘reply’.

Whilst unique trivia may not alter your opinion of the iPhone either way, it’s always fun to have fun facts to share with fellow tech enthusiasts. Do you have any facts to share about the iPhone 6? Let us know in the comments! Also, EmoFix is coming to change your photography experience with iPhone.

Why crowdfunding is the best way to support the things you love.

Crowdfunding is a system that allows individuals or businesses with innovative ideas to publicly raise funds in support of their project.
 

Sites such as Kickstarter have boosted the popularity of the crowdfunding platform, with a huge member base dedicated to funding the causes and project they’re passionate about, be it a piece of artwork, an indie movie, an album or a unique new product. Each contribution is pooled to achieve the creator’s target, allowing them to financially back their idea.

With crowdfunding, you don’t need to be a business or a big-shot investor to support the up and coming pioneers you have faith in. Whether you’re donating $1 or $10000, every contribution makes a difference and everyday folk are just as able to help out, regardless of their background, interests or income.

There are a number of reasons to support your interests with crowdfunding. Firstly is the feel-good factor of helping someone achieve his or her goals and seeing them come to fruition. It’s also common for the creator to offer an incentive, such as a pre-release item, so you’ll also get rewarded for your good deed. It’s a small price to pay to bring a project you love to life. So why not get ready for EmoFix? You can get one of the first items!

Supporting crowdfunding campaigns is also a great way to throw off traditions that may limit up-and-comers. Established, traditional investors may have reservations about investing in a company with no history or proof of their expertise. As a result, ventures may be held back by the lack of funding. Now, they can appeal to the open-minded internet users who have backed millions of projects to date, giving them a chance at the impossible and achieving their dreams. Not only could the platform prove efficient for funding their current product, it could also serve as a building block, providing them with experience for the future. In fact, huge technological advances such as the Oculus Rift visor originally began life as crowdfunding campaigns.

The crowdfunding platform also enhances a sense of community, with backers of successful products feeling great in the knowledge they helped make it a reality.

Finally, if you’re developing a product, you may find your previous donations have brought you some good karma. Should you begin your own campaign, potential donors will be able to view your previous generosity and may see you as more deserving of their support.

Take a look at leading crowdfunding sites such as Kickstarter or IndieGoGo to preview some of the amazing projects currently in production.

10 Facts About Android Which You Probably Didn't Know

As the world’s most popular mobile platform, there are plenty of facts about Android that most consumers are familiar with, however there are some that may take you by surprise.

1. Android was originally developed for digital cameras. The platform’s creators later made the switch to smartphones as they saw potential in the new technology. Well, maybe that's why we love it so much for EmoFix [ we don't need any app though:) ]

2. Android is completely open source. Users are welcome to download, edit and enhance the source code of the operating system, adding their own quirks and features. It is also entirely free to access, unlike the Microsoft operating system or Apple’s iOS. The code is released under AOSP (the Android Open Source Project) under the Apache License which allows full distribution and modification.

3. Similarly, Android’s development tools are also freely available at developer.android.com,

where you can download the Eclipse Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and get started straight away, which is one reason the Android platform is so popular with developers and tech enthusiasts. There are endless tutorials online for editing with Android’s tools on sites such as XDA-Developers and Github.

4. Google did not create Android, contrary to popular belief. Andy Rubin shaped Android Inc. as a company in it’s own right long before Google purchased the company for $50 million in 2005.

5. Before joining Google, Andy Rubin worked at Apple, where he was given the nickname ‘Android’ due to his love of robots. He chose to name the company after this namesake.

6. There are devices in space currently running the Android operating system. They are floating robots consisting of Nexus S handsets. They run on Android version 2.3, Gingerbread.

7. We are all familiar with the Android logo, but the cute robot we know and love is not actually named Android. The mascot is named Bugdroid and is referred to by name by Google’s development team.

8. The first ever Android Smartphone was the HTC Dream (also known as the G1). Released in 2008, it ran on Android version 1.6, Donut, and featured a 3.2 inch screen and full slider QWERTY keyboard. At the time, it was miles ahead and pioneered the Android revolution.

9. Android has been registered and activated on over one billion devices worldwide, such as smartphones and tablets.

10. It’s a known fact that aside from the first two, Android versions are named after sweet treats, but you may not have realised that each release has followed alphabetically. In order of release, the versions are named Astro, Bender, Cupcake, Donut, Éclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, KitKat and Lollypop.

Did you know this? That's quite fun actually. If you have more facts to share, leave a comment.

Just got a new iPhone? Here’s how to set it up.

The new iPhone 6 has been an instant hit, with over 10 million units sold in the first month of release. Whether you’re a seasoned iPhone pro who’s familiar with iOS or it’s your first purchase from the Apple store, following these tips can ensure your new handset is set up productively.

Setup Assistant

Your first experience with your new iPhone will be Apple’s Setup Assistant, which will take you through the basic steps to get your handset ready for use. You’ll be prompted to enter or create an Apple ID, connect to Wi-Fi, activate Find My iPhone and set the time and date if necessary.

Your Data

Next, you’ll want to import your contacts, emails and app. Previous iPhone users will find this a breeze and be able to sync their new iPhone to iTunes and iCloud.

For those new to Apple, you’ll want to install the latest version of iTunes. The software is free and allows you to seamlessly sync your media to your iPhone, iPad or iPod. It’s simple to drag your photos, videos or music to the iTunes library and they’ll be sent straight to your device. Or, if you’d like something new, explore the huge variety of music, movies, television shows, apps and more that the iTunes store has to offer.

Apps

Consider what you’d like your smart phone to accomplish. Do you use it for work or play? Whatever your needs, there are apps to help you out and boost your productivity.

Apps can be downloaded from the iTunes store on your computer or directly from you iPhone via the app store. Whether you use your phone for business, pleasure or keeping your family life organised, there are apps to suit you, including games, financial tools, list makers, notebooks and photography enhancers. And guess what, EmoFix does not need any app, so you won't have to set up anything for that!

iOS 8

iOS 8 is the newest operating system from Apple and comes as standard on all iPhone 6 handsets. There have been some dramatic changes since iOS 7, including the addition of widgets. These allow you to set up your apps so that any updates, such as reminders or messages appear in your iPhones notification bar, allowing you to preview the latest information at first glance without having to open the app. Other interesting updates include third party keyboards, battery power analysis, time-lapse videos, group chats, group messaging and improved email functions.

Once your phone is loaded with the apps and media you love, it’s time to enjoy being an iPhone user and explore in depth. You’ll be sure to find endless capabilities and organise your life perfectly. Congratulations on the new purchase!

Cool Tips And Tricks to Take the Perfect Selfie!

We know that you just love taking selfies. That's why we're brining EmoFix for you. But in the meantime, why not take a look at some cool selfie tips which will help you take that perfect snap you wanted.

Camera Settings

Your camera or photographic app will consist of several features that are a lot more in depth than simply taking the photo. You can play with shapes, zoom, flash or filters to edit the appearance and quality of the final result.

Lighting

Making sure the area is well lit is a key factor of a great selfie. Your facial expression, hair, outfit or makeup will look their best and stand out in great light and you’ll avoid unsightly shadows.

Poses

Take a look at your favourite celebrity’s Instagram page, or flick through the pages of a magazine. You’ll see how the poses add to the feel and appearance of the photo. Try them out yourself until you find one that fits your style and flatters your face.

Once you’ve perfected your post, keep still! Breathe deeply, focus and carefully take the shot to prevent motion blur.

Spruce Up

Check you’re looking your best in the mirror before you pull out your phone.  If you look and feel great, it’ll be reflected in the photo. Smooth down flyaway hairs and show off your best smile for an attractive shot full of positive energy.

Check your Background

Quickly scanning your background before pressing the button can save you from awkward scenarios such as funny signs or unexpected photo-bombs. It only takes a second to look around, especially if you have a front facing camera.

It also can’t hurt to quickly clean up your environment. Do you really want all your friends to see your piles of dirty laundry?

Apps

Apps like Instagram and Hipster allow you to add pre-made filters, to enhance your photo and add bright or vintage effects.

PicFX offers similar filters, however also features stunning lighting effects such as bokeh, galaxy effects or hearts, as well as texture overlays and frames to personalise your photo even further.

In Asia, beauty apps are all the rage, with popular apps such as BeautyPlus that ‘beautify’ the subject’s appearance. They can result in an airbrushed finish, exhibiting smooth skin or slimmer features. While this level of self-editing may be controversial, the app remains the top photo editing app in Japan, Thailand and Taiwan and over 10 million users worldwide.

Remotes

Using Emofix, you can take steady, well balanced images without having to hold your phone, allowing you to maintain a more natural pose and a flattering angle, resulting in a better selfie.

Know more? Have a though to share? Just leave a comment and let us know! :)

Why should you back crowd funding projects?

It’s common knowledge that many of today’s biggest entrepreneurs within the technology industry started out from scratch. To get to where they are now, they’ll have faced a number of obstacles related to funding and support, which can be a hindrance to upcoming innovators.

This instance is not uncommon, with plenty of potential start-up business failing to gather enough money to get their ideas off the ground and market their product or service to the public. It is likely that many great ideas have gone to waste over time due to insufficient funding – an problem that could have been easily avoided with the right platform to gather attention and financial provision.

This is where crowdfunding can help. By supporting crowdfunding campaigns, you are enhancing the business market and the addition of innovative new concepts. Each project leads to endless possibilities that could potentially change the creator’s specific industry, for example the Ouya gaming console – an open-source system that stirred up the gaming community – raised over $8 million in under a month using the Kickstarter platform.

It’s easy to find a crowdfunding campaign you’d be happy to support, with sites such as Kickstarter and IndieGoGo featuring thousands of upcoming projects each day. Even the smallest donation can be a helpful contribution, with most sites allowing donations as little as $1. In the event you choose to donate a sizeable sum, you may find you’re entitled to benefits such as pre-release information, a trial of the product, or even an attribution on the company’s website, information booklet or packaging.

From a business perspective, crowdfunding has had a positive influence on a number of industries, with upcoming developers competing against one another to discover gaps in the market and introduce unique products and services.

By donating to the projects you believe in, you’re encouraging a more creative world and helping to improve the economy by helping to build successful start-ups. Finance can often be a strain on newcomers, but through crowdfunding, there is hope for every up-and-comer.

Fund a project today for a brighter tomorrow.
The little money you put in today can pay back to you through your life and generations to come.